3.5 stars, rounded down.

I can see this one appealing to a lot of people, but ultimately, it was not really for me.

I think that fans of We Were Villains,, VE Schwab and Ninth House will love it—it carries the same lyrical writing, the same amount of messy brilliant people being messy, and enough tension to carry it through.

I did find a lot of entertainment in how Liu reworked Hamlet into a locked room thriller, particularly with how they interpreted and rewrote various characters to fit with the play.

[PUBLISHED ON BRITISH GQ WEBSITE]
Another Hamlet retelling? Yes, but this one is Hamlet meets AI. Hamlet meets sci-fi. Hamlet meets a locked-room mystery, in as much as there can be a mystery if you remember the play. Told via a found footage–esque narrative constructed of interviews, audio transcripts and the like, the story follows protagonist Hayden after he finds his father murdered in their lab and their secret formula stolen, with a handful of suspects and only the lab’s AI (Horatio, obviously) on his side. It’s clever in structure and reinterpretation – very nearly too clever, but it finds a tense, riveting balance.

I found that the deeper I got into this intricate the story, the more enthralled I was. Liu weaves this in a very anticipatory fashion.
A real whodunnit situation going on when Hayden's dad is found dead in his lab. Under lockdown, now sits a small group of people, one of whom is the murderer...
I have read no Shakespeare so I'm not familiar with the subject matter this is honoring, but I thoroughly enjoyed this!
I don't read enough scifi and this felt like just what I needed to step back into the genre.

The book was marketed as a "locked room thriller" and it started out that way, but the killer was revealed much earlier than I expected so it was more of a revenge story set in this futuristic setting. I haven't read Hamlet so i don't know how much the story sticks to the original but i have read the book for what it is and i can say it was a sci-fi drama instead of a thriller since it didn't have as many thrilling elements. I was also expecting mix media for some reason but there were excerpts and transcripts thrown in there which was engaging but not enough. Overall it was a solid 3 star for me. Shakespeare fans seem to love this book more so if you are one then you should definitely pick this!

I was so excited to read this as I love Shakespeare and Hamlet is one of my favourite plays. I was also a little nervous that it would disappoint-but it didn't. It's a fantastic read.

I already plan to re-read and annotate (must be the Shakespeare!)

Give this book a read - even if you hated Shakespeare at school = just try it!

The third person present tense narration is quite jarring and made this a bit of a difficult read. Loved the idea, but wasn't wowed by the execution unfortunately.

*I received a free review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest feedback.*

Hamlet retelling? Sci-fi? A mysterious murder? Yes, please!

As soon as I heard about this book I knew I’d love it and it definitely didn’t disappoint. This is such an imaginative take on the Shakespeare play, mixing science fiction with a locked-room mystery, and sprinkling a bit of romance in too. The character voices were very distinctive and I loved how the author played with these perspectives to create tension and keep you guessing. It’s beautifully written, emotional and action-packed, with the futuristic elements modernising the source material to create something that harks back to the popular tragedy but is also brimming with originality.

If you like mysteries, technology and a bit of romance, I’d definitely recommend picking this up. Thank you so much to Rebellion Publishing for the review copy!

This book sounded like everything I could ever want when I read the description, but it just didn't translate through to the writing for me. There didn't seem to be much tension, considering it was supposed to be a locked room thriller, and the romance was lukewarm. I didn't understand the motivations for any of the characters and they ended up feeling quite one dimensional because of it. I'm not sure if reading Hamlet prior would have helped me, but I would think that the book should be able to stand away from the source material. I ended up being pretty disappointed, but I've given it two stars because I did like the epistolary way it was told.

The problem with novels that reinterpret a classic is that the reader more or less knows what’s going to happen. On the other hand, it is extremely fun to see how the author uses the raw material and turns it into a new book. As an inspiration, Shakespeare is hard to beat and many agree that Hamlet is his best work. The Death I Gave Him turns Horatio into an AI and gives Ophelia a backbone. The best part is that it is a locked-room murder, even if it’s not much of a mystery. What, in the original, is a play, is handled here in a truly original, groundbreaking way, same as the ghost of Hamlet’s father and his message of revenge. That said, there was too much internal monologue for me to enjoy. I liked the dialogues, the ambiance, the descriptions of the lab. I loved Horatio and his way of figuring out humans. Unfortunately, I was not too invested in the human characters, and the plot was not as suspenseful as I expected. I may not be the right reader though, because I enjoy more approachable science fiction. Hardcore sci-fi readers will like it.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, #NetGalley/#Rebellion, Solaris!

