Hmm, that was... not what I thought it was going to be and not what I expected. Morgan is My Name is called a feminist retelling of the story of MorgaHmm, that was... not what I thought it was going to be and not what I expected. Morgan is My Name is called a feminist retelling of the story of Morgan Le Fay from King Arthur's story, and while it is, I didn't expect it to also be such a high middle ages courtly romance. It's very light and airy when what I was hoping for was a bit more angry and feminine rage. Alas, that's my current mood, and so that's the mood of things I want to read. Yet, this is the beginning of the story, and I have hopes yet for book 2, with where we ended here.
I did enjoy the character of Morgan. She's a fiery hellcat of a girl who grows up into a woman desiring to have her way. Unfortunately, the men in her life have something different to say about this. I love that she maintained her sense of self even though the ability to live her life her way was lost to her.
I think the pacing was the hardest part for me with this book. There's just a decided lack of tension through the middle, and it left me... not bored as it's well written, and I like the characters, but definitely wondering when it would pick up again. it does at the end, and it ends on a high, but I do wish more had happened in the middle of the book. I wasn't in danger of dnfing, but it was easy to set down and go to bed.
There's also an interesting romance that lead to some of the best written moments in the book. Who doesn't want their heart to go pitter pat at things like "if you are unholy then I am damned along with you" and "if nothing else, you can look at it and remember it wasn't for lack of love. I would do anything to be all that you need." ...more
it's always hard to write a review for a book when the ending packs such a punch because goodness I want nothing more than to go grab book 2. Alas, a it's always hard to write a review for a book when the ending packs such a punch because goodness I want nothing more than to go grab book 2. Alas, a review can not just be about the ending.
I've heard people say this book is what Fourth Wing should be (obviously those people not being Fourth Wing lovers), and I disagree. This book serves a very different purpose than Fourth Wing, so don't get mixed up about what you're going to read. This is more Hunger Games with dragons in that it's 16/17 year olds being forced to grow up too fast and governments being awful. You could argue that's what Fourth Wing is too (slightly aged up), but I'd disagree and I like that book.
Also, a heccin lot of awkward teenage moments. I get it. They're 16/17, and they read that way, which is a good thing. Don't get me wrong. They literally read the way they should for a YA, but as a 40 year old woman? Definitely so many eye roll moments. On the plus side, something I can recommend to my niece.
My other biggest struggle with this book is some definite gaps in the world building. Again, things that I, as an adult reader, probably peer to closely and think too critically about. It's something you'll want to be able to shut your brain down to and just be able to vibe along with which I was able to do; just don't ask me to talk about it in depth without sarcasm.
Annie and Lee. Our FMC and MMC, respectively. Hands down, I love Lee. My little trauma childhood turns into loyal, fierce, protective, good person kink is still going strong. Annie, well... I'm cautiously on the fence about her. I can't really say more without spoilers.
Overall, I really enjoyed this. While reading, it was easy to vibe through the plot holes/world building questions I had with my buddy read friends, although some moments still caught some definite eye rolls. It's well paced, has good action, and some strong emotional moments. And that ending. Man. It's hard to be upset at a book that ends with a punch like that....more
Oh. My God. Y'all are sleeping on this book. SLEEPING.
The Lost Queen unearths the story of the boy who would become known as Merlin through the eyes oOh. My God. Y'all are sleeping on this book. SLEEPING.
The Lost Queen unearths the story of the boy who would become known as Merlin through the eyes of his twin sister, Languoreth, destined to become a Queen in her own right, and I was not ready for it. This book slowly sinks into your bones like an oak tree spreading its roots until you're just so immersed in this world. I truly felt like I was in 6th c Britain to the point that well... can I go visit? I want to walk in the woods with Ariane, visit sacred grounds with Cathan, and go for a gallop on Fallah.
However, don't let these idyllic sounding adventures lull you into thinking this book is not full of tension. I was on the edge of my seat for every dangerous interaction involving any character because I loved them all, and no one felt safe. Seriously, it's a steady page turner because I just needed to get to the end where everyone would be happy and safe. Ha.
I will say that "dangerous interaction" may give you the wrong idea about what this book is. It's not a high action book full of battles. The dangers are much more subtle but no less worrisome. The villains are some of my most hated characters now. There is true evil in the depths of humanity.
Languoreth. The book takes place solely from her POV but never felt stunted for that. This is truly her story, and there's honestly nothing I love more than a woman lost to the footnotes of history finally being given her due. I see you, Queen. She's a girl living a bit of a sheltered life with a loving family, then forced into the intrigues of a court torn between Christianity and the Old Ways. I'm not going to lie and say I didn't want to shake her at times... but truly, I love her spirit and determination.
I don't know what else to say to encourage you to pick up a copy. If you love Katherine Arden's Winternight Trilogy or Shauna Lawless's Gael Song, then you need to read this book. If you're into all the Greek mythologies of forgotten women being published, then you need to come read about a forgotten Celtic Queen. I'm so in love that I'm trying to hunt down her nonfiction sources already. ...more
One of Charles de Lints' earlier works that I recently came across at Half Price Books. I was excited because it's hard to always track down his earliOne of Charles de Lints' earlier works that I recently came across at Half Price Books. I was excited because it's hard to always track down his earlier stuff since it wasn't published as widely.
This novella follows Eithnie, a painter who's moved into the Canadian woods in hopes of rekindling the passion in her art. Instead, she comes face to face with the faerie instead.
I wanted to love this one as I typically love all of De Lints' works, but I think it's a bit obvious that this is an early work. The beginning is clunky and meandering, but I did think the end sharpened up to be exactly what I love about his works. Poetic, inspiring, and deeply connected to nature with a touch of faerie showing humanity what we've lost.
"Whatever we do makes a difference," Eithnie said. "Doesn't matter how small our efforts might seem to us. It'll still make a difference." "But what about all the people who don't do anything or who don't do anything positive? Won't their actions, or lack of actions, cancel out the good we're trying to do?" "I guess I'm thinking that it's also like dominoes. You know how when you knock one over, more and more fall, one after the other, until they all come down? Lorenz's theory assures me that what I do will make a difference. I can't tell how I can't predict when or where, but it will affect a change. I just have to concentrate on maintaining that effort so that one day, all the dominoes will come down in the right way."
While overall I ended up enjoying the novella, reading it in one sitting, it's not where I would recommend de Lints works. I would say read this if you're a fan, but if you're just starting out, read one of his newer works.
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