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.

I read the last few pages of THE LOST QUEEN very slowly, trying to avoid saying goodbye to the gorgeous mystical Celtic world Signe Pike has created. I loved this book, loved the richly drawn characters and the epic landscape and the light it shed on the legends that shaped first-century Scotland.

If you’re missing Game of Thrones, you’ll enjoy the scheming and family bonds at the heart of this book. Best of all, the next title in the trilogy, THE FORGOTTEN KINGDOM, is due in September.

4.5 Stars

This is the year of reading books that have been gathering dust on my virtual TBR shelf. I first hear of this book a couple years ago and was excited to see it compared to another book series, Outlander, which I love. I personally do not think new books should be compared to another popular story when it is nothing like it. The writing style, plot, etc. was nothing like Outlander. Just my opinion. It did not, however, change how I felt about this story and the characters as I was taken along for the ride during this adventure. The writing style was graceful, smooth, and did not drag in any areas. Where details that are easy to assume would be, the author skips ahead in a way that makes sense to the story without adding unneeded fluff in between.
Languoreth is a young child at the beginning of the story. She and her twin brother have destinies that will lead them on different paths, but their bond remains strong. Languoreth wishes to become a Wisdom Keeper and healer like her mother. Unfortunately for her, she is the only daughter and her lot in life is to be married off to someone who will help her father and the kingdom. Her brother is instead called to be a Wisdom Keeper. There are quite a few characters along the way that I will not mention. Meeting them should be a surprise and exciting, so I will let others find them for themselves. There are enemies, plots, deceit, and Languoreth must learn to navigate and harden herself in her future husband's court. People may start out as enemies and turn into friends. Those she trusts may not be so trustworthy. Above all, she must keep who holds her heart a secret, even if the evidence is there for all to see.
It is a good thing that the next book comes out soon. I cannot wait continue the adventure with Languoreth and all the other characters!
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

I thought this book was ok . I did like the writing style but I just couldn't connect with the characters. I don't know if I will be reading the next book in this trilogy.

Yoooooo, I had no idea about this aspect of Scottish history and it's great to read about. Perhaps a movie pairing with the historical Outlaw King. However ahistorical, this was solidly entertaining. Thank you for the copy.

Oh, you cannot help but be taken in by Languoreth's fire, Queen indeed and before the world throws everything at her, she pledges to always have her brother's back and with every twist and turn, in her anguish she proves that though the world strikes her, it won't keep her down.
I enjoyed reading this book and this is because I've also read about Merlin, but never known anything about a sister or family member, so this was a delicious read.
On the story, I felt that there were some bits of it that were not complete and as the story came to an end, I could only guess what happened and in this case to Lailoken, and to Rhys, and also with her love.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.

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

This is a fascinating historical novel that takes place in sixth century Scotland. I dont really know much about that time period so i cant vouch for the accuracy but it was such a good read does it really matter?
It does start a bit slowly as a warning but it is absolutely worth it!

I was delighted to read this book courtesy of Netgalley. It was beautifully written, evoking the scents and sounds of 6th Century Scotland. I was absolutely transported into the lives of the protagonists and it was an exciting well-paced read.
It was very well researched, Although I'd comment it was possibly unwise to mention Hengist and Horsa, who lived a century earlier. It was a big flaw in the case made by the author,. Vortigern arguably is an amalgam of semi-historical figures so I could accept him, but not Hengist and Horsa).

That said this is fiction and the joy of writing, is one is freed to follow what path you like, I so enjoyed the tale I really didn't mind. I am looking forward to the sequel with bated breath, what more can any author ask?

What a page turner! I loved reading the story of twins, Lailoken and Languoreth raised in the sixth century of Scotland. Lailoken’s story is the inspiration of the tales of Merlin. Whilst Languoreth becomes a brave and passionate Queen... I can’t wait for the next instalment.

This was an absolute delight to read, and I am super excited to get my hands on the upcoming sequel.

This is a really fun look at the Lost Queen of history--Languoreth, twin sister to Lailoken, the man who supposedly inspired the tale of Merlin. I don't know much of Merlin or the time these historical figures inhabited (the sixth century), so it was just so great to read! Pike truly brings history alive on the page in a way I adore. I loved the characters--Languoreth, Lailoken, Morken, Maelgwyn, among so many others--and how lore and religion and society are all tied up together.