"I will take madness if it means none of it is real."

If you liked:
- shakespeare retellings
- unique perspectives and hindsight commentary
- a formula for cheating death
- escape rooms in a creepy lab filled with secrets and murder
- compilated love

You absolute have to read The Death I Gave Him by Em X. Liu out on 9/12/23!!

TW: self harm, suicidal ideation, depression, familial death, gore, violence

The story is told between several perspectives as the "author" compiles all these sources to create one comprehensive expose of the event. We get Hayden told in present first person. Felicia told in excerpts from interviews and her biography. Horatio, the labs AI system, and his logs. There are foot notes from the "author"'s to add further context or justify their creative decisions. It creates the perfect picture for us as the audience.

I don't even know where to start on the characters, they are so real and raw that they walk right off the page. Hayden Lichfield is deeply depressed and suicidal and he hides it by fervently searching for a way to outsmart death. Felicia Xia is someone I have a hard time pinning down. Her morals are certainly ambiguous, she will lie and cheat to save her life. But she has lines drawn in her mind that she won't cross. I didn't really expect her to stick to these lines so her decisions shocked me even though they were the more moral ones. And then Horatio, he is a character fully dependent on Hayden. Their connection is so powerful and their romantic moments were equally unexpected but so expected.

Liu has an incredibly unique and enjoyable writing style. I highlighted so so so many lines just because of how they phrased everything from the most animalistic feelings to the most basic human actions. Liu is someone I will always trust to write a corruption arc. They are an expert at flawed characters who do nothing to fix their flaws but feed them until they are taken over.

"This is where I say: tell me a tragedy"

This book was so interesting and very intriguing throughout. After finishing the story, I felt like I was missing something; as if I'd missed a possible plot point or if I could have just benefited from a few more chapters, to see how things panned out.

At this stage I was thinking about giving the book 3 stars, because I enjoyed it, but possibly didn't understand a few things.

I decided to read some other reviews, to see if I could find any other explanations/clarifications of things I may have missed/not picked up on.

What I did discover was that in the books description it says that it's a retelling of Hamlet. Having never read Hamlet, I did not make this connection. I've since read the synopsis of Hamlet and can see that with this comparison in mind, it is a very successful other worldly retelling of the story. And as such some of the characters actions / significance do make more sense to me now.

If I had read Hamlet first, and then discovered this book I would have given at least 4 stars, but as an honest review/opinion, based on how I felt when I finished the book, I'm going to have to stick to 3.

I enjoyed the storyline as it was, as it was really well written and I really liked the multiple perspectives and the different types of chapters, but I was ultimately left wanting more.

Shakespeare is always being reinvented. Whether it is a World War 2 version of Richard III or a version of Macbeth set in the kitchen of a high-end restaurant, the stories and the characters that the Bard gave us endure. In The Death I Gave Him, Em X. Lui takes and transposes and strips down Hamlet – delivering the tale of murder and revenge in a futuristic mode complete with AI, experimental drugs and surveillance cameras.
Hayden Lichfield finds his scientist father Graham dead in one of the rooms of Elsinore Labs. He uses the time to secure his father’s ground-breaking research called Sisyphus. Hayden does not reveal his discovery, pretending instead to find the body later so that he has time to hide the disk containing the research. Hayden is helped in this endeavour by the Lab’s Artificial Intelligence Operating System known as Horatio. The Lab is put in lockdown by Hayden’s uncle Charles and he is stuck in there with head of security Paul Xia, Paul’s daughter (and Hayden’s ex-girlfriend) Felicia and another researcher called Rasmsussen. Hayden uses his wonder drug, which promotes healing, to revive his dead father back long enough to learn that the killer was his brother Charles and vows to take revenge. And from then on Hayden plays a cat and mouse game with his uncle, who is keen to secure the secret formula, with Felicia in the middle.
While no previous knowledge is required, for those who know Hamlet there is plenty to enjoy and consider in this version. Several key characters (Felicia’s brother and Hayden’s mother) are given critical but offstage rolls. Lui keeps many of the beats of the original play – Hamlet’s father’s ghost, his accidental killing of side characters, a ‘play’ to confirm Charles’ guilt, the way in which Ophelia/Felicia is used to draw him out. But Lui also makes significant changes, some necessary to the context and some for her own storytelling purposes. For example, while many commentators have written about a potential relationship between Hamlet and Horatio, Lui makes that subtext text, and she gives Felicia much more agency than Ophelia had in the original play.
The Death I Gave Him is told almost in the form of an academic paper, of an almost legendary time far removed from the telling. And that telling itself is a mix of recounting of the ‘historical record’, reconstruction, memoir and data feeds from Horatio. This framing allows Lui to both set the scene and interpose her sometimes epistolary style with comments and explanations.
Hamlet itself is an adaptation of any earlier story (retold again recently in the film The Northman), but given more psychological and dramatic heft. But what The Death I Gave Him demonstrates once again is the infinite malleability of Shakespeare’s plays. His themes and the characters have a timeless quality which give the original plays to have continued relevance but also allow them to be adapted to new contexts and environments. Lui takes these ideas and characters and runs with them, delivering something at once familiar but also at times startlingly new.

