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Morgan Le Fay: Small Things and Great
THE CHILD FATED TO SHAPE DESTINIES ... Young Morgan lives in Tintagel Castle by the sea, loved and sheltered by her noble parents. An extraordinarily clever child, extremely sharp-eyed, exceptionally curious. A little girl unlike other children.
One stormy night a ship is wrecked off the coast, bringing with it new friends - Fleur the princess from a far-off land, Safir the stowaway with a secret, and the mysterious twins Merlin and Ganieda. Morgan's visions of another world awaken her to the realisation that she has abilities others do not possess.
Not long afterwards, Morgan encounters Diana, the Moon Huntress, who charges her with a dangerous mission. Morgan must enter the secret realms of warring tribes of faeries who vie for the souls of lost children. There she must summon her magic to fight ancient and malevolent powers, to rescue young souls destined to be reborn ...
One stormy night a ship is wrecked off the coast, bringing with it new friends - Fleur the princess from a far-off land, Safir the stowaway with a secret, and the mysterious twins Merlin and Ganieda. Morgan's visions of another world awaken her to the realisation that she has abilities others do not possess.
Not long afterwards, Morgan encounters Diana, the Moon Huntress, who charges her with a dangerous mission. Morgan must enter the secret realms of warring tribes of faeries who vie for the souls of lost children. There she must summon her magic to fight ancient and malevolent powers, to rescue young souls destined to be reborn ...
296 pages, Paperback
First published April 28, 2017
2 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Jo-Anne Blanco
7 books9 followersJo-Anne Blanco was born in Brazil to an English mother and Spanish father. She has spent much of her life travelling around the world as a teacher. Her travels, together with her lifelong passion for reading, writing and storytelling, inspired her to embark upon her Fata Morgana epic fantasy series, about the life and adventures of Morgan le Fay. Mythology, fairy tales and Arthurian legend are all major influences on her work, and her ongoing journeys to countries of great landscapes and folklore are never-ending sources of inspiration.
She is the author of Morgan Le Fay: Small Things and Great, Morgan Le Fay: Children of this World, and Morgan Le Fay: Giants in the Earth. These novels are the first three books in the Fata Morgana series.
She is the author of Morgan Le Fay: Small Things and Great, Morgan Le Fay: Children of this World, and Morgan Le Fay: Giants in the Earth. These novels are the first three books in the Fata Morgana series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
February 3, 2021
3☆ A Dark Fantasy filled with Adventure and Danger
Morgan Le Fay: Small Things and Great is the first book in a new middle grade / YA Fantasy.
This book was unlike anything I have ever read before and a little out my comfort zone, which isn't a bad thing. Unfortunately for me this book just wasn't for me.
However I do believe that given the right readers this book would be fantastic.
I had a few gripes with this book, and whether that is because I'm not used to the genre but firstly I really struggled getting my head round the fact the main character was just five years old yet the adventures and horrors she was exposed and experienced was far beyond that of a much older character. I understand that this is fantasy and I should extend my imagination by on this occasion I struggled.
My other concern was the language and content, it was more suited to YA readers than children or middle grade, lol I must say even I struggled with some of the wording and found myself looking some up and I'm an adult.
Overall this was an ok read for me, it was just a little too dark.
There was certainly plenty of Adventure, mystery, danger, suspense and intriguing characters, the plot is very dark and pacy.
I would recommend reading this book if you love YA, dark fantasy mixed with folklore .
Thank you to Love Books Tours for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Morgan Le Fay: Small Things and Great is the first book in a new middle grade / YA Fantasy.
This book was unlike anything I have ever read before and a little out my comfort zone, which isn't a bad thing. Unfortunately for me this book just wasn't for me.
However I do believe that given the right readers this book would be fantastic.
I had a few gripes with this book, and whether that is because I'm not used to the genre but firstly I really struggled getting my head round the fact the main character was just five years old yet the adventures and horrors she was exposed and experienced was far beyond that of a much older character. I understand that this is fantasy and I should extend my imagination by on this occasion I struggled.
My other concern was the language and content, it was more suited to YA readers than children or middle grade, lol I must say even I struggled with some of the wording and found myself looking some up and I'm an adult.
Overall this was an ok read for me, it was just a little too dark.
There was certainly plenty of Adventure, mystery, danger, suspense and intriguing characters, the plot is very dark and pacy.
I would recommend reading this book if you love YA, dark fantasy mixed with folklore .
Thank you to Love Books Tours for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
February 16, 2023
BOOK TOUR REVIEW
The world of Morgan Le Fay is certainly very interesting. There is a lot going on constantly. There are supernatural beings and death and mysterious visions. And Morgan is only 5 years old.
I quite like this book. It kept me intrigued throughout the book although at the beginning I was a bit worried that I would not enjoy the book. But it definitely gets better the further along you get.
The plot is truly interesting and I like the world they live in. It is a bit like the world of the Lord of the Rings or the world the movie Merlin.
I also quite like the characters, but it is really hard to remember that the main character, Morgan is only 5 years old and all her friends are somewhere near there. Morgan also acts really maturely and it really kinda throws you off at times.
For me, it's hard to imagine this a children's book, because the events in the book are quite dark and although the main characters are children, I still don't see this as a children's book. Also, the language used in this book is very mature and I would imagine a lot of children would find in it difficult.
All in all, I really enjoyed the book and I cannot wait to read the other books in the series.
*This review was posted as part of the book tour organised by Love Books Tours and I received a free copy of the ebook
The world of Morgan Le Fay is certainly very interesting. There is a lot going on constantly. There are supernatural beings and death and mysterious visions. And Morgan is only 5 years old.
I quite like this book. It kept me intrigued throughout the book although at the beginning I was a bit worried that I would not enjoy the book. But it definitely gets better the further along you get.
The plot is truly interesting and I like the world they live in. It is a bit like the world of the Lord of the Rings or the world the movie Merlin.
I also quite like the characters, but it is really hard to remember that the main character, Morgan is only 5 years old and all her friends are somewhere near there. Morgan also acts really maturely and it really kinda throws you off at times.
For me, it's hard to imagine this a children's book, because the events in the book are quite dark and although the main characters are children, I still don't see this as a children's book. Also, the language used in this book is very mature and I would imagine a lot of children would find in it difficult.
All in all, I really enjoyed the book and I cannot wait to read the other books in the series.
*This review was posted as part of the book tour organised by Love Books Tours and I received a free copy of the ebook
April 3, 2023
I received a gifted copy of this book to read as part of the readalong hosted by Lovebookstours in exchange for an honest review.
Morgan Le Fay: Small Things and Great is a great starting book to a fantastic fae fantasy story and magical world. Packed with adventure and the supernatural, this book kept me hooked from start to finish. I enjoyed how the plot unravelled and the development of the main characters, especially Morgan. Merlin and Ganieda were so interesting, and I have high hopes for this series going forward. The book does get dark in some places, so if you're buying this for a child, I would definitely check these parts out first. Overall this was a fun read especially as a readalong and I will definitely be looking to read the next books in the series.
Morgan Le Fay: Small Things and Great is a great starting book to a fantastic fae fantasy story and magical world. Packed with adventure and the supernatural, this book kept me hooked from start to finish. I enjoyed how the plot unravelled and the development of the main characters, especially Morgan. Merlin and Ganieda were so interesting, and I have high hopes for this series going forward. The book does get dark in some places, so if you're buying this for a child, I would definitely check these parts out first. Overall this was a fun read especially as a readalong and I will definitely be looking to read the next books in the series.
March 29, 2023
I absolutely loved the blurb of this one and just had to grab it to review....and just look at the detail on this gorgeous cover.
I was pretty intrigued by our main character being quite so young - but during the character development, she comes across as being a fair bit older, especially when she's taking on her mission later in the book. She definitely has a great way of thinking round things and questioning lots to help her make sense of the world.
I found her age versus abilities a little tricky to get my head round at first, but think that it was done this way, to show the importance of the powers that Morgan possesses and was great when working through her development throughout the story. This also points towards future books in the series regarding who she really is and what powers are yet to be revealed.
I have always loved any kinds of myths and legends and the Legends of King Arthur are especially close to my heart, living very close to Winchester, the home of the Round Table....so loved this side of the storyline. There were also references to the flower faeries which I absolutely adored when I was younger too.
