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The Circle Cast: The Lost Years of Morgan Le Fay
The sorceress Morgan le Fay - King Arthur's lover and worst enemy - was a girl once. But how did an exiled girl become the most powerful witch in legend?
Britain, 480 AD. Saxon barbarians are invading, pushing the civilized British out of their own island. Morgan is the daughter of the governor of Cornwall. But when her father is murdered and her mother taken as the Uther Pendragon's new wife, she has to flee to Ireland to avoid being murdered herself.
But Ireland is no refuge. She's captured in a slave raid and sold to a village witch. As Morgan comes of age, she discovers her own magical powers. She falls in love with a young Irish chieftain, and makes him powerful. But will her drive for revenge destroy her one chance for love and happiness?
Britain, 480 AD. Saxon barbarians are invading, pushing the civilized British out of their own island. Morgan is the daughter of the governor of Cornwall. But when her father is murdered and her mother taken as the Uther Pendragon's new wife, she has to flee to Ireland to avoid being murdered herself.
But Ireland is no refuge. She's captured in a slave raid and sold to a village witch. As Morgan comes of age, she discovers her own magical powers. She falls in love with a young Irish chieftain, and makes him powerful. But will her drive for revenge destroy her one chance for love and happiness?
300 pages, Paperback
First published January 4, 2011
About the author
Alex Epstein
5 books22 followersA native New Yorker, Alex Epstein studied Computer Science and English at Yale University. After a year in Paris, he studied filmmaking at the University of California, Los Angeles in the School of Theatre, Film and Television, finishing with an MFA.
Throughout the 1990s, Epstein worked in the motion picture industry as a development executive. His first book, Crafty Screenwriting, came out of his experiences developing movies.
Epstein moved to Montreal in 2000 and began his career as a professional screenwriter. He co-created the comedy series Naked Josh, which ran for three seasons, and co-wrote the hit buddy cop comedy Bon Cop / Bad Cop. He is also the Narrative Director of the video games Contrast and We Happy Few.
Epstein lives in Montreal's Old Port with his wife, Lisa Hunter (author of The Intrepid Art Collector) and his two children.
Throughout the 1990s, Epstein worked in the motion picture industry as a development executive. His first book, Crafty Screenwriting, came out of his experiences developing movies.
Epstein moved to Montreal in 2000 and began his career as a professional screenwriter. He co-created the comedy series Naked Josh, which ran for three seasons, and co-wrote the hit buddy cop comedy Bon Cop / Bad Cop. He is also the Narrative Director of the video games Contrast and We Happy Few.
Epstein lives in Montreal's Old Port with his wife, Lisa Hunter (author of The Intrepid Art Collector) and his two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
January 23, 2015
A solid 4.5 stars. Well, it's a retelling of the tale of Morgan le Fey, the great villain and evil witch in the King Arthur's tales. You would know the beginning of the story already if you have paid attention to the King Arthur's myths, you would know about how Morgan lost her father as a child while her mother was taken to be Uter's wife. You might also know how the story goes, about she later on beared her half brother Arthur's son.
This book takes a similar approach like The Mists of Avalon, But Alex Epstein takes us back to the time when magic was as common part of life as battles, death, starvation and threats. Mr. Epstein let us follow Morgan's exile to Ireland all the way to her return to her homeland as a grown woman and a capable leader/witch. It's a journey through magic, captivity, slavery, betrayal and battles, it's also about coming of age, self discovery and a young girl making sacrifices whilst trying to find a way home.
The young Morgan isn't always a likable character but she's an understandable one, I like how her personality was formed, I like how the author hardly made things easy for her nor justified her behaviors, I like how he leads us through Morgan's struggle every step of the way, I like how he wrote the romance between Morgan and the young tribe leader she loved. I also like how he describes the bond between Morgan and her mother and how Morgan eventually put her grudge aside (for the time being) in order to save her mother and her homeland.
Magic, gods and Christianity are important aspects of the story, I apparel how magic is being described in the story as a fearsome force of natural. The different customs and beliefs between the Irish tribes and the British clans are also being introduced to us quite nicely.
To sum up, it's a worthy historical/fantasy retelling of a well known figure of the Arthur's myth. The ending leaves the possibility of an sequel open, I'll look forward to this.
This book takes a similar approach like The Mists of Avalon, But Alex Epstein takes us back to the time when magic was as common part of life as battles, death, starvation and threats. Mr. Epstein let us follow Morgan's exile to Ireland all the way to her return to her homeland as a grown woman and a capable leader/witch. It's a journey through magic, captivity, slavery, betrayal and battles, it's also about coming of age, self discovery and a young girl making sacrifices whilst trying to find a way home.
The young Morgan isn't always a likable character but she's an understandable one, I like how her personality was formed, I like how the author hardly made things easy for her nor justified her behaviors, I like how he leads us through Morgan's struggle every step of the way, I like how he wrote the romance between Morgan and the young tribe leader she loved. I also like how he describes the bond between Morgan and her mother and how Morgan eventually put her grudge aside (for the time being) in order to save her mother and her homeland.
Magic, gods and Christianity are important aspects of the story, I apparel how magic is being described in the story as a fearsome force of natural. The different customs and beliefs between the Irish tribes and the British clans are also being introduced to us quite nicely.
To sum up, it's a worthy historical/fantasy retelling of a well known figure of the Arthur's myth. The ending leaves the possibility of an sequel open, I'll look forward to this.
March 10, 2016
The Circle Cast speculates about what the life of Morgan Le Fay may have been like and what events lead to her legend becoming what it is today. As a huge fan of historical fiction, especially historical fiction that encompasses folklore and it’s characters, The Circle Cast was a big hit with me. It was like getting a story within a story.
Morgan, originally known as Anna, flees her home after her father is killed by a man desperate for both power and Anna’s mother. The story takes place over many years of Morgan/Anna's life beginning when she is just 11 years old. When she leaves her home and sets out for Ireland she never expects to become a slave, a faux Christian, or the powerful figure she eventually evolves into. Her path is cluttered with numerous obstacles which just makes her tale even more engrossing. Her will to survive, even if it was driven by revenge, is powerful and guaranteed to pack an emotional punch.
I’ll admit this isn’t a time period I have read much from. It dates back much farther than my normal reading choices. Diving into The Circle Cast with it’s references to history, religion, and lore from so many different places and cultures was both enlightening and refreshing. I enjoyed every moment I spent familiarizing myself with Morgan and the world she lived in. This is a book that will make readers long for more knowledge about the characters. I don’t know about you, but any book that can make me Google will always hold a special place on my bookshelf.
While The Circle Cast is technically Young Adult I feel it can easily appeal to even exclusive readers of adult fiction who enjoy a folklore and history.
Morgan, originally known as Anna, flees her home after her father is killed by a man desperate for both power and Anna’s mother. The story takes place over many years of Morgan/Anna's life beginning when she is just 11 years old. When she leaves her home and sets out for Ireland she never expects to become a slave, a faux Christian, or the powerful figure she eventually evolves into. Her path is cluttered with numerous obstacles which just makes her tale even more engrossing. Her will to survive, even if it was driven by revenge, is powerful and guaranteed to pack an emotional punch.
I’ll admit this isn’t a time period I have read much from. It dates back much farther than my normal reading choices. Diving into The Circle Cast with it’s references to history, religion, and lore from so many different places and cultures was both enlightening and refreshing. I enjoyed every moment I spent familiarizing myself with Morgan and the world she lived in. This is a book that will make readers long for more knowledge about the characters. I don’t know about you, but any book that can make me Google will always hold a special place on my bookshelf.
While The Circle Cast is technically Young Adult I feel it can easily appeal to even exclusive readers of adult fiction who enjoy a folklore and history.
May 1, 2011
The Circle Cast: The Lost Years of Morgan le Fay by Alex Epstein is an excellent addition to the genre of Arthurian folklore and legend. The author crafts worlds past with a deft hand, easily pulling a reader into the story.
