Here lies Arthur – Philip Reeve

The novel offers a gritty, demythologised reimagining of the King Arthur legend. It is told through the eyes of Gwyna, a young servant girl who is forced to flee her village after a brutal attack. She meets Myrddin (Merlin), a clever bard and master manipulator who creates propaganda to spin the local war-band leader, Arthur, into a legendary hero. Myrddin forces Gwyna to disguise herself as a lady goddess, a boy warrior, and a spy to help solidify Arthur’s mythical status.