So, let's talk about Mordred. Am I the only one who thinks that Mordred is not really a villain and was justified in some things that he did? An anti hero maybe, but except in the version in which he is portrayed as a sadist sociopath (to make him unlikeable), he had reasons to be angry with the hypocrisy of the court and the way he was raised... Also, Do you know any good books focused on humanizing him?
Yes! The reason why I started collecting arthuriana, about 15 years ago, was because I was so curious about Mordred and needed to find good retellings of his motivations! I will gladly compile a list of good Mordreds.
Books where Mordred is the main character and is sympathetic even when he actually plays the role of the villain (but in some of these he is an anti hero or not a villain at all). In order of favorites!
The Winter Prince (Elizabeth Wein): this was my first Mordred book, and I adored it. It’s historical based, from Mordred’s pov (if I am not wrong) and about family drama.
Idylls of the Queen (Phyllis Ann Karr): this is another angsty Mordred and one of my favorite books. Here you don’t see the ending, so no Mordred killing Arthur yet, but Mordred is very well characterized.
The Great Captains (Treece): A Welsh inspired story of Arthur and his complex friendship and enmity with Mordred. They are friends, not related.
The Book of Mordred (Velde): This has three female characters narrating the story of Mordred.
I am Mordred (Springer): another book about Mordred, explaining why he did what he did.
The Wicked Day (Stewart): This book is all about Mordred and his life.
Mordred Manuscript (Norris Lacy): A short story about Mordred’s plans and his real intentions towards Arthur and Camelot.
A Camelot Triptych (Norris Lacy): Three stories of how Camelot ended, told by Merlin’s point of view, Guinevere’s and Mordred’s.
Mordred, bastard son (Clegg): the gay Mordred book! But it’s the first in a trilogy. I am pretty sure the second one is coming out soon or just came out. Mordred and Lancelot are lovers.
A Prince in Camelot (Jones): Mordred’s life and story, he is also seen pretty sympathetic and not a villain.
The Traitor’s Trilogy (Kenealy): This is a collection of short stories about betrayers. Mordred, Loki and Judas, the three traitors, are in Hell till Lucifer offers them a change to live again on Earth in exchange for a favor.
The Book of Mordred (Hanratty): this is pretty cute, and Mordred leaves for a quest with Galahad and Lancelot.
Camelot Lost (Jessica Bonito): I am not super in love with this book, also Arthur becomes sort of a villain.
Mordred’s Curse (McDowell): The story of Mordred and how he arrived, bitter and rejected, in Camelot to serve his king and father.
The Prince and the Programm (Mercer): You know… I love gay Mordred, but I remember nothing of this book, it was so confusing.
Mordred and the King (Curlovich): Mordred/Arthur. Mordred falls in love with Arthur. That’s it.
Now, for books where Mordred is a secondary character. This order is of how prominent Mordred is in the retelling:
The Road to Avalon (Wolf): A love story for Arthur and Morgana. Mordred is a secondary character, and absolutely adorable.
Queen of Camelot (McKenzie): A Guinevere novel, but Mordred is one of the main secondary characters and not a villain at all.
Guinevere trilogy by Persia Wolley: One of my favorite books/series. Mordred is a secondary character, there is clearly some friction between Mordred and Arthur, but he is seen in a sympathetic way.
Lancelot (Vansittart): The story of the Roman Lancelot in a world which is becoming more and more distant from the Roman traditions. Lancelot and Mordred seem to have something going on.
Morgawse (Lavinia Collins): When Morgause is sent to Camelot to spy on Arthur, she falls in love with him. Unfortunately they soon find out that they are related, and now Morgause has to protect her son Mordred and rule over Lothian alone, after Lot is killed.
Sword at Sunset (Rosemary Sutcliff): Okay, this maybe has villain Mordred, but such a well written character.
Also, let me share with you my graph of “What Mordred book to read” (click here for full post)
And there series as well! At least FOUR:
The Campaign for Camelot: a webseries about Mordred running for some University political positions, helped by his friends, against his father Arthur. Also has queer Mordred.
The 2013 French webseries Mordred
Fate/Apocrypha and in general the Fate series
Merlin and Arthur the Lion king, which has adorable redeemed kitten Mordred
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