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Hagtale: A Macbeth Origin Story
A hagtale, a dark fable, a fireside story, known to Shakespeare, but unwritten. Until now.
In eleventh-century Scotland, feral wolf-child Wulva is brought up by witches and then sent to live at a Scottish castle, where she falls under the spell of cruel, ambitious Lord Macbeth.
Three hundred years later, gentle Brother Rowan goes on a strange and perilous journey to a remote and ancient monastery to write a history of the Scottish king-line.
Misfits in their own time, seekers after truth, Wulva and Rowan are deeply connected despite the centuries that separate them.
Hagtale explores the power of stories lost and found, their transformative potential, and who gets to be the owner of the tale.
In eleventh-century Scotland, feral wolf-child Wulva is brought up by witches and then sent to live at a Scottish castle, where she falls under the spell of cruel, ambitious Lord Macbeth.
Three hundred years later, gentle Brother Rowan goes on a strange and perilous journey to a remote and ancient monastery to write a history of the Scottish king-line.
Misfits in their own time, seekers after truth, Wulva and Rowan are deeply connected despite the centuries that separate them.
Hagtale explores the power of stories lost and found, their transformative potential, and who gets to be the owner of the tale.
187 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 6, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 3, 2026
Wow! Well this was a ride. Hagtale by Sally O’Reilly is billed as a Macbeth origin story. The author herself calls this a strange and unusual novel and that it is!
In 11th century Scotland a wild wolf child called Wulva is brought up by witches and then sent by them to a Scottish castle where she meets and becomes dangerously linked to the cruel Lord Macbeth. Three hundred years pass and Brother Rowan is sent from his monastery on an inexplicable journey to an abandoned monastery in the remote Scottish Highlands to transcribe the history of Scotland’s line of kings.
Wulva is plucked from the forest and later Rowan journeys through it. It feels alive and beautiful and ultimately connects Wulva and Rowan across time. In contrast the men in the story particularly Macbeth are power hungry and angry.
But who gets to tell the story of history? Who is remembered and who is forgotten? This was a wild and dark fable that was Shakespeare adjacent. There was a whole lot of WTF going on and while I have no idea about the why and the how the writing was really good.
Do not expect to understand the plot and go in with an open mind. I’m not sure how else to describe Hagtale but if my review has piqued your interest I’d encourage you to give it a try!
In 11th century Scotland a wild wolf child called Wulva is brought up by witches and then sent by them to a Scottish castle where she meets and becomes dangerously linked to the cruel Lord Macbeth. Three hundred years pass and Brother Rowan is sent from his monastery on an inexplicable journey to an abandoned monastery in the remote Scottish Highlands to transcribe the history of Scotland’s line of kings.
Wulva is plucked from the forest and later Rowan journeys through it. It feels alive and beautiful and ultimately connects Wulva and Rowan across time. In contrast the men in the story particularly Macbeth are power hungry and angry.
But who gets to tell the story of history? Who is remembered and who is forgotten? This was a wild and dark fable that was Shakespeare adjacent. There was a whole lot of WTF going on and while I have no idea about the why and the how the writing was really good.
Do not expect to understand the plot and go in with an open mind. I’m not sure how else to describe Hagtale but if my review has piqued your interest I’d encourage you to give it a try!
February 19, 2026
This is sooo different from what I normally read but that’s exactly why it worked. It’s dark, eerie, a little bit feral in the best way. We’ve got Wulva, a literal wolf child raised by witches in eleventh century Scotland, who ends up tangled up with Lord Macbeth. Yes. That Macbeth… the one connected to Macbeth and the world that inspired William Shakespeare. Then we jump three hundred years ahead to Brother Rowan, this gentle monk trying to write the history of the Scottish kings… and somehow these two timelines are linked in this haunting, clever way. It feels like a story that’s been whispered around a fire for centuries. The forest feels alive. The vibes are moody. The men are power hungry and unhinged. Nature is wild. Humanity is worse.
