I tried hard to like this book, to continue reading it. I'm afraid I couldn't. This was a DNF for me.
I feel so sad. This book had such potential but it feels like almost all of it was wasted away. I would have given up on this book long before if it hadn't been for my 2 favourite characters:- Arianne and Rhydderch. They made me want to continue reading this.
As for the protagonist, I would rather say not much. She was a full disappointment for me.
A detailed review coming soon!

Would that I had read The Lost Queen before I read the second book in the trilogy! I seem to have emptied all the emotional vocabulary I possess in my review of The Forgotten Kingdom. The Lost Queen begins the story of the twins, Laoloken and his sister Languoreth, who later becomes Queen of Strathclyde in Scotland of the 6th Century.. She is the mother of Angharad who is at the center of the second book. It also illustrates the inroads of Christianity into the world of the old gods of nature..

Once again I feel the need to mention the glorious prose that Signe Pike brings to her work as well as mentioning again to how amusing I find her description of eye and hair color. You would never be able to list all the shades of blue, green, brown, auburn and others. (Have you seen many cerulean eyes?) But that gift is also present in her word painting of nature, trees, water, cloth...it's quite a gift.

If you're looking for an immersive story that allows you to escape quarantine, social distancing and masks, this is a book you will want to read right now.

The extensive notes at the back explain Pike's introduction to and fascination with the mythical Merlin and Arthurian legend. It's an interesting theory in how the geographical area of these legends changed over time.

Many thanks to NetGalley, and Atria Books division of Simon and Schuster for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book and am anxiously awaiting the second book. I have a weakness for anything set in Scotland and in the past. Languoreth is a strong character and I was curious about her journey and that of her brother, Lailoken. This volume follows Languoreth through her youth and her marriage. It explores the Old Ways and the coming of Christianity to Scotland (and the British Isles in general). It reminds me of The Mists of Avalon but in a different setting. The descriptions were wonderful and I ended up reading this book very fast.

I accepted a widget directly from Atria with high hopes for this read. I love the idea of a ancient Celtic historical fiction.

It took quite a bit of time to get through for me. Initially the names were hard to recall and I had to simply give the characters their own names in my head. The story was intriguing however. I enjoyed the beautiful landscape that Pike painted. I wish perhaps that there was a tad more romance. I enjoyed the familial aspects of the twins and how they navigate their relationship. It portrayed as how a true family works. It isn't always sunshine and roses.

Thank you Atria for the copy. These thoughts are my own and have not been influenced by any outside sources.

Well done, well researched, interesting theory about the origins of Merlin. I can understand the comparison to Mists of Avalon, though I don't fully agree. This truly stands on its own merits.

I went into this book knowing absolutely nothing about the time in which it is set (it starts in the year 550 in Scotland). That said, I felt I could picture the scenes so easily as the author truly has a talent for describing things.
I found the story very ethereal and captivating.
I truly cared for some characters whilst totally hating others. I find that is always the sign of a very well written story.
I look forward to reading the rest of this trilogy.
Thank you to Netgalley UK and the publisher for an arc of this book

Greatly entertaining! Interesting combination of fantasy/historical fiction. Amazing characters!!
Definitely be recommending to others!!

This is older than Arthurian legend, older than the round table, and yet maybe the beginning of the search for the Holy Grail. Languoreth's story takes place in the early shifts of religion from the Old ways to new. As the daughter to a King of the North, her duty will be to make an advantageous marriage. However she is also the daughter of the late Lady Idell, a Wisdom Keeper and Healer. Though Languoreth had the desire and potential to be a Keeper herself, her duties would not allow it. Her twin brother, Lailoken, on the other hand, has been chosen to carry on the old ways and will eventually go on to be a legend himself.

But this story is Languoreth's path, and how she grows up under the Old ways, knowing that her future will be bound to her future husband's as their world slowly changes. This is about how she walks that delicate edge between desire and duty, growing wiser under harsh lessons and hard decisions for her family and her people. The author's note at the end was a wonderful addition that added to the magic of the tale by ushering Languoreth and Lailoken back into reality.

Would recommend to fans of historical fiction, Arthurian Legend, and yes, Outlander and Mists of Avalon too.

Thank you to the publisher, Atria Books, for providing me an e-copy via Netgalley.

An amazing historical novel that will make everyone finish it in one breath. Just like Diana Gabaldon’s and Philippa Gregory’s book series pulled the reader in their world this trilogy will be a new favorite. We know all about Merlin, his myth and life in Camelot with Arthur and Lancelot, but what about his past and family. This book focus on Merlin’s twin sister, Lailoken.
I absolutely loved it, it was thrilling, immersive and just draw me in through the whole story.

