Book Description
The first installment of the For the King trilogy, a comprehensive retelling of King Arthur’s legend that breathes new life into the classic tale, from cohost of the Myths and Legends podcast, Carissa Weiser.
Logris is a land torn asunder, plagued by invasions, assassinations, and anarchy. Rulers rise and fall, and so the tide turns. The land lies in wait for one strong enough to truly bear the crown, one who will pull a sword from a rock.
But there is another being, rumored to be half-demon and half-man, who braids together these threads of destiny. He goes by the name of Merlin, and he shapes kingdoms like clay, only to destroy them between his fingers. And so fate proceeds…
Morgan is a princess unlike her sisters. Intent on learning the mystic arts, she flees her comfortable yet predictable life to find Merlin’s fabled cave, a place of knowledge where she longs to become an apprentice. She is not the only one with such a dream, and what she discovers inside the workroom is beyond anything she could have imagined.
And then there is Arthur, the boy king remembered throughout time. Perhaps he can prove his worth and bury his past before those closest to him understand the extent of his rise to power, as he rules with a sword in his hand and Merlin in his ear.
Meanwhile, the currents of Avalon, and of the Ladies of the Lake, swirl beneath them all.
A story of loyalties tested and lives lost, of characters both familiar and fresh, For the King is the first installment in a trilogy that will knit the scramble of Arthurian legend into a kaleidoscopic journey through time, perspective, and the trappings of one’s own destiny. The adventure awaits—if you so choose.
From the Publisher
Book Review
Genre: FICTION / Fantasy / Arthurian
Hello Book Friends,
Are you a fan of Arthurian lore?
I do appreciate when authors take on the task of revamping a tale as old as time, like the legend of King Arthur. I’ve actually read a few Arthurian books this year, but none have struck a cord that shouts, THIS IS AMAZING, including Carissa Weiser’s novel.
The focus funny enough isn’t really on Arthur himself. He feels more like a side character, puppeteered by the wizard Merlin. Merlin is the leading role in this novel and it was interesting to see how Weiser portrayed the iconic character. In this version, Merlin is not all that he seems. Half-human and half demon(?) he has one goal and it’s his own ambition. Arthur just happens to be in the right place at that right time to fuel Merlin’s rise to power. In all honesty, I did not like Arthur at all. He was very juvenile and unlikeable and perhaps that was how Weiser wanted to portray the young king and he’ll eventually grow into a more charismatic, likable character in the next books.
Although this is the first of three, I’m wondering how this will all play out as it took a rather dark turn, featuring Merlin as a villain rather than the saving friend to Arthur, almost like a father figure, he typically is seen as in the classical lore, or I may be misremembering.
Even though this book wasn’t for me, what I did appreciate was seeing the female characters take on a more feminist roles where they were breaking away from the constraints of gender norms, pushing boundaries, and fighting for a more just and fair world for themselves.
Happy Reading ~ Cece
About the Author
Carissa Weiser is a former audiology professor. Today, she is a storyteller crafting narratives from worlds both real and imagined on the award-winning podcast Myths and Legends and its sister show, Fictional, both of which she runs with her husband, Jason. She lives in Ohio and is the proud mom of one human, one dog, and too many cats.
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publication details
| Pub Date | ISBN | Page Count | Publisher | Age Group | Source & Format | Review Posted Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Dec-26 | 978-0063304895 | 352 | Forever | Adult | NetGalley, Digital ARC | June 11, 2026 |
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Welcome Reader!
I’m Cecelia and I’m so glad you’re here! You’ll find honest reviews, book recommendations, along with other bookish essentials. So happy you stopped by!
– C
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ABOUT THE CREATOR
CECE BECKMAN
Cece holds a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing from California State University, Long Beach. She lives in California with her husband and children. When she’s not reading or writing reviews she can be found wandering book aisles at local bookshops, drinking iced cold lattes with cold cream foam, or passing the time with her cats.
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