If Lady Macbeth's power lies in her ability to bewitch men and drive them to madness, Ava Reid's lies in the ability to bewitch her reader, drawing them in with each word until it is too late to turn back.

Reid's Lady Macbeth is an achingly raw retelling of the story of Shakespeare's character, a character study that brings new life and depth to an old tragedy. Reid's mastery of words, her complete control of the English language, make it impossible not to sympathize for the titular character, even as the story hurtles towards its inevitable conclusion.

Parts of this book may be triggering for some readers, but nothing is too graphic or over-the-top. The horror comes not from witchcraft, but from the existential dread of being a woman with no control over your own fate. Lady Roscilla is painfully aware of her position in this world: her duties, her status, and her utter lack of power and bodily autonomy. This horror will be intimately familiar to some of her readers, just as it was for me.

Lady Macbeth is a beautifully written study on being a woman in a world that man doesn't want you to take an active part in. Each page is filled with an intoxicating, filled with phrases that some author's spend their entire lives working towards. That Reid is able to fill an entire book with them is a testament to how brilliant of an author she is.

This book is as close to perfect as a book can get - I cannot recommend it enough.

*This review will be posted to good reads in August of 2024, after the book has gone on sale

I loved this book! I received the ARC on Thursday and have already finished it on Sunday. It kept me up at night reading one more chapter, and then one more again. This retelling of Shakespeare's Macbeth offers a welcome perspective into Lady Macbeth's character where her voice, motivations, and circumstances are elucidated. There is graphic violence and SA, but it is purposefully included and not gratuitous.

Throughout the book, various spellings of Roscille's name are used to reflect the convention of the time. Further, the various spellings highlight the theme of identity, which is shifting and hard to pin down. She is Roscille, Roscilla, Rosalie, Lady Macbeth. She is finding out who she is and wants to be. Also, the use of multiple spellings and names shows that names, identities, and even human beings are disposable and unimportant in the world Roscille inhabits. Her given name hardly matters because it is temporary--she will become Lady Macbeth anyway.

Macbeth's castle is on the seaside in Scotland. When Roscille is first brought there, she comments on the ever-present sound of the waves, which she worries could drive a person mad. She repeatedly returns to this idea. There are frequent images of water. Roscille sees herself reflected, not in mirrors, but in buckets of water and the lake's surface. This lends itself to the idea that her image and identity are not static, but rippling and changing. Roscille is forced to wear a veil over her face in the presence of men because it is believed that her beauty must be due to witchcraft and that men will go mad if they look into her eyes. The veil further obscures her identity in obscuring her face. Her identity changes when seen through her own eyes, those of men, and those of other women.

Another pervasive image in the book is blood. This calls to mind Shakespeare's Lady Macbeth's panic about a spot of blood on her hands, even after they have physically been washed clean. Roscille is constantly confronted with blood in Alba. She is forced to consider her own fault and guilt as it relates to her behavior and Macbeth's manipulation of her.

Is Roscille a product of her circumstances or is she guilty as a result of what she does at Macbeth's bidding? She grapples with this question repeatedly. She lives in a world where men are in control, and they value vengeance and power above even safety and love. The men in the book create systems and titles in order to promote themselves and their interests. However, they flounder when this world is disrupted. Roscille often compares men and animals. At first, animals are portrayed as beasts. Over time, it becomes clear that the oppressive, violent, and arbitrary systems men put in place make them the real beasts.

Roscille cannot help but begin to value vengeance and power in the absence of safety and love, as well. She needs other women to work together with her, as well as men who are allies, because she cannot succeed alone.

There are central questions to consider. What is power, especially as it relates to the mind and the body? What does it mean to be a man, woman, human, witch, monster? Which is a worse fate: death or madness?

This dark, twisty Macbeth retelling is written in Reid’s signature lyrical writing style and it suits this story perfectly.

I really love how lady Macbeth is given an identity and backstory in this and making her one of the ‘witches’ was cleverly done! The dragon prince was unexpected but a delightful addition to the story and I thought their romance was added well but didn’t over power the message of the story.

Also this just cements how much I hate Macbeth - first in the play and even more so in this. #fuckthepatriarchy

This is everything a gothic novel should be, bleak, haunting and filled with rich enchanting prose only Ava Reid could write. I will think of Roscille, Rosele, Rosalie, Roscilla and her story for while.

Yet again, Ava Reid does an amazing job of breaking your heart with a dark tale of how women suffer at the hands of cruel men while giving the fulfilling resolution you crave.

There were some awkward formatting parts with dialogue and flashbacks but this may be due to this being an ARC and reading on kindle. I could not put this book down and I’m very much looking to revisiting this is August when it is officially out!

Thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for the advanced reader copy so I could sink my teeth in early - patience is just too hard

4.5/5 on StoryGraph

For me, Ava Reid is an immediate read. I love their writing, their whimsical and inviting tone that paints beautiful pictures and evokes the reader to see metaphors and absorb them into their blood and bones. You can feel Lady Macbeth's fears and anxieties. Feel her vacillating between empathy and vengeance and what it means to be a woman adjacent to power, riding the fine balance between staying clever enough to survive and dumb enough not to invoke the anger of the men surrounding her. The pacing of this book was stellar, there was a reason to turn every page, and Lady Macbeth, Roscille's, thoughts and inner monologues were powerful and impactful in a way that creates story, tension, and captivating imagery. I loved everything about this book, and cannot wait have it in physical form. It was everything I could have wanted in a Lady Macbeth retelling, and everything I have come to expect from Ava Reid as an author and story teller.

Thank you to NetGalley & Random House Publishing/Ballantine/Del Rey for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

From page one, the scene is set. You can feel the heavy, empty, dark & dreary setting settle into your bones.
Every sentence demands attention. Every paragraph transports you deeper into understanding something that your instincts tell you to avoid. Suddenly, you are inside her mind. A new bride. Lady Roscille. Or was she Lady Macbeth?
She is drowning in a world that has always been at the whims of men; the cruelty, the heartlessness, their desire for power and nothing more. She has a plan. She isn't so innocent. Lady Macbeth. Or was she a witch?
Magic, monsters, witches, cruelty, wit, justice, fury, and vengeance. Female Rage.
As this tale progresses and evolves, so does the heavy feeling of foggy gloom. Subtly, the veil is lifted.

This book is absolutely beautiful and quotable. So many passages jumped off the metaphorical page and gave me real chills. This is a story that deserves more than one read, a story that will be revisited. Thank you, Ava Reid, for writing absolutely insane bangers and sharing them with us!!!

Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid is loosely based on the play, Macbeth, but focuses more on the character of Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth is often thought of as the villain in the play but is she truly the monster everyone thinks she is?

Macbeth is, without a doubt, my favorite Shakespeare play. I am very familiar with the source material. That mixed with the fact that I have read and loved all of Ava Reid’s previous novels, made this book very highly anticipated for me. And I think it completely delivered. This book was exactly what I wanted and also so much more.

I don’t think you have to be familiar with Macbeth to read this but I do think it helps a lot. While there are a lot of liberties taken with the story in this retelling, there are a lot of plot points that line up with the original play and I think seeing that difference really added to my overall enjoyment of this book.

Lady Macbeth, Roscille, is a fascinating character to follow. I won’t say she is necessarily a “good” character but I think her actions make sense. Seeing the story mostly through her eyes was very interesting to read. The writing style in this book is gripping. I read this book in a single sitting because I could not put it down. I think the writing is beautiful but not overly flowery so it’s very easy to read and be absorbed in.

There is a very strong theme of female rage in this book that I loved. I loved seeing Roscille really come into her own during this story.

I don’t want to spoil any of the fun stuff but you can expect a few fantasy elements in this story, much like the original play. One of my favorite parts of the play is the magic and prophecies and witches and all those components are very much present in this story as well.

I think if you enjoyed Ava Reid’s previous books, you will enjoy this one. While I do think I enjoyed A Study in Drowning slightly more, I still loved this story. I can’t wait for more people to read it and love it as well.

The first chapter had me worried as it felt clunky and I wasn't immediately sure the tone of the book. But getting past that chapter, the book was an exciting glimpse into the evolution of female rage. This origin story for Lady Macbeth is rich with detail and atmosphere. The witches were wonderfully woven into the book, as were historical vibes for this era in unruly Scotland.

I think I would have liked this book to be about 50 pages longer to show Lady Macbeth coming into her power. But I think that's a good thing for a book, to leave the reader wanting more!

Honest review for NETGALLEY Although I fought with English mannerisms, this book is so good! It kept me all the time wandering about this lady and all of the plot! And she twisted the original tale and her ideas so easy and so good! I liked a lot this book❤️

This books is going to turn your world upside down and alter your view on life. It was so moving. Ava Reid is one extremely talented author and i love how they would draw you into this book until you feel like you know these characters inside and out.

It took me a while to understand the writing style of this, but once I did I was hooked and couldn’t put it down. I was really interested to see another take of Lady Macbeth’s story and this didn’t disappoint.
The style was very hard to get into for me, it was descriptive language used vaguely that made me feel like I was reading a classic novel that I am too dumb for. But again, once I understood what I was reading I really got into it.
I wish it was longer since it felt a bit rushed once it started picking up and I wanted there to be more of it.

