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By Amy Glass
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I woke up on the 4th of January, it started like every other day, little did I know my life would change forever. It began as it always does, I make my coffee – Frothed milk and granules because I like a touch of class, and then i popped myself in my spot, I opened TikTok and there, on my FYP my life was altered, irrevocably. I saw recommendations for Shakesqueer retellings and reimaginings and it was like an Itch I did not know I had was scratched, my eyes were opened and all of those other joyous cliches. I did the only thing any sensible bibliophile with an unnatural adoration of both the Bard and Rainbows can do and I purchased said tomes that promise ultimate joy.
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If you want to join me on the beautiful journey I picked up:
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The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie
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I have yet to read an Ann Leckie book, I have a number of them on my TBR and this is her first foray into Fantasy writing. It sounds a little weird, Im not going to lie. But I am always down for things to get a little freaky.
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Told with dual perspectives from an incredibly unreliable narrator. POV one is a godlike character, who currently resides in the form of a rock, no need to reread that last part you were correct, I said Rock. The second perspective is loosely based on the character of Horatio in Hamlet, and is delivered in 2nd person from the perspective of our God Rock. again, you read that part correctly too.
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Set in the kingdom of Iraden, a place that had been protected by their Raven god who has now abandoned them. There are wars between gods and humans, the Gods meddle in human affairs, there are pretenders to the throne and it all sounds cooky as hell, but so did Gideon the Ninth and I adored it.
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The Queens of Innis Lear by Tessa Gratton
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As the name suggests is a reimagining of Kind Lear, again set within a fantasy world. The King of Innis Lear is obsessed with Prophecy. He has drained the land of its wild magic. The land is barren and the subjects are unhappy. This never ends well for those in charge.
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The three daughters if the king want to resurrect the land and the only way to do that is to crown a new leader. The King won’t name an heir until the longest night of the year when the prophecies align and a poison ritual can be enacted. So the daughters prepare for war.
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It sounds violent, volatile and incredibly insidious which I love. There are family feuds which always make for brutal reading. King Lear is a top 5 for me in Shakespeare’s work, I always loved the way in which the play ended and the optimism even after such hardship.
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Lady Hotspur by Tessa Gratton
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This is set in the same universe as The Queens of Innis Lear. This story is a reimagining of one of the Histories, more specifically one of the Henries.
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Strike first, Love hard, Live forever is the motto of the Lady Knights. Sworn to protect the prospective heir Banna Mora. But a violent rebellion leads to a false king, leaving Banna with a choice: give up everything and walk away, or retake the throne.
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Hal hates being a prince, she would much rather sit on the throne of Misrule, an underground nether-court where passion rules. She wants to make those around her proud, but doing so means to sacrifice a part of herself.
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Between these two fierce princes is Lady Hotspur, a woman who will decide both their fates. Her support will turn the tides of the war to come.
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The Death I gave him by Em X Liu
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Based in the near future, set in a lab, Hayden Lichfields life is turned upside down when he finds the body of his murdered father. The camera logs have been erased and the killer could only be after one thing, the Sisyphus formula. A formula that will reverse death. Hoping to lure the killer in, Hayden steals the research and discovers a recording made by his father, his final wish, avenge me.
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It’s a locked room mystery, the suspects are four others who had access. With the Lab in Lockdown Hayden must solve the mystery before the clock runs out. It’s another Hamlet themed story which focuses on the greed and jealousy themes within the play.
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Foul is Fair by Hannah Capin
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Revenge is a bitch.
Jade Khanjara and her three best friends rule their glittering LA circle. Until one night four boys spike Jades drink, lock her in a room and attack her. They try to ruin her, but they forget Jade has claws and she will leave them clutching their throats and choking on Blood.
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Jade wants revenge, she has no mercy and now she wont rest until she gets satisfaction.
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Inspired by the three witches and Lady Macbeth, from the Play Macbeth. This is a revenge thriller with grisly gruesome scenes and triggers should be checked before you engage. It sounds brilliant and I do so love a visceral Femme rage story.
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These were my new years treats, and while I never knew I needed queer Shakespear retellings on my TBR, I have no regrets!
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Do you have a favourite? Will you be joining me down this rabbit hole. Or do you have a Shakesqueer retelling to add to the collection? Connect through TikTok (@read_with_grace).
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