Chapter 1: By the Same Author – Summary and Analysis
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Chapter 1, titled “By the Same Author,” is a standard front-matter page that appears in many ebooks and print editions. It lists Leigh Bardugo’s novels published prior to The Familiar. The entries are organized by series:
- The Ninth House Series: Ninth House and Hell Bent
- The Shadow and Bone Trilogy: Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, Ruin and Rising
- The Six of Crows Duology: Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom
- The King of Scars Duology: King of Scars and Rule of Wolves
- Collections: The Language of Thorns and The Lives of Saints
The page serves as a quick reference for readers who may want to explore Bardugo’s other works. It does not advance any plot, introduce characters, or set up the story of The Familiar. The chapter occupies exactly one page and contains no narrative text.
Key Events
- The chapter presents a curated list of the author’s published books, grouped by series.
- No story events occur; the page is purely informational.
- The list implicitly signals the author’s genre range (dark academia in the Ninth House series, high fantasy in the Grishaverse, and short-story collections).
Character Development
No characters appear in this chapter. Development is not applicable.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs Actually Evidenced Here
Because the chapter contains no narrative, it does not develop themes, symbols, or motifs that carry into the story. However, the very existence of a “by the same author” page can be seen as a paratextual motif common in publishing. It frames The Familiar within Bardugo’s larger bibliography, reminding readers that the author has built complex magical worlds before. The inclusion of The Lives of Saints and The Language of Thorns (collections of in-universe folklore) may hint at thematic interests in mythology and storytelling, though this is not explicitly stated.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 1 is not part of the narrative, but it fulfills a practical function: it helps readers locate other books by the author and may encourage cross-reading. For a study companion, acknowledging this front matter is important because it sets no expectations about plot or characters. Readers new to Bardugo might glance at the list and decide to start with an earlier series. For returning readers, the page acts as a quick catalog. Including it as a chapter (rather than hiding it after the title page) suggests that the publisher considers it part of the book’s front matter, which is standard for ebooks.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why do you think the publisher chose to include the “By the Same Author” list as a separate chapter?
Answer: This is a common layout in ebooks, where each major section (title page, copyright, dedication, also by) often begins on its own page with a chapter break. It helps navigation and makes the front matter feel structured. In the print edition, these pages are usually unnumbered front matter, so the ebook adapts the format.
2. Based on the titles listed, what genres or settings might you expect from The Familiar?
Answer: The list spans dark academia (Ninth House), epic fantasy (Shadow and Bone), heist fantasy (Six of Crows), and political fantasy (King of Scars). The Familiar could draw from any of these tones. The standalone title “The Familiar” suggests a story about a magical companion, which may align with Bardugo’s interest in magical systems and intricate relationships.
3. Does the order of the list (series grouped together) affect how you perceive the author’s body of work?
Answer: Yes, grouping by series emphasizes the author’s multi-volume storytelling and the connective tissue of the Grishaverse. It also highlights that Bardugo has published both breakout series (Shadow and Bone) and more recent adult-focused works (Ninth House). This builds an impression of a diverse yet consistent author.