The book tells the story of the Arthurian sorceress Morgan le Fay. The Circle Cast portrays the early years of this character, first as the child Anna and then as Morgan after she flees Britain to Ireland. It tells the story of her life as a stranger in a strange land, enslaved and surviving hardship to return to Britain and reclaim what she lost.
The plotline is fresh, delving into a piece of Arthurian legend not excessively written about, yet still keeping to the traditional lines of the tale. The author has a nice take on the magical aspects of the story, weaving a mysterious aspect in to the narrative by his effective use of Celtic religion and myth.
The writer also does an exceptional job at creating the main character, making her a full person with fears, doubts and weakness, while still showcasing her strength of purpose. The people surrounding her are nicely sketched as well, interacting and bringing the world around Morgan to life, filling a past age with solid reality.
Being a devotee of the Arthurian legends, I’ve read many books on the subject, both fiction and non-fiction, and this delightfully enchanting novel is a welcome complement to the mythology.
The book tells the story of the Arthurian sorceress Morgan le Fay. The Circle Cast portrays the early years of this character, first as the child Anna and then as Morgan after she flees Britain to Ireland. It tells the story of her life as a stranger in a strange land, enslaved and surviving hardship to return to Britain and reclaim what she lost.
The plotline is fresh, delving into a piece of Arthurian legend not excessively written about, yet still keeping to the traditional lines of the tale. The author has a nice take on the magical aspects of the story, weaving a mysterious aspect in to the narrative by his effective use of Celtic religion and myth.
The writer also does an exceptional job at creating the main character, making her a full person with fears, doubts and weakness, while still showcasing her strength of purpose. The people surrounding her are nicely sketched as well, interacting and bringing the world around Morgan to life, filling a past age with solid reality.
Being a devotee of the Arthurian legends, I’ve read many books on the subject, both fiction and non-fiction, and this delightfully enchanting novel is a welcome complement to the mythology.
April 5, 2011
The Circle Cast aims to fill in the gap between the time when Morgan is first seen as the daughter of Ygraine and Gorlois, Duke of Cornwall, and when she later reemerges as Arthur’s seductress and the mother of Mordred, his eventual downfall. How does a young girl who is sent into exile, either for her own protection or simply to keep her out of the way as Uter Pendragon begins a passionate relationship with her mother, become a powerful and vengeful sorceress?
Perhaps because Alex Epstein chooses to address Morgan le Fay’s childhood, an area of the legends which is not traditionally covered (in fact, only The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley springs to mind) and so is able to create entirely new material, I found this book rather enjoyable. It used a familiar setting and some familiar characters but it didn’t trespass on the traditional stories: it added to them instead and I found this a refreshing and interesting approach.
Morgan, or Anna as she begins the story, is a surprisingly complex character who develops convincingly throughout the course of the novel. She starts out curious, questioning and vulnerable but quickly acquires a steely resolve and an adult mindset as she is forced to mature by her circumstances. She’s so controlled and self-sufficient for much of the book that I don’t find her a particularly sympathetic character, but she’s still really interesting and a great strong female protagonist for a young adult story. I thought it was particularly poignant and a clever touch that what she works towards in Ireland, unification under one High King, is exactly what Arthur later works towards in Britain.
Of course, approaching such well known stories in any way, even Epstein’s rather oblique one, creates a set of problems for the author and reader. It can be difficult to create tension an excitement in a story where the reader already knows the ending, and I was well aware that the question posed on the back cover of the book, ‘But when Morgan meets the handsome son of a chieftain, will she choose love or vengeance?‘ was not really a question at all. Almost everyone reading this book will know that Morgan returns to Britain, seduces Arthur and gives birth to Mordred. The tension then has to come from the writer either making the reader forget that the conclusion of the novel is inevitable or making the choices that the characters have to make so agonising that the reader wishes there were some other option. Every time I go to see Blood Brothers I always find myself hoping against hope that this particular time it might end differently, despite all rational thought meaning I know it can’t, so I know that this can be achieved. in The Circle Cast Epstein manages it as well, by and large, and even though I knew what Morgan would decide her situation was compelling enough that I caught myself wishing that this wasn’t the case.
I also liked the way that, although the reader was never allowed to forget the connection to the Arthurian story, Epstein worked in other stories subsidiary to Morgan’s which provide context. I particularly liked the story of Luan who wanted to live a Christian life of prayer rather than the life of a chieftain’s daughter. The way in which she dealt with achieving her aims in a male dominated society provided a contrasting counterpoint to Morgan’s situation which added richness to the story.
However, in spite of my enjoyment of Morgan’s story I have two problems with this book, the first zoological and the second temporal. They may be relatively minor quibbles but both of them jolted me out of the narrative rather an immersing me further in the story. Problem number one then. There are two rather strange wildlife appearances in the novel. The first is when Anna is travelling by boat across the Irish Sea from Cornwall to Ireland and the following description cropped up:
"When Morgan woke they were sailing through a vast flock of pelicans, thousands of them floating on the water, hundreds more reeling above their heads. One of them dove at the water and came up with a fish."
Now, to the best of my knowledge, there are no pelicans in the Irish Sea, nor have there ever been. Puffins, yes. Seagulls, yes. Pelicans, no. A quick Google suggests that they don’t come any closer to the British Isles than the extreme south east of Europe. The other issue was equine, when Morgan discovers a three-toed horse, which she takes as a special creature. Once again, the best of my knowledge is largely represented by Wikipedia and consultation with some horsey friends, but nevertheless sources seem to agree that equus has one toeand the mesohippus shown on this diagram with three toes horses died out around 40 million years ago, which is a little old for Morgan to be riding one. I am of course not an expert on historical zoology and this isn’t to say that I’m not wrong; Google, after all, is not infallible. However, even if these animals are technically correct, they don’t feel as though they fit within the locale and time period that Epstein is evoking and so they would have been better substituted for more typical wildlife which instantly suggests Dark Age Britain. Edit: Apparently I’m wrong about the horses. They do occasionally come about as a genetic throwback, and Julius Caesar’s horse Beaucephalus had three toes. Knowing this, it actually makes Morgan’s three toed mount a rather clever idea rather than a slightly peculiar one, as it places her in a context of great leaders. Thanks to the author for clearing that one up.
My other problem with the book was the inconsistent timescale: the amount of time that Morgan spends in slavery seems to vary hugely. When she escapes to join the Christian community, we are told that ‘Morgan tucked into her first proper meal in eight years‘ (p. 142); later she rescues the Greek slave who came to Ireland with her from Cornwall and ‘she could see he was trying to turn the twelve-year-old he had lost into the sixteen-year-old in the white cloth and gold that stood before him’ (p. 240); later still she meets the man who enslaved her and ‘The head on the grass was ten years older’ (p. 244). Even a brief glance shows that these timings don’t match up, and I wish that some more careful editing had picked this up so that it could be fixed.
With these two exceptions I really enjoyed this novel. I like Alex Epstein’s writing and I get the feeling that we’d get on rather well if we ever met, and would spend hours geeking out over Arthurian legend. I hope he continues to write more stories in this vein, perhaps continuing with Morgan’s tale, as I’d really like to read them.
Perhaps because Alex Epstein chooses to address Morgan le Fay’s childhood, an area of the legends which is not traditionally covered (in fact, only The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley springs to mind) and so is able to create entirely new material, I found this book rather enjoyable. It used a familiar setting and some familiar characters but it didn’t trespass on the traditional stories: it added to them instead and I found this a refreshing and interesting approach.
Morgan, or Anna as she begins the story, is a surprisingly complex character who develops convincingly throughout the course of the novel. She starts out curious, questioning and vulnerable but quickly acquires a steely resolve and an adult mindset as she is forced to mature by her circumstances. She’s so controlled and self-sufficient for much of the book that I don’t find her a particularly sympathetic character, but she’s still really interesting and a great strong female protagonist for a young adult story. I thought it was particularly poignant and a clever touch that what she works towards in Ireland, unification under one High King, is exactly what Arthur later works towards in Britain.
