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amygraceanderson's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Please check triggers before you read this book, it deals with sexual assault (off page) suicide attempts and PTSD to name but a few.
I’m a sucker for a good female rage story, I’m also a sucker for sapphic unrequited love and brutal revenge plots that show hell hath no fury!
This is a retelling centering loosely the characters and plot of Macbeth by Shakespeare. One of my favourite of Shakespeare's women features in this play. It follows the story of Jade (our lady Macbeth) and her three friends (the witches) as they plot the take down of 4 boys who assaulted her at a party. The plot also follows the descent into madness for the central figures, the liberation of oppressed women within the orbit of these boys and just downright badassery throughout.
The references to Shakespeare’s work are seamlessly interwoven into the story with mild quotations and showcasing the power of the women within the play rather than their roles as support for their male counterparts or as corruptive forces to the men in charge.
I enjoyed the representation within the book and how the many aspects of womanhood, victim, and survivor were showcased. Including the character of Piper who acts as the enabler of atrocities to save herself. The conversations centred around privilege and rape culture I felt was incredibly powerful.
I’m a sucker for a good female rage story, I’m also a sucker for sapphic unrequited love and brutal revenge plots that show hell hath no fury!
This is a retelling centering loosely the characters and plot of Macbeth by Shakespeare. One of my favourite of Shakespeare's women features in this play. It follows the story of Jade (our lady Macbeth) and her three friends (the witches) as they plot the take down of 4 boys who assaulted her at a party. The plot also follows the descent into madness for the central figures, the liberation of oppressed women within the orbit of these boys and just downright badassery throughout.
The references to Shakespeare’s work are seamlessly interwoven into the story with mild quotations and showcasing the power of the women within the play rather than their roles as support for their male counterparts or as corruptive forces to the men in charge.
I enjoyed the representation within the book and how the many aspects of womanhood, victim, and survivor were showcased. Including the character of Piper who acts as the enabler of atrocities to save herself. The conversations centred around privilege and rape culture I felt was incredibly powerful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault, Rape, and Classism
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Bullying, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Drug abuse, and Deadnaming
willemke's review
dark
mysterious
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Rape and Drug abuse
Minor: Suicide attempt
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
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