Isabel: Jewel of Castilla, Spain, 1466

Reviewed April 2000

Another winning bio! A bit confusing as I know quite a lot less about Catherine of Arragon's mother. Also confusing is this horrible habit these royal people have of naming their children after saints and themselves. Several Isabels, Juans, and Juanas, makes it a mess at times. If this book is as researched as the Elizabeth book then I can place a lot of faith that the majority of the fats are straight. In the index the author lists who were fictional charactors and what happened to the real people mentioned. I'm very glad that the author brings up the truth about Isabel's legacy, the Spanish Inquisition. Columbus is also mentioned, but his crimes are only hinted at. From the Spaniards point of view I guess it was show more factual. I did find it sad that the author chose to have Isabel live happy ever after once she married, instead of ending at her crowning as Queen of Castilla. show less

This fictional diary of Queen Isabel of Spain begins when she is a lonely fifteen-year-old princess, forced by her brother, King Enrique, to live away from her widowed mother. She plots to bring her other brother, Alfonso, to the throne, while thwarting her brother's attempts to arrange a marriage for her. She decides to take matters into her own hands and arrange a marraige that will bring her happiness and political prosperity. This was a wonderful book that brought Isabel to life, not just as a royal figure, but as a teenager with feelings and dreams. I highly reccomend this book to historical fiction fans, especially if you enjoyed other books in the Royal Diaries series.

Young Isabella before her marriage to Fernando. This is her struggle with her half-brother Enrique for the throne. He continually tries to marry her off to his advantage, but her disgust (at the suitors he proposes) pushes her towards rebellion. She wants to marry Ferninand of Aragon. The diary is suggested by her confessor, the future Grand Inquisitor Torquemada, so she can reflect on her sins. It ends with the two young royals married and ruling a united Spain. The rest of her history--the reconquest of Spain from the Muslims, the expulsion of the Jews, the horrors of the auto da fe, the discovery of the New World is all in the epilogue. The diary focuses on her escapes from her half-brother which means a lot of going back and forth show more between cities, quite boring actually. Overall, not a very impressive book. show less

I don't know why, buy I just couldn't connect to Isabel. It was a good story line and I did enjoy the book, I Just couldn't connect with the main character. I would still recommend the book though, just keep in mind it is for younger readers. 3.5 out of 5 stars.

A fiction/nonfictional biography based on the life of Queen Isabel of Castilla. An interesting read indeed! The way Isabel describes the moments and though she is a princess of the highest standing she still frets about little girl things every now and then, despite how fast she has to grow up to please the people around her.

Bristling with palace intrigue, this entry in the Royal Diaries series tells the story of the determined, soon-to-be Queen Isabel of Castilla during a turbulent period in history.
Isabel had a troubled upbringing because she was taken from her family and banished to Segovia by her half-brother, King Enrique of Castilla.
This book centers on Enrique’s efforts to have Isabel married off to gain more power for himself.
But Isabel has her sights set on Fernando, Prince of Aragon and King of Sicily.
Can her dream become reality or will she be condemned to marry a man twice her age?

A sympathetic, fictional portrayal of Isabel of Castilla, one of the least-sympathetic royal figures (in my opinion). The author did a good job in explaining the day to day lives of people of that time.