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.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Lady Macbeth was atmospheric and lyrical. The prose immediately sucked me in and I really enjoyed it.

There are some differences from the play, which is fine. I felt like it ended a little abruptly, but also at the same time, I understand why it did.

Very witchy and very smart.

The atmosphere and prose in this book were amazing. I could imagine the damp spooky halls of the castle in my mind so easily. Unfortunately this fell flat for me, I was interested enough to finish but it felt like so much was missing. There wasn't wasn't enough dialogue to care about the relationships between characters and the world building was lacking on the fantasy aspect. I kept forgetting it was fantasy until Roscille would randomly do something super convenient to what was going on. There was a lot of potential but unfortunately left me just wanting for more.

How can you call this a Lady Macbeth / retelling and do absolutely nothing that is in line with the original character?

Also getting very confused by Ava Reid in general. I dig the at times somewhat obscure feminist themes, and the atmospheres she creates, but sometimes things go off the rails (looking at you Juniper and Thorn.. and now this)

Also, what’s with the xenophobia in every book? Like.. all of them. Following her on Instagram, she seems against that stuff. So it seems like she’s trying to make a statement, but it’s heavy handed in a way that has the polar opposite affect and doesn’t seem to align with her own beliefs, and it’s like.. do you want me to like these main characters or not?

It’s like if you’re going to be like “xenophobia is not good!” Why is there no character development around changing that mindset? Like “ohhh yeah maybe I was wrong for thinking all Scots were bad- wow I’m glad I learned a lesson!” But- no.

I really feel she’s trying to do something with this, and the idea is that “if you get it you get it 🤷🏼‍♀️ the message should be obvious” but again, with no actual growth in that regard, it DOES miss the mark. Or maybe they’re supposed to be unreliable narrators/morally grey, but STILL.

I couldn’t recommend it to anyone because I’d be afraid they’d either think I was a bigot myself, or too ignorant to see that mentality is problematic, even in a fictional book.

I liked A Study in Drowning a lot, the theme of men as monsters and stuff hit home there- the main character was still a xenophobe.. but not as bad as this.

I think this one is going to be overhyped, and the mere aesthetic and promise of it will lure people in.. but they will be disappointed in the end.

Thank you for the arc though!

I think your enjoyment of this book will depend a lot on how you view Lady Macbeth as a character in the original text. Do you see her as a cunning villain in her own right, and want her to be treated as an unlikable heroine or do you see her as a young woman subject to the machinations of Macbeth in his quest for power?

I liked this book and thought it was well done and the element of fantasy was new. I think it works better as a a stand-alone inspired by the original text than a direct retelling of it.

🌟🌟
Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” is one of my all-time favorite plays, and Lady Macbeth sits at the top of the list of my favorite characters. The intensity of emotions she goes through during a story in which she could easily be eclipsed by men is unforgettable: the ambition, the vision, the desire, the devastation. Obviously, a book described as a gothic retelling of her life was going straight to the top of my TBR list.

Unfortunately, Ava Reid’s “Lady Macbeth” does not live up to its source material. Specifically, Reid’s version of the character (called by many versions of her assigned first name, but most frequently the name Roscille) seems to lack the internal motivation that powers Shakespeare’s version throughout her choices. I never really saw Roscille as someone who could look her husband in the eye and influence him to follow her plan to gain power; she was so far-removed from someone who could “look the innocent serpent, but be the serpent underneath.” If a retelling is supposed to breathe life into a character’s existing narrative—but only deflates what was most memorable about her—what was the point in the story being retold?

While I won’t be picking up my own copy of this one when it releases on 8.13.24, that doesn’t mean it’s not worth looking into; you’re a fan of Reid’s previous work, this may be something you’re able to appreciate more than I did. Regardless, huge thanks to @delreybooks for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Put her on the archery team because Ava Reid NEVER MISSES.

Another well-executed, self-contained narrative that’s consistent themes carry through the book *excellently*. Reid’s biggest strength in my opinion is myth-building, the stories /within/ the stories, and they really make the worlds she’s created feel alive and three-dimensional. Folklore is truly her specialty. Beyond this, her second biggest strength then has to be delivering complex, unique main characters that you want to root for no matter how troubled and no matter how bloody their hands are.

I’m not a Shakespeare girly. All I knew about Macbeth going into this was - there’s a guy named Macbeth. And witches. And murder, probably. No preconceived notions of Lady Macbeth, so take that for what you will. Lady Macbeth in this book is a young woman, Roscille, forced into an arranged marriage who finds out that she is at once too clever for her own good and not clever enough. She’s witch-cursed, or just a witch or just cursed maybe, and has to navigate a world of men who all want to use her for something, while she tries to survive by learning how to use them first. She’s beautiful, and cunning, but not infallible. She falters, she fails. She’s truly the heart of this book and I adored her.

