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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
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.
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.
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The world is only as small as we see it, my lady. Imagination knows no limits.
OK, it was the book that dragged me into the history books this year, and I'm tremendously grateful to it for that. I fell in love with it incredibly, and after reading it, I felt so empty that I had to let go.
Isabella and Ferdinand were well crafted and closely following historical events, descriptions and looks, in short, I didn't have a word for them. Their personalities were obviously a bit let go when it came to fantasy, but that's all the trouble.
The plot was well understood and extremely exciting. The whole thing covered several years right from the beginning to the end of Isabella's life, but it wasn't disturbing at all, in fact I liked that the writer covered several years. The pace was right, just enough not to be distracting, and I really liked the phrasing. The ending ended so well with the discovery of Columbus, of course everyone knows what happened after that, but it still gives a sense of freedom.
Overall, it was a good book that I will definitely reread again in the future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Religious bigotry
Moderate: Pregnancy, War
Minor: Blood
challenging
informative
slow-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:
No
Reads like an encyclopedia. Very dry
A fascinating story about Queen Isabella of Spain which appears to be very well researched. The story takes us from her early years until 1492 when she sends Columbus in search of the new world.
I have loved other novels of Gortner's but not this one. It was somehow too detailed and not detailed enough? There were parts of the story that dragged on; like the civil war between her brother and half-brother but later on I felt like the Inquisition got skimmed over. We got a lot of insight into Isabella's thoughts and feelings but I still felt like I didn't really get to know her. Not the greatest but I appreciated a historical fiction novel that didn't take place in England or in France.
adventurous
informative
relaxing
fast-paced
A HF biography of Isabella that satisfied my Historical Fiction bug, and ignited my History nerd for more.
The story takes us from toddler to Columbus embarking on his first historic journey. I wish the story of Columbus had started earlier, but understandably the book was about Isabella so I regress.
It was my first Gortner. His writing is good, his storytelling got me caught up in the book. It appears his research was done. I liked his author notes in the back of the book. He stated what he changed things for brevities sake (some dates are off by a year or two), and he stays neutral on Isabella as a ruler and a person.
I have pretty well covered English Royal History (but not saying I won't read more) and now have the itch to find out more about the Spain's. Isabella and Ferdinand's youngest Catalina (aka Catherine of Aragon) was the first wife of Henry VIII and the small amount I have read about her parents is only from books that are about other matters.
Others may not have rounded up, but this is all personal opinion-a better than average HF novel in my opinion.
The story takes us from toddler to Columbus embarking on his first historic journey. I wish the story of Columbus had started earlier, but understandably the book was about Isabella so I regress.
It was my first Gortner. His writing is good, his storytelling got me caught up in the book. It appears his research was done. I liked his author notes in the back of the book. He stated what he changed things for brevities sake (some dates are off by a year or two), and he stays neutral on Isabella as a ruler and a person.
I have pretty well covered English Royal History (but not saying I won't read more) and now have the itch to find out more about the Spain's. Isabella and Ferdinand's youngest Catalina (aka Catherine of Aragon) was the first wife of Henry VIII and the small amount I have read about her parents is only from books that are about other matters.
Others may not have rounded up, but this is all personal opinion-a better than average HF novel in my opinion.