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The Lady of the Lake
When Lady Viviane leaves the lakes of the far North for the splendour of Camelot, she knows the destiny her father has planned for her. To capture the heart and hand of the young prince, Arthur. To bring her family richness and glory.
But it is Arthur’s sister Morgan who captures Viviane’s eye. Fierce and headstrong, Morgan sees another path – one she and Viviane can carve for themselves in this world built for knights and kings.
Now everything has shifted and changed. Under the guidance of the court sorcerer Merlin, she discovers magical powers within herself. And before long, she finds her friendship with Morgan deepening to the first flush of love.
But in Camelot eyes are everywhere and no one is as they seem. The quest for power breeds darkness and danger, and when Arthur pulls the legendary sword from the stone and rises to King, his closest allies will ask terrible things of Viviane and Morgan – striving to tear them apart for their own ends.
And if they cannot find their way back to each other, Camelot itself could fall . . .
But it is Arthur’s sister Morgan who captures Viviane’s eye. Fierce and headstrong, Morgan sees another path – one she and Viviane can carve for themselves in this world built for knights and kings.
Now everything has shifted and changed. Under the guidance of the court sorcerer Merlin, she discovers magical powers within herself. And before long, she finds her friendship with Morgan deepening to the first flush of love.
But in Camelot eyes are everywhere and no one is as they seem. The quest for power breeds darkness and danger, and when Arthur pulls the legendary sword from the stone and rises to King, his closest allies will ask terrible things of Viviane and Morgan – striving to tear them apart for their own ends.
And if they cannot find their way back to each other, Camelot itself could fall . . .
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 15, 2025
34 people are currently reading
4156 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
February 9, 2025
I grew up watching bbc's merlin so a part of me was very excited for this book, especially as it is a sapphic retelling.
I really enjoyed the writing in this and you could tell that it was well researched - particularly from the authors note at the end which was an interesting insight!
I must admit that although familiar with the legend of king arthur, I had never heard of the lady of the lake, so I loved being able to explore this well known story from a different perspective.
the relationship between morgan and viviane was lovely to read, but I do agree with other reviewers in that it would have been nice if it had been developed a bit more. in a way, it felt that we didn't really get much time with them and I also agree that it could have benefited from a dual pov so we had more of a chance to delve deeper into morgan's character, who was very interesting!
however, I did enjoy the choice to take merlin's character in a different direction. I appreciated that it was so unlike the way we are used to seeing him portrayed in adaptations and retellings, which is explained further in the authors note and I feel offers a more realistic touch.
all in all, this was a really enjoyable read and I would definitely recommend if you're a fan of historical fiction. I'm looking forward to more books in the future from menzies!
thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the arc
I really enjoyed the writing in this and you could tell that it was well researched - particularly from the authors note at the end which was an interesting insight!
I must admit that although familiar with the legend of king arthur, I had never heard of the lady of the lake, so I loved being able to explore this well known story from a different perspective.
the relationship between morgan and viviane was lovely to read, but I do agree with other reviewers in that it would have been nice if it had been developed a bit more. in a way, it felt that we didn't really get much time with them and I also agree that it could have benefited from a dual pov so we had more of a chance to delve deeper into morgan's character, who was very interesting!
however, I did enjoy the choice to take merlin's character in a different direction. I appreciated that it was so unlike the way we are used to seeing him portrayed in adaptations and retellings, which is explained further in the authors note and I feel offers a more realistic touch.
all in all, this was a really enjoyable read and I would definitely recommend if you're a fan of historical fiction. I'm looking forward to more books in the future from menzies!
thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the arc
May 13, 2025
4.5*
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of the eBook.
This is the first Arthurian retelling I’ve read and I loved it. My retellings up until now are only from Monty Python and the Holy Grail and BBC’s Merlin. So, the Lady of the Lake was quite a new character for me.
I loved Jean’s telling of the story and Viviane was a brilliant character to follow around Camelot. Viviane and Morgan are meant to be and I will not accept any other version now. This book was beautifully described and has made me want to delve more into the legend (although maybe I want it to stay this way).
I do wish we got to know some of the other characters a bit better as I bet Jean would put an even better spin on them too. That’s me just being greedy though!
I read Jean’s debut fiction novel a while ago and I love how diverse her writing can be. I do have her queering of the Greek myths book out of the library so can’t wait to give it a read. An author who can do incredible fiction and amazing non-fiction is hard to come by but Jean is one of them!
p.s. The authors note made me laugh
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of the eBook.
This is the first Arthurian retelling I’ve read and I loved it. My retellings up until now are only from Monty Python and the Holy Grail and BBC’s Merlin. So, the Lady of the Lake was quite a new character for me.
I loved Jean’s telling of the story and Viviane was a brilliant character to follow around Camelot. Viviane and Morgan are meant to be and I will not accept any other version now. This book was beautifully described and has made me want to delve more into the legend (although maybe I want it to stay this way).
I do wish we got to know some of the other characters a bit better as I bet Jean would put an even better spin on them too. That’s me just being greedy though!
I read Jean’s debut fiction novel a while ago and I love how diverse her writing can be. I do have her queering of the Greek myths book out of the library so can’t wait to give it a read. An author who can do incredible fiction and amazing non-fiction is hard to come by but Jean is one of them!
p.s. The authors note made me laugh
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April 14, 2025Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for an eARC in exchange for an honest review
I don't think I spent a moment of this book not stressed - the stakes felt so high all the time and I was forever on the edge of my seat. I was fascinated by how this novel took the Arthurian stories that I'm quite familiar with and wove something completely new and so unsettling. So many plot points in this seemed to be built around ethical conundrums and the push and pull effects of secrets vs shame. Definitely enjoyed following each thread and seeing how all the prophecy pieces (doomed narrative anyone?) came together. As a whole, I was reminded of Morgan Is My Name by Sophie Keech which I read last year, only with more of a romantic relationship focus taking place in this one.
And right at the end of the book I have to admit the author's apology to BBC merlin fans really did make me laugh. But Menzies is so right, not every Arthurian retelling is going to be sunshine and roses!
I don't think I spent a moment of this book not stressed - the stakes felt so high all the time and I was forever on the edge of my seat. I was fascinated by how this novel took the Arthurian stories that I'm quite familiar with and wove something completely new and so unsettling. So many plot points in this seemed to be built around ethical conundrums and the push and pull effects of secrets vs shame. Definitely enjoyed following each thread and seeing how all the prophecy pieces (doomed narrative anyone?) came together. As a whole, I was reminded of Morgan Is My Name by Sophie Keech which I read last year, only with more of a romantic relationship focus taking place in this one.
