The book was disappointing for me as it wasn't about her "Reign of Madness" as the title suggests but about her life prior to becoming Queen. It read more like a romance novel than historical fiction. I read "The Last Queen" by C.W. Gortner and it was far better than this. This book held my interest but as I was getting closer to the end I kept thinking is it just going to get to her last days in one chapter? I also couldn't believe how it just stops at the end....perhaps there is a sequel coming? If so, I probably will read it. ( )

It's five stars for a couple of reasons: the fleshing out of characters based on contemporary accounts is masterful; and once again, Lynn Cullen manages to bring an otherwise unknown woman to life. And yet, for the subject matter, it is a sad and tragic life.

Juana of Castile was an older sister to Catherine of Aragon, and the daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella. She was raised to be a princess and is willing to marry he-whom-her-parents-wanted, which she does with great enthusiasm when that time comes. The prince she marries is Phillippe the Good, Duc of Burgundy who starts as a caring, lustful husband and later becomes her jailer.

While the term "gas lighting" has only recently come into vogue, that is exactly what Phillippe does to her, and does to her subjects. Juana becomes Queen of parts of Spain due to older siblings' deaths, but Phillippe's machinations, along with those of her great aunt-in-law, the Dowager Margeret of England, create an environment where she turns over these titles to him. Whether she meant to, whether she wanted to, is one of the puzzles that this book delves into. Also explained are several instances that Phillippe uses to cast doubt about her sanity to her subjects and to her father; Ferdinand also has a hand in seizing her titles.

The worst part about reading this book is where it ends up: Juana spends more than 50 years imprisoned by her husband, father, and eldest son. For no crime other than just being. It gives her story a poignancy that is hard to resolve when reading the masterful characterization of this bright, beautiful young girl who, like Marie Antoinette, never inherited the spine? strength of character? that her mother wielded against her enemies. ( )

Juana of Castile, also known as “Juana the Mad”, was the daughter of Isabel of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon. With two older siblings, she never thought she’d have a chance to be queen. She was married to Philippe of Flanders, who was lower ranked than she was. Initially in love with Philippe, things turned sour after a while, as Philippe dallied with other women, and began to treat Juana badly. When Juana did inherit her mother’s crown in Casile, Philippe managed to take her power from her.

The book started when Juana was young and living with her parents and siblings. It continued to follow her and Philippe’s relationship and travels between the Spains and Flanders. I found the beginning of the book a bit slow. It also jumped over time a bit. But, I thought it really picked up about the time Juana realized what a cad Philippe was. The author fictionalized a reason why Juana may have ultimately wanted to stay out of the limelight and not be queen, which was somewhat entertaining. In any case, I found the additional information about Christopher Columbus interesting, as I haven’t read much about him (though I did know his explorations were funded by Isabel and Ferdinand). The author did have a note at the end, separating out fact from fiction, which is always nice. It was particularly interesting to note what really happened with Beatriz, who was Juana’s closest lady. ( )

I will admit this book had me fooled. I judged this based on the brief description I read and the cover. I must be grabbed in the first five minutes or I tend to put books down. Well this book did not grab me. However it was sent to me to review so I muddled through it.

Overall this was well written. The author takes the time to explain the circumstance behind the happenings. After I got through the first few chapters I was hooked. I am glad I took the time to read this finally. ( )

I was intrigued by the story and knew very little about Spanish history and about Juana the Mad when I began reading Reign of Madness. I think that this lack of background information made it easy for me to dive into the story, to sympathize with Juana and to find myself staunchly on her side.

Juana had never expected to become queen of Spain. She was the daughter of Queen Isabela, one of the most powerful queens in Spanish European history and the mother of Charles V, emperor of the Holy Roman Empire but she was third in line to the throne. Cullen's book is historical fiction and much dramatized, but I was fascinated by Juana's situation and her reaction to her husband's dominance and manipulation. His power over her -- from his position as husband and her lack of allies in the Netherlands -- and his emotional and sexual dominance kept Juana from exercising her considerable political power.

The relationship between Juana and her mother Queen Isabela is even more fascinating. Juana grew up intimidated by and scared of her mother, the Queen. But Juana eventually understands her mother's point of view and the lessons that Queen Isabela tried to pass on and the attempt to reconcile is heartbreaking.

If you enjoy historical fiction, intrigue and drama, you will thoroughly enjoy Reign of Madness. I highly recommend it!

ISBN-10: 0399157093 - Hardcover $25.99
Publisher: Putnam Adult (August 4, 2011), 448 pages.
Review copy provided by the publisher. ( )