angelqueen04's review against another edition
4.0
A biographical narrative of the early years of the (in)famous Catholic monarchs, more specifically Isabella. A controversal figure even today, Gortner lends a deft hand to the early years of her life and reign, from her earliest childhood to the launching of Columbus toward the New World.
I also enjoyed the character of Beatriz, Isabella's friend and lady-in-waiting. Her more outgoing and sunny attitude was an excellent counterpoint for Isabella's more melancholic disposition, and she made me laugh more than once. Of course, once the rumblings of the Inquisition began, I spent much of the book worrying that Torquemada might target her and her husband, since they were both conversos, people who descended from people who had converted from Judaism to Christianity. Fortunately, her status as Isabella's closest friend seemed to have protected her.
While the book lacked the spark of excitement and danger that The Tudor Secret had, it was still quite riveting. I could hardly put it down.
Spoiler
I enjoyed this rendition of the life of Isabella. Gortner did an excellent job of trying to get into her head, to build some kind of structure and reason for the decisions of Isabella's life, most especially her decision to expell her Jewish subjects from Castile, one of the acts that darkens her reputation even today.I also enjoyed the character of Beatriz, Isabella's friend and lady-in-waiting. Her more outgoing and sunny attitude was an excellent counterpoint for Isabella's more melancholic disposition, and she made me laugh more than once. Of course, once the rumblings of the Inquisition began, I spent much of the book worrying that Torquemada might target her and her husband, since they were both conversos, people who descended from people who had converted from Judaism to Christianity. Fortunately, her status as Isabella's closest friend seemed to have protected her.
While the book lacked the spark of excitement and danger that The Tudor Secret had, it was still quite riveting. I could hardly put it down.
riseclare's review against another edition
4.0
Well written, very interesting, and kept my attention. Educational as well, as I have not read anything on Spanish royalty. (Ferdinand and Isabella) This is the mother of Catherine of Aragon and also she was a warrior queen and was responsible for part of the Spanish Inquisition. Great read and now I want to read about her daughter, the "mad" Queen, Juana. I've found a new author for sure! Already have downloaded his book on Chanel!
harparey's review against another edition
4.0
Fyrri hlutinn var frábær! Fannst sagan missa aðeins flugið þegar á leið. Gaman og áhugavert að lesa um spænska sögu. Á mögulega eftir að nýta þessa bók í kennslu.
monicamjw's review against another edition
5.0
C. W. Gortner does an amazing job of letting the reader step into the worlds of his characters. This is a wonderful complement to the story of Queen Joan. His books make you want to learn more about every charcter that appears in them.
jduns57's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed a lot of the story line, such as her family and children, but had difficulty keeping up with all the names and connections of people. I picked this up and put it down many times, but was happy to finish it.
mamalemma's review against another edition
5.0
Gortner is masterful at painting the lives of historic queens, rich in imagery, place and intrigue. Gortner’s Queen Isabella of Spain was a bad ass feminist, who co-ruled ancient Spain with her beloved Fernando (in English, Ferdinand, they of the Christopher Columbus patronage). While historical fiction, the story is based on truth, and I had not realized that Queen Isabella had such deep ties to Torquemada and the Spanish Inquisition. While completely speculative, I really liked how Gortner made Queen Isabella sympathetic to the Jews (though she clearly had no love lost for the Islamic Moors!) and had her questioning the moral correctness of expelling the Jews from Spain, all while deeply believing in the superiority of her Catholic faith and that she was saving her Jewish people from eternal damnation. The perspective made her deeply human and conflicted, and added veracity to the story. All in all, a terrific read.
bookishnicole's review against another edition
5.0
I have to admit that I was drawn to this book by both the historical fiction as well as the beautiful dress that graced the cover. I've never read much about the Spanish royals, so this was an entirely new section of history for me to read about.
Usually when it comes to history I can be a stickler for the facts, but in this case, there was no way for me to do that because I didn't really know this era or these royals, so I cannot attest to the historical accuracy, but I can say that it was a beautifully woven story that had me not wanting to put the book down. At times I hated that I had to go to work because I just wanted to know if Isabella was going to prevail over her half brother or if she was going to stay locked in her rooms a prisoner of his capricious wife.
I think one of my favorite parts of this book was that Isabella and Ferdinando seemed to really be in love as opposed to most royals who have an arranged marriage and they make it work. Just looking at Enrique and his wife Johanna, who both had very different proclivities, but were forced to stay together for the worse of the realm.
Gortner does an amazing job painting the trials and tribulations that Isabella and Ferdinando face as they struggle to make a united front and prove their right to rule. I was rooting for the two of them as I read, but I was also rooting for Isabella to find her own voice and for her to come into her own right as queen, and what a marvelous job she did.
I will definitely be reading more for Gortner, who paints such a wonderful and enticing picture of history.
Usually when it comes to history I can be a stickler for the facts, but in this case, there was no way for me to do that because I didn't really know this era or these royals, so I cannot attest to the historical accuracy, but I can say that it was a beautifully woven story that had me not wanting to put the book down. At times I hated that I had to go to work because I just wanted to know if Isabella was going to prevail over her half brother or if she was going to stay locked in her rooms a prisoner of his capricious wife.
I think one of my favorite parts of this book was that Isabella and Ferdinando seemed to really be in love as opposed to most royals who have an arranged marriage and they make it work. Just looking at Enrique and his wife Johanna, who both had very different proclivities, but were forced to stay together for the worse of the realm.
Gortner does an amazing job painting the trials and tribulations that Isabella and Ferdinando face as they struggle to make a united front and prove their right to rule. I was rooting for the two of them as I read, but I was also rooting for Isabella to find her own voice and for her to come into her own right as queen, and what a marvelous job she did.
I will definitely be reading more for Gortner, who paints such a wonderful and enticing picture of history.
cher_n_books's review against another edition
2.0
2 stars - Meh. Just ok.
Ironically, the best part of this novel was the author’s afterword. I feel a nonfiction book written by him would be stronger than his historical fiction novels, at least judging off of this one. To be fair, [b:The Confessions of Catherine de Medici|6801454|The Confessions of Catherine de Medici|C.W. Gortner|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1320520974s/6801454.jpg|7007904] was a far more satisfying read.
Prior to reading this I was fascinated by the story of Isabella of Castile but found this novel about her to progress very slowly, especially the back half. It focused heavily on her persecution of other religions and battles (which lacked any exciting action in their detail).
What I love best about reading historical fiction is how figures come to life through characterization and the small details of their life and relationships that show their humanity. That was lacking in this novel.
-------------------------------------------
Favorite Quote: Youth is no protection; in the end, life scars us all.
First Sentence: No one believed I was destined for greatness.
Ironically, the best part of this novel was the author’s afterword. I feel a nonfiction book written by him would be stronger than his historical fiction novels, at least judging off of this one. To be fair, [b:The Confessions of Catherine de Medici|6801454|The Confessions of Catherine de Medici|C.W. Gortner|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1320520974s/6801454.jpg|7007904] was a far more satisfying read.
Prior to reading this I was fascinated by the story of Isabella of Castile but found this novel about her to progress very slowly, especially the back half. It focused heavily on her persecution of other religions and battles (which lacked any exciting action in their detail).
What I love best about reading historical fiction is how figures come to life through characterization and the small details of their life and relationships that show their humanity. That was lacking in this novel.
-------------------------------------------
Favorite Quote: Youth is no protection; in the end, life scars us all.
First Sentence: No one believed I was destined for greatness.
marlfox24's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
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.