Of course, approaching such well known stories in any way, even Epstein’s rather oblique one, creates a set of problems for the author and reader. It can be difficult to create tension an excitement in a story where the reader already knows the ending, and I was well aware that the question posed on the back cover of the book, ‘But when Morgan meets the handsome son of a chieftain, will she choose love or vengeance?‘ was not really a question at all. Almost everyone reading this book will know that Morgan returns to Britain, seduces Arthur and gives birth to Mordred. The tension then has to come from the writer either making the reader forget that the conclusion of the novel is inevitable or making the choices that the characters have to make so agonising that the reader wishes there were some other option. Every time I go to see Blood Brothers I always find myself hoping against hope that this particular time it might end differently, despite all rational thought meaning I know it can’t, so I know that this can be achieved. in The Circle Cast Epstein manages it as well, by and large, and even though I knew what Morgan would decide her situation was compelling enough that I caught myself wishing that this wasn’t the case.
I also liked the way that, although the reader was never allowed to forget the connection to the Arthurian story, Epstein worked in other stories subsidiary to Morgan’s which provide context. I particularly liked the story of Luan who wanted to live a Christian life of prayer rather than the life of a chieftain’s daughter. The way in which she dealt with achieving her aims in a male dominated society provided a contrasting counterpoint to Morgan’s situation which added richness to the story.
However, in spite of my enjoyment of Morgan’s story I have two problems with this book, the first zoological and the second temporal. They may be relatively minor quibbles but both of them jolted me out of the narrative rather an immersing me further in the story. Problem number one then. There are two rather strange wildlife appearances in the novel. The first is when Anna is travelling by boat across the Irish Sea from Cornwall to Ireland and the following description cropped up:
"When Morgan woke they were sailing through a vast flock of pelicans, thousands of them floating on the water, hundreds more reeling above their heads. One of them dove at the water and came up with a fish."
Now, to the best of my knowledge, there are no pelicans in the Irish Sea, nor have there ever been. Puffins, yes. Seagulls, yes. Pelicans, no. A quick Google suggests that they don’t come any closer to the British Isles than the extreme south east of Europe. The other issue was equine, when Morgan discovers a three-toed horse, which she takes as a special creature. Once again, the best of my knowledge is largely represented by Wikipedia and consultation with some horsey friends, but nevertheless sources seem to agree that equus has one toeand the mesohippus shown on this diagram with three toes horses died out around 40 million years ago, which is a little old for Morgan to be riding one. I am of course not an expert on historical zoology and this isn’t to say that I’m not wrong; Google, after all, is not infallible. However, even if these animals are technically correct, they don’t feel as though they fit within the locale and time period that Epstein is evoking and so they would have been better substituted for more typical wildlife which instantly suggests Dark Age Britain. Edit: Apparently I’m wrong about the horses. They do occasionally come about as a genetic throwback, and Julius Caesar’s horse Beaucephalus had three toes. Knowing this, it actually makes Morgan’s three toed mount a rather clever idea rather than a slightly peculiar one, as it places her in a context of great leaders. Thanks to the author for clearing that one up.
My other problem with the book was the inconsistent timescale: the amount of time that Morgan spends in slavery seems to vary hugely. When she escapes to join the Christian community, we are told that ‘Morgan tucked into her first proper meal in eight years‘ (p. 142); later she rescues the Greek slave who came to Ireland with her from Cornwall and ‘she could see he was trying to turn the twelve-year-old he had lost into the sixteen-year-old in the white cloth and gold that stood before him’ (p. 240); later still she meets the man who enslaved her and ‘The head on the grass was ten years older’ (p. 244). Even a brief glance shows that these timings don’t match up, and I wish that some more careful editing had picked this up so that it could be fixed.
With these two exceptions I really enjoyed this novel. I like Alex Epstein’s writing and I get the feeling that we’d get on rather well if we ever met, and would spend hours geeking out over Arthurian legend. I hope he continues to write more stories in this vein, perhaps continuing with Morgan’s tale, as I’d really like to read them.
March 17, 2023
Hot damn I didn't think I would say it but I loved it! I read every Arthurian legend I could find in adolescence and I got sick of them. But this one sucked me right back in! Seems to be lovingly researched. I would definitely read a sequel.
March 13, 2012
Originally posted on my blog: http://libraryladyhylary.blogspot.com ! Check it out for more reviews!
The daughter of a Roman governor, Gorlois, and his beautiful wife, Ygraine, Anna has spent her life in her parents’ British stronghold Din Tagell, reading the classics, learning about the culture of Rome, and being educated by her father in the ways of war. When Anna is eleven-years-old, however, her life changes forever when her father’s friend and ally, powerful warrior Uter Pendragon, betrays and murders Gorlois in order to claim Ygraine as his wife. Fearing for her daughter’s life, Ygraine sends Anna to live in Ireland, telling her adopt the name Morgan and let no one know her true identity lest Uter find out where she is hiding. Morgan soon finds herself living with Ciarnat, her mother’s relative, and chief of the Déisi tribe. The Irish are strange and barbaric to Morgan, who is used to the learning and discipline of the Romans. After Ciarnat’s village is attacked and plundered by a neighboring tribe, Morgan is captured and becomes a slave to Buanann, a wise woman and sorceress living in a lakeside village. Although Buanann is far from warm, she begins to teach Morgan her magic: spells to deceive and gain power. The more Morgan learns, the more she realizes that Buanann’s teachings may hold the key to her returning to Brittania and seeking the revenge she longs for against Uter.
Written by veteran screenwriter Alex Epstein, The Circle Cast is an intriguing and original take on a character that has appeared in legends and lore for centuries: Morgan le Fay. Although she is traditionally thought of as a seductress and antagonist in Arthurian legend, Epstein goes for another, more uncommon portrayal, turning Morgan into a fierce warrior seeking to avenge her father’s death. Almost from the start of the novel, it is clear that Morgan is a very strong character. Throughout the story, readers will find a lot to be respect about Epstein’s version of Morgan, including her intelligence, bravery, and tenacity. Although she knows to use her beauty as a weapon if necessary, this Morgan is not the temptress she appears to be in more contemporary versions of the tale. Her romance with Irish warrior, Conall, adds a nice element to the story, softening Morgan’s edges a bit, though not diminishing her skills as a strategist and sorceress. There is also a fair amount of history thrown into the novel that would make it an interesting read for the classroom. Overall, The Circle Cast is a thoroughly enjoyable story that can be easily enjoyed by teen and adult readers alike. Fans of Arthurian legend should definitely give this novel a try, as well as those who like strong female characters.
I have always been intrigued by the character of Morgan le Fay, so I was excited to read The Circle Cast. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the novel! Sometimes historical fiction, no matter how interesting, can be a little dry. That was far from the case with this novel. Alex Epstein is clearly a gifted writer in terms of pacing and keeping the plot moving forward. I also found the characters and setting to be very well developed, particularly in Epstein’s portrayal of Morgan as a strong and intelligent warrior. I think this novel has a strong place in the classroom, especially in demonstrating how one female character can be portrayed in so many different lights.
The daughter of a Roman governor, Gorlois, and his beautiful wife, Ygraine, Anna has spent her life in her parents’ British stronghold Din Tagell, reading the classics, learning about the culture of Rome, and being educated by her father in the ways of war. When Anna is eleven-years-old, however, her life changes forever when her father’s friend and ally, powerful warrior Uter Pendragon, betrays and murders Gorlois in order to claim Ygraine as his wife. Fearing for her daughter’s life, Ygraine sends Anna to live in Ireland, telling her adopt the name Morgan and let no one know her true identity lest Uter find out where she is hiding. Morgan soon finds herself living with Ciarnat, her mother’s relative, and chief of the Déisi tribe. The Irish are strange and barbaric to Morgan, who is used to the learning and discipline of the Romans. After Ciarnat’s village is attacked and plundered by a neighboring tribe, Morgan is captured and becomes a slave to Buanann, a wise woman and sorceress living in a lakeside village. Although Buanann is far from warm, she begins to teach Morgan her magic: spells to deceive and gain power. The more Morgan learns, the more she realizes that Buanann’s teachings may hold the key to her returning to Brittania and seeking the revenge she longs for against Uter.