What I really loved though is the whole idea of who gets to tell a story, who owns it, who gets erased and who gets remembered. It’s layered without feeling too heavy and it trusts you to sit in the atmosphere. Was it an easy, fluffy read? Absolutely not. Did it shake me out of my slump and make me feel something different? Yes. And in my eyes that’s a win!
What I really loved though is the whole idea of who gets to tell a story, who owns it, who gets erased and who gets remembered. It’s layered without feeling too heavy and it trusts you to sit in the atmosphere. Was it an easy, fluffy read? Absolutely not. Did it shake me out of my slump and make me feel something different? Yes. And in my eyes that’s a win!
January 23, 2026
3.5
bro i felt like kenneth at the end of this wtaf. like slay but also... que?
bro i felt like kenneth at the end of this wtaf. like slay but also... que?
March 25, 2026
Loved the structure and the characters. A delightfully dark and different book
November 21, 2025
"Hagtale" is a reimagining of Macbeth which didn't quite work for me. While I liked the premise, the story failed to really convince me. The characters didn't have a lot of depth, possibly because the story was split between two timelines.
December 6, 2025
I enjoyed this but it isn't going to be for everyone.
This is very much akin to Cosmic horror, of which I am a fan. A lot of the elements are here, the unknown, the body horror, strange unknowable beings, beasts, the madness that seeps through your pours... but the book doesn't claim to be that. It says its a dark fable yes, but what is inside has more in common with the aforementioned genre.
I started out way more invested in Brother Rowan's story than Wulva's. I guessed pretty early on who she was going to turn out to be, and at first I really liked her connection to the McDuffs. I wish more had been done with that, there could have been some real tragedy there.
I did enjoy Rowan's tale the most although I accept I am in the minority there as it makes sense for people reading a Macbeth tale to be more interested in that side. I am a little unsure as the point of it though, why there needed to be these two timelines. The pacing is so weird though. You don't even meet Macbeth till about half way through the story, which wouldn't be a problem expect its marketed as his origin story.
I think the blurb is very misleading, the two main timelines are not deeply connected, and this is only vaguely about the power of stories and who tells them. Honestly, if this had been marketed as more gothic/cosmic horror instead of just 'historical fiction' it will probably be rated higher because you're going to get the right readers.
Know what you're getting into and I think you'll have fun.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
This is very much akin to Cosmic horror, of which I am a fan. A lot of the elements are here, the unknown, the body horror, strange unknowable beings, beasts, the madness that seeps through your pours... but the book doesn't claim to be that. It says its a dark fable yes, but what is inside has more in common with the aforementioned genre.
I started out way more invested in Brother Rowan's story than Wulva's. I guessed pretty early on who she was going to turn out to be, and at first I really liked her connection to the McDuffs. I wish more had been done with that, there could have been some real tragedy there.
I did enjoy Rowan's tale the most although I accept I am in the minority there as it makes sense for people reading a Macbeth tale to be more interested in that side. I am a little unsure as the point of it though, why there needed to be these two timelines. The pacing is so weird though. You don't even meet Macbeth till about half way through the story, which wouldn't be a problem expect its marketed as his origin story.
I think the blurb is very misleading, the two main timelines are not deeply connected, and this is only vaguely about the power of stories and who tells them. Honestly, if this had been marketed as more gothic/cosmic horror instead of just 'historical fiction' it will probably be rated higher because you're going to get the right readers.
Know what you're getting into and I think you'll have fun.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
November 20, 2025
One of my best books of the year!
Hagtale is an origin story of Macbeth and some of the characters associated with him. In the dual timeline we follow Wulfa, a child raised and manipulated by 3 witches and later integrated into a noble family. 300 years in the future Rowan, a scribe and scholar, is sent on a pilgrimage to find and copy an ancient text.
Normally I don’t like a split timeline, but this was written so well that it came together in a way that made sense and added to the story. The beautiful writing created a stunning and atmospheric Scottish landscape. The story the Hag tells weaves in Wulfa’s story beautifully and you often forget that her side is told as a narrative story.
Slight spoiler here, but I had never heard Lady Macbeth’s first name. In the original story she is only given the name we all know so well. But here we see Wulfa grow into Lady Macbeth. I really enjoyed seeing a perspective from her before Macbeth enters the picture.
