As a dedicated Tudorphile, I wondered if there was anything new to be learnt about Henry VIII. The answer, in the capable hands of historical fiction author Alison Weir, is Yes. She has written a book on each of Henry VIII's wives, but this book is uniquely from his perspective.

My perception of Henry has never been very favourable. He changed the religion of England in order to get divorced, and then tired of his second wife very quickly and beheaded her after a kangaroo trial. The rest of the story we all know well.

But this book made me re-evaluate. Henry's court was very complicated; there were many powerful houses who would fight for the throne once he died, and it was essential he had a male heir. Had his first wife, the much loved Katherine of Aragon, been able to fulfill that goal, she probably would have remained his wife, albeit with Henry having numerous mistresses.

Weir tells us that Katherine probably lost eight babies. Their daughter Mary survived, but Henry was convinced women were weak and easily influenced so he didn't think of her seriously as a successor. Henry was desperate for an heir; the Pope ruled against him and he had to "go rogue."

We tend to forget the first few years of his reign were a golden time. The coffers were overflowing, thanks to his father's frugality, and Henry was a tall, handsome monarch, astutely intelligent and able to discuss from age 11 complicated philosophy and ecumenical matters in Latin.

As he aged, and was beset by more heartbreak as his illegitimate son Richmond and his son with Jane Seymour, Edward VIII, both died, Henry became more volatile, and many key advisors were beheaded which he later regretted.

My book of the month for March. This book is published on May 11. Thanks to Headline Publishing Group and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy.

Alison Weir is a fantastic historical writer of both fiction and non-fiction books. My feelings about her six books on Henry VIII's wives varied with some being fantastic and some disappointing. Henry VIII: The Heart and the Crown comes somewhere in between; falling short of capturing the complex nature of Henry that Weir has crafted over her previous books, but still managing to explore the insecurities and flaws of a king who has become more myth than man.
The thing that I enjoyed most about this book was seeing the paranoia and obsessions develop and understanding how Henry became the way he did, with insight into different events and points in his life we haven't gotten from Weir's previous books. As with most of her books, this was well researched with layers of historical detail that mark Weir as one of the reigning queens of the genre.
Some parts of the books were definitely over simplified and brushed over too quickly, but with a life so long and complex in an already very lengthly book, I do understand the need for this. I would say that this is not exactly a standalone as, with six wives and multiple mistresses, in just under seven hundred pages, this book cannot truly capture Henry's great romantic obsessions, so the books from the six wives are very much needed to build Henry's romances.
I did enjoy this and will continue to read and enjoy Alison Weir's books, but I do not count this as one of Weir's best works.
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for this eARC in exchange for an honest review

A really interesting time in history and told from Henry VIII’s perspective as both boy and man, should have been totally immersive but I found the characters to be over simplified and the book way too long. It will appeal to many but not my thing.

Alison Weir is one of my favourite historical writers, I have read Innocent Traitor twice. However, this lengthy fictional exposition of Henry the Eighth lost my interest quite early. Other readers will enjoy it, but the narrative was long and simplistic.

An engrossing, well researched read about Henry VIII. I've enjoyed reading about him from the wives point of view, but now we get to see his side. Really balances out the story when you realise the pressures he was under, especially to provide an heir, and the way the factions fought for his favour. Another wonderful book bringing history to life from Alison Weir.

Alison Weir is one of my favourite authors and I love the Tudor period of history so I was super excited to receive this ARC. Good to see a story from the viewpoint of Henry VIII when so often the stories are focussed on his wives. Thoroughly enjoyed this, perfect for historical fiction fans!

