Just to point it out to you, but you haven't actually reviewed the book at all.

Ever wondered what happened to Fleance at the end of Macbeth? Yes - I did. And so, probably, did millions of readers of Shakespeare since the play was first published several centuries ago. This enormous audience, it would seem, does not include book reviewer Lisa Scott.
It appears that Ms. Scott isn't really very well read in Shakespeare - either that, or she skim-read Macbeth, a true literary crime for any of his plays. Fleance's appearance in the play may be small, but his significance cannot be shoved under the carpet. The three witches, who corrupted Macbeth into tyranny, foretold that Banquo (cousin to Macbeth) would not be a king, but that he would father kings, presenting him and his son as a threat to Macbeth's reign. The biggest question that is left hanging at the end of the play is thus: What becomes of Fleance, and will he one day be king? After all, if he is intricately linked to the throne, he is far more of a plot shaper than one would expect for a minor character. Macbeth took pains to arrange the assassination of Banquo and Fleance in order to secure his hold on Scotland. Fleance didn't simply escape because Shakespeare hated child abuse. Macbeth could not escape the witches' predictions, and try as she might, neither can Ms. Scott.
The true spirit of the story of Macbeth is preserved in Banquo's Son. Macbeth deals with the throne of Scotland, greed and power, honour and trust, loyalty and corruption. Ms. Roxborogh deals us an identical hand with a fresh, original story that is faithful to its predecessor. This is far more deserving of praise than criticism. I would like to see Ms. Scott tackle such a daunting challenge and match the masterpiece that is Banquo's Son, before throwing around harsh and poor judgement.
It is interesting to note that Ms. Scott peppers her review with scathing remarks about the theme of love in Banquo's Son, when it bears striking similarities to Hamlet, which is widely considered Shakespeare's greatest work - again, a lack of Shakespearean education on her part, I would presume. The relationship between Fleance and Rosie is besieged by a myriad of problems that mirrors Hamlet and Ophelia in Hamlet; Ms. Scott refers to this as it appears in Banquo's Son as 'the rollercoaster ride'. Both Fleance and Hamlet neglect their love interest for the need to revenge the death of their fathers, both whom appear to their sons as ghosts. Fleance is plagued with the issue of nobility and marriage (he being of royal blood, she being a peasant girl), and Ophelia is warned by her father to cease her relationship with the Hamlet as, being the future king, he cannot marry a girl of such low status as her. Love versus honour and love versus class - these are not half baked ideas one reads on the jacket of a Mills and Boon novel, but complex, contemplative themes that flow from the mind of the great playwright himself. On the back cover of Banquo's Son, Ms. Roxborogh writes 'Everything in life comes with a price'. This is a universal statement that rings true throughout Shakespeare's plays, and Ms. Roxborogh has done tremendous justice to it in her novel.
The New Zealand Book Month website states '[Lisa Scott's] wit and smart observations will be a treat for us as we celebrate the fourth NZ Book Month', and so far, this claim has proven to be false. I have observed no wit from Ms. Scott, nothing smart in the way of observations, and the only treat I've received is the story enclosed in the pages of the beautiful, shiny, black book in my hand that Ms. Roxborogh has gifted the world with. New Zealand should be proud to have her as an author. I can't wait for Bloodlines.

I usually never respond to reviews (positive or negative) but a number of people have pointed me in the direction of Lisa Scott's reviews and, though she is completely within in rights not to have enjoyed the books, I just want to clear up a few things:

There are a number of inaccuraries in Lisa's Review. Firstly, there were no clans in the 11th and the Scots did not wear tartan as they did not yet have the weaving technology. I did extensive research into this time period and yes, for the purposes of the story, changed the fate of some of the real characters: for example, though Malcolm married Margaret (and ALL her backstory is true and she was very devout), they had many children who lived, unlike my poor pair. Donalbain's marriage and off-spring is my fiction.

The comments about Hollywood are unfounded. There is no Hollywood agent/producer involved at this stage. I have yet to secure an American publishing deal although a number of editors are very interested. That literary agent Writers House was keen to take on the series is a HUGE compliment and I think validates this book and ones to come. I wonder is Lisa gained this information from an article in the Otage Daily Times which also reported this inaccurately.

As to her others suggestions, if people thought they might work: Polonius was murdered by Hamlet so that doesn't work; Paris was slain by Romeo at Juliet's tomb.

So... have you actually read the book? I've barely started but i could've written that from what was on the back of the book. Disappointing.

After reading all the comments posted here, I'm left bemused. Certainly the book wasn't the reviewers cup of tea but she doesn't really give it a bad write up, indeed notes that an "enormous audience exists for this book." High praise indeed. It is good however to see such verdant debate over the subject. TK Roxborogh clearly has plenty of fans.

Wow, with feedback like this it's no wonder some of the Nine to Noon Radio New Zealand reviewers choose not to review books by New Zealand writers. I like your review Lisa. My reading tastes do include Twilight and Harry Potter but I didn't enjoy the first pages of Banquo's Son so had put it aside. Now I'm looking forward to picking it up again. Thank you, and please don't let the anonymous feedback above put you off reviewing works by New Zealand writers in the future.

Come on guys, this is not a book review: Lisa has written one more in her series of opinion pieces. What does she say? "Great idea, would make a fab film, the characters don't grab me but that's OK cos I'm not a teenager. Go TK!" How exactly is this offensive? Not in the slightest, from where I'm sitting! The only complaint I could make is Lisa's rendering Rosie as Rose - careless, but hardly a capital offence - and one that any half decent Editor would have corrected immediately.
Lighten up folks.

Great job Lisa – I've got my copy of Banquo's Son from the library and will probably check out your reviews from now on…

Banquo, wasn't he the spotty ginger haired guy who plays quidich with Harry Potter?