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.

Wow. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this. Fascinating and dark and wild. Can you imagine being raised believing you were the product of a witch’s curse? How that would influence your fears? Your insecurities? Your decisions? Ava Reid did imagine and she so perfectly captured a girl fighting to survive, by any means necessary. Lady Macbeth is a beautiful and dark character study of a world-renowned woman that demanded justice.

In this book, Ava Reid writes with very beautiful words, almost poetic, and reminiscent of old literature. Sometimes, I found myself lost in the wording because it’s not what I typically read, but once I got my bearings, it was truly beautiful.

Note: As someone who’s never read Macbeth, I was at a bit of a disadvantage reading this. At first, I had a difficult time keeping up with names and places and phrases. There is a guide at the beginning to help you, but it feels like reading a foreign language if you are not a tiny bit knowledgeable to the original story. So I went and looked up the plot of Macbeth. I’m sharing this because to really get the full experience of what Ava Reid is doing here, you might want to have a base understanding of Macbeth.

i’m pretty neutral on shakespeare, but i always felt like lady macbeth was given a shit deal. she was only ever what she was created to be and she was killed for it. when i saw that ava reid was going to breathe new life into her character, reframing macbeth with its lady at the center, i knew without a doubt that it would be nothing short of life-changing. i wasn’t wrong. this is a work of art.

a gothic, feminist retelling of macbeth that’s dripping with rage. lady macbeth may be a monster of men’s creation, but she won’t be quiet. i could feel the art jumping out of the pages as i read. the reluctant bride, the execution of lady jane grey, judith slaying holofernes (artemisia gentileschi, of course). i’m so happy to see lady macbeth given the story she deserves. i can’t believe i’ve read the best book of 2024 and it’s only january.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for sending me this ARC!

I have read every one of Reid’s previous works, and I have to say her writing and storytelling just gets better and better every time!

Lady Macbeth is a beautifully written retelling of the story of Macbeth told from his 17 year old wife’s perspective. It is full of feminine rage, magic, ladies and lords, all set in 11th Century Scotland as the battle between the Scots and the English rages on.

Roscille navigates her new life as Macbeth’s wife and learns how to deal with a misogynistic world where women are less than men and seen wholly as objects. She struggles with self identity, womanhood, and strength while using her cunning wit that has been overlooked by the men around her to succeed into a better life.

Reid writes with such eloquence. This book went a different direction than her previous works, but her tone remained flawless. This gothic masterpiece was full of poetic writing and feminine rage blended into such a beautifully deep and profound story. The characters are written flawlessly. The organization and overall plot layout of the book was perfection. The story was told with such care that it moved me immensely.

Amazing. It comes out August 6th of this year, so PLEASE go preorder it!!

Well done and incredibly dark. I did find that at points it wasn’t too much feeling like Macbeth (especially the setting didn’t super work), but even still it was fantastic. 4.5 rounded up

Thank you to Del Rey books for this ARC!!!

4.5 🌟- as a certified ava reid stan, i already knew i would like this. i also really enjoy macbeth in general so im biased in many ways. but this was soo good!!! we need more books set in medieval times.

i love the dark and isolated atmosphere and the writing was obviously gorgeous. i think it’s so cool that this book creates so much lore about not just lady m, but everyone in the original story. it’s more like a re-interpretation (or fanfic) of the original so don’t go into it expecting it to be exactly like the play.

one of my favorite aspects was the politics, scheming and mind games that each character plays with one another. the whole time i never knew who to trust and it was so captivating!!

so happy i was able to read this as an arc <33

"If she cannot have safety, if she cannot have love, at least she can have this. Vengeance."

Standing ovation for this feat of literary brilliance. This had me on my knees from the first sentence.

Lady Macbeth is a bleak, romantic, beguiling retelling of Macbeth in a way that only Ava Reid can accomplish. Truly, Reid's strengths as a writer are perfectly highlighted in every element of this novel, from the lore, the history, and the inclusion of magic and magical creatures. Reid's prose is lush, poetic, unforgettable. I was highlighting practically every paragraph on my kindle and dying to have a physical copy in my hands to write notes in the margins.

The story follows Lady Macbeth before she becomes her legendary namesake, breathing new life into her mythos, giving her a backstory and a refreshing twist on the motivations that carry her through the actions of this story. She finds herself shipped away from home to marry a Scottish brute of a husband, a man who craves violence and has a hunger for conquering. Lady Macbeth uses her gifts of strategy and wile to survive the brutal landscape of the war games of men, ultimately learning that she has a power within her much greater than that of a sword.

Although, stylistically this is a little different from Ava's previous work, fans of The Wolf and the Woodsman and Juniper and Thorn will absolutely love this. Those who were enthralled by Marlinchen and Sevas, especially, will be similarly blown away by the love story in Lady Macbeth. It has all of the ingredients of an Ava Reid book -- the magic, the inner strength of a female lead, the gripping love story, the lush prose, the characters you root for, the villains you want to see burn, the themes of male cruelty and the overcoming of that cruelty. I cannot wait to see what Reid comes out with next. This is my instabuy author for eternity.

Thank you NetGalley for gifting me with an ARC!