I knew only a little of Morgan Le Fay from the Camelot stories I read in my youth. I'm this new story that dives deep into this mystical character, you will be utterly compelled and swept away.

"My mother was marble, her strength cool and smooth and patient; I was dark and made of shards, formed under pressure in places light did not reach. I was flint, and always had been."

This is such a stunning book, I knew nothing of Morgan Le Fay before reading this, but I grew up fascinated by King Arthur, Merlin and Camelot so it was great to read a woman's side of the story.

Morgan is a healer by nature and when she's sent away from Tintagel to a nunnery by her step-father, the new King of Britain, it seems at first that her learning is over. It is however just the beginning for Morgan as she receives a full education and makes a lifelong friend in Alys.

Returning to Tintagel years later, Morgan is reunited with her true love, but her step-father has other plans for Morgan...

This story had me swept up in its magic, in Cornwall, Wales and the North. So beautifully written and I was hooked after the first couple of chapters. I hope there will be a sequel!

DNF at 27%

I had high expectations based on the synopsis of an Arthurian retelling about Arthur’s Half sister Morgan le Fay (and I love retellings). I was pulled in from the prologue, it was so good but then it slows down and drags.

Pacing is all over the place, sluggish and slow as the story is dragged out and apparently will be book 1 of a trilogy. Honestly the retelling could be done in 1 book instead of 3 and would be much better written. It drags out the story so much that it makes me not want to pick it up or have any interest in reading a whole series especially because it starts when Morgan is 8 but then we suddenly skip to her being 15 so clearly the author knows she can skip around to tell the whole story in 1 book.

The writing style is just not my cup of tea with so many words written but so little being said to move the story or develop the character.

It’s also less fantasy and more romance than expected. I could not care less about Morgan’s childhood in this much detail and want to hear the powerful feminist story being taken back from all the Arthur legends painting Morgan in a terrible light, like I was promised. Another novel that has an amazing concept but lacks in execution.

Other than childish squabbles with her two sisters, Morgan’s life is idyllic. Her parents are in love, she has near free-reign of the island castle they call home, and her father is even teaching her his way with birds. Then disaster strikes in the form of King Uther Pendragon. In the course of a single terrible night Morgan’s life is turned upside down and her future is changed forever. Only with the help of close friends and her well-sharpened wits can Morgan hope to survive her new life with any semblance of happiness or freedom.

This book has a slow, but absorbing plot which made hours feel like seconds whilst I was reading it. Morgan is a hugely engaging character with a fire-starting mix of compassion and anger. Each time her freedom is taken from her she finds a new way to thrive and new friends to help her. Despite her limited power she easily overshadows all other characters in the book. Even King Arthur, with his tragic and mysterious past, holds little interest in comparison.

My only disappointment with this book was the abrupt ending. It wasn’t the glorious rise to power I was anticipating, or even a brutal ending blow to devastate the reader. However, this perhaps did match the slow tone of the book with underlying tension. Rather than a real ending for Morgan, she is shown as entering yet another new beginning. The only difference is that this is a new start she has chosen for herself.

I’m not sure if Sophie Keetch is planning a second book, but I would personally love to find out where Morgan’s life takes her next.

A solid 4 for a solid start to the story of Morgan le Fay.
She's certainly a lot more fun than King Arthur (who I can't think of now without summoning a picture of Graham Chapman and the Python crew trotting along being accompanied by Terry Gilliam on the coconuts).
Back to Morgan who remains an interesting part of the Arthur myth. A powerful sorceress in her own right, a wife, mother and sister. Sophie Ketch certainly brings her to life in the first of this trilogy.
This book's only drawback is the fact that it is the first and therefore is setting the scene for the more interesting part of Morgan's life bit it is important to get those seeds right.
Sophie Ketch does it very well. As you'd expect with the first act there's quite a bit of treachery and deception but there's also friendship, love and some magic. With a action packed start and a lull in the middle, it certainly picks up the pace at the end.
A good start and I'II certainly be looking out for the next part of Morgan's story.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with this ARC.

