The story does centralize more on Catherine’s life before she became Queen. If you’re a Tudor fanatic the story isn’t anything new, but different style of writing and the way Catherine is portrayed is always something interesting to read. The way Catherine is written in this book is well done and shows her gracefully turning into the strong woman she would become later in her life. You do see glimpses of the young naive girl who was used to being loved, and coddled by her mother and father. (Which is nice to see, there are some novels I have read where Isabelle and Ferdinand don’t even play a role in her upbringing, or are being portrayed as cold blooded parents). You immediately sympathize with Catherine and admire her strength to survive despite going into near total poverty and unable to provide for herself and her household - what I liked the most was although there were attempts of others trying to run her life, Catherine finally stands up for herself and says enough is enough and makes decisions on her own. The other main Royal characters aren’t really that big of a central role in this story. You do see a little bit of Arthur and Catherine, however not as much as I would have liked. However, what I saw more of was Catherine and her relationships with her Duenna, and her ambassador, which I thought was an interesting read as in other books I have read, none of that was really the main feature. I might also add...the book doesn’t have the intrigue, and drama of court life that fans of historical fiction would expect. Then again this book is meant for teens and is really just a ‘starter’ book for those wanting to get into Tudor fiction. So if you like all the drama and action of the court, you won’t really find it here. It could actually be rather dry for Tudor fans. Overall, it’s a great book for young adults who want to get started on their Tudor mania. Despite the way the order of the series is, I would actually suggest starting with Catherine as she was Queen first before the other Royals in the series.
The Young Royals series is good for those looking to make the acquaintance of some of the Tudor women: Catherine of Aragon, her daughter Mary, Anne Boleyn and then the young queen Elizabeth. I say acquaintance because the books are too brief, too fleeting to offer any solid friendships. But it's ok because others have written those books and after reading these you will at least have a basic idea of who's who. Patience, Princess Catherine sweeps over the seven years that Catherine of Aragon, daughter of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain, spent in England. A good third of the book describes preparations for her first wedding and then brief marriage to Arthur, Prince of Wales, a marriage unconsummated in this version. Afterward widowhood and an seven year wait, during which time her future is in constant uncertainty. She should be betrothed to Arthur's younger brother Henry but the king is fickle and she is forced to wait in near poverty. Fortunately for the reader, this agonizing wait is condensed to a tidy hundred pages or so and ends with her long awaited marriage to Henry. But of course, we all know it did not last. The beautiful, intelligent daughter of Spain was passed over a bewitching beauty (who in my opinion was not half as interesting). The book ends before the battle between Henry and Catherine commenced, which is rather a pity since it showed the queen's strength and commitment, virtues only hinted at here. A better title might have been Poor Princess Catherine.
Do You like book Patience, Princess Catherine (2009)?
I like this delightful series and have read most by this author. The books aren't really strictly historical, because they tell the royal's story in her own voice, but they are based on extensive research, with the people and actions and events based on up to date factual material. This one tells the story of Catherine of Aragon, and gives vivid pictures of Henry VIII and the people surrounding Catherine. These novels are aimed at middle school readers, but treat the serious sexual issues that so much impacted these queens and princesses, in this case, whether the marriage with Arthur was consummated or not (this author believes not, since the research supports this view, so important because of Catherine's Catholicism, and the Catholic view of marriage to a brother's widow as incest). Younger readers may need parental involvement as they read these.
—Sandra Strange
Just as readable as Meyer's other "Young Royals" books. This one tells the story of Catherine of Aragon, first wife of Henry VIII. Meyer gives an indication of the controversy brought about by Henry's annulment proceedings, but it's obvious who she believes - in this telling, Catherine's marriage to Prince Arthur is never consummated & Henry knows it, making all his later professed heart-burning about the invalidity of his marriage on religious grounds specious at best & a blatant self-serving lie at worst. Teen girls will find this telling of Catherine's trials between her marriages interesting & easy to read, & will get them interested in British history, if they weren't before.
—Brett
After watching The Other Boleyn Girl, for some reason Queen Catherine just seemed to fascinate her, and that's one of the reasons I decided to read this book. Now I feel really, really sorry for Catherine.She had many years of 'happiness' with Henry (according to this book) but she had such a ruff start, and a sad ending. All young girls dream of being a princess or queen, but for some reason I don't think that part never took really took quite the grip it did in other girls. When I played games I didn't care if I was a peasant or a princess (that I can remember). I guess it was because my older sister and I think sometimes my older brother kept telling how much it would stink to be royalty. This book reinforced that. It really would stink to be royalty from any country in Europe during this time. Now I am off to read about Cattherine's (although that's not really her real name is it? It's Catalina or something) daughter Mary in Mary, Bloody Mary
—Emily Farrar