There are numerous books about the Tudor period and I have read many, but I have to say this is definitely at the top of my list. There has never really been a book about Henry VIII as the man, showing both good and bad traits and I loved that this book explored that. The detail was astonishing and whilst a long read, to do the story justice it needed it. I had not realised how easily he was manipulated by those around him despite being a very intelligent man and also the speed in which he installed and rewarded some of his wives families simply because he was pursuing them. Alison Weir has brought the man to life and I applaud her. This is an excellent book that has clearly been very well researched

After writing about Henry VIIIs wives Alison Weir decided it was time that Henry had a book of his own. It's his life from his viewpoint, the stresses and worries, disappointments and sorrows. It's well written and for me Weir manages to get into what seems to be a plausible construction of his thoughts and feelings.
I was grateful to be sent a digital copy of the book by the publisher for review via Netgalley.

In theory, this book should be my ideal. I’ve read a lot of historical fiction but for some reason, this book didn’t feel right. I was looking forward to seeing a different side of the most famous Tudor of them all, but I found the writing to be simple & the characters superficial. Having enjoyed previous novels by this author, I was so disappointed.

I love historical fiction and this was no exception. The Tudors are one of, if not my favourite period of history and I couldn't put this down

A fictionalised account of Henry VIII - told from the King's point of view. There seem to be many books written about each of his six wives; but to read of Henry from age 10 until his death brought a new light on to the life of this famous monarch. He began life as 'the spare' to his older brother Arthur, Price of Wales, a serious young man who was perhaps idolised by the young Henry, even though Henry was the more healthy, sporty, intelligent of the two.
Famed for his six wives, Henry was a powerful monarch who had to deal with foreign alliances and wars, warring factions in his own court and in the government, powerful families vying for more power, and religious changes in the church at home and abroad. He was able to use capable and brilliant men - Wolsey, More, Cromwell; but each ended up dead following their fall from favour. As the aging Henry has to come to terms with his own infallibility and likely death due to his ill health, the author skilfully shows how this king had changed the course of English history throughout his reign.
The early chapters (and they are long chapters) dragged somewhat with their endless descriptions of clothes, pageants, sports and food. And more food and lengthy generous feasts. But then that built up a picture of life in Tudor times, and created a framework for all that followed. I admit I did skim through some of those descriptions, however.
Each chapter is of a year of the King's reign. Occasionally it reads like the Court Diary; but again it builds up the full picture of what life was like for Henry and for those who surrounded him. Beset with fears for his throne and from threats to his power, Henry felt he had to do all he could to maintain the aura of power, wealth and privilege due to a King, and a Tudor King at that.
About half way through, I realised I was gripped by the book and instead of giving up, just had to read to the end. I'm glad I did. However, I confess it took me a long time to read the whole book, as the writing is dense and the events endless. It is, nonetheless, an excellent book, especially as it is one of the few I've read (and I studied Tudor history to uni level ) that focus on seeing the period through the eyes of Henry himself.
A book well worth persevering with to the end. It's an extraordinary story of how a man with so much in his favour when he was young, grew into an almost bitter old man, and of the fears and failures, longings and need of love shaped a whole life.

Alison Weir is an author who brings history alive. I consider her to be an authority on the Tudors. I’ve read many of her non fiction books about the era and people. Her research is meticulous and even though her books are generally quite long, I always find them engaging.

Much has been written about Henry and his wives. He remains an enigmatic individual; egocentric cruel at times, but he could also be loving and generous. He defined an era and whilst much of this is speculative, it’s as good a portrayal as any of this divisive individual. It’s a long book, but because it’s well written, it’s no struggle to read. There’s the knowledge that it’s all woven around fact and it gives real insight into the life and times of the monarch, his court and the people around. Really enjoyed this.

Great book from Alison Weir about Henry VIII. I had previously read her series of books about his wives and as with those books her research is thorough. Definitely to be recommended.

I have been struggling to know what to write about this book especially in view of some of the quoted praise both for it and its author. Unfortunately this (very long) book just didn't do it for me and while I appreciate it's a novel I found the writing style and format not to be of my taste. I am obviously more for facts than fiction.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

One word: obsessed.
Absolutely amazing novel. I am in love with King Henry the 8th and the whole Tudor dynasty. Any book this woman writes I must must must read.
The story is full of facts with some parts which have been educated guesses.

