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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The Queen’s Vow was recommended to me by two friends because of its setting in Spain. The three of us are traveling there soon. I picked it up because of their recommendation and my fascination with Spain, which captured my heart a few years ago. This is a story about Queen Isabella and her life and reign.
C.W. Gortner penned a story rich in detail, history, and narrative drive. His research and faithfulness to the humanity of these historical figures made the novel compelling and interesting. It was also very entertaining and engaging.
I really enjoyed reading this book. The map and family tree were super helpful in anchoring me to the past, freeing me to be carried along by the story and writing. I am even more excited for my trip to Spain and seeing some of the places with historical eyes. I appreciated the nuance and depth Gortner added to Isabel beyond bullet points of her misdeeds or accomplishments. This is a rich novel and well worth reading and I’ll be reading his other novels set in Spain.
Was a nice summary from Isabel's POV and fit nicely in with what I learned in my Spanish history class in college. It was a slow read, though, in my opinion.
adventurous
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Isabella is an inspirational queen and it was great to read a book about her. I've enjoyed reading about her daughter, Catherine of Aragon, previously and it was nice to build on that knowledge with more background information. I'm also familiar with some of the Spanish locations featured in this novel which helped. As a novel, it was full of well-developed characters and a fast-moving plotline which I enjoyed.
Although I do not share Isabella's religious furvor, I can understand how it led her into some horrific choices which dampened the gilt on her reign. The author has lent her a very sympathetic portrayal however all historical fiction must have some prejudice stamped on it by the author, like history itself.
Although I do not share Isabella's religious furvor, I can understand how it led her into some horrific choices which dampened the gilt on her reign. The author has lent her a very sympathetic portrayal however all historical fiction must have some prejudice stamped on it by the author, like history itself.
adventurous
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
If you liked the kind of books [a:Philippa Gregory|9987|Philippa Gregory|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1560883006p2/9987.jpg] writes but want something a little different, this was the kind of book you might like. It's about Queen Isabella (Mother to Katherine of Aragon) of Spain's life from childhood, marriage, and on to the birth of the Spanish Inquisition (If I remember right, it was many years ago that I read this!)
I remember reading this mostly at night and enjoying it very much!
I remember reading this mostly at night and enjoying it very much!