Simply yes.

Morgan is My Name by Sophie Keetch is a debut novel retelling the story of Morgan le Fay, following her from a young age through her 20s. This book absolutely sucked me in from the beginning with the lyrical writing and prose that makes it so easy to imagine the events taking place in the novel. The character growth of the protagonist was fantastic and the pacing was also good! The author does a wonderful job of utilizing time skips to her advantage without making it seem like the audience is missing any context. The ending of this book left me satisfied, but I would definitely be happy if there was more to this world! I’d recommend this if you enjoyed The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd.

5 out of 5 stars!

This ARC was received courtesy of NetGalley and was published June 13, 2023.

Thanks to Netgalley, Oneworld Publications, and Sophie Keetch for granting me an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This would be a 4.5 star read for me if possible, it is that close to a perfect novel in my opinion.

Morgan of Cornwall has a wonderful life with her mother, sisters, and father, in their happy castle. Until Uther Pendragon and his infamous advisor Merlin take it all away. When Uther tries to crush all that Morgan knows, she remains strong and defiant, ending up on a path no one would see coming.

I love when a debut author comes in and knocks me off my feet. I was less than 50 pages in when I started recommending this book to friends. Keetch’s writing is spectacular, flowing naturally and accessible to all while still feeling elevated. She is able to flawlessly create a voice and perspective for Morgan which develops realistically throughout the story.

Keetch does a phenomenal job crafting a magical yet realistically political world. One of the ways this is best shown is through the treatment of women, one of the most overt themes and purposes of the novel. Readers can feel themselves get carried away with Morgan’s skill and magic in female supporting spaces, only to be hit with the weight of sexist oppression in others. It was a well done balance of feeling hopeful and like our hero will beat the odds, while still being reminded of the prejudiced and violent reality for women.

The character of Morgan, as well as the other prominently featured characters, is incredibly well crafted. As a reader I could easily put myself in Morgan’s shoes and understand her choices at each step. It is a sign of a well written character when readers truly empathize with their actions, even if we wouldn’t have acted the same. The villainous characters were well done, using a great blend of realistic political threats over the usual outright violence seen in these kinds of stories. Characters (who will remain unnamed so as to avoid spoilers) who began good and soured over time did so in a way that felt so real that I as a reader felt a personal betrayal.

Ironically, characters were also one of the only things I found at fault with this novel. The only reason being I sometimes wanted a little bit more of the characters background, but I am holding out hope that will come with the rest of this series.

My only other complaint is that I wish there was a bit more action. Although I deeply enjoyed the novel and was hooked through every page, it didn’t have a climax quite deserving of Arthurian legend. However, given that this is the first of a series it makes sense that there will be a bit more build up in this novel, which I expect will play out in the sequels.

Something which fascinated me throughout the book was the handling of magic, medicine, science, and the interwoven nature of the three. This is an incredibly interesting take on a highly magical myth, and I can’t wait to see where Keetch takes it.

“It’s not about you, Morgan. It’s about them - men, their power, their battles, their pride. Everything they do is to provide them with what they need, no matter the cost.”

I am in love with this rich, atmospheric, feminist-rage-fantastic retelling of the Arthurian legend and origin of the one and only Morgan le Fay. 4.5 stars.

Morgan has a happy childhoood until King Uther Pendragon murders her father and manipulates her mother into marriage. Trapped under his control, Morgan refuses to be crushed. While her life may largely not feel like her own, her developing powers are all hers.

Morgan Is My Name is a gorgeous character-driven story of love, loss, growth and discovery. I am excited to read the rest of Morgan’s story as this new trilogy continues.

“We are half of this living world, and no one has ever seen fit to write us down.”

Thank you to Sophie Keetch, Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced electronic copy in exchange for an honest review.

A solid new addition to one of my favorite genres: Retellings of the stories of villainous female side character from a classic story, in this case a Morgan le Fay origin tale.

I enjoyed it. I just wanted it to do more.

[Book:Morgan is My Name] opens with the difficult birth of the future sorceress, and takes us through her childhood and early adulthood as a young wife and mother. We see Morgan’s energetic curiosity, her unwillingness to bend to the High King she loathes for taking her father’s place, her passionate early love and her discovery of her power. It paints Morgan as a fiercely feminist character without making her anachronistically modern. It’s a loving portrait of friendship and a complicated examination of sisterhood and the mother-daughter bond.