Having read the authors previous novels told from Henry’s wives perspective I was thrilled to be sent this ADR from Netgalley and it didn’t disappoint!

Highly detailed you can tell the level of research the author puts into these novels, and it was nice to read the series of events from Henry’s perspective. Rather than portraying him as a monster we see here that he is human, deeply flawed but human.

Highly recommend for any lovers of Tudor fiction, however be warned it’s very long!

I love reading about Tudor history and have read many books on the subject. It was really interesting to read a book from Henry's perspective instead of written from the view point of one of his queens or from the third person. It did help me relate to him, seeing how he evolved from a passionate young king to a bitter old man who felt like he couldn't trust anyone. It was also interesting to think about how he viewed each of his queens and his children.

The book was well written, each time I read it felt like I was mentally slipping into the Tudor court. I did find it rather long. I was reading a Kindle version so I couldn't see the physical size of the book and by the latter third of the book I really felt like it was never ending. Overall though I did enjoy it.

Initially I had second thoughts on reading this, yet another book on the Tudors and Henry VIII, the abusive husband. But I do enjoy Alison Weir so that won out and wasn't I glad it did.

As the title indicates, it gives a view of Henry as a King and as someone who falls in love deeply but it also shows a troubled man who craves love and trust but who is surrounded by people who just use him for their own purposes.

Don't get me wrong I still can't stand the man, and feel so sorry for the brave, abused women that were forced into his path so that their family could benefit, but this books gives an excellent portrayal of a confused man, who perhaps never grew up, who was spoilt and dangerous, but who perhaps just craved to love and feel trust in the people around him. His advisors were constantly whispering doubt into his ear, his friends taking advantage, and he was isolated.

Even if you have read books on the Tudors before this is a must read and very enjoyable as always from Alison Weir.

I have read a lot of books about this period and Henry VIII was mainly portrayed as a two dimensional monster. This book by Alison Weir shows him as a human rather the stereotype I had previously read. I hadn’t realised he pursued Anne Boleyn over such a long period of time before marrying her. In this book he is portrayed as a man with many flaws and for all his supposed intelligence and education very easily manipulated by ambitious hangers on. I love books by Alison Weir, they bring history to life while still being well researched and true to the period. Half way through I did not think all the wives would be covered but I guess the last three marriages were fairly short. Excellent book.

If I ever want to be cast back into the vivid depths of history, I turn to Alison Weir. Her ability to bring history to life in her books is a true skill and one that I find with all of her books. She captures it perfectly. The feel of the times, the events like you’re really there as an onlooker, watching history unfold as she tells you the story. I don’t know how she does it!

You can really tell just now much work, effort and research goes into her writing. She not only writes history in such a way that you’ll be hanging off every word, but she entertains you, makes you feel connected to the figures from history and gives you a deeper understanding of historical events. I read these and not only love them, but learn a lot from them too.

We’ve read and heard the perspectives from Henry’s infamous six wives, but in this book, we get to hear his tale. From his early life of adjusting after the death of his elder brother, Arthur who was all set to be king. Now Henry must take up the mantle. We see this infamous king in a whole new light.

Alison takes us in a journey throughout Henry’s life, from the battles he’s fought, to the women he’s conquered (or who have conquered him..!) and the difficult decisions he’s had to make. We start with Katharine of Aragon and subsequently make our way through all of his six wives until the end. Even though most will know the rough set up of events as they happened in history, I was still hanging off every word like it was my first time knowing it. It’s seriously such an investing and immersive book.

I was so enchanted by the story and it was effortless to read. Which is quite impressive considering these books aren’t short ones. They’re fairly hefty but manage to keep you engaged throughout. I’ll argue that this might be one of the best Tudor focused books I’ve ever read and it’s one I’d without a doubt, read again.