I adore Arthurian tales, and this retelling from the perspective of the character Morgana Le Fay is an absolute ripper. One of the best books of the year so far for me.

This is the story of Morgan, the feisty daughter of Ygraine, born during a tremendous storm at Tintagel. Her life is turned upside down when Uther Pendragon visits her mother, bewitched to look like her father, as her true father is slain in battle. Uther later returns in his true form to advise Ygraine she is carrying his child, and against her wishes she marries him. Morgan is not in any way accepting of this state of affairs and pushes back against Uther.

As Morgan blossoms into a woman, she finds what she is hopes is true love with a French squire. When Uther loses patience with Morgan and her continuing defiance of his wishes, he banishes her to a convent. There she expands her education and finds true friendship.

Of course, Morgan is a Princess of Britain, a valuable pawn, so her life is not her own. She is presented as a marriage prize to cement alliances to further Pendragon’s endless internecine wars.

This is the first of a trilogy, where we learn of Morgan’s strengths and abilities, her persistence and her first tentative steps towards a relationship with her brother when he emerges as King, having famously pulled the sword from the stone and discovering his true heritage. We also learn of the woman she will no doubt be, her tentative relationship with Merlin, and her potential to be the skilled enchantress of legend.

Morgan Is My Name is absolutely splendid. I am now waiting impatiently for the next instalment.

Reviewed by Lesley West

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sophie Keetch read English Literature at Cardiff University, including the study of Arthurian legend. Morgan Is My Name is her debut novel. She lives in South Wales with her husband and son.