First published 2019
Prince Hal divides his time between the royal court and London's taverns, where he drinks with the roguish Falstaff and his band of thieves. His father King Henry IV grows increasingly frustrated with his son's behavior, especially as rebellion brews in the north. Hotspur, a young nobleman from the Percy family, leads a revolt against the crown, earning the king's admiration for his martial prowess. As civil war erupts, Hal must choose between his carefree tavern life and his duties as heir to the throne. The prince faces his greatest test when he meets Hotspur in single combat at the Battle of Shrewsbury. This edition shapes the text for communal reading aloud, making Shakespeare's language accessible for group exploration of honor, duty, and the weight of kingship.
Genres: drama, classic-literature, historical-fiction, war
Vibes: emotional, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: duty-vs-desire, enemies-to-lovers
Setting: London, Shrewsbury
Period: 15th century
160 pages · Paperback · Independently Published