“An enthralling historical novel, Isabel, Anacaona & Columbus’s Demise chronicles the ruinous progress of European colonialism…The narrative perspective is varied. It includes the voices of mercurial, shrewd Columbus, diplomatic and pious Isabel, and Anacaona, a member of a ruling Taíno family who observes the arrival of the Spaniards with dread. The latter is tactical, using her feminine wiles to negotiate and protect her tribe. Columbus’s favorite interpreter, Diego, is also given space; he values his bond with Columbus, forged through shared hardships and travels, while also recognizing Columbus’s capacity for cruelty and ingratitude. Their development is complex and compelling, as is that of secondary characters: Some settlers are escaping Spain’s classist society; some marry Indigenous women and form meaningful attachments to their new communities. Others are exploitative and intolerant.”
—Foreword
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“A refreshing, well-informed take on a less well-known period of history…Rowen’s latest historical novel in a series offers a fresh, scholarly perspective on Christopher Columbus, focusing on his interaction with the Taíno peoples. With a plethora of controversial accounts of Columbus on offer, it’s easy to feel discouraged when picking up a new title about the era in which he lived. However, in this work of historical fiction, Rowen brings a fresh, inviting viewpoint…This narrative has the same scholarly weight as his previous two works—Encounters Unforeseen: 1492 Retold and Columbus and Caonabó: 1493-1498 Retold—but can just as easily be read as a stand-alone…Rowen’s writing is clear and easy to read, despite the dense material, and can be enjoyed by laypeople looking for an engaging up-to-date perspective on this time period, or by scholars, who may appreciate the surface-level fictionalized narrative or a deep dive into the bibliographical contents. Despite all the exposition, the dialogue consistently flows well, which makes for an enjoyable, educational read; illustrations from multiple sources add substance and familiarity to lesser-known aspects of the past.”
—Kirkus Reviews
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“Deeply researched, devastating novel of the dawn of Caribbean colonialism… Rowen’s storytelling prioritizes fidelity to the historical timeline, vividly capturing power shifts and what the major players thought and felt at each development…Violence is alluded to rather than relished, as the novel illuminates the drift of history and how a diverse array of leaders—Roldán, Queen Isabel, Bartolomé Colón, Anacaona, and Columbus himself—arrived at decisions that shaped history.”
—Booklife
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“The story of the Spanish conquest of the Caribbean starting in 1492 is one of the most fascinating, and important, chapters in the encounter between the native people of the Americas and Europeans. This exciting retelling of the narrative brings the people on both sides to life in an excellent page-turner of an adventure.”
—Samuel M. Wilson, Hispaniola: Caribbean Chiefdoms in the Age of Columbus

“Drawing on accurate, first-hand accounts, this book offers a window into our past, delving into the minds and thoughts of all the key players of the period. It vividly reveals the exploits and failures of the invaders and dispels numerous myths created by past historians, including the false narrative of Taino Indian docility. Mr. Rowen humanizes our Indigenous ancestors by neither romanticizing nor demonizing them. Instead, he shows just how complex our history is. Our ancestors were a people with great leaders and warriors! Andrew is a fantastic writer, and I wholeheartedly endorse this book!”
—Kasike Atunwa Jorge Baracutay Estevez of the Higuayagua Taino Luku Kairi tribe

“The book offers, in a dynamic and engaging style, an excellent and original account of the dramatic and momentous events that took place at the dawn of the conquest and colonization of the New World. I greatly value [its] historical rigor…[Rowen’s] ability to give voice to both Taíno and European perspectives is moving and enlightening for any reader interested in understanding the origins of American history.”
—Manuel García Arévalo,member of the Dominican Academy of History