VIII is the story of Hal: a young, handsome, gifted warrior, who believes he has been chosen to lead his people. But he is plagued by the ghosts of his family's violent past and, once he rises to power, he turns to murder and rapacious cruelty. He is Henry VIII. The Tudors have always captured the popular imagination, but in VIII, Henry is presented fresh for a new generation. H M Castor does for Henry what Hilary Mantel did for Thomas Cromwell - VIII is Wolf Hall for the teen and crossover market. The contemporary, original writing style will have broad appeal and VIII brings the tension of a psychological thriller and the eeriness of a ghost story to historical fiction.
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About the Author
H. M. Castor has been obsessed with the Tudors since primary school. She studied Tudor History at Cambridge University, and despite spending time after that doing a variety of jobs - including teaching English in Prague. The Tudors have never lost their hold on her. In particular she has been fascinated by the story of Henry VIII. I've read a great deal about his life,A" she says, but still a huge question has remained: just how does this extraordinary boy become one of the most villainous kings in British history? He is hugely talented, has astonishing warrior skills, and is said to be a model of virtue. So what turns him into a monster? In writing VIII I've set out to answer that question.A" H. M. Castor has written many younger fiction and non fiction titles for HarperCollins, A&C Black, Carlton, Puffin and Usborne. VIII is her first novel for teenagers. She lives in Bristol with her husband and two daughters.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By Charlotte S
Format:Hardcover
Just to add to the Mantel debate....I much preferred VIII to Wolf Hall which left me cold as I wasn't interested enough in the main character. In contrast, I found this book compelling and exciting. I thought the young Henry seemed real and I completely sympathised with his relationship with his father and the imaginary demons in his life. Moreover, the detail in VIII: the sights, sounds, smells and textures made reading the book, the closest I've come to time travel.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I am far from being a teenager but I am an avid reader of historical fiction and love a book that reads well, especially one that takes a new approach to a well known subject. VIII fitted the bill for me exactly ! From the very first pages I was hooked ! H M Castor's approach carries the reader swiftly through the pages providing a story full of action and colour. I am sure this book is ideal for her intended audience of older teenagers, but actually feel that many older readers will also love it. Indeed I fully intend to introduce my U3A Reading Group to it as I feel the use of the first person approach and the paranormal aspects of the novel will provide for some interesting discussion.
Castor writes with amazing insight about the development of Hal as a young energetic king to a sick aging despot. From the details of place, costume, food and sporting pastimes it is clear that she has researched his life and times with great thoroughness. All readers will gain a fresh insight into a monarch that they thought they already knew well.
The book is full of memorable scenes and dialogue. Castor has a way with the written word that captures the readers' attention and stimulates their imagination. A thought provoking book that I shall recommend to grandchildren and contemporaries alike.
Castor writes with amazing insight about the development of Hal as a young energetic king to a sick aging despot. From the details of place, costume, food and sporting pastimes it is clear that she has researched his life and times with great thoroughness. All readers will gain a fresh insight into a monarch that they thought they already knew well.
The book is full of memorable scenes and dialogue. Castor has a way with the written word that captures the readers' attention and stimulates their imagination. A thought provoking book that I shall recommend to grandchildren and contemporaries alike.
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I have never really been a huge fan of historical fiction. Although a lot of it, surprisingly, is written by real historians, it tends not to be very convincing. This however is different. Harriett is a first-class historian her sister Helen is too )and the amount of research she did for the novel really shines through. Not just along historical lines either...she consulted psychoanalysts and in particular the Jungian analyst Matthew Harwood, as well as clothing experts, martial arts gurus,experts on the Italian Wars and anything else you can think of. So the first criterion for an historical novel - that it is believable - is met in spades.
But it is, as other reviwers have said, a real page turner. You just don't want to put it down. The unique view point from which it is written, inside Henry's own head, helps it enormously and gives an immediacy which is brilliant. Breathtaking. And it really does give us an opportunity to re-assess what we think of Henry, and take a different view on him than that provided by the portraits with which we are so familiar...the ogre who thinks nothing of executing wives or friends, or the gross, obese tyrant totally self-centred, vain and dictatorial.
It is without doubt the best book I have read this year, the most exciting, the most thoughtful, and one I would recommend without resrvation to teens or adults. Do read it.
But it is, as other reviwers have said, a real page turner. You just don't want to put it down. The unique view point from which it is written, inside Henry's own head, helps it enormously and gives an immediacy which is brilliant. Breathtaking. And it really does give us an opportunity to re-assess what we think of Henry, and take a different view on him than that provided by the portraits with which we are so familiar...the ogre who thinks nothing of executing wives or friends, or the gross, obese tyrant totally self-centred, vain and dictatorial.
It is without doubt the best book I have read this year, the most exciting, the most thoughtful, and one I would recommend without resrvation to teens or adults. Do read it.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gifts for grandchildren
I bought this as I heard on Radio 4's Bookclub that it would be ideal for 10 yr-olds and help them to understand King Henry VIII. Read more
Published 21 days ago by Patsy
5.0 out of 5 stars
A refreshing look at the Tudor period
I love historical novels and in particular the Tudor period. Most concentrate on Henry's wives and not him. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Miss L J Le Core
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good book...but bit rushed towards the end!
This was a good book, however, I felt it was rather rushed towards the end! Easy and interesting read for anyone interested in the Tudors.
Published 3 months ago by Lindsey Dawson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Different
I loved this book. I have to admit I was a little disappointed when I found out it was a book for young adults, but being a Tudor fan I decided to give it a go anyway and was glad... Read more
Published 3 months ago by sardoc
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good idea, but some problems with the execution
This novel is a fictional autobiography of Henry VIII, aiming to get into his psyche and provide possible answers to the question of what his motives were for behaving in ways that... Read more
Published 3 months ago by John Hopper
3.0 out of 5 stars
Too short
This was a really enjoyable historical novel. I love the Tudor era and am always looking for something new to read in this genre. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Anne Bo 13
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great way to get older teens and young adults into history
I am not the target audience for this book, being 50 years old. I bought it as part of the Kindle daily deal for 99p and liked it so much I would have paid the full price. Read more
Published 4 months ago by MissyP, London, England
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good read
This was one of the 99p Kindle daily offers, and it is a really excellent read, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Published 5 months ago by Mw R. Moore
1.0 out of 5 stars
Had to give up on this
Another book I was asked to read for a book club. I'm afraid I had to give up on it. It was rather like reading a cross between the Bunty and Horrible Histories. Read more
Published 5 months ago by LMC
4.0 out of 5 stars
Well worth reading!
I am a bit of an aficionado of the Tudor period so this book was right up my street. Most people have read about Henry VIII and his wives but not many have learned about his... Read more
Published 5 months ago by W. Birchall
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