I love historical fantasy. I really love when fantasy and reality blend into such a seamless narrative as they do in this novel. This is the story of Languoreth, the twin sister of, Lailoken, the man who inspired the legend of Merlin. While Merlin has always fascinated me, Languoreth's story was so utterly gripping. The strength, and sacrifices, and wow, there was passion and intrigue. I never knew what to expect. I loved that she did what was needed and stayed true to herself when she could while ceding when needed.

There were places I cried, some of her losses were unbearable. There were places I grinned, as her victories, even the silent ones washed over me. The other people moving in and around her took me through all ranges of emotion as I too struggled with who to trust amid betrayals and loyalties. I particularly liked her mother-in-law, I'd love to see more of her story.

The setting was easy to imagine and the way with words used to describe both inner and outer imagery was remarkable. I found myself walking through unfamiliar places as if I were as at home there as Languoreth.

The notes at the end were also gripping, and gave me even more to think about, but later for that because I'm eager to start the next part... now.

If you enjoy historically inspired epic fantasy, you'll want to read this.

This book was amazing! Once I got started it was hard to put down. I loved the setting, characters, and plot of the story. I thought they were all so beautifully written and captured the magic of the legend of Languoreth, Merlin's twin sister, who in this novel is named Lailoken. I thought Languoreth is such a great main character she is fearless, passionate, independent, loving, and so smart. She loves her family, people, and the old ways with all of her being. I can not wait to read the next book in the trilogy. I know this story will keep getting better and better.

Arthurian legends at their best! The tales of the man who would become Merlin and his twin sister. What a fantastic 5 star read!

If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would! I admit to being entranced by books with this theme. I love this genre and I'm a keen admirer of the Arthurian legends/tales since my childhood. The author's attention to detail and description is absolutely wonderful. You feel as if you are right there in early Britain. This book is packed with sword fights, love stories, family, wise men/women and the early starts of Christianity. It's perfectly paced and the author's attention to detail is fantastic. The clean, mystical air in the forest, the brave and dangerous men, the atmosphere of change are all prevalent in the storyline. Ms. Pike's characters are filled with mystery and many of them are outspoken in their beliefs. I loved the romances and the familial bonds. Signe Pike brings her story to life for me. I was thrilled at how the book ends. It sets it up perfectly for the next installment in the trilogy. I find myself needing to discover what happens to the main character and their families. I have truly fallen in love with the story and the characters. This book is more than a historical fantasy. It's about family, love, honor and adapting to change, while still keeping the values and knowledge of the past.

Thank you to Signe Pike, Atria Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

If you've been searching for a book the feels like 'The Mists of Avalon', you've found it! The Arthurian feeling is alive and well in Signe Pike's "The Lost Queen". It's a unique and fun book with a strong female lead. A unique take on a typically masculine subject that doesn't get lost in its love story. Truly an enjoyable read!

Thank you Netgalley and of course the publisher for awarding me with this ARC.

I have soft spot for books like these in my heart. I love this genre and I’ve loved the Arthurian legends ever since I was a child. At the start of the book I felt as if the story took off very slowly and even dragged on a little but that quickly faded after the first time jump.

This story is so action packed, so quick paced and yet the author takes her time to describe the scene in details. The vibrant air in the forest, the rough men, the mud on the floor and the wild weather. This story is brought to life by the author’s descriptive style of writing. Her characters are mysterious, outspoken and each is different in their own way. The book ends on such a cliffhanger that I need to have the sequel as soon as possible. I need to find out what happens to them and their families. I’ve fallen in love with them, even with their flaws. This book needs to be read by more people, more fantasy lovers and it needs to get more praise.

5 stars for utter excellence.

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!