“Don’t be so trusting of family members who only care about you for their own gain like Juana’s father did. Do not let the past control your future as Isabel of Castile did. Don’t stay in a situation where you are being mistreated like Juana and Catherine did. Stand up for what you believe in and always remember that sometimes friends are much better than family members in the sense they will stand by you when your family leaves you. Juana had her friends beside her and they gave her comfort and joy despite the way her husband treated her. Be independent and stand strong. Even against your family who don’t want the best for you like Fernando II of Aragon treated Juana and her children. Remember Faith love and valor gives you strengthen and love willcafrfy you through the end.” ( )

Really enjoyed this book. I knew nothing of Juana the last queen of Spain. Very interesting and enjoyable historical novel. ( )

Juana de Castilla, la tercera hija de los Reyes Católicos, Isabel y Fernando, nace en medio de los inusitados esfuerzos de sus padres por reunificar el reino tras la caída de Granada y el descubrimiento de América por Colón. A los dieciséis años es dada en matrimonio a Felipe el Hermoso, archiduque de Flandes, como parte de la estrategia de los monarcas para fortalecer el reino, en tanto que su hermana Catalina de Aragón se convierte en la primera esposa de Enrique VIII de Inglaterra. Junto a su marido, único heredero al trono de los Habsburgo, Juana encuentra inesperadamente el amor y la pasión.
Pero el destino la convierte en la heredera del trono de España. Juana se ve inmersa en una batalla por el poder en contra de su esposo, que involucra además a los principales monarcas europeos. Atacada por múltiples enemigos que utilizan su inteligencia y su orgullo en su contra, Juana promete asegurar su corona y salvar España de la ruina, sin reparar en lo que esto puede costar. Será la última reina de sangre española que heredara el trono, y su figura estará signada para siempre por el misterio y la leyenda.

I must be on some kind of historical fiction run.

This book begins in Golden Age of Ferdinand and Isabella and ends with Juana the Mad. Like Juana, the book started off fantastically and lost its way at the end. I do really enjoy reading about historical figures who are (almost) lost in history.

Probably living in Europe, you may know who she is, but I doubt any of my American friends would recognize her. Not even sure if they would recognize her parents.

*The author earns major bonus points for actually trying on a dress from the period to get into character. ( )

Positively loved this book. First time reading this author and plan to read more. I didn't know too much about Queen Juana of Spain but what a life she led. Hard to put this one down. Loved it! ( )