The Death I Gave Him by Em X. Liu is a queer Hamlet retelling that is a sci-fi thriller. I read a short story by Em X. Liu last month am I was excited to read a full novel by them. I’m also a huge Shakespeare fan so this seemed perfect for me.

I will say as far as retellings go, this is one of the better ones. The way technology is used to allude to the original play was interesting and the characters felt similar enough to the Hamlet characters. This is a book that if I didn’t know going in that it was supposed to be a retelling, I think I would have picked up on it. The story itself was also very compelling. I read this book in two sittings because I wanted to know what happened. Which hasn’t been the case for a lot of books lately.

I think the downfall of this book is just the writing style. Having footnotes in any story is a huge risk because it can take the reader out of the story. I don’t think it was necessary for this story to have them. The prose itself is a bit overwritten. Some of the dialogue felt too Shakespearean even though this takes place in a completely different time.

I do enjoy this author’s ideas for stories and will continue to read more as they come out. This is a very solid 3.5 star for me

a refreshingly, original take on shakespeare, which breath fresh life into the archaic classic. wish I knew Hamlet more intimately like the veins in my wrist to be able to follow the threads it shows in this book. the sci-fi elements were a little confusing in the beginning but as you continued reading, you as the reader warmed up to it. the locked room mystery could've been done better. having grown up reading Agatha Christie and John Dickson Carr, my expectations were high and I low-key expected more to do with it especially with such a futuristic setting. overall, a decent enough read and I did enjoy my time within its world.

DNF @ 35%
This just wasn't for me.

I was drawn to this due to "queer, scifi locked room mystery", and I didn't even realize it was a Hamlet retelling at first. And maybe that should have been my first warning, because I generally don't enjoy reading classics, or anything too literary.

The writing style was objectively beautiful and clever, and but I couldn't get into it and felt my attention drift away, and I struggled to pick it up for over 2 months now, so I'm gonna leave it here. Might pick it up again at a later point because I'm still intrigued.

This book was described as a lyrical, queer sci-fi retelling of Shakespeare's Hamlet, as a locked-room thriller.
Hayden Lichfield and his father was working on the Sisyphus Formula, a formula that might one day reverse death itself. But then Hayden finds his father murdered in the lab, with a recording of his father's dying wish for Hayden to avenge him. Hayden steals the research and puts in play his revenge by luring the killer to the lab with the promise of the research of the formula. Four people are locked in the lab with him, one is the killer. With the lab's resident AI Horatio as his ally, a dear companion since its creation, Avenging his father consumes him to the brink of insanity and his own ruin.

I really enjoyed many aspects of this book, I found the concept of this book quite unique and engaging, the writing style between the back and forth details of what happened with the future records of it's retelling. But what I hoped for, considering the Author's background was a little more focus on the science aspect. And I found the illicit relationship with Hayden to be unnecessary to the story. But all in all, it was well written and delivered. If you love Hamlet, this 21st century retelling is quite unique and entertaining, but even if you don't I am sure that won't hinder your enjoyment of this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Rebellion Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Review of "The Death I Gave Him" by Em X. Liu:

Em X. Liu's "The Death I Gave Him" is a breathtaking blend of lyrical prose, queer sci-fi, and a thrilling retelling of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Set in a twenty-first-century world, the story follows Hayden Lichfield as he seeks to avenge his father's murder and unravel the mystery surrounding their groundbreaking creation, the Sisyphus Formula—a potential means to reverse death itself.

The narrative masterfully weaves together various forms of storytelling, including essays, camera footage, audio transcripts, letters, footnotes, and the perspectives of artificial intelligence, Horatio, and Hayden himself. The novel unfolds over a mere fourteen hours, yet it immerses readers in a richly detailed and suspenseful experience, leaving them on the edge of their seats throughout.

The themes central to Hamlet—mortality, immortality, revenge, and doubt—are deftly explored, giving depth and substance to the tale. The quest for scientific advancement, the relentless pursuit of revenge, and the complexities of familial relationships come together to create a compelling and thought-provoking narrative.

