I received a copy of this from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this novel and if you are even remotely interested in Arthurian legend, you’ll like it too. It’s a unique take on the origins of Merlin but instead, the focus is on his twin sister. Their upbringing and story is told through her eyes and her experiences. She herself was a powerful queen who seems to be written out of history. This novel is packed full of adventure, intrigue, mystery, war, and love. This is only the first book of a trilogy and I can’t wait for the second book!

Thank you net galley for giving me the Opportunity to read this amazing novel. I loved everything about it. Langhoreth was a character that i came to absolutly adore. It was a mix in between arthurian tale and tristan and Iseult. Read this if you have the chance, you will love it

The legend of King Arthur has always been an interesting one, but I don't know a lot about it. I actually found out when I was in England that King Arthur and Camelot are taught as part of grade 7 history! I'm honestly so jealous of those kids and teachers! But other then Disney's Sword in the Stone and some other very old novels called The Seeing Stone (very different retelling though), so I was really excited to get The Lost Queen ARC and read about Merlin, Uther, and so many other characters that existed before Arthur came to be. This was a very detailed book and really brings readers into the sixth century.

A Forgotten Queen
I don't know much about sixth century England (or the sixth century anywhere in the world) so I loved that Pike decided to tell her story from the point of view of Langoureth, a woman from a powerful family with ties to so many parts of Arthurian history, instead of Merlin's (Lailoken) or Uther's. While I'm a bit disappointed that the title already hints that Langoureth will become a queen, while the book itself does not get to that point of her story (seems like an awkward spoiler), Pike does a wonderful job telling Langoureth's story as she grows from childhood to adulthood and all of the difficult decisions that comes with it. There are so many difficult realities to her life - forced to marry, not allowed to marry the man she chooses, and becoming a chess piece between her families - that felt incredibly true of all women in this time period. I'm really excited to read what happens next to Langoureth and her family. It's clear that she will be the queen, but who will be her king?

Starcrossed Lovers
Maelgwn is the epic hero of legend and I continue to hope that he and Langoureth do eventually find their way to each other. There are so many beautiful moments between them in this book; the most heartbreaking one is when they run into each other in the barn and Maelgwn brushes off why he was at her home. I don't want to give spoilers, but this moment was so emotional for both Langoureth and me as a reader. While Rhyderreh is a genuinely nice man who ends up loving her, and I like that they develop a mutual respect for each other, it's actually hard to read about Langoureth's marriage to him, because it's clear that no matter how much time they spend together, her heart will always be with Maelgwn. I'm not sure how this love story will end up -- will Rhyderreh become the next King, making her the Queen? Or is there are story that needs to be told here? -- but as much as I like Rhyderreh, I would love for Langoureth and Maelgwn to finally be together!

Read the Author's Note!
This is a novel where I would highly recommend that every reads the Author's Note at the end. Personally, I love reading what an author has to say about their inspiration or sourcing of their novel, particularly when the novel is a work of historical fiction. In this case, Pike goes into detail regarding different historical details that she has decided to investigate further when delving into Langoureth's story. Her research into the Arthurian legend, how Merlin got the name "Merlin" and why Langoureth's story has been forgotten was incredibly interesting to me and I used it as a sprindboard to do further research myself. This was an incredibly interesting time in history that there is very little concrete information on (hence the name "The Dark Ages") and I thought that Pike did a brilliant job choosing which story she wanted to investigate further. Langoureth is a compelling narrator and woman and I wish I could read the rest of her story now!

I didn't know what I would be walking into in this book, but I loved it! Pike does a beautiful job telling Langoureth's story and I've fallen in the love with these characters and the world that she has written about. I'm so grateful to have received this ARC, but now I have the sad wait for the next book to come out (I don't even know if it has a publication year yet!). The Lost Queen is a beautiful introduction to the pre-Arthurian world and I cannot wait to find out where this story goes next. If you pick up this book, let me know what you think! I'd love to discuss it further.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I tend to be very difficult with my fantasy reads. And this one was just amazing. I think this is a book everyone will be talking about and they definitely should. It was so easy to get lost in this world I cannot wait to see what else this author has in store for us.

This book was amazing. I was so hooked into this book that I just couldn't stop.

I absolutely recommend this book and I will be reading the next installment of the series.

When I read that the comp for this book was The Mists of Avalon meets Philippa Gregory, I was instantly sold. This story is based on new scholarship and focuses on the sister of Merlin/Lailoken, Languoreth. She was married Rhydderch, and in a lot of popular culture, the emphasis is more on her brother and his connection with the Pendragons. I had no idea Merlin even had a sister to begin with, so I was intrigued. I know that with historical fiction, certain liberties are taken and I'm ok with that. I don't think I've read a historical fiction that takes place during the sixth century, but after finishing this, I'm already awaiting more books from Signe Pike, and I want to read everything I can about the sixth century.



