I am such a sucker for these new books coming out showing the woman's perspective on well known myths, and this book does NOT disappoint! It was such a joy to read, and I want to thank NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for allowing me to read this early in exchange for an honest review...

Morgan le Fay is a relatively well known character in the King Arthur myths, but usually she is seen as a horrid witch, ugly and gross, evil to the core. Sophie Keetch has written a book about Morgan's life showing a different side, and a side that seems more truthful to whom Morgan actually might have been. In many myths, women characters are usually seen as awful or one sided, they lack depth and are seen as secondary to the male front figure. Keetch here has done an amazing job of showing off Morgan and telling the tale of her life from her perspective.

This book is wonderfully written. Even if you know very little about who Morgan was in the myths, this book will fill in all the blanks. I was very heartbroken and cried at certain points, I laughed when Morgan felt joy, I struggled with her when she went through conflict. This book is a tale that women everywhere can relate to easily, and it was hard for me to not think about and be concerned for Morgan when I had to put this book down. Historically, time has not been kind to women and Keetch does a wonderful job of showing how hard life could be during Morgan's time period, while also showing Morgan's want to rebel from that society.

This book does not tell the whole story, partly because I suspect there will be more written in the future about the next "sections" of Morgan's life...and boy am I excited to read them when they come out!

If you love myths, magic, time period specific stories, history shown by women, or just a general love for a great read...READ THIS! I cannot stress how much I enjoyed this book and I am so excited to see what Sophie Keetch writes next !!!

I was excited going into this, but was left itching for more! Which is good because it’s supposed to be the first book in a series.

I expected a quicker dive into Morgan’s descent into her “villainhood”, and a refreshing perspective twist on her side of famous Arthurian legends. But this focused a lot more on her early upbringing and perhaps the many encounters with horrible men that eventually lead her there. That meant the lack of a satisfying final act for me, where I hoped to see her come into her powers fully and unapologetically.

However this means I’m excited to see where the sequels go. This feels like one piece of an overarching series-long slow burn, so I expect the final book to feel extra satisfying when we get there. I can’t wait to see where Sophie Keetch takes us.

A gorgeous re-telling of a magnificent woman. I loved the first-person narrative, bringing with it an intimate connection. Well written, full of intricate details, this book is nothing short of stunning.

The one thing everyone should know about me by now is a really enjoy King Arthur retellings. So, you can imagine I was really excited when I read the synopsis of this one. Morgan le Fay has always been such an interesting figure to me in Arthurian legend so I was very interested to see her story. This book is very readable. I found myself not wanting to put it down. Morgan was a strong protagonist and it was interesting to see well-known pieces of the legend come about from her perspective. This book was also beautifully written and as atmospheric as it promises while still boasting plenty of plot.

But in a lot of ways, I felt like the synopsis was misleading and this story left me wanting more. I went into this book thinking I was going to see a sorcerous Morgan come into her power and as the synopsis says, rival Merlin, but we never truly get a chance to see that. Instead, Morgan doesn't really seem to care much about her abilities and the ways they could benefit her in her battle against the oppressive system she finds herself in. I also felt like many of the other characters were flat and I didn't really find myself caring much for them, even the love interest (whom I have some strong feelings on but we will not get into that here). The pacing was also odd at times and made the story lose its focus in places.

I will say, one of the things this book does best is its discussion surrounding the role of women in regard to the men around them. It is a battle, even now, for women to be seen as anything other than, as this book refers to it, a "vessel" to bring other more important or more valuable human beings into the world. You see different women and the way they fall into this role and the reasons why as you see Morgan rage against that expectation. All in all, while I can't bring myself to rate this book higher because of the issues I found with it, it is one that will stick with me for a long time as I contemplate the questions it raises.

