The Last Queen

A Novel of Juana La Loca

By: C. W. Gortner

Narrated by: Marguerite Gavin

Length: 13 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

One of history's most enigmatic women tells the haunting, passionate story of her tumultuous life. Juana of Castile is just thirteen when she witnesses the fall of Moorish Granada and the uniting of the fractured kingdoms of Spain under her warrior parents, Isabel and Fernando. Intelligent, beautiful, and proud of her heritage, Juana rebels when she is chosen as a bride for the Hapsburg heir - until she comes face-to-face with Prince Philip the Fair, a man who will bring her the greatest of passions, and the darkest despair.

When tragedy decimates Juana's family in Spain, she suddenly finds herself heiress to Castile, a realm prey to scheming lords bent on thwarting her rule. The betrayal of those she loves plunges Juana into a ruthless battle of wills - a struggle of corruption, perfidy, and heart-shattering deceit that could cost her the crown, her freedom, and her very life.

©2008 C.W. Gortner (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A novel of ravishing power....With compassion and deep respect, Gortner brings Juana la Loca to vivid life." (Malaga Daily)

Love this story!

The reader sounds like a robot, I stuck it out and am so glad I did. This story is now one of my new favorites. Time line,story,plot are all interesting and well told.

Great Book

This is a fabulous book. First the story of Juana the Mad, is great. It portrays her as she really was a victim of power hungry men. Was she mad? No! Just a victim of domestic violence. But you have to judge that for yourself. The narrator tone and clarity if fabulous. The only regret is I wish the author would have went more in depth of Juana life. I highly recommend this audio book.

very sad story

story of woman who found herself at the mercy of her husband. Even though she is a queen she is used and abused by her husband.
Have to wait until end to see her take her revenge

Fascinating!

Audio production:
There were times when Marguerite Gavin’s voice was so breathy that it bothered me and there is one spot in the beginning of the second half where her voice changes completely in tone and volume in the middle of sentence then goes back to how it sounded at the beginning it kind of threw me and think it was some kind of editing gone wrong. ( I meant to write it down at what time but didn’t). but all in all I thought she did a pretty good job at the narration although it was uneven at times.

Another fascinating book, as historical fiction I don’t know how much is true but I like that it wasn’t that Juana was really loco but that her husband & Father drove her to action and they spread the rumors that she was mad. I have read plenty of books about women being put in asylums because they didn’t act in a way their husband or fathers thought they should and this was closer to our own time than this so it is easy for me to believe that this may have been the case with Juana. Also who wouldn’t go mad when everything you know and love is ripped from you and you sent away never to see anyone again?

People romanticize royals so much but the more I read about them I think it’s really a terrible life, someone else is always running your life, there is always someone out to usurp your throne, you have to put up with all these people with their own agendas especially the religious leaders that seem to want to rule over everything.

I read The Queen’s Vow first then this one and I’m glad I read them in this order instead of the published order because this book picks up pretty much where the Queen’s Vow leaves off so it was interesting to see the relationship with her mother before I got to the book about her, so for people who haven’t discover this author yet, I’d read them in the order I have.

This is historical “fiction” and for me when an author takes liberties I don’t mind and as I said above I liked this take on her life, even if it isn’t factual, if I wanted completely factual I would read a non-fiction. But what this does is makes me want to do more research and read up on what her life was really like and for me that’s the key to historical fiction when it makes you want to find out more.

I am hooked on C.W. Gortner and the Spanish Royals I’ve already bought another book about Juana & Catalina/Catherine to continue my immersion into this time period. I will also be getting any other books written by this author!

4 ½ Stars

My very first Audiobook

Wonderful story! loved it! The voice was okay but I felt like I could hear it every single time the reader took a breath- which was every 6 words or so. I've listened to an audiobook before o maybe that's normal.

Very interesting!!!

A totally new spin on the Juana la loca theme. Great for those with an interest in her life. However I think most scholars would agree it’s a little heavy on the fiction side. Still a must.

Cheers?

This reader was okay 1/4 of the time. She sounded intoxicated for most of the book. She was very annoying for the most part but I liked the story so I had to finish. Does the author know that the reader nearly butchered the story? Quality control is lacking.

Fabulous

This was a completely new take on the story of Juana la Loca than I had ever heard before. I was riveted, and could thoroughly believe this version of the events at the end of her life which seem so inexplicable as usually taught in history class.

A little clunky, not my favorite.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No. The writing was a little clunky in style, and it made it hard to get through.

LOVED IT!!

Could not stop. Get it! Best historical book I’ve heard. Having visited some of the sites in the book made it more compelling