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THE CLEAVING
by Juliet E McKenna

THE CLEAVING by Juliet E McKenna

An Arthurian retelling that follows the tangled stories of four women: Nimue, Ygraine, Morgana, and Guinevere.

The legendary epics of King Arthur and Camelot don’t tell the whole story. Chroniclers say Arthur’s mother Ygraine married the man that killed her husband. They say that Arthur’s half-sister Morgana turned to dark magic to defy him and Merlin. They say that the enchantress Nimue challenged Merlin and used her magic to outwit him. And that Arthur’s marriage to Guinevere ended in adultery, rebellion and bloodshed. So why did these women chose such dangerous paths?

As warfare and rivalries constantly challenge the king, Arthur and Merlin believe these women are destined to serve Camelot by doing as they are told. But men forget that women talk. Ygraine, Nimue, Morgana and Guinevere become friends and allies while the decisions that shape their lives are taken out of their hands. This is their untold story. Now these women have a voice.

JULIET E MCKENNA is an expert in medieval history. She has written several novels, regularly attends SFFH conventions, is a genre magazine reviewer and has been a judge for genre awards. She lives in the UK.