In this stunning novel, C. W. Gortner brings to life Juana of Castile, the third child of Queen Isabel and King Ferdinand of Spain, who would become the last queen of Spanish blood to inherit her

The Last Queen: A Novel

In this stunning novel, C. W. Gortner brings to life Juana of Castile, the third child of Queen Isabel and King Ferdinand of Spain, who would become the last queen of Spanish blood to inherit her countryâ€™s throne. Along the way, Gortner takes the reader from the somber majesty of Spain to the glittering and lethal courts of Flanders, France, and Tudor England.

Born amid her parentsâ€™ ruthless struggle to unify and strengthen their kingdom, Juana, at the age of sixteen, is sent to wed Philip, heir to the Habsburg Empire. Juana finds unexpected love and passion with her dashing young husband, and at first she is content with her children and her married life. But when tragedy strikes and she becomes heir to the Spanish throne, Juana finds herself plunged into a battle for power against her husband that grows to involve the major monarchs of Europe. Besieged by foes on all sides, Juana vows to secure her crown and save Spain from ruin, even if it costs her everything.

Praise forÂ The Last Queen

â€œThis moving tale of Juana la Loca (the Mad) vividly re-creates the passion, politics, and betrayals that drove a smart and spirited queen to the brink of insanity . . . or perhaps, as C. W. Gortner suggests, to the pretense of insanityâ€“a pretense that baffled Juanaâ€™ s enemies and led to triumph for her children and her country.Â The Last QueenÂ is an absorbing account of one of historyâ€™s most fascinating women, from her never-before-told point of view.â€â€”Donna Woolfolk Cross, author ofÂ Pope Joan

â€œI ached for this intelligent, one-of-a-kind queen. Her struggle and passion kept me up until the early hours of the morning. A page-turner, a nail-biter, an eye-opener: I loved being possessed byÂ The Last Queen!â€â€”Ki Longfellow, author ofÂ The Secret Magdalene

â€œA vibrant tapestry of love and hate . . . brings to life an extraordinary queen at an unforgettable time in history.â€â€”Sandra Worth, author ofÂ Lady of the RosesÂ

â€œAn exquisite evocation of a dangerous era and of a forgotten queen.â€â€”Holly Payne, author ofÂ The Virginâ€™ s KnotÂ

â€œGripping and unforgettable . . . captures Juana of Castileâ€™s electrifying drama.â€â€”Judith Merkle Riley, author ofÂ The Water Devil
Country USA
Brand Ballantine Books
Manufacturer Random House Publishing Group
Binding Paperback
ItemPartNumber 9780345501851
Color Multicolor
ReleaseDate 2009-05-05
UnitCount 1
EANs 9780345501851

Country	USA
Brand	Ballantine Books
Manufacturer	Random House Publishing Group
Binding	Paperback
ItemPartNumber	9780345501851
Color	Multicolor
ReleaseDate	2009-05-05
UnitCount	1
EANs	9780345501851

The Last Queen: A Novel

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