The Enchantresses

This prequel to a 1970s feminist Arthurian trilogy (The Green Knight; The King's Damosel; King Arthur's Daughter) appears posthumously, Chapman having died in 1996, aged 98. The daughters of Queen Ygraine of Cornwall-Morgan, Morgause, and Vivian-are fated to have a profound influence on the subsequent career of King Arthur. Dark, cruel Morgan is the witch-queen reincarnated; blond, plump, easily swayed Morgause follows Morgan; redheaded, green-eyed Vivian rejects dark witchcraft and falls in love with Merlin when King Gorlais engages him as the girls' tutor. Spiteful Morgan misses no opportunity to wound Vivian. Morgause arranges Uther Pendragon's obsession with Ygraine, so that Uther will demand Merlin's help to bed the queen on the day Gorlais is slain. When Arthur is born, Morgause is delighted - until Merlin whisks the boy away. Vivian nurtures Arthur, marries Merlin, and bears a daughter, Blaisine, while Morgan, soon discovering Arthur's whereabouts, attempts to harm the boy, so that Merlin fosters him in Ector's household. Vivian and Merlin refurbish Arthur's ancient, magical sword, Calibum. Later Morgause beguiles King Arthur, sleeps with him, and begets Mordred. Morgan finally kills Vivian and traps Merlin in a tomb of bones; and yet Vivian's shade instructs Blaisine how to extricate her father. Ultimately, Morgan, Morgause, and Vivian together will take possession of Arthur's body. Not entirely convincing - the narrative is patchy and erratic, with many jarring moments - though fans of Chapman's trilogy (and The Notorious Abbess, 1997) will want to investigate. (Kirkus Reviews)