An absolutely brilliant sequel to Morgan is My Name, similarly spanning several years and a number of twists and turns. The journey Morgan goes on in this book towards her embodying the name of le Fay was so fun to read but at times heartbreaking and infuriating. The writing is so readable, with beautiful descriptions and excellent character development, and it makes for a fun read, with substance, that will keep you gripped. I'm so invested in Morgan's story and rooting for her to create absolute chaos in the next installment... I don't know how I'm going to be able to wait for book 3!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the e-ARC of this book!

A gorgeous second installation to the Morgan le Fay series. Cannot wait for the next one!!

As someone who grew up loving Arthurian legend and the tv show Merlin, I was so excited to get to read this series. The second book is my favorite so far, the character development and action exceeds that of the first, which understandably works more on world building and introducing characters.

As we follow the life of Morgan, and the interaction with the other characters of the realm we discover betrayals, magic, romance, friendship, and so much more. This stunning retelling really honors Morgan and her story.

Feminist retellings are so powerful at the moment and this is definitely one worth reading.

The story:
Having escaped her cruel husband, the King of Gore, Morgan is living with her young son Yvain under the protection of her half-brother King Arthur in his shining new city of Camelot. But beneath the surface, danger is once again threatening to shatter Morgan’s fragile stability. Her relationship with the king’s beloved wife Guinevere is increasingly strained, her hatred of the mysterious Merlin is unabated and her husband is an ever-present threat. And when a face from her past returns to court, Morgan is set on a path that might lead to unparalleled power, but may also put everything she loves in danger…

My thoughts:
“Le Fay” is the second instalment in author Sophie Keetch’s retelling of Arthurian myth, from the point of view of famed sorceress and villain Morgan le Fay (following book one, “Morgan Is My Name”).

Having fled her husband, the unpleasant and unfaithful King Urien of Gore at the end of the first book, the story picks up nearly 2 years later with Morgan now living in Camelot. Morgan has become a trusted advisor of the king, but is still a step away from what she desires — a seat on his council; something unheard of for a woman, but that Morgan sees as her right and the best way she can serve Arthur.

In the last book, Accolon of Gaul, Morgan’s great love, rode away from her, with each believing that the other no longer cared. His return to court inevitably leads to revelations, and it’s not long before the two find each other again. But given Morgan’s married status, and that her safety in court is only guaranteed as long as she has the king’s good favour, the relationship seems no less doomed than it ever was.

Morgan herself has grown from the girl we met in book one, but still contains strength, passion and determination, treating life as a puzzle to be solved or a battle to be won. It is this that leads her to the very last place she wants to be — under the tutelage of the wizard Merlin, the man Morgan holds responsible for the death of her father and her mother’s forced marriage to Uther Pendragon.

At heart, Morgan is a healer, and this has driven many of her actions throughout her story so far — the desire to seek knowledge freely and to use that knowledge to help others. Under Merlin, or rather, his enigmatic (and reluctant) companion Ninianne, she discovers unknown depths to her powers. But she also makes a powerful enemy, and it is this that leads to tragic consequences as this book reaches its climax.

Once again, this was a great read and added new depth to my enjoyment of tales of King Arthur. Morgan is a heroine both to love and fear, and I am both anxious to read more and scared to find out what happens in the next part of her story!

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

This is a fantastic follow-up to Morgan is My Name. A worthy successor to an amazing book. We start to see Morgan expanding in her personal power while having her standing in the court diminish. She suffers new challenges and is driven to drastic change through the callousness and cruelty of others.

This is a tale of an inspiring woman who refuses to be cowed, refuses to be a possession, to give in to the unfair demands of others and have her life dictated to her whether by those she loves or those she despises or disdains. Because of this, she is forced to make some extremely difficult choices and suffers great loss and sacrifice. This was a surprising novel and I often wasn’t sure where the author would choose to take the story.

This series is one of the most exciting feminist retellings of Arthurian tales, in a space where we’re seeing more and more of these. Excited to see where this goes next!

The follow-up to *Morgan Is My Name* is indeed fantastic! This series, which reimagines the story of Morgan le Fay, deserves much more attention. I can understand your excitement for the third book—it's always thrilling to anticipate the next installment in a captivating series.

Having really enjoyed Morgan is My Name, I was very pleased to be able to read the second book. It picked up where the first left off - the reader really needs to have read the first book to grasp the interplay of characters. The book rattled along and was an enjoyable and easy read. In terms of historical fiction, this is a period which I haven't read much about, despite the enduring pervasiness of the Arthurian legend. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review of the book.

Magical, furious, exciting - I’m still loving this different slant on Arthurian Legend.

Following directly from ‘Morgan is My Name’, Morgan is living a safe but unhappy life in Camelot under her brother’s protection. Except when an old flame returns, her estranged husband demands their young son and Arthur becomes fixated on Morgan tutoring under Merlin, her safe life is shattered. But is safe better than being free?