This book is aimed at younger readers and as such was a nice and easy read - but there were some darker elements too....but I think it makes the perfect introduction for our younger teen readers to begin their journey into the world of magic and myths before growing into avid fantasy fans.
Full of adventure and mystery with a healthy dose of magic too - I cannot wait to see what the future holds for Morgan and the gang.
I was pretty intrigued by our main character being quite so young - but during the character development, she comes across as being a fair bit older, especially when she's taking on her mission later in the book. She definitely has a great way of thinking round things and questioning lots to help her make sense of the world.
I found her age versus abilities a little tricky to get my head round at first, but think that it was done this way, to show the importance of the powers that Morgan possesses and was great when working through her development throughout the story. This also points towards future books in the series regarding who she really is and what powers are yet to be revealed.
I have always loved any kinds of myths and legends and the Legends of King Arthur are especially close to my heart, living very close to Winchester, the home of the Round Table....so loved this side of the storyline. There were also references to the flower faeries which I absolutely adored when I was younger too.
This book is aimed at younger readers and as such was a nice and easy read - but there were some darker elements too....but I think it makes the perfect introduction for our younger teen readers to begin their journey into the world of magic and myths before growing into avid fantasy fans.
Full of adventure and mystery with a healthy dose of magic too - I cannot wait to see what the future holds for Morgan and the gang.
January 6, 2021
WOW, well I officially don’t know where to start with this review! When i started this book I didn’t really know what to expect. My initial thoughts were that I cannot believe Morgan is five! FIVE! For this reason it took me quite a while to get into the book because I just couldn’t believe that a five year old was doing the things in this book (when the teacher in me struggles to get a conversation from most five year olds) but once I got past this I was hooked. I actually couldn’t keep up with everything that was happening! The author has an amazing imagination. I would highly recommend getting stuck into this series! I cannot wait to read book two to see what Morgan gets up to!
April 13, 2023
A really interesting story set in the magical Tintagel. It utilises the mystery and fantasy of the place to create a wonderful world with fairies, gods and all sorts of magical creatures.
My one criticism is that the chapters are very long. I feel like I race through books with short chapters, whereas longer chapters tend to drag a bit for me and don't hold my attention in the same way.
I really like the characters and I think there's a lot to explore with them all, but Merlin and Ganieda especially.
Fast paced and action packed. Fantasy lovers will really enjoy the first in a new series by this author.
My one criticism is that the chapters are very long. I feel like I race through books with short chapters, whereas longer chapters tend to drag a bit for me and don't hold my attention in the same way.
I really like the characters and I think there's a lot to explore with them all, but Merlin and Ganieda especially.
Fast paced and action packed. Fantasy lovers will really enjoy the first in a new series by this author.
April 9, 2018
An exciting first exploration of an intriguing world.
Morgan Le Fay is the story of a young girl, Morgan, who lives a sheltered life in a Arthurian castle by the sea. On the night of a tragic shipwreck, Morgan begins to experience strange and prophetic visions and, shortly after, she is recruited by a magical being to embark on a fantastical mission. The book tells the story of Morgan as she encounters visitors to the castle and begins to discover the extent of her powers, as well as carrying out her dangerous quest into secret faerie realms.
The book is very readable and easy to follow, although a lot of characters and names are introduced early on. The story is entirely presented through the eyes of Morgan so many of her sights and thoughts are dreamlike in nature and we often don’t know exactly what is real and what is not, although I think this works well. There are many fantastical elements to the story but also many references to locations in the real medieval world and so one would assume the setting is a mythical version of our own history. Christianity and religion play large parts in the story; Morgan has many interesting discussions with priests and internal opinions about the Bible that provoke thought, although often do not influence the plot strongly.
One slightly strange aspect is the age of the children in the story. Morgan and most of her friends are 5 years old, yet their thoughts and conversations are far more mature and it comes across as a bit weird. There is obviously an element of magic about the children but nonetheless it seems strange. There are also many references to events and people outside of the main plot that never come to fruition and feel a bit superfluous.
The introduction of the faeries and magical creatures is probably the best part of the book. They are often described as beautiful and kindly, especially by the young narrator Morgan, yet there is a subtle, sinister side to many of their actions and there is a dark, creepy edge to them. It is hard to tell exactly who is influencing Morgan throughout the narrative and her quest and this works to keep the plot interesting and prevents the story from becoming too childish.
Overall, Morgan Le Fay is an entertaining book that is far less whimsical than it may initially appear. There are a lot of characters and concepts introduced but it remains captivating and the magical world created is an interesting one to develop further.
Boromir
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
Morgan Le Fay is the story of a young girl, Morgan, who lives a sheltered life in a Arthurian castle by the sea. On the night of a tragic shipwreck, Morgan begins to experience strange and prophetic visions and, shortly after, she is recruited by a magical being to embark on a fantastical mission. The book tells the story of Morgan as she encounters visitors to the castle and begins to discover the extent of her powers, as well as carrying out her dangerous quest into secret faerie realms.
The book is very readable and easy to follow, although a lot of characters and names are introduced early on. The story is entirely presented through the eyes of Morgan so many of her sights and thoughts are dreamlike in nature and we often don’t know exactly what is real and what is not, although I think this works well. There are many fantastical elements to the story but also many references to locations in the real medieval world and so one would assume the setting is a mythical version of our own history. Christianity and religion play large parts in the story; Morgan has many interesting discussions with priests and internal opinions about the Bible that provoke thought, although often do not influence the plot strongly.
One slightly strange aspect is the age of the children in the story. Morgan and most of her friends are 5 years old, yet their thoughts and conversations are far more mature and it comes across as a bit weird. There is obviously an element of magic about the children but nonetheless it seems strange. There are also many references to events and people outside of the main plot that never come to fruition and feel a bit superfluous.
The introduction of the faeries and magical creatures is probably the best part of the book. They are often described as beautiful and kindly, especially by the young narrator Morgan, yet there is a subtle, sinister side to many of their actions and there is a dark, creepy edge to them. It is hard to tell exactly who is influencing Morgan throughout the narrative and her quest and this works to keep the plot interesting and prevents the story from becoming too childish.
Overall, Morgan Le Fay is an entertaining book that is far less whimsical than it may initially appear. There are a lot of characters and concepts introduced but it remains captivating and the magical world created is an interesting one to develop further.
Boromir
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
April 19, 2021
Author Jo-Anne Blanco provided a print copy of Morgan Le Fey: Small Things and Great for review. This is the first book in the Children of the Moon Trilogy.
This book presented a quite different telling of Morgan Le Fey's story. I must admit my only real knowledge of her comes from the movie Excalibur, so I cannot claim any authority as regards Arthurian legend.
This first installment of the trilogy joins her story at five years old. I had to keep telling myself that as I read because what Morgan experiences and accomplishes at such a young age is incredible. This story takes place chronologically prior to the aforementioned movie. The character who really surprised me was Merlin, yes that Merlin (at least I think so). He is the same age as Morgana and at times an antagonist.
We get a dose of several mythic characters from the world of Fae. It is a fairly dark story of a young girl caught up in the political intrigue of her noble parents. As well as the dizzying developments in a world most can not see, or even believe in. Authoress Blanco takes the reader on a emotional roller coaster of an adventure. To quote an old movie "hang on it's going to be a bumpy ride".
Morgana is not necessarily wise beyond her years but she is intuitive and strong minded. Blanco does an admirable job of setting a scene, I found myself uncomfortable when the story called for it, fearful when appropriate, and relieved when things work out. I was fully immersed in the story. Very well written, and though it is the first in a trilogy, NO CLIFF HANGER! (Thank you, thank you, thank you)
If you are an enthusiast of Arthurian/Medieval tales, Morgan Le Fey: Small Things and Great should satisfy that itch. If you haven't yet tried this genre, this would be a good place to start. Enjoy!
This book presented a quite different telling of Morgan Le Fey's story. I must admit my only real knowledge of her comes from the movie Excalibur, so I cannot claim any authority as regards Arthurian legend.