Written by veteran screenwriter Alex Epstein, The Circle Cast is an intriguing and original take on a character that has appeared in legends and lore for centuries: Morgan le Fay. Although she is traditionally thought of as a seductress and antagonist in Arthurian legend, Epstein goes for another, more uncommon portrayal, turning Morgan into a fierce warrior seeking to avenge her father’s death. Almost from the start of the novel, it is clear that Morgan is a very strong character. Throughout the story, readers will find a lot to be respect about Epstein’s version of Morgan, including her intelligence, bravery, and tenacity. Although she knows to use her beauty as a weapon if necessary, this Morgan is not the temptress she appears to be in more contemporary versions of the tale. Her romance with Irish warrior, Conall, adds a nice element to the story, softening Morgan’s edges a bit, though not diminishing her skills as a strategist and sorceress. There is also a fair amount of history thrown into the novel that would make it an interesting read for the classroom. Overall, The Circle Cast is a thoroughly enjoyable story that can be easily enjoyed by teen and adult readers alike. Fans of Arthurian legend should definitely give this novel a try, as well as those who like strong female characters.
I have always been intrigued by the character of Morgan le Fay, so I was excited to read The Circle Cast. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the novel! Sometimes historical fiction, no matter how interesting, can be a little dry. That was far from the case with this novel. Alex Epstein is clearly a gifted writer in terms of pacing and keeping the plot moving forward. I also found the characters and setting to be very well developed, particularly in Epstein’s portrayal of Morgan as a strong and intelligent warrior. I think this novel has a strong place in the classroom, especially in demonstrating how one female character can be portrayed in so many different lights.
July 29, 2011
Source: Received from author courtesy of Teen Book Scene. Many thanks goes to Alex Epstein and Teen Book Scene for sending me a copy of this book for review. I received a copy of this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review.
My rating: 4/5
Morgan is left bereft after her father is murdered by the High King. With Uter's sights set on bedding Morgan's mother, she is left with only one option; to run as fast and as far away from Din Tagell as she can, lest she become another casualty of Uter's reign. She flees to Ireland, vowing to return to wreak vengeance on Uter for taking both her father and mother away from her. Though she is taken captive, enslaved, and regains her freedom, her plan for vengeance is never far from her mind.
The Circle Cast is a re-imagining of the lost years of Morgan Le Fay. Epstein brings to life a completely plausible and highly inventive way of life for the lost years of Morgan Le Fay. With the assumed name of Morgan, Anna leaves her mother as they realize that Uter would kill any children not his own. With Anna, now Morgan, on the run, a life living in the wilds of Ireland is more than likely to result in her enslavement as she explores her connection with the earth.
The Circle Cast is set in such a time where Christianity is deemed a strange and foreign concept, and druids proclaimed that their gods were real and could help them with magic whereas the Christian God could not. With Christians spreading the word to the clans throughout Ireland, it was interesting to see how people reacted to them and the new God that they worshipped. Many rebelled against this new God and refused to believe in a God so different from their own gods. How Epstein integrates Christianity into Morgan's life and how she responds, or doesn't respond to it, really brings to life the conflict of the times, therein making Morgan's life at the time all the more uncertain. Her conflicted state of being wars with her connection to the earth and brings more realism to her struggles. She very much wants to avenge her father and mother, and finds the concept of grace and forgiveness foreign.
All in all, a thoroughly and imaginatively described world in which magic comes to life as it is channeled through Morgan, as she calls on her connection to the earth to help her in her time of need. History, and the early church history being spread across Ireland makes this a rich and informative read as well. We get to see a side of Morgan that isn't necessarily seen as she comes to terms with her identity and future. As an avid history fan, I absolutely loved this rendition of Morgan's lost years and am curious to see how Epstein would continue her story.
My rating: 4/5
Morgan is left bereft after her father is murdered by the High King. With Uter's sights set on bedding Morgan's mother, she is left with only one option; to run as fast and as far away from Din Tagell as she can, lest she become another casualty of Uter's reign. She flees to Ireland, vowing to return to wreak vengeance on Uter for taking both her father and mother away from her. Though she is taken captive, enslaved, and regains her freedom, her plan for vengeance is never far from her mind.
The Circle Cast is a re-imagining of the lost years of Morgan Le Fay. Epstein brings to life a completely plausible and highly inventive way of life for the lost years of Morgan Le Fay. With the assumed name of Morgan, Anna leaves her mother as they realize that Uter would kill any children not his own. With Anna, now Morgan, on the run, a life living in the wilds of Ireland is more than likely to result in her enslavement as she explores her connection with the earth.
The Circle Cast is set in such a time where Christianity is deemed a strange and foreign concept, and druids proclaimed that their gods were real and could help them with magic whereas the Christian God could not. With Christians spreading the word to the clans throughout Ireland, it was interesting to see how people reacted to them and the new God that they worshipped. Many rebelled against this new God and refused to believe in a God so different from their own gods. How Epstein integrates Christianity into Morgan's life and how she responds, or doesn't respond to it, really brings to life the conflict of the times, therein making Morgan's life at the time all the more uncertain. Her conflicted state of being wars with her connection to the earth and brings more realism to her struggles. She very much wants to avenge her father and mother, and finds the concept of grace and forgiveness foreign.
All in all, a thoroughly and imaginatively described world in which magic comes to life as it is channeled through Morgan, as she calls on her connection to the earth to help her in her time of need. History, and the early church history being spread across Ireland makes this a rich and informative read as well. We get to see a side of Morgan that isn't necessarily seen as she comes to terms with her identity and future. As an avid history fan, I absolutely loved this rendition of Morgan's lost years and am curious to see how Epstein would continue her story.
June 14, 2014
Note: I received a review copy of this book as part of the LibraryThing Early Reviewers programme.[return][return]Young adult novel about what happened to the sorceress Morgan le Fay between the point in her childhood when her father was murdered by Uther Pendragon, and her return as an adult to trouble her half-brother King Arthur. The book opens at the council of war amongst the Romano-British leaders where Uter (as it's given in the book) first sets eyes on Ygraine, wife of Gorlois. Uter wants Ygraine enough to make war on Gorlois, enough to seek the aid of the magician Merlin -- and with the death of her beloved father, the child Anna finds herself sent to exile by her mother for her own safety. An exile so complete that she must change her name and tell almost no-one who she is when she arrives in Ireland. A safe place with a distant relative proves less than safe when the tribe loses a battle with its neighbours, and Morgan spends years in slavery, learning a little magic openly from the village wisewoman who owns her, and a great deal more magic in secret. Then there is escape, and a few months of peace and study with a new Christian settlement, and then a chance of love with a chieftain's son who can appreciate the knowledge of Roman battle tactics she brings. By the time she is eighteen, Morgan has learnt a great many things, but the one thing she has not learnt is how to let go of the need for vengeance. It has, after all, kept her alive through the dark times...[return][return]I found the book a bit hard to get into at first, but once I got into the rhythm of the writing I was hooked. Epstein has taken the historical period of 500AD as the basis for his story, a time when the Roman legions had long withdrawn from Britain but many of the British still thought of themselves as Roman. He's drawn on Irish mythology and blended it with modern Wiccan practice to create a believably consistent picture of magic, in a time when both Druid priests and Christian missionaries can draw on the power of the earth, and a young exile can learn to use it to protect herself and the people she loves. The result is a solid addition to the Arthurian legend, covering an area not much touched on, and giving a plausible reason for the adult Morgan le Fay to be who she is. Here she is a strong and sympathetic character, and it's only too easy to understand why she makes the choices she does.[return][return]The book's been written in such a way that it can be enjoyed both as a free-standing novel suitable for someone not familiar with any of the mythology and literature that has accreted around Arthur, and as a fascinating new contribution to that ongoing literary conversation. An excellent YA fantasy novel that should appeal to adults as well.