What truly elevates this retelling is the depiction of the profound and tender friendship between Hayden and Horatio. Em X. Liu has crafted a portrayal of love that feels both real and surreal, tugging at the heartstrings and leaving a lasting impact on readers. The emotional depth and authenticity of their bond are both surprising and moving, capturing the essence of true connection in an unexpected yet beautiful way.

Liu's prose is nothing short of remarkable, with the perfect balance of poetry and precision. The narrative seamlessly switches between various perspectives, offering a multi-dimensional reading experience that enriches the storytelling.

"The Death I Gave Him" is a magnificent triumph, a retelling that Shakespeare himself would have admired. With its queer, locked-room sci-fi setting and intricate examination of humanity, mortality, and ambition, this novel stands as a true masterpiece. Em X. Liu's ability to combine elements of Shakespeare's classic with cutting-edge science and heartfelt emotion makes this a must-read for anyone seeking an extraordinary and unforgettable literary experience.

Em X. Liu's "The Death I Gave Him" is a breathtaking blend of lyrical prose, queer sci-fi, and a thrilling retelling of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Set in a twenty-first-century world, the story follows Hayden Lichfield as he seeks to avenge his father's murder and unravel the mystery surrounding their groundbreaking creation, the Sisyphus Formula—a potential means to reverse death itself.

The narrative masterfully weaves together various forms of storytelling, including essays, camera footage, audio transcripts, letters, footnotes, and the perspectives of artificial intelligence, Horatio, and Hayden himself. The novel unfolds over a mere fourteen hours, yet it immerses readers in a richly detailed and suspenseful experience, leaving them on the edge of their seats throughout.

The themes central to Hamlet—mortality, immortality, revenge, and doubt—are deftly explored, giving depth and substance to the tale. The quest for scientific advancement, the relentless pursuit of revenge, and the complexities of familial relationships come together to create a compelling and thought-provoking narrative.

What truly elevates this retelling is the depiction of the profound and tender friendship between Hayden and Horatio. Em X. Liu has crafted a portrayal of love that feels both real and surreal, tugging at the heartstrings and leaving a lasting impact on readers. The emotional depth and authenticity of their bond are both surprising and moving, capturing the essence of true connection in an unexpected yet beautiful way.

Liu's prose is nothing short of remarkable, with the perfect balance of poetry and precision. The narrative seamlessly switches between various perspectives, offering a multi-dimensional reading experience that enriches the storytelling.

"The Death I Gave Him" is a magnificent triumph, a retelling that Shakespeare himself would have admired. With its queer, locked-room sci-fi setting and intricate examination of humanity, mortality, and ambition, this novel stands as a true masterpiece. Em X. Liu's ability to combine elements of Shakespeare's classic with cutting-edge science and heartfelt emotion makes this a must-read for anyone seeking an extraordinary and unforgettable literary experience.

I love books with unconventional storytelling, and The Death I Gave Him did not disappoint. It is structured like an essay with excerpts from books, transcripts, and interviews. These all come together to tell the story of the night Dr. Graham Lichfield was murdered and the events that followed. I was drawn in immediately by the characters. I particularly enjoyed Hayden and Horatio and their relationship.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I’m going to preorder a copy to reread. Thank you Solaris and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review!

I was hooked on this book from the beginning. A retelling of Hamlet set in the distant future, telling the story of a not-so-distant future? So many layers are richly plotted and detailed in this story. I love the conceit of a far future historian recounting the tale of Hayden (the clear stand-in for Hamlet) and his father's murder. Hayden is trying to find a way to keep people from dying, and his father is killed while they are on the cusp of a breakthrough. Elsinore, the lab, is locked for security and the only people trapped inside are Hayden, his uncle, his ex-girlfriend Felicia and her father, and a lab technician. With the help of Horatio, the artificial intelligence who runs the lab, Hayden tries to piece together his father's murder and get revenge.

The story is told in fragments from various sources, including Horatio's logs, Felicia's memoir and interviews, and various footnotes and asides that flesh out the world. The details are immersive and while you may think you know the story of Hamlet, Em X. Liu's take is both fresh and exciting. A highly enjoyable story on a mystery level, as well as a rumination on what it means to be alive. The characters are all both familiar and new, with Horatio being a standout for me. I love the idea of Hamlet's (or Hayden's in this case) best friend being a construct, as well as being an intimate partner in Hayden's plan to expose the murderer.

This is an innovative and interesting story and I very much enjoyed reading it.