Foul is Fair is a Macbeth retelling (but from the POV of Lady Macbeth) that I can only describe as “hyperreal.” I’ve seen some Quintin Tarantino comparisons, which seems very accurate based on the third of Pulp Fiction I’ve seen. The writing with its various euphemisms (like wings, claws, and fangs for body parts), the “coven” of girls who aren’t actually magical (but clearly the Witches from the source materials), and the intense violence create this unreal sheen on top of it all. The writing itself does so much to craft the tone and the world. This also makes it a pretty fast read. Just like Macbeth, I wouldn’t call this book realistic, and that’s intentional. (This might also mean it isn’t for you–I don’t think it was for me for that reason.)

“Revenge fantasy,” as the blurb says, is entirely accurate. Jade plots out revenge against the gang of boys who rape her which all works out almost entirely well. I think it’s definitely valid that those who are assaulted/raped experience a need to redefine themselves, rage, and are distanced from their emotions and reality–and as the story goes on, her PTSD creeps through. But if you want a realistic story about trauma and the aftermath of sexual assault, this isn’t it. And so, I think there can be various responses to this. Some might find it an empowering fantasy. But for me, revenge isn’t justice. It’s kind of a superficial, and unfortunately, rape revenge storylines are a trope that feels falsely empowering to me. The way Jade talks about how they “picked the wrong girl” also gave off this “not like other girls” vibes, like she was the strong one to put an end to it. At the same time, I can see it being like one of those fun, over-the-top social commentary movies (preferably not directly by Tarantino).

Sometimes it could feel like it was going through the motions of a Macbeth retelling, but I appreciated the twists near the end. I also had a good laugh how the boy guarding the door was “Porter.” I also appreciated how one of Jade’s friends in her “coven” is a trans girl, although I wish more time was spent with her support systems of her family and her friends than at St. Andrew’s. I was hoping it would cut just a little deeper (no pun intended!) into the humanity of it all and be a little more grounded in reality.

Foul is Fair is for you if you like violent thrillers with social commentary, Macbeth, and the satisfaction of a revenge fantasy toppling privileged rapists. But if you want something a little more grounded in reality, this might not be the book for you.

Sure, revenge can be sweet, but this book felt incredibly toxic to me. I wasn't able to suspend my reality enough to get into the story. In theory, I can get behind a feminist retelling of Macbeth where a girl gang seeks revenge, but in reality, it turns out I can't.

All I could think about was how much I would hate living in this world with these superficial, horrid teens. I was reminded of the movie Spring Breakers with all the Instagram-filtered parties, hallucinogenics, and debauchery, but without the welcome bizarre-ness of James Franco and even more murder.

I couldn't finish this.

Before I write my thoughts, I wanted to touch on the trigger and content warnings that include sexual assault, rape, rape culture, gender-based violence, abusive relationship, physical violence, gore, murder, bullying, transphobia, suicide, underage drinking, drug use, vigilantism, revenge. If you click the link you will be taken to Hannah's website where she writes out detailed content warnings with detail (however, it may contain spoilers for the book). Regardless of these warnings, this book is well written and shows how we need to deal with rape, rape culture and bulling so that these types of situations do not keep happening to anyone. 


First thoughts that hit me with a gut punch was how this was a hopped up version of Sadie by Courtney Summers, for the revenge plot story line, mixed with a side of Dexterby Jeff Lindsay or something of similar feel, for how easily Jade transitions from being a sweet sixteen girl to a remorseless queen of murderous vengeance. IT'S PERFECT! 


The entire time I was reading this book, I kept thinking this is out of control and so insane, but so very understood. I'm sure Elle/Jade is not the first girl to want a boy dead for the terrible things they've done, but this time she and her friends actually act on it. Completely plotted out, researched and refined down to every detail, they begin their plan to take down each golden boy that was involved that night at the party.


They think they have the perfect plan and the perfect scapegoat, but emotions start to cloud judgement and things spiral out of Jade's control. Only with the help of her true friends can she grab the reigns and attempt to finish the job they started - taking down the prep school's hierarchy - one by one!


This was a fast paced read and had me flipping pages faster than I have in a long time. The story is so compelling and I just had to know what was happening next or who would be next. I didn't realize how dark this story was going to get, but I absolutely enjoyed it. I had a few thoughts on how I thought things would play out, but I was totally wrong AND there was a little surprise that I hadn't realized was coming. 