For fans of Macbeth, then this would be a good book to pick up. For those unfamiliar with the story, then I would still recommend reading this due to the well constructed world, beautiful writing, and memorable characters.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bolinda Audio for the Advanced Listener’s Copy (ALC) of this book. All opinions are my own.
Hagtale is an origin story of Macbeth and some of the characters associated with him. In the dual timeline we follow Wulfa, a child raised and manipulated by 3 witches and later integrated into a noble family. 300 years in the future Rowan, a scribe and scholar, is sent on a pilgrimage to find and copy an ancient text.
Normally I don’t like a split timeline, but this was written so well that it came together in a way that made sense and added to the story. The beautiful writing created a stunning and atmospheric Scottish landscape. The story the Hag tells weaves in Wulfa’s story beautifully and you often forget that her side is told as a narrative story.
Slight spoiler here, but I had never heard Lady Macbeth’s first name. In the original story she is only given the name we all know so well. But here we see Wulfa grow into Lady Macbeth. I really enjoyed seeing a perspective from her before Macbeth enters the picture.
For fans of Macbeth, then this would be a good book to pick up. For those unfamiliar with the story, then I would still recommend reading this due to the well constructed world, beautiful writing, and memorable characters.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bolinda Audio for the Advanced Listener’s Copy (ALC) of this book. All opinions are my own.
February 28, 2026
This reads like a dark fable
As noted by Hannah Vincent it is a book of blood and guts with some of the most exquisite nature writing I've ever read. The blood and guts comes from the era of waring Scottish kings, most namely Macbeth. The story around Macbeth is knitted together by a pilgrimage of two monks to a far away castle, North of Edinburgh, the two monks must journey without knowing the way, through trial and travail. Whereupon they eventually arrive at their destination to find supernatural and dreamlike like horrors. Their quest is to revive ancient manuscripts about the history of the Scottish kings, that are in a hidden library.
Interspersed with this quest is the story of Wulva - I did not gel with this name, but realise it melds with her upbringing by wolves - yes, you heard right, wolves. Wulva as a character has a lot of supernatural elements, especially towards the end. Wulva seemingly makes a lot of deals with the devil - three witches to be precise.
I was most captivated by the tale of the two monks and their journey.
As with Hamnet by Maggies O'Farrell this book is a reimagining of a Shakespearian tale.
As I am not a purist I lapped this one up.
As noted by Hannah Vincent it is a book of blood and guts with some of the most exquisite nature writing I've ever read. The blood and guts comes from the era of waring Scottish kings, most namely Macbeth. The story around Macbeth is knitted together by a pilgrimage of two monks to a far away castle, North of Edinburgh, the two monks must journey without knowing the way, through trial and travail. Whereupon they eventually arrive at their destination to find supernatural and dreamlike like horrors. Their quest is to revive ancient manuscripts about the history of the Scottish kings, that are in a hidden library.
Interspersed with this quest is the story of Wulva - I did not gel with this name, but realise it melds with her upbringing by wolves - yes, you heard right, wolves. Wulva as a character has a lot of supernatural elements, especially towards the end. Wulva seemingly makes a lot of deals with the devil - three witches to be precise.
I was most captivated by the tale of the two monks and their journey.
As with Hamnet by Maggies O'Farrell this book is a reimagining of a Shakespearian tale.
As I am not a purist I lapped this one up.
November 3, 2025
Hagtale is the origin story of the witches of Macbeth, where the three witches find a feral wolf child in the woods, name her Wulva and domesticate her with the intentions of sending her to the MacDuff castle where she will eventually meet the cruel and ambitious Lord Macbeth in order for the prophecy to be fulfilled.
Three hundred years later, the monk Brother Rowan is sent to a remote ancient monastery to retrieve any information that has survived the hostile conditions there, on the lineage of the King of Scotland.