I am extremely impressed with this author and this book.
Along the narrative it was obvious the attention given to a female perspective, often forgotten but extremely important. This novel presents Morgan in different ways - woman, mother, friend, sister. I was totally immerse in this story since the very beginning therefore a 5 star rating is truly deserved.

Morgan is My Name is a fantastic retelling, building an enthralling and rich story.

This was an unexpected treasure for me. I love a good feminist retelling steeped in myth and legend and this gave me that and so much more. The story of Morgan le Fay is one that I am only familiar with through other adaptations and retellings, so I was excited to see Keetch’s take on it. This was a deeply layered story, digging into politics, familial relationships and power dynamics. It is an incredible blend of gritty political realities of kingdoms and their nobility, with bloodshed and patriarchal power, and fantastical elements that deeply intrigued me. I am so excited to see how Keetch builds on both of these for the following parts.

The pacing of this story is incredible and I love how it simmers with feminine rage. Watching Morgan’s awakening and her wisdom as she moves from tiny rebellions to larger power plays is fantastic. Her narrative voice is arresting and complex, three-dimensional and all too flawed and human. Keetch’s prose is so clean and engaging, full of detail and sensory immersion. This beauty is contrasted by the very keen sense of danger Morgan is constantly facing. As an educated and powerful woman in a male dominated world, she is always having to fight. The looming menace of Merlin in this story and other smaller elements promise to re-emerge in the future, with some very interesting set-ups. Keetch weaves the familiar elements we all know and twists them in unexpected and surprising ways. This is a truly special book that I absolutely loved. In terms of the future, just know I am incredibly eager to read the next part immediately!

Morgan is My Name is a spark that catches fire and I cannot wait to see what inferno Keetch builds.

Morgan is My Name by Sophie Keetch presents a feminist retelling of the early life of Morgan le Fay, a famed villainess from Arthurian legend. The book aims to give voice and agency to Morgan, portraying her as a more complex character and redeeming her villainous image. Set against the vibrant backdrop of chivalry, the story follows Morgan as she takes control of her fate after her father's murder and her mother's forced marriage to King Uther Pendragon. Keetch's book delves into the challenges faced by women in a world dominated by men, where castles isolate them and courts breed gossip. While the book offers an intriguing perspective on a well-known character, it could have benefited from a more streamlined editing process, resulting in a slimmer and more focused narrative. The pacing specifically felt sluggish. The stretching of Morgan's story over a trilogy may deter some readers. Nevertheless, fans of Arthurian legend will find elements to appreciate in Keetch's portrayal.

— 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 —

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Morgan Is My Name
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: Book 1 of 3
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Sophie Keetch
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Mythology Retelling
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 15th June 2023
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝: 16th May 2023
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 5/5

”’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 feminist retelling of the Arthurian legendary characters, Morgan le Fay. This retelling depicts Morgan trapped at the mercy of kings whilst a furious, rebellious fire burns within her.

For me this story was told in two halves. The first half followed a plot of forbidden love between Morgan and a squire, whilst the second half shows Morgan in an arranged marriage.

Some themes were wholly present throughout the entirety of the story such as political court intrigue and firm female friendship. Both tropes I absolutely adore and ones that are explored incredibly well in this book.

Morgan as a character is fearsome, yet there are aspects that make her character appealing to an audience; her loyalty to her friends, her willingness to heal others at detriment to herself, and her steely personality which makes fast decisions are just three reasons why I found myself adoring her. In all the tales I’ve heard of Morgan le Fay (mainly media) she is depicted as the villain, and this is a worthy villain origin story.

Also, throughout the entire book, I found the pacing excellent. I actually had to force myself to put this story down so I could get some sleep and found myself immediately wanting to pick it back up again as soon as I woke. That truly is the sign of a great book!

I thought that the authors writing was flawless, there are undertones of foreshadowing feminist rage that complete the image of Morgan as a strong willed, wise, and feisty female character.

I knew this book would be right up my street when I read the blurb, but Morgan Is My Name is nothing short of epic and I cannot wait for the next installment.

