Member Reviews
I loved the sound of this one but for some reason I no longer find myself gravitating towards it which sucks because on paper this should be one I enjoy and maybe even love but I just cannot find the motivation to read it.
I feel so bad and I'm so sorry!!
I loved this so much, it is so powerful a story and I loved how much it shows a strong woman and details her reasons, isn’t apologetic. I loved how much emotion and tension it wrung from me. Thoroughly recommended to all fans of Arthurian myth and legend, especially feminists, be they male, female or non-binary you’ll want to read this
I absolutely loved this feminist retelling of Arthurian legend. It was written so beautifully, the authors writing style is one I would do anything to read again. I cannot wait for her next release! The characters were incredibly well rounded and felt like real people in real circumstances which really heightened the experience for me. Every scene was described beautifully and I found myself struggling to tear myself away!
I have always been fascinated with the character of Morgan le Fay, and it was fascinating seeing this feminist retelling giving her a voice. Loved world and the writing, and will definitely be reading on with the series!
A wonderful feminist retelling of the one we all think of as a villain, Morgan le Fay.
When Morgan’s father dies, she has to abruptly stop her education due to her step fathers wishes. But Morgan won’t be deterred and continues to study in secret.
As she gets older, she starts to discover her hidden powers, powers that may well get her into trouble.
Wonderful writing, had me absolutely hooked.
I loved this retelling and getting to know the characters more. It was an enjoyable read that I couldn't put down. I have read a lot of retellings this year and this is one of the best
A beautiful story that belongs to your not to miss list of 2023 releases.
Morgan Is my name is a well written feminist retelling of a female morally grey character.
The story perferctly encapsulated female rage, grief, passion for revenge and well executioned power hungry main character.
The writing is absolutely stellar with a flowery prose that held my attention for the entirety of the book.
Overall I'd absolutely recommend
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Oneworld Publications for approving me for an ARC of this book.
🪄We have all heard the tale of King Arthur and how he came to be but Morgan Le Fay’s story is often glossed over. Sophie Keetch has given us a fresh take on an old tale and completely enchanted me.
📗I was engrossed whilst reading about Morgan and her dark childhood. I found myself glued to the pages, the pace was spot on and kept me intrigued throughout.
👑Morgan is the kind of protagonist we all yearn for. Strong, determined and full of hope, you not only want her to succeed but you’re egging her on from the sidelines. Despite all the tragedies she faced she still rose up fighting again.
✒️Not only have we been given a fantastic array of characters, but we also have an exquisite setting. I found myself lost in Morgan’s world through the beautiful descriptions and picturesque details.
⭐When I reached the end of the story I turned the page expecting there to be more. I wasn’t ready to leave the world of Camelot, and its characters, behind. As luck would have it I will be returning to them soon as this book is part of a series. I am eager to jump back into the world of Morgan and King Arthur.
Morgan is my Name is an atmospheric arthurian retelling following the early life of Morgan Le Fey - she is a fierce, wise, and rebellious main character. The novel is a very character-driven novel but does have elements of politics, family, and power. It is also a novel full of female rage.
'W-witch,' he rasped. 'She-devil.' 'My name is Morgan,' I said. 'And there aren't enough words for all that I am.
Morgan is my Name is a captivating novel and I'd love a follow-up novel about her later life as this finished just as she was coming into her power, so here's hoping we get one!
I wasn't sure about the book at first as it seemed a bit uneasy style -wise but it soon picked up. Having a secondary character as the LGBTQI+ was an interesting choice especially as their relationship crosses a social divide.
Morgan tempers her courage with wisdom as the plot develops especially due to her enforced time in a nunnery.
The character of Merlin was quite intriguing as was the reimagining of Uther Pendragon . Igraine's quiet courage was subtly portrayed .
A couple of anachronisms " a room full of books" - even the wealthy in those days wouldn't have had this and "the walls needed a coat of paint"
If you are looking for another feminist retelling of the Arthurian legend I would recommend The Mists of Avalon, by Marion Zimmer Bradley as the gold standard.
An enjoyable read which i have recommended to customers.
It's a good retelling and liked it even if sometimes it made me think of Mist of Avalon's Morgan.
A compelling, well told and entertaining story.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I read this one to interview the author and it was really fantastic, as was the interview. We'd love to have her come back and sign when the second is released, and I'm very excited to read it too!
I've never really read or explored the Arthurian myths but this book was brilliant from start to finish and I am already itching to read the next book in the series.
The way that Keetch skilfully manages to mix (possibly) a little bit of magic with just herblore was fascinating and it is sad that it is still all to easy to dismiss women with education/curiosity as unnatural or worse.