Title: Morgan Is My Name
Author: Sophie Keetch
Genre: fantasy
Rating: 5 out of 5

Young Morgan of Cornwall lives a happy life in Tintagel Castle until King Uther Pendragon, with the help of the sorcerer Merlin, murders her father and tricks her mother into marriage. Furious, brilliant, and vengeful, Morgan defies her brutal stepfather, taking up a secret education, discovering a lifelong affinity with the healing arts, and falling in love with a man far beneath her station. However, defiance comes at a cost. Used as a bargaining chip in her stepfather’s war games, Morgan finds herself banished to a world of isolated castles and gossiping courts, amidst the machinations of kings, sorcerers, and men.

But some desires are not easily forgotten, and the search for her independence is a quest Morgan cannot give up. As the era of King Arthur approaches, she must use all her wit, knowledge, and courage to fight against those who wish to deny her intelligence, crush her spirit, and control her body. But, in seeking her freedom, Morgan risks losing everything–her reputation, her loved ones, and her life.

I love Arthurian legends and retellings, but most are not as well-done as this one. I truly loved this read! Morgan is a fascinating character as a child, and she only grows more fascinating as she gets older. I loved her forceful personality, her wit, and her determination to live her own life. Uther Pendragon—and Merlin, too—was a horrible person in this story and he made my skin crawl. Morgan, however, is vibrant, inspiring, and had me rooting for her from the first page.

Sophie Keetch is Welsh and lives in South Wales. Morgan is My Name is her new novel.

(Galley courtesy of Penguin/Random House Canada in exchange for an honest review.)

I would like the thank NetGalley for giving me an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Morgan Is My Name is an interesting retelling. There's not a lot of action as most of the "story" is about character growth, and I think that why I found it to drag at times with a lot of chapters full of her whining and weird obsession with one guy while also trying too hard to be mysterious even though it just comes off as her being spoiled?

I guess you can say I really didn't like Morgan as a character. A large part of it is the authors portrayal of men through her eyes. According to Morgan, all men are evil, and not a single man treats her nicely or shows kindness without secretly being a horrible person. It... got kind of old after a while. And very predictable. Like, oooh, a man who actually wants her happiness anddddd now he's kind of an ass. Idk, maybe it's just me being tired of "feminist retellings" just being a code for man bashing.

I wanted more of the magic. I wanted this crazy witch/sorceress just running around and being badass, and we didn't get that. Which, again, is why I feel like Morgan fell so flat as a character. Every time the story seemed to be building it just.... stopped.

And for someone who continued to complain that no one was supporting her or that she was trapped in her life and woe is me I want an education that I've been denied, everyone seems to be there in the next moment like "hey I know you were just told you weren't being educated but I'm here to educate you." So again, her constant complaining just comes off as whining.

Morgan is clearly the villain in the Arthur story, and so I thought we'd see more of her being evil or making terrible decisions that lead her onto the path of being a villain and we never saw that. She's constantly the victim. She's constantly fighting back against every man that's "trying to keep her down." And she never goes evil. It's almost like a redemption story that gives her excuses for the way she will eventually act, and I just found it incredibly annoying. Not every villain needs an excuse as to why they act the way they do. And it was written in a way that makes her a hero? And maybe it would've helped to see her interact with Arthur more than the few moments we get, but this felt like a prequel to a prequel.

The writing was beautiful for sure. But Morgan was an annoying character, every man is treated terribly with like maybe two exceptions? And the story felt incomplete in the end.

Actual rating: 3.75

3.7
My big thing here is that it adds something to the story if you're already decently versed in Arthurian Legend, but if you aren't...this isn't the way in, friends. Look, I get that she deserves her own framework, but there is way too much early Morgan for this to be interesting to anyone who isn't already interested.

I really like how Morgan is My Name gives the reader a different side to Morgan le Fay, a side that shows kindness, intelligence and strength. Sophie Keetch did a great job of mixing myth with her own ideas and the flow of this book was very well done. I am excited to read more by Sophie Keetch.

This feels like book one of a series or that is maybe my wishful thinking

I'M BLOWN AWAY BY HOW MUCH I LOVED THIS BOOK. I didn't know I'm as into Arthurian Legend as I am reading this, and couldn't put it down for the (2) days it took me to read this absolutely beautiful book. Morgan is such a nuanced, layered character and you can't help but wholeheartedly root for her the entire book. Every time she is met with injustice, abuse, or another one of Uther's schemes, she rises to the challenge and bests him with her spirit, body, and mind.

I loved the twists and turns the novel takes you on, especially with characters you think you know. I'm not going to spoil anything, but every time I felt I had this book figured out it took me somewhere different and I was on a wild ride for 300+ pages. Another thing I loved about this book is that it was 300 pages, and not 500, 700, or 900 like most fantasy books have decided they need to do. It shows what a talented author Sophie Keetch is where she didn't need more time to get a beautiful story, and large cast of characters across to the reader. I cannot wait for the other 2 books in this trilogy.

Another wonderful thing about this book was how insanely evil the villain is. He's just a man, but my hatred for him just SEETHED every time he entered a room. If anyone deserves a fate worse than death, it is Uther Pendragon. What an absolutely horrific man. I love a good villain, and Uther delivered on every page.

If you want a fresh, shorter, feminist historical fantasy novel I cannot recommend Morgan Is My Name enough. I feel like I'll be thinking about this book for a long time, and will be insufferable in my recommendations of it. Please read this book, you will not recommend a second of it.

Morgan is My name is a modern retelling of Camelot or Merlin or King Arthur, but through the perspective of Morgan Le Fay. Although this book appears to have been done before in the eighties, that should not stop you from picking it up and enjoying it. What you get from first-time Author Sophie Keetch is a massive world and an excellent start to her writing career.

The biggest complaint that people are going to have is that it takes too long for action to happen, but in reality, that complaint should be null in void because the writer is building her Camelot to make it easier for the next two books get right into the thick of it, which leads to all this great stuff you may have missed.

In particular, sexy chess. That was some of the best written games of chess I may have ever read. I mean, I always knew chess was sexy and lead to romance, obviously, but this made it the perfect game for two people to bond and share a connection over. I just need to ask my highschool chess club if they felt the same. Regardless, the author does a tremendous job of filling the book up with lots of stuff that is only going to lead to the next books being better.

To the author, please keep writing! Don't stop because you continue to get better after every page and that is a huge accomplishment in the literary world. I look forward to your next piece of art, whether it be in this genre or something new, I will follow you as far as the pages you write. Good work all around.

As you can see, I liked the book, but don't take it from me. Go out there and get the book and see for yourself what I mean.

Happy reading
Love Always, Chris Humphrey!

Morgan Is My Name by Sophie Keetch was an epic read based on the lore of Morgan le Fay. This story was a slower read set in Camelot times with a huge cast of characters. I liked Morgan's strong personality and her individuality in such an unforgiving setting. It was inspiring to see her grow her powers and ultimately become the woman she was meant to be.

Ever since I read The Magic Treehouse as a kid, I have loved all this Morgan Le Fay, so naturally I had to read this book! And boy did it live up to my expectations.

I loved experiencing parts of the Arthurian legend from a female perspective, since I feel it is so often only focused around the men in the story. We got to watch Morgan grow and deal with all the difficulties life threw at her, from childhood through her early adult years. I believe this is the beginning of the series so I look forward to continuing.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!

It’s a long time since a book carried me back to that time of courtly love and legend with such insistent grace. It’s a lean book, not a thousand-page epic, and yet in my mind’s cinema, drawing on all the Arthurian books and movies indexed through the decades since my first Disney Arthur, it’s a tale far greater than the economical, episodic text that pins it to the page.

Morgan's growing up like any other girl of her era and high position, with only hints of the power she will come to wield, and the force of her hatred for Uther Pendragon. She is intimately relatable to modern girls, and the sidelights on her mother’s life and choices as the reluctant consort of Uther are relatable for older readers. There’s familiar territory for the Arthurian legends and a worthy courtly romance that makes the heart beat faster, that yearns for knights and dancing and candlelight and stolen kisses and secret vows of love and fidelity. For all the fire that burns in her blood for one parfait knight, this Morgan relies on other women in ways and depths that she, and they, could never rely on men—and indeed still can’t. It’s a story of sisterhood for survival in a time when men held all the outward cards. Again, very relatable for modern women. The eruption of Uther into the narrative each time Morgan finds a measure of peace is a storm that reshapes her life and sends it hurtling off in a new direction.

And yet, because we readers raised on Arthurian legend know her doom (or think we do) we cannot but feel the foreboding that looms just over the crest of the hill. We want to change her ending. We hope that this author, with her insights into this prickly but relatable girl, can craft for her an ending that is not, this time, a doom for the ages. We hold our breath. As each turning of the page draws us closer to finding out what chaos Uther’s next thunderbolt will unleash - like a burly Zeus on horseback, his armour rusting in the Cornish rains - we both yearn for and fear the day when Morgan truly comes into her power.

For then her doom will be truly set.

Thank you to @Sophie Keetch and NetGalley for this copy of Morgan Is My Name.

4/5 stars (only because I didn't cry, which is the prerequisite for a 5 star for me).

I love a modern, feminist take on old classics, and this does not disappoint. Sophie Keetch takes us through the youth of Morgan, from Arthurian legend. We see the struggles of a young, powerful, and opinionated Morgan, as she navigates life, love, and the restrictions placed on her due to her sex.

With the aid of strong friendships, and some stubbornness - we see Morgan come into her own, and claim her own power.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada, Random House Canada for the opportunity to review this free eARC. This is my honest opinion.

I have always been fascinated with the Arthurian legends growing up, but I was more interested in Morgan le Fay, why? Part of it was that I identified with her (female in a male focused society), and part of it was that my lineage has always had strong females.

Morgan Is My Name follows Morgan from the age of seven, through her late 20's as she deals with the death of her father, the marriage of her mother to Uther Pendragon, and ultimately her marriage. She deals with learning the lies of men, being more clever than those around her, falling in love, politics, humanity, death, life, and every messy emotion.

I really enjoyed this book, and while this is relatively short, it could have been significantly longer and I still would have enjoyed the story because I liked Morgan and her friend Alys. I loved the feminist take on the typical villainess in the Arthurian tales. This is not like Mists of Avalon, and although there is magic, this is more of a character study with much more realistic influences on the characters.

4 out of 5 stars, highly recommend for those that like feminist takes on male dominated tales.

This book ended up being a somewhat difficult one for me to review as I enjoyed it overall, but had a few issues with it.

Firstly, Keetch's Morgan is a wonderful character. Her interior dialogues and memories make for an interesting take on the Arthurian legend, recasting the motivations of a person usually seen as a villain. Her life is heartbreaking, beginning with the death of her father at the behest of Uther Pendragon. From that point on, Morgan finds herself oftentimes at the mercy of others, mainly the men in her life. It's a harsh reality of the times as Morgan struggles to make her way in an era that treats women as chattel and not worthy of education - it's Morgan's thirst for knowledge that I found most affecting.

And as a feminist revision of the legend, it works for the most part but wasn't as effective as it could have been. There were several times that I felt the depiction of the men in her life were a bit one-note; yes, I see that the author may have been examining toxic masculinity but I felt that the story itself suffered as a result since several of the characters weren't as multifaceted as I would have hoped. In addition, one of the most appealing aspects of the Arthurian legend for me was the strength of Morgan La Fey, of which not much is seen here. I realize that this novel is examining the formative years of Morgan but it leaves off just as she's starting to realize some of her power. As a reader I had hoped to see more of her coming into that strength. As it is , the novel ends at a point where Morgan has taken steps to free herself from her lout of a husband, so it's not quite a cliffhanger but obviously a stop before the next book.

Still, it's an intriguing take on Morgan and the Arthurian legend, with some beautiful language on the author's part. I hope there's a little more plot movement in the next book but I'll be there to see where Keetch is taking Morgan next.

Plot: 4/5
Characters: 5/5
Writing: 4/5

If you are a fan of BBC's Merlin and you felt that Morganna's character was robbed, then this book is for you. In a stunning tale of self-discovery and personal growth, Sophie Keetch's "Morgan is My Name" is a must-read.


One of the standout aspects of this book is Keetch's skillful character development. Morgan is a multifaceted protagonist who undergoes a remarkable transformation throughout the story. Her struggles, fears, and triumphs are portrayed with such depth and authenticity that it's impossible not to empathize with her. The supporting cast is equally well-crafted, each contributing their own unique presence and adding layers of complexity to the overall narrative.


Keetch's prose is beautifully written, evoking vivid imagery and emotions. The author's ability to describe the settings and scenes in a way that immerses the reader in Morgan's world is truly commendable. I found myself easily visualizing the places Morgan visited, feeling as if I were right there beside her, experiencing every joy and heartache.


Moreover, "Morgan is My Name" explores important themes such as self-acceptance, the search for identity, and the significance of personal relationships. Keetch tackles these subjects with sensitivity and nuance, prompting readers to reflect on their own lives and the choices they make. The story is a gentle reminder that embracing who we truly are, flaws and all, is a crucial step towards leading a fulfilling life.


While the pacing of the narrative is generally well-balanced, there were a few instances where the story seemed to lag slightly. However, these moments were quickly overshadowed by the overall richness and depth of the plot. The twists and turns kept me engaged, and I was genuinely invested in Morgan's journey from beginning to end.

One of my favorite things about reading ARCs is that you never know when the next GEM is right around the corner. This book was so flippin good!

I couldn’t stop reading this amazing book. It felt like I was reading an Adult Fairy Tale version of Sword in the Stone meets Camelot! It was full of magic, arranged marriages, forbidden love, court intrigue and stunning Authurian influence and tone. Morgan is the main character who is fighting for the life she wants but it not allowed to live. Her father is murdered by the king who then becomes her Stepfather. Her mother, destroyed by grief, can’t do much to advocate for her daughters but does manage to do what she can. It’s still not enough as Morgan is forced to marry, hide her magical gifting, and leave her family home and lands. We even have an appearance from Merlin and his crazy old earth magic and he is plotting to control the fates of all in the background.

There are so many amazing side characters as well. Even a beautiful sapphic love story on the side! Morgan’s character reminds me of Merida from Brave and Jane from Pride and Prejudice. I absolutely loved this book and would highly recommmend. Usually books like this, don’t hold my interest because of pacing. Not the case with this book at all. I found this pacing to roll in and out like the tides, waves of emotions all through out! Such a beautiful book. Can’t wait for more by Sophie!

3.5 ⭐ I love a feminist retelling of a myth, and after binging on the Greeks for a while it's a refreshing change to explore Arthurian legend. Like many other reviewers have mentioned, I was unaware before finishing the book that it's the first part of a trilogy. So not terribly satisfying as there's no conclusion, just a lot of ground work laid.

I'm also not convinced that it needs to be a trilogy. A lot of "villainous" women (Circe, Clytemnestra, Medusa) have their stories compellingly told within one book. The same formula would have worked here. This book did a great job of introducing a sympathetic and likable version of Morgan, but maybe too much time establishing her husband as the villain. Because Morgan is famous in myth for opposing Arthur, I would've preferred if he became our antagonist in this book, rather than simply sowing the first seeds of their relationship.

Despite that qualm, I will definitely be looking forward to the next books in this series.

Morgan is my name by Sophie Keetch is based on the Welch mythological character Morgan Le Fay, preported to be King Arthur’s older sister. She has been described as a temptress, a fairy, a witch, a goddess, a queen, an Enchantress.
The author wanted to take this mythological character and reimagine her beginnings, and who she was as a young child to adulthood. I love to read novels loosely based on what may have been true events or a real person. Such an interesting concept. This is partly a love story, but mostly a novel about a strong, independent woman with healing powers, trying to navigate a man’s world. Back in the times that this novel is based on, women were reported to be witches and evil, if they were able to heal, and this may be where, and why this legend began of her being a witch among other descriptors. I enjoyed reading this novel and I’m looking forward to reading more of this author’s works.

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and Net Galley for the ARC in return for my honest opinion.