I started out really liking this, because I feel the author really nailed the characterization (Hamlet is my favorite play, so I know these characters well), especially Polonius and Ophelia. However, as the story progresses, the language changes from being normal modern English to very old-fashioned speech, sometimes quoting directly from the play. This has a jarring effect since it changes the characters quite a bit from modern teens to some sort of strange anachronisms. It's also very difficult to figure out where or when this is taking place: the characters have computers and cell phones but their way of life seems extremely old fashioned and antiquated in other respects.
Overall, it had the potential for greatness, but didn't quite get there.

Perhaps I have too much excitement and too high expectations to enjoy novels that are adaptations of Shakespeare's works. It could be possible that I love him too much to thoroughly enjoy them. Whatever the reason, A Wounded Name fell short for me. The writing was lovely, and the premise was sound, but overall it didn't work. I hated the relationships, I found the love interest extremely problematic. EXTREMELY problematic. Like, the author was romanticizing abuse and that just didn't sit well with me. I would have a hard time recommending this one.