This book read a little weird because of formatting issues on my kindle. Some chapters would be fine, and then others the sentences were all broken up and it was honestly a little frustrating. It definitely took away from the reader experience, which is unfortunate because the book was good. So i would possibly recommend checking this in the future for the rest of the series.

I really liked Morgan. I thought that her character has a really interesting route and will continue to change directions in the future. I kind of like the uncertainty of character development here. The author really captures the setting of this book too and i really like like i was in their world while i was reading. Overall i thought it was alright!

From the moment I started reading I was pulled into this budding story. Morgan Is My Name is not full of battle scenes I so commonly refer to when it comes to Arthurian content. Still, it provided a wonderful introduction to the character of Morgan Le Fay, touching heavily on themes of friendship, love, feminine rage and resilience.

This story is filled with sprinklings of magic between each beautifully descriptive chapter from beginning to end, seamlessly combining magic and realism to the point that I felt this was a work of nonfiction. Every character felt purposeful and whole, and every scene was truthful and realistic.

I found Morgan Is My Name, a pleasantly insightful read into a character (based on my research) commonly dipped in negative mysticism. I very much enjoyed this origin story and look forward to reading more from Sophie Keetch.

Side note: As someone not overly familiar with the characters from The Round Table I am interested to see how fans of King Arthur will react.

If you’re familiar with the legends of King Arthur, then you’ll recall Arthur’s half-sister Morgan le Fey. Traditionally characterized as a manipulative sorceress, this is her origin story. As a young girl, her father is murdered by the King of Britain who supplants himself in the castle and the lives of Morgan, her sisters, and mother. Sent away to live in a convent, Morgan discovers her unusual gift of the healing arts (or is it sorcery?), receives a stellar education, and returns to the family home more defiant than ever. With appearances by King Arthur and Merlin, this story is a fresh look at the world of knights and damsels and Camelot.

I loved the character of Morgan. She’s wise beyond her years, fierce, defiant, strong, and such a heroine. The love story between a teenage Morgan and Accolon, a knight-in-training is sweet and enduring. I also loved Morgan’s attachment to the Sea. Being raised in Cornwall, in a castle surrounded by water, Morgan draws strength and a sense of self from the sea. The ending seemed a bit abrupt but in no way detracts from this wonderful feminist retelling of the story of the badass Morgan le Fey.

Thank you @netgalley and @penguinrandomca for the gifted eArc!

This is not my first Morgan le Fay story read this year. I also read The Cleaving by Juliet E. McKenna, which I also gave 4 stars, but if I had to rank these books against each other, Morgan is My Name would rank higher. It was easier to read and easier to connect with the characters. Actually, some of my rating for this book is because by the time the book ended, I felt like it was really just getting started and I wanted more.

I feel like this book deserves a sequel so we can get more of Morgan’s story and life, particularly now that King Arthur is in the story, and I’d love to see more of the relationship between the two characters.

A vast majority of this book deals with Morgan’s life from around age 7 to her mid-20s, mostly covering that time when Uther Pendragon stakes his claim to Morgan’s mother, marries off her sisters to other tribal kings in the area in exchange for soldiers, and basically asserts his dominance as man and “High King.” You can tell a bit what kind of man he is because he always calls Morgan by the name Morgana instead.

But Morgan is strong-willed and wild and defiant when she feels the need to be. She takes lessons, first from the local priest, and then after she is sent away to a nunnery, she takes even more lessons there, where she shows great skill in knowledge and in the laying on of hands, also known as healing arts. She even bonds with another Lady at the nunnery, Alys, who becomes a close friend and confidant. (Side note…Alys has a relationship with another young lady in the book, and Morgan is happy for the both of them, that they have each other and have a good and true “marriage” to each other)

There’s hints of happy romance in the story (I’m mad about how that turned out, because I wanted a resolution and it never happened), as well as magic, but mostly it is Morgan and the other women around her trying and fighting to take up space in the world, and to have some control and agency in their own lives. When Uther marries Morgan off, her husband seems at least halfway decent, but in the years that follow, it becomes clear that he is not nearly so nice.

