I am a simp for King Arthurian retellings.
The Other Merlin is a reimaging of Arthurian Legend where Merlin's twin children are the Merlin to Arthur Pendragon. Emry Merlin has only every wanted to learn more about magic, but as a girl her father gave more attention to her twin brother Emmett. Years after Merlin's disappearance, King Uther demands that his son come to court to become Arthur's wizard. But Emmett becomes indisposed after a bad spell, so Emry agrees to go in his place for a week.
Studying magic at court is everything Emry has ever wanted and as she continues to learn more about Arthur, and Gawain, she finds herself making a home for herself at court. But when her secret gets out, she knows it will spell trouble.
I absolutely loved this retelling so much! I loved the added mystery around Excalibur, Nimue and Morgana. I feel like I was finally able to get a good grasp on who all the characters are in the original Arthur canon, but with way more queer people. I loved seeing Emry learn more about magic and making her own little family at court. I wish we would've gotten to see more friendship between Guinevere and Emry, but I'll keep my hopes up for the sequel!
Rep: Pansexual female MC (possibly demisexual as well), bisexual male side character, gay male side character, questioning love interest, BIPOC side character.
CWs: Abandonment/suspected death of parent, alcohol consumption, blood, misogyny, outing, sexism, violence, sexual content (not graphic).
Studying magic at court is everything Emry has ever wanted and as she continues to learn more about Arthur, and Gawain, she finds herself making a home for herself at court. But when her secret gets out, she knows it will spell trouble.
I absolutely loved this retelling so much! I loved the added mystery around Excalibur, Nimue and Morgana. I feel like I was finally able to get a good grasp on who all the characters are in the original Arthur canon, but with way more queer people. I loved seeing Emry learn more about magic and making her own little family at court. I wish we would've gotten to see more friendship between Guinevere and Emry, but I'll keep my hopes up for the sequel!
Rep: Pansexual female MC (possibly demisexual as well), bisexual male side character, gay male side character, questioning love interest, BIPOC side character.
CWs: Abandonment/suspected death of parent, alcohol consumption, blood, misogyny, outing, sexism, violence, sexual content (not graphic).