Scan barcode
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
clotalksbooks's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
4.5
Such a dark book. I love this take on Macbeth. The power oozes off the pages. This is a story for those who would have loved revenge. Jade is a force to be reckoned with, and the friendships are strong. I enjoy the exploration of female friendship - a coven to be jealous of. Just plain fierce, and I'm here for it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault and Rape
dani_dragon's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Very good. Many references to Macbeth and it’s written in an interesting fashion. I loved it. If you want a good revenge book with wicked main characters this is the book for you. Check trigger warnings though!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Transphobia, Violence, Sexual violence, and Suicide attempt
azyef's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Death, Toxic relationship, Gore, Blood, Violence, Alcohol, Murder, and Sexism
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, Rape, Gaslighting, and Medical content
Minor: Deadnaming
scarlethopester's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Violence
Moderate: Rape
grrrlbrarian's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I really enjoyed this - it had just enough Macbeth references to be satisfying for someone who knows the play, without completely losing someone who doesn’t. I love a female revenge plot and especially loved seeing it transferred to the YA setting du jour, private school. I appreciated that Capin really leaned into how unhinged Shakespeare plots often are.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexism, Self harm, Rape, Violence, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Sexual content and Drug use
Minor: Transphobia, Bullying, and Adult/minor relationship
pippat25's review against another edition
too confusing, couldn’t properly get into it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Sexual assault
gabgon2597's review
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
familywithbooks's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
4.0
I can remember the day I received the email from a publisher (@wednesdaybooks) - having worked with them on new releases in the YA genre, they had sent me many amazing reads. This one was different from the books I normally read, as it was classified as a YA thriller. There was violence, off-the-page-SA, and did I mention violence? I didn't know if I was strong enough to read it at the time. It was February 2020, and my family was so sick at the time (we all know what happened next). So the book sat on the shelf.
When I went to the library with my son, I had to pass through the YA section. I just happened to catch this book sitting on the shelf, and I remembered having it as an ARC. I checked it out (I love a physical book vs ebook option!) and dove in.
Foul is Fair is a modern retelling of Macbeth. On the night of her 16th birthday, Elle attends a party with her friends where she is SA. With the help of her friends, she plots revenge by transferring to their school, rising to power and taking them out one by one. There’s a lot of blood, a lot of violence (not gory or graphic but still there) and a lot of emotions repressed as the plot continues.
If you are looking for sympathetic characters and a completely realistic plot, then this might not be the book for you. But knowing all this, I still found myself quickly turning the pages to see what would happen next. Watching the structure of Macbeth mix with Heathers and Cruel Intentions was very interesting to me!
This was a fast read that I could have read in one sitting (my kids prevent me from doing that anymore!)
When I went to the library with my son, I had to pass through the YA section. I just happened to catch this book sitting on the shelf, and I remembered having it as an ARC. I checked it out (I love a physical book vs ebook option!) and dove in.
Foul is Fair is a modern retelling of Macbeth. On the night of her 16th birthday, Elle attends a party with her friends where she is SA. With the help of her friends, she plots revenge by transferring to their school, rising to power and taking them out one by one. There’s a lot of blood, a lot of violence (not gory or graphic but still there) and a lot of emotions repressed as the plot continues.
If you are looking for sympathetic characters and a completely realistic plot, then this might not be the book for you. But knowing all this, I still found myself quickly turning the pages to see what would happen next. Watching the structure of Macbeth mix with Heathers and Cruel Intentions was very interesting to me!
This was a fast read that I could have read in one sitting (my kids prevent me from doing that anymore!)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Sexual assault
Minor: Suicide attempt
bendersreads's review
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Self harm, Bullying, and Misogyny
Minor: Transphobia