Anyone else currently suffering through a “Droughtlander”, especially with not knowing when the next Outlander season will start? Well, I have a Scottish literary balm to help get you through. It is the historical fiction novel of former book editor turned writer, Signe Pike, in her second book “The Lost Queen”. Although it was originally published in 2018, it is surging again in popularity and interest, due to its sequel “The Forgotten Kingdom” (the second book in its triology) scheduled for publication in September of this year. However, the only caveat is that you may be so immersed, invested, and connected to this tale, you may suffer a Signe Pike book drought until September along with your “Droughtlander”!

“The Lost Queen”, Book One in the triology, focuses on Languoreth and her journey from a child to a woman, mother, wife of a Lord, and future Queen. Perhaps even more interesting though, is that she was born a twin, to none other than Lailoken, the man believed to be ‘Myrddin’ or as he is known to us today - ‘Merlin’. However, she is purportedly also well known in her own right, for she is part of the legend of the fish with a ring in Glasgow’s Coat of Arms. Be prepared to dive into the world of medieval Scotland in the 6th century, a world full of druids (“wisdom keepers”), Lords, Chieftains, Kings, and Warriors. A time where people of the “Old Ways” still believed in fate, signs and omens like the fatal foreboding of crows, spirited festivals honoring the change in seasons and various solstices, and following in the belief of multiple gods. A time when marriages were often not born out of love, but instead were formed by obligations to tie families together, to keep peace, and create kingdom alliances, as was in the case of Langoureth, when she married Prince Rhydderch. The novel also highlights the time period where Christianity is beginning to take a foothold amongst the Britons and bishops are becoming as powerful as the wisdom keepers of old - creating clashes btwn the old and new believers.

It also may seem when you watch shows like Outlander and read books like “The Lost Queen” , it seems like it’s a never-ending fight for survival, whether it be against conflicts, war, nature, or any other number of threats, and it is no different for Languoreth. She speaks in the book of everything and everyone always being taken away from her. Yet, this isn’t just for soap opera and story continuation effects, life during medieval Scotland was full of constant hardships. In particular in Langoureth’s time, the Britons are fighting the advancements of the Angles and Anglo-Saxon influence as well as wars and local civil unrest like in the The Battle of Arderydd. For Langoureth specifically, she fell in love with the Dragon Warrior Maelgwyn, only to not be able to be with her true love due to her arranged marriage that was her duty as daughter of King Morken. Fulfillment of this marriage deed was imperative to protect and ensure her family’s survival and prosperity. Finally, speaking of enduring hardships, it was particularly hard for women living in this patriarchal time period with little free will and independence of their own. However, Signe Pike features in this book, strong and bold women, not only in its main heroine Languoreth, but also in her counselor: wisdom keeper Ariane and in her mother-in-law: Queen Elufed, wife of King Tutgual. Whether the men acknowledged it or were unaware, behind the scenes powerful women such as these could exact significant changes to traditions, change courses of wars, and lead kingdoms just to name a few of their esteemed abilities and accomplishments. Signe said, as quoted in an author interview: “Langoureth lived fifteen hundred years ago and we are still carrying on the battle women like her began: to have influence in a world of men.”

Upon finishing this book you will likely have a book hangover, going through withdrawals of speed reading its pages or listening to the Scottish brogue of Toni Frutin in the audiobook version, to find out what happens next, and it won’t help that the author has left you on a precipice with suspensefully ending the novel in the middle of one of Scotland’s bloodiest civil battles, The Battle of Arderydd. And to make the finale tightrope even higher and tauter, so many of the main characters’ fates and lives will be decided right here in this battle, as each family member must fight and wage war against another fellow family member. Yet, you can delay the inevitable for another moment longer, by going to the author’s website, signepike.com, to find a comprehensive book club kit. Not only does it provide discussion points and questions about the book and an author interview, it even creates a section on ideas on book club enhancement activities. At last, take heart and hope, that September and the next publication book release, The Forgotten Kingdom, is inching closer and closer!

An immersive, beautifully-written story, fast-paced with carefully-woven plots. The characters and the rich setting really came to life. The last part of the book was especially moving, Langoureth’s love for her family and the difficult, heart wrenching decisions she had to face. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next installment in the series.

This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was fantastic! Although it was alittle slow in the first 25% of the book, the characters stole my heart, the plot was well written and it was a joy to read. I liked this book WAY better than Outlander. I'm very excited to continue reading the series.