This first installment of the trilogy joins her story at five years old. I had to keep telling myself that as I read because what Morgan experiences and accomplishes at such a young age is incredible. This story takes place chronologically prior to the aforementioned movie. The character who really surprised me was Merlin, yes that Merlin (at least I think so). He is the same age as Morgana and at times an antagonist.
We get a dose of several mythic characters from the world of Fae. It is a fairly dark story of a young girl caught up in the political intrigue of her noble parents. As well as the dizzying developments in a world most can not see, or even believe in. Authoress Blanco takes the reader on a emotional roller coaster of an adventure. To quote an old movie "hang on it's going to be a bumpy ride".
Morgana is not necessarily wise beyond her years but she is intuitive and strong minded. Blanco does an admirable job of setting a scene, I found myself uncomfortable when the story called for it, fearful when appropriate, and relieved when things work out. I was fully immersed in the story. Very well written, and though it is the first in a trilogy, NO CLIFF HANGER! (Thank you, thank you, thank you)
If you are an enthusiast of Arthurian/Medieval tales, Morgan Le Fey: Small Things and Great should satisfy that itch. If you haven't yet tried this genre, this would be a good place to start. Enjoy!
November 27, 2020
Thank you Love Books Tours for having me on this book tour and thank you Jo-Anne Blanco for my gifted copy!
This is the first book in a trilogy that follows Morgan, the sorceress from the Arthurian legend, from childhood to adulthood. Rather than having Arthur and Guinevere in the story, she has Merlin who she is not sure whether he is a friend or foe. Morgan has a dream and wakes up to find out it is happening in real life which will lead her to a great adventure.
I am into anything related to the Arthurian legend. This is the first time I read something where Morgan is the main character and Arthur is nowhere to be seen. Her involvement with Merlin in her adventure was dark and it gave it a nice twist.
In overall, I enjoyed following Morgan in this adventure, it is a good start for the series. The author brings out Morgan's world in such a manner that you get immersed in the story and picture the realms in your head.
It is advertised as suitable for all ages, here Morgan comes across as older than a 5 years old child through the story; she seems very mature in her actions for her.
However, this is one reason why I personally wouldn't give it to a child younger than 12, as well as the lenght of the book due to how descriptive it is. The other reason is that I personally think there is lots of darkness in it and some children can be very sensitive.
An enjoyable read for anyone into Arthurian legend.
This is the first book in a trilogy that follows Morgan, the sorceress from the Arthurian legend, from childhood to adulthood. Rather than having Arthur and Guinevere in the story, she has Merlin who she is not sure whether he is a friend or foe. Morgan has a dream and wakes up to find out it is happening in real life which will lead her to a great adventure.
I am into anything related to the Arthurian legend. This is the first time I read something where Morgan is the main character and Arthur is nowhere to be seen. Her involvement with Merlin in her adventure was dark and it gave it a nice twist.
In overall, I enjoyed following Morgan in this adventure, it is a good start for the series. The author brings out Morgan's world in such a manner that you get immersed in the story and picture the realms in your head.
It is advertised as suitable for all ages, here Morgan comes across as older than a 5 years old child through the story; she seems very mature in her actions for her.
However, this is one reason why I personally wouldn't give it to a child younger than 12, as well as the lenght of the book due to how descriptive it is. The other reason is that I personally think there is lots of darkness in it and some children can be very sensitive.
An enjoyable read for anyone into Arthurian legend.
August 22, 2018
If you have any fondness of Arthurian style fantasy, I think you will find great enjoyment in this book. Blanco takes us into the mind of five-year-old Morgan as she goes from a sheltered child to the one who is set to battle for the souls of lost children. It seems like a large and dangerous feat for such a young girl, but sweet Morgan is nothing like most young girls.
In general, Morgan Le Fay is a solid book with good writing, excellent world-building, and wonderful characterization. I really did enjoy the story here and the message behind fighting for lost souls. The story takes place in the Dark Ages and although there is obviously a lot of elements of fiction and fantasy introduced in the book, there are historic themes as well—such as the tension between Paganism and Catholic/Christian beliefs during that era. While that aspect of the book wasn’t exactly at the forefront, it was something any Christian reader would definitely notice in a positive way.
I personally love Arthurian fantasy, give me something from the Middle Ages—knights, dragons, dark magic—and I’m all yours! So, when I saw that Morgan would be mixed up in a world of faeries, magic, and lost children, I was definitely excited. I’m happy to say I was not disappointed!
My one and only complaint about the book is that Morgan is incredibly young. That is not a problem in and of itself, I just think the length of the book and the target audience don’t exactly align. I have a fondness for YA fiction, but I have a hard time seeing a book about a magical five-year-old being written for teenage and YA audiences. I think this book fits more into Middle Grade fiction but then it feels like the length is far too long for that audience. I’d say that just means Morgan Le Fay is exceptional in more ways than one!
I would recommend this book to readers of all ages. Anyone who enjoys fantasy will most certainly enjoy it and if you have interest in any religious-based fantasy then you might especially appreciate this novel.
In general, Morgan Le Fay is a solid book with good writing, excellent world-building, and wonderful characterization. I really did enjoy the story here and the message behind fighting for lost souls. The story takes place in the Dark Ages and although there is obviously a lot of elements of fiction and fantasy introduced in the book, there are historic themes as well—such as the tension between Paganism and Catholic/Christian beliefs during that era. While that aspect of the book wasn’t exactly at the forefront, it was something any Christian reader would definitely notice in a positive way.
I personally love Arthurian fantasy, give me something from the Middle Ages—knights, dragons, dark magic—and I’m all yours! So, when I saw that Morgan would be mixed up in a world of faeries, magic, and lost children, I was definitely excited. I’m happy to say I was not disappointed!
My one and only complaint about the book is that Morgan is incredibly young. That is not a problem in and of itself, I just think the length of the book and the target audience don’t exactly align. I have a fondness for YA fiction, but I have a hard time seeing a book about a magical five-year-old being written for teenage and YA audiences. I think this book fits more into Middle Grade fiction but then it feels like the length is far too long for that audience. I’d say that just means Morgan Le Fay is exceptional in more ways than one!
I would recommend this book to readers of all ages. Anyone who enjoys fantasy will most certainly enjoy it and if you have interest in any religious-based fantasy then you might especially appreciate this novel.
November 30, 2020
I'm not going to lie this took me forever to read. It took me a while to get past the age that Morgan is, which is 5 years old and I had to keep reminding myself that this story is based in historical times. But eventually I got used to it.
•
Morgan is a little girl who lives in Tintagel Castle by the sea with her parents, the Duke and Duchess of Belerion. After having a vision of another world Morgan meets new friends and a new destiny. She soon dives into a new magical world and who she really is.
•
For a 5yo Morgan is a badass and very clever. I liked her wit and sass. She is a very curious girl with hidden magic that she is slowly noticing. Then you have Merlin, a young boy who to is different and with his own magic. They both unite due to their bond of magic and help Moon Huntress, Diana get a lost soul back. I really loved the magical side of this book. Blanco really knows how to describe things and captivate the reader. The world building was amazing and I was sent into a magical land full of friends and foes, monsters and fairies, whisps and piskies and Muryans. It was such a different take to a fantasy novel and it was interesting take to it. At first the religious side of things slightly bored me and I was losing focus in the book, (hence having to put it down and go back to it later) however once you dived into the magical fantasy realm the religious history started to make a lot more sense. I really enjoyed both Morgan and Merlin's friendship, both quite unsure of one another but unitied due to their magic. I wouldn't go to say there bffs but I think they have each others backs when needed. I realky loved how Morgan's powers started growing and that she realised there was magic in her and a very powerful one too. I look forward to see how much that grows in the next book.
•
Overall, a slow burner at the start but it then picked up and got magical and adventurous and I was eventually captivated. I can't wait to see how Morgan grows in book 2.
•
#gifted
@lovebookstours
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Morgan is a little girl who lives in Tintagel Castle by the sea with her parents, the Duke and Duchess of Belerion. After having a vision of another world Morgan meets new friends and a new destiny. She soon dives into a new magical world and who she really is.