This book is divided into four sections and it's quite a big book, but the way Pike writes does a wonderful job at world building. I felt I could easily envision Cadzow, Patrick, and Strathclyde. Everything was so vivid in Pike's descriptions. I definitely got some Game of Thrones vibes from the book. Languoreth's father, Morken, was a Northern King, and while Lailoken was able to go forth and become a Wisdom Keeper, Languoreth was to be wedded to someone who would one day become King to strengthen the alliance between the Northern King and the High King. Languoreth finds herself attracted to a warrior in Emrys Pendragon's group named Maelgwn. As a romance reader, I loved these parts of the book so much. There were some swoony moments, but I will say, I wanted so much more. Give me more Languoreth and Maelgwn please!! Things change in the second part of the book though, when Languoreth is wedded to Rhydderch to strengthen the alliance. Though Rhydderch was a good husband to her, there wasn't the passion and love that was present with Maelgwn. I loved how this was more than a love story, because it focused on court politics, what one does to protect one's family, and the way women were treated during this time period. Langoureth is placed in such a unique position, because she must be careful in her new home and adjusting to the new rules, while her heart is firmly still set upon the Old Ways. I don't want to give away too much of the plot points, but there were quite a few twists and turns I did not see coming. There is a lot in this novel.. and I really loved Langoureth as a character. She's incredibly strong and there's so much that she went through. The final two parts of the book focus more so on Langoureth's marriage to Rhydderch, and then finally, her role as a mother. So I'm guessing now that the future books in the trilogy will focus on another character instead of Langoureth. But I do hope to see more of her in the future books again. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I loved the world building and just how strong of a female protagonist Langoureth was. I've read and watched many adaptations of the Merlin and King Arthur lore, but never has there been one that focuses on a female during the sixth century and their struggles. This book is incredibly unique and even if you aren't particularly interested in the history of this time period, it's a beautiful book about love and family.

This is an exciting new historical series about a little known sixth century queen, who was the twin sister of Lailoken, the man believed to be at the centre of the Merlin myth. It's set during the tumultuous time when Christianity was first getting a strong hold on an area steeped in the Druid faith.

The characters are varied and interesting and I have to thank the author for including a character reference list as well as a 'how to pronounce' listing of the names that I would have invariably muddled up. Languoreth is an interesting main character but, I believe, still a work in progress. I can't say I liked her all the time (she could be whiny and impetuous) but I was fascinated with her position in society and the limitations put upon her (and other women of the time). Some of the secondary characters (Elufed and Ariane) held my interest much more and I hope these characters have a stronger story line in the future books.

The only aspects that lowered my rating are the fact that the pacing was a little uneven with some scenes whizzing by and others taking quite a bit to get through. I also needed a bit more to go on in terms of the romantic bond between Languoreth and her beloved. Their bond happens very fast and without a lot of explanation.

In the end, this is a strong start to a new trilogy. It's filled with political drama, laced with religious fervour, includes a romance and an interesting look at a long-forgotten queen. This book will definitely entice lovers of Camelot.

The story starts with twins Languoreth and Lailoken shortly after their mother has passed away (they are approximately 9 years old). They are children of a King and a Wisdom Keeper and thus their futures are set. Languoreth must give up her dreams of following in her mothers footsteps as a healer and Wisdom Keeper so that she may marry and strengthen their family alliances, while her brother Lail does all the things that she wishes she could – embracing the Old Way and training to become a Wisdom Keeper.

As Languoreth grows she learns that she must give up so much of herself for those around her, but she does it because of the love that she has for her family, her duty and the ways that she was raised. She falls madly in love with a warrior who loves her just as deeply, right before she is to marry another. She makes the decision to take whatever happiness that she can in the moments given to her by the Gods and commits her heart to the love of her life while giving her hand and body to another. She holds tight to the stolen moments she had and carries on with her duty and her destiny.

From the moment this story begins we are drawn into the mysteries and the magic of ancient Scotland. We are show bits of the Old Ways and the lives of those who were bound by it. Signe Pike paints such an amazing picture with her words. She makes you feel what the characters are feeling and you truly care about what happens to them.

There were a few things that I did feel were out of place – primarily in one section where a certain word is used, which happens to be a word that I hate and truly wish another was used in its place.

The book starts when they are quite young (starting a 9 years old to 32 years old), but as the ages of our characters progress I found that the violence and the sexual nature does as well.

I think that this book would be suitable for older teens – adults.

I have not read many historical fiction novels but I think I will start. This book is the first of a proposed trilogy and I can not wait to see where the other books will take us.

If you love stories with headstrong and determined female heroines and you are a fan of early British folklore and legends you will love this novel by Signe Pike. In The Lost Queen, Pike has written a wonderful tale in which her main character, Princess Languoreth, the twin sister of the man who would become Merlin the Magician, fulfills what is expected of her in life but she does so on her own terms.
Pike has done her research into the traditions, lifestyles, religions and cultures of sixth century warring Britain and has used this knowledge to imagine the tale of Languoreth – a princess who plays politics and feels passion yet possesses a brilliant understanding of how to stay true to herself during a time when women were considered property.
In The Lost Queen, Pike has written a wonderful tale which leaves you gasping at the exploits and adventures of Languoreth. The next book of the trilogy can't come soon enough for this reviewer!

I received a free copy of this ebook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.