August 9, 2011
I was equally excited and nervous to receive a copy of Alex Eptstein's The Circle Cast: The Lost Years of Morgan le Fay from Library Thing's Early Reviewers program. Those familiar with the myths will already be aware that very few authors have dealt with Morgan's character except to mention, often merely in passing, that she is Arthur's half-sister, and then immediately cast her as the evil sorceress and mother of his son/nemesis, Mordred. Those authors who delve into Morgan at all can't seem to agree whether she is Arthur's sister by his mother or by his father. Epstein attempts to fill this void by casting Morgan as Ygraine's daughter by her first husband, Gorlois, Duke of Cornwall, and then exiling the child to Ireland to protect her from her mother's new husband.
Throughout the story, Morgan is a very strong-willed character with a convincing development from vulnerable and curious young girl to steely and determined young woman. Luckily, Epstein never falls into the trap of turning her into the too-perfect protagonist common in young adult stories. Morgan has flaws; and the reader may often find her less than sympathetic, especially in her dealings with other characters. The stories of those other characters add depth and much-needed contrast to Morgan's situation.
The author is very obviously well-versed in mythology and history. Drawing from Irish and Cornish mythology as well as modern Wiccan practices, Epstein creates a framework of magic that works for many different people, from Druid priests to village wise-women to Christian missionaries. He has done an admirable job of bringing to life the conflict between the British people who still saw themselves mostly as Roman and the Irish peoples who had very little contact at all with the Roman mindset. However, the author does betray some errors: Pelicans do not frequent the Irish Sea, and the three-toed horse had died out long before any of the Celtic peoples reached the British Isles. I can forgive these as most readers will probably be unaware of these facts or simply gloss over those passages. More serious is the inconsistency of the timeframe: Morgan's time in slavery seems to vary between four, eight, and ten years at various points in the story. The "unreliable narrator" trope does not really account for the differences.
Despite those quibbles, the book really is enjoyable, and I look forward to reading more of Epstein's work, in this or other settings.
Throughout the story, Morgan is a very strong-willed character with a convincing development from vulnerable and curious young girl to steely and determined young woman. Luckily, Epstein never falls into the trap of turning her into the too-perfect protagonist common in young adult stories. Morgan has flaws; and the reader may often find her less than sympathetic, especially in her dealings with other characters. The stories of those other characters add depth and much-needed contrast to Morgan's situation.
The author is very obviously well-versed in mythology and history. Drawing from Irish and Cornish mythology as well as modern Wiccan practices, Epstein creates a framework of magic that works for many different people, from Druid priests to village wise-women to Christian missionaries. He has done an admirable job of bringing to life the conflict between the British people who still saw themselves mostly as Roman and the Irish peoples who had very little contact at all with the Roman mindset. However, the author does betray some errors: Pelicans do not frequent the Irish Sea, and the three-toed horse had died out long before any of the Celtic peoples reached the British Isles. I can forgive these as most readers will probably be unaware of these facts or simply gloss over those passages. More serious is the inconsistency of the timeframe: Morgan's time in slavery seems to vary between four, eight, and ten years at various points in the story. The "unreliable narrator" trope does not really account for the differences.
Despite those quibbles, the book really is enjoyable, and I look forward to reading more of Epstein's work, in this or other settings.
August 4, 2011
At First Sight: Before the Morgan of legend, she was a girl named Anna. Anna who was the beloved daughter of Gorlois, a governor of Britain, and his beautiful wife Ygraine. And it was her mother's beauty that destroyed her family.
During a council, before all the chiefs of Britain marched out to face the Saxons, Anna's mother caught the eye of Uter Pendragon, and that was the beginning of the end. Taking offense of Uter's pursuit of his wife, Gorlois took them all back to their holding and shortly after lost his life at the hands of Uter.
Knowing she wouldn't be safe in Britain, Ygraine sent Anna to live with relatives in Ireland; and stayed to help protect their people once Uter showed up to claim his conquest. Anna, wild with grief, swore to return one day and avenge her father by killing Uter.
Once in Ireland, Anna is gone, becoming Morgan and enduring a lot of things - among them the awakening of her mystical powers and slavery - until she meets Conall, the son of an Irish Chieftain, whose love might very well spoil her plans of revenge.
Second Glance: I'm a nut for all things Arthurian legend and I particularly love the side stories - sort of what happens before and in between the more well known stories, which was why I was very excited to read The Circle Cast.
And I was instantly drawn into the time and place - a mythical, medieval Britain and Ireland - and the author really does a wonderful job putting you there. I really liked the beginning of the story, how Anna's narrative feels urgent and a little grim - and I liked Anna in general.
But I had big problem with Morgan: I didn't like her. The way she's obsessed with revenge put me off a fair bit. And what happens with Conall... well, I can't really complain about that because I totally knew what I was getting into, but it still bummed me a bit.
Bottom Line: Perhaps if I were more a fan of Historical Fiction rather than of historical romance, I would have enjoyed this book more, because that part of the story was great. Personally, I didn't love the characters, but that's entirely because of personal philosophies. Otherwise, I think it was a nice read.
During a council, before all the chiefs of Britain marched out to face the Saxons, Anna's mother caught the eye of Uter Pendragon, and that was the beginning of the end. Taking offense of Uter's pursuit of his wife, Gorlois took them all back to their holding and shortly after lost his life at the hands of Uter.
Knowing she wouldn't be safe in Britain, Ygraine sent Anna to live with relatives in Ireland; and stayed to help protect their people once Uter showed up to claim his conquest. Anna, wild with grief, swore to return one day and avenge her father by killing Uter.
Once in Ireland, Anna is gone, becoming Morgan and enduring a lot of things - among them the awakening of her mystical powers and slavery - until she meets Conall, the son of an Irish Chieftain, whose love might very well spoil her plans of revenge.
Second Glance: I'm a nut for all things Arthurian legend and I particularly love the side stories - sort of what happens before and in between the more well known stories, which was why I was very excited to read The Circle Cast.
And I was instantly drawn into the time and place - a mythical, medieval Britain and Ireland - and the author really does a wonderful job putting you there. I really liked the beginning of the story, how Anna's narrative feels urgent and a little grim - and I liked Anna in general.
But I had big problem with Morgan: I didn't like her. The way she's obsessed with revenge put me off a fair bit. And what happens with Conall... well, I can't really complain about that because I totally knew what I was getting into, but it still bummed me a bit.
Bottom Line: Perhaps if I were more a fan of Historical Fiction rather than of historical romance, I would have enjoyed this book more, because that part of the story was great. Personally, I didn't love the characters, but that's entirely because of personal philosophies. Otherwise, I think it was a nice read.
Read
December 17, 2011More stories and tales focus Arthur and his knights, however, Alex Epstein puts the spot light on Morgan. It is Morgan's turn to tell her story. There is something very unique about Morgan, which we discover when she dreams about her father's murder. Most children in these circumstances would loose their minds (figuratively and literally); but not Morgan. Gathering all her strength, Morgan flees her father's murderer, Uter, to Ireland. But her strength does not stop there. She endures capture, enslavement, and escape. And while Morgan's strength is very unique, her magical abilities are more unique.
Alex Epstein's weaves together magic, legend, history and religion into a beautiful tale of feminine abilities, strength and power. Circle Cast covers a time in history that is both beautiful and complicated at the same time. Historical Novels for any age tend to come off as 'cheesy', for a better lack of a word. However, Epstein is not included in this. Her use of detail and carefully chosen works makes you feel you are Morgan herself. You are given an entire new image of Morgan that is kept out of most Arthurian Legends. Morgan is no longer just a sorcerer, but personal, with fears, hopes, and feelings. You become connected to Morgan in an entire new way.
