Author: Isabelle Schuler
Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Release Date: 2023
Pages: 352
Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: An instant international bestseller: a suspenseful, sweeping historical epic for readers of Natalie Haynes and Madeline Miller, which boldly reimagines the origin story of the woman who inspired one of Shakespeare’s most iconic characters, Lady Macbeth.
She will be Queen. Whatever it takes . . .
Daughter of an ousted king, descendant of ancient druids, Gruoch (GREW-ock), has grown up believing that she will be crowned queen of Alba and reclaim the lands of her Pictish kin, a prophecy seemingly fulfilled by her betrothal to Duncan, the heir-elect.
Determined never to be powerless again, she leaves behind her home, her family, and her close friend MacBethad, and travels to the royal seat at Scone to embrace her new position. But Duncan’s court is rife with sly words and unfriendly faces, women desperate to usurp her position, and others whose motives are shrouded in mystery.
As her coronation approaches, a deadly turn of events forces Gruoch to flee Duncan and the capital. Alone and at the mercy of an old enemy, her hope of becoming Queen all but lost, Gruoch must make a fateful choice: live a long, quiet life in the shadows, or seize vengeance and a path back to the throne.
A stunning literary reclamation of an iconic character, Queen Hereafter is a gripping story of female ambition, power, history, desire, hate, and vengeance set against the backdrop of early medieval Scotland.
My Review: Lady Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s most famous villainesses. She was known to encourage her husband to kill King Duncan in order to be queen. Queen Hereafter tells the origin story of Lady Macbeth. Since infancy, Gruoch has been prophesied to be a queen. As she grows up, Gruoch is determined to be a queen. She is so ambitious to ascend the Scottish throne that even leaves her love, MacBethad, and becomes engaged to the heir-apparent, Duncan. However, Gruoch soon learns that her goal of becoming queen might slip from her grasp. Could Gruoch fulfill her own dream?
Lady Macbeth is an interesting subject to do an origin story on. However, I felt that this Gruoch was not Lady Macbeth. I have to say that Gruoch is not all that bright. She is very reckless and makes many dumb decisions. She is very selfish, manipulative, and impulsive. The funny thing is that as much as she tries to manipulate people, she is a pawn and used by other people throughout the novel. She wasn’t the calculating and cunning villain from Shakespeare’s play. Instead, she was very immature and foolish. I could not understand why MacBethad was in love with her. Therefore, Gruoch was not a likable character. I didn’t care if she met her goal to become queen.
Overall, this book is about ambition, courtly machinations, and betrayal. I thought all of the characters were flat and one-dimensional. The romance between Gruoch and MacBethad was instantaneous and not well developed. I also thought that the ending was very rushed, and it seemed like the book just suddenly stopped. I did like the Scottish setting. Queen Hereafter was a very fast-paced and breezy read! However, I have read four versions of Lady Macbeth, and I have to say that this is my least favorite version! Still, I recommend this for fans of feminist takes of many infamous villainous female characters. Queen Hereafter is enjoyable for fans of Morgan is My Name, The Lost Queen, and The Weaver and The Witch Queen!
Rating: 2 ½ out of 5 stars
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