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jujudepamplemousse's review against another edition
4.0
Bastante informativo aunque a veces es difícil diferenciar los hechos históricos "exactos" de los puramente ficticios.
lalawoman416's review against another edition
4.0
In the vein of Phillipa Gregory, this historical fiction is all the MORE intriguing because of its subject matter - Juana, the last queen of Spain. She was also known as "Juana la loca" but as history is written by men and there were certainly more than enough men (her father, her husband, and her son) writing her story.
We first meet Juana as a young, impetuous woman a little in awe, a little in resentment of her mother, Queen Isabella of Castille. She enters an arranged marriage to the Hapsburg heir, the Flemish Phillip the Fair. Though arranged, she finds love, which is more than her dear, more infamous sister, Catherine gets in her marriage to the soon to be Henry VIII. After years of bliss, her times comes to inherit her mother's crown. Then the power play between her husband and her father ensue to rule in her stead - neither particularly interested in being ruled by a woman... again.
I really enjoyed learning about a figure who isn't given her due and when she is given some lip service, she was so misunderstood. Wholeheartedly recommend it.
We first meet Juana as a young, impetuous woman a little in awe, a little in resentment of her mother, Queen Isabella of Castille. She enters an arranged marriage to the Hapsburg heir, the Flemish Phillip the Fair. Though arranged, she finds love, which is more than her dear, more infamous sister, Catherine gets in her marriage to the soon to be Henry VIII. After years of bliss, her times comes to inherit her mother's crown. Then the power play between her husband and her father ensue to rule in her stead - neither particularly interested in being ruled by a woman... again.
I really enjoyed learning about a figure who isn't given her due and when she is given some lip service, she was so misunderstood. Wholeheartedly recommend it.
kdap94's review against another edition
4.0
A little long but really fascinating. Overall pretty clean and an engaging story.
readerholic_091's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I enjoyed this book but I didn't love it. I was interested in some parts and bored in others. I don't regret picking this book up.
fictionallyyours's review against another edition
challenging
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
mbenzz's review against another edition
5.0
This was a great book. It was a story that I wasn't at all familiar with, but I enjoyed it immensely. My favorite historical fictions always involve the Tudors, but I wanted to branch out from that family for a bit and learn about someone else. I didn't have to look very far.
Juana is the older sister of Catharine of Aragon (Henry VIII's first wife), and her story is remarkable. I can't believe that for as much as she did, and as important as she was, no one really remembers her, or even knows who she was! Mr. Gortner has done an incredible job of giving Queen Juana a voice and portraying her in a very realistic and human manner. She wasn't just some paranoid, crazy Queen...there was a method to everything she did and a good reason for her mistrust of people. I thank the author for sharing Juana's story. I learned a lot about this fascinating, strong, and very misunderstood woman whom I otherwise would never have known existed.
Juana is the older sister of Catharine of Aragon (Henry VIII's first wife), and her story is remarkable. I can't believe that for as much as she did, and as important as she was, no one really remembers her, or even knows who she was! Mr. Gortner has done an incredible job of giving Queen Juana a voice and portraying her in a very realistic and human manner. She wasn't just some paranoid, crazy Queen...there was a method to everything she did and a good reason for her mistrust of people. I thank the author for sharing Juana's story. I learned a lot about this fascinating, strong, and very misunderstood woman whom I otherwise would never have known existed.
1cornsread's review against another edition
emotional
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I never knew about this woman before reading this book, and I learned a lot about European history. However, I didn't really like how the main character's personality was interpreted in the story.
hibashakes's review against another edition
4.0
Once again, C. W. Gortner wove a beautifully, haunting story of Juana La Loca.
Normally, Spanish history doesn't interest, but I was enamored with this book. I read this book non-stop, which I normally dont do.
The haunting tale of Juana La Loca has always interested me. Through all the trials and tribulations, I wonder how Juana stayed sane for that long.
It was very a disheartening book to read. The majority of people who Juana loved turned against her.
I really wanted to take a knife and stab her father with it. I truly belive that his betrayal sealed the coffin on her insanity.
I loved the whole story. I loved Juana. I loved this story. I'm so speechless, I don't even know what to write, because this book was phenomenal.
C. W. Gortner is amazing. I highly recommend this book to anyone! Its a beautifully, enriching story.
Normally, Spanish history doesn't interest, but I was enamored with this book. I read this book non-stop, which I normally dont do.
The haunting tale of Juana La Loca has always interested me. Through all the trials and tribulations, I wonder how Juana stayed sane for that long.
It was very a disheartening book to read. The majority of people who Juana loved turned against her.
I really wanted to take a knife and stab her father with it. I truly belive that his betrayal sealed the coffin on her insanity.
I loved the whole story. I loved Juana. I loved this story. I'm so speechless, I don't even know what to write, because this book was phenomenal.
C. W. Gortner is amazing. I highly recommend this book to anyone! Its a beautifully, enriching story.
whisperwind's review against another edition
4.0
gripping, good written story, i learn so many facts about JUana, its really very interesting was SHE truly mad or she was political pawn. i also think the story in this book is more realistic, but who knows...who knows...
Juana in my imagination :)
Juana in my imagination :)
Spoiler
but no matter what, i also could became insane if my husband would be unfaithful and after he and own father will imprisoned me for years without any info from outer world and at last if my daughter will be stolen from me and stay all alone within cold wallskdedens's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5