THE OTHER MERLIN

Meet Arthur and Merlin in a whole new light.

In this gleefully ahistorical take on Arthuriana, the original Merlin’s improbably identical brother-and-sister twins, Emmett and Emry, are also wizards. Emmett prefers gambling and seducing girls to learning, while Emry uses her more powerful magic to support a theater troupe (and also occasionally seduces girls as well as boys). When indolent, entitled Emmett is summoned to become the king’s court wizard but is laid up by a spell gone wrong, Emry dons his clothes, hoping to alleviate their financial woes by temporarily attending in his place—and the traditional canon goes out the window. Castle Camelot is in London. Arthur was raised there, but he prefers books to battle; he only pulled the sword from the stone as part of a drunken night out. Lancelot is a guard, demoted from page duties after being wrongfully accused of sexual misconduct with another boy. Guinevere isn’t interested in Arthur or Lancelot. Also, coffee exists; this world is reminiscent of the 17th century. The central love story is between Emry and Arthur, while around them various political machinations, plots, and spells set up later volumes. Witty banter, engaging characters, risqué references, plus zero devotion to the source material add up to a read perfect for fans of The Lady Janies series. Most characters default to White.

One part Arthurian legend, one part teen dramedy, all parts enjoyable.