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blodeuedd's review against another edition
3.0
It's hard to grade this one, for my personal enjoyment it gets a lesser grade cos I felt so sad, but as for the writing and story it gets a higher grade. Because it was really good.
Juana de Loca as she is known as did not have an easy life. Married at 16 to a handsome prince she was happy, for a while. But that love turned as he wanted her kingdom. He treated her horrible, and declared her insane. Well if my man gave all my things to his whore then I would jump her too. If she was insane is the question, sure they had it in the family, but the way she was treated could only have made it worse. And it is also said at the end that it really showed long after when her last child was taken from her and she was left all alone. So no she did not have a happy life, first screwed over by her husband and then by her father. The book ends with her being locked away. She was a woman ruled by men.
It did make me think a bit, her mother was strong and ruled her kingdom, she went to war and knew her mind. Perhaps poor Juana was not as strong, because I do not think her mother would have tolerated being handled like that.
Still it is a fascinating story, Juana's life, for a few years, and the quest of who will rule what is Spain. Being heir to kingdoms was certainly not easy. And Gortner writes the story so well, I really feel for Juana, and the things that did happen he explains so well. What she might have thought right then.
Because of this it is a book I recommend, and I do confess that plenty of times while reading I thought to myself how much men suck. Bastards!
Juana de Loca as she is known as did not have an easy life. Married at 16 to a handsome prince she was happy, for a while. But that love turned as he wanted her kingdom. He treated her horrible, and declared her insane. Well if my man gave all my things to his whore then I would jump her too. If she was insane is the question, sure they had it in the family, but the way she was treated could only have made it worse. And it is also said at the end that it really showed long after when her last child was taken from her and she was left all alone. So no she did not have a happy life, first screwed over by her husband and then by her father. The book ends with her being locked away. She was a woman ruled by men.
It did make me think a bit, her mother was strong and ruled her kingdom, she went to war and knew her mind. Perhaps poor Juana was not as strong, because I do not think her mother would have tolerated being handled like that.
Still it is a fascinating story, Juana's life, for a few years, and the quest of who will rule what is Spain. Being heir to kingdoms was certainly not easy. And Gortner writes the story so well, I really feel for Juana, and the things that did happen he explains so well. What she might have thought right then.
Because of this it is a book I recommend, and I do confess that plenty of times while reading I thought to myself how much men suck. Bastards!
mookiesbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Great book that shows a juana as a person and not a puppet of power
susannavs's review against another edition
3.0
I don't know the history of Spain well enough to comment on Juana's story, but The Last Queen was engaging and has made me want to know more about Spain's history and Ferdinand and Isabella. Like most monarchies, the family seems very complicated, and from what I can tell, Juana wasn't treated very well by her own parents, let alone her husband.
Being English, I automatically think of the Spanish as "the enemy", loving the Elizabethan era as I do :-P Nevertheless, this was a good opportunity to see the other side of things.
Being English, I automatically think of the Spanish as "the enemy", loving the Elizabethan era as I do :-P Nevertheless, this was a good opportunity to see the other side of things.
chelseaclif7's review against another edition
5.0
I am utterly wow'd by this book.
I have read a few historical fiction pieces over the past year, and this tops everyone I have read about the Tudors. There is such passion and despair and frustration and... UGH really it's just beautifully done. The writing is flawless, I was turning pages like a madwoman, but not because it was telling of scandal and intrigue at every turn; the insight Gortner seems to have when it comes to Juana La Loco is amazing. I felt myself cheering for her.
The mad thing is, the craziest, most outlandish parts of the story are those that are most proven to be true. In his afterward, Gortner admits to what ha altered, andit doesn't seem like much.
This novel has made me a fan of Gortner, and of Spanish history.
I have read a few historical fiction pieces over the past year, and this tops everyone I have read about the Tudors. There is such passion and despair and frustration and... UGH really it's just beautifully done. The writing is flawless, I was turning pages like a madwoman, but not because it was telling of scandal and intrigue at every turn; the insight Gortner seems to have when it comes to Juana La Loco is amazing. I felt myself cheering for her.
The mad thing is, the craziest, most outlandish parts of the story are those that are most proven to be true. In his afterward, Gortner admits to what ha altered, andit doesn't seem like much.
This novel has made me a fan of Gortner, and of Spanish history.
jkkb332's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting but exhausting story. By the end I was so tired of Juana trusting people for no reason and getting screwed for it. She fought so hard, but all for nothing.
apopenhagen's review against another edition
2.0
Honestly, I couldn't really get into this book. I got about halfway through and just couldn't go on, which is really unusual. I'm giving it two stars because I think it is a pretty original idea, I haven't ever seen any books about Juana, even though she is a pretty interesting figure.
Anyway, I'm sure other people will love this book, it just wasn't for me.
1.5 stars
Anyway, I'm sure other people will love this book, it just wasn't for me.
1.5 stars
acarolinabelle's review against another edition
4.0
Very interesting read! I've only heard mentions of the legendary Juana in other books, particularly those based on her sister Catherine. I really enjoyed this look into her life, as I've always wondered if she were truly mad or a victim.
kmoses87's review against another edition
emotional
medium-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
2.5
Definitely emotional as others have said. I know a lot about English history in the 1500's, but not Spain, so I was really interested in what was going to happen. I loved the emotional. I really felt for Juana. My low score is because I was annoyed with the ending. She has been looked up, then they come for her and...just lock her up in a different place. I know you can't mess with what actually happened, but I feel that was a poorly chosen way to end it.
donotreadtrack's review against another edition
4.0
The impact of a good writer is measured if the reader is truly feeling all of the angst, emotions and thoughts of the main character, and wow was I ripping my hair out. Story of Queen Joanna is a story so many women will relate to- how men will drive women insane by their actions and then have the audacity to gaslight them or silence them. Also, I was especially struck by how far the world will convince you’re going crazy despite having very normal reactions to horrible situations.
If I was Joanna, it would have been on sight at every single one of them! Mad respect to her- she was a feminist in a world where women were hardly taken seriously. My new fave historical figure, I’ve never related more to a character. Writing could have been less modern and more melodic, but Joanna was captivating until the final fourth of the novel. I only bestowed 4 stars bc of Joanna.
If I was Joanna, it would have been on sight at every single one of them! Mad respect to her- she was a feminist in a world where women were hardly taken seriously. My new fave historical figure, I’ve never related more to a character. Writing could have been less modern and more melodic, but Joanna was captivating until the final fourth of the novel. I only bestowed 4 stars bc of Joanna.
asma_aj's review against another edition
4.0
Princess Juana never thought her fate would take her closer to ruling a country. Being the fourth child, and third daughter of Isabella and Ferdinand, the monarchy that united Spain, her only future was to marry a noble. As a girl ruled by her own heart, Juana finds it a surprise that her arranged marriage with Philip the Fair unexpectedly moves forward-- and even more so that it's filled with passion and love. But when tragedy strikes her family, Juana is dragged into a whirlwind of events that breaks every trust she's ever forged, and has her fighting to keep her spirit from breaking.
I love history in general. And I love historical fiction, though I haven't read the genre is SO LONG. But reading The Last Queen reminded me why I loved it. To read the rest of the review, please visit A Reading Kabocha @ http://areadingkabocha.blogspot.com .
I love history in general. And I love historical fiction, though I haven't read the genre is SO LONG. But reading The Last Queen reminded me why I loved it. To read the rest of the review, please visit A Reading Kabocha @ http://areadingkabocha.blogspot.com .