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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book is historical fiction based on Queen Isabella of Spain. It starts in her childhood and goes through 1492, just as she is ready to send Columbus off. I haven't read very much about this period in history. I had a hard time comprehending how the leaders of the time really felt they were ordained of God. And chosen by bloodline specifically by Him. But they did and it's interesting how that guides their actions. Isabella wasn't ever supposed to attain the throne, but a series of circumstances led to just that. I did like that is it true that she chose her husband unlike many other monarchs, especially for the age. I am alarmed at how she authorized the Spanish Inquisition then paid minimal attention to it. It makes for an interesting discussion about political pressure.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
For a story being about such a controversial Queen, this done her justice. The best moments were the middle of the novel before she was crowned and when she was fighting for her throne.
And all the issues she dealt with such as her husband’s infidelity, and hinting that eventually he might do his own children harm. And that he was one who still wanted to be honored and treated at her equal, even as she was the Queen of Castile first.
The best parts was when she was resisting her own disinheritance, as well as how she will contend for a throne. Being a woman meant that she will be nullified by whoever she married, and if it was Portugal that will mean that she will lose. To finding her own way to her marriage which was all but possible.
It was anything but a weak willed woman might attempt. And if anything, this showed that Isabella was never going to be a normal Queen, she will never let herself be called consort, even when she loved the man.
It isn’t as good when we head to her reigns, although it still manages to keep me interested but never to the degree in the earlier parts when Isabella’s road to the throne was anything but easy.
Every move there came with consequence, loss and constant thought about her own decision. But she never stepped away when it was best for her to do so, and made her choice.
This was a story about a woman who had to survive who refused to bend when others did that to her. It is the story of what makes a great Queen, a legendary Queen. Since she was one who eventually paved the way for Spain to be a Catholic country, and ensuring that it remained so. It was the story of a courageous woman who took her own weapon as her faith, and her will.
Recommended for people who really want to see what a great Queen is made of. One who uses her mind and words, to use all she has to last against kingdoms and also keep her own husband in check.
Ferdinand of Aragon is largely a controversial figure, since he largely left his youngest daughter, Catherine of Aragon in political limbo for seven years in England and not trying to get them to come to a real agreement with the king and imprisoned his second daughter. daughter, Juana the Mad of Castile so that he could rule through her. And even tried to get her to sign off the will which will ban her children from the throne.
And thus, you could say who was the true man in this. And well he does earn the correct title of worst royal father in history.
And all the issues she dealt with such as her husband’s infidelity, and hinting that eventually he might do his own children harm. And that he was one who still wanted to be honored and treated at her equal, even as she was the Queen of Castile first.
The best parts was when she was resisting her own disinheritance, as well as how she will contend for a throne. Being a woman meant that she will be nullified by whoever she married, and if it was Portugal that will mean that she will lose. To finding her own way to her marriage which was all but possible.
It was anything but a weak willed woman might attempt. And if anything, this showed that Isabella was never going to be a normal Queen, she will never let herself be called consort, even when she loved the man.
It isn’t as good when we head to her reigns, although it still manages to keep me interested but never to the degree in the earlier parts when Isabella’s road to the throne was anything but easy.
Every move there came with consequence, loss and constant thought about her own decision. But she never stepped away when it was best for her to do so, and made her choice.
This was a story about a woman who had to survive who refused to bend when others did that to her. It is the story of what makes a great Queen, a legendary Queen. Since she was one who eventually paved the way for Spain to be a Catholic country, and ensuring that it remained so. It was the story of a courageous woman who took her own weapon as her faith, and her will.
Recommended for people who really want to see what a great Queen is made of. One who uses her mind and words, to use all she has to last against kingdoms and also keep her own husband in check.
Ferdinand of Aragon is largely a controversial figure, since he largely left his youngest daughter, Catherine of Aragon in political limbo for seven years in England and not trying to get them to come to a real agreement with the king and imprisoned his second daughter. daughter, Juana the Mad of Castile so that he could rule through her. And even tried to get her to sign off the will which will ban her children from the throne.
And thus, you could say who was the true man in this. And well he does earn the correct title of worst royal father in history.
I appreciate the perceptive author's note at the end of the novel, though admitting to so many shiftings of the times of actual events is always risky! This was an interesting treatment of a truly challenging and perplexing historical figure who contributed both to the acceptance of female scholarship and even professorship in Spain, but also to the beginnings of the Inquisition and the aftermath of Columbus's "discovery" of the Americas. Lots to grapple with here, and though Gortner clearly takes a more sympathetic stance on Isabella, he acknowledges the problems she does present. Entertaining.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved learning about Isabella, a queen I didn't know much about before reading this book. She is a fascinating character who was before her time in fighting for women's rights. However, her religious fervor and the priests' influence on both Isabella and her husband
eventually led to the Spanish Inquisition. There are many wars in the book, and the reader begins to wonder if this couple will ever know peace, but there are lovely playful moments, too.
eventually led to the Spanish Inquisition. There are many wars in the book, and the reader begins to wonder if this couple will ever know peace, but there are lovely playful moments, too.
Isabella was never expected to be anything more than a profitable political match for her family, but her fates changed to where she became one of the most important, and controversial, women in history. Living a life of intrigue and danger growing up in her half-brother's home, Isabella is suspected of trying to overthrow the King until she becomes heiress of Castile and one of the best matches in the country. Isabella is determined to be with the man she loves and when she and Fernando, prince of Aragon, marry, they are work to heal Spain and return her to her former glory.
As with The Confessions of Catherine de Medici, Gortner takes an infamous woman from history and brings her to life. He gives her actions justifiable reasons and makes Isabella likable and a fascinating character to read about. What I liked most about his account was that he did not gloss over her character flaws to make her sound like this pinnacle of womanly perfection, rather he took these faults and made her real. The novel was filled with historical facts and the setting was amazingly vivid. I felt as though I were there watching Isabella fear for her life, then seeing her rise to power, watching the arguments she and Fernando had but still seeing their love for each other, and watching her attempt to do what she felt was best for her kingdom. With this novel, Gortner has secured a spot on my "must read" list and I will definitely be checking out the other novels that he has written.
As with The Confessions of Catherine de Medici, Gortner takes an infamous woman from history and brings her to life. He gives her actions justifiable reasons and makes Isabella likable and a fascinating character to read about. What I liked most about his account was that he did not gloss over her character flaws to make her sound like this pinnacle of womanly perfection, rather he took these faults and made her real. The novel was filled with historical facts and the setting was amazingly vivid. I felt as though I were there watching Isabella fear for her life, then seeing her rise to power, watching the arguments she and Fernando had but still seeing their love for each other, and watching her attempt to do what she felt was best for her kingdom. With this novel, Gortner has secured a spot on my "must read" list and I will definitely be checking out the other novels that he has written.
Besides, sponsoring Christopher Columbus' trips to America, all I knew about Isabella was that she married Ferdinand and created a Golden Age for Spain.
CW Gortner wrote a historical novel on Juana the Mad, and this is the prequel to that book on her mother, Queen Isabella.
Oddly, I felt more for Juana than Isabella, and Queen's Vow seemed to drone on. It's an OK book. It's a great book if that time period fascinates you.
Read my review at:
http://ani-read.tumblr.com/post/60799859687/the-queens-vow-by-c-w-gortner
http://ani-read.tumblr.com/post/60799859687/the-queens-vow-by-c-w-gortner
Wow, that was a good read. Gortner wrote such a good Isabella that I thought the book was written by a woman. He focused a lot on her inner turmoil and emotions, something I haven't seen a male writer do in quite a while. Very impressive, sir.
I knew nothing about Queen Isabel of Spain before reading this book. I when Cristobal Colon showed up I remembered that she'd been the one to send him off in search of the Americas, but that was about it. So reading this was a fascinating look at a compelling person and an excellent history lesson. In reading this I learned about the circumstances leading up to the Spanish Inquisition (something that both fascinates and squicks me out.)
I definitely recommend this book. It seemed very well researched and accurate, and was informative, easy to read and also almost squeaky clean (it has one mention of a male body part, and some violence thanks to the years of wars going on at that time. But nothing overly graphic or gratuitous, and the historical value outweighs any cleanliness complaints by far.)
I knew nothing about Queen Isabel of Spain before reading this book. I when Cristobal Colon showed up I remembered that she'd been the one to send him off in search of the Americas, but that was about it. So reading this was a fascinating look at a compelling person and an excellent history lesson. In reading this I learned about the circumstances leading up to the Spanish Inquisition (something that both fascinates and squicks me out.)
I definitely recommend this book. It seemed very well researched and accurate, and was informative, easy to read and also almost squeaky clean (it has one mention of a male body part, and some violence thanks to the years of wars going on at that time. But nothing overly graphic or gratuitous, and the historical value outweighs any cleanliness complaints by far.)