The Constant Princess

by Philippa Gregory

Before she was Katherine of Aragon, the first wife of Henry VIII, she was Catalina. She was the daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella, and she was fated to marry Arthur, Henry’s older brother.

As we know, she does marry Arthur, but he dies shortly after their wedding. Of course, they produced no heir. His death leaves Catalina at loose ends: she has grown up believing that she will eventually become the Queen of England. With Arthur dead, what’s a girl to do?

Well, somehow she has got to marry Henry, as he is next in line to become king. . .

Two gripes with this novel: a slow pace and an unlikable heroine.

2/20/10