I don’t want to spoil anything, so I’m not going to say much more, but Arthur doesn’t even show up until like 80% of the way through the book. Before that the book felt both interesting and at times slow. But by the time Morgan is starting to embrace and fight for her power more and her half-brother shows up with his desire for change and to build something new, I was really getting drawn in to the point where the end was disappointing…and not because it was bad. Just because it was there at all. I wanted more. I wanted to see what would happen with Morgan and Arthur, because Arthur listened to Morgan and thought her to be wise.

So, yeah, I want a sequel. I want to see how Sophie Keetch would handle interpreting the rest of the Arthurian legend. I want to see more of Morgan and Arthur and Merlin and the Lady of the Lake.

This is not my first Morgan le Fay story read this year. I also read The Cleaving by Juliet E. McKenna, which I also gave 4 stars, but if I had to rank these books against each other, Morgan is My Name would rank higher. It was easier to read and easier to connect with the characters. Actually, some of my rating for this book is because by the time the book ended, I felt like it was really just getting started and I wanted more.

I feel like this book deserves a sequel so we can get more of Morgan’s story and life, particularly now that King Arthur is in the story, and I’d love to see more of the relationship between the two characters.

A vast majority of this book deals with Morgan’s life from around age 7 to her mid-20s, mostly covering that time when Uther Pendragon stakes his claim to Morgan’s mother, marries off her sisters to other tribal kings in the area in exchange for soldiers, and basically asserts his dominance as man and “High King.” You can tell a bit what kind of man he is because he always calls Morgan by the name Morgana instead.

But Morgan is strong-willed and wild and defiant when she feels the need to be. She takes lessons, first from the local priest, and then after she is sent away to a nunnery, she takes even more lessons there, where she shows great skill in knowledge and in the laying on of hands, also known as healing arts. She even bonds with another Lady at the nunnery, Alys, who becomes a close friend and confidant. (Side note…Alys has a relationship with another young lady in the book, and Morgan is happy for the both of them, that they have each other and have a good and true “marriage” to each other)

There’s hints of happy romance in the story (I’m mad about how that turned out, because I wanted a resolution and it never happened), as well as magic, but mostly it is Morgan and the other women around her trying and fighting to take up space in the world, and to have some control and agency in their own lives. When Uther marries Morgan off, her husband seems at least halfway decent, but in the years that follow, it becomes clear that he is not nearly so nice.

I don’t want to spoil anything, so I’m not going to say much more, but Arthur doesn’t even show up until like 80% of the way through the book. Before that the book felt both interesting and at times slow. But by the time Morgan is starting to embrace and fight for her power more and her half-brother shows up with his desire for change and to build something new, I was really getting drawn in to the point where the end was disappointing…and not because it was bad. Just because it was there at all. I wanted more. I wanted to see what would happen with Morgan and Arthur, because Arthur listened to Morgan and thought her to be wise.

So, yeah, I want a sequel. I want to see how Sophie Keetch would handle interpreting the rest of the Arthurian legend. I want to see more of Morgan and Arthur and Merlin and the Lady of the Lake.

This book is phenomenal! If you have ever been curious about Morgan Le Fay from Arthurian legend, then this is a great view on a seemingly misunderstood character.

This story takes the love and the loss Morgan goes thru and turns it into a tale of power. The number of times I found myself relating to this character! I never have known much when it comes to Arthurian legend, and I'm so happy this is how her story was introduced to me.

I feel like this really can be related to so many other instances, real or fantasy, of powerful women being turned into monsters throughout time. I know I keep using this word, but the power in this book. Morgan's strength is unfathomable, and I will not easily forget her story.

Out June 13, 2023!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

"My Name is Morgan" by Sophie Keetch is a captivating and empowering retelling of the early life of Morgan le Fay, a complex and often misunderstood character from Arthurian legend. In this dazzling debut, Keetch gives voice to Morgan, allowing her to tell her own story as a woman both mortal and magical, formidable and misunderstood.

Sophie Keetch delivers a compelling narrative that skillfully blends elements of historical fiction, fantasy, and feminism. Morgan emerges as a multifaceted and resilient protagonist, challenging societal expectations and defying the limitations placed upon women in her time. Her determination to forge her own path, despite the formidable obstacles in her way, is inspiring and thought-provoking.

Keetch's writing is evocative, transporting readers to a richly imagined world where magic intertwines with the struggles of human existence. The author's vivid descriptions immerses readers in the sights, sounds, and intrigues of Morgan's journey.

"My Name is Morgan" is a tale of strength, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of a woman determined to shape her own destiny. Sophie Keetch's debut novel is a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of reclaiming the narratives of complex female characters from the margins of history. Fans of Arthurian legends and feminist retellings will find much to appreciate in this enchanting and empowering book.

The story of Morgan Le Fay is one over a thousand years in the making, yet Sophie Keetch manages to make her mark. In the sea of Greek mythology, retellings seeing one that focuses on Autherian myth was a pleasant surprise; Morgan is a protagonist who knows that every aspect of her person is power, a witch with a cunning heart. I loved getting to see a story that gave her more than a woman who wields magic.

A feminist retelling of Morgan le Fay. Began very “not like the other girls” and then she became of them, sheltering like her mother with a husband of her own that was worth nothing close to what she was. As the book went on, it feels like the beginning to something broader and it would be nice to see another book, turning this into either a duology or a trilogy. Morgan’s power was just hinted at and begun to be explored over the ten years covered of her practice. To see her truly flourish would be great. The side characters were not fleshed out enough, even Alys, with her interest in midwifery. She was very much relegated to the side and became a non entity at times, even though she was the most important person in Morgan’s life.

As a lover of all things King Arthur, I really adored this new take on the legend. I've always wanted to see the story from Morgan's point of view, and I've always thought that she's been looked over in many other retellings as a one dimensional and secondary character. Or even worse, a one dimensional villain. There are also very few retellings that include her love story with Accolon. This book is definitely a page turner for those that are familiar with the legend, and a great door to discover them for the readers that are not familiar with the King Arthur legends. Morgan is definitely a well drawn character that readers can latch on to and follow through her trials and tribulations. I believe this is a fantastic debut novel and I can't wait to see what this author is preparing for us next.

First, a massive thank you to Netgalley, Sophie Keetch, and Penguin Random House for allowing me to read an ARC of Morgan is My Name in exchange for an honest review! I didn’t realize this book was the first in a planned trilogy when I read it, but once I realized that, everything made a lot more sense. This book is a solid setup for a series, and I can’t wait to see where it goes next.

I love Keetch’s take on the Arthurian setting. I think the success here comes from how rooted this book is in Morgan’s perspective; everything is filtered through her eyes. Tintagel Castle is given its atmosphere by Morgan’s experience of it, and so we as the audience are uniquely immersed in how it changes when Uther takes power. Even when we see Arthur towards the end (which itself is fascinating and I can’t wait to see more of his interactions with Morgan in future books!) he doesn’t immediately consume the narrative, as I feel like often happens in Arthurian lit. Morgan quite reasonably has her own concerns about Arthur, but Arthur himself isn’t at the center of them, so he doesn’t overwhelm the story. Every corner of the world that we see feels not only like we are there, but like we are there as Morgan, which I think is crucial to this book’s introspective narrative style.

One particular detail about the setting I really enjoy is the worldbuilding around magic-- magic isn’t an over-the-top, wondrous gift of vibrance to the world as many versions of Arthuriana seem to prefer, rather an intensely powerful yet hushed, secretive force that’s almost ominous in its presence. Regardless of one’s familiarity with the title character’s story, the seemingly innocent against-the-rules allure Morgan initially finds in magic carries a sharp sense of foreboding that subtly curdles the rest of the world around it as the novel continues. This fascinating, darker Arthuriana roots its lighter moments in Morgan’s own lightness. The setting bends around her. It’s extremely satisfying, immersive, and engaging.

