Another 5 stars - No words on my love for this author and the amazing things she is doing in all her books!

This book wasn't what I expected at all. But I loved it. Las lavandiers were terrifying. It was interesting to see a completely different story then I'd ever heard before. Completely different take on the whole story.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid!

I actually thoroughly enjoyed this book, it just took me far too long to read which is why I'm giving it 3 stars. There was never a moment that truly grabbed my attention and made me want to drop everything I was doing and just finish the book, which is why it took me around 2.5 months to finish.

Overall, this was a really compelling read - seeing the story of Macbeth from Roscille's point of view was very interesting! It's been a super long time since I even read the original Macbeth, so there wasn't too much for me to compare it to in my mind, but I liked her character enough and really felt sympathy for her. The story felt too short at times, but other segments seemed to drag out, so pacing was a bit of an issue for me. I think if you're an Ava Reid fan OR a Macbeth fan, then you should definitely pick this one up! Otherwise, you can skip it if you'd like - I think it's still enjoyable, but just not everyone's cup of tea.

Major points to the gorgeous cover though!

i loved the permise of this book so much but i think some things had personally fell flat for me. i thought the pacing was odd and i couldn't personally connect with any of the characters. i did really enjoy the atmosphere and the writing and love the author as well

A sensational new way to read a classic! Ava Reid has a way of turning her tales on their head and making you think in new and interesting ways. I loved the devotion to the source material while also making her own path. This is a sensational read and though some parts do tend to be...inventive, it neither damages nor takes away from the full effect of the novel. I am a new fan of Ava Reid and she is now an instant read author for me!

As with Ava’s other works, as a huge fan, her writing is undeniably stunning. Very lyrical and quotable every time.

This is not for the weak, to frankly speak. I suggest going into it for what it is, a retelling. I think if you’re attached to the original character, you will find faults in this. But I found love for it as Ava took her own spin of the character. Then I’m not too meticulous with retellings, but I can see how this won’t be favorable to others.

This was a tough read, I really wanted to like it but I just could not get over the xenophobia. I this retelling took ALOT of creative authority, which I get but also….

Loved, loved, loved it. Female rage is one of my favorite tropes, and this book was chock full of it. Ate that shit up.

Ava Reid does it again! Lady Macbeth is everything I wanted—lush, haunting, and so beautifully written it hurts. Reid takes one of Shakespeare’s most infamous women and gives her the depth and agency she deserves, crafting a story that feels both timeless and fresh. Her prose is as immersive as ever, pulling you into a world that’s dark, atmospheric, and full of simmering tension. I’d honestly read anything she writes at this point, and this book just solidifies that. If you love her other work, you’re in for a treat.

Ava Reid has such an incredibly magical way of writing - this is my third book by Reid, but absolutely not my last. I knew a Shakepeare retelling would be 100% my vibe, but WOW I WAS NOT PREPARED FOR HOW MUCH I LOVED THIS?! Stunning, start to finish, cover included!

This story was absolutely ethereal and gripping, and I love everything Reid writes, but I’m especially a sucker for a Shakespeare retelling.

DNF’d — unfortunately this was hard for me to truly get into.
One of the main barriers was the fact that it’s not a Macbeth retelling but mostly lends itself to the name. I also felt dis attached from the characters.
However, I enjoyed the medieval vibe and how the author stayed truth to the fact that different names would be pronounced based on their origin and not a universal language.

Ava Reid is one of the powerhouse voices of this generation — especially when it comes to stories with themes of magic, horror, and resilience. Even though I am not a fan of Shakespearean plays, this was a thrilling, dark story to experience! I’m glad I wasn’t familiar with the original tale of MacBeth because it helped me enjoy the twisting ending more I’m sure. Loved it!

Like MacBeth but up the ante on fierceness, and gothic atmosphere. "Lady Macbeth" is a reimagined world with the spotlight on Lady Macbeth. It is a story woven with history, myth, and determination.


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I liked Ava Reid's "A Study in Drowning" and was excited for her new book. I thought this book brought too much imagination to the character of Lady Macbeth, where I was stuck fighting with emotions of "wait, that's not like Lady Macbeth". It was a little to different for me to stay focused on what Reid was doing.

Thank you Ava Reid for bringing this book to readers, thank you RH Ballantine, and thank you NetGalley

I loved this interpretation of lady Macbeth it was very powerful and moving. I loved the different roles she had to play given the circumstances she was in. It was very interesting and showed a lot about her character.

Ava is so good at weaving stories. While I didn't vibe with the character or the pacing, I loved the writing. The way ava creates fmcs is captivating and I enjoy watching the growth of the characters.

I will always run to read whatever Ava writes.

I waited until winter to read this and I’m so glad I did. Absolutely wonderful. Ava Reid has a way of writing that’s so subtly beautiful and atmospheric but not over the top. She never tries to tell the reader how they should feel. This might be my favorite of hers yet and I’m so excited to read her new releases this year!

This was my most anticipated book of the year, but unfortunately became my most disappointing book of the year. I dnf'd at 35% but kept thinking I would come back and try again later. I have finally admitted that I don't have it in me. For a book that claims to be a feminist retelling of Macbeth, it removes agency from Lady Macbeth. She is a strong powerful woman with plenty of agency in the play, and she was unrecognizable here. *sigh*

I really enjoy Ava Reid’s writing - it’s beautiful and lyrical, so how could you not? Lady McBeth was no different, I found myself captivated in Reid’s writing and fully immersed in the story.

What I really appreciate is the careful way Reid characterized her. I wasn’t always rooting for her and in fact don’t really like her, but in the end you can’t deny her strength.

At times the storyline lagged and I found myself not wanting to pick it up. This is why I didn’t rate it higher as the pacing could have been picked up to keep the story moving along. All in all a solid 3.5 stars from me.