I'm not entirely sure how I felt about this book. On one hand, I loved Wulvas story and how she goes from being a feral child raised by wolves, to a lady worthy of living with a Lord, under the teaching of the three witches. Seeing her grow, from what is essentially a wolf cub and having to learn human behaviours was a fascinating story, and then to find herself married to the future King of Scotland. However the Brother Rowan story felt a bit random, it didn't really seem to add anything to the storyline with the witches and actually left me with too many questions. I mean, what on earth actually happened to Brother Kenneth?? Their whole saga was a bit disjointed and a little bit pointless to me.
I did really like the authors writing and would be interested to read more of her work.
Three hundred years later, the monk Brother Rowan is sent to a remote ancient monastery to retrieve any information that has survived the hostile conditions there, on the lineage of the King of Scotland.
I'm not entirely sure how I felt about this book. On one hand, I loved Wulvas story and how she goes from being a feral child raised by wolves, to a lady worthy of living with a Lord, under the teaching of the three witches. Seeing her grow, from what is essentially a wolf cub and having to learn human behaviours was a fascinating story, and then to find herself married to the future King of Scotland. However the Brother Rowan story felt a bit random, it didn't really seem to add anything to the storyline with the witches and actually left me with too many questions. I mean, what on earth actually happened to Brother Kenneth?? Their whole saga was a bit disjointed and a little bit pointless to me.
I did really like the authors writing and would be interested to read more of her work.
November 1, 2025
This review is for the audio version of the book, narrated by Coral Sinclair and James Rottger.
These are the stories, set in the 11th century, of a young girl named Wulva, reared by wolves, later raised by witches to perform a certain task later in her life, and the scribe Rowan, on a pilgrimage to a remote monastery to copy an ancient book, and how the 2 stories intertwine.
This was a quiet, slow, burn, but definitely the kind of story that draws you in one bit at a time. Bouncing back and forth between the 2 characters, you're fed their stories piece by piece until you get a fairly decent picture of the lives of these people and the world in which they exist.
Not my normal kind of story, but one that was fascinating and, with these 2 narrators, enveloping like sitting around the fire and listening to the stories of times long since gone.
I enjoyed this and think it was definitely worth the time to read.
These are the stories, set in the 11th century, of a young girl named Wulva, reared by wolves, later raised by witches to perform a certain task later in her life, and the scribe Rowan, on a pilgrimage to a remote monastery to copy an ancient book, and how the 2 stories intertwine.
This was a quiet, slow, burn, but definitely the kind of story that draws you in one bit at a time. Bouncing back and forth between the 2 characters, you're fed their stories piece by piece until you get a fairly decent picture of the lives of these people and the world in which they exist.
Not my normal kind of story, but one that was fascinating and, with these 2 narrators, enveloping like sitting around the fire and listening to the stories of times long since gone.
I enjoyed this and think it was definitely worth the time to read.
January 6, 2026
I think some might find confusion in this book as it's listed as a historical fiction, when it isn't, and Macbeth the character is featured in a limited capacity. That said, I really did enjoy this book. I love any kind of re-telling of a myth or story, and Macbeth is my favourite of Shakespeare's plays.
I thought the dual narrator was done really well and seeing how the two converge into each other at the end was really nicely well done. It was interesting seeing how their stories mirrored each other, both being tasked with undertaking a pilgrimage (of sorts) at the behest of a higher power to gather knowledge and power. Their dual transformation from meek and at the command of others to characters in charge of their own fate, despite the restrictions to which they lived under was so interesting.
I had seen this in Foyles and was SO interested to read it and I'm so glad I did.
I thought the dual narrator was done really well and seeing how the two converge into each other at the end was really nicely well done. It was interesting seeing how their stories mirrored each other, both being tasked with undertaking a pilgrimage (of sorts) at the behest of a higher power to gather knowledge and power. Their dual transformation from meek and at the command of others to characters in charge of their own fate, despite the restrictions to which they lived under was so interesting.
I had seen this in Foyles and was SO interested to read it and I'm so glad I did.
December 2, 2025
Hagtale is a Macbeth retelling with two storylines. Wulva a wild child raised by witches and who grows into Lady Macbeth and Rowan, a monk centuries later searching for old texts.