And right at the end of the book I have to admit the author's apology to BBC merlin fans really did make me laugh. But Menzies is so right, not every Arthurian retelling is going to be sunshine and roses!
August 5, 2025
A nice debut reimanging the story of the Lady of the Lake from the Arthurian legend. We follow Lady Viviane who is sent to the court of King Arthur in the hopes of winning his hand but instead Viviane finds herself drawn to Arthur's sister Morgan - and the two of them begin tutelage under Merlin to hone their magic skills, of which Viviane is a natural.
I'm not well versed in Arthurian legend - I think one of the only books or retellings I've read about it was actually Meg Cabot's Avalon High (throwback!), and I enjoyed learning a bit more about the characters and the history. Even though this focused on Viviane, Morgan and Merlin, I would have liked a bit more about what was going on outside of this with Arthur in a little bit more detail.
I found the story was a little rushed in places and lacking the amount of detail I like in historical fiction (I also thought Viviane had A LOT of freedom for a young woman in a foreign court, supposedly looking for a husband) - I found it hard to figure out the ages of the characters as it wasn't always specified how much time had jumped forward so years/dates at the start of chapters would have been useful. I also would have preferred more focus in terms of the magic learning as it feels like both Morgan and Viviane started performing magic very quickly and easily, and there was no real rules or tricks to it, they could just do it without thinking about it too much.
The relationship between Viviane and Morgan switches gears halfway through the book and while I appreciated the inclusion of a sapphic love story, I did feel like it happened quickly in the grand scheme of things, and again I would have liked more build up and time put into their relationship and interactions with one another other than Morgan having a fit every time Viviane did something she didn't like.
This book wasn't a hit for me but I did like a lot of parts in it, and I will definitely read more fiction Jean brings out!
I'm not well versed in Arthurian legend - I think one of the only books or retellings I've read about it was actually Meg Cabot's Avalon High (throwback!), and I enjoyed learning a bit more about the characters and the history. Even though this focused on Viviane, Morgan and Merlin, I would have liked a bit more about what was going on outside of this with Arthur in a little bit more detail.
I found the story was a little rushed in places and lacking the amount of detail I like in historical fiction (I also thought Viviane had A LOT of freedom for a young woman in a foreign court, supposedly looking for a husband) - I found it hard to figure out the ages of the characters as it wasn't always specified how much time had jumped forward so years/dates at the start of chapters would have been useful. I also would have preferred more focus in terms of the magic learning as it feels like both Morgan and Viviane started performing magic very quickly and easily, and there was no real rules or tricks to it, they could just do it without thinking about it too much.
The relationship between Viviane and Morgan switches gears halfway through the book and while I appreciated the inclusion of a sapphic love story, I did feel like it happened quickly in the grand scheme of things, and again I would have liked more build up and time put into their relationship and interactions with one another other than Morgan having a fit every time Viviane did something she didn't like.
This book wasn't a hit for me but I did like a lot of parts in it, and I will definitely read more fiction Jean brings out!
July 27, 2025
(rounded up from 2.5)
Unfortunately, not quite what I expected in a sapphic retelling of Arthurian legend, focusing on the lady of the lake, a perspective we don't really get to see much in legends. I think my biggest problem with this book was that the language is far too modern in speech and that the book distinctly feels like YA/NA to me rather than adult, with some explicit sexual scenes, which you don't normally find in YA/NA.
The overall story feels like it's a bit shallower than I'd like, hence the very YA-feeling nature of it. Characterisation is quite shallow, which feels reasonable given that the characters are roughly 18-19 years old for most of the book, but it makes the whole thing feel a bit like quick fanfiction rather than any substantive effort to talk about the origin story of the Lady of the Lake of legend.
Overall, this was a quick and easy read but the speech being far too modern and the characters being late teens/new adults means we stay surface level with characters and conflicts, which doesn't appeal to me.
Unfortunately, not quite what I expected in a sapphic retelling of Arthurian legend, focusing on the lady of the lake, a perspective we don't really get to see much in legends. I think my biggest problem with this book was that the language is far too modern in speech and that the book distinctly feels like YA/NA to me rather than adult, with some explicit sexual scenes, which you don't normally find in YA/NA.
The overall story feels like it's a bit shallower than I'd like, hence the very YA-feeling nature of it. Characterisation is quite shallow, which feels reasonable given that the characters are roughly 18-19 years old for most of the book, but it makes the whole thing feel a bit like quick fanfiction rather than any substantive effort to talk about the origin story of the Lady of the Lake of legend.
Overall, this was a quick and easy read but the speech being far too modern and the characters being late teens/new adults means we stay surface level with characters and conflicts, which doesn't appeal to me.
June 4, 2025
2.5 ✨
I really wanted to love this book because I looove the author‘s youtube channel and everything. When I started the book, I was surprised to find the writing very simple and modern? All in all, the book was entertaining (a good hospital read) due to its story. But sadly, the writing wasn‘t very good. The love story was a little too flat for me and to book has way too much ‚tell‘ instead of ‚show‘. I think it was the wrong choice to write this book from the first point of view and it could have benefited a lot from a third point of view. Therefore, it could have way more ‚show‘.
Also, everything happend so quickly? And the time jumps? I barely could keep up.
But it deffinitely sparked my interest in the Arthurian Legend. :)
I really wanted to love this book because I looove the author‘s youtube channel and everything. When I started the book, I was surprised to find the writing very simple and modern? All in all, the book was entertaining (a good hospital read) due to its story. But sadly, the writing wasn‘t very good. The love story was a little too flat for me and to book has way too much ‚tell‘ instead of ‚show‘. I think it was the wrong choice to write this book from the first point of view and it could have benefited a lot from a third point of view. Therefore, it could have way more ‚show‘.
Also, everything happend so quickly? And the time jumps? I barely could keep up.
But it deffinitely sparked my interest in the Arthurian Legend. :)
June 21, 2025
I really wanted to love this book. My first Arthurian legend retelling, this one sapphic, focusing on the character of Lady Vivian, who comes to King Uther's court.
I found the writing to be pretty simplistic however, and the dialogue felt very modern. It seemed quite YA, but then there were two explicit spicy scenes that lead me to believe this is aimed at adults.
A book feels more effective to me when it is showing rather than telling, but this book was constantly telling, with a lot of expository dialogue and internal monologue.
I will add though that I did like the ideas and the way it ties in with Arthurian legend.
