A long forgotten Scottish queen - Languoreth is known as a powerful medieval queen. Her twin brother, Lailokenm, became Merlin.
I'm a huge fan of King Arthur - specifically the women. This book did not disappoint.

This book took me a while to get into, but after about 180 pages, I was hooked into the story. The writing is beautiful and the world is completely immersive. I think a large part of the slow start had to do with needing to set up the history and early years of Languoreth and creating the world. The ending has me immediately wanting to pick up the second book, so I'm very glad to have it ready!

I was intrigued when the story was described as Outlander meets Camelot. It took a bit to get used to the names but then I was completely engrossed in the story.

A fantasy set in sixth century Scotland. The story of Merlin's sister, Languoreth. It's filled with political and religious drama and a little romance. The love story was truly insta-love in the literal sense with no build up or questioning. Lots of action and great story-telling.

I need to read the next book in the trilogy soon.

I’ve had this arc for years and unfortunately I don’t think the writing is for me. I struggle with fantasy sometimes and this is a little heavier for my tastes. DNF

I had no good reason for putting off reading this book for so long. Maybe it was mostly due to how long it is, at around 500 pages. But picking it up right as the seasons turned from summer to fall was the best decision. There is something about settling in with a chunky historical fiction-with a hint of fantasy-novel that makes you want to savor the cooler temps.

The Lost Queen is the first in a trilogy about the sixth century Scottish queen, Languoreth. While her twin brother would eventually become the inspiration for Merlin, she is mostly lost to history. In this first book, we follow her from her youth through her young adulthood, as she comes into her own. There is war, romance, and strong themes of the importance of family and faith.

As someone who as spent a lot of time studying the Middle Ages, I appreciate this way of shedding light on a figure often overlooked by scholarship. Pike enables us to imagine what life may have been like for Langoureth and her brother. in a world on the brink of change by the arrival of Christianity.

I am eager to see where this story goes next in book 2. This might be one of those series that I fly through, at least until book 3 is published!

"I believe it was time Languoreth stepped from the mists of history to take her place in our hearts, our minds, and our memories." -Signe Pike

I was absolutely blown away by this book. I've never been the hugest fan of reading books based on the Arthurian legends, but Signe Pike has made me a believer. I was instantly drawn in by her beautiful and captivating writing, eager to find out what would happen next. This book is a beautiful blend of history and magic, attractive to historical fiction and fantasy lovers both. I can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy.

As the daughter of a king, Langoureth’s only duty in life is to make an advantageous marriage match for her family. But she loves learning and healing, and wishes she could study those arts with her brother. The book outlines the political upheavals of the time through a woman's perspective. Based on one of the possible origins of the myth of Merlin, we follow his twin sister, the forgotten queen, her struggles and quiet power she exerted from her position.

I really enjoyed this epic historical novel. Some parts frustrated me, like that Langoureth could not make many choices for herself, and had to stay out of much of the action of the story. After reading the Author’s Note, I understood better why it was framed that way. Langoureth was an influential person in her time whom history has largely forgotten, while the men’s stories continue to be told. The author clearly did a lot of research to try to recreate her life story.

It is quite a long and detailed book, but I did not feel like it dragged. The way it skips ahead in time added to the epic feeling, the feeling that things are happening on a larger scale. The characters and the immersive setting were very compelling. I know very little about this time in history, and this book definitely made me want to learn more. I also didn’t realize it would be a series, and I’m intrigued to read on.

Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to review this book.

I enjoyed it very much.

Many years ago I read "The Mists of Avalon" and loved it. When the press release came out for "The Lost Queen"and referred to the "The Mists" I didn't hesitate to request it. I was not disappointed... this is a very promising new series centered on an interpretation of the Arthurian stories originating in Strathclyde above the wall rather than Wales. Looking for more in the series. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Given the extent of time since this was published I will not be giving a formal review. But I appreciate the opportunity!