I will admit, the first 15% dragged on a bit, as we're introduced to the world and characters. However, once time begins to progress and we see the characters age and grow and clash, I was tearing through most of the novel in one sitting.

A truly unique setting as far as historical novels go, and one I highly recommend about kingdom, family, love, and what it means to risk it all to survive.

This is a favorite of mine. A story told in 6th century Scotland. A new religion is rising which brings disruption and fighting. Languoreth falls in love with a warrior before having to marry the son of a king.

The Lost Queen is an amazing tale of Languoreth, the sister to Merlin of Arthurian legend. Signe Pike did a fabulous job of writing a historical fiction tale set in 6th century Scotland. It pulled me in from the very beginning and I can't wait to read the next installment.

This was a little slow to start for me, but once I got to know the characters and especially once Langoureth was older, I was hooked and couldn’t put the book down! The writing was rich and layered and I felt like I was there, walking the woods or wandering the castle with Langoureth. Absolutely can’t wait for the next book!

This is my first book by this author, but not my last. I can’t wait for the next book to come out.

This is a beautiful, well written book filled with history and magic. The issues the characters deal with are still current today. There is still war about about religion, the equality between man and woman. Doing what your head tells you to do instead of your heart.

It is a book that will transport you back in time.

Set in sixth century Scotland, The Lost Queen is a retelling of the Arthurian legend via the sister of Merlin.
Languoreth is the daughter of an ancient king (or chieftain). As such, she’s duty-bound to marry for socio-political reasons and not for love. But she has an affair with a young general.

Told in the first person, the story begins with Languoreth and her twin brother, Lailoken (later known as Merlin), mourning the recent loss of their mother, a Wisdom Keeper skilled in the healing arts.

Intelligent, independent, and passionate, Languoreth must follow in her mother’s footsteps, which means no freedom and few choices. Daughters of kings must marry kings. They can’t become keepers, as Languoreth prefers. And she can’t become a warrior. But the young princess still has the power to fight. We may not always have the choice we like, she observes. But we always have a choice. Or so readers are told. About 9 million times.
So Languoreth is destined to marry a stranger, a man she doesn’t love, for the safety and security of her people. Bummer.

But that doesn’t stop her from pursuing a romance with Maelgwn, one of Pendragon’s generals. (We get it. We got it the first 4,873 times it was mentioned, okay? Can we move on?)

The style is reminiscent of T.H. White, with excellent world-building. The prose is as rich and redolent as woodsmoke and pine. The descriptions are also good, but sometimes threaten to overwhelm the central character and run her into the woods.

Additionally, it takes a while for this story to get rolling. The initial chapters – like, ten – are replete with rituals, kennings, bannock, feasts and festivals, Dragon Warriors, her father’s health, flora gathering and Midsummer whatevers. It’s like the author’s trying to impress us with her deep dive into ancient Scottish lore. Or… something. The unfortunate result is that it takes close to twenty chapters for this thing to gather any real steam.

I really wanted to like this book. It has its moments. But it meanders too often, moving with the alacrity of a three-toed sloth. It’s also yawningly repetitive in places.

The tile is also a bit misleading. As Languoreth’s story winds down with a war in which family members are pitted against other family members, her husband’s ascension to the high king’s throne is still in doubt. Ditto her status as “queen.”

That’s kind of a gyp. Especially since readers spent the last 9,358 pages (or so it may seem) hopefully hopping down every bunny trail in Scotland looking for a coronation.

Bummer again.

Lovers of Celtic history and the Arthurian legend will enjoy The Lost Queen. It’s unlikely to kindle similar enthusiasm from casual readers. Indeed, The Lost Queen would probably make a good movie. But you’d have to cut out or abbreviate about half the story, or it’d take a week to screen.

#TheLostQueen
#NetGalley

This was so interesting and lead me on a DEEP historical dive. Such a beautiful story that I enjoyed through to the end - it has everything love, deceit, revenge... Languoreth was a tough lady and the most endearing LOYAL character.