I found the writing to be pretty simplistic however, and the dialogue felt very modern. It seemed quite YA, but then there were two explicit spicy scenes that lead me to believe this is aimed at adults.
A book feels more effective to me when it is showing rather than telling, but this book was constantly telling, with a lot of expository dialogue and internal monologue.
I will add though that I did like the ideas and the way it ties in with Arthurian legend.
February 23, 2025
Arthur and Merlin made me want to throw all men off the face of the earth- BUT I loved the story- I loved the folklore in it, I adored the sapphic romance and I LOVED Morgan
July 25, 2025
3.8 ⭐️ Absolutely adored how Menzies weaves Arthurian mythology and feminist themes together in this sapphic historical fantasy.
**Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy to review.**
The plot for this had me gripped the whole time. I adored how much mythology is worked into it, whilst keeping it fresh and intriguing. It’s fairly fast paced and so much happens within the 400 pages.
It is bleaker at times, with some darker themes, and the magic within the realm was wonderful to read about.
I did enjoy the sapphic romance but did feel that at time it lacked build up. It never really felt earned but more the moments cropped up out of the blue. There is a dash of spice and it’s well written, but I felt like the build up relied too heavily on tension rather than romantic feelings. Saying that, I adored how protective they were of one another.
Overall, I would highly recommend this. One of my favourite historical fantasy reads in a while, I flew through this in a day. The mythology aspect feels so wildly well researched and I love how Menzies used it as a base to create such a vivid world.
Rep// WLW MC, WLW MC. Central romance is WLW/Sapphic.
TWs listed below, please skip if you don’t want vague spoilers.
TW// death of a parent, cheating, mentions of rape (off page), sexual assault and attempted rape (interrupted before rape happens, on page, brief), themes of grooming, gaslighting, manipulation, period typical misogyny and homophobia, murder, injury, death during childbirth.)
**Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy to review.**
The plot for this had me gripped the whole time. I adored how much mythology is worked into it, whilst keeping it fresh and intriguing. It’s fairly fast paced and so much happens within the 400 pages.
It is bleaker at times, with some darker themes, and the magic within the realm was wonderful to read about.
I did enjoy the sapphic romance but did feel that at time it lacked build up. It never really felt earned but more the moments cropped up out of the blue. There is a dash of spice and it’s well written, but I felt like the build up relied too heavily on tension rather than romantic feelings. Saying that, I adored how protective they were of one another.
Overall, I would highly recommend this. One of my favourite historical fantasy reads in a while, I flew through this in a day. The mythology aspect feels so wildly well researched and I love how Menzies used it as a base to create such a vivid world.
Rep// WLW MC, WLW MC. Central romance is WLW/Sapphic.
TWs listed below, please skip if you don’t want vague spoilers.
TW// death of a parent, cheating, mentions of rape (off page), sexual assault and attempted rape (interrupted before rape happens, on page, brief), themes of grooming, gaslighting, manipulation, period typical misogyny and homophobia, murder, injury, death during childbirth.)
June 7, 2025
Content warnings: sexual assault, sexual harassment, death
This sapphic Arthurian retelling follows Viviane, a princess sent to court Prince Arthur who instead decides to learn magic with his sister, Morgan.
There's a lot to love about this book: feminist themes, an underwater palace, fey magic shenanigans. I particularly liked Morgan as a character, and I really enjoyed the dynamic between Viviane and Morgan. Unfortunately, I did struggle with the pacing. It's pretty fast, and combined with considerable time skips, it left the plot and some characters feeling underdeveloped. There was a lot going on in this fairly short book, and I ended up feeling like a lot of the conclusions and climaxes throughout the story fell a little flat. That being said, I still thought this was a perfectly enjoyable read! If you watched BBC's Merlin and the main thing you got was a crush on Katie McGrath, I'd definitely recommend checking this one out!
Huge thank you to Jean and Penguin Michael Joseph for sending me an ARC!
This sapphic Arthurian retelling follows Viviane, a princess sent to court Prince Arthur who instead decides to learn magic with his sister, Morgan.
There's a lot to love about this book: feminist themes, an underwater palace, fey magic shenanigans. I particularly liked Morgan as a character, and I really enjoyed the dynamic between Viviane and Morgan. Unfortunately, I did struggle with the pacing. It's pretty fast, and combined with considerable time skips, it left the plot and some characters feeling underdeveloped. There was a lot going on in this fairly short book, and I ended up feeling like a lot of the conclusions and climaxes throughout the story fell a little flat. That being said, I still thought this was a perfectly enjoyable read! If you watched BBC's Merlin and the main thing you got was a crush on Katie McGrath, I'd definitely recommend checking this one out!
Huge thank you to Jean and Penguin Michael Joseph for sending me an ARC!
May 29, 2025
Me, a history girly at heart, LOVED THIS
As someone whose only true knowledge of Arthurian tales stems from that one season of Once Upon a Time & drabbles of others, I loved reading this retelling/ different perspective of the story. Centring Viviane & telling her story was such a good idea since, as Jean says in the Authors Notes, she is an observer. I loved that this observer was given such an interesting story within this tale & I loved her romance with Morgan.
If you get the chance to listen to the audiobook, definitely do it!! It really added to the experience <3
As someone whose only true knowledge of Arthurian tales stems from that one season of Once Upon a Time & drabbles of others, I loved reading this retelling/ different perspective of the story. Centring Viviane & telling her story was such a good idea since, as Jean says in the Authors Notes, she is an observer. I loved that this observer was given such an interesting story within this tale & I loved her romance with Morgan.
If you get the chance to listen to the audiobook, definitely do it!! It really added to the experience <3
April 3, 2025
Thank you to Penguin & NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I was really intrigued and excited by a sapphic retelling of Arthurian legend, and by a focus on the lady of the lake from the original stories where she is so often left out. The latter is achieved well.
However, this novel fell flat to me. Though it is classified as adult (presumably due to trigger warnings of sexual assault and death during childbirth, as well as two random sexual scenes which… random is certainly the word for them; they felt entirely dropped in for no real reason and with no buildup), the writing reads like poorly written YA. There is far more telling than showing, or both combined unnecessarily. It stopped me being drawn in.
I enjoyed the dynamics of the characters, but especially for a book promoted as a sapphic reimagining, the sapphic relationship was so swift it felt shallow to me. We saw very little of the pair falling in love, they just sort of… competed for a while and then each said they liked the other and that was that. I would’ve liked to see more of the love story. Similarly, the worldbuilding seemed to rely too much on labels, using a presumed knowledge of the Camelot setting to reduce the amount of worldbuilding actually happening.