•
For a 5yo Morgan is a badass and very clever. I liked her wit and sass. She is a very curious girl with hidden magic that she is slowly noticing. Then you have Merlin, a young boy who to is different and with his own magic. They both unite due to their bond of magic and help Moon Huntress, Diana get a lost soul back. I really loved the magical side of this book. Blanco really knows how to describe things and captivate the reader. The world building was amazing and I was sent into a magical land full of friends and foes, monsters and fairies, whisps and piskies and Muryans. It was such a different take to a fantasy novel and it was interesting take to it. At first the religious side of things slightly bored me and I was losing focus in the book, (hence having to put it down and go back to it later) however once you dived into the magical fantasy realm the religious history started to make a lot more sense. I really enjoyed both Morgan and Merlin's friendship, both quite unsure of one another but unitied due to their magic. I wouldn't go to say there bffs but I think they have each others backs when needed. I realky loved how Morgan's powers started growing and that she realised there was magic in her and a very powerful one too. I look forward to see how much that grows in the next book.
•
Overall, a slow burner at the start but it then picked up and got magical and adventurous and I was eventually captivated. I can't wait to see how Morgan grows in book 2.
•
#gifted
@lovebookstours
December 26, 2024
Morgan Le Fay: Small Things and Great (Fata Morgana Book 1) by Jo-Anne Blanco is a thrilling historical fiction novel, and first of a series centering on a young Morgan Le Fay that takes readers on an epic journey back and forth between mortal lands and fairy lands. As the first book in the "Fata Morgana" series, it sets the stage for an unforgettable saga.
The story follows young Morgan of Tintagel, daughter of Igraine and Gorlois of Tintagel, who discovers a hidden world filled with magic and danger. It all starts with a foreboding dream that later comes true and through which she meets friends that set off her path to a magical journey of discovering who she is. She starts figuring out she has magical powers and meets mythical creatures along the way, all the while accepting quests that later help her both discover her powers and change her life forever.
Jo-Anne Blanco weaves themes of religion, spirituality, and magic throughout Morgan’s journey. In the background of Morgan’s journey of figuring out who she is and her discovering of her powers, is a slight religious tension between the old pagan religions of Britain and the new religion of Christianity that has been set post the Romans leaving Britain. Blanco does such a good job at setting not only the historical setting of which Morgan grows up in such as the political turmoil that is slightly hinted at in the beginning but gives a very non-partial point of view through Morgan’s innocence. She showcases the prejudice that exists within the religions of both sides and how while on the surface both seem tolerant of each other, there’s actually a lack of tolerance. Both believe themselves to be right, and neither sees how anyone can hold to two religions or points of views. Morgan, on the other hand, seems to see similarities within the mythos and religions of God, Gods and goddesses of old and new, especially in stories of creation. She values the moral lessons she’s taught from both Father Elfodd and Grandmaster Cadwallon and utilizes her teachings in making her choices along with discovering her magical powers. Through this, Blanco intertwines the fantasy of Morgan’s fairy adventure with spirituality and religion of which Morgan grows up with. Her descriptive writing style brings the fantastical settings to life, making readers feel part of the adventure. The pacing is well-balanced, with moments of intense action and quieter, reflective scenes.
I found Morgan Le Fay: Small Things and Great (Fata Morgana Book 1) to be an exhilarating read. The characters were well-developed, and I particularly enjoyed the dynamic between Morgan and her companions, especially her dynamic with Merlin. The book's themes of spirituality, identity, and magic really resonated with me despite the fact that I’m neither a Christian or a pagan, I still loved the mythic stories that are intertwined within the novel, and Morgan’s own question of the world she lives in, whether it be the mortal world or the fairy land she adventures in. To be honest, the novel reminded me a bit of Alice in Wonderland, especially the part where they had to shrink themselves up to enter the world of the Small People, and how every magical creature Morgan meets seems very perplexed by her. Despite ultimately completing her quest successfully, Morgan is left shaken about who she is and what she’s gone through. In order to better wrap her mind around magic and the fact she has magic, she ends up wanting to share her adventures to her friends, not just Merlin, but finds herself ultimately disappointed at the reactions of those around her when it comes to magic.
I highly recommend Morgan Le Fay: Small Things and Great (Fata Morgana Book 1) to fans of fantasy and adventure, especially to fans who want more Morgan Le Fay centered stories. This is probably the best Morgan Le Fay I’ve read despite the fact that she’s only 5 years old. I’m really excited about this series and how it follows Morgan’s life and how she becomes the great sorceress of legend. It's a perfect read for anyone who loves immersive worlds and heroic quests. I would give it a solid 5 out of 5 stars for its captivating storytelling and memorable characters.
The story follows young Morgan of Tintagel, daughter of Igraine and Gorlois of Tintagel, who discovers a hidden world filled with magic and danger. It all starts with a foreboding dream that later comes true and through which she meets friends that set off her path to a magical journey of discovering who she is. She starts figuring out she has magical powers and meets mythical creatures along the way, all the while accepting quests that later help her both discover her powers and change her life forever.
Jo-Anne Blanco weaves themes of religion, spirituality, and magic throughout Morgan’s journey. In the background of Morgan’s journey of figuring out who she is and her discovering of her powers, is a slight religious tension between the old pagan religions of Britain and the new religion of Christianity that has been set post the Romans leaving Britain. Blanco does such a good job at setting not only the historical setting of which Morgan grows up in such as the political turmoil that is slightly hinted at in the beginning but gives a very non-partial point of view through Morgan’s innocence. She showcases the prejudice that exists within the religions of both sides and how while on the surface both seem tolerant of each other, there’s actually a lack of tolerance. Both believe themselves to be right, and neither sees how anyone can hold to two religions or points of views. Morgan, on the other hand, seems to see similarities within the mythos and religions of God, Gods and goddesses of old and new, especially in stories of creation. She values the moral lessons she’s taught from both Father Elfodd and Grandmaster Cadwallon and utilizes her teachings in making her choices along with discovering her magical powers. Through this, Blanco intertwines the fantasy of Morgan’s fairy adventure with spirituality and religion of which Morgan grows up with. Her descriptive writing style brings the fantastical settings to life, making readers feel part of the adventure. The pacing is well-balanced, with moments of intense action and quieter, reflective scenes.
I found Morgan Le Fay: Small Things and Great (Fata Morgana Book 1) to be an exhilarating read. The characters were well-developed, and I particularly enjoyed the dynamic between Morgan and her companions, especially her dynamic with Merlin. The book's themes of spirituality, identity, and magic really resonated with me despite the fact that I’m neither a Christian or a pagan, I still loved the mythic stories that are intertwined within the novel, and Morgan’s own question of the world she lives in, whether it be the mortal world or the fairy land she adventures in. To be honest, the novel reminded me a bit of Alice in Wonderland, especially the part where they had to shrink themselves up to enter the world of the Small People, and how every magical creature Morgan meets seems very perplexed by her. Despite ultimately completing her quest successfully, Morgan is left shaken about who she is and what she’s gone through. In order to better wrap her mind around magic and the fact she has magic, she ends up wanting to share her adventures to her friends, not just Merlin, but finds herself ultimately disappointed at the reactions of those around her when it comes to magic.
I highly recommend Morgan Le Fay: Small Things and Great (Fata Morgana Book 1) to fans of fantasy and adventure, especially to fans who want more Morgan Le Fay centered stories. This is probably the best Morgan Le Fay I’ve read despite the fact that she’s only 5 years old. I’m really excited about this series and how it follows Morgan’s life and how she becomes the great sorceress of legend. It's a perfect read for anyone who loves immersive worlds and heroic quests. I would give it a solid 5 out of 5 stars for its captivating storytelling and memorable characters.
November 23, 2020
Morgan is a five year old girl – but not your normal five year old. She’s super intelligent, and able to see things that others can’t. When a ship is wrecked off the coast of her home, Tintagel Castle, Morgan ends up with three new friends. But what she also discovers if that she might share her gift with someone else……
One night she is visited by a strange otherworldly being, and is summoned to meet with Diana who burdens her with a task in the faerie realm. Morgan must try to save a baby who has been stolen, but will she succeed in her mission, or will the danger be too much? Will she be able to help anyone else on the way? And now she’s discovered this new world, what does this mean for her…..?
I really enjoyed this and am most definitely looking forward to reading Book 2! Blanco takes us to a variety of magical lands, all with wonderful or terrifying creatures. Her descriptions and world building are fantastic and really bought it to life for me. As I was reading the words the creatures and characters were coming to life in my minds eye, taking me on a vivid and amazing adventure.
The characters are fantastic. Morgan is such a clever little thing, although I did have to remind myself at times that she was only five! She’s very grown up for her age, but then there’s so much more to her than a normal little girl. Merlin is dark and mysterious – I still haven’t quite figured him out so I’m looking forward to learning more about him in the rest of the series. I really enjoyed all the magical characters from other realms. Some are so ghastly, others beautiful and Blanco does a fantastic job of keeping the mystery and intrigue flowing, leaving you wondering whether the characters are good or bad, and what else is going on……There’s so much that I want to know, things that are whirling around in my brain, which makes me need to read the rest of the series to find out!
The setting is wonderful. Set in post-Roman Britain, it’s exactly how I imagined it to be. The scenes of shipwrecks, storms, battles, and other realms are all (as I’ve said) described wonderfully, and it really does bring this book to life.
I loved the storyline, and the added danger of a five year old going on an adventure to face the unknown! The plot is enjoyable and will take you on a an epic fairytale adventure!
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this and am looking forward to the next book. I can’t wait to see how Morgan is growing and what she’ll get up to next! If you’re looking for your next fantasy book with lots of folklore, magic and fairytales then you should check this out. You’ll also enjoy this if you’re into the Arthurian legend. Recommended by me!
4.5 stars
One night she is visited by a strange otherworldly being, and is summoned to meet with Diana who burdens her with a task in the faerie realm. Morgan must try to save a baby who has been stolen, but will she succeed in her mission, or will the danger be too much? Will she be able to help anyone else on the way? And now she’s discovered this new world, what does this mean for her…..?
I really enjoyed this and am most definitely looking forward to reading Book 2! Blanco takes us to a variety of magical lands, all with wonderful or terrifying creatures. Her descriptions and world building are fantastic and really bought it to life for me. As I was reading the words the creatures and characters were coming to life in my minds eye, taking me on a vivid and amazing adventure.
The characters are fantastic. Morgan is such a clever little thing, although I did have to remind myself at times that she was only five! She’s very grown up for her age, but then there’s so much more to her than a normal little girl. Merlin is dark and mysterious – I still haven’t quite figured him out so I’m looking forward to learning more about him in the rest of the series. I really enjoyed all the magical characters from other realms. Some are so ghastly, others beautiful and Blanco does a fantastic job of keeping the mystery and intrigue flowing, leaving you wondering whether the characters are good or bad, and what else is going on……There’s so much that I want to know, things that are whirling around in my brain, which makes me need to read the rest of the series to find out!
The setting is wonderful. Set in post-Roman Britain, it’s exactly how I imagined it to be. The scenes of shipwrecks, storms, battles, and other realms are all (as I’ve said) described wonderfully, and it really does bring this book to life.
I loved the storyline, and the added danger of a five year old going on an adventure to face the unknown! The plot is enjoyable and will take you on a an epic fairytale adventure!
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this and am looking forward to the next book. I can’t wait to see how Morgan is growing and what she’ll get up to next! If you’re looking for your next fantasy book with lots of folklore, magic and fairytales then you should check this out. You’ll also enjoy this if you’re into the Arthurian legend. Recommended by me!
4.5 stars
April 22, 2023
🇬🇧📚 Book Tour Review 📚🇬🇧
#️⃣ 2023 Tour Number: 15
#️⃣ 2023 Books Read: 14
🌟 Rating: 📓📙📘📗(4/5⭐)
🔲 Book Title: Morgan Le Fay: Small Things and Great #SmallThingsandGreatReadAlong
🔲 Series: Fata Morgana Series Book 1
🖋️ Author: Jo-Anne Blanco @joanneblancoauthor
🎭 Genre: YA - Sci-fi - Fantasy
📖 Format: 📖 Paperback book
🖨️ Publisher: Argante Press; 4th edition
📢 Tour: @lovebookstours @lbt.crew
📅 Readalong Dates: 13th March - 13th April 2023
📅 Review date: 13th April 2023 (sorry it's late)
#LBTCrew #lovebooktours
.
#bookstagram #bookblog #bookreview #ukbookblog #ukbookstagram #bookworm #readersofinstagram #booktour #lovebooks #lovereading #2023books #bookstoread #bookstoread #BookTourReview #ad #adpr #blogtour #TDEPReviews
💻📖🎧 Book format & quality 💻📖🎧
A beautifully crafted book, with thick slightly matt cover which is tactile in the hand. Off-white thick pages.
🌻SpLD comments (from a dyslexic)🌻
The contrast of page colour on font worked well. The chapter lengths were a little long for me making it harder to dip in and out of the book. But it's totally worth it fit the story.
🎨 Artwork 🎨
This book is stunning, the imagery was beautiful, colourful and it immediately attracted me to the book. I love the natural pallet choice.
✒️ Plot 📉
The lead female protagonist of the story is Morgan. She is outgoing and charismatic. Her newly found friends and awakened powers takes her on a journey to the faeries.
📢 Favourite quote
"They're dangerous, no matter how big or small you are."
📖 Read more 📖
Absolutely, I love this authors style and the fantasy world building and I cannot wait to see what's next.
🤓 Author Synopsis 🤓
THE CHILD FATED TO SHAPE DESTINIES …
Morgan is a little girl who lives in Tintagel Castle by the sea, loved and sheltered by her noble parents, the Duke and Duchess of Belerion. An extraordinarily clever child, extremely sharp-eyed, exceptionally curious. A little girl unlike other children.
One stormy night a ship is wrecked off the coast, bringing with it new friends – Fleur the princess from a far-off land, Safir the stowaway with a secret, and the mysterious twins Merlin and Ganieda. Morgan’s visions of another world awaken her to the realisation that she can see things others cannot. That she has powers other people do not possess.
Not long afterwards, Morgan encounters Diana, the Moon Huntress, who charges her with a dangerous mission that only she can accomplish. With Merlin by her side and unsure if he is friend or foe, Morgan must venture far from home to enter the realms of the Piskies and the Muryans, warring tribes of faeries who vie for the souls of lost children. There she must summon her magic to fight the most ancient powers in the world, to rescue a young soul destined to be reborn …
#️⃣ 2023 Tour Number: 15
#️⃣ 2023 Books Read: 14
🌟 Rating: 📓📙📘📗(4/5⭐)
🔲 Book Title: Morgan Le Fay: Small Things and Great #SmallThingsandGreatReadAlong
🔲 Series: Fata Morgana Series Book 1
🖋️ Author: Jo-Anne Blanco @joanneblancoauthor
🎭 Genre: YA - Sci-fi - Fantasy
📖 Format: 📖 Paperback book
🖨️ Publisher: Argante Press; 4th edition
📢 Tour: @lovebookstours @lbt.crew
📅 Readalong Dates: 13th March - 13th April 2023
📅 Review date: 13th April 2023 (sorry it's late)
#LBTCrew #lovebooktours
.
#bookstagram #bookblog #bookreview #ukbookblog #ukbookstagram #bookworm #readersofinstagram #booktour #lovebooks #lovereading #2023books #bookstoread #bookstoread #BookTourReview #ad #adpr #blogtour #TDEPReviews
💻📖🎧 Book format & quality 💻📖🎧
A beautifully crafted book, with thick slightly matt cover which is tactile in the hand. Off-white thick pages.
🌻SpLD comments (from a dyslexic)🌻
The contrast of page colour on font worked well. The chapter lengths were a little long for me making it harder to dip in and out of the book. But it's totally worth it fit the story.
🎨 Artwork 🎨
This book is stunning, the imagery was beautiful, colourful and it immediately attracted me to the book. I love the natural pallet choice.
✒️ Plot 📉
The lead female protagonist of the story is Morgan. She is outgoing and charismatic. Her newly found friends and awakened powers takes her on a journey to the faeries.
📢 Favourite quote
"They're dangerous, no matter how big or small you are."
📖 Read more 📖
Absolutely, I love this authors style and the fantasy world building and I cannot wait to see what's next.
