Part Two covers "An Unforbidden Union", years 1468-1474 and from pages 129 through 215.
It is indeed a new chapter for Isabella. Being initially third in line to the throne of Castile, and then set aside for her half-brother's heirs, Isabella had no real reason to believe she would ever have to rule over Castile. As we conclude Part 1, Isabella laments that "Castile had lost its hope."
Our discussion of Part 1 contemplates the legitimacy of Enrique's daughter, Enrique's kingship, and the fate of Alfonso.
Continuing the reading with Part 2, Isabella reflects, and realizes her duty to Castile, which conflicts with her brother's Enrique's wishes. The political upheaval is rampant, as sides are forced to be taken. And this is when Isabella's story really begins to shape and take hold of the reader.
How has your opinion of Isabella evolved during the novel thus far? As Isabella slowly realizes that her destiny is to unite Castile and Aragon, has this depiction of Isabella created more of a likable character for you? It certainly has for me.
At the end of Part 2 we have Torquemada guiding Isabella and I get the distinct feeling that things are going to be changing....
What are the parts of Part 2 that you enjoyed the most? Are you having difficulty slowing the pace to match the read along? I specifically stopped reading the book a few days earlier so that I could stay with the read along schedule. I am looking forward to picking it back up so I can see what Part 3 has in store for us!
I find that I am warming up to Isabella now more so than the first part. She has weaknesses under her tough exterior. I'm really enjoying the political intrigue between the King's faction and Isabella's -- and I am glad to see much less of Juana. While I am enjoying this read greatly, I still don't have the time to read ahead...so I am keeping pace with the read-a-long nicely.
ReplyDeleteI am also enjoying the political aspects. So far this has a bit of everything that appeals to me. I loathed Juana too, but I wouldn't have minded seeing a bit more of her, as she is a character I love to hate. (:
DeleteChristina, have you read Castile for Isabella by Jean Plaidy? I haven't but I would think Juana is a character in that novel as well. I will have to skim through and see.
DeleteI have read Castile for Isabella when I first started blogging to record my thoughts on books. So it's not a well thought out review, it's a rambling of my thoughts, but it is pretty neat to see my thought process here.
DeletePart 1
and Part 2.
I wish I had gotten around to reading the next books.
I find it hard to believe that only now poeple are warming up to Isabella (Arleigh!) I've personally loved her from the very beginning- and in this part two, even more so. I find her incredibly strong and I don't know where she finds all her courage and strength (it's not like she had the greatest role modes; her father having passed when she was young..and her mother with her problems..
ReplyDeletethis book is very hard for me to put down. It's everything I want to read about a monarch (Queen)- well so far anyway.
I love Ferdinand too- this has such romantic appeal which is so rare to find in history- I love this couple. As for Enrique, I thought he might have changed and then unbelievably, he hooked up with Villena's son?! I'm really caught up in the whole story- lov it so far:)
I have also loved Isabella from the beginning. From the prologue when she was fearfully kissing her dying father, I have been emotionally attached to her.
ReplyDeleteI am in awe of her strength. I feel that a lot of her strength is coming from her love for Fernando. From the time when she stood up to Enrique and Villena about marrying him, there was no stopping her. From that point on she has been fearless. She showed Enrique, Villena, and Carrillo know where they stood. It appears that her love for Fernando has allowed what was already a sense of strength, determination and
courage within her, to blossom.
I also think that while her love for Fernando has allowed her to blossom, he is also her weakness in some ways as well.
DeleteI think that I'm infatuated with Fernando! Even in the part where Isabella thought he lied to her with the falsification of the document- I still think he had no intention of deceiving her. So far, these two have won my heart.
ReplyDeleteLike Christina, I too am really enjoying the whole political aspect as well. This is a whole new history for me- so I'm very interested. Love the way it's written- nothing dry about this book!
I am fearful of getting attached to him, from what I know of him historically...but if I had come into this book without prior knowledge, I would love him!
DeleteYou are so right! I know nothing about Fernando previously or Isabella and I am completely loving him! I am also fascinated by what the two of them together could be able to do.
DeleteI did like Isabella from the first, but I admired Beatriz more because of her lively personality. Isabella seems to be just coming into hers...I think motherhood is making her more of a force to be reckoned with. She does have a slight weakness with Fernando, but she will stand up to him if she must.
ReplyDeleteI know nothing of this history, so for me Fernando is breathtaking. I find Isabella very strong, like I said earlier- she had so much to contend with and always alone. Her love for family was great and I guess that's the only thing that sort of made her vulnerable with Enrique. But I took that more in the sense that every time she had new hope he would see the light; even this on her part I didn't take as really a weakness. It takes a lot of strength of character to forgive and give a new chance to one that you know is playing chess with your life...
ReplyDeleteI agree, Lucy. I believe it takes much strength to forgive and accept someone as they are. I also loved the way she was with Enrique and the scene when he was weeping and they embraced got to me. I really love and admire Isabella so far.
ReplyDeleteShe seems to have been born with this inner strength that is so admirable to me. As I read more I think it is a mixture her life experiences that culminate it. Her love for family, experiencing motherhood like Arleigh said, her experiences with Enrique and Villena, her faith, etc. I know other rulers have had similar experiences, but it seems that how she already had that inner strength-it's like going through these conflicts, experiencing love, etc. make her thrive even more so.
ReplyDeleteSuch great comments! Thank you so much, I'm very happy to hear you're enjoying the book and that you feel I've captured Isabella's inner strength, as well as her passion for Fernando. He's complex: a strong man dealing with his own insecurities. Isabella certainly has a weakness for him, but she also understands his character, better than he does himself. These are two people who compliment each other perfectly, despite his roving eye. He brings out the fire in her, as Isabella rarely acts without deliberation; she has her courage and passion, but life has taught her to be wary. Though if she's pushed too far, watch out :)
ReplyDeleteI'll check in later, in case you have any questions. Thank you! I hope you continue to enjoy it.
I really like how much more mature Isabella gets in this part and it bodes well for the trials she will face in the other sections. I love that her childhood friend talked about going into battle, and Isabella will be the one to actually do it. She is so courageous and yet compassionate...but she does have her limits.
ReplyDelete