I really wish I could’ve said I loved this book, because I was intrigued enough about the plot to read it to the end (hence the 2 stars), but it just felt too flat.
I was really intrigued and excited by a sapphic retelling of Arthurian legend, and by a focus on the lady of the lake from the original stories where she is so often left out. The latter is achieved well.
However, this novel fell flat to me. Though it is classified as adult (presumably due to trigger warnings of sexual assault and death during childbirth, as well as two random sexual scenes which… random is certainly the word for them; they felt entirely dropped in for no real reason and with no buildup), the writing reads like poorly written YA. There is far more telling than showing, or both combined unnecessarily. It stopped me being drawn in.
I enjoyed the dynamics of the characters, but especially for a book promoted as a sapphic reimagining, the sapphic relationship was so swift it felt shallow to me. We saw very little of the pair falling in love, they just sort of… competed for a while and then each said they liked the other and that was that. I would’ve liked to see more of the love story. Similarly, the worldbuilding seemed to rely too much on labels, using a presumed knowledge of the Camelot setting to reduce the amount of worldbuilding actually happening.
I really wish I could’ve said I loved this book, because I was intrigued enough about the plot to read it to the end (hence the 2 stars), but it just felt too flat.
February 9, 2025
4 stars
Fantasy is my favourite genre especially if it has sapphic representation so as soon as I found out about this book I applied straight away, and I wasn't disappointed. While the first 20% or so was a bit too slow paced for me, it did still help introduce the characters and introduce you to this world. After that point I couldn't stop reading it, I loved learning more about Viviane's magic as well as the sapphic relationship and you could really tell that they loved and really respected each other.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC
Fantasy is my favourite genre especially if it has sapphic representation so as soon as I found out about this book I applied straight away, and I wasn't disappointed. While the first 20% or so was a bit too slow paced for me, it did still help introduce the characters and introduce you to this world. After that point I couldn't stop reading it, I loved learning more about Viviane's magic as well as the sapphic relationship and you could really tell that they loved and really respected each other.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC
March 30, 2025
sapphic Morgan, you will always be special to me
June 29, 2025
i loved it !
Although I'd have appreciated a more whimsical writing, the story was well paced and quite immersive. I like to think I'm rather well-versed in arthurian legends, not only thanks to Merlin from the BBC but also my college studies ; yet, this book managed to surprise me a handful of times. I obviously loved Vivian, her story is always underused and it was nice to see her as the main character she deserved to be. I obviously loved Morgan, and not just because I pictured her as Katy McGrath.
I was excited to read another book by Jean Menzies, and it left me even more excited for whatever else she writes.
Although I'd have appreciated a more whimsical writing, the story was well paced and quite immersive. I like to think I'm rather well-versed in arthurian legends, not only thanks to Merlin from the BBC but also my college studies ; yet, this book managed to surprise me a handful of times. I obviously loved Vivian, her story is always underused and it was nice to see her as the main character she deserved to be. I obviously loved Morgan, and not just because I pictured her as Katy McGrath.
I was excited to read another book by Jean Menzies, and it left me even more excited for whatever else she writes.
April 21, 2025
I really loved this Arthurian retelling focusing on Viviane and her love of Morgan Le Fay and also seeing Merlin from a different perspective. This book is so well written and I did not want to put it down. Thanks to the author Jean Menzies, Netgalley and Penguin Random House for an advanced reader copy.
June 7, 2025
I enjoyed this, lovely YA retelling(at least, I assume it is)! However, I would have liked more from it: more dialogue, less telling and more showing (so more detail, the pacing was at times way too fast) - though I didn't mind the modern slang, etc. It is a modern reclamation of the Arthurian legends and it doesn't pretend to be something else. The author clearly knows her stuff.
September 2, 2025
i think they should cut the sex scenes and make this a YA! it was not what i expected from the book plot wise… and the writing, whilst not bad, seems more in line with a younger audience
June 21, 2025
I absolutely loved this book from the first page to the last page of the epilogue. From the very beginning, the writing style and the scenery described were so captivating and engaging that I couldn't stop thinking about it when I had to stop reading.
Vivian, the Lady of the Lake, was a fascinating character, and discovering Camelot through her eyes and the other characters of Arthurian legend was absolutely thrilling.
This book kept me on the edge of my seat several times.
I think it also addresses some very important ethical issues. The dilemma of responsibility to do the right thing or to protect yourself and your family, secrets between friends, family and lovers, the shame and remorse, the oppression of women by the men in their lives and the desire for freedom to determine one's own life are just the beginning.
The book depicts the deep feelings of female friendship, belonging and more.
It is a profound retelling of this old legend. And I couldn't recommend it more. It has made it to one of my favourite books, but beware of the trigger warnings.
Vivian, the Lady of the Lake, was a fascinating character, and discovering Camelot through her eyes and the other characters of Arthurian legend was absolutely thrilling.
This book kept me on the edge of my seat several times.
I think it also addresses some very important ethical issues. The dilemma of responsibility to do the right thing or to protect yourself and your family, secrets between friends, family and lovers, the shame and remorse, the oppression of women by the men in their lives and the desire for freedom to determine one's own life are just the beginning.
The book depicts the deep feelings of female friendship, belonging and more.
It is a profound retelling of this old legend. And I couldn't recommend it more. It has made it to one of my favourite books, but beware of the trigger warnings.
August 10, 2025
Actual ass
May 7, 2025
I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
As an English Lit graduate and avid BBC Merlin fan, I was very intrigued by this concept - and it did not disappoint. The bond between Viviane and Morgan, as they navigate the magic and threats of Arthur's court, immediately endeared me to both their characters. While I've always enjoyed the varied portrayals of Morgan/ Morgana, it was actually Viviane's character who really stood out to me. Her desire for freedom shines through the novel, and blends perfectly with the different elements of Arthurian myth.
This was a much quicker read than I expected, and while the fast pace was definitely what I needed after a recent reading slump, there were a few places where I would have liked a little more exposition. But if you're looking for a taste of Camelot with an original twist, this is a good one to watch out for. And it comes with a playlist!
Books with similar vibes - Morgan Is My Name by Sophie Keetch, Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid, Sistersong by Lucy Holland, and Smile and Be a Villain by Yves Donlon.
As an English Lit graduate and avid BBC Merlin fan, I was very intrigued by this concept - and it did not disappoint. The bond between Viviane and Morgan, as they navigate the magic and threats of Arthur's court, immediately endeared me to both their characters. While I've always enjoyed the varied portrayals of Morgan/ Morgana, it was actually Viviane's character who really stood out to me. Her desire for freedom shines through the novel, and blends perfectly with the different elements of Arthurian myth.