I loves part 1 so much but the further in it got, the more it seemed to drag. By the end of part 2 I was looking for something else to read. I may pick it up again at some point to try and finish but right now it's just going on my DNF list.

I love stories that play in Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿.

It took me some chapters to catch on a real dive in reading mode, but I ended up liking the book a lot.

Loved this story. Author Signe Pike makes the read delightful in her descriptions of the relationship between brother and sister, father and children. The struggles of the times become real for the reader. Ms. Pike's love for a good story is clearly evident in this novel. I definitely recommend others who enjoy early British/Scottish history to read this story. Besides knowledge gained from the research done to provide the historical value, the reader will also gain pleasure from a well-written story.

DNF - this book unfortunately was too violent for my taste. It was compelling but it's just a personal thing. I'm still rating it high because it seemed like good quality

This was not written for the historical fiction reader that I am. The time period is 16 Century Scotland. I have the E-book, and yes I can highlight on my Kindle it's not the same as having the physical book and being able to write and mark in. I needed a flow chart with The Lost Queen. The unusual names, dialogues, etc., were difficult to follow. With all that said, the story is intriguing. I was captivated at points. Unfortunately, I was frustrated because I couldn't keep up with the goings on.

Three stars for pushing me forward with good writing. I've read beautiful historical fiction books with topics blindly chosen. Thank you to NetGalley for accepting my request to read and review this (now I know out of my wheel-house) historical fiction book.

#NetGalley
#TheLostQueen
#SignePike
#AtriaBooks
#16CenturyScotland

Not able to bring my self to finish. While it feels well written just not my type of story. Opening failed to draw me in after the story blurb even though it seemed like something I would enjoy

Thank you Netgalley, author, and the publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this e-arc.

I don't read a lot of fantasy, but I had heard good this about this on bookstagram. I have read the entire Game of Thrones series, and I've read Priory of the Orange Tree.
This has all the aspects of a good, in depth medieval fantasy. It builds up the world methodically but not in a boring way, you learn the importance of each character and intriguing fantastical morsels are dropped along the way to keep you going.

The Lost Queen by Signe Pike is the sweeping tale of Languoreth, a queen in 6th century Scotland who has largely been forgotten by history, but who made an impact. She has a twin brother called Lailoken, who later will become known as Myrddin, a.k.a. Merlin. The story follows her through her life from the age of 10 through her early 30s. This occurs during the time when Christianity is first reaching Scotland, and Languoreth is of the generation where the tide could flow either way. She also must contend with the conflict between her duty to her family and her love of one of Emrys Pendragon's Dragon Warriors, Maelgwn.

This is a longer read at 545 pages, and as such, it took some time to have me firmly in its grips. Once it did, however, I was firmly grasped and did not want to put the book down.

The story was told in four parts with first-person narration by Languoreth. When the life-changing events of her life occurred, I felt as if they were occurring to me personally, from her love with Maelgwn to her hatred of the people harming her family. I did genuinely cry at certain places of the story. She was so well rounded as a character that it is nearly possible to forget about the rest of the characters. Yet thinking upon them after having finished reading, I realize that all the major characters were also well rounded, with their own flaws and virtues. Lailoken, for one, was nothing like how I expected him to be, yet he felt real.

My favorite part of this story was the setting and use of language, especially with regards to the Old Way religion. So much of the old ways were rooted in nature. Crows, for example, played a large role in this story. It really gave parts of the book a mystical feeling.

I am not a historian, but what Pike has written seems like it could be quite accurate to how life was in Languoreth's time, and I admire her ability in taking the reader back in time.

I would recommend this to all lovers of historical fiction.

I received a copy of this book through Atria Books via NetGalley and would like to extend my gratitude to them for giving me the opportunity to read and share my honest thoughts on this book

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to Atria Books for providing me this arc via Netgalley!
Interesting plot but too many names and stuff to keep up with.
I am honestly not in the right mindset to read this book.