Luzia starts out this story as a scullion in Madrid. She has questionable heritage – this is set in the time of the Inquisition, and Luzia’s family has kept to their Jewish heritage. But even more than that, she has powers.
When her mistress discovers her milagritos, Luzia’s secret is out in the open, and powerful men in Madrid seek to control her. The king is searching for a champion, and Victor de Parades, the luckiest man in Madrid, is going to make sure that Luzia is that champion. He sends his servant Santeangel to train Luzia.
It’s very clear that Santeangel is no ordinary man, and Luzia herself is not fully what she appears. This is a great story – it’s very much a historically flavored fantasy, and it’s also about seizing power for yourself when it seems like you are powerless. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.