Slowish start but once it gets going it picks up so much momentum.
I think this the most nuanced and relevant retelling of the myth I’ve ever read. Morgan has always been one of the most interesting characters and Keetch has brought her to life.
I love the blend of magic, medieval oppression, romance and family. It’s such an all rounder of a series.
I also love how much ground and time these books cover, once Keetch has set the scene she really gets on with the story and I LOVE that it’s not drawn out.
In this world, no one is purely good or bad and you can understand their motivations, even if you disagree and this is just brilliant writing.

Really looking forward to book three!!

Thank you to #netgalley and #magpiebooks for my #arc

Le Fay is the second instalment of Sophie Keetch’s trilogy that unravels the life and myth of Morgan from Arthurian legend.

I’m a big fan of retellings of myths and legends from the women’s point of view, seeking to breathe life into characters that have often been maligned or less explored in favour of male heroes. I have especially enjoyed stories that centre ‘difficult’ women - Hera by Jennifer Saint springs to mind as a recent example - and Le Fay is no exception.

Keetch has fantastic skill at creating a depth of character in Morgan that vividly paints her as complex, flawed, principled and passionate. Morgan is no 2D villain - she is misunderstood and betrayed, protective of those she loves and unapologetically powerful.

This part of the trilogy also explores Morgan’s increasingly complicated and difficult relationship with her brother Arthur as she tries to navigate the political machinations of those surrounding him like his queen Guinevere and - of course - Merlin.

Morgan makes excellent decisions and terrible ones too, and grows into her power and anger in ways that will make you in turn thrilled or despairing, but Keetch’s skill with characterisation means there is no choice but to take your heart with Morgan each step towards her destiny.

I can’t wait to find out how the story develops in what will surely be a stunning end to this series.

Thank you to @oneworldpublications and @sophiekeetchauthor for an advanced copy of this book for review. Le Fay is out on the 18 July!

I will post on my instagram @charlottereadshistory on 16 July.

This book was SO good!
I loved the first book and have been counting down the days until I could find out what happens next to Morgan. From the first page I was right back in the world that Sophie Keetch has created.
I love Morgan as a character and she feels really well formed, as do all of the other characters. The book was a roller coaster of emotions and just as good as the first! I can’t wait for book 3 and will definitely be recommending these books!

I liked this book a lot! I read its predecessor, Morgan is My Name, and enjoyed that a lot too.
It was very well written, with an intelligent plot that conforms to tet also completely breaks away from traditional Arthurian myth. It's clearly well thought out but, arguably most importantly, completely unpredictable and so incredibly gripping.
I also found the characters really compelling, particularly the titular character Morgan. They were all deeply complex but also really human. Morgan most of all: amother, abused wife, courtier, sister, friend, lover and witch.
The only thing I can find to dislike about this book is that I couldn't stop reading it when I should have been revising for my exams!

Thanks to Netgalley and One World Publications for my ARC.

This book has to be one of my most anstipated reads for 2024, and boy, did it not disappoint.

This book has to be one of the best mythological books I have read in a long time. I read a lot of myth based books, and I have found a majority of the time storyline based on the main characters/ gids/ heroes. It makes such a refreshing change to have one of the less known characters being brought to the forefront.

Le Fay is the second book in a Triology that looks at one of King Arthur's sisters. The first book, Morgan is My Name, is about Morgan Le Fays' early life and in womanhood. This one continues on with her life and time at Camelot, and god, it is such a refreshing change to hear it from a woman's view.

Without giving too much away, you become so involved in thus a woman's life that you just want to ralley to her aid....how much turmoil and unfairness can a woman take. Keetch takes a story and pulls and tugs at your heart strings, and makes you want so much more. I am waiting so impatiently for the final instalment. I hope that these books come out in a special edition so i can add them to my honoured book role.

It's definitely one of my books of the 2024.

If you want one hell of a ride book to read, this is the one for you.

I adored Morgan is My Name and was super excited to snap up this sequel. I still think the characterisation and writing were gorgeous, but it just felt slightly static for me this time around. Still looking forward to the next book though!

I adored the first book in this series, Morgan Is My Name, and have been eagerly awaiting Le Fay and let me tell you, this does not disappoint and if anything it exceeds the first! 💚✨

This is an absolutely spellbinding story and I've loved every second of being in Morgan's company. I can't recommend this highly enough. Rich, emotional, magical, vivid, visceral and all the superlatives for this stunning second book of the Morgan Le Fay series.

Publishing 16th July - I recommend you pre-order this now 👌

An astounding adaptation of the Arthurian legend. I loved every chapter. I am very excited to read more of these books.

A phenomenal follow up to Morgan Is My Name, this is one of the most underhyped duologies out there right now.

I was awaiting this sequel and hoping that it would stand up to the previous offering. No worries, it continued the wonderful tale of Morgan faithfully from the previous book. Still not sure that I actually like Morgan but she does make a compelling character.