This was a much quicker read than I expected, and while the fast pace was definitely what I needed after a recent reading slump, there were a few places where I would have liked a little more exposition. But if you're looking for a taste of Camelot with an original twist, this is a good one to watch out for. And it comes with a playlist!
Books with similar vibes - Morgan Is My Name by Sophie Keetch, Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid, Sistersong by Lucy Holland, and Smile and Be a Villain by Yves Donlon.
January 19, 2025
Wow wow wow wow wow! Lady of the Lake by Jean Menzies is a captivating sapphic retelling of the Camelot myths that breathes fresh life into the classic Arthurian legend.
Menzies’ skillful reinterpretation of the characters, especially Vivienne (the Lady of the Lake) and Morgan le Fay, is a standout feature of the novel.
The way she reimagines these two iconic figures feels both timely and timeless, offering them depth and nuance that I found incredibly compelling.
Vivienne is no longer just the mysterious, ethereal figure associated with the magical lake but a complex woman whose desires, motivations, and relationships are central to the narrative. Menzies beautifully explores Vivienne’s internal struggles and the tensions that arise from her role in the mythic world of Camelot.
Similarly, Morgan le Fay, often portrayed as the antagonist in many retellings, is here given her own rich backstory and agency. The connection between her and Vivienne, in particular, is handled with such sensitivity and emotional depth that it completely redefines their relationship.
Menzies’ prose is lush and immersive, perfectly capturing the magic, danger, and passion of Camelot. The relationships in the novel, especially the sapphic bond between Vivienne and Morgan, are rendered with a rare tenderness and authenticity that I found deeply moving. The chemistry between the characters is palpable, adding an emotional layer to the traditional themes of fate, power, and betrayal that are so central to the Arthurian legends.
Overall, Lady of the Lake is a beautifully written and thought-provoking retelling that highlights Jean Menzies’ talent! This is the my first 5 star read of 2025 and I won’t be surprised if it’s in my 2025 top reads at the end of the year!
Menzies’ skillful reinterpretation of the characters, especially Vivienne (the Lady of the Lake) and Morgan le Fay, is a standout feature of the novel.
The way she reimagines these two iconic figures feels both timely and timeless, offering them depth and nuance that I found incredibly compelling.
Vivienne is no longer just the mysterious, ethereal figure associated with the magical lake but a complex woman whose desires, motivations, and relationships are central to the narrative. Menzies beautifully explores Vivienne’s internal struggles and the tensions that arise from her role in the mythic world of Camelot.
Similarly, Morgan le Fay, often portrayed as the antagonist in many retellings, is here given her own rich backstory and agency. The connection between her and Vivienne, in particular, is handled with such sensitivity and emotional depth that it completely redefines their relationship.
Menzies’ prose is lush and immersive, perfectly capturing the magic, danger, and passion of Camelot. The relationships in the novel, especially the sapphic bond between Vivienne and Morgan, are rendered with a rare tenderness and authenticity that I found deeply moving. The chemistry between the characters is palpable, adding an emotional layer to the traditional themes of fate, power, and betrayal that are so central to the Arthurian legends.
Overall, Lady of the Lake is a beautifully written and thought-provoking retelling that highlights Jean Menzies’ talent! This is the my first 5 star read of 2025 and I won’t be surprised if it’s in my 2025 top reads at the end of the year!
January 19, 2025
Like many queer millenials, I watched bbc's merlin as a kid and it altered my brain chemistry. Especially Katie Mcgrath's Morgana. So when I saw this was a sapphic arthuriana retelling I instantly requested it.
I think the authors note at the end made me understand a lot more about what story the author was trying to tell, and overall I definitely appreciated bringing the female arthurian characters to the forefront. The research into Merlin as a divise was interesting and I'd like to learn more about the different depictions of him in history. However...
The story itself, on it's own, felt a little slow to me. I didn't feel entirely able to connect emotionally with the characters. I felt we were being held at arms length. This affected the main romance for me, since we never really see Morgan's pov. I did feel I got to know her character, but I don't feel we ever really got to delve beneath the surface (no pun intended.) I think as well I might have liked more humour. As noted, the author mentions Merlin in her authors note as well as shows like Excalibur and Xena warrior princess. I think maybe I'm deeping this too much, but I think if the book had lent further into the type of story invoked in those shows OR further into fully serious historical fiction, it might have been easier to connect with. But instead we sit somewhere between them and it left the tone feeling a little strange.
This is not a bad book. It's researched and I love the inclusion of queer characters in classic tales. I just think this one didn't quite get me the way I wanted it to.
I think the authors note at the end made me understand a lot more about what story the author was trying to tell, and overall I definitely appreciated bringing the female arthurian characters to the forefront. The research into Merlin as a divise was interesting and I'd like to learn more about the different depictions of him in history. However...
The story itself, on it's own, felt a little slow to me. I didn't feel entirely able to connect emotionally with the characters. I felt we were being held at arms length. This affected the main romance for me, since we never really see Morgan's pov. I did feel I got to know her character, but I don't feel we ever really got to delve beneath the surface (no pun intended.) I think as well I might have liked more humour. As noted, the author mentions Merlin in her authors note as well as shows like Excalibur and Xena warrior princess. I think maybe I'm deeping this too much, but I think if the book had lent further into the type of story invoked in those shows OR further into fully serious historical fiction, it might have been easier to connect with. But instead we sit somewhere between them and it left the tone feeling a little strange.
This is not a bad book. It's researched and I love the inclusion of queer characters in classic tales. I just think this one didn't quite get me the way I wanted it to.
April 19, 2025
Lady of the lake was one of my most anticipated releases of 2025 and it did not disappoint. It is a beautiful sapphic Arthurian retelling focusing on Viviane (The lady of the lake) and Morgan. You follow Viv and Morgan as their relationship blossoms from friendship to love, they learn to understand each other and bring out the best in each other. The story was beautifully written and elements of Arthurian legends were woven throughout. You know a book is good when you find yourself researching the different legends and stories because you want more. I will definitely read more by Jean Menzies in the future
February 21, 2025
Thank you to Jean Menzies, Netgalley & Penguin Random House for the ARC.
This is is reimagination of the Camelot Myths - the Arthurian legend. However, it focuses on Viviane (The Lady of the Lake) and Morgan Le Fay. I loved getting to explore the women from the original myths; women are so often overlooked.