Jade's character is such a psychopath. I did not realize how much she could pull off. She was so manipulative. Perhaps it's the combination of her coven or just herself as their leader, but I definitely would not want to cross these girls. I would have loved to see a lot more about her fellow coven members, but I understand that this story was about Jade and what happened to her. I think Mads is the character that I'd most like to read more about and learn her story. 

If after reading the trigger and content warnings, you feel that you wouldn't be bothered by the situations, I strongly suggest you give this book a try. Fantastic narrative on such an important topic that is always in the media of late given the "me too" movement.

I posted the following review on my blog:
From the very first page, Foul is Fair grabbed me in and I could not let go until the end, seriously, I finished this book in one sitting. It’s charged with anger, revenge, and violence. This book is not for the faint of heart and I suggest that you read the content warning on Hannah’s website (hannahcapin.com/foulisfair) before diving in. I loved how gripping this tale is, Capin has crafted this story in a way that you feel immersed in it like you are a bystander to the twisted acts. Jade and her coven will enchant you and make you wish that you had them by your side. They are my favorite part of this story and show the complexities of female friendship and love during high school. Each member has their own story and I guarantee you will feel for all four of these dynamic girls. I don’t want to say much more because I believe this book is best without knowing much about it, all I will say is you must read this fantastic book. It is a power trip and a rollercoaster that you will not want to get off of.

The privileged boys of St. Andrew's Prep picked the wrong girl to f*ck with. Jade is fierce. She and her girls will not rest until vengeance is theirs.

The writing here is amazing, but the trigger warnings include almost everything you can think of. Be ready to handle just about anything.

Modern day retelling of Macbeth. Dark and crafty, page flipping thriller! The boys of St. Andrews Prep choose Elle to be the girl they drug and sexually assault. Elle and her friends, with careful and skillfully crafted plans to make each of the boys turn on and kill each other. The girls, known to each other as The Coven, seek revenge on their own terms. Fast paced, great read.

I loved this book so much. The writing is poetic and beautiful and I couldn’t get enough of it-I usually don’t read books on the trolley and train but I read this one back in October, (I just kept forgetting to type up my review which is why I’m posting it now.) on my way to Disneyland and by the time I was back from my trip I was almost done.

If I were to describe this book in one word it would be fierce.

For her 16th birthday Elle and her friend’s decided to crash a high school party, not their high school but another one a St. Andrews prep one. It’s here that Elle’s drink is spiked by the golden boys of St. Andrews and she is raped. It’s after when she changes her name to Jade, dyes her hair revenge black and forms a plan to take down all four boys who have wronged her. First she transfers schools, than she befriends the guys girlfriends and seduces Mack the only boy who wasn’t at the party. One by one the boys start to fall with the help of her coven of girlfriends.

I loved everything about this book it’s dark and twisted, it’s a retelling of Macbeth- I’m a big Shakespeare fan which is why I agreed to do the blog tour. This book is exactly what a revenge fantasy should look like, over the top, beautiful, full of brilliant characters who take what they want and more and have no regrets doing it.

I adore jade and her coven of girlfriends they have her back and she has there’s and while I might be a little scared of them, especially jade. There loyal to each other, there smart and there ruthless and that might be why I love them so much.

I don’t know what else to say except if you can handle it go read it!

Would I would 100% recommend this book to someone and I can’t wait to read more books from this authors.

Content warning
sexual assault (not depicted), rape culture, and violence, an abusive relationship, a suicide attempt, and a brief scene with transphobic bullying.

i had a bit of a hard time writing this review because it's been awhile since i read it and also because i loved it so much i really don't know what to say about it.

Interesting premise for a novel - teenage girls who go through all kinds of bad stuff and seek revenge on those who they feel are guilty. It got its points across and the writing has an interesting style. However, overall, revenge tropes aren't for me.
Thanks for the early copy to review.
#Netgalley #StMartinsPress #WednesdayBooks #FoulIsFair

"So I say it, stupid and bold in one quick breath: 'Promise me you love me.'
He says, 'I promise.'
He says, 'I've never loved anyone more.'"

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.

I was supposed to review this book for a blog tour, but didn't want my negative feelings (few, but significant) to detract from the purpose of the promotion. However, today's the last day of the tour, so here's what I thought about Foul Is Fair.

Initially, I thought a Macbeth retelling (of sorts) would make a brilliant book, but there were too many unbelievable aspects for me to fully immerse myself in the story. The entire thing takes place over a two week period, and that just wasn't enough time for Jade to do everything she did. Yes, the author managed to squeeze it into her story, but realistically, I don't think it would have been possible. The police, people's parents, the school... someone would have said or done something. Surely people weren't that clueless.