Keetch’s emphasis on Morgan’s voice drives the narrative forward in many more ways than the setting, though. I don’t know if I’d call Morgan a completely unreliable narrator, but the presentation of the supporting cast in this novel seems to be heavily influenced by Morgan’s own mindset. I think Sir Accolon, Merlin, the Lady of the Lake, and Morgan’s eventual husband are all great examples of Morgan’s perception lording over objectivity, mostly in a very good way. The prose itself reflects the centering Morgan is My Name commits to; there are paragraphs upon paragraphs delving into Morgan’s introspection in her own voice, and I for one adore the level of detail afforded to her thought processes through the novel. While I don’t think the writing is necessarily a total standout, it’s solid and approachable in its more languid moments of reflective stream-of-consciousness, and the moments where it is confrontational and action-driven work well without breaking the flow at all. The slow pacing complements the prose style and narrative focus. It reminds me a little bit of a more prosaic, less mythologically grandiose Circe by Madeline Miller.

Obviously, this book’s success hinges entirely on Keetch’s development of Morgan into a realistically flawed, well-rounded, interesting character; Keetch does a decent job on this front. My only issue here is that because this kind of feminist retelling of myth has become a lot more popular and widespread in recent years-- a trend I am extremely glad to see-- it’s a lot more difficult to make these stories and main characters stand out. Morgan, to me at least, is fascinating but not totally exceptional or unique for a work like this. Her relationships with Accolon and her eventual husband don’t help there; the romance in this book takes a lot of power away from its narrative for me, and even the subversion we see with the husband feels tired and a little overdone. The novel is aided in that regard by the remainder of its supporting cast (Morgan’s family, Merlin and the Lady of the Lake, and Lady Alys and Tressa add a lot of color in particular) and setting, but I feel like it isn’t quite as defined and distinct as it would like to be.

With how well-written and interesting I found it to be anyway, though, I’m optimistic that future books in this trilogy will expand upon the world of Morgan is My Name and help it carve out its own space in the genre. This book and series have an absurd amount of potential to be phenomenal; I’m so excited to see Keetch’s work come into its own here!

This book was amazing. I loved the in-depth look into Morgans life and how she weathered all of her obstacles. She felt so human and so real and I loved every minute of it. My only complaint is not knowing what happened to the one character by the end.

A retelling of the early life of Morgan le Fay from Arthurian legend from her perspective.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it started out a little slow. If you are feeling the same, just stick with it! Once Uther Pendragon comes on the scene, you're almost there! Then once Morgan is 15 I think it really gets great. I really enjoyed this perspective too because Morgan is often just off to the side in Arthurian legend tellings, either as the villain, or even less. However, this hit so many good notes. I did think it ended abruptly. I think even an epilogue could have helped end it smoother. I do hope there is another though! I was like ok when are we going to get Morgan le Fay esque power, but this really focused on her getting her powers and learning more about herself. I definitely will read any more that follow this (if they happen) because this was a great, fresh version of Arthur!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Sophie Keetch and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

"Morgan is my name" succeeds in delivering an engaging and entertaining read. Fans of historical fiction blended with fantasy elements will find themselves drawn into Morgan's world, rooting for her as she navigates treacherous waters.

There are times throughout the book that it was a little hard for me to follow the timeline, Morgan's inner dialogue at the beginning of the book did not in my opinion come across as a seven year old. I was really thrown off when it talked about her 8th birthday. I really feel that this could have been resolved with maybe including her age in the chapter headers or something to that effect.

Overall, "Morgan is my name" is a commendable novel that showcases the resilience and determination of its protagonist. It offers a satisfying blend of history, magic, and personal struggles, i would definitely recommend this book if you were looking for an easier quick read.

