Lady Macbeth: A Novel
From towering crags to misted moors and formidable fortresses, Lady Macbeth transports readers to the heart of eleventh-century Scotland, painting a bold, vivid portrait of a woman much maligned by history.
Lady Gruadh—Rue—is the last female descendant of Scotland’s most royal line. Married to a powerful northern lord, she is widowed while still carrying his child and forced to marry her husband’s murderer: a rising warlord named Macbeth. As she encounters danger from Vikings, Saxons, and treacherous Scottish lords, Rue begins to respect the man she once despised. When she learns that Macbeth’s complex ambitions extend beyond the borders of the vast northern region, she realizes that only Macbeth can unite Scotland. But his wife’s royal blood is the key to his ultimate success.
Determined to protect her son and a proud legacy of warrior kings and strong women, Rue invokes the ancient wisdom and secret practices of her female ancestors as she strives to hold her own in a warrior society. Finally, side by side as the last Celtic king and queen of Scotland, she and Macbeth must face the gathering storm brought on by their combined destiny.
This is Lady Macbeth as you’ve never seen her.
Lady Gruadh—Rue—is the last female descendant of Scotland’s most royal line. Married to a powerful northern lord, she is widowed while still carrying his child and forced to marry her husband’s murderer: a rising warlord named Macbeth. As she encounters danger from Vikings, Saxons, and treacherous Scottish lords, Rue begins to respect the man she once despised. When she learns that Macbeth’s complex ambitions extend beyond the borders of the vast northern region, she realizes that only Macbeth can unite Scotland. But his wife’s royal blood is the key to his ultimate success.
Determined to protect her son and a proud legacy of warrior kings and strong women, Rue invokes the ancient wisdom and secret practices of her female ancestors as she strives to hold her own in a warrior society. Finally, side by side as the last Celtic king and queen of Scotland, she and Macbeth must face the gathering storm brought on by their combined destiny.
This is Lady Macbeth as you’ve never seen her.
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Community Reviews
Really good and different take on Macbeth. Sort of thought she would meet ha are or something like that but overall really good
it took me a week to get through and I personally enjoyed the book even though I don’t enjoy fantasy literature as much as I prefer science-fiction and horror. The story is a reimagining of Shakespeare’s character offering her voice in a past that many people don’t think about when they read Macbeth. I quite enjoyed it because it puts a difference on a character that is already be loved and it’s a fresh take then what people are used to. I have seen some people are divided on this book on good reads while reading this book, but I haven’t looked into the low rating reviews because I didn’t want it to influence my opinion while I’m reading it. All in all I think is a great fantasy book and a solid start to my 2025.
Though I had no expectations going into this story as this was my first Ava Reid book and I’m not a Shakespeare diehard (for no reason other than bc I’m not an intellect), I found myself pleasantly surprised with Lady Macbeth. Make no mistake, there was nothing pleasant in or about the story, but the writing was exceptional and immerses you in this dreary, tragic retelling from the get-go. I just wish there was more to Roscille: rage, plotting, passion - something!
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