Viviane comes to Camelot from her own Kingdom Dál Riata, s e is meant to 'earn' Arthur's (Crown Prince & Uther's son) hand in marriage. However, Vivnane finds herself falling for the other sibling as they learn to control their magic.
The only introduction I have to Camelot is the BBC show, "Merlin". Jean did speak about this in a note at the end, it was very interesting to see her thoughts on making "The Lady of the Lake"s merlin the way she did.
I loved the way Merlin was portrayed in this book - it is a different side of Merlin that i wasn't expecting.
If you aren't aware of who Viviane, 'The Lady of the Lake' is, she's the one who gave Arthur the Excalibur. Her story was so fascinating to read about, she is a beautiful and intriguing character. Reading about seeing her magic develop and to see her take control of her own life was inspiring.
Morgan Le Fay has always been my favourite character from 'Merlin', also known as Morgana if you're familiar with the BBC show. She has always been looked down upon, such a powerful woman was, in my opinion, failed by the men around her. In this book, I loved her mischievous and almost playful energy. Her and Viviane are so different, but they work well together.
I also loved how Guin was portrayed in this; an almost timid and obedient woman at the start, but she took control over her own life. Jean Menzies gave these incredible women a chance to decide their own futures.
As for the romance, I thought it was perfect. It did focus much more on the plot but I thought the interactions between Viviane and Morgan were beautiful. I truly loved the ending and being able to imagine their future together.
The way Jean Menzies wrote the magic in this story was breathtaking in a way; the graceful moves of the water controlled by Viviane and the earth magic showed from Morgan. I could see it in my head, the way Viviane made shapes with her water while Morgan created plants from the earth.
This review is getting quite long, so I'll wrap it up by talking about Jean Menzies. Jean Menzies is a Scottish author that holds a PhD in ancient history! She is a prize-winning author and anthologist, she has multiple other books as well. This book is so well-researched and Jean Menzies did an amazing job making it come to life, as well as giving two incredible women their own stories.
Again, thank you to Jean Menzies for providing me with this arc, but also for writing a beautiful story - one that is definitely going to be one of my favourites from this year.
❤️ Arthurian
🧡 Female Rage
🤍 Historical fiction
🩷 Sapphic
💜 Self Discovery
This book is from Viviane's point of view, it is first person. There is also some brief 'spice' although it is easily skipable if you don't like that!
This is is reimagination of the Camelot Myths - the Arthurian legend. However, it focuses on Viviane (The Lady of the Lake) and Morgan Le Fay. I loved getting to explore the women from the original myths; women are so often overlooked.
Viviane comes to Camelot from her own Kingdom Dál Riata, s e is meant to 'earn' Arthur's (Crown Prince & Uther's son) hand in marriage. However, Vivnane finds herself falling for the other sibling as they learn to control their magic.
The only introduction I have to Camelot is the BBC show, "Merlin". Jean did speak about this in a note at the end, it was very interesting to see her thoughts on making "The Lady of the Lake"s merlin the way she did.
I loved the way Merlin was portrayed in this book - it is a different side of Merlin that i wasn't expecting.
If you aren't aware of who Viviane, 'The Lady of the Lake' is, she's the one who gave Arthur the Excalibur. Her story was so fascinating to read about, she is a beautiful and intriguing character. Reading about seeing her magic develop and to see her take control of her own life was inspiring.
Morgan Le Fay has always been my favourite character from 'Merlin', also known as Morgana if you're familiar with the BBC show. She has always been looked down upon, such a powerful woman was, in my opinion, failed by the men around her. In this book, I loved her mischievous and almost playful energy. Her and Viviane are so different, but they work well together.
I also loved how Guin was portrayed in this; an almost timid and obedient woman at the start, but she took control over her own life. Jean Menzies gave these incredible women a chance to decide their own futures.
As for the romance, I thought it was perfect. It did focus much more on the plot but I thought the interactions between Viviane and Morgan were beautiful. I truly loved the ending and being able to imagine their future together.
The way Jean Menzies wrote the magic in this story was breathtaking in a way; the graceful moves of the water controlled by Viviane and the earth magic showed from Morgan. I could see it in my head, the way Viviane made shapes with her water while Morgan created plants from the earth.
This review is getting quite long, so I'll wrap it up by talking about Jean Menzies. Jean Menzies is a Scottish author that holds a PhD in ancient history! She is a prize-winning author and anthologist, she has multiple other books as well. This book is so well-researched and Jean Menzies did an amazing job making it come to life, as well as giving two incredible women their own stories.
Again, thank you to Jean Menzies for providing me with this arc, but also for writing a beautiful story - one that is definitely going to be one of my favourites from this year.
❤️ Arthurian
🧡 Female Rage
🤍 Historical fiction
🩷 Sapphic
💜 Self Discovery
This book is from Viviane's point of view, it is first person. There is also some brief 'spice' although it is easily skipable if you don't like that!
September 2, 2025
This book is told from the POV of Viviane who is sent to Camelot to contend for the hand of prince Arthur.
The author advertised this book as being for fans of the BBC series Merlin, and immediately I felt this was what the author was going for - the characters are all aged down to teenagers and are living in Camelot with Uther as king, the story told from the first person POV of Viv - the lady of the lake.
Viv is never a real contender for Arthur’s hand as it’s pretty clear Guin is Arthur’s choice from the start, so instead Viviane seeks out and eventually learns sorcery from Merlin, who is in his forties, and spends all of her time with princess Morgan, Arthur’s sister.
Morgan’s pretty unpleasant to Viv for most of this novel, yet despite this Viv falls for her. There’s themes of escape and choosing your own destiny in this book.
There’s not actually much Arthurian about this tale, the only characters we see much of being Morgan, Merlin and Vivienne, while characters such as Arthur and Guin only really get the occasional appearance. Because of this, there’s no Round Table, no quests, and not much else from the traditional Arthurian tale - except for a rather brief and short nod to the Guinevere Lancelot romance, which fizzles out as quickly as it begins.
Interestingly, much of the Arthurian legend was replaced by the greek one, the goddess Diana a larger character than Guinevere herself.
The great thing about the BBC series Merlin - aside from the tongue-in-cheek banter - is the chemistry between Arthur and Merlin, none of which I felt was present in this book. Morgan and Viv have a great love affair but I feel the POV of Viv was the book’s undoing - the prose was almost academic, which completely removed the tension and any possible chemistry from the story. I’ve read a few contemporary Arthurian novels that have done this of late, over-explaining everything, and it just makes me feel like I’m reading a report rather than a novel.