🤓 Author Synopsis 🤓
THE CHILD FATED TO SHAPE DESTINIES …
Morgan is a little girl who lives in Tintagel Castle by the sea, loved and sheltered by her noble parents, the Duke and Duchess of Belerion. An extraordinarily clever child, extremely sharp-eyed, exceptionally curious. A little girl unlike other children.
One stormy night a ship is wrecked off the coast, bringing with it new friends – Fleur the princess from a far-off land, Safir the stowaway with a secret, and the mysterious twins Merlin and Ganieda. Morgan’s visions of another world awaken her to the realisation that she can see things others cannot. That she has powers other people do not possess.
Not long afterwards, Morgan encounters Diana, the Moon Huntress, who charges her with a dangerous mission that only she can accomplish. With Merlin by her side and unsure if he is friend or foe, Morgan must venture far from home to enter the realms of the Piskies and the Muryans, warring tribes of faeries who vie for the souls of lost children. There she must summon her magic to fight the most ancient powers in the world, to rescue a young soul destined to be reborn …
August 12, 2018
This is a lovely retelling of the Arthurian Legend from a different point of view. The power of the writing is in the magical, musical descriptive language. The plot abounds in mystical happenings, and mythical creatures from the highest Greek and Roman gods to the smallest pixie play their parts. Fantastical settings, both wonderful and terrible, are described in fine poetic detail.
The other appealing part of the tale is Morgan. The story takes place in the real world and several faerie realms, but all of it happens inside the girl’s head. She is a fully rounded, fascinating character, made even more intriguing by our knowledge that the Arthurian legends have her placed in the ranks of the villains, with Merlin as the hero. This story seems to be working that balance backwards.
My only complaint is the placing of her age at 5 years old. Besides the practical difficulties of her society allowing a child so young the freedom to do what this character does, there is the psychological impossibility of having so many adult ideas swirling around in her head. I think most readers are aware that children of that age are just becoming aware of the society around them. The thoughts in Morgan’s philosophy would be much more appropriate from a precocious twelve-year-old, and since it’s Fantasy, we could push that down to ten. A five-year-old thinking in such a mature way produces the dreaded, “Oh, come on!” reaction which tosses the reader out of connection with the story and the character.
Likewise, the depth of the philosophy and the length of its discussion, both in her head and with others, raises the reading level of what could be a great children’s novel up to older Young Adult, although the cover seems aimed at children.
Otherwise a wonderful story, beautifully written. Recommended for experienced fans of traditional Fantasy, especially Arthurian Legend buffs.
The other appealing part of the tale is Morgan. The story takes place in the real world and several faerie realms, but all of it happens inside the girl’s head. She is a fully rounded, fascinating character, made even more intriguing by our knowledge that the Arthurian legends have her placed in the ranks of the villains, with Merlin as the hero. This story seems to be working that balance backwards.
My only complaint is the placing of her age at 5 years old. Besides the practical difficulties of her society allowing a child so young the freedom to do what this character does, there is the psychological impossibility of having so many adult ideas swirling around in her head. I think most readers are aware that children of that age are just becoming aware of the society around them. The thoughts in Morgan’s philosophy would be much more appropriate from a precocious twelve-year-old, and since it’s Fantasy, we could push that down to ten. A five-year-old thinking in such a mature way produces the dreaded, “Oh, come on!” reaction which tosses the reader out of connection with the story and the character.
Likewise, the depth of the philosophy and the length of its discussion, both in her head and with others, raises the reading level of what could be a great children’s novel up to older Young Adult, although the cover seems aimed at children.
Otherwise a wonderful story, beautifully written. Recommended for experienced fans of traditional Fantasy, especially Arthurian Legend buffs.
September 25, 2020
*My reviews are always unbiased, but in the interest of transparency, I would like to state that I received a free copy of this book from the author.*
Small Things and Great is the first of a trilogy loosely framed around the sorceress of Arthurian legend, Morgan le Fay. I say loosely, as this interpretation doesn’t link Morgan with Arthur and Guinevere, instead chronicling a fictionalised account of her early youth. Its secondary cast, with the exception of a sulky infant Merlin, are for the most part lesser-known characters from the fringes of the mythology, such as Ganeida and Taliesin.
A brief sketch of the plot is as follows. Morgan lives in Tintagel castle with her noble parents Gorlois and Igraine, and has distressing dreams that often mirror the realities which follow. A great storm sweeps through Cornwall, and brings with it four other young children: Merlin and his sister Ganeida, as well as the Welsh Princess Blanchefleur and a Saracen stowaway. As Morgan begins to understand her strange gifts, she and Merlin become embroiled in the dark faerie worlds that surround their own.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, and if I had a child this is a read I would feel confident about introducing to them. If we’re talking technical, Great Things and Small is not the most skilled piece of writing (adverbs galore), but taken as children’s fiction, it has all the essential parts that are needed to form an exciting story. In its best moments, it has Alice in Wonderland vibes, and I was also reminded of The Various by Steve Augarde.
Taken on its merits, this is a solid introduction to the trilogy. It is sweet, but not sickly, and a very decent read. A bit young for my own tastes (I often find this with ‘suitable for any age’ books), but I am sufficiently invested to want to find out what will happen next.
You can read my full review of this book by visiting it on my site:
https://darkerfables.wordpress.com/20...
Small Things and Great is the first of a trilogy loosely framed around the sorceress of Arthurian legend, Morgan le Fay. I say loosely, as this interpretation doesn’t link Morgan with Arthur and Guinevere, instead chronicling a fictionalised account of her early youth. Its secondary cast, with the exception of a sulky infant Merlin, are for the most part lesser-known characters from the fringes of the mythology, such as Ganeida and Taliesin.
A brief sketch of the plot is as follows. Morgan lives in Tintagel castle with her noble parents Gorlois and Igraine, and has distressing dreams that often mirror the realities which follow. A great storm sweeps through Cornwall, and brings with it four other young children: Merlin and his sister Ganeida, as well as the Welsh Princess Blanchefleur and a Saracen stowaway. As Morgan begins to understand her strange gifts, she and Merlin become embroiled in the dark faerie worlds that surround their own.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, and if I had a child this is a read I would feel confident about introducing to them. If we’re talking technical, Great Things and Small is not the most skilled piece of writing (adverbs galore), but taken as children’s fiction, it has all the essential parts that are needed to form an exciting story. In its best moments, it has Alice in Wonderland vibes, and I was also reminded of The Various by Steve Augarde.
Taken on its merits, this is a solid introduction to the trilogy. It is sweet, but not sickly, and a very decent read. A bit young for my own tastes (I often find this with ‘suitable for any age’ books), but I am sufficiently invested to want to find out what will happen next.
You can read my full review of this book by visiting it on my site:
https://darkerfables.wordpress.com/20...
February 16, 2023
🎉BOOK TOUR STOP ALERT 🎉
Small Things and Great by JoAnne Blanco
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to @lovebookstours for my gifted copy.
My thoughts: this was a fun book to go back to the Arthurian mythology and I enjoyed the language usage. The world building and the beginnings of their magical aspects of Morgan and Merlin was an enjoyable ride. The only thing that bothered me was that she was 5 years old and was dealing with heavy theme like death as if she was a teenager.
Blurb
THE CHILD FATED TO SHAPE DESTINIES …
Morgan is a little girl who lives in Tintagel Castle by the sea, loved and sheltered by her noble parents, the Duke and Duchess of Belerion. An extraordinarily clever child, extremely sharp-eyed, exceptionally curious. A little girl unlike other children.
One stormy night a ship is wrecked off the coast, bringing with it new friends – Fleur the princess from a far-off land, Safir the stowaway with a secret, and the mysterious twins Merlin and Ganieda. Morgan’s visions of another world awaken her to the realisation that she can see things others cannot. That she has powers other people do not possess.
