An epic work of fantasy and historical fiction. Inspired by a time before King Arthur and Merlin, the story centers around Languoreth, a "lost queen" on a mission to become a Wisdom Keeper. The novel is well researched and elements of Druid culture enrich the story. The beginning of a fabulous trilogy that you don't want to miss. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to review.

The historical setting and characters in this book were so vibrant! Signe Pike did an amazing job of really bringing this story alive. It drew me in and held me close through the entire book! I already have an arc of the sequel so I will be immediately picking that up!

.Wisdom Keepers bowed to no one.

The first half of this book dragged.
I was pretty disappointed with it and I found myself begrudgingly picking it up to read.

Then it took off.
I don't know if it was a slow build, or if something just became interesting to me, but whatever it was I could not put it down. I flew through the final half and started the second book immediately.

There was something almost nostalgic about this book.
It's almost reminiscent of fantasy stories from my childhood.

I absolutely loved this book. I did not know that there is a Scottish character that is thought to have inspired the Merlin character in the King Arthur legend, and while this story focuses on his twin sister, I loved the connection to the Arthur tales.
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The book focuses on Languoreth. We meet here when she is ten years old, and she really wants to become a Wisdom Keeper (Druid) like her brother, but her role as a female of a strong chieftain is to marry and have sons. She is heartbroken but learns to accept her faith and wield power in her own right. I loved her as a character. She was strong and fierce and wants to make her world a better place. I also loved the Druid aspect of the book, and thought the descriptions of their traditions, beliefs, and rites were really interesting.
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I also loved the complicated nature of the land that was represented in the book. That time period was a very turbulent time on the British Isle, and I thought the author did a good job representing the contrast and tension between Christians and those of the old faith, as well as the different warring tribes in the area.
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Overall, if you love historical fiction, you must read this book!
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CW: violence, sexual assault, death.

Once in a while you start reading a book and the author's voice draws you right into a magical world. This was one of those.

It is the untold story of Languoreth—a forgotten queen of sixth-century Scotland—twin sister of the man who inspired the legend of Merlin, according to the blurb. I checked and there really is such a legend of Languoreth with Arthurian overtones, though the details might vary a little.

Regardless, the story drew me in quickly and put me right into the Dark Ages, a historical period I love reading about. The writing is excellent and I've put the author on my watch list! I've also requested the sequel to this one. Apparently it's to be a trilogy.

The story has everything you would expect from such a tale. Battles, an illicit romance, and an interesting take on healers called Keepers that I haven't seen elsewhere. There's a touch of magic and fantasy elements in just the right amount. It is told from Languoreth's point of view and I found her an easy character to love.

Forget comparing this to other series. It will be one future novels will aspire to be compared to!

The twins Langueroth and Lailoken are raised by their father, king Morken, and mother, a wisdom keeper, in the Old Ways. Lailoken has a calling to become wisdom keeper himself, something Langueroth can only be jealous of. She’s destined to marry to advance her family. But in 6th century Scotland the new Catholic faith will bring chaos and bloodshed, while at the same time men in the North gather under the banner of Emrys Pendragon to defend the country against the Anglo-saxons. Langueroth falls for one of Pendragon’s men but she’ll have to marry the son of the Catholic high king. Can she and her brother Lailoken defend and preserve the old Celtic faith?

The cover says ‘Outlander meets Camelot’, and it’s indeed a historical story with fantasy elements based on the Merlin myth. Pike discovered that a man named Lailoken could have been the inspiration for the character of Merlin. And that this Lailoken had a twin sister Langueroth who was queen of Strathclyde, an ancient Scottish kingdom.

But this is more than a retelling of Merlin. It’s the story about a girl who’d become queen in a troubled kingdom. About a clash between the Old Ways and the new Catholic faith led by the monk Mungo. About new heroes in the North bearing the name of Pendragon. About the love between siblings.

There are so many storylines that’s is difficult to write a summary :). ‘The lost queen‘ is the first part of a trilogy so there’s much more to come. And sometimes it was a bit frustrating that some storylines disappeared a bit towards the end. Probably to come back in the next book. For example the conflict with Mungo is definitely not over yet.

There’s also a heavy focus on Langueroth’s romance with one of Pendragon’s men. That was not my favorite part of the story. I did like Langueroth’s relationship with her brothers Lailoken and Gwendolau, as with her new husband and family. I also was very intrigued by the old Celtic traditions and the wisdom keepers, who were some kind of druids. They had even more power than kings and the mystery surrounding their prophecies gave the story a darker touch.

