A Review By Keith Smith

This is by far the most enjoyable book I have read for a long time. The publishers say it is for the crossover market ie teens to adult, and it would certainly please either teen or adult. 

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.

It is in essence the life of Henry VIII as seen through his eyes. That is twist enough, but the fact that he is haunted by his family history makes this a visceral and gripping story indeed. ‘Surprisingly scary’ Charlie Higson called it. He is certainly right.

The fact that Harriet is what I call a proper historian, as opposed to some of our historical fiction writers, guarantees that everything is plausible, and the research that has gone into this story is vast. No detail is too unimportant for her to investigate and get right. This makes it so much more enjoyable to read. It fairly zips along too with very short chapters, a difficult thing to get right but working tremendously well here.

With just as much research going into the psychological side of  things – Harriet made extensive use of a psychotherapist, a Jungian analyst, and much background reading in those dark arts – you find yourself deep inside Henry’s head and thoughts, and an amazing experience it is too.

With a striking cover and an excellent price point you won’t find better value anywhere this year. I’d like everyone to read it. It is so good.