VIII

This outstanding young adult novel tells the story of Henry VIII, from his earliest days as precocious young Prince Hal, right up until his death.

The first section of the book is devoted to Hal’s childhood and how his cold and violent father, coupled with an unswerving self-belief, shaped the ruler he would become. 

Henry’s transition from a vital, glory-hungry prince, obsessed with his legacy and consumed by his need for a son and heir, to a paranoid and sick old man, make for fascinating reading. Castor successfully presents a more human, although not necessarily sympathetic side, to one of history’s most infamous Kings.

Short chapters, which are full of action and intrigue, ensure that this book should appeal to a wide range of young readers and many adults too.