Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid

This review copy was gifted to me by Del Rey through NetGalley. This is no way impacts the rating of the book. All of my reviews contain my honest opinions.

Title: Lady Macbeth

Author: Ava Reid

Release Date: August 6, 2024

Publisher: Del Rey

Genre: Fantasy, Historical, Horror

Source: digital, NetGalley

TW: violence, rape, murder, sexual assault, sexual violence, suicidal thoughts, minor sexual content, war, animal death, torture

Synopsis

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Ava Reid comes a reimagining of Lady Macbeth, Shakespeare’s most famous villainess, giving her a voice, a past, and a power that transforms the story men have written for her.

The Lady knows the stories: how her eyes induce madness in men.

The Lady knows she will be wed to the Scottish brute, who does not leave his warrior ways behind when he comes to the marriage bed.

The Lady knows his hostile, suspicious court will be a game of strategy, requiring all of her wiles and hidden witchcraft to survive.

But the Lady does not know her husband has occult secrets of his own. She does not know that prophecy girds him like armor. She does not know that her magic is greater and more dangerous, and that it will threaten the order of the world.

She does not know this yet. But she will.

Thoughts

I went into Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid with only a vague familiarity with Shakespeare’s Macbeth, and I’m happy to say that it didn't hinder my enjoyment or understanding of this captivating retelling. Reid’s novel offers a mesmerizing reinterpretation that breathes new life into one of literature’s most enigmatic characters.

From the very first page, I was drawn into the story by the dark, gorgeous prose that captures the haunting atmosphere of the Scottish highlands. The novel is steeped in gothic elements, with an undercurrent of magic and mystery that perfectly complements the Shakespearean tragedy at its core. Reid's writing beautifully pays homage to the original play while also carving out its own distinct path.

The Lady, as Reid portrays her, is a fascinating character with depth and complexity. The novel gives her a voice and a past, allowing us to understand her motivations and desires in a way that Shakespeare’s original work only hinted at. The interplay of power, magic, and fate is masterfully woven throughout the story, creating a tension that kept me eagerly turning the pages.

Overall, Lady Macbeth is everything I could have hoped for in a retelling. It's a dark, exciting, and thought-provoking novel that does justice to its source material while standing firmly on its own. If you're a fan of reimagined classics or simply love a good gothic tale, I highly recommend diving into this atmospheric and beautifully written story.