Another great thing about the BBC series Merlin is that magic in the show is a metaphor for homosexuality, whereas in book there’s none of that tension - magic is not outlawed and is practiced in the open.
This book was an enjoyable and kept me reading, but I wish it had been less like reading some analytical report and more like living a story. On top of that, I do feel that a lot of modern retellings told from the POV of the women are removing the women from the traditional Arthurian canon altogether, perhaps in an attempt to give them their own space separate from King Arthur and his knights, but then - is it really Arthurian?
The author advertised this book as being for fans of the BBC series Merlin, and immediately I felt this was what the author was going for - the characters are all aged down to teenagers and are living in Camelot with Uther as king, the story told from the first person POV of Viv - the lady of the lake.
Viv is never a real contender for Arthur’s hand as it’s pretty clear Guin is Arthur’s choice from the start, so instead Viviane seeks out and eventually learns sorcery from Merlin, who is in his forties, and spends all of her time with princess Morgan, Arthur’s sister.
Morgan’s pretty unpleasant to Viv for most of this novel, yet despite this Viv falls for her. There’s themes of escape and choosing your own destiny in this book.
There’s not actually much Arthurian about this tale, the only characters we see much of being Morgan, Merlin and Vivienne, while characters such as Arthur and Guin only really get the occasional appearance. Because of this, there’s no Round Table, no quests, and not much else from the traditional Arthurian tale - except for a rather brief and short nod to the Guinevere Lancelot romance, which fizzles out as quickly as it begins.
Interestingly, much of the Arthurian legend was replaced by the greek one, the goddess Diana a larger character than Guinevere herself.
The great thing about the BBC series Merlin - aside from the tongue-in-cheek banter - is the chemistry between Arthur and Merlin, none of which I felt was present in this book. Morgan and Viv have a great love affair but I feel the POV of Viv was the book’s undoing - the prose was almost academic, which completely removed the tension and any possible chemistry from the story. I’ve read a few contemporary Arthurian novels that have done this of late, over-explaining everything, and it just makes me feel like I’m reading a report rather than a novel.
Another great thing about the BBC series Merlin is that magic in the show is a metaphor for homosexuality, whereas in book there’s none of that tension - magic is not outlawed and is practiced in the open.
This book was an enjoyable and kept me reading, but I wish it had been less like reading some analytical report and more like living a story. On top of that, I do feel that a lot of modern retellings told from the POV of the women are removing the women from the traditional Arthurian canon altogether, perhaps in an attempt to give them their own space separate from King Arthur and his knights, but then - is it really Arthurian?
July 16, 2025
3.5 rounded up for now
This book wasn't what I expected, but much like the author I've read and watched many Arthurian adaptations, including the sometimes silly and sometimes dramatic BBC Merlin so I wasn't put off by some of the more modern language and sensibilities of this book.
The romance between Viviane and Morgan was lovely. Morgan was a difficult and complicated person, befitting of her mythology, and it was a delight seeing her walls come down around Viviane and the two of them connecting at such a deep level.
Unfortunately, somewhere around the halfway mark I felt like the story was starting to flounder, and it completely went off the deep end when Merlin committed a certain action. There are just some topics that take a deft hand to properly execute and in this case, I'm deeply conflicted by the choices the author makes. There is an element of shock and disgust that couldn't be achieved without blindsiding the reader as much as the protagonist, and yet the aftermath just doesn't feel right. The aftermath here spanning the entire rest of the book — all the way to the ending. Viviane is traumatized, and her ending "happiness" is a pretty severe isolation. It's odd. It's questionable. It goes hand-in-hand with Morgan being cut out of the emotional narrative to a significant degree. Viviane and Morgan are "partners," but Viviane cannot have a real conversation with Morgan about what she went through for a multitude of reasons, including Morgan's tendency to want to solve everything. Is that realistic? Yes. Was it enjoyable to read? Not really. And more importantly, I'm not sure what the author's intentions were with how Morgan handled events and how Viviane did. How much of this complexity was intentional and how much of it is clumsy writing that ironically mirrors how poorly even modern society handles these things? I don't know, and it leaves my feelings on the book muddled.
This will be a difficult book to recommend. It has a modernity that should appeal to a reader looking for a lighter, pulpier read, and then it switches things up and tackles one of the heaviest traumas a person can go through. Those tones aren't necessarily at odds (the end of "innocence" is a common trope), but there will be few readers who take comfort in an ending of isolation after severe trauma.
This book wasn't what I expected, but much like the author I've read and watched many Arthurian adaptations, including the sometimes silly and sometimes dramatic BBC Merlin so I wasn't put off by some of the more modern language and sensibilities of this book.
The romance between Viviane and Morgan was lovely. Morgan was a difficult and complicated person, befitting of her mythology, and it was a delight seeing her walls come down around Viviane and the two of them connecting at such a deep level.
Unfortunately, somewhere around the halfway mark I felt like the story was starting to flounder, and it completely went off the deep end when Merlin committed a certain action. There are just some topics that take a deft hand to properly execute and in this case, I'm deeply conflicted by the choices the author makes. There is an element of shock and disgust that couldn't be achieved without blindsiding the reader as much as the protagonist, and yet the aftermath just doesn't feel right. The aftermath here spanning the entire rest of the book — all the way to the ending. Viviane is traumatized, and her ending "happiness" is a pretty severe isolation. It's odd. It's questionable. It goes hand-in-hand with Morgan being cut out of the emotional narrative to a significant degree. Viviane and Morgan are "partners," but Viviane cannot have a real conversation with Morgan about what she went through for a multitude of reasons, including Morgan's tendency to want to solve everything. Is that realistic? Yes. Was it enjoyable to read? Not really. And more importantly, I'm not sure what the author's intentions were with how Morgan handled events and how Viviane did. How much of this complexity was intentional and how much of it is clumsy writing that ironically mirrors how poorly even modern society handles these things? I don't know, and it leaves my feelings on the book muddled.
This will be a difficult book to recommend. It has a modernity that should appeal to a reader looking for a lighter, pulpier read, and then it switches things up and tackles one of the heaviest traumas a person can go through. Those tones aren't necessarily at odds (the end of "innocence" is a common trope), but there will be few readers who take comfort in an ending of isolation after severe trauma.