Not long afterwards, Morgan encounters Diana, the Moon Huntress, who charges her with a dangerous mission that only she can accomplish. With Merlin by her side and unsure if he is friend or foe, Morgan must venture far from home to enter the realms of the Piskies and the Muryans, warring tribes of faeries who vie for the souls of lost children. There she must summon her magic to fight the most ancient powers in the world, to rescue a young soul destined to be reborn …
#booktour #ad #lovebookstours #lbtcrew #gifted #unreadshelf #bookworm #bookclubs #readwhatyouown2022 #bibliophile #bookreview #bookdragon #bookstagram #books #booklover #booknerd #bookaddict #bookishlove #readersgonnaread #readersofinstagram #bookclub #goodreads #prettybooks #bookfeature #booksbooksbooks #instabook #booktime #bookcommunity #badassbookbabes #itsnothoardingifitsbooks
Small Things and Great by JoAnne Blanco
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to @lovebookstours for my gifted copy.
My thoughts: this was a fun book to go back to the Arthurian mythology and I enjoyed the language usage. The world building and the beginnings of their magical aspects of Morgan and Merlin was an enjoyable ride. The only thing that bothered me was that she was 5 years old and was dealing with heavy theme like death as if she was a teenager.
Blurb
THE CHILD FATED TO SHAPE DESTINIES …
Morgan is a little girl who lives in Tintagel Castle by the sea, loved and sheltered by her noble parents, the Duke and Duchess of Belerion. An extraordinarily clever child, extremely sharp-eyed, exceptionally curious. A little girl unlike other children.
One stormy night a ship is wrecked off the coast, bringing with it new friends – Fleur the princess from a far-off land, Safir the stowaway with a secret, and the mysterious twins Merlin and Ganieda. Morgan’s visions of another world awaken her to the realisation that she can see things others cannot. That she has powers other people do not possess.
Not long afterwards, Morgan encounters Diana, the Moon Huntress, who charges her with a dangerous mission that only she can accomplish. With Merlin by her side and unsure if he is friend or foe, Morgan must venture far from home to enter the realms of the Piskies and the Muryans, warring tribes of faeries who vie for the souls of lost children. There she must summon her magic to fight the most ancient powers in the world, to rescue a young soul destined to be reborn …
#booktour #ad #lovebookstours #lbtcrew #gifted #unreadshelf #bookworm #bookclubs #readwhatyouown2022 #bibliophile #bookreview #bookdragon #bookstagram #books #booklover #booknerd #bookaddict #bookishlove #readersgonnaread #readersofinstagram #bookclub #goodreads #prettybooks #bookfeature #booksbooksbooks #instabook #booktime #bookcommunity #badassbookbabes #itsnothoardingifitsbooks
December 5, 2020
r/suggestmeabook: I want an Arthurian-cycle-based adventure with a precocious 5-year-old Morgan and a suspect Merlin.
From the publisher: Morgan is a little girl who lives in Tintagel Castle by the sea, loved and sheltered by her noble parents, the Duke and Duchess of Belerion. An extraordinarily clever child, extremely sharp-eyed, exceptionally curious. A little girl unlike other children.
One stormy night a ship is wrecked off the coast, bringing with it new friends – Fleur the princess from a far-off land, Safir the stowaway with a secret, and the mysterious twins Merlin and Ganieda. Morgan’s visions of another world awaken her to the realisation that she can see things others cannot. That she has powers other people do not possess.
The shipwreck initiates Morgan’s technicolor adventures, which move rather quickly, as you find yourself running into names from the Arthurian cycle such as Igraine, Merlin, Pellinore (offscreen). Other names are bandied about up as the book progresses, including Uther Pendragon (in this version, Ambrosius is his brother). Then there are the Celtic elements visiting Cornwall at the outset, such as the Great Hunt and Cernunnos.
For the full review, go to Bibliostatic: https://bibliostatic.com/2020/12/03/m...
From the publisher: Morgan is a little girl who lives in Tintagel Castle by the sea, loved and sheltered by her noble parents, the Duke and Duchess of Belerion. An extraordinarily clever child, extremely sharp-eyed, exceptionally curious. A little girl unlike other children.
One stormy night a ship is wrecked off the coast, bringing with it new friends – Fleur the princess from a far-off land, Safir the stowaway with a secret, and the mysterious twins Merlin and Ganieda. Morgan’s visions of another world awaken her to the realisation that she can see things others cannot. That she has powers other people do not possess.
The shipwreck initiates Morgan’s technicolor adventures, which move rather quickly, as you find yourself running into names from the Arthurian cycle such as Igraine, Merlin, Pellinore (offscreen). Other names are bandied about up as the book progresses, including Uther Pendragon (in this version, Ambrosius is his brother). Then there are the Celtic elements visiting Cornwall at the outset, such as the Great Hunt and Cernunnos.
For the full review, go to Bibliostatic: https://bibliostatic.com/2020/12/03/m...
April 12, 2023
I was gifted a copy of this book through lovebookstours and I leave my honest review below.
The author has built a great YA fantasy world and set the groundworks from book 1 with her worldbuilding. There’s a lot established in this first book, including several different species, magic systems, politics, and geography, even though it’s quite a short story. Morgan’s naivety as she embarks on her quest reads so well from the page.
There are quite a few themes in the story, including religion, which leads to Morgan questioning what she’s been raised to believe. I think this will become a coming of age story, as she’s exposed to the reality of the world she lives in and she loses her innocence.
Merlin is established early on as a ‘frenemy’ type figure - the two are forced on this journey together as they have similar powers though neither would probably willingly choose the other as a companion, but he could become her foe or a close friend.
There’s quite a bit of foreshadowing in this book, hinting at story arcs for the upcoming sequels. There are also a few supporting characters that could have their own contributions expanded on, so there are quite a few ways that the sequels could go, which leaves the story wide open.
The author has built a great YA fantasy world and set the groundworks from book 1 with her worldbuilding. There’s a lot established in this first book, including several different species, magic systems, politics, and geography, even though it’s quite a short story. Morgan’s naivety as she embarks on her quest reads so well from the page.
There are quite a few themes in the story, including religion, which leads to Morgan questioning what she’s been raised to believe. I think this will become a coming of age story, as she’s exposed to the reality of the world she lives in and she loses her innocence.
Merlin is established early on as a ‘frenemy’ type figure - the two are forced on this journey together as they have similar powers though neither would probably willingly choose the other as a companion, but he could become her foe or a close friend.
There’s quite a bit of foreshadowing in this book, hinting at story arcs for the upcoming sequels. There are also a few supporting characters that could have their own contributions expanded on, so there are quite a few ways that the sequels could go, which leaves the story wide open.
November 26, 2020
When a book starts with a prophecy you know it’ll be a good read.
Morgan is a young girl who lives in Tintagel Castle with her family. But Morgan is no ordinary 5 year old she is different from other young girls because she has special gifts. When Morgan wakes from what she thinks is a nightmare she very quickly realises it wasn’t a dream but a prophecy. This leads Morgan to meet new people Princess Fleur (royalty from another realm), Safir (a stowaway Saracen who becomes a friend) and Twins Merlin and Ganieda who will all play an important part in her life.
Morgan is called upon by Diana (Queen of the moon) who asks for Morgan’s help to go where she cannot and bring back to her something that was taken, the soul of a child so it can be reborn. During her quest Morgan ventures to the fairy realm, meets the king of the pixies, Queen Caelia of the Muryan realm and encounters the 3 Eleven Queens, Aynia, Cleena and Una.
Will Morgan succeed in her quest? Is there more to the characters she encounters than meets the eye?
I’ve read and seen many interpretations of Merlin’s story which always include include Morgan/Morgana but are centred around Merlin where Morgan is introduced as a secondary character. I’ve always been intrigued by her backstory so couldn’t wait to read a book/story that was centred around this character. The interaction between Merlin and Morgan was also another interesting element of the book especially as Morgan doesn’t warm to Merlin, but the more you read the more you realise its because they share many similarities and magic is just one of them. The author has done a fantastic job bringing Morgan’s world and surroundings to life. It was refreshing to pick up the book and escape into Morgan’s world for a while. This is a book that brings Roman mythology, folklore, fairytales and the Arthurian legend to life with each turn of a page.
A superb addition to the fantasy genre that any child or adult would enjoy.
I revived a gifted copy of this book for an honest review.
Morgan is a young girl who lives in Tintagel Castle with her family. But Morgan is no ordinary 5 year old she is different from other young girls because she has special gifts. When Morgan wakes from what she thinks is a nightmare she very quickly realises it wasn’t a dream but a prophecy. This leads Morgan to meet new people Princess Fleur (royalty from another realm), Safir (a stowaway Saracen who becomes a friend) and Twins Merlin and Ganieda who will all play an important part in her life.
