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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
Meh. I almost quit reading this book so I could get to my reread of [b:Flowers in the Attic|43448|Flowers in the Attic (Dollanganger, #1)|V.C. Andrews|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1327880853s/43448.jpg|3311885].
This novel wants to be an Alison Weir book, but falls just short. The history of it was interesting; I already know a decent amount about that time period from reading about the Tudor era. However, the main character comes across like a modern woman with modern sensibilities who has been dropped into a historical novel. As another Goodreader commented, she acts as though she is surprised to be married off to a foreign noble, then surprised that he cheats on her, etc. Surely the historical Juana was better prepared for her role.
The unfortunate result of making the protagonist so foreign to the world around her is that I could never tell how much history was actually involved in the telling. How much could I believe? According to the epilogue, it sounds like the author did a lot of research, and some of the most fascinating bits of the book are based on historic fact.
I would rather have read a book about Juana that was more like [b:The Wives of Henry VIII|530793|The Wives of Henry VIII|Antonia Fraser|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1347223113s/530793.jpg|1037620].
This novel wants to be an Alison Weir book, but falls just short. The history of it was interesting; I already know a decent amount about that time period from reading about the Tudor era. However, the main character comes across like a modern woman with modern sensibilities who has been dropped into a historical novel. As another Goodreader commented, she acts as though she is surprised to be married off to a foreign noble, then surprised that he cheats on her, etc. Surely the historical Juana was better prepared for her role.
The unfortunate result of making the protagonist so foreign to the world around her is that I could never tell how much history was actually involved in the telling. How much could I believe? According to the epilogue, it sounds like the author did a lot of research, and some of the most fascinating bits of the book are based on historic fact.
I would rather have read a book about Juana that was more like [b:The Wives of Henry VIII|530793|The Wives of Henry VIII|Antonia Fraser|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1347223113s/530793.jpg|1037620].
Amazing book. I usually don't care for historical recreations, politics, deceit, intrigue. Or unhappy endings. But this book is exceptionally well written and engaging. Was Juana the Mad truly mad? Or incarcerated by power-hungry tyrants? Can we tell any better after 500 years?
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Good look at the cast of characters in European history.
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
I am not a historical fiction reader on the regular and I wasn't sure what to expect with this novel, but I found myself absorbed in the world and Juana in particular and I blew through it much fast than I anticipated. In one way it's an intimate portrait of a young woman coming of age while also offering the tense intrigue and power grabs that arise in the European courts. Honestly, I didn't expect to like this book at all and I found it engaging with a pace that felt real to the life circumstances of Juana.
For a non historical fiction reader if you are wanting to dip your toe in, this novel is definitely a good choice. For those who already love historical fiction, I think you will enjoy as well.
For a non historical fiction reader if you are wanting to dip your toe in, this novel is definitely a good choice. For those who already love historical fiction, I think you will enjoy as well.
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
The Last Queen is the fictional story of Juana La Loca the Queen of Castille. I didn't really know anything about Juana except that she was Catherine of Aragon's older sister. I quite enjoyed the book even though I knew it would end in tragedy.
Juana was fierce and headstrong. She didn't expect to fall in love with Philip the Archduke of Flanders, her betrothed. For four years they were happy and in love but all good things come to an end. Power, politics and revenge drive the two lovers into conflict. Where there was love, hatred blooms in its place.
Philip dies; and although it saddens Juana she is relieved to see her worst enemy gone. But instead of freedom and happiness her life continues on its road to pain and depression. Although history attributes her mental degeneration to inbreeding and heredity, I liked the idea that C.W. Gortner presented.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and I hope to read more of Gortner's work.
Juana was fierce and headstrong. She didn't expect to fall in love with Philip the Archduke of Flanders, her betrothed. For four years they were happy and in love but all good things come to an end. Power, politics and revenge drive the two lovers into conflict. Where there was love, hatred blooms in its place.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and I hope to read more of Gortner's work.
Honestly just excited to have found a book about Juana!