July 19, 2025
Uneven, anachronistic, careless
—
I usually like (rarely love) an Arthurian adaptation. The Matter of Britain is a huge trove of layered tales where we may know the characters and the talking points but the shape of each narrative is what keeps it fresh, from Marion Zimmer Bradley’s feminist revision to Lex Croucher’s YA LGBTQ romp. Uniquely, this adaptation’s main character is the Lady of the Lake, who has had many different names across the life of the saga, and in this is Viviane, a princess from the North who is sent to Camelot as a potential bride for Arthur and a companion to his sister Morgan and another princess Guinevere. At Camelot, Viviane has to contend with the strictures of court but is aided by her friends, all of an age; but Morgan is the one who catches Viviane’s eye, and they both entreat the court magician Merlin to teach them magic. But Merlin has other plans, while prophecies, magic swords, hidden scions and other dangers await as Viviane and Morgan’s hearts become more and more entwined.
So far, so good, right? I was really excited to read what a historian would do with this rich material, perhaps bring a sense of realism and magical lore that has never been seen before in renditions of a quasi-historical Camelot.
What I found was Camelot by way of Aaron Spelling, which would have been amazing, except the language was clunky, sometimes careless:
‘She cast her eyes across my face, paying more attention this time, measuring me up with her gaze. I wondered how I had fared.’
Too many words! It could have been:
‘Then she stared at me, the centre of her attention, taking my measure. How had I fared?’
Or something even better.
And often it’s just so anachronistic, swear words coming from nowhere, language too modern to occupy the historic bubble that Menzies attempts to create, the pacing all over the place. Be anachronistic or be historic, pick one: such an uneven mess.
I failed to be captured by any of the characters, surely not helped by only having Viviane’s narration throughout the book. Yes, we know the plot points of Camelot but in a novel rendition it would have been good to have had some insight into the motivations and other threats swirling around Viviane and Morgan.
Ah, Morgan, Morgan, Morgan: we know how her story ends so perhaps it’s easier to use shorthand. Sigh.
—
I usually like (rarely love) an Arthurian adaptation. The Matter of Britain is a huge trove of layered tales where we may know the characters and the talking points but the shape of each narrative is what keeps it fresh, from Marion Zimmer Bradley’s feminist revision to Lex Croucher’s YA LGBTQ romp. Uniquely, this adaptation’s main character is the Lady of the Lake, who has had many different names across the life of the saga, and in this is Viviane, a princess from the North who is sent to Camelot as a potential bride for Arthur and a companion to his sister Morgan and another princess Guinevere. At Camelot, Viviane has to contend with the strictures of court but is aided by her friends, all of an age; but Morgan is the one who catches Viviane’s eye, and they both entreat the court magician Merlin to teach them magic. But Merlin has other plans, while prophecies, magic swords, hidden scions and other dangers await as Viviane and Morgan’s hearts become more and more entwined.
So far, so good, right? I was really excited to read what a historian would do with this rich material, perhaps bring a sense of realism and magical lore that has never been seen before in renditions of a quasi-historical Camelot.
What I found was Camelot by way of Aaron Spelling, which would have been amazing, except the language was clunky, sometimes careless:
‘She cast her eyes across my face, paying more attention this time, measuring me up with her gaze. I wondered how I had fared.’
Too many words! It could have been:
‘Then she stared at me, the centre of her attention, taking my measure. How had I fared?’
Or something even better.
And often it’s just so anachronistic, swear words coming from nowhere, language too modern to occupy the historic bubble that Menzies attempts to create, the pacing all over the place. Be anachronistic or be historic, pick one: such an uneven mess.
I failed to be captured by any of the characters, surely not helped by only having Viviane’s narration throughout the book. Yes, we know the plot points of Camelot but in a novel rendition it would have been good to have had some insight into the motivations and other threats swirling around Viviane and Morgan.
Ah, Morgan, Morgan, Morgan: we know how her story ends so perhaps it’s easier to use shorthand. Sigh.
May 15, 2025
'The Lady of the Lake' is a divine piece of storytelling. It tells the tale of the women of Camelot in an enchanting retelling. With a whimsical medieval setting, we follow our main character Viviane on a quest to discover herself, learning elemental magic along the way, as well a beautiful sapphic bond unfolding between her and the King's sister, Morgan.
This novel was a wonderful and unique twist on the classic Arthurian legend. I loved the blend of mythology and folklore. I felt the wholesome and heartwarming inspirations from the bbc's Merlin, which I adored as a child, although the version of Merlin we see is a much darker one. The bonds between our female main characters were strong and powerful and perfectly displayed. Our female leads were courageous and spectacular.
This author's writing style was vivid and magical. The storytelling had such a dream-like quality. I have a critique that feels like a positive and negative one at the same time, which was that the plot felt quite 'hazy' to me. It's the only way I can think to describe it. The story didn't feel as though it was powering through or being strongly lead anywhere. It felt like the progression of the story was very natural and free flowing - following the lives of the characters as they grew. There weren't any large conflicts or anything confidently pushing the plot ahead until the very end, other than of course the impending prophecy that hovered over our story.
The pacing was quite slow for this one, despite the book not being super long. A part of me feels like it could have been even longer, so more background about Camelot could have been included for those unfamiliar with the original tale.
Despite my thoughts on the plot and the slower pacing, I never found myself bored, and I definitely felt transported to another realm while reading this. The author has captured a very special feeling for this story. It was a beautiful reading experience.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this!
*I received this book as an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) for free in exchange for an honest review*
This novel was a wonderful and unique twist on the classic Arthurian legend. I loved the blend of mythology and folklore. I felt the wholesome and heartwarming inspirations from the bbc's Merlin, which I adored as a child, although the version of Merlin we see is a much darker one. The bonds between our female main characters were strong and powerful and perfectly displayed. Our female leads were courageous and spectacular.
This author's writing style was vivid and magical. The storytelling had such a dream-like quality. I have a critique that feels like a positive and negative one at the same time, which was that the plot felt quite 'hazy' to me. It's the only way I can think to describe it. The story didn't feel as though it was powering through or being strongly lead anywhere. It felt like the progression of the story was very natural and free flowing - following the lives of the characters as they grew. There weren't any large conflicts or anything confidently pushing the plot ahead until the very end, other than of course the impending prophecy that hovered over our story.
The pacing was quite slow for this one, despite the book not being super long. A part of me feels like it could have been even longer, so more background about Camelot could have been included for those unfamiliar with the original tale.
Despite my thoughts on the plot and the slower pacing, I never found myself bored, and I definitely felt transported to another realm while reading this. The author has captured a very special feeling for this story. It was a beautiful reading experience.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this!
*I received this book as an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) for free in exchange for an honest review*
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