The portrayal of Macbeth himself was also captivating. He’s a larger than life figure - imposing, surprisingly rational, bloodthirsty - and an excellent foil for Roscille. Senga, Lisander, and Fleance are also standout characters though I have no idea whether they’re original or exist in the works of Mr. Speare.

Other thoughts:
•The story is tight, starting at Roscille’s arrival in Glammis for her wedding to Macbeth and leading up to and through Macbeth’s ultimate end. No scene feels wasted, no scene feels out of place.
•Reid’s prose are endlessly quotable. Her dialogue is witty and believable and never corny or overwritten.
•I like what this book has to say about women’s relationships to their fathers and in general the men in their lives. Their usefulness weighed against their inconvenience.
•Shakespeare isn’t exactly known for writing an abundance of women into his stories, but the additions of Roscille’s relationships with Hawise, Senga and the Witches added a lot to the overall narrative and her character that I enjoyed.
•And finally, there’s a subtle well-placed reference to A Study in Drowning where I Leonardo-DiCaprio-pointed at the book like, hey, hey I get that!!

I still think The Wolf & The Woodsmen is my favorite of Reid’s books, but this has pushed its way into second.

She did it. Another bullseye.

Let me start by saying thank you for receiving a ARC of this book for my opinion.

Poetic, vivid, foreboding, gothic, and horror are all the words I would use to describe this complex and atmospheric feminist reimagining of LADY MACBETH!

Beautifully done by Ave Reid with a bit of historical and supernatural elements. The pov of Lady Macbeth embodied feminine rage. I was throughly intrigued by the witchcraft and magic entwined throughout the storyline.

The combination had me engaged as hidden secrets kept unfolding revealing more complexity to the characters throughout the book.

This novel is a masterfully crafted, riveting tale that reimagines the classic story from the villain’s perspective, offering a fresh and deeply compelling narrative. As an avid fan of such retellings, I found this book to be an exceptional addition to the genre. The author’s portrayal of Lady Macbeth's loneliness and sense of otherness was nothing short of brilliant, capturing the complexity and depth of her character with expert precision.

Through evocative prose and rich character development, the story immerses readers in Lady Macbeth's world, allowing us to experience her struggles, ambitions, and vulnerabilities in a profoundly intimate way. The emotional landscape is painted vividly, making her internal conflicts and motivations both relatable and poignant.

This book is an enjoyable and thought-provoking read that will undoubtedly resonate with fans of literary retellings and those who appreciate a nuanced exploration of the human psyche. The author’s ability to breathe new life into a well-known character and story is commendable, making this novel a standout in its genre.

have not read Macbeth, nor do I know the plot, so I had no preconceived notions about what this story would be.

Lady Macbeth, much like Ava’s other books, explores what it’s like to be a woman in a deeply patriarchal society.
I could see some people being frustrated with this book because of the choices Rosille makes. She is a character that makes mistakes, but I think that is what makes this book so interesting. Rosille is simply trying to survive in a world where she has very little power and in a situation she has no control over. Unlike a lot of fantasy books, she isn’t super strong or clever, which I think makes her very relatable.
The romance was gorgeous while not being the main plot of the book.

As always, Ava’s prose is 10/10…I simply love her writing style.
If you enjoyed A Study In Drowning I would definitely put this on your tbr.

Agh, I so wanted to like this!

I love Ava Reid’s other work and her prose remains beautiful and captivating. However, I feel that this adaptation unfortunately does injustice to the original work and is not the feminist story it strains to be.

In Shakespeare’s original work, Lady Macbeth is clever and cruel, the orchestrator of her husband’s downfall and the one pulling the strings. In this book, Roscille is meek, desperate, and seems to accomplish her ultimate triumph more out of luck than anything. I felt like her power was actually diminished from the original work, which I think is the opposite of the intent.

The Scots are unfortunately portrayed all as brutes and monsters with no redeeming qualities about them, and as many other reviews have said, the choice to make Lady M a French girl is just plain weird!

Not to mention the internalized misogyny was just plain EXHAUSTING. That and the blatant abuse of women was not enjoyable to read and I don’t feel that the revenge in the end in any way made up for it.

Big time bummer.

While I did end up liking the book, it took me entirely too long to start enjoying it. I did not know how I truly felt about any of the characters.

This was a beautiful book and an intriguing retelling. My first time reading a Shakespearean-style novel was truly captivating.

A big thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC of Lady Macbeth!

Though I’m not deeply familiar with Macbeth, I found Ava Reid’s writing style fascinating, especially how she blends play-like elements into her novels.

