eerupps's review against another edition
3.0
I really liked reading about Queen Isabella because I hadn't previously known much about her reign, but I think that sometimes the author got a little too bogged down in unnecessary details. Some periods of time in the book took a few chapters to cover, while years were skipped in a matter of pages, so I thought the flow of the book was a little off. Also, I was somewhat disappointed as to where the book ended. I would have liked to know more about the rest of her life. I found out that the first book he wrote is about one of Queen Isabella's daughters, and I plan to read that one soon.
reka111's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
cynthia828's review against another edition
challenging
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
Reads like an encyclopedia. Very dry
riversong200's review against another edition
4.0
A fascinating story about Queen Isabella of Spain which appears to be very well researched. The story takes us from her early years until 1492 when she sends Columbus in search of the new world.
ornery_librarian's review against another edition
2.0
I have loved other novels of Gortner's but not this one. It was somehow too detailed and not detailed enough? There were parts of the story that dragged on; like the civil war between her brother and half-brother but later on I felt like the Inquisition got skimmed over. We got a lot of insight into Isabella's thoughts and feelings but I still felt like I didn't really get to know her. Not the greatest but I appreciated a historical fiction novel that didn't take place in England or in France.
joabroda's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
relaxing
fast-paced
3.5
A HF biography of Isabella that satisfied my Historical Fiction bug, and ignited my History nerd for more.
The story takes us from toddler to Columbus embarking on his first historic journey. I wish the story of Columbus had started earlier, but understandably the book was about Isabella so I regress.
It was my first Gortner. His writing is good, his storytelling got me caught up in the book. It appears his research was done. I liked his author notes in the back of the book. He stated what he changed things for brevities sake (some dates are off by a year or two), and he stays neutral on Isabella as a ruler and a person.
I have pretty well covered English Royal History (but not saying I won't read more) and now have the itch to find out more about the Spain's. Isabella and Ferdinand's youngest Catalina (aka Catherine of Aragon) was the first wife of Henry VIII and the small amount I have read about her parents is only from books that are about other matters.
Others may not have rounded up, but this is all personal opinion-a better than average HF novel in my opinion.
The story takes us from toddler to Columbus embarking on his first historic journey. I wish the story of Columbus had started earlier, but understandably the book was about Isabella so I regress.
It was my first Gortner. His writing is good, his storytelling got me caught up in the book. It appears his research was done. I liked his author notes in the back of the book. He stated what he changed things for brevities sake (some dates are off by a year or two), and he stays neutral on Isabella as a ruler and a person.
I have pretty well covered English Royal History (but not saying I won't read more) and now have the itch to find out more about the Spain's. Isabella and Ferdinand's youngest Catalina (aka Catherine of Aragon) was the first wife of Henry VIII and the small amount I have read about her parents is only from books that are about other matters.
Others may not have rounded up, but this is all personal opinion-a better than average HF novel in my opinion.
ptaradactyl's review against another edition
3.0
I usually have a hard time with fiction based on historical figures, as they always make painful mistakes. This novel did a great job at balancing Isabella's less-then-wonderful decisions with understandable motivations of a dedicated queen.
jessieg154's review against another edition
4.0
While this is a good book, purposefully changing historical facts to suit the story is irresponsible for a writer of historical fiction. As the author admits at the end of the book, he did change certain things and some of the language was historically inaccurate. It was, however, an excellent book, very well written. I just wish the author didn't take such liberties with history.