Wulva’s journey was the part I loved, watching her go from feral child to a noblewoman was fascinating, and the writing really brought the Scottish setting to life. Rowan’s chapters didn’t grab me as much and they felt a bit disconnected, but they didn’t take away from the overall atmosphere.
The audiobook narrators, Coral Sinclair and James Rottger, were excellent. They made the story feel like listening to old legends by the fire, which suited the book perfectly.
Thanks to Netgalley for giving me the ARC of this book :)
Wulva’s journey was the part I loved, watching her go from feral child to a noblewoman was fascinating, and the writing really brought the Scottish setting to life. Rowan’s chapters didn’t grab me as much and they felt a bit disconnected, but they didn’t take away from the overall atmosphere.
The audiobook narrators, Coral Sinclair and James Rottger, were excellent. They made the story feel like listening to old legends by the fire, which suited the book perfectly.
Thanks to Netgalley for giving me the ARC of this book :)
March 30, 2026
Hagtale is an imagined origin story for the witches of Macbeth, centred on Wulva, a feral wolf child discovered in the woods and shaped by the three witches to fulfil their prophecy. Wulva’s growth from wolf cub to woman capable of moving in noble circles was captivating, and her education under the witches was the strongest part of the novel.
The parallel storyline following Brother Rowan, however, felt disconnected…rather than enhancing the main narrative, it left me with unanswered questions.
Overall, I really enjoyed the writing.
The parallel storyline following Brother Rowan, however, felt disconnected…rather than enhancing the main narrative, it left me with unanswered questions.
Overall, I really enjoyed the writing.
November 16, 2025
Huge thank you to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for the ALC.
When I see "Macbeth origin story" or "Macbeth retelling", THIS is the kind of story I'm hoping to experience. Hagtale is a strange, dreamlike, macabre, perfect little read. It matches the vibe of Macbeth beautifully while still being a unique tale all of its own. It's wyrd (with a y).
The audiobook was a joy to listen to. The book has two perspectives (Wulva, a girl raised by wolves and witches) and Rowan (an ailing monk tasked with recording the history of English kings). Both POVs are gorgeously narrated by Coral Sinclair and James Rottger, respectively. The slow building of tension and interweaving of the perspectives was fabulously executed by the author and narrators alike.
If you like Shakespeare (or, dare I say, were disappointed with other recent Macbeth retellings 🙊), I highly recommend this one. It's not long but it packs a punch and I will be thinking about it for a long time.
Pub date: 6 November 2025
When I see "Macbeth origin story" or "Macbeth retelling", THIS is the kind of story I'm hoping to experience. Hagtale is a strange, dreamlike, macabre, perfect little read. It matches the vibe of Macbeth beautifully while still being a unique tale all of its own. It's wyrd (with a y).
The audiobook was a joy to listen to. The book has two perspectives (Wulva, a girl raised by wolves and witches) and Rowan (an ailing monk tasked with recording the history of English kings). Both POVs are gorgeously narrated by Coral Sinclair and James Rottger, respectively. The slow building of tension and interweaving of the perspectives was fabulously executed by the author and narrators alike.
If you like Shakespeare (or, dare I say, were disappointed with other recent Macbeth retellings 🙊), I highly recommend this one. It's not long but it packs a punch and I will be thinking about it for a long time.
Pub date: 6 November 2025
April 3, 2026
3.5 stars. Loved the weird, slightly creepy vibes of this. It has short, alternating POV chapters, so very easy to get through and both parts of the story compelled me (though Wulva's chapters were more intriguing).
It seems like I'm drawn to books inspired by Macbeth (I enjoyed Lady Macbethad last year). It's not even my favourite Shakespeare play so I don't know why, but I do now feel the urge to find and read all retelling and adaptations!
It seems like I'm drawn to books inspired by Macbeth (I enjoyed Lady Macbethad last year). It's not even my favourite Shakespeare play so I don't know why, but I do now feel the urge to find and read all retelling and adaptations!
December 18, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up
Really enjoyable audiobook listen! Both the narrators did a great job of bringing Wulva and Brother Rowan to life. I also enjoyed the dual timelines which seems to be a bit of a split opinion. I would say this is definitely worth a listen, it was short but entertaining.
