The Queen's Vow: A Novel of Isabella of Castile

By C.W. Gortner

Book Overview

"A masterwork by a skilled craftsman . . . Make a vow to read this book."--New York Journal of Books Isabella is barely a teenager when she becomes an unwitting pawn in a plot to dethrone her half brother, King Enrique. Suspected of treason and held captive, she treads a perilous path, torn between loyalties, until at age seventeen she suddenly finds herself heiress of Castile, the largest kingdom in Spain. Plunged into a deadly conflict to secure her crown, she is determined to wed the one man she loves yet who is forbidden to her--Fernando, prince of Arag n. As they unite their two realms under "one crown, one country, one faith," Isabella and Fernando face an impoverished Spain beset by enemies. With the future of her throne at stake, Isabella resists the zealous demands of the inquisitor Torquemada even as she is seduced by the dreams of an enigmatic navigator named Columbus. But when the Moors of the southern domain of Granada declare war, a violent, treacherous battle against an ancient adversary erupts, one that will test all of Isabella's resolve, her courage, and her tenacious belief in her destiny. Praise for The Queen's Vow "A beautifully crafted piece of historical fiction . . . Gortner's vivid details blend with his deeply intensive research to re-create Isabella and Castile in a way that the reader will find compelling and immersive, bringing not just the Queen but the whole nation to life." -- RT Book Reviews "A fascinating story . . . Through his creative and spellbinding storytelling, Gortner's readers come to know Isabella intimately in mind, heart and body as she lives through a tumultuous time, her intense longing to be the determiner of her own unique destiny." --Wichita Falls Times Record News "A novel of triumph as Isabella vanquishes her enemies one by one . . . She is] a very human and appealing character." --The Roanoke Times "Politically charged, passionate . . . a] well-researched, intriguing historical." --Bookreporter

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345523970
• ISBN13: 9780345523976
• Release Date: July 2013
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 0.74 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.2" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

I Wanted to Like This Book

I’m a lover of historical fiction and was looking forward to this narrative. But I was reminded of Isabella’s sponsorship of the large-scale importation of kidnapped African people as slaves. So no, I can’t and won’t endorse this book. I, for one, am not willing to ignore the horrible legacy of the wholesale kidnapping and forced labor, not to mention the laws of chattel slavery that consigned generations of Africans born in slavery in the West to remain in slavery. I cannot read about this “victorious” Queen while simultaneously turning a blind eye to her legacy.

The Queens Vow

This is a great book to read on a beautiful queen injured much of her life to save her country. It is written with Spains history in twined with its people and how they lived. I loved the history behind the scenes.

Brings the characters to life

I have always enjoyed books that shed light on victorious Queens of medieval era. In a time where women have virtually no control over their own choices, I thoroughly enjoyed the authors telling of a valiant Queen ruling her own way.

Engrossing from the Beginning

“Young Isabella is barely a teenager when she and her brother are taken from their mother’s home to live under the watchful eye of their half brother, King Enrique and his sultry conniving queen. There, Isabella is thrust into danger when she becomes an unwitting pawn in a plot to dethrone Enrique. Suspected of treason and held captive, she treads a perilous path, torn between loyalties, until at age seventeen she finds herself heiress of Castile, the largest kingdom in Spain. Plunged into deadly conflict to secure her crown, she is determined to wed the one man she loves yet who is forbidden to her—Fernando, Prince of Aragon. As they Unite their two realms under ‘One Crown, One Country, One Faith’ Isabella and Fernando face an impoverished Spain beset by enemies.” I could not put this book down!!