There's actually very little adult involvement throughout the book, which was also very surprising. I understand that the girl's parents were a little shady and a lot crooked, but their lack of participation in what was happening felt off. They verbally claimed to be there, but were rarely physically present. The same can be said about the teachers, detectives, and anyone else with the authority to actually do something - - they simply weren't around.

I'm happy that there's a book out there that shows girls fighting for themselves, and righting the wrongs done to them, but murder is an extreme reaction. Regardless of whether or not the girls thought the boys would get away with it, killing people shouldn't have been an immediate response to a problem. It was an odd perspective, that's for sure. We see mean girls being ruthless and cunning, so you dislike how awful they can be, but you also feel sorry for what happened to them. It was a weird paradox, but one that I found to be very interesting. You don't have to like someone to understand their motives, and you don't have to agree with their motives to understand their reasoning.

Mack. Nothing about Mack made sense. He fell hard and fast for a girl he barely knew (seriously, like 5 minutes), and he was professing his love within a matter of days. Why was he so quick to love a girl that had no past and a million secrets? What about Jade made him feel like he couldn't live without her? He did some pretty extreme things for a girl he new nothing about. Why? Did I miss something about his past? Should the author have developed his character more? All of the other characters I understood. I might not have liked who they were or what they did, but I understood their motives and rationalizations. Mack was a huge question mark.

- Foul Is Fair was incredibly suspenseful, but also somewhat predictable.
- Jade, Jenny, Summer, and Mads were fascinating and brutal characters that I wanted to know more about.
- I love how the author described people - - especially the coven - - and her writing was both melodic and sinful. Capin conveyed her story in a way that felt inevitable.
- Everything was tainted by that night, and even going forward it will be a bruise that never fades from their memories. Jade may have proven she wasn't broken, but she couldn't hide all of the cracks her attackers left behind.

If you like retellings, Foul Is Fair is an original take on an old story. I like that the author chose to show girl's fighting back, and refusing to stay silent about what about happened to them. They raged, they destroyed, and they got even. It was extreme, but that's what will make this book stand out from others like it. It wasn't realistic, but I'm sure it's a secret wish more than a few people carry in their hearts. This book gives you justice for rape victims, for those who have been silenced by fear, and for the people who have been wronged by a justice system that's supposed to be fair and honorable. This book is Revenge. (★★★⋆☆)

This book was CRAZY! To be honest I haven't read Macbeth, and I do not think I have read any other retellings. This book was chaotic in such a good way! Mean Girls on freaking steroids! I had such a fun time with this one, and found myself cheering on Jade! Loving this revenge book.

Hannah Capin’s Foul Is Fair is a novel of the moment. Set in the aftermath of a sexual assault, this dark and gritty novel features unforgettable characters and moments that didn’t fail to galvanize its readers. It isn’t an easy read, and it isn’t an easy topic, but as Hannah Capin discusses in the interview that we did for The Young Folks, by reading about difficult things we’re able to distance ourselves from them and learn and process from afar. Read the full interview here: https://www.theyoungfolks.com/books/141104/interview-foul-is-fair-author-hannah-capin-metoo/

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for this free copy. All quotes in this review are taken from the Advanced Reader Copy and may change in final publication.

See again, this is another book that I would not have known was a retelling unless I was specifically told that a book was a retelling. Apparently, this is a retelling of Macbeth? I mean I personally am not a Macbeth expert or anything so I may or may not have noticed the retelling aspects but that definitely did NOT prevent me from enjoying this book for what it was. It was pretty darn awesome, if I do say so myself.

On another point, I think it’s so freaking cool that Capin and I live in the same vicinity? Well, she didn’t narrow it down which is totally fine but I’m in the region and I always think it’s so cool when authors are that close in proximity! Hopefully there will be a book signing or something nearby and I can go get my copy signed.

Okay back to the book.

I’m so freaking glad that Elle did not take this sitting down. I absolutely hate when people take advantage of others, hurt others, basically make them seem like less than a person in any kind of capacity. And I’m always one for seeing girls get their revenge on some piss poor excuses people consider a growing boy. Watch out, St. Andrew’s Prep boys.

You picked the wrong girl.

5 Words Review: Revenge, friendship, manipulation, family, misogyny.
Content warning: Off page sexual assault, misogyny, rape culture, abusive relationships, bullying, transphobia, suicide, substance abuse, violence, gore.

