Before King Arthur, there was his Mother!

Being a longtime fan of Arthurian literature, I saw this book come up as one I would be interested in reading. I am unfamiliar with the author, Sam Davey, but the subject matter was intriguing. The novel deals with the events in the life of Igraine, Duchess of Cornwall, who becomes the mother of the future King Arthur. There are many books about Arthur and his cast of characters, but I am fond of ones that delve into Igraine's story. In some tellings, she disappears after Arthur's conception at Tintagel. Davey provides an in-depth view of a royal woman, loyal to the Goddess, who is betrayed by those she trusts. Davey shows us Igraine dealing with the aftermath of the fateful night when Arthur came into existence. The novel is richly imagined, with royal courts and all manner of nobility trying to curry favor with their lord and lady. Also present are the other children, Morgause, and Morgan, who become powerful enemies of Arthur's in the future. The main characters have passions and duties and are three-dimensional. The ending is poignant and original. I believe that Davey will give us a sequel or two, and I cannot wait for more on this take on the world of Camelot.

I love all that is Arthuri related, and this book was non exception! I loved how the author has told the story and definitely want to read more!

I am a big fan of all things Arthurian, and there is very little on Igraine and her relationship with Uther, so I was very eager to read this! Although I did enjoy getting to know more about Igraine and the magic system, I did feel that the pacing was very slow and overall, not a lot happened throