Young Catherine of Aragon leaves Spain to marry the sickly Prince Arthur. In England she finds a completely different world than the one she left behind. She is determined to do her best, and when Arthur dies, leaving her a widow, Catherine decides to marry his younger brother Henry, and soon becomes Queen of England. Unable to give the king the son he so desperately wants, Catherine is soon replaced by the wayward Anne Boleyn. Catherine quickly finds herself fighting for her throne, her daughter's life, and her own.

History comes to life in this entertaining historical fiction. Carolly Erickson has written a fresh take on the well - known life of Catherine of Aragon. Most everyone knows Catherine was King Henry VIII's first wife, but with Erickson's genius in making Catherine the narrator, readers will learn new details about her life as Queen of England. Erickson accurately describes the Tudor court in THE SPANISH QUEEN, making sure to include all the suspense, intrigue, and flamboyant characters of the time. Readers must remember that Erickson has taken some creative license, but by keeping to historical facts THE SPANISH QUEEN is a dramatic, page - turning read.

The reader will see the life of Catherine through her own eyes, and experience Catherine's emotions right along with her. Readers will be heartbroken when Arthur dies, blissful when Mary is born, and betrayed when Anne becomes queen. These emotions bring Catherine alive, and create more than a queen, but also a mother, wife, and loyal daughter.

Catherine is a stanch believer in her faith, and a dedicated queen right up to her death, making the ending much more sorrowful and moving. Erickson makes THE SPANISH QUEEN easily readable, while keeping the vivid time period alive. THE SPANISH QUEEN is a remarkable read I may find myself rereading one day