I think that Foul is Fair is one of those marmite books - you'll either love it or hate it. And from the very first page, I loved it.

Foul is Fair is exactly my type of book. It needs those content warnings, and the author has a detailed breakdown on their own website. It is dark, so very dark, and it is full of vengeance. It's brutal and packs a punch, it doesn't hold back. It's theatrical and fast paced, and I loved how the Shakespearean influence came through and really complimented the story. Jade is understandably a very angry narrator - and she has a lot to be angry about.

One thing I particularly liked about this story was the way friendship was explored. Jade is A Lot, and this was shown particularly in how she interacted with both her actual friends (her coven) and the group she was inserting herself in to.

After reading Foul is Fair I will definitely be checking out the author's other book. I just loved their writing style so much.

One small thing I want to throw out there is that I think I prefer the UK cover - it's sharp and subtle and has such impact. It reminds me of some of the RSC posters I've seen in the past too, particularly the font. Don't get me wrong, both covers are absolutely gorgeous, but in a bookshop it's the UK one I'd grab. What do you think?

I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I genuinely enjoyed this book. I wasn't expecting to love it as much as I did as it is a book about revenge, but I really really loved it. Through most of the book, I was absolutely speechless. I loved the not knowing what would happen next and how unrelenting the book premises actually was.

The pacing was lovely. It was well matched with the story. There was SO much imagery in this book. I won't go too much into the plot, but this story is incredible and the plot will leave you guessing. I could almost feel the main characters anger.

It was nice to see such a strong female lead character. She took absolutely NO crap. She owned every emotion. She was unapologetic and did what she had to.

Thank you kindly to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this review copy.

‏I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

It can be said about every book but, especially with this one, people are going to either love or hate Hannah Capin's Foul Is Fair. It is a dark novel of revenge, suicide, abusive relationships, murder, and a gang bang. Oh, and it is a Young Adult novel.

At a party thrown by one of the golden boys of St. Andrew's, the unthinkable happens. It turns out this was not the first time. This time, they picked the wrong girl. Jade has 3 close friends who will help her get revenge. The 4 of them are so close Jade refers to them as her coven. They do not practice witchcraft but their friendship is magical.

It is hard to make such dark themes enjoyable to read but Hannah Capin is able to do it well. If I had to describe this novel in 3 words I would say "dark but fun".

I found myself cheering for Jade and friends to succeed in exacting their revenge. The twists and turns are twisted and gritty. I enjoyed the narrative tone and humor used throughout. Golden boys beware! Something wicked this way comes.

I added Hannah Capin to my "authors to read" list.

This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 2/24/20.

#booksofinstagram #bookstagram #netgalleyreview #hannahcapin #foulisfair #whatdidijustread #triggeralert this author just throat punched me hard 😂 not in a bad way. Just in a what did I even read kind of way!?! This book was a fast read. You kept going. Needing to know. Wanting to know. Trying to figure it out. It's a book about rape and assault. About murder. About best friends. About #revenge.

Elle and her 3 best friends, Summer, Mads and Jenny are the It crowd in their LA circle. The night of Elle's sweet sixteen birthday they decide to go to a party at St. Andrew's prep school.
They meet up with the Golden boys and they decide Elle is their next victim. They picked the wrong girl.
The girls decide on vengeance so Elle transfers to their school. Changes her looks and becomes friends with the girls and the golden boys. She becomes the girlfriend of Mack and turns them against each other which can turn deadly.
I all for some sort of revenge and payback for what happened to Elle but what these girls did was way above that.

I received this from NetGalley for review.

Where do I even begin? Let's start with five deliciously bloody stars given to Hannah Capin's thrilling revenge fantasy novel Foul is Fair! My English major soul fainted when I found out it's a modern retelling of William Shakespeare's tragedy, Macbeth. Every sentence in Foul is Fair stole the breath from lungs. I could feel power radiating off Hannah Capin's words as she crafted a story for every girl who ever wanted revenge.

This book is written for the girls who have had enough. Golden boys beware: something wicked this way comes.

Jade and her friends Jenny, Mads, and Summer rule their glittering LA circle. Untouchable, they have the kind of power other girls only dream of. Every party is theirs and the world is at their feet. Until the night of Jade's sweet sixteen, when they crash a St. Andrew’s Prep party. The night the golden boys choose Jade as their next target.

They picked the wrong girl.

Sworn to vengeance after what they did to her, Jade transfers to St. Andrew’s Prep. She plots to destroy each boy, one by one. She'll take their power, their lives, and their control of the prep school's hierarchy. And she and her coven have the perfect way in: a boy named Mack, whose ambition could turn deadly.

Foul is Fair has prose so whimsical and manic I could feel the blood boil deep within my veins with rage from short sentences that felt like Jade stabbed a shiny knife in my heart. Or perhaps I should say she used a defibrillator because I've never felt more alive reading a book than I have reading Foul is Fair.

Hannah Capin makes evil thoughts look breathtakingly beautiful. After Jade is drugged and raped on her sixteenth birthday at the St. Andrew's Prep party, she becomes something more as she says, "I'm the huntress and she's the kill and she knows it now, too late to do anything....I am exactly the wrong way to be a victim." Jade develops an alternate personality: one that seeks vengeance of the murderous kind.

"You picked the wrong girl."

Readers watch as Jade morphs into this beautifully powerful and manipulative creature and they will love her for it. Her coven consists of Summer, Mads, and Jenny and they are right by Jade's side aiding her revenge plots. I love them even more as she describes them: "My beautiful coven. My flock, but instead of starlings they're falcons with wings that turn the whole sky dark." Jade instantly forgives them for leaving her alone at the St. Andrew's party because she needs their help even when she says she doesn't need anybody. I love her coven even more for being Jade's accomplices.

The courageous way Jade faces the people who sought to ruin her, body and soul, is refreshing. She had enough courage to stand up for the old Jade and all the girls like her by getting close to her enemies and watching their kingdom crumble from the inside. I especially love when Jade says, "It's a ruined kingdom that we rule but I wouldn't have it any other way." As a side note, I HAVE to tell you that the theme song for Foul is Fair is Royals by Lorde. I'm over here jamming to this song as I write this review and imagining a St. Andrew's prep music video featuring Jade standing under the Virgin Mary statue in the front hall surrounded by the flock-girls and all the people she's about to destroy.

Capin did a wonderful job making me feel shocked the entire book. At one point I was jittery, rubbing my hands together smiling over Jade's murderous rage but towards the middle of the book I was incredibly nervous and hoping she would stop this vendetta because it had gotten so far out of control. However, Capin is always there to remind you that Duncan, Duffy, Banks, Malcolm, Connor, and Piper had no remorse for what they did to Jade and what they did to other girls before her and the outcome of this tragic tale was inevitable but I would be a fool to reveal it to you now. You'll just have to go read it for yourself!

There's a lesson delicately wrapped up for us on a silver platter in Foul is Fair. Hannah Capin really focuses on the people who know enough of what is going on but do nothing to stop it. Seeing something bad happen right before your eyes and choosing to let it happen is the true evil in this story. Our choices to not help a girl who has been given a date rape drug, or someone being harassed on public transportation, it's negligent and it will lead to our downfall as the human race.

I'm going to let you in on a secret: I am extremely afraid of "innocent" bystanders. Those people that see bad things happen and do absolutely nothing. This immense fear takes over me even if I'm safe and cozy in my home, snuggled up with a book. A lot of bad things happen to good people and it's statistically proven that no one is going to help them. The thought terrifies me.

And it should terrify you, too.

Sending all my love and appreciation to Wednesday Books for inviting me to be a part of the Foul is Fair blog tour and granting me early access to read this book in exchange for an honest review and promotional activities!! I had a blast.

I wasn't a fan of this one. I wish I could say that I loved it but I didn't. I found a hard time connected with the story.

3.5 Stars

I’m a little late to the party on this one and didn’t get around to reading it before its Pub Day. But as I always say: better late than pregnant never. For those of you who don’t dip your toes in the Young Adult pond, Foul is Fair is what would happen if Macbeth had a baby with Kill Bill and Heathers. The result??? How very *wink*.

The story here is one of revenge after Elle goes to a party in order to celebrate her Sweet 16, is violated and comes out reborn as Jade. For those of you who are squeamish, please note no graphic details are provided and all atrocities happen off screen. That’s not to say this is a book for everyone. Those of you who would be triggered should be well aware this isn’t for you. The same goes for the writing. You’ll know right away if you are going to hate it.

This was a huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge winner amongst my friends. I think I need to admit straight up revenge stories just aren’t my jam. And when a shoutout to an old fave like Heathers is added to the marketing campaign I can’t help but hope for a bit of dark humor. This was a solid first experience for me with this author, but maybe my hopes were set a bit too high. I think I need to check out her first book – a high school version of Henry VIII and his six wives.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!