Thank you to the publishers for this early review copy. I have always been a Lady Macbeth fan since first reading Macbeth in School. So I'm always delighted to come across a Lady Macbeth retelling. This was a superb read that I am very happy to recommend on to others.

I will forever be undone by Reid’s majesty of the pen. Reid supremacy, always. Okay, collecting my thoughts is difficult following such a brilliant, genuinely life-changing read. Shakespeare’s women are oft ridiculed, forgotten, mislaid or ignored. Reid gives a voice to one of the most haunting characters of Shakespeare's world, Lady Macbeth. Every time I pick up an Ava Reid book I leave it feeling unmoored by how effectively she portrays emotion, character, plot, and world building. Can an author do it all? Ava Reid can. Gothically beautiful, we mourn a character who’s life is simplified as many were, a sacrificial pawn in her fathers games, a wedding gift of a bride for Macbeth himself. Personally I absolutely adored the slight retelling and reforming of a character who isn’t even designated an actual death scene in Shakespeare’s prose, and the ending left me feeling so so SO satisfied, despite it’s seemingly “known” ending foreboding throughout. I loved Reid’s adaptations so much, the characters who she fleshed out with systems of feminine rage, this is my favourite Shakespeare adaptation forever and a day. Beautifully done, incredibly tragic, filled with moments that had me in literal tears, feminist fury and unfathomable sorrow. Bravo Reid, I always think you blow your last books out of the water, as a fan since 2021. But Lady Macbeth and A Study in Drowning I can realistically say will be on my top reads list of my entire life. Thank you for giving a voice for those who society assumes shouldn’t have one.

Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid is an exceptional and deeply compelling reimagining of one of Shakespeare’s most infamous characters. Reid brings Lady Macbeth to life in a way that is both haunting and empathetic, offering readers a nuanced portrayal of a woman driven by ambition, love, and the desire for power. The novel expertly blends dark fantasy with psychological depth, creating an atmospheric world where magic, ambition, and tragedy intersect. Reid’s writing is lyrical and immersive, drawing readers into a narrative that is as gripping as it is thought-provoking. The character of Lady Macbeth is given a fresh, complex perspective, transforming her from a mere villainous archetype into a deeply human figure shaped by her circumstances and desires. With its rich world-building, emotional depth, and exploration of themes like gender, power, and fate, Lady Macbeth is a masterful and unforgettable read that will leave a lasting impact.

Ava Reid consistently impresses me with her ability to weave intricate and haunting feminist stories and LADY MACBETH was no exception. I was especially drawn to the intriguing witchcraft and magic woven throughout the narrative. The writing is beautifully done, painting a vivid picture of the time period. The blend of history and supernatural elements kept me hooked, especially as secrets and prophecies unfolded, revealing hidden layers to the characters. I'm eager to revisit #Macbeth so I can grasp the connections and references that Reid cleverly incorporates. Many many thanks to @delreyuk for sending me an early proof of LADY MACBETH

I'll be the first to admit it's been over a decade since I read Macbeth, so my memory of the play is perhaps not the most reliable. However for myself I'm not too fussed about it, at this rate Ava could just write out a list of random words and it would still be one of the best things I've ever read. Lady Macbeth traditionally narrated alongside the story of her husband, takes a new direction under Reid's pen. Showing her leaning in to a more 'feminine' way of plotting and separating her narrative from Macbeths. Using her cunning and her sheer will to survive Roscille navigates the treacherous Scots in any way she can. Haunting, gothic and darker than the source material, this retelling did not disappoint. Although Lady Macbeth departs from the source material, especially in Macbeth's case- I think Reid observes the time period well and illuminates the unfortunate reality of many women in the period.