—Kayleigh🤍
@ Welsh Book Fairy🧚‍♀️✨

The writing was good, but I don't know exactly what was supposed to be so incredibly"feminist" about this retelling. There's a message there in the end but specifically marketing it as feminist retelling was a bit misleading.
The female characters surrounding Morgan are too shallow for my liking and I didn't like the relationships between herself, her mother and her sisters. There was nothing empowering until *SPOILER ALERT*
she walks out on the end after years and years of letting things happen to her and not standing up for herself. This particular issue isn't necessarily feminist only.
I didn't feel any attachment to Morgan and I didn't like how the story ended.
I've read most of the Arthurian novels and I greatly prefer Mists of Avalon as (if you're able to separate the author from her work).

I can recommend this if you're new to Arthurian stories and would like a nicely written novel, but for me personally it fell flat compared to other books.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I read an eARC of this book so thank you to Net Galley, the author and the publisher for allowing this.

I’ve been out off retellings lately, there’s so many of them and a lot aren’t great. Morgan is My Name has restored my faith. This is an excellent Arthurian retelling from the perspective of Morgan, Arthur’s half sister.

I would recommend checking content warnings for this book, there’s violence against women which was quite upsetting.

Morgan is a strong, intelligent, loyal character. She refuses to cower from her horrible step father. She refuses to give up her education. Her life is dominated by men trying to limit her and she refuses to accept it. She never forgets the wrongs done to her family.

This was well written, compelling. I stayed up late to finish it because the writing was exciting and I was invested in, and rooting for Morgan. Highly recommend.

I absolutely devoured ‘Morgan is my name’ on a lazy bank holiday Monday. It is a villain origin story of the famous Morgan Le Fay of Arthurian Legend. It follows Morgan of Cornwall, the youngest of 3 sisters through her childhood, dealing with her fathers death and her mothers forced remarriage to the abusive king Uthur of Britain and her coming of age and into power.

I loved it. Keech has made Morgan a very sympathetic character, strong of will but with vulnerability, Tomboy-ish and learned, but aware of her own feminine allure. She is a woman out of her own time, but the strength of this novel is not just in her, but in the kinship of the women who support her. It is a story of the quiet rebellion of women in history, of how women supported women in the face of abusive men and the world built around them. It is very loosely fantasy, set in the world of Arthur and Merlin, but the magic is only a very small part of the story and weaves perfectly into the story. I would categorise its heart as more historical fiction and I found some of its low fantasy realism to be very immersive in the way I enjoy historical fiction.

This book can be read as a standalone, but I was very pleased to find it is part of a planned trilogy and I will be purchasing the books as they come out. ‘Morgan is my name’ is set to come out on the 15th of June and is strongly rumored to be a British book box pick for June. Either way, I’d recommend you check it out as I think it is my first 5 star review of the year.

5/5

Trigger warnings:

Rape by deception
Miscarriage
Domestic abuse

{AD|GIFTED} Retelling the story of Morgan le Fay, MORGAN IS MY NAME challenges the literary evolution of Morgan from a benevolent character to one vilified by numerous male authors. The author presents a complex depiction of a fascinating character beginning with her early childhood and ending with the birth of her first son. In around 350 pages, the reader becomes utterly invested in Morgan as the storytelling feels so powerfully real. It's an emotional and compelling story that I connected with in so many ways.

I savoured every word of this extraordinary debut, lingering over beautifully constructed sentences, and lilting prose. Its style reminded me very much of Circe and fans of Madeline Miller will not be disappointed. Morgan enthrals the reader from the very first chapter and I can't recall a more spellbinding character I've read recently. This is the first book in a planned trilogy and I'm already eager to continue alongside Morgan on her journey.

A fiercely feminist retelling of the unforgettable Morgan le Fay.

Morgan is my Name by Sophie Keetch
Publication date 15 June 2023

I was absolutely blown away by this book and found myself bereft when it ended. Morgan is my Name is such a beautiful, lyrical retelling of the early life of Morgan le Fay, sister to King Authur.

Sophie Keetch really brings Morgan to life in this feminist retelling - the fire in her will not be diminished. Admittedly, I did not know too much about the legend surrounding King Arthur other than the very basic tale and I was intrigued to learn Morgan is traditionally portrayed as a villaness as I absolutely adored her character in this book and I when i grow up I want to be her! She is a force to be reckoned with - shrewd, loyal, strong willed, fierce, stubborn and determined.