(Copy and pasted from my Goodreads review posted on the link below)
Thank you to NetGalley for the arc.

Men are such trash. (Except for 1, you'll see who when you read this!)

Sophie Keetch did a fantastic job of bringing this story to life. From incredibly powerful women, to the treachery of men, every single turn had me on the edge of my seat, and celebrating like there's no tomorrow. You truly grow with Morgan as the story progresses.
I highly recommend this to anyone. Whether you know the story of Morgan, King Arthur, and Merlin inside and out, or you only know a little from watching BBC Merlin. Every page is worth it.

Kind of a low three, but was still interesting. Morgan is an intriguing character full of rage and for good read. I thought this is was a great take on her character, though I didn't find myself caring or having any feelings for any other character. It's kind of a character and vibe driven book, so I can see a ton of people enjoying that aspect, but it wasn't exactly for me. Still, I found myself caring for Morgan herself and wanting to know where she'll go from here.

Y’all this book comes out June 13th and you NEED to read it if you love retellings and a strong FMC. Morgan is my name is a retelling of the Arthurian legend that portrays Morgan LeFay in a totally different light than the original. The book takes you through the progression of Morgan’s life from being a child to her young adult years which I loved. The time that was skipped to allow the story to span years felt very fluid and like none of the story was missed.

Because of the longer time frame of the book you get to watch Morgan grow not only as a person but as a woman. I enjoyed watching her learn to value herself more than a man, more than once. She has a rebellious spirit that can get her into trouble but she is such an intelligent woman she can always find a way.

Whenever Merlin comes into the story we know all hell is breaking loose but I liked his depiction. Uther Pendragon is the best kind of villain and somehow Morgan seems to be his kryptonite - always rising above his punishments. Queen Igraine constantly tries to put Morgan in the best situation, at the Queen’s expense.

If you enjoy historical fiction, fantasy retellings and just a superb read that you won’t want to put down then check out the first book in this epic trilogy. I cannot wait to see what becomes of Morgan in the next book!
Thank you to @netgalley, Random House Canada and @sophiekeetch for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book is a whirlwind through and through. I have always enjoyed retellings and variations of classic tales, but this is one of my new favourites. Morgan is relatable and so alive in this book, I sincerely hope that we get to know more of her story soon. I can't recommend reading this book highly enough, it is amazing!

Not the Morgan story I expected, but I absolutely loved this. I was anticipating more drama, or higher stakes, but I think that's because the other books I've read all frame Morgan's narrative around Arthur's road to glory – this tale was all hers.
She's so well developed, growing from a child who bravely (if a bit foolishly) refuses to kneel to a cruel king, into a woman who cleverly bends the rules to claim her own power despite the confines of her role. Morgan's thirst for knowledge was contagious; her curiosity seeped through the page – I've never written something like that, but I can't think of any other way to describe it – and I was cheering for her every step of the way as she fought for her education.
This isn't the story of an evil sorceress, or a dark seductress; it's the tale of a girl who refused to give up on herself growing into her own power, filled with prose that beautifully illustrates her world.
After writing this, I found out this book is the first in a planned trilogy, which I'm thrilled about! I have to imagine future books will have quite a change in pace from this one – I don't think it was too slow altogether, but the plot was somewhat lacking in urgency – as we get into the part of the story we've heard many versions of before, but I really enjoyed reading this nonetheless.

The legends of King Arthur and his court have been tales that I've wanted to dive into for a while now and just haven't had a chance to. So when I saw this book available on NetGalley I jumped at the chance... and was not disappointed. I very much enjoyed this story as I didn't know as much about Morgan's tale compared to the other Arthurian legends. My only complaint is that this book doesn't cover all of Morgan's story, only the beginnings of it, so I'm really hoping there will be another book to continue her story. I recommend this book for anyone interested in the Arthurian legends or are interested in women who overcome the things that life throws at them.