Unfortunately, the author ends the story soon after King Arthur takes the crown, and chooses not to continue into the more famous parts of the Morgan-Arthurian legend – their partnership, their conflict. We never see Morgan truly at the height of her power. Was she evil? Was she misunderstood by the men who wrote the later versions of the Arthurian legends? [book:Morgan is My Name] is a bildungsroman but ultimately doesn’t say much new about who Morgan is and why she becomes what she does.

[book:Morgan is My Name] by [author:Sophie Keetch]
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️💫 3.5 stars rounded up
🏇♟️ We love a hot squire
🌿🧙‍♀️ Love that Morgan’s power is focused on healing
🤴🏼👸🏻 Sure are a lot of kings and queens around
📚 When you promise a girl a library, give the girl the dang library!

<i>Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.</i>

This was an easy read, albeit boring. I know this is the start for a trilogy, but I found there was a lack of captivating build-up between events and characters and magic. Although I found Morgan to have a bit of a rebellious streak, I also found her to act like a spoiled brat when she didn't get her way.

Sophie Keetch's debut novel is brillant! Morgan felt like such a fleshed out character, and I loved getting to follow her along on her journey. While being very fantastical, so much of this book felt very real world, which I loved. I'm hoping there will be a follow up to Morgan Is My Name (which by the ending, I feel there will be) because I had such a thrilling time reading this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for providing the ARC of this book.

Sophie Keetch has taken the oft told tale of the origins of King Arthur and given it a new twist, telling the story from the viewpoint of a very young Morgan. The author presents the future "sorceress" as an compelling and sympathetic character - a brilliant and competent woman caught in a world of spoiled, willful and completely inferior men.
Keetch paints vivid pictures of the lush but remote Cornwall coast and the even more remote kingdom of Gore and provides castles rendered in such detail that you almost feel you could step into these ancient halls.
Keetch follows the established the Arthur story closely but the viewpoint allows her to explore and give nuances to a character who is all too often portrayed as merely a villain with no redeeming qualities and turn her into a fiercely strong and loving woman who refuses to be victimized.
I loved this book and highly recommend it.

I really enjoyed this take on the Arthurian legend! Morgan le Fay is a sorceress who, over many years of the legend’s development, began to be portrayed as more and more villainous. This book followed Morgan the woman, not Morgan the villain, and I really enjoyed watching this character be at the forefront.

It was incredibly well-written, and this first instalment in her story carefully peeled back the layers of the character over the years that were laid out in this book. I didn’t actually know that it was the first book in a trilogy at first, and felt that it was moving sort of slowly, but once I learned that it was the beginning of a longer story it made sense. It isn’t necessarily slow in a bad way — rather, it is methodical in its approach to introducing the reader to Morgan and the things we root for her to achieve, as well as the things that cause us to be angry and frustrated on her behalf. All in all, it was a beautiful story that is definitely the start of a fantastic trilogy!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In this deeply evocative feminist retelling of the early life of Morgan le Fay, Sophie Keetch has beautifully and painfully portrayed the atrocities men have wrought against women, even in legend and myth, and how women have fought against that. The theme of found family is prevalent, as well as the pursuit of knowledge and learning to be yourself, even when others don't want you to be.

In most stories of Arthurian legend, Morgana is portrayed as an evil sorceress, bent upon destroying Arthur and his kingdom. This reimagining is anything but that, casting Morgan in an entirely different light. I could also see this as perhaps a villain origin story, which I always appreciate. Learning "the other side of the story" seems to be a central theme in this book, realistic in that, of course, the men telling the story have made the powerful woman an evil sorceress of myth and legend. I very much appreciated the woman's side to this, and it felt very grounded and wholly true-to-life.

Not knowing much about Arthurian legend, only from some book and TV show reimaginings, I really loved learning more about backstory and characters that Arthurian retellings don't usually focus on. I loved learning more about Morgan's life and relationships. The female friendships were so heartfelt and beautiful, and the familial relationships between sisters and mother had so much depth to them.

