This is a novel that brilliantly spans all sections of society under King Henry VIII. Will grows up in the countryside, and we see his family home, and meet their country-born servants. Then, a new life is thrust upon him as his overbearing, power hungry uncle and aunt thrust him under the nose of King Henry. He is favoured and quickly finds himself at the heart of the King's court, surrounded by duplicity, simpering courtiers, and treachery at every turn. Readers, through him, meet King Henry and are treated to a front row seat in his entourage, witnessing his quick temper and volatile emotions, realising quickly that no-one in his court is safe when he is near. They encounter the small Prince Edward, to whom Will is made page, as well as a young Princess Elizabeth, eager to please her oblivious father. When Will's father is accused of treason, Will flees, trusting no-one, until, desperate, he stumbles into the squalid home of a poor family near the docks. Despite their lack, they welcome him, care for him, and teach him what true friendship is, and it's with their help that he embarks on a quest to reach his sister Margery in Calais, and find a way to free his father before he is hanged for his refusal to swear the Oath of Supremacy.

There are some great characters in the book - Will himself is relatable and understandably confused, overwhelmed with his grief and sudden propulsion into high court life. But it's his father and uncle (Brother John, an outlawed Catholic priest) whose integrity shines in the book as they refuse to renounce their faith, and Nicolas Drew, Will's new found pauper friend whose fidelity and kindness blow Will away, who really stand out. Their simple faith and friendships sing out against the two-faced hypocrisy and flattery of Henry's Court.

Written using fairly simple vocabulary, it's not a difficult read. Chapters aren't too long, and although readers might find it a little slow at the beginning, the story quickly picks up pace as Will's world unravels. As a book it's unparallelled for the way transports the reader to Tudor England - and London especially; its power battles and perils, its tastes and smells, its rich and its poor - it's an absorbing and very worthwhile read for any preteen or teen interested in or studying Tudor times.