While, with Historical Novel that covers such a romanticized point of history, one full of complexities and secrets, it can be difficult to understand terms, history and overall meanings. There were a few times in this novel when there was a bit of confusion, but this confusion had nothing to do with the actual plot itself, it more to do with History. If anything, it made me want to do my own personal research on this time period.
For anyone who loves Aurthian Legends and history, wanting to see it all from a completely different, new, and refreshing point of view, Alex Epstein's Circle Cast is a must read!
Alex Epstein's weaves together magic, legend, history and religion into a beautiful tale of feminine abilities, strength and power. Circle Cast covers a time in history that is both beautiful and complicated at the same time. Historical Novels for any age tend to come off as 'cheesy', for a better lack of a word. However, Epstein is not included in this. Her use of detail and carefully chosen works makes you feel you are Morgan herself. You are given an entire new image of Morgan that is kept out of most Arthurian Legends. Morgan is no longer just a sorcerer, but personal, with fears, hopes, and feelings. You become connected to Morgan in an entire new way.
While, with Historical Novel that covers such a romanticized point of history, one full of complexities and secrets, it can be difficult to understand terms, history and overall meanings. There were a few times in this novel when there was a bit of confusion, but this confusion had nothing to do with the actual plot itself, it more to do with History. If anything, it made me want to do my own personal research on this time period.
For anyone who loves Aurthian Legends and history, wanting to see it all from a completely different, new, and refreshing point of view, Alex Epstein's Circle Cast is a must read!
August 10, 2011
The Circle Cast follows Morgan, a young girl who a governor's daughter. Morgan is not a weak girl by any means, but what she witnesses at the beginning of the story is enough to make any person falter in their life. Morgan, however, spends her anger and disappointment on vowing vengeance. Although she may be sent away, she vows that she will return even stronger soon enough to take back what was taken from her in the first place. She's my kind of girl.
I've always been a fan of anything that falls in with Arthurian lore. Morgan Le Fay is a popular character in these stories, but up until now I had never been treated to one that revolved entirely around her. I was eager to see where Epstein would take me with this story, and I wasn't disappointed. Morgan's growth into the powerful wizard of tales is nothing short of utterly intriguing.
Morgan is an excellently written character. Extremely multi-faceted, the reader is allowed to see the vengeance and anger that drive her while still being allowed to see the scared, weaker girl that is on the surface. As she grows in her powers it is easy to believe the magical elements of the story that are woven in. There are times in the book when Morgan even exceeds her own expectations, and those are a treat to watch as a reader. Epstein does a lovely job of bringing the world around Morgan to life with lavish descriptions of Britain and Ireland, as well as the people within them.
If I had to hedge a guess, I'd say that other lovers of Arthurian lore will find as much to love here as I did. My one let down was that it was so short. I could have read about Morgan and her quest for many more pages, and done so happily. Gorgeous world building and rich attention to the lore that builds this character mixes together into a really amazing read. I'd say you should give it a shot!
I've always been a fan of anything that falls in with Arthurian lore. Morgan Le Fay is a popular character in these stories, but up until now I had never been treated to one that revolved entirely around her. I was eager to see where Epstein would take me with this story, and I wasn't disappointed. Morgan's growth into the powerful wizard of tales is nothing short of utterly intriguing.
Morgan is an excellently written character. Extremely multi-faceted, the reader is allowed to see the vengeance and anger that drive her while still being allowed to see the scared, weaker girl that is on the surface. As she grows in her powers it is easy to believe the magical elements of the story that are woven in. There are times in the book when Morgan even exceeds her own expectations, and those are a treat to watch as a reader. Epstein does a lovely job of bringing the world around Morgan to life with lavish descriptions of Britain and Ireland, as well as the people within them.
If I had to hedge a guess, I'd say that other lovers of Arthurian lore will find as much to love here as I did. My one let down was that it was so short. I could have read about Morgan and her quest for many more pages, and done so happily. Gorgeous world building and rich attention to the lore that builds this character mixes together into a really amazing read. I'd say you should give it a shot!
August 22, 2011
What an intriguing story. I have never thought about how Morgan Le Fey's life came about or who she was before she was part of the Arthurian legend. Mr. Epstein has remedied that with his version of the tale of a girl who starts of with the name of Anna on the Isle of Britain and has to go on the run or be killed at the early age of twelve and ends up in Ireland which is a entirely different world to her.
Witchcraft is something that drives her through the book, Anna, who becomes Morgan at sea on the way to Ireland feels the power of the land at a ceremony while the men are off at war before she leaves Britain. She also feels the power from the land while she is in Ireland and it benefits her when she needs it. I loved seeing her in different experiences throughout Ireland. She definitely led an interesting life at an early age as did many girls in that era who married at early ages.
Another driving force in Morgan's life is revenge. Revenge is what keeps her alive and keeps her motivated through the book. The reader will see revenge as motivation for most of what she does. And even though it's her primary motivation, you still find yourself really liking her character. She's strong, but she knows when to stand back and stand behind her husband or her chieftan. I really liked Morgan, she had compassion towards some people who were deserving of it and she did not like those who did not deserve it.
The Circle Cast was a fascinating look at what Morgan's life might have been like in the early years and I loved every minute of the book. Mr. Epstein's writing was great, he dove right into the mind of an adolescent girl in early Britain and brought out this marvelous story of her life as she traveled in a foreign country and navigated their customs as she fought for her life and plotted and schemed toward her own revenge and getting back to Britain.
Witchcraft is something that drives her through the book, Anna, who becomes Morgan at sea on the way to Ireland feels the power of the land at a ceremony while the men are off at war before she leaves Britain. She also feels the power from the land while she is in Ireland and it benefits her when she needs it. I loved seeing her in different experiences throughout Ireland. She definitely led an interesting life at an early age as did many girls in that era who married at early ages.
Another driving force in Morgan's life is revenge. Revenge is what keeps her alive and keeps her motivated through the book. The reader will see revenge as motivation for most of what she does. And even though it's her primary motivation, you still find yourself really liking her character. She's strong, but she knows when to stand back and stand behind her husband or her chieftan. I really liked Morgan, she had compassion towards some people who were deserving of it and she did not like those who did not deserve it.
The Circle Cast was a fascinating look at what Morgan's life might have been like in the early years and I loved every minute of the book. Mr. Epstein's writing was great, he dove right into the mind of an adolescent girl in early Britain and brought out this marvelous story of her life as she traveled in a foreign country and navigated their customs as she fought for her life and plotted and schemed toward her own revenge and getting back to Britain.
June 24, 2011
A twist on the popular Arthurian myths, told from the prospective of the sorceress Morgana, who is called Morgan in this novel.
This is also a Canadian debut novel! And it was a good one.
I'm a huge fan of the Arthurian legends and I thought that this story did add something to the somewhat saturated genre. Anna, or Morgan as she is renamed, is driven by vengeance throughout the novel. I really sympathized with her as a character and understood the hatred that she felt for Uter who kills her father, and causes her mother to be surbordinate to him. She's very simple minded but there's also a sense of great strength and depth to her that I thought was explored well considering the various situations that she finds herself in.
The conflict that is presented in the story was resolved in such a way that I was satisfied. Though arguably some may say that The Circle Cast is a plot driven novel, I felt it was character-driven. The reader is growing and evolving along with Morgan as she struggles to come to terms with her powers of magic, her faith, and her morality. At its core, this story is a coming-of-age novel but with the unfortunate addition of having magical powers and a burning desire for revenge.
In a way, I still think that Morgan's existential crisis could be distilled into something that is still really relatable today.
My favourite aspect of the novel was Morgan's questioning of faith, and the exploration of what faith means in this novel. I did take issue with the romantic interest in the story, because I felt like it wasn't given much depth even though I understood Morgan's feelings towards him.
The ending was concluded quite nicely in my opinion and does not detract from the original source material.
This is also a Canadian debut novel! And it was a good one.
