Sophie Keetch writes a powerful feminist retelling of Morgan le Fay's early life, which is captivating from the first page. The book revolves around the Arthurian legend where Morgan is the villain and half-sister to King Arthur, and includes prominent characters such as Uther Pendragon, Queen Igraine, Merlin, and the Lady of the Lake. In Morgan is my Name we meet Morgan, a young girl struggling to fit into the restrictive society that favors conformity. Her journey through childhood into adulthood is filled with love, challenges, and lessons. The story begins with evil king Uther Pendragon killing Morgan’s father and using trickery to take her mother as his wife. Morgan’s new life with King Uther is as restrictive as it could possibly be, with him allowing her to do very little other than pray. Even as a young girl Morgan seeks to disobey the king every chance she gets, and she is eventually sent away to be schooled by nuns. Morgan receives an education and discovers her magical talent for healing. She must learn how to navigate her desire for self-discovery in a society that would denounce her as a witch for her skills. One of the strongest aspects of this story is the character development. Every character is multi-faceted and written so well I feel as though I know them. The interactions between characters, whether friend or antagonist, are incredibly authentic and are filled with emotion, or tension. Morgan is written in such an inspiring and understandable way, and her transformation throughout the book is really what solidifies the five star rating. The main theme of this book is self-discovery, and Morgan will not let anything get in the way of advancing her knowledge and understanding what she is truly capable of. She is a woman who goes after her desires, even at the cost of her marriage. This story was written beautifully, with lyrical prose that will make you appreciate the author’s talent. If you're looking for a classic fantasy retelling with a lush world brimming with magic and a powerful woman seeking self-discovery, then Morgan is my Name is the book for you. This is the first book in the trilogy, and I am eagerly awaiting the next. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the advance reader copy.