The writing was atmospheric and extremely immersive, and the descriptions of the landscapes created absolutely beautiful pictures in my mind.

I loved how the magic was portrayed in this book, being quite different from other magic systems in Arthurian retellings and other fantasy novels. The healing aspect was super interesting and creative, and I absolutely love that Morgan, the evil sorceress of legend, had an affinity for healing people and delivering babies into the world!

The only thing that makes this a 3-star review instead of higher is that this is a very character-driven story and I prefer more plot-heavy novels.

Morgan Is My Name is an immersive and exceptionally realistic portrayal of life for an independent and powerful woman in a time where that brands you as wholly different and unwanted. The lesson of learning to be who you are and not hardening yourself and your ambitions in order to meet others perceptions and expectations of you was incredibly poignant and made for a great backstory for Morgana of legend. A must-read if you enjoy Arthurian legend and for those who enjoy aspects of found family and relationships that endure no matter what.

*I received this eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review."

I loved this story! In an atmosphere where retellings are plentiful, this was a strong stand out. The feminine power that wove through Morgan’s story was incredible, and Sophie Keetch managed to do the legend justice and not be swallowed up by it.

A retelling of Morgan Le Fay from Arthurian legend, this book follows the same vein as Circe, Elektra, and other novels about women in myths who have been painted as an antagonist.
This novel only explores Morgan Le Fay’s story up to Arthur’s coronation and the birth of her son, which bummed me out cause I was looking forward to her whole story, so I hope there might be a follow up book.
Overall, this was an average read for me. It was enjoyable, but nothing too stellar or remarkable.

I cannot recommend this novel enough! Keetch's prose is evocative and lyrical, painting a vivid picture of the Arthurian world, its rugged beauty, and stark realities. Her characters are multi-dimensional, each with their own desires, fears, and motivations that make them captivating and human. She has crafted a narrative that does justice to Morgan, its complex heroine, upending the traditional tales and reframing them through a feminist lens. Loved it!! Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Canada for the advance review copy.

Oh. Oh I liked this. Quite a lot. The last few feminist retellings I picked up were flat and disappointing, but Morgan is My Name really hit the spot.

If you’re a fan of Arthurian legends, this is a good take on Morgan le Fay’s childhood and early adulthood. It’s poetic and romantic and stunning.

Each bit revealed more about Morgan that will make so much sense if you’re familiar with any popular version of the legend. There’s not a single plot point that I would remove. It’s a quick read and it’s incredibly compelling.

This book was so different than I thought it would be, and I was totally here for it all. This one was amazing!

Morgan le Fay is one of the most well known characters in British mythology. But what do we know about how she became the evil sorceress that she was? This story begins with her childhood, giving us the politics of the time, we see her beloved father murdered so the king, Uther Pendragon, can marry her mother. He quickly changes her life for the worst, she and all the women in her life are used and abused as pawns in the political machinations of Pendragon. We see her love and lose, carted off to a nunnery until she is finally married off in a political alliance. As she is passed along paths she has not chosen, she gathers as much education as she can, immersing herself in cures and healing that would have her accused of nothing less of witchery. In the end, her path finally crosses the Arthur of legend and sees her challenging Merlin.

I really enjoyed this story and the will of Morgan in a world where challenging women are often easily cut down. The writing was immersive and I found myself lost in ancient Britain really easily. I loved her need for knowledge and her interest in the healing arts. I actually wish there was a little more of that. We do get an ending but it's clearly an opening to many more stories in this world which I like and is slightly disappointing, I would have loved a punchy ending to such a powerful woman's story.

Read this if you enjoyed Kiersten White's Camelot Rising series

Thanks to Oneworld Publications for gifted access via Netgalley. All opinions above are my own. I did go on to purchase a copy.

this book is exciting and well written, the characters jump off the page and I enjoyed reading it. It is not my favorite novel and I am not super passionate about it, but I am sure to the right audience it would appeal. It has a feminist perspective, and adventurous main character and well developed plot.