Morgan is called upon by Diana (Queen of the moon) who asks for Morgan’s help to go where she cannot and bring back to her something that was taken, the soul of a child so it can be reborn. During her quest Morgan ventures to the fairy realm, meets the king of the pixies, Queen Caelia of the Muryan realm and encounters the 3 Eleven Queens, Aynia, Cleena and Una.
Will Morgan succeed in her quest? Is there more to the characters she encounters than meets the eye?
I’ve read and seen many interpretations of Merlin’s story which always include include Morgan/Morgana but are centred around Merlin where Morgan is introduced as a secondary character. I’ve always been intrigued by her backstory so couldn’t wait to read a book/story that was centred around this character. The interaction between Merlin and Morgan was also another interesting element of the book especially as Morgan doesn’t warm to Merlin, but the more you read the more you realise its because they share many similarities and magic is just one of them. The author has done a fantastic job bringing Morgan’s world and surroundings to life. It was refreshing to pick up the book and escape into Morgan’s world for a while. This is a book that brings Roman mythology, folklore, fairytales and the Arthurian legend to life with each turn of a page.
A superb addition to the fantasy genre that any child or adult would enjoy.
I revived a gifted copy of this book for an honest review.
April 9, 2023
Firstly I'd like to say thank you to @joanneblancoauthor and @lovebookstours for providing this book and including me in this read-along. It was so much fun!
The world building throughout this book was magical and immersive. The writing style was good but sometimes it was a little too mature for a FMC that was only 5 years old.
I enjoyed the adventures and the magic along the way and I was pleased for Morgan everytime she accomplished her goals.
Even though this was a read-along, I couldn't help myself and I finished reading this book in a day.
Overall this a really good introduction to a new YA trilogy!
*I recieved a gifted copy this book as part of the read-along tour with Lovebookstours. This is my own opinion and an honest review, which I am leaving voluntarily*
The world building throughout this book was magical and immersive. The writing style was good but sometimes it was a little too mature for a FMC that was only 5 years old.
I enjoyed the adventures and the magic along the way and I was pleased for Morgan everytime she accomplished her goals.
Even though this was a read-along, I couldn't help myself and I finished reading this book in a day.
Overall this a really good introduction to a new YA trilogy!
*I recieved a gifted copy this book as part of the read-along tour with Lovebookstours. This is my own opinion and an honest review, which I am leaving voluntarily*
December 1, 2020
Small Things and Great is a new perspective on the legends of King Arthur. If you're familiar with a version of the King Arthur legends, then you might be familiar with the role of Moran Le Fay. I love how we start with her as a child, and get to see how magic and her adventures shape her. Morgan as a narrator is wonderful, and you quickly get lost in her words, even though at times you may wonder what is real and what is simply a bit of her magical imagination. Highly recommend for anyone who loves the stories of King Arthur and wants a new perspective, or loves tales filled with magic and fae.
April 7, 2023
This book is a wonder of world builiding, you really feel like you are on the Moon Moor with Morgan and Merlin discovering just who the Piskies and Muryans are.
I enjoy reading about the fantasy and spiritual world and this did not disappoint. You get to meet a lot of characters but there is still so much development to come, which allows further books in the series to explore who they truly are and their relationship with Morgan.
I still have many questions surrounding both Merlin and Diana and are their overall motives.
For me personally i would have preferred the timeline to be shifted to about 10 years in the future.
I enjoy reading about the fantasy and spiritual world and this did not disappoint. You get to meet a lot of characters but there is still so much development to come, which allows further books in the series to explore who they truly are and their relationship with Morgan.
I still have many questions surrounding both Merlin and Diana and are their overall motives.
For me personally i would have preferred the timeline to be shifted to about 10 years in the future.
April 27, 2023
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Firstly, thank you for letting me be a part of this read-along tour.
This book is full of fairytale and adventure, and I loved answering the questions.
The book is a fun read that draws you right into the adventure with Morgan that makes you question how old our main character really is. I was pleasantly surprised at her age.
It really is a book about adventure no matter how young you are.
Firstly, thank you for letting me be a part of this read-along tour.
This book is full of fairytale and adventure, and I loved answering the questions.
The book is a fun read that draws you right into the adventure with Morgan that makes you question how old our main character really is. I was pleasantly surprised at her age.
It really is a book about adventure no matter how young you are.
February 23, 2023
If you are a fan of retellings, this one is for you. While this book would be more of an prequal to the king Arthur legends, anyone could enjoy this one. My one issue with the book is that the characters are five years old, but don’t feel like five year olds. While they don’t act like their age, these characters are still interesting. This book was one I could not put down and loved every minute of reading.
April 18, 2023
Thank you to @lovebookstours for having me on this Readalong.
This isn’t a genre I’d normally read but I was attracted to the cover and as soon as I started reading I got drawn in to the world of magic, faeries, piskies and other magical beings. Some of the conversations regarding faith go quite deep and actually really got me thinking!
This may be aimed at 14-18 year olds but I enjoyed the read and if you enjoy magic etc then this is for you.
I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
This isn’t a genre I’d normally read but I was attracted to the cover and as soon as I started reading I got drawn in to the world of magic, faeries, piskies and other magical beings. Some of the conversations regarding faith go quite deep and actually really got me thinking!
This may be aimed at 14-18 year olds but I enjoyed the read and if you enjoy magic etc then this is for you.
I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
April 11, 2023
4.5 ⭐
This book was a great start to what I think is going to be an amazing fantasy series. It was magical, mysterious and full of all kinds of mythical creatures. It was fast-paced and full of action.
My favourite character was Morgan although when I first found out she was only 5 years old I thought that might be something I would struggle with. Thankfully I was wrong and it wasn't an issue for me. Throughout the story I often forgot all about her age as she seemed much older in many ways. She was very intuitive, strong minded and brave. I liked her a lot and I can't wait to find out what she and her friends get up to in the next installment!
If you're a fan of arthurian legend or medieval tales then I think this one will be right up your street.
This book was a great start to what I think is going to be an amazing fantasy series. It was magical, mysterious and full of all kinds of mythical creatures. It was fast-paced and full of action.
My favourite character was Morgan although when I first found out she was only 5 years old I thought that might be something I would struggle with. Thankfully I was wrong and it wasn't an issue for me. Throughout the story I often forgot all about her age as she seemed much older in many ways. She was very intuitive, strong minded and brave. I liked her a lot and I can't wait to find out what she and her friends get up to in the next installment!
If you're a fan of arthurian legend or medieval tales then I think this one will be right up your street.
September 3, 2023
What a wonderful start to what is surely going to be a great series! I love fantasy and especially anything far based! The world and character building are great, especially Morgan. I feel like it was a bit of a risk having such a young main character but @joanneblancoauthor managed to pull it off well. I can’t wait to see what happens in the rest of this series!
August 10, 2017
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This was an interesting read! Morgan had a pre-cognitive dream about a shipwreck - and awoke to it happening. That was the beginning of her great adventure in the faerie realm.
December 2, 2020
Thank you love book tours for gifting me a copy of this book
I liked the whole story of Morgan and I actually really liked her character and I thank the author for giving me the information that in the past ages a 5 year old child isn't a child Morgan went through really hard things I myself would have been afraid but I think that's what made her so great. The begining of the book was a honestly a little boring but the book picked up I think 50% in. The last chapters were really so special. The author gave the atmosphere of the faeries and castle and all this magical world so perfectly. The writing style was quite good it wasn't simple and I loved that. I'd recommend this but to a reader who has a little patience cause if you get bored easily you won't get through.
I liked the whole story of Morgan and I actually really liked her character and I thank the author for giving me the information that in the past ages a 5 year old child isn't a child Morgan went through really hard things I myself would have been afraid but I think that's what made her so great. The begining of the book was a honestly a little boring but the book picked up I think 50% in. The last chapters were really so special. The author gave the atmosphere of the faeries and castle and all this magical world so perfectly. The writing style was quite good it wasn't simple and I loved that. I'd recommend this but to a reader who has a little patience cause if you get bored easily you won't get through.
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