Katherine of Aragon, The True Queen Katherine of Aragon, The True Queen
Book 3 - Six Tudor Queens

Katherine of Aragon, The True Queen

A Novel

    • 4.4 • 147 Ratings
    • $13.99
    • $13.99

Publisher Description

Bestselling author and acclaimed historian Alison Weir takes on what no fiction writer has done before: creating a dramatic six-book series in which each novel covers one of King Henry VIII’s wives. In this captivating opening volume, Weir brings to life the tumultuous tale of Katherine of Aragon, Henry’s first, devoted, and “true” queen.
 
A princess of Spain, Catalina is only sixteen years old when she sets foot on the shores of England. The youngest daughter of the powerful monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella, Catalina is a coveted prize for a royal marriage—and Arthur, Prince of Wales, and heir to the English throne, has won her hand. But tragedy strikes and Catalina, now Princess Katherine, is betrothed to the future Henry VIII. She must wait for his coming-of-age, an ordeal that tests her resolve, casts doubt on her trusted confidantes, and turns her into a virtual prisoner.
 
Katherine’s patience is rewarded when she becomes Queen of England. The affection between Katherine and Henry is genuine, but forces beyond her control threaten to rend her marriage, and indeed the nation, apart. Henry has fallen under the spell of Katherine’s maid of honor, Anne Boleyn. Now Katherine must be prepared to fight, to the end if God wills it, for her faith, her legitimacy, and her heart.

Praise for Katherine of Aragon, The True Queen
 
“Alison Weir starts off her fictional series about the wives of Henry VIII with a nuanced portrayal of Katherine of Aragon.”The Christian Science Monitor
 
“Weir is excellent on the little details that bring a world to life.”—The Guardian

“As always, Weir demonstrates a keen eye for crafting dramatic scenes of beautiful, accurate detail, instilling in the reader a vivid sense of being there. . . . If this greatly impressive inaugural installment is any indication, Tudor lovers have much to look forward to.”Booklist (starred review)
 
“Vividly detailed . . . Weir brings considerable expertise to her fictional retelling of the life of Katherine of Aragon. . . . [The author] portrays her sympathetically as both credulous and steely.”Kirkus Reviews
 
“An illuminating and engaging portrait of ‘the true queen.’”Historical Novels Review
 
“[Weir’s] fresh approach to Henry’s first wife [is] a wonderful place to start for those unfamiliar with Katherine’s story. Weir’s portrayal is far from that of a weak, victimized woman, but one of a courageous, strong, devoted queen fighting for her life and rights. An easy, quick read to begin the series.”RT Book Reviews

“In this first novel of the Six Tudor Queens series, Alison Weir dazzlingly brings Katherine of Aragon to life. Based on extensive new research, it is a portrayal that shatters the many myths about Henry VIII’s long-suffering first wife. Far from being the one-dimensional victim of history, she emerges as a charismatic, indomitable, and courageous heroine whose story never fails to enthrall.”—Tracy Borman, author of Thomas Cromwell
 
“Yet again, Alison Weir has managed to intertwine profound historical knowledge with huge emotional intelligence, to compose a work that throws light on an endlessly fascinating figure. But her real gift in all of this is making it feel so fresh and alive.”—Charles Spencer, author of Killers of the King

GENRE
Fiction & Literature
RELEASED
2016
May 31
LANGUAGE
EN
English
LENGTH
624
Pages
PUBLISHER
Random House Publishing Group
SELLER
Penguin Random House LLC
SIZE
6.1
MB

Customer Reviews

Enid May ,

Katherine of Aragon: The True Queen

Comprehensive information about Henry’s first wife, the mother of “Bloody” Mary, sad she was sometimes called. Katherine - the daughter of the super Queen Isabella of Aragon, led a charmed life until she encountered the up-and-coming dynasty of the Tudors. Staunchly Roman Catholic (as were mostly all of the royal families of Europe at the time - there were few other religious choices )- Katherine originally was wed to Arthur, Henry’s older brother, the Tudor son who was to be king. However, Arthur was sickly, and was unable to consummate his marriage to Catherine to beget and heir. He died shortly after marrying and provided an opportunity to put an brilliant, but egotistical autocrat on the throne of England - a man who would change history.

Katherine was beautiful, intelligent, very wealthy, older but still inexperienced when it came to men. She relied on her confessors and counselors to lead her on a righteous, religious path. Unfortunately when she was unable to provide a male heir for the throne she was tossed into Henry’s increasingly cruel maw as he churned his way through his subjects and his wives to achieve his goal of having the Tudors rule forever.

It’s a good read, repetitious at times. I felt like I was reading similar passages again and again.
But it provides an interesting perspective of a Queen who could have been a remarkable helpmate for the immature rogue, Henry if she’d only been given the chance.

BadLilRaven ,

Wonderful book

Very well written!!

Chatwatt ,

Katherine of Aragon / The True Queen

I was surprised that this historical novel was a real page-turner.

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