It may not be the new ‘Outlander’ or ‘Mists of Avalon’. But Pike certainly gives Merlin and Langueroth a new and original voice. I might pick up the next book in the series ‘the forgotten kingdom’ soon.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher to provide me a copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

THE LOST QUEEN garnered such great reviews that I was excited to read it. I must admit to being in the minority on this tale. I had great difficulty with the author’s writing. For whatever reason, I was not drawn into the world-building or the mystery of the times in which it took place. I found the bevy of difficult names a constant intrusion on the pacing of the story. I understand the author’s goal but I felt locked out of the tale by her vocabulary choices. I obviously am not the right reader for this book. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

AMAZING story. So, so good!

Langoureth was one of Scotland's queens during the 6th century. She was twin sister to Lailoken, who was the inspiration for the legend of Merlin. When Langoureth was young, she had big dreams for her future, but these dreams did not come to pass. Instead, she was married into a powerful family in a political move designed by her father, with hopes that she would be able to bring her people closer to the protection of their king. Langoureth lived during a time when kings, religious leaders, and husbands held all of the power, so even though she was fiercely independent with good insight into the way things ought to be, the choices in her life were often made for her.

This is a story full of religious and political intrigue, set during a time when Christianity was spreading rapidly and therefore polluting the practice of the Old Ways. The religious disagreements in this story are the cause of several of the large conflicts, and they drive many of the political choices of the story's leaders and kings. I loved this. Langoureth lived during a time when there was a ton of change going on, with mountains of confusion and uncertainty, and this imbalance came through in heaps in the story.

Langoureth comes of age in this book, beginning the story as a child and growing into a wife and mother by the end of the book. Some of her experiences made me quite sad, as she lived during a time that was tremendously difficult to navigate. I can't imagine knowing and loving people wholeheartedly, and knowing that if they left home, you may never see them again-and yet, this was often the case during these times. Some of the more emotional parts of the story were when Langoureth lost people very close to her, or when she felt the sting of betrayal from people she trusted. But there were happy times too, and Langoureth deeply loved the people closest to her. All of these emotions came through so well and I felt everything.

These characters are wonderful. I especially love the bond between the twins Langoureth and her brother Lailoken. I enjoyed the slow-burn love that Langoureth nurtured with her husband, the king, and with the other man. I love the way she frequently went against the rules, at great risk to her own life, when she felt something strongly. I really feel like I know Langoureth and how she thinks, and I felt like I was right alongside her throughout the story. The setting is atmospheric and perfect.

This book was a delicious read, absolutely scrumptious, and I cannot wait to start the second book. I'm desperate to continue the story.


Audiobook Notes: I added the audiobook to my read because the audio sample sounded good and OH MY GOSH, this was the best decision. Toni Frutin didn't so much narrate as she performed this story. Her timing and pacing was impeccable and her accent is gorgeous. I loved this book, but I loved it more for having listened to so much of it. It made me think up extra places to drive and extra things to cook, just so I could continue listening to the narrator's beautiful delivery.

Title: The Lost Queen by Signe Pike
Series: The Lost Queen #1
Narrator: Toni Frutin
Length: 17 hours, 44 minutes, Unabridged
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio


I received a digital copy of this story from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a review. I listened to the audiobook via my library's digital loan system. I was not required to write a positive review, but I loved the story so much that all I want to do is sing its praises. Thank you, Atria Books!

Fine historical fiction set in 6th century Scotland. Centered around a woman, there is lots of intrigue, tension between Christianity and the native religion, some romance, some magic, some battles--in short, everything you'd want in a book! Will be looking forward to the second in this trilogy.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free e-ARC of this book.

The Lost Queen follows Languoreth from the time she is a young girl until she is an adult with children of her own. Set in sixth-century Scotland during a time of religious turmoil. Languoreth and her twin Lailoken are children of the Old Way and they believe in the gods. Christianity is just starting to enter Briton and the conflict between the two ways is the back drop for the novel.

It was not a quick read for me but I found that I really enjoyed the characters and cared for them. This was a new side to the myth of Merlin that I hadn't really thought of before. I also liked that the story was told from a female point of view. I think we gained much from having Langoureth tell the story. She is strong even when she doesn't make the right decisions and she looses her dreams. The novel brought the time and the characters to life in a way I didn't expect. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series. This is a book anyone interested in Merlin and the history surrounding his story should read. It is well researched and the story is vibrant.

***Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.***

I love the preface of this novel! It drew me in so easily and I couldn’t put it down! I found it long before it was even available on Netgalley. Once it became available, I quickly re-read and moved on to the second novel in the series!

This is the story of twin siblings Languoreth and Lailoken, who eventually becomes the character we know today as Merlin. Have you ever actually wondered how Merlin came to be? Before he joined Arthur’s legend, he was a famous warrior himself in the late 6th century. This novel spans decades, from the birth of the twins, taking them into their 30s. This novel speaks heavily of the sister, Languoreth and her relationships with the warrior Maelgwn and her husband Rhydderch. I would have liked to explore her marital relationship more but I realize that this relationship was more superficial. The end of the novel leaves our main characters coming up against one another in battle. Languoreth suffers from this because her husband and son rival against her brother, step-brother and lover. The outcome of this war will be disastrous and we are left on the edge of our seats wondering how it will all go down!

ARC provided by publisher for an honest review!

I enjoyed this book and would have given it five stars except I was not happy with the ending. This book is the story of Languoreth, a sixth-century Celtic queen and twin sister of Lailoken, who becomes the man known to history and legend as Merlin. The reviews I read had compared this book to "Outlander" but I found it more like "The Mists of Avalon," a book that I love. This book is really about the choices that Languoreth makes - to be the dutiful daughter of a chieftain and marry as her family wishes rather than follow her heart and marry the man she loves, and how those choices affect her life. The only thing I didn't like about this book is that the ending clearly is not an ending and one must wait for the next book in the trilogy for answers. Luckily, I understand that book 2 in this trilogy is coming out soon so I don't have too long to wait to get answers. Signe Pike's writing style is beautiful and I look forward to reading more by this author. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.

Steeped deeply in Welsh and Scottish myth and history, The Lost Queen is a beautifully written novel. Through the eyes of Languoreth, a princess of a petty chieftain in the north in medieval England, we see the rise of the Pendragon banner.  Her twin brother is none other than Lailoken, the boy who will one day be known as Merlin. Sigmund Pike’s writing is transportive, both geographically and historically, and this is my favorite thing about the book.
In the first of the three books of this planned trilogy, Pike covers twenty years of Languoreth’s life in erstwhile Scotland, where her people are fighting a physical battle to the Anglo-Saxons and a spiritual battle against the rise of Christianity.
However, strong historical premise and beautiful writing do not make up for the silly, impetuous and frankly uninteresting protagonist - Languoreth. To read the entire book from Languoreth’s point of view is exhausting and infuriating. She comes across as a silly, spoilt princess who thinks herself the epitome of grace and intellect. (Seriously, the number of time she is praises herself in grandiose sentences is just ridiculous! And there is a lot of “I was a girl, but I am now a woman” going on too!)
The problem is also that everyone around her seems far more interesting–her brother Lailoken (what goes on his head?), her counsellor Ariane (who is this amazing feminist woman and what is her history?), her suitor Rhydderch (why is he so different from his tyrant father and brother, what makes him tick?). None of these characters are truly explored and all we hear are the inner self-serving ramblings of a teenage girl.
The book would have benefited from a few more POVs or non-POV simple third-person narration.
The pacing is also uneven, some pages drag and some move with breakneck speed. The romance is very YA fiction. The problem is that after having read the first book; I feel relief that it’s over and am not tempted to dive into the second one straight away.

It’s 550 A.D. at Cadzow Fortress. Lady Idell, Queen of Goddeau, wife of King Morken, has died nine days ago leaving her family reeling with grief. King Morken and Lady Idell’s children, ten-year-old twins, Languoreth and Lailoken, roam the woods surrounding their castle where they have seen a young buck in the mist every day since their mother died; they could swear is their mother’s spirit.

Lailoken is training to be a Wisdom Keeper. Languoreth doesn’t have that luxury; as lady of the castle she will inherit her father’s estate and, to secure it, she must marry a king or king-in-waiting. Christianity is an emerging threat, and to cement the Old Ways, her father must forge an allegiance through her marriage. Languoreth would love to be a Wisdom Keeper; in fact, she has inherited her mother healing powers, but being a Keeper and marrying for love are things she will have to sacrifice to save her kingdom.

In the next twenty-three years in Languoreth’s life, she will know the stirrings of first love, marry another and achieve some sort of contentment in her marriage; she will give birth to four children, become the leader her people need while balancing the act of survival at King Tutgual’s court, and will also make allies of people she never dreamed could be so. But in this ever-changing world of 6th century Britannia, there will be terrible losses and sacrifices paving the way to queenship.