I'm a huge fan of the Arthurian legends and I thought that this story did add something to the somewhat saturated genre. Anna, or Morgan as she is renamed, is driven by vengeance throughout the novel. I really sympathized with her as a character and understood the hatred that she felt for Uter who kills her father, and causes her mother to be surbordinate to him. She's very simple minded but there's also a sense of great strength and depth to her that I thought was explored well considering the various situations that she finds herself in.
The conflict that is presented in the story was resolved in such a way that I was satisfied. Though arguably some may say that The Circle Cast is a plot driven novel, I felt it was character-driven. The reader is growing and evolving along with Morgan as she struggles to come to terms with her powers of magic, her faith, and her morality. At its core, this story is a coming-of-age novel but with the unfortunate addition of having magical powers and a burning desire for revenge.
In a way, I still think that Morgan's existential crisis could be distilled into something that is still really relatable today.
My favourite aspect of the novel was Morgan's questioning of faith, and the exploration of what faith means in this novel. I did take issue with the romantic interest in the story, because I felt like it wasn't given much depth even though I understood Morgan's feelings towards him.
The ending was concluded quite nicely in my opinion and does not detract from the original source material.
October 16, 2011
Read my full review at One Book Shy of a Full Shelf
I am drawn to any story about the Arthurian legends or characters. There are so many variations and theories about these figures from history and legend that I think they will always be of interest me and others. I was impressed to read that one of the author's inspirations was T.H. White's "Once and Future King". It was one of my favorites as well.
Morgan Le Fey has always been one of the more mysterious players in the drama and mists surrounding Arthur. Alex Epstein has created a fascinating tale that starts with Anna as a young girl just before the murder of her father Gorlois. We are taken on the journey with Anna, now renamed Morgan, as she is sent to Ireland in exile. We are with Anna as she survives slavery and other hardships along the way. Her discovery of love, magic and religion are critical to the powerful woman she becomes.
It is interesting that the author has created a girl/woman that you find yourself rooting for and hoping for her success. Especially if you're familiar with the main threads of the legends and know what a pivotal and disastrous part she plays in King Arthur's life.
This is a great addition to the many King Arthur stories ~ although he doesn't play a part in this early story until the end. I definitely recommend it to those who enjoy a good adventure story as well as new takes on old legends.
I am drawn to any story about the Arthurian legends or characters. There are so many variations and theories about these figures from history and legend that I think they will always be of interest me and others. I was impressed to read that one of the author's inspirations was T.H. White's "Once and Future King". It was one of my favorites as well.
Morgan Le Fey has always been one of the more mysterious players in the drama and mists surrounding Arthur. Alex Epstein has created a fascinating tale that starts with Anna as a young girl just before the murder of her father Gorlois. We are taken on the journey with Anna, now renamed Morgan, as she is sent to Ireland in exile. We are with Anna as she survives slavery and other hardships along the way. Her discovery of love, magic and religion are critical to the powerful woman she becomes.
It is interesting that the author has created a girl/woman that you find yourself rooting for and hoping for her success. Especially if you're familiar with the main threads of the legends and know what a pivotal and disastrous part she plays in King Arthur's life.
This is a great addition to the many King Arthur stories ~ although he doesn't play a part in this early story until the end. I definitely recommend it to those who enjoy a good adventure story as well as new takes on old legends.
August 22, 2011
The story follows Morgan Le Fay, daughter of Gorlois and Ygraine, who is sent away after the death of her father. I don’t know much about Arthurian legend…I know the main story about King Arthur, Genevieve and Lancelot and that’s about it. Actually I didn’t know who Morgan Le Fay was and so I googled her to learn a bit more about her.
In the story Morgan is really resilient and determined. She’s sent away to Ireland and has needed to overcome many difficulties while there. There was never any lasting ties that could bind her to the place. Her biggest goal (and its also what keeps her going) is to return to Britain one day and get her revenge on Uter Pendragon. With the different things I read about Morgan online vs. how she was in the book, I was surprised that I ended up liking her more than I thought I would.
Everything that she goes through in Ireland are things that slowly help her come into herself and realize the potential she has.
In a way The Circle Cast is sort of a prequel to the more popular King Arthur legends. I’m really hoping that there will be a second book as I know that Morgan’s story is far from over.
In the story Morgan is really resilient and determined. She’s sent away to Ireland and has needed to overcome many difficulties while there. There was never any lasting ties that could bind her to the place. Her biggest goal (and its also what keeps her going) is to return to Britain one day and get her revenge on Uter Pendragon. With the different things I read about Morgan online vs. how she was in the book, I was surprised that I ended up liking her more than I thought I would.
Everything that she goes through in Ireland are things that slowly help her come into herself and realize the potential she has.
In a way The Circle Cast is sort of a prequel to the more popular King Arthur legends. I’m really hoping that there will be a second book as I know that Morgan’s story is far from over.
November 9, 2012
Reviewed by Monica Sheffo for TeensReadToo.com
Anna is the young daughter of a British warrior governor just growing into her extraordinary powers when a terrible event changed her life forever. With her father dead and her mother under the control of a nefarious ruler, this would-be peaceful Wiccan transformed into a scorned woman, desperate for revenge.
At her mother's urging, Anna flees to Ireland, where she would take a new name, Morgan le Fay. Extreme misfortune follows her, as she becomes a prisoner of war, sold into slavery to an elderly wise woman. As Morgan learned the craft, she managed to escape slavery for refuge in a Christian colony.
But can Morgan master her powers and finally get her revenge?
Alex Epstein gives readers a whole new perspective on one of medieval history's most infamous women. By exploring Morgan le Fay's mysterious childhood years, readers' previous conceptions will be easily swayed. History buffs and paranormal/fantasy fans alike will all find a hidden treasure in THE CIRCLE CAST.
Anna is the young daughter of a British warrior governor just growing into her extraordinary powers when a terrible event changed her life forever. With her father dead and her mother under the control of a nefarious ruler, this would-be peaceful Wiccan transformed into a scorned woman, desperate for revenge.
At her mother's urging, Anna flees to Ireland, where she would take a new name, Morgan le Fay. Extreme misfortune follows her, as she becomes a prisoner of war, sold into slavery to an elderly wise woman. As Morgan learned the craft, she managed to escape slavery for refuge in a Christian colony.
But can Morgan master her powers and finally get her revenge?
Alex Epstein gives readers a whole new perspective on one of medieval history's most infamous women. By exploring Morgan le Fay's mysterious childhood years, readers' previous conceptions will be easily swayed. History buffs and paranormal/fantasy fans alike will all find a hidden treasure in THE CIRCLE CAST.
July 21, 2011
The Circle Cast: The Lost Years of Morgan Le Fay is an interesting retelling of the young life of Merlin’s arch-nemesis, Morgana. The story takes place in the late 400s, after the Romans have fallen and Christianity is on the rise, reaching the superstitious, pagan-rich lands of Britain and Ireland. Young Anna, whose father is a powerful governor father and whose mother is the beautiful Ygraine, a timid witch, is forced to flee Britania from the wrath of Uter Pendgragon, who kills Anna’s father (with the help of the Enchanter) to be with and have a child by Ygraine. At sea, Anna is reborn as Morgan, and it is in Ireland that she is both enslaved and freed. She falls in love with an Irish warrior, uses her magical abilities and military background to help him rise to greatness, before leaving Ireland to return home and take vengeance upon Uter Pendgragon. Unfortunately, not everything goes according to plan, and Morgan, though victorious, will ultimately meet another great and legendary new leader instead.
Read the full review at www.roofbeamreader.net
Read the full review at www.roofbeamreader.net
April 14, 2011
This is the story of Morgan Le Fay's lost years. Sent away from Britain to Ireland by her mother, to save her life, after her father was killed in battle by Uter Pendragon. The story follows her trials and tribulations as she travels throughout Ireland learning about love, life and magic, but never forgetting her wish for vengeance towards the man who destroyed her family.This is an interesting story with plenty going on, never staying in one place for long. There is a sense of Morgan briefly entering the lives of the various characters, although never really making a real connection with anyone, moving on when the time is right. Despite the story being told from Morgan's perspective it is hard to really care about her or her quest. Maybe this is because she is so self reliant.