Thank you to NetGalley the ARC copy of Lady Macbeth!

After reading almost everything that Ava Reid writes, I can confirm that this one was breathtaking. This dark retelling perfectly encapsulates the ethereal, magnetic, lush prose of Reid and the gothic storyline as it unfolds fascinatingly. I loved, I consumed this story. 5 stars all the way.

Full disclosure, I've never read Macbeth before. Never seen the play performed. Never watched any of the movies. That being said, I don't think you need to in order to read this book.

Lady Macbeth is a rich, gothic tale about what women will do to survive. The words place you in the cold Scottish countryside and bites you. Reading this felt like I was being told a story princess bride style laying in bed and listening to my grandpa. It is wonderful.

I do wish there had been more time in certain scenes. I wanted to know more! It felt like as a reader I was being rushed through this book by the plot.

Thank you to Random House and Netgalley for the opportunity to read Lady Macbeth as an ARC! I adore Ava Reid and was so excited to get my hands on this title. I'll admit, I am not totally familiar with Macbeth, but this did not have an impact on my enjoyment of this retelling. Ava Reid has such a way with words and painted a vivid, atmospheric storyline throughout the entire plot. If you are a fan of Ava Reid, this book will not disappoint you!

Some trigger/content warnings to be aware of include mentions of brief, non-graphic SA off page.

4.5 stars rounded up

I was lucky enough to be approved for an early copy of this book from the publisher. I've read all of Ava Reid's previous works and haven't been disappointed. This one is no different.

This book perfectly twists the familiarity of a classic story into one fit for a new group of readers. Lady MacBeth goes through horror after horror and remains resilient throughout it all.

Roscille has to struggle against the oppressions of her situation and the expectations put upon her to discover herself. Placed on the background of medieval Scotland, full of bloodlust and witches and mythical creatures, Reid has succeeded in crafting a story that is haunting and captivating all the same.

The one downside for me is that the ending felt very quick. Another ten pages would have really sold it. Overall though, another fantastic addition to Reid's catalog.

I don't remember the original story of Macbeth so I went into this story blind. Ava Reid's writing is full of prose and mystery. This is only the second book of hers that I have read, but a common theme that I see is an underlying spookiness and suspense as the story unfolds. Roscille's story is one of survival in a brutal world of men and their motivations/entitlement to power and honor. Ava Reid has a way of incorporating the inherent danger women have faced and fear from men. She weaves a story that explores women's survival and resilience in an unforgiving environment.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for giving me this ebook ARC in exchange for honest thoughts.

I consumed this book. It was so good, and not at all what I was expecting. I don’t want to say too much and spoil this for anyone but the twists made this such a fun read for what is essential a retelling of a tragedy. Roacille’s transition from newlywed to Lady Macbeth made for such a compelling read, from almost refusing to acknowledge her power to embracing it at the end, I loved it. Also, dragons and witches! I absolutely loved the witches and I wish they were in it more.

Ava Reid has done it again in delivering a spectacular work of gothic fantasy, and Lady Macbeth takes the seat of my favorite book by her.

A gothic retelling of Macbeth laced with feminine rage and fantasy elements, this book is not for the faint of heart. It’s dark, with grotesque scenes, and explores mature themes, so make sure to check the trigger warnings before reading.

Suffocating in a misogynistic world, Roscilla retaliates in loud and quiet ways that I felt were galvanizing and intriguing. She breaks free from the restraints she was so long acquainted with, growing confident and daring.

While it’s apparent Lady Macbeth is different from Reid’s previous books, the prose remains beautiful, eloquent, and true to form. You can still feel the magic that shines through in her stories. Reid’s writing effortlessly transports the reader to a world with witches, dragons, and curses. The characters are raw and convincing, and Roscilla’s emotions and struggles seep from the pages.

This story leaves you feeling haunted and is hard to withdraw from. I found it had similar vibes as The Six Deaths of the Saint by Alix E. Harrow, which is a favorite of mine, so I couldn’t help but love the setting and themes.

Immense thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Ray for the arc of Lady Macbeth!

After reading both A Study in Drowning and Lady Macbeth, I can say with certainty that Ava Reid has the most magnetic quality to her writing. It’s impossible to not feel as though you’re right beside Roscille in all her hardships and victories. She is truly the original girlboss, gaslight, and gatekeeper of Scotland. A wonderful 4 star read, only docked a star for my opinion that the ending could have been slightly more fleshed out. However, it’s fully determined that if Ava Reid writes it, I’ll absolutely be reading it.