Thank you NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for this ARC in exchange for a review!
Really enjoyable audiobook listen! Both the narrators did a great job of bringing Wulva and Brother Rowan to life. I also enjoyed the dual timelines which seems to be a bit of a split opinion. I would say this is definitely worth a listen, it was short but entertaining.
Thank you NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for this ARC in exchange for a review!
February 17, 2026
Folklore meets paranormal horror with a dash of Macbeth undertones.
I can see how this may not be for everyone but I enjoyed the cross over between Rowan’s tale and Wulva’s.
Rowan shows us the inconsistency of written histories and men’s fallible memory.
And Wulva shows us a world where women don’t hold power - but can be powerful in indirect ways.
I can see how this may not be for everyone but I enjoyed the cross over between Rowan’s tale and Wulva’s.
Rowan shows us the inconsistency of written histories and men’s fallible memory.
And Wulva shows us a world where women don’t hold power - but can be powerful in indirect ways.
April 7, 2026
“Hagtale” is an engrossing read. Although set in a magical time, it throws long shadows over our present day, warning us about the impact of hubris and arrogance. But also that powerful magic-like solutions bring their own terrors. As a lover of Shakespeare I loved the alter- universe here invoked. And the reverence for Nature.
November 21, 2025
Read this because of it's connection to the masterpiece that is Macbeth. This certainly isn't of that calibre. Wulva's story is interesting and enjoyable. Brother Rowan's much less so and felt superfluous.
January 12, 2026
3.5
An interesting take on Macbeth, not quite a retelling but a ‘took inspiration from’. I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would actually and the story really got into its stride about halfway through.
An interesting take on Macbeth, not quite a retelling but a ‘took inspiration from’. I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would actually and the story really got into its stride about halfway through.
April 4, 2026
Had a strange time with this book as in theory it has everything I love; folk origins, eerie and dark, landscape and nature writing at the fore; should be a recipe for a 5*. But it took me forever to get through, particularly being relatively thin. It just never gripped me and whilst I didn't dislike it, I didn't hugely like it either.
April 12, 2026
Loved this dual narrative. Beautiful writing and a great linking of the characters to the story of Macbeth as I know it and to how the story could have been.
I loved the contrast of having a hag’s story & a priest’s alongside one another.
I loved the contrast of having a hag’s story & a priest’s alongside one another.
November 21, 2025
I get it, and some of the writing is wonderful. But I only really cared about Wulva and that half of the story
January 21, 2026
Just couldn’t finish it, it never grabbed me and I gave up.
March 3, 2026
what a fantastic audio book
Wulva my beloved you are the reason i listened to this whole thing i love this character so much
Wulva my beloved you are the reason i listened to this whole thing i love this character so much
May 5, 2026
3.5 rounded down. This was a bizarre little book but I honestly quite enjoyed it.
December 2, 2025
This was a book of two halves, alternating - we had the story of a monk historian who has recently survived the black plague that wiped out most of his brothers, who is sent from Midlothian further north to gather histories of the kings of different regions of Scotland, and then we have the story of a shapeshifter who is trained by a coven of witches to inveigle her way into the lives of a noble Scottish family, with the end goal of her part in MacBeth's lust for power.
I really enjoyed Lady MacBeth's alternative back story, in the same way that I enjoyed the book of Wicked, telling a unique story in a well established setting and giving interesting takes on existing tales and events.
The monk's story was fine, but a little dragged out. While there was eventually a link between these two, it felt like these chapters were a needless distraction and didn't serve much purpose.
The narration of this audiobook was excellent.
I received a free advance copy of the audiobook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed Lady MacBeth's alternative back story, in the same way that I enjoyed the book of Wicked, telling a unique story in a well established setting and giving interesting takes on existing tales and events.
The monk's story was fine, but a little dragged out. While there was eventually a link between these two, it felt like these chapters were a needless distraction and didn't serve much purpose.
The narration of this audiobook was excellent.
I received a free advance copy of the audiobook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews