VIII is the story of Hal, a young and gifted warrior, who as a young boy believes he has been chosen to lead his people after a particular insight at his family home. But he is haunted by the demons of his family's violent past and once he rises to power, he turns to murder and rapacious cruelty as a result.

This book is a must read as it is unique to other historic books written about the Tudors. This is because Henry is not wholly portrayed as the stereotypical tyrant he is usually known as. The author, Harriet Castor, is able to give an insight into Henry's actions by using significant events in his life and turning them into something that may have deeply affected his mind. We are able to create our own opinion of Henry as a result without immediately going for the stereotypical portrayal.

One way she pulls the reader away from the man in the Holbein portraits is by giving him the name, Hal. She also portrays Henry and his father's relationship in a new light: "You don't change, do you? My son: the thoughtless oaf with the terrifying sense of entitlement." To which the bruised Henry retaliates at his father's deathbed, whispering: "You are hated by your people. You will be remembered only as my father," causing the reader to think is he really the reason for Henry's change.

Henry becomes estranged from his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, when she fails to produce him a male heir, but Anne Boleyn's fate is far worse. So as the demons begin to haunt him even more Henry is soon convinced that Anne has used dark magic and seduced him into marriage. There is a gripping scene after Anne loses a son at childbirth:

"What is so rotten in this body that it cannot hold a child?"
"It can," said Anne.
"A boy child. Girls count for less than nothing – as you know."

By the time Henry does get a son his demons have really taken hold of him and it is too late. His advice to his son who later becomes Edward VI epitomises the insecure man he has become: "Promise nothing. Trust no one," he tells the boy.

This book is gripping from beginning to end. It is exciting, engrossing and surprisingly bone-chilling. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a good book to read regardless to whether you like historical books or not.

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