I don't want to spoil the plot for anyone but we follow Morgan from her early childhood on the island of Tintagel to her teens in St Brigids nunnery where she was later sent to live, and then to her early years as a young woman, wife and new mother. We witness how the death of her father, the forced remarriage of her mother to the conniving High King of Britain, finding out what it is to love, self discovery, and later an increasingly violent marriage shape Morgan into the woman she becomes, and perhaps always was meant to be.

"I was dark and made of shards, formed under pressure in places light did not reach. I was flint, and always had been."

Magic, love, friendship, brutality, betrayal, hatred, cruelty, longing and womanhood are exquisitely written about. An absolute joy to read and wonderfully evocative.

"We were water then, fluent, indivisible; a lake in a rainstorm, rippling with life; a waterfall colliding with itself in tumult and thrill; a river in spring thaw, wild and unceasing, rushing to meet the salt embrace of the sea."

I made so many notes of things I wanted to say about Morgan is my Name while I was reading, but my words can do no justice to just how good this book is - all I can say is you simply just have to read it!

I was overjoyed to learn that there will be a follow on from the first book - I cannot wait to read the rest of Morgans story! For now though, this one gets all the stars and more if I could give them. Highly recommended indeed.

Thank you to Netgalley and Oneworld publications for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.

This started so strongly I was worried if the rest of the book would find it hard to follow but thankfully it just got better and better. I loved the weaving of myth and the authors own story intertwined. Really great powerful read

I do love historical novels, but have never read any set around this time period of Arthurian legend. This book was an absolute joy to read, and I felt bereft when it ended. The characters were well drawn, the pace was excellent, and it was a great story. I sincerely hope there are more books to follow. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review of the book.

I was SO excited to have the opportunity to read Morgan Is My Name. I've long been a fan of all things Arthurian and this first instalment of the trilogy was a brilliant first step back in time and hearing Morgans story.

With so much speculation as to the truth behind the myth of King Arthur, creative license can really be used and what I loved most about Morgan Is My Name is that it wasn't excessive; there are no dragons (yet?) but there is plenty of sorcery, betrayal and feeling to make this an impressive historical fiction.

Plenty of mentions of Tintagel and the surrounding areas of Cornwall add weight to the story, and towards the end we are entering the world of the much-debated Camelot.

Underneath it all - the feminist message is clear (let's face it... I love a feminist message), and I can't wait to see how the story develops, not just for Morgan herself but Alys and Tressa too.

Morgan Is My Name has earned a place of pride on my bookshelf already and the stunning first edition signed copy was pre-ordered before I even finished the book!

An excellent first novel in what I hope will be a series of books about Morgan le Fay. The traditionally evil sorceress of the Arthurian romances has been reimagined here as a woman whose family was torn away from her by Uther Pendragon, who found her calling as a healer in a convent but was forced to marry Urien of Gore and suffered through an increasingly abusive marriage. It is a story of lost and found family, of a woman who looks for love and fulfilment despite the limitations placed on her by her society and through it all the threads of otherworldly power and sorcery that she discovers in herself. I do hope there is more to come.

A solid 4 for a solid start to the story of Morgan le Fay.

She's certainly a lot more fun than King Arthur (who I can't think of now without summoning a picture of Graham Chapman and the Python crew trotting along being accompanied by Terry Gilliam on the coconuts).

Back to Morgan who remains an interesting part of the Arthur myth. A powerful sorceress in her own right, a wife, mother and sister. Sophie Keetch certainly brings her to life in the first of this trilogy.

This book's only drawback is the fact that it is the first and therefore is setting the scene for the more interesting part of Morgan's life bit it is important to get those seeds right. Sophie Keetch does it very well. As you'd expect with the first act there's quite a bit of treachery and deception but there's also friendship, love and some magic. With a action packed start and a lull in the middle, it certainly picks up the pace at the end.

A good start and I'll certainly be looking out for the next part of Morgan's story.

Morgan Is My Name is the story of Morgan le Fay's battle to follow her destiny in the face of male power and oppression in the Arthurian world. It's an engrossing and well-written book and an enjoyable read.