At times I found some of the battle and magic scenes a little hard to follow.
Overall an interesting, and enjoyable read with an insight to the myths and legends of Britain and Ireland.
At times I found some of the battle and magic scenes a little hard to follow.
Overall an interesting, and enjoyable read with an insight to the myths and legends of Britain and Ireland.
June 5, 2011
My only real issue with this book was that I wanted it to be longer. I wanted the whole story, and the book only covers "The Lost Years". Says so right in the title, but I still felt like I was cut off suddenly.
The best parts of this book are the descriptions of magic. When Morgan casts the circle and calls upon the elements it reads beautifully. I believed it all the way, and the progression of her understanding and abilities, her connection with the source of power, it all rang true. It wasn't about arcane chants and rituals: "Was the magic in the gesture? Or was the gesture only supposed to focus her mind?" And what a mind Morgan has.
The story isn't bogged down by the outer trappings of magic, and this made it stronger. I don't know if the author is planning a series, but I hope so. I'd like to find out what happens next in this version of the infinitely variable Morgan Le Fay/King Arthur story.
The best parts of this book are the descriptions of magic. When Morgan casts the circle and calls upon the elements it reads beautifully. I believed it all the way, and the progression of her understanding and abilities, her connection with the source of power, it all rang true. It wasn't about arcane chants and rituals: "Was the magic in the gesture? Or was the gesture only supposed to focus her mind?" And what a mind Morgan has.
The story isn't bogged down by the outer trappings of magic, and this made it stronger. I don't know if the author is planning a series, but I hope so. I'd like to find out what happens next in this version of the infinitely variable Morgan Le Fay/King Arthur story.
January 27, 2012
Not really sure about this book. Parts were involving and there was a good feel for the locations & era-especially the parts set in Ireland- but overall it was forgettable, at least for me. I know the author was probably trying to bring in info on the rise of Christianity and the conflicts between the old ways and this "new" religion but that whole section seemed tacked on and loomed too large- it became a serious speed bump in the flow of the story.
I could not decide if this was a Young Adult novel (since the central character is quite young) or not. Neither fish nor fowl. Not really enough of the Arthurian to fully satisfy me. In the end Morgan seemed too ordinary to become the powerful figure of the legends. The ending smacked of a sequel.
(Into the Forest Group 2012 challenge- category #3: historical fiction tale - based on King Arthur legends)
I could not decide if this was a Young Adult novel (since the central character is quite young) or not. Neither fish nor fowl. Not really enough of the Arthurian to fully satisfy me. In the end Morgan seemed too ordinary to become the powerful figure of the legends. The ending smacked of a sequel.
(Into the Forest Group 2012 challenge- category #3: historical fiction tale - based on King Arthur legends)
October 31, 2012
Alex Epstein writes about the early years of the famous sorceress, Morgan Le Fay, as she is discovering her powers. She was the daughter of Ygraine, another sorceress Queen who was married to Uter Pendragon, father of the even more famous, Arthur. After Uter kills her father, Ygraine sends Morgan away to safety in Ireland. She learns magic while living with her kin, albeit in bondage, and all the while she yearns to take revenge on Uter. She escapes to a Christian encampment and struggles to come to terms with their peaceful way of life in pursuit of grace as opposed to her desire for revenge and use of magic. When she meets the son of a chieftain who threatens the survival of the camp, she sees a way to make her desires come true. It's the way the story is narrated that I did not like--more emphasis on dialogue and historical details would have made it far more interesting.
March 27, 2011
"The Circle Cast" might be considered the prequel to the Arthurian legend, as it attempts to bring to life the story of the great mythical sorceress, Morgan Le Fay. The title is particularly apt in that this is a legend that comes full circle beginning with Morgan's casting out of Britannia (England) to the wild pagan world of Ireland and ending with her triumphant and bittersweet return to her birthplace. While Morgan's story is ripe with adventure and drama and magic, the book falls short on characterization, and it is difficult to feel for Morgan as her personal quest repeatedly overwhelms everything else in the storyline. Violence, gore and early religion abound. This is definitely a niche item for fans of quasi-historical fantasy.
January 10, 2014
This book takes itself so seriously that it forgets to enjoy its own story. The writing rarely makes it into an actual narrative flow, instead languishing in explaining to the reader. There are a lot of very interesting ideas at play, but they don't really get to shine. I never connected with the main character, either. She always felt distant. Also ... the editor really should have been on the lookout for the author's tendency to break into the second person during explaining mode.
So, yeah, it's a book that didn't quite make it. If you are interested in Arthurian legend, you might be willing to wade through (that's why I read it), but as far as a good read, it just isn't there yet. Which is too bad. It is filled to the brim with a well-thought world.
So, yeah, it's a book that didn't quite make it. If you are interested in Arthurian legend, you might be willing to wade through (that's why I read it), but as far as a good read, it just isn't there yet. Which is too bad. It is filled to the brim with a well-thought world.
September 10, 2012
Perhaps because I know how the story ends, I found The Circle Cast to be a poignant read. Epstein fine characterization makes Morgan an almost tragic hero, rather than the two-dimensional villain she usually is.
My only complaint is that nobody bothered to make sure that the dates were consistent. Several times it states that Morgan was a slave for 8 years when she couldn’t have been one for more than 4 and there are several instances when her age is given inaccurately.
Despite the errors, The Circle Cast was an enjoyable book that I heartily recommend.
received via LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
My only complaint is that nobody bothered to make sure that the dates were consistent. Several times it states that Morgan was a slave for 8 years when she couldn’t have been one for more than 4 and there are several instances when her age is given inaccurately.
Despite the errors, The Circle Cast was an enjoyable book that I heartily recommend.
received via LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
September 5, 2013
THIS TOOK FOREVER TO READ! But I am glad I read it. Not really my cup of tea but I think it'd be a cool book to have. Maybe it wasn't just the fact that it was set in medieval time that made me read it so slow. I really don't know, I guess I could have read more instead of watching television or playing Candy Crush Saga.
Morgan or Morgana as I see her, doesn't seem so villainous in this book and I nearly ALWAYS saw her as Katie McGrath from Merlin.
Morgan or Morgana as I see her, doesn't seem so villainous in this book and I nearly ALWAYS saw her as Katie McGrath from Merlin.
May 9, 2011
"The Circle Cast", is a well-written side-step that tells us about Morgan Le Fay's early years and what helped to shape her into the woman she was to become. It also gives a good base in understanding Morgan's future relationship with her half-brother, Arthur.
I am an avid reader of Authurian novels. Jack Whyte, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Mary Stewart, T. H. White...and now Alex Epstein. I hope there will be a sequel.
I am an avid reader of Authurian novels. Jack Whyte, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Mary Stewart, T. H. White...and now Alex Epstein. I hope there will be a sequel.
July 30, 2011
This was a superb read! Being a huge fan of the Arthurian myths, its always a treat when someone decides to write on a forgotten corner of that story. Morgan's back-story is treated quite well, with excellent depth and understanding. There are many underlying currents within the story as well, especially that of the push/pull start of Christianity within the wilds of Ireland. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys the Arthurian myths!
November 24, 2021
Well for the most part it was an interesting book but there were some issues with it. Firstly I don't think you can use javelin interchangeably with spear. The time spent in Ireland seemed to expand and then contract. The timeline of when the story was set wasn't consistent.
November 23
On retrospect my sister has pointed out things that I shouldn't have overlooked and I don't recommend this book.
November 23
On retrospect my sister has pointed out things that I shouldn't have overlooked and I don't recommend this book.
October 20, 2012
The story of Morgan, from the child of a Roman governor in Britain to a slave in Ireland to a British leader summoned to Arthur's side. It's also the story of vengeance, of war, of choosing your own way.
I was surprised at the intense Christianity of the middle part of the story, but Morgan's story doesn't follow that path.
I was surprised at the intense Christianity of the middle part of the story, but Morgan's story doesn't follow that path.
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