An excellent sequel to the unique and compelling retelling of a female "villain". This is another great addition to the canon of historical fiction. The writing flows at a good pace, and bits of "old"/"medieval" style prose blends well with modern day vernacular. The characters and relationships throughout this story are masterfully written and developed, and a gamut of emotions are elicited for each of the main characters in this story. Truly can't recommend this series enough. And a huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This sequel to Morgan Is My Name carries on the tale of Morgan, sister of Arthur and usually the villainess of the Arthurian legends. The novel sees Morgan now living in Camelot and growing closer to her brother, although she has growing problems with Queen Guinevere and still loathes Merlin. Her own magic is becoming more powerful and she is growing ever more unhappy with the constraints around her.

This book is marketed around being both historical fiction and fantasy but I will start by saying I enjoyed it much more when I placed it firmly in the latter category. Obviously the Arthurian legends are not historically accurate anyway but this does not attempt to place the story in any kind of authentic period and is much more centred around the courtly aspect of the myths.

As with the first of the series, I will also confess to finding Morgan herself rather irritating and inconsistent in her behaviour, telling people that they must act in a certain way and then being furious with them if they do. Although this claims to be a feminist retelling, it seemed very heavy handed – Morgan is never a weak character in any telling of the legend anyway – and it was all rather simplistic. In many ways, both these books have read more like Young Adult fiction to me.

I did enjoy it more than the first book, which was rather slow and repetitive, but I still found it quite long winded and can’t help feeling this story has been stretched far too thinly in order to make it a trilogy when it would have been a much better single volume.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

Le Fay, the much-anticipated second instalment in Sophie Keetch's Morgan Le Fay series, continues to unravel the intricate tapestry of Morgan's life, painting a vivid picture of a woman misunderstood, powerful, and unyielding. Following the success of Morgan Is My Name, this sequel does not disappoint, delivering a story rich in character depth, atmosphere, and emotional intensity.

From the outset, Le Fay plunges readers into the heart of Camelot, where Morgan, now advisor to her half-brother King Arthur, faces a maelstrom of challenges. Her marriage is in shambles, her husband vengeful, and her son caught in a dangerous political game. As tensions escalate, Morgan's struggle to navigate a patriarchal society while exploring her burgeoning magical powers becomes a central theme. The writing, beautiful and atmospheric, envelops readers in Morgan's world, where every choice she makes reverberates with consequence.

Keetch masterfully crafts Morgan's character, presenting her not as a villain but as a deeply betrayed woman whose journey towards becoming Morgan Le Fay is both tragic and empowering. This nuanced portrayal allows readers to empathize with her plight, even as she hardens into an unyielding force, prepared to exact a terrible cost in her pursuit of freedom and justice. The character development is exquisite, showcasing Morgan's resilience, intelligence, and the fiery determination that defines her.

The latter part of the book is particularly breathtaking, with a pace that accelerates towards a powerful climax. The final 20% of Le Fay is a rollercoaster of emotions, culminating in a letter that leaves a lasting impact. This ending not only ties up the narrative threads but also sets the stage for what promises to be an epic conclusion to the series.

The interplay between Morgan and other key figures such as Merlin, Guinevere, and Ninianne adds layers to the narrative, enriching the story with political intrigue and personal vendettas. I was particularly drawn to the feminist slant of the retelling, and how Keetch challenges traditional male depictions and offers a fresh perspective on the Arthurian legend.

Le Fay is a triumphant continuation of Morgan's story, blending history, fantasy, and magic into a compelling narrative. For fans of the first book, this sequel not only meets expectations but exceeds them, paving the way for what will undoubtedly be a highly anticipated final instalment. If you enjoyed Morgan Is My Name, Le Fay is a must-read, and if you're new to the series, now is the perfect time to dive into the world of Morgan Le Fay.

Thank you to NetGalley and Oneworld Publications for providing an advance reader copy of Le Fay. The book is set to be released on July 16, 2024.

All Hail 'Morgan Le Fay, the true heroine of the Arthurian mythology!
I've long been fascinated by Celtic mythology, and also the folklore around the Arthurian cycle of stories. I've read and watched various different adaptations of the Arthur/Guinevere/Launcelot/Merlin tales but one common element in so many iterations, is that Lady Morgan (Morgana/Morgan Le Fay to use some of the titles applied to this fascinating character) have all painted her as, at best naive and at worst as villainous.
However, the "Morgan is My Name" trilogy by Sophie Keetch turns these viewpoints upside down and features the lady herself as the central protagonist, with the stories retold from her perspective. This results is a very different telling of the familiar old tales and a fascinating one. Morgan becomes a far more sympathetic character and relatable character. And I found myself cheering her on! Though, I also yelled at her when did she something that seemed ill-advised = and that's a sign of a brilliantly written character, when you start treating their story as though they are talking directly to you!