"'W-witch,' he rasped. 'She-devil.'
'My name is Morgan.' I said. 'And there aren't enough words for all that I am'
GIVE ME ALL THE FEMINIST RETELLINGS!
'Morgan is My Name' is a retelling of the Arthurian legends we all know and love, all told from the perspective of the 'villain' Morgan le Fay. As readers, we grow with her from a young child where she must deal with her fathers untimely death and her mother's subsequent marriage to a cruel and abusive king - to her growing into both herself as a woman and her powers.
I loved this book, it was emotional, tense and sometimes overwhelmingly infuriating (men!!!!) but more than anything it was a powerful read, and you really learn so much about Morgan and truly understand her reasoning and the position she holds. The writing was lovely, characterisation I felt was very well done and it kept me reading (non-stop might I add) maybe even shed a little tear...but I am V. emosh at all times!
Since finishing the book, I have learned it's a part of a planned trilogy and I cannot wait for the next one now, as although I know the story of Morgan Le Fay...I don't know THIS one!
Thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review - Morgan Is My Name is out now in stores (and with that beaut cover I might have to get the hardback for my collection!)
This was such a good book. I love historical fiction, especially when it is about eras/ situations that I previously knew nothing about and this was definitely one of those books. It was so well researched and so compelling in its narrative that not only did I love reading it but I felt that I learned too. A really enjoyable read and perfect for any fans of historical fiction.
The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, no significant gaps between words and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.
This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and Oneworld for the advance reader copy.
I was very intrigued by this book as I like reading historical fiction and learning more about the women in these legends.
The pacing of the book was weird. Overall it was sluggish but there were parts I feel could have had more.
I also didn’t realise this was the first of a trilogy and am not sure how I feel about that.
This retelling is meant to be more feminist and I don’t think it is. It still feels very male focused and also like the women are there to be abused by their male counterparts.
Overall I’m happy I was able to get through and it was difficult for the first 50-100 pages.
Arthurian legend comes to life in this retelling of Morgan le Fay's early life, from the atmospheric beaches and castle walls of Tintagel through to Camelot and the dawn of a new King. This is the first installment in a new trilogy and while it is likely to go on to cover the legends we all know, Keetch focuses here on Morgan's adolescent years as she discovers her healing powers and fights against Uther Pendragon's cruelty. It was the perfect escapism during a sunny weekend and offered a fresh new perspective on the stories we are so fond of.
It is not an easy task to write a re-telling of an age old story in a completely different way. This feminist perspective of Morgan was empowering to read. In a time period which was strongly patriarchal, the author did a fantastic job in creating this alternative depiction of the Arthurian legend.
I equally enjoyed her portayal of Merlin which was completely different to the friendly wizard we have come to expect from other versions of him. Ms. Keech describes him as a sinister character who Morgan distrusts from the very beginning. As soon as we encounter him we know that the author is offering the reader an engaging alternative of this story.
I loved the strong female characters and relationships in this book; from the time Morgan spends in the nunnery right through to the strong relationship she has with Alys and other secondary female characters. Even her mother, whilst not so obviously a strong female character, is vital in enabling Morgan to receive an education - an avenue not open to women of the period.
It is very much a character driven novel which is told at a sedate pace. The author possesses the ability to inhabit her characters, bringing them perfectly to life on the page.
The prose is beautifully written and I enjoyed reading every word of this fabulous novel. This is the author's debut novel. She is a skilled storyteller and I cannot wait to read more from her.
I absolutely love the legends of King Arthur and the mystic magical world of Merlin and Morgan Le Fay, so from the minute I read the blurb for this book I knew I had to read it. And wow, wow, wow! What an incredible book this is.
Sophie tells the story of Morgan from her birth to that of her first child, son of King Urien of Gore. It follows her early childhood happiness and her passionate love of learning, through the years of cruel control at the hand of Uther Pendragon, to her marriage to Urien, King of Gore. Morgan sings as a character and I truly felt like I was living her story with her. Sophie’s writing is simply beautiful and lyrical and sweeps you away into the worlds of the courts of Britain, their politics and scheming, their vastly contrasting sceneries. Her Morgan is a fearless, spirited young woman, who has utmost loyalty to those she loves and absolute strength and determination as she fights for her freedom and the right to fulfil her true destiny. I cannot wait to continue Morgan’s journey in the next book in this trilogy.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for a review.
Thank you to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for providing an arc.
Honestly, a joy to read. My knowledge of the Arthurian legend was limited, but who doesn't know Morgan's normal role in the story? Watching the event play out was interesting and left me guessing how the story was going to unfold. There are a lot of well-placed seeds for future books. I look forward to seeing what comes next.