i picked this up on a whim when i found the beautiful del rey edition, having never fully read macbeth i thought i would've struggled to enjoy this, not knowing this was a reimagining not a retelling which is important to note when picking this up. this was a brutal story of a woman living under the power of men and their violent, horrific ways. the dark gloomy vibes of this really helped imerse myself into this story, accompanied with a beautiful writing style making me want to read more of ava's work.

some highlighted quotes:

"This is one of the only occasions when a man can weep without being shamed for it - when his crying is threaded with the promise of vengance."

" 'Promise me you will stay safe. far away from here. free.'
'There is no freedom for me when i am absent from you.' "

" 'Was it worth it, your vengance?'
'if she were a man, he would not ask her this. for men there is no debt of blood which goes unpaid. if the world tips in another's favour, it must be made to tip back again. but the world is never in a womans favour. she cannot tip the scale. the only choice is: live the same mute, unjust life you have always lived, or tear apart the world itself.'"