While I think this was an interesting book, to say this is a retelling from Lady Macbeth's point of view is sad. This book destroys the image of Lady Macbeth to me and other Shakespeare readers and makes her into a character that does basically nothing for herself for most of the book. I am a huge fan of Ava Reid as an author but I do not think this was one of her good titles.

I have mixed feelings.
This doesn't follow the play very closely. I kept forgetting I was reading a Macbeth retelling and being surprised when the next plot point from the play showed up.

I still like Reid's prose, and Roscille's story was compelling enough to make me root for her, but unfortunately the book did not live up to my expectations.

At the beginning of the book we are told that Roscille is very good at remembering people's faces and small details about them, and then using those details to scheme against them. But she doesn't actually do any of that in the book - she doesn't even remember the names of most of Macbeth's men, referring to them by what they wear instead.

In addition, I don't expect a retelling to stick religiously to the story of the original, but Lady Macbeth is known mostly for being evil and incredibly ambitious. In this book Roscille has to be convinced by her husband to kill the king, instead of the other way around. When I think of the potential of the character of Lady Macbeth - a ruthless schemer who exploits her husband in her plans to get more power - compared to what we actually get - a terrified teenage girl who is just trying to survive - I can't help but feel a little disappointed.

I felt like the pacing of the book was just fine. The character arc of the main character is where the problem lies, there was no really substance to her arc and had no real motivation for it.

This was one of my most anticipated books of 2024, so nobody is more disappointed than I am that I’m only giving it 3 stars. I typically love Ava Reid’s writing, and it was good in this book, but the themes and plot were not as on point as her other books. I really enjoyed the first 20 or 30% of the book but after that point I stopped enjoying it as much.

As a Macbeth retelling, I did not like this reimagining of the character Lady Macbeth. Even when I decided to separate it from the original Macbeth, I did not like the way the story went and found it boring and repetitive at times. Some of the characters were interesting but I felt they weren’t fleshed out enough, and some of the plot beats didn’t really make sense to me.

Even so, I will read anything Ava Reid writes because I’ve really enjoyed all of her other works and I think she’s an incredible writer. This one just didn’t hit for me.

Wow, Ava Reid's prose shines in this unique retelling of Macbeth from his wife's perspective. She has created a polarizing main character in young Roscille, who I found difficult to like but found myself rooting for all the same. Roscille is young, naive and immature. She vacillates between trusting her instincts and overestimating the men she encounters. She very much reflects the mindset and maturity of a 17 year old girl, which is appreciated by this reader. This book is atmospheric in the best way, though I wish readers got more description of the setting, Scotland, the castle, etc. Those who pick up this book expecting a dedication or loyalty to Shakespeare's original characterization should be wary, however. Reid take creative liberties (which she totally is entitled to do!) to create a unique experience for the reader. Fans of Madeline Miller's "Circe" will enjoy this book for sure, as well as those looking for something with a spooky, unearthly, eerie vibe. Definitely would recommend to read in the autumn! Thank you for the opportunity to receive and read this ARC.

This dark and atmospheric story was full of lore, fantasy, and romance. While I loved the premise of the story told from the perspective of Lady Macbeth, I couldn't help but feel that the pacing of the story itself was a little bit off.

It felt more like a character essay than your usual dark fantasy. It touched on heavy subjects that women in the medieval ages were facing.
The writing was impeccable, as always. Ava Reid truly knows how to immerse you into the story and paint vivid pictures with her words.

If you like darker stories that focus more on character studies than overall plot, this book is perfect for you.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC.

Ava Reid has done it again. The prose is lush, the characters are compelling, and the plot is wrapped up in such a satisfying way that I couldn’t help but smile.

I LOVED this book. Lady Macbeth is such a fascinating and well known Shakespearean character, but I love how Reid makes this story something completely unique. I didn't know which way the plot was going to lean, but I wasn't disappointed by any of the events. I found the witches and their story very interesting. Go into this expecting there to be massive changes from the play and have fun with it!

★ 3.5 / 5

Ava Reid is still a masterful writer, and I cannot wait to continue reading their poignant stories. While I had some complicated feelings for certain elements within Lady Macbeth, I still adored Ava's beautiful writing and insightful changes. If you're looking for a Lady Macbeth retelling where Lady Macbeth is a power hungry, ruthless woman, this is not the retelling for you. Roscille is definitely a young woman trying to please her husband and survive him instead of one actively plotting with him to get the crown. It was a hard pill for me to swallow at first because I've always pictured the character in that way (loveeeee angry, villainous women leads), but once I got past that reality, the story becomes infinitely more enjoyable.

My favorite change is by far the witches in the dungeon/basement. It feels very Bluebeard-esque for Macbeth to lock these previous wives and witches in a dungeon to hoard their visions and knowledge for himself. It's a smart way to unify the witches plot-line from the original play and Macbeth household together, unlike the original Shakespearean version. Roscille feels a kinship to these women due to their witch abilities, so when she is locked inside the basement with them after Macbeth realizes her treachery, it was a full circle moment for her. It was the only end for her character because she is a tool for Macbeth to use, nothing more, and she's finally forced to confront that reality in her purest fear. Obviously, she gets out and seeks revenge on her husband, but those scenes where she accepted her witch abilities and heritage were phenomenal. Roscille is finally forced to confront her reality and change her destiny.

Honestly, besides the witches in the dungeon and dragon plots, Lady Macbeth was a pretty faithful retelling. The scenes leading up to Duncan's death were very similar to the original play, and I didn't mind Roscille's mind control over Duncan's guards, ultimately leading them to kill Duncan through Roscille's coercion. It strengthened Roscille's abilities in the world building of this retelling and also her guilt for the latter parts of the story because she is against killing him. Yes, she helped add to Macbeth's ambitions to be king as she hyped him up, but in this retelling that is more accidental than in the source material. I actually want to go back and reread the Macbeth play so that I can compare the two more closely. Of course, the end of this retelling is very different, but I was amazed at the attention to detail within the context of the original play.

One of my biggest questions for Ava is why they chose to not go the historical route for this book. Lady Macbeth (not Shakespeare's version but the Macbeths from Scottish history) was a real woman named Gruoch ingen Boite. With all of the research Ava does for their books, I'm curious why they chose to ignore the history of this woman and create Roscille, who is from a French provenance, from scratch. One of the biggest points of the Macbeth couple is their inherent Scottish heritage, so it confused me to see Ava strip that history from this famous literary, Shakespearean woman. For reasons like this I'm hesitant to call this a true retelling because this does not feel like the Lady Macbeth from the original play. It didn't help that a lot of grotesque and barbaric words are used to describe the bloodthirsty Scottish men. I'm Scottish myself, and it got under my skin to see them described only in this manner. Because I've followed Ava for years, I know they would not use this descriptor lightly, but it did upset me to see the English and French receive deep complexity and not the Scottish men.

One last critique is that I wish there was no romance in this book. Ava tends to write great romances into all of their books, but this one time I don't think it was necessary. With Macbeth being evil and Roscille trying to stop him, I would've liked to fully focus on that journey instead of being distracted by another man. He's also a dragon, which I'm not opposed to one being in the story, but I would've rather the dragon been Roscille actually. Maybe the witches could've used their abilities together to turn Roscille into a dragon. I love the idea of her escaping from the dungeons/basement and burning Macbeth to a crisp or ripping him to shreds for what he did to her and other women. This plot-line with the love interest just felt flimsy to the overall narrative, and a girl-boss moment for Roscille would've been my preference.

Anyway, while this is not my favorite Ava Reid book (cheers to A Study in Drowning!), it was still an interesting read that I'll recommend for anyone who wants to read Shakespeare-like stories but not the real thing. It was an easily digestible retelling, so it'll be great for readers that don't have experience with the plays.

Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I did not finish this book. I don’t know there was something about it that I just couldn’t get into this book. I think it had something to do with the historical aspect and I just wasn’t in the mood for it. I’m very much a mood reader and will probably try and pick it up again when my life calms down.

This Shakespeare retelling refreshed the story of Macbeth. Hearing this story from her point of view was gripping, as we just know her from her actions in the play. The book is gripping, and really makes you empathize with Lady Macbeth, which I didn't think I would be able to do.

What an absolutely unique read!! This is not something I would have expected from Ava Reid, but holy smokes do i need more like it. fast paced and i couldn't put it down.

I find myself torn about this book so this review may veer in two different directions. First of all, its a beautifully written story. Reid has taken the time to craft the world of... 11th? century scotland and make it feel accessible. Though, the choice to use time-accurate names for people and places can be a bit off putting at times because they are so unlike the names and places we're used to. I will say the choice definitely centers the reader in a time that is nothing like our own, which for this story is important.

Reid makes some interesting choices in the characterization of Lady Macbeth. Anyone familiar with the scottish play will feel the difference from the start and I can't really say whether that's good or bad. In some ways, I feel it changes the essential character, but in others, it makes Reid's Lady Macbeth wholly her own. This Lady Macbeth is, in many ways, an innocent. She is thrust into the unknown world of the Scots and forced to use her mind (a dangerous thing at this time especially) to not only survive, but to keep her brute of a husband at bay. Much of Reid's Lady Macbeth seems preoccupied with protecting her purity, not for the sake of remaining virginal, but because being a wife reduces a woman to being seen as a breeder and not much more. A few early wins on the board of strategy seems to make this lady macbeth feel like she is a player in the game, a feeling which quickly unravels.

Another pointed difference of Reid's Lady macbeth is the heavy reliance on so-called magic, or the story that looking her in the eye will destroy a man. I found this piece to be intriguing, but also a bit limiting. Never are we certain that she actually has any power. Certainly, the inciting event in her youth could be interpreted many ways. She seems to show true power when doing Macbeth's bidding, and in the end, but I never quite felt like there was a decision about her true power, one way or another.

As a story meant to highlight the abuses of women, their lowly status, how they were meant to serve, this was a good telling.

As a story meant to shed light on Lady macbeth, I found it lacking PURELY because I truly love the unhinged nature of Shakespeare's Lady. I prefer the characterization of Lady and Macbeth working together, of her maybe spurring him on. I feel the "original" has more agency. However, this is not meant to be a true origin story and so I would caution readers to go into this with a clear mind. It is different from the source material, which makes it all the more interesting. Its not a retread.

I love this beautiful retelling of this story. Ava Reid executes it so well. I just wish it was little longer. Thank you for the ARC.

"He crushed her in his fist, squeezing out all of the witchcraft that was valuable to him, and then left her, a husk."

There is something about Ava Reid's books that I find myself drawn to. I have especially always loved the authors atmospheric writing style and the horror elements laced throughout. In comparison to past novels, Lady Macbeth was the most similar to Juniper and Thorn. These books can be an acquired taste in my opinion and people will either love them or hate them. I would recommend if you've enjoyed ARs previous novels or love books that blend history and fantasy together, are thought provoking, and have a delicious dark gothic atmosphere.

I loved this retelling of Lady Macbeth. I've always loved Ava's writing, and retelling Shakespeare is where it really shines. I do wish that the story was a little longer. The ending felt rushed.

This is a telling of Macbeth from his wife's perspective. There is enough elements and familiar characters and plot points for fans of Macbeth to enjoy. It does not hinder the reader if they aren't familiar, though. It does add a fun layer to the novel if you are familiar. The characters are very vivid and interesting. They're characters you care to know what will happen to them. I loved this book so much. Ava Reid never fails with her characters and novels. I highly suggest preordering or grabbing this book the moment it is released. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this title early!

I loved this!! The way Ava Reid writes just works so well for me.

This was atmospheric and dark and at times gave me a pit in my stomach! I was captivated from the beginning to the end.

I love how many layers there are to this. I love the general vibe (haunting, gothic, suffocating) and the prose. The feminist aspect of this was strong and well written. I’ve seen the complaint that the “men are flat and evil” in this book but if you’re looking through the lens of a young woman who’s being abused by them… yeah. They would be flat and evil.

While I really like the angle Reid took in this retelling I do have a few complaints which is what knocks this from a 5 star to a ~4.25. I wish Roscille had been older! I wish a few characters had been better fleshed out. I think the ending was resolved a little quickly and neatly.

Overall this was a beautifully written book with an interesting main character and neat plot! Ava Reid is still an autobuy author for me!

The thing is. Macbeth already has such interesting things with gender going on. Macbeth is constantly compared to a woman, and Lady Macbeth to a man (to simplify). It could lend itself really well to a retelling that comments on gender roles, or even with feminism, in a unique and interesting way! But no - we have hulking evil brute Macbeth and tiny sexy innocent Lady Macbeth, which feels like it undoes what the original play sets up.

Some decisions that baffled me:
1. There are a total of 3 women on page the entire book. There is not a single woman in Macbeth’s entire fortress apart from Roscille (Lady M). This is said explicitly on page. Hooray for feminism?

2. The three Weird Sisters are inhuman creatures Macbeth keeps locked in his basement that he goes to when he wants a prophecy. Later it turns out they were once Macbeth’s dead ex-wives.

3. Roscille’s whole thing is that she has witch-cursed eyes that make her able to control men once she makes eye contact with them. When they first brought up that she was forced to wear a veil by her father because everyone found her eyes uncanny and they “seduce men”, I was like, “oh, allegory for women blamed for how they looked/dressed for ‘tempting’ men?” but no. She can actually control them.

4. She killed Duncan (reluctantly, on Macbeth’s orders, I might add) by making eye contact with the king’s guards and ordering them to kill the king and then each other.

5. The end of the book is Roscille killing Macbeth by making eye contact with him. This causes him to shrivel up and die.

6. The book uses the “no man of woman born” version as the actual prophecy, which annoys me pedantically. I suppose they needed some way for Roscille to kill Macbeth. Macduff is mentioned twice, and one of those is to say he’s been killed offpage.

7. Roscille makes friends with the three witches ("wronged women") and fabricates the entire prophecy about Banquo so that Macbeth will kill him and Fleance. At the end, when Roscille is locked in the basement to become another inhuman prophecy creature, the other three give her all their strength and now she has “the power and energy of four women” which makes her able to break iron locks and run really fast and such.

8. Even putting aside any Macbeth interpretation, the romance is not at all convincing. Roscille meets the love interest (not Macbeth, who is a rapist) like twice before they kiss and (almost) have sex. The next time she meets him she takes torture in his stead. The following, they have ardent declarations of love. The final time, he shows up to save her at the very end and then they rule Scotland together.

9. Similarly, even without taking into account how she's not at all like Shakespeare's Lady Macbeth, Roscille was not a compelling character. We were told she had certain traits and saw very little evidence of it. I got the sense the author was trying to get her to have an arc, or become more ruthless, but she seemed pretty stagnant to me. There were like 4-5 times where the narration gave us some version of “But Roscille was dead. There was only Lady Macbeth” which was dramatic (if ineffectual) the first time but made me roll my eyes all the other times, both because of the repetition and because of the fact that I saw no indication of that actually happening.

10. Themes were weak. I don’t really know what they were besides women lacking (and, to some degree, taking, I suppose) agency. And that one had nothing to do with the gender or agency themes in Macbeth. Nor did Macbeth’s ambition (or Roscille’s, though I wouldn’t really call it ambition at all). Nor was prophecy near the kind of driver it was in Macbeth, and it didn’t play the same role. there was enough mention of “time” and its standing still and such that I want to say Reid meant to do something with it, but again, it was only brought up in mentions and never in a way that felt thematic to me, much less thematic in a Macbeth way. They brought in madness a little bit at the end, but only, it seemed, to name-drop another theme (Macbeth was “mad” because he was making erratic military decisions). It wasn’t discussed beyond that.

Overall, this just doesn’t feel like Macbeth to me, or that the author cares about Macbeth as a story. I obviously don’t think retellings have to glorify or 100% agree with the original text - most of the time they do not, and that's what makes them compelling! - but I think they need to respect them and understand them (even if their understanding is different than mine). Adaptation choices I don’t personally agree with are one thing; adaptations that don’t feel like they share a core with the original are another. This one feels like Ava Reid stripped Macbeth down for superficial set dressing for the totally separate story she wanted to tell.

Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid was such a smart and atmospheric read. I liked the fact that it was different from the play and that it was very witchy and entertaining. I was curious about this book and I wanted to see how Ava Reid handled it and I was pleasantly surprised. It was good, the writing was a little much sometimes but it was still good.