Scan barcode
heytherekaity's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Misogyny, Murder, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Deadnaming, and Transphobia
alexandriakay_'s review
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Fucking loved this. I mean a Macbeth retelling? Perfection
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Car accident, Death, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, and Violence
betweentheshelves's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
First of all, the cover for this book doesn't at all represent the story. At least, in my opinion. I actually put off reading this book for so long because I didn't like the cover. It deserves a better cover!
This is a loose retelling of Macbeth, as Elle and her coven target the golden boys from Saint Andrews after Elle is raped. I'm all for a revenge story, and I would relate this to something like Sadie by Courtney Summers or Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. However, I wanted more from the character development side. Elle doesn't change a whole lot throughout the book, and her coven doesn't change a whole lot either. Adding more of this would have made the story even stronger.
There is good representation in this book, though. One of Elle's best friends is trans, and her coven is pretty diverse, racially. The plot is fast-paced, and if you read for plot, this will definitely be one for you!
This is a loose retelling of Macbeth, as Elle and her coven target the golden boys from Saint Andrews after Elle is raped. I'm all for a revenge story, and I would relate this to something like Sadie by Courtney Summers or Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. However, I wanted more from the character development side. Elle doesn't change a whole lot throughout the book, and her coven doesn't change a whole lot either. Adding more of this would have made the story even stronger.
There is good representation in this book, though. One of Elle's best friends is trans, and her coven is pretty diverse, racially. The plot is fast-paced, and if you read for plot, this will definitely be one for you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Blood, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, and Violence
Moderate: Deadnaming, Bullying, and Transphobia
dominikag's review
dark
inspiring
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Self harm
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
Minor: Bullying, Deadnaming, and Transphobia
azrah786's review
3.5
[This review can also be found on my BLOG]
**I was provided with an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
On her 16th birthday Elizabeth Jade Khanjara and her 3 best friends set out to party the night away however, her night doesn't go as planned. Drink spiked, body bruised and memory hazed - Elle plots to get revenge on those who attacked her. In a world where people with "dazzling smiles" and well-lined pockets can get away with anything and everything, Elle isn't going to let them.
Foul is Fair is a modern-day teen retelling of Macbeth that doesn't pull its punches. I’ll straight up say that this book is DARK and very violent. I’d advise checking out the content warnings on the author’s website before picking it up as there are some very triggering and graphic scenes.
The lead protagonist is just as, or do I say even more ruthless and zealous than her Shakespearean equivalent, Lady Macbeth. Hell bent on her quest for vengeance, she in no way makes herself a likeable character. I usually find myself struggling to stay invested in a story when this is the case but I was keen to see this book through to the end.
**I was provided with an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
On her 16th birthday Elizabeth Jade Khanjara and her 3 best friends set out to party the night away however, her night doesn't go as planned. Drink spiked, body bruised and memory hazed - Elle plots to get revenge on those who attacked her. In a world where people with "dazzling smiles" and well-lined pockets can get away with anything and everything, Elle isn't going to let them.
Foul is Fair is a modern-day teen retelling of Macbeth that doesn't pull its punches. I’ll straight up say that this book is DARK and very violent. I’d advise checking out the content warnings on the author’s website before picking it up as there are some very triggering and graphic scenes.
The lead protagonist is just as, or do I say even more ruthless and zealous than her Shakespearean equivalent, Lady Macbeth. Hell bent on her quest for vengeance, she in no way makes herself a likeable character. I usually find myself struggling to stay invested in a story when this is the case but I was keen to see this book through to the end.
"In the mirror I’m something from a 2AM movie about Catholic schoolgirl vampires. Revenge-black hair, short and sharp; a face that says she’ll pull you to the dark side and you’ll love every second of it."
Capin’s writing was definitely what I enjoyed the most. The pros for the most part had a poetic and Shakespearean-esque feel to it, adding just enough melodrama to both enhance the setting and fit the protagonist’s voice. The short snappy chapters meant the timeline of the story more or less matched that of the play. As someone who studied Macbeth back at school the various parallels and references to the original were great to follow. Though I also liked how the 3 witches were given the roles of the 3 best friends in this version, ever loyal and ever protective of their power-hungry queen.
"We laugh again, but there's something in it that isn't a laugh at all - something like a scream instead, hollow and full. It dies but the echo doesn't."
Now this book has some pretty unrealistic elements so won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. However, what deserves credit is how within the narrative Capin very honestly sheds light on issues such as sexual assault and rape culture and the impacts they can have.
All in all this was a unique story and I feel it would do well if adapted for the screen.
Final Rating - 3.5/5 Stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Violence, Death, Suicide, Bullying, Transphobia, and Drug abuse
More...