Please note there are some trigger warnings, including brief, non-graphic mentions of sexual assault off-page.

Reid addresses sexual assault with great care, and I appreciated how sensitively she handled the traumatic events in the story.

If you enjoy Shakespearean retellings and the style of the plays, you’ll love this book.

Let's start by saying that it would be interesting for a book club or a class to read this after the play, or compare against other adaptations of Macbeth. Ava Reid is excellent at creating atmosphere; again this would work in a classroom setting since she repeats some key visuals, this would be good for practicing literary analysis.
But comparing this lady Macbeth to the play's version, well I found this version of the character to be somewhat lacking, The plotting and pacing is consistent in this book, but the characterization is completely different. I kept reading, expecting her to take on the fundamental ruthlessness of the character, but it never really happened. I guess its to subvert the reader's expectations, but it meant that a character famous for her agency, lacked it.

Let me start by saying I have very mixed feelings about this one.

Let's start with what I liked: this book is well-written with beautiful descriptions. It's atmospheric. It's dark. It's a little bit magical. Every bit of Roscille's emotions trasnlate from the page and I felt every bit of it along with her. The ending, without giving spoilers, is also really well done and definitely an improvement upon that of the original play.

Which leads me to what I didn't like (which may include minor spoilers). This book should not have had anything to do with Macbeth. It shouldn't have used the names, it shouldn't be marketed as a retelling--it should have been its own entity, plain and simple. Calling it a Macbeth retelling and expecting everyone who is familiar with the play to know it is inspired by Macbeth was it's greatest downfall. The plot is muddled, the characters are assassinated, and only the barest hint of the plot comes through on the page. I can see where the author wanted to go with this, but I'll repeat what I just said: this shouldn't have had anything to do with Macbeth. She could have used the same plot and changed the character names, and I think only a few lines would have ever hinted at the play.

Another issue I had, which is where the spoilers come in, is that Lady Macbeth is, well, ruined. The badass, kind of crazy woman from the play is stripped here of all agency, all backbone, and made instead to be a clever yet cowardly young girl forced into a marriage she doesn't want. She is supposed to be a badass character pulling the strings, but really all her strings are pulled by the men in her life, up until the very end. The woman who orchestrated so much in the play orchestrates next to nothing in this book, and we're to believe that the play's version inspired this version? It's a loose inspiration at best--and a very, very disappointing one.

Taking away all affiliation with the Macbeth play, this book became much more enjoyable. It was a novel concept, and Roscille was easy to root for, especially by the end of the book. The writing is beautiful and the plot picks up a lot by about halfway through, with lots of action and even a surprising bit of romance.

I can't really tell you whether or not you'll like this book, but I can say one thing for certain: as long as you expect very little from the Macbeth side of things, it becomes a lot better.

I’m an avid reader of retellings and certain histories and by the blurb of Lady Macbeth, I thought this would be a slam dunk of a read. Sadly that wasn’t the case. The writing of Lady Macbeth was an A+ and delivered excellently, Roscille (aka Lady Macbeth) the main character didn’t feel right. There were times when she was just kind of there and the scenes or happenings didn’t seem to affect her at all, she also fell a tad flat to me. The best part of this book is definitely the writing, Ava Reid delivered an enchanting and magical adaptation of a well-known historical play and while it didn’t hit all of my marks for 5 star retelling it is a decent book to check out if you are a lover of historical fantasy, retellings, or gothic romance.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing the eARC.

I have very mixed feelings about this one. It was my most anticipated read of the year, and though it wasn't terrible by any means, I still find myself disappointed. Maybe my expectations were just too high, but I found myself wanting so much more from the story. All of my favorite elements were there—a gothic atmosphere, a compelling protagonist, gorgeously evocative writing, heaps of imagery, a tender, chivalric romance, an exploration of morality-but they all fell flat. Firstly, I think the book was too short-all of the elements needed to be further fleshed out, not just strung together and laced with motifs. Also-and this is perhaps my biggest grievance-the protagonist, Roscille, was written to be exceedingly clever, but most of the time she came across as naive and dull. For all of her magical allure, she never had the wits or capability to use it when she needed it most. So many of the terrible situations she found herself in, I feel, could have been cleverly avoided by her if she had just taken initiative. I think the book's main failing is posing as a retelling of Macbeth-for a character based on Shakespeare's cunning, manipulative, and ruthless Lady Macbeth, I was expecting much more from Roscille. If I had gone in with the right expectations, I think I would have enjoyed the story more than I did, as I definitely still appreciate the rich literary merit of the book; it is still suffused with meaning, but it just wasn't what I wanted or expected from the story.