This is the first Arthurian based novel that I've read, yes I'm aware of the ledgends from various forms of media over the years (looking at you Avalon High and Merlin!) but this is the first time I have read a story that centers the Lady of The Lake and Morgan in a way that we have never seen them before. It's clear that the author has brought her extensive research capabilities into her fiction writing as much as she does for her non-fiction. These characters felt so real and whole and well rounded, I kind of wish I had more time with them if I'm being honest.

Viv is sent from her home in Scotland to Camelot to fight for the hand of the heir, Arthur, but she has no desire to be more than his friend, or to battle it out with Guinevere who is simply a kind soul. She is however very interested in the raven hair and green eyes of Aurthur's older sister Morgan. Both of these girls are sick of being treated differently to the boys and through some B&E decide to take up Merlin's offer to be trained as sorceresses. This story is woven through with magic that is not shocking or unbelieveable but something that is fairly commonplace in this world and the focus really is on not only Viv's relationship with Morgan, but Viv's journey to discover what and who she is.

Thank you to Netgalley for approving me for this ARC. I'm so, SO proud of my countrywoman and cannot wait to see what she writes next!

A sapphic, literary retelling of the Arthurian tales? Yes please. Even better, it takes inspiration from not only the historical tales but also modern classics such as BBC's Merlin.

I love that this took a well-known story and re-centred it on a FMC. Viviane is a fascinating character, complex, morally ambiguous and lush lyrics written and her love affair with Morgan le Fay was well-written and romantic.

The writing itself is thickly wound with magic and myth and flows beautifully to tell the story of the Lady of the Lake, the harm men can do to women in the pursuit of power and a timeless love affair.

This only doesn't get 5 stars because I wish Morgan had been a little more developed. I wanted to see her being an absolute baddie ✨️

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 Vivians'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

I actually really liked this book. It starts off slow. but as you kind of go on I think around 20-30% into the book it got so good I hated Merlin and I hated Arthur. I just think they were sad Wimpy boys who couldn’t handle strong independent women and that is why I think this book was so written is because you actually like felt things for the characters whether it was hating them or loving them and I need a second book like a little novella ASAP of Morgan and Vivian just afterwards I need their life afterwards!!

A stunning sapphic retelling of Camelot myth and legend, with a whole new perspective on the stories that we’ve heard before. An endless thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book.

Up until around the 50% mark I did struggle with the pacing of this book, it felt very slow until this point but it definitely picked up and I was then hooked until the end! Unfortunately I didn’t feel connected with Vivianne and Morgan, I agree with other reviews that dual pov would’ve probably helped with this.

Aside from this, this WAS a really unique story and I enjoyed it a lot, especially the way Merlin was portrayed, in such a different way to the way we usually see him. I can see why other people will absolutely love this one when it’s released.

This is a wonderfully and heavily researched sapphic retelling of a myth which traditionally hides its female characters in favour of the brash male knightly role so it was wonderful to see a new take on the legend.

I did find it a little slow to get into and for me, it seemed to be much more of a YA level than where it was pitched. I loved the way the author is great at making you feel like you are really in the world they create, and I loved the twist on familiar characters.

I would have loved dual POV but the POV we get still has great merit. I would read more by this author in the future..

The book reads a bit younger than I expected, I love a retelling of a classic tale with queer characters, but it didn't hit quite like I thought it would. A beautiful book with an interesting premise but I think it should be targeted to a younger audience than me.
Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for sending me an e-ARC.

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.

A unique retelling of the Camelot legends with a sapphic perspective. I really enjoyed this and getting to know the characters. There were parts where I felt this leant more toward YA but I wouldn’t let that stop you from reading

SPOILERS FOR PLOT. I loved the premise of this book and the introduction to these myths and legends that we get, you tell that the author has done her research. The basic plot ideas and characters were well thought out but for me not enough happened, I would have loved to have seen a dual pov between vivianne and morgan to up the ante of the tensions between them both in their time together and apart especially when vivianne is in the otherworld. There were wars mentioned but we never got to see any of the action and at times I felt just as trapped in Camelot as Vivianne did! All the plot points seemed to be resolved with very little effort and so for me I was not on the edge of my seat wondering if things were going to work out.

This was a BEAUTIFUL sapphic retelling of Camelot myths. I loved reading about Vivienne and Morgana Le Fay, their connection was so deep and it made me emotional at so many points in the book. This was such a unique read unlike anything I’ve read before. I recommend it highly to anybody who loves myth retellings.

I feel like this book could possibly be YA, but it was so lovely. The story was lovely, the relationship between the characters was just lovely.

I feel like for it to be an adult book the characters would have needed to progress a little more. But it was quite nice to have the single perspective of the story, sometimes I struggle with dual perspective when I like one character more than another, but this was a nice change.

Beautifully written & really made you think. Loved it.

This has a reading playlist at the beginning of the book which just fitted it so eloquently. Also included is a cast of characters which was super handy when you have no previous knowledge of Arthurian legend.

I felt this could have been a YA book perhaps, I feel the characters didn’t seem developed enough to appeal to an adult audience? Could have benefitted from a different POV rather than just the one character. I would have liked there to have been flashes of maybe Vivian’s magic beginning to come through before she developed her powers fully.
I enjoyed seeing Merlin as almost deviant within this story which is never a side you’ve maybe seen of him before.
I think having the 3 ladies at the forefront of the novel was a great idea, and definitely was intriguing. I had no knowledge really about Arthurian stories aside from the odd movie or Disney tale so this was really enlightening in regard to the authors note at the end. This is clearly a topic she feels passionate about and has a deep knowledge of. A truly lovely story with great descriptions.

This was absolutely beautiful.

The story, the world building and the chemistry between these characters was superb.

Beautiful.

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.

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!