This was simply an amazing and engrossing read. I have long been fascinated by Celtic history and anything to do with Camelot, so I was engrossed by this story set in 6th century Scotland of Queen Languoreth and her brother Lailoken on whom Merlin is based. Pike has done a magnificent job with all the characters and has also brought the setting to life in a beautiful way. It was also very informative to read about the Celtic religion, which was pagan, versus Christianity during this time, and the role it played in their lives. What a marvelous read for any historical fiction lover! I cannot wait to read the sequel.

Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for the ARC.

Long a historical fiction reader, I enjoyed this book about Languoreth, a queen of Scotland in the 6th century. With Christianity on the rise, Languoreth and her brother Lailoken are followers of the earlier Celtic religion. The realization that Lailoken will go on to become Merlin of Arthurian legend made this book more appealing and I recommend this for any lover of this time period.

This book was vividly amazing. Equal parts Outlander, Camelot, and Game of Thrones, the characters are vibrant, the settings surround you and the story draws you right in.It’s funny how circular Langoureth’s story is. It all pinpoints to singular moments, unspoken choices, longed for dreams of a different life. Darkness colors the edges of the parchment just waiting to swallow the ink, and yet there is so much life, love and light keeping the darkness at bay that in the end, it boils down to a good story, woven in the richest of inks, and set with the sands of time.The book boyfriends in this novel are insatiable - be it the winter-eyed Rhydderch or the emerald richness of Maelgwn’s peepers. I would choose either equally and live out my days in happiness. Nope - I’d choose Maelgwn! His destiny is his own.This is by far the best #arc I’ve received and had the pleasure to consume to date! Could not put it down! The history burns from the page in all its bitter glory as if it only happened yesterday and I loved it. I loved every minute of it!

I was given a copy of The Lost Queen by Signe Pike from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book has been on my radar for months. I really love Juliet Marillier and the summary gave me strong vibes for her works. Lush, atmospheric with characters you can root for. And that's what this book gave me.

The setting. I really loved the Dark Age Scottish setting. Pike does a great job in setting up a world that seems real. Her research into the era/area is extensive and it shows. She also does a good job in making it understandable. We’re dealing with numerous locations and courts and I was never confused while reading.

The characters were good. Some I liked, some I loved. I really liked Languoreth. She did things that drove me nuts and I wanted to yell at her sometimes, but mostly I felt extremely invested in her journey. I loved Lailoken, I hope we get even more from him in the future. I also loved Rhydderch. I thought he was a good husband to Languoreth. Many of the side characters were wonderful too.

The issues I had with the book... This book had two tropes that I loathe. I really hated the romance. It almost ruined the book for me. I get that insta love is very Arthurian but it is also something that I hate to read about.. They definitely had insta lust or attraction. But this tragic pining bordered on ridiculous. Their relationship felt juvenile. I also hate romanticized cheating. I get that with the actual history of Languoreth that it had to happen but still. If Pike had just taken more time to develop the relationship it would have worked so much better. They spent, maybe 24 hours together in 20 years.I also didn’t love Desdemona’s character arc. She’s a slave. She shouldn’t have been villainized, I had a lot of empathy for her.

Overall I really liked this book. I loved the politics at play. Courts vs Courts. The Old Ways vs Christianity. The exploration of Druidism. Nature basically being a side character. I will definitely pick up the sequel.

4 stars

A very interesting and fascinating mix of fantasy and historical fiction. It's engrossing and entertaining, the characters are well rounded, the world building is fascinating.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and strongly recommend it.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

To say that I devoured this book would be a gross understatement. I read this book in record time and am left sitting here, wishing that I had more...so much more...from this author! The story itself was utterly incredible. The plot moved at a quick pace, with the story building upon itself seamlessly. The characters however...oh my goodness, the characters. The characters were created so beautifully. They were complex, human, raw, emotional and unique, and made their way into my heart permanently.

Gripping and well researched historical fiction with light fantasy elements and a strong Celtic mystical feel. Really enjoyed this - a bit like Mists of Avalon, a bit like Julliet Marrillier's Sevenwaters series. 100% its own thing. There was plenty of political intrigue and a very satisfying romance too. Can't wait for the next book.

A very impressive historical fiction/fantasy novel. It really did not easily fit into any one genre. I would learn more to historical fiction as the fantasy elements are very light and it also includes a very enjoyable romance. I loved the politics and character development in this book. I also felt the writing was atmospheric/descriptive enough for me to get absorbed in the world without being flowery or overdone.