Foul Is Fair by Hannah Capin

What I Loved:

Foul is Fair was this gritty and mean revenge story that was both shocking and thrilling for me to read. I loved the plot and the idea of self-inflicted revenge against an attacker. It is a Macbeth retelling, and I found the similarities and the detours from the original story to be interesting. I enjoyed seeing the story unfold in this way.

How I Felt:

The writing was different and it was something I had a love-hate relationship with. At times, I felt confused and would have to go back and re-read portions so that I could catch what was happening. Other times, I loved it and thought it was amazing. The struggle came from the disjointed feel of the writing. The thoughts would stop and start, as would the conversations. It felt, at times, like how an actual person thinks, where one thought stops partway and another idea comes in. At times this left me confused, but I did like real it made the story feel.

The characters were not very likable, but they were written well. They are all snobby, spoiled girls and boys with terrible, mean attitudes. That being said, I couldn’t help but enjoy Elle and her very tight-knit group of girls. I liked being a part of their plans as they plotted. Elle is an attacked victim of a terrible crime, and it was nice to see her take control of her situation in the aftermath.

The story is all about revenge. It reminded me a lot of Kill Bill. The main character is seeking vengeance on a group of boys who raped her at a party. She switches to her attackers’ school and infiltrates herself into their society and lives without them knowing. Now she’s ready to take them down, one by one.

Overall: This was an intriguing, different read. I enjoyed the story, and I liked the retelling of Macbeth. I would have liked the writing to be a bit more smooth and the characters, a bit more likable. It was, however, a story I enjoyed reading.

Content Warning:

This book’s entire premise is based upon the drugging and rape of a teen girl at a party. That scene is never written about in a detailed account, but there are many flashbacks to the event. The book’s revenge is focused on the girl’s attackers. I think this content could be problematic for anyone with rape, assault, or date-rape drug triggers.

To Read or Not To Read:

I would recommend Foul Is Fair for readers that enjoy a dark, visceral story with YA-aged characters. I would not recommend this for readers that are averse to details of murder or discussion of rape.

Where to Find This Book:

Foul Is Fair by Hannah Capin is available at these sites.

Bookshop.org | Amazon Kindle | Amazon | Goodreads

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Elle and her friends Mads, Jenny, and Summer rule their glittering LA circle. Untouchable, they have the kind of power other girls only dream of. Every party is theirs and the world is at their feet. Until the night of Elle’s sweet sixteen, when they crash a St. Andrew’s Prep party. The night the golden boys choose Elle as their next target.

They picked the wrong girl.

Sworn to vengeance, Elle transfers to St. Andrew’s. She plots to destroy each boy, one by one. She’ll take their power, their lives, and their control of the prep school’s hierarchy. And she and her coven have the perfect way in: a boy named Mack, whose ambition could turn deadly.

Foul is Fair is a bloody, thrilling revenge fantasy for the girls who have had enough. Golden boys beware: something wicked this way comes.

Just the Facts:

Foul Is Fair by Hannah Capin
Genre: Young Adult
Page Count: 336 pages
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Pub Date: February 18, 2020