Isabel: Jewel of Castilla

I started reading these books in high school and wanted to get them all. They are great historical books that blend fictional with factual. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes time period reading. Regardless of age.

This book was very informative on the life of Isabel. I especially loved it how they did a day by day on her life. I recommend this book and all the books in this series (Royal Diaries series) to all the people who like diaries and who like to know how a princess really lives. It is a big difference then what people really think princesses live like.

Carolyn Meyer does the best fictionalized version of Isabel of Castilla I have seen yet. Out of many of the Royal Diaries, this is one of the most action packed.Isabel of Castilla is daughter of King Juan II of Castilla and Leon, and Princess Isabel of Portugal, second wife of Juan II. After her father's death long ago, Isabel's half brother Enrique has taken the throne. He condemns Isabel to Segovia with his wanton wife, Queen Juana and his six year old daughter, Princess Juana. Isabel lacks freedom and is separated from her mother and her brother, Alfonso. Enrique is afraid the rebels will get Isabel on their side. The rebel grandes (nobels of Castilla and Leon) disapprove of Enrique and has made Isabel's younger brother, Alfonso the King. Isabel tries to be neutral but is severly angered by Enrique when he forces her to marry without her permission and by breaking a peace agreement after her brother's death. Isabel takes things into her own hands and marries in secret with Prince Ferdinand of Aragon.The novel moved along quickly since Isabel had alot of twists in her young life at the age of 15. She had many marriage proposals but she wanted Ferindand in the end. I found her extremely brave at times but deeply religious. It showcased many exciting events to make sure the reader was not bored. Isabel was on disguise some parts, ran away to at times and risked her life throughout the book by disobeying Enrique. Meyer did a great job showcasing all the events and I learned alot in the end. Other than Isabel's misguided 'projects' such as The Spanish Inquisition and reclaim of Granada from the Moors. Isabel, Queen of the future España led many great achievements. She has been nicknamed, 'Queen of the Americas' for funding of Christopher Columbus and making Spain, one of the most powerful, admired and cultured of that time.

This book is wonderful. It is about Queen Isabel when she was in her preteen-teen years. The country is divided... some people support Enrique (her older half brother) as king, but others support her younger brother, Alfonso as king. While there are fights and battles going on about this, her older brother is determined to marry Isabel off to Isabel's sister in law's brother. Isabel doesn't want to marry him at all, but she really has no choice. Through out the book she finds herself almost marrying at least four people. And then she finds herself in a difficult position... the heir to the throne. At first I thought this was a boring book, but as I went on I loved it. I rate it second in the series.

This book was absoulutly terrific! I loved it so much! It is about a princess and how her life goes everyday. She is torn between her two brothers one who she favors and the other who has more power. The characters are described very well in this book and so are the settings.Of course this is a fictional book but is based on true facts. I would give this ten stars if I could! I would definitly recommend this book!

When I first picked up this book I thought, "How STUPID!" But when I started reading it, I realized, Hey, this isn't soo bad! This story shows how young Isabel felt about the world around her, her main concerns were mainly frienship with one of her brothers, and lack of friendship with another. This book also explains how life was when diseases such as the plauge were common. The sad backround also talks about Isabel's mentally ill mother. (Who was not ALWAYS that way) And how Isabel felt about her life. When the Spanish princess is being backed into corners and forced marriages by her older brother, she must find a way to escape them, and the choicees she must make are severe risks. In this book there are very sad parts and very happy ones. Yes this is the Isabel that sent Christopher Comlumbus to the Americas. But the book doesn't go that far. In Comparison to the Other Royal Diaries Books, this would probably be ranked second, under Cleopatra. Others you would probably like, if you like this book are: Cleopatra, Daughter of the Nile Elizabeth, the Red Rose of Tudor AND, Marie Antionette,Princess of Versailles If you liked and of the other books in the Royal Diaries series, or even In Dear America, you'll love this book!

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 to historical fiction fans, especially if you enjoyed other books in the Royal Diaries series.