This is a retelling of Morgan Le Fay of the Authurian legend. It starts in childhood as her father is sent off to war and killed. The King, Uther Pendragon demands her mothers hand in marriage and she relents to protect her daughters. Morgan’s fiery spirit and stubbornness brings Uther’s ire as both of her sisters are married off and sent away. Until finally he sends her to a nunnery to be rid of her. Unbeknownst to Uther, Morgan would study healing arts and much more she had been denied before. She also discovers a secret power growing in her. Morgan also meets Alys and they plan to become nuns when they become old enough, only for Morgan to be summoned back to court to be married off. Under threat she relents. But she is much more resourceful and cunning than anyone could give her credit for and she will thrive in a world meant to push her down.

This was a wonderful retelling of the legend from Morgan’s view. Painting her as more sympathetic than straight up villainess. Watching her grow gives so much more perspective to form the story, as well as show the world can’t be black and white. I had read this thinking it a stand-alone, but the ending left so much more room for expansion as it seemed to only start to get into the heart of the legend. I got Mist of Avalon vibes from this story and will read more if there is more. Morgan is such a strong character and I cannot wait to see what is next for her, in this story.

Rating 3.5 stars
*I received a review copy from NetGalley for my voluntary and honest review

Morgan is My Name is a beautifully written feminist retelling of the villainess Morgan le Fay.

Until her father’s death, Morgan had a happy childhood. Morgan’s hatred for her father’s killer, King Uther Pendragon, ignites when he tricks her mother into marrying him. Morgan’s parents allowed and encouraged her to pursue her education. But the king strictly forbids it, only allowing her to pray.

However, with the help of her father’s priest, she continues her education in secret. As she grows up, she falls in love and learns she possesses special powers. Powers that might cast her as a witch in the eyes of men. Powers that might rival Merlin, the king’s sorcerer.

I know next to nothing about Arthurian Legend, but when I saw that this was being touted as a feminist retelling from the villainess’s pov, I snatched it up immediately.

And I’m glad I did because the writing is beautiful and captured my attention immediately. It is a slowly-paced character-driven novel. Morgan’s voice seamlessly transitions from that of a child to a young woman. We see Morgan’s hatred for the king and the constraints of her time spill over.

The ending has me itching for more Morgan. After some Googling, it seems like Morgan’s story is just getting started, and this is the beginning of a trilogy.

If you like retellings, I’d highly recommend giving this a go.

4.5 rounded up.

Thank you to Random House Canada for providing an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

https://booksandwheels.com

This book is a solid addition to the modern Arthurian retellings. It doesn't stray from the main medieval version of the story, but it does fill in the gaps. For example, I've always been struck by the link in Malory about how Morgan went to a nunnery where she learned necromancy as it seems contradictory. But in this book, the author provides an explanation for that and it fits really well into the story. We also get to see how her relationship with Accolon started and developed.

I'm assuming there will be another book (or more) after this one as it ends early in Arthur's reign and there's still much of Morgan's story to tell.

Minor quibble: In the conversation Morgan and Accolon have about playing chess, he mentions that the queen can move in any direction as many spaces as she wants. But that wasn't true in the rules of chess in the Middle Ages. The queen could move only one space at a time. The more power moves are a later development of the game.

When I saw that the story of Morgan le Fay was about to be released, I just could not resist. Another addition to my herstorical fiction file. I’ve really enjoyed the female perspectives on stories that I thought I knew so well.

Let’s be honest, this story is fiction based on fiction; it takes the male bias that villainized strong women and turns it on its head to make “the man” the bad guy. It is often said that history is written by the victors, well now herstory is being written by the imaginative.

The story of Morgan that I know comes from bits and pieces from movies and books. She was never the star but an obstacle to overcome. Keetch has a base story to work from, but I think that she can take a great deal of latitude on the finer details. She really made Morgan her own.

I like what Keetch did with the story, she took what could arguably be the most famous villainess from English history and myth (yes, you could debate Grendel’s mother) and she created a sympathetic character. I was on her side. I know that things will turn out badly for Morgan, but she is going to take some of those bad guys down with her.

I’m pretty sure that Morgan Is My Name is intended as the first in what should be a trilogy, there is a lot of great story left to be told, with some death and destruction that I am really looking forward to. Who could want for anything more? I could!

*4 Stars