Marvelously brought to life, The Lost Queen, narrated in first person by Languoreth, is cinematic and sensuous, with fully realized characters enmeshed in prose that is poetic and page-turner-y at once. In this novel, Signe Pike has achieved something unique and refreshing, for Celtic festivals and ancient religious rituals come breathtakingly alive, as do the smells, the natural surroundings, the warmth of the hearths and the coldness of mountain springs, the bitter rivalries, and the magic and stirrings of first love. Pike has wonderfully recreated the world of 6th century Scotland and I can’t wait to read the next two books in this trilogy to learn the possible origins of the Arthurian legends. Well done!

Disclaimer: I received from the publisher a free e-book via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks for the NetGalley copy of this book. I don't read much in this genre at all, but wanted to challenge myself to expand my horizons. I'm very glad that I did so, as I enjoyed this book quite a lot, and am looking forward to the others in the trilogy. In the meantime, I especially liked that this book takes its young characters, especially its main, female character, very seriously, giving them voice and agency. There are many bittersweet moments in the book, another aspect of the novel I quite enjoyed. The author's notes at the beginning and at the end were especially welcome.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing an ARC of this book.

I've always loved the King Arthur/Merlin legend, and Mists of Avalon was one of my favorite books growing up. I couldn't resist this book when I saw it.

I was immediately drawn into Languoreth's world, and empathized with her struggles. At 10 years old, she was forced to take on responsibilities and grow up too soon. She realized early on how constrained her life was, and how she had to live her life not for herself, but for her family and the people she was responsible for as the daughter of a king. Her responsibilities started chafing as she grew up more and became betrothed, not to the man she fell in love with, but to the man who would be the most advantageous match.

It was really interesting to see how women were treated at that time, since they seemed to have more power and influence than other places and times in history, even though they were still somewhat limited. I loved seeing Languoreth's fire, spirit, and intelligence, even as she learned how to temper her tendency towards acting without thinking and controlling her anger.

The writing was simple and Languoreth's voice felt genuine. I felt transported to a different place and time when reading, and enjoyed the story immensely. I liked learning about actual historical events and how they were influenced by political and religious factors, and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

The Lost Queen if the perfect blend of magic, romance and historical fantasy kicking off the series. Once you get started there is no way you will be able to put it down - a must read!

Why is there not an option for more than 5 stars?

When I first started The Lost Queen I enjoyed the first 2 chapters, then I got a bit bored and went between reading this and another book for the first 2 days; I also really love the premise of the story so I wanted to finish it and I am so happy I gave The Lost Queen a second chance. The depth of the stories in this book are astonishing. I was in awe of this book and I was left just absolutely speechless upon finishing the book.

I am excited and a bit nervous honestly, to see what happens in the next book.

I cannot thank a fellow bookstagrammer for recommending this book to me, I love it.

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for the eARC, it is greatly appreciated. All opinions are my own.

Excellent start to a trilogy. One would think that Arthurian legends has been will mined territory and they'd be right; but this book takes a different spin on that tale taking us back to the youth of twins - one who would be Queen and one who would be a historical figure wrapped in mystery and mythology. Celtic traditions are abound and they are woven in so seamlessly against the backdrop of a growing Christian population in 6th Century Scotland. The story is captivating and beautifully written and I feel that it fell between the early Kingdom of Glass books, the Bear and the Nightingale and the Orange of the Priory tree, In scope and depth of character. For fans of fantasy, Celtic law and Arthurian tales, this a mist.

A fantastic novel about the untold story of Languoreth—a forgotten queen of six-century Scotland—twin sister of the man who inspired the legend of Merlin.

Languoreth and her brother Lailoken are raised in the Old Way of their ancestors. But in Scotland, a new religion is rising, one that brings disruption, bloodshed and riot. Based on a new scholarship, this tale of bravery and conflicted love brings a lost queen back to life, and reaffirming her place at the center of one of the most enduring legends of all time.

This story was epic, so far the best I’ve read this year.
With a magical setting and vibrant characters this story transported me to medieval Scotland and I never wanted it to end.
The best thing is that this is the first book of a trilogy, so I still have two more books to enjoy.
For fans of Historical Fiction, coming-of-age stories, epic sagas and romance, this is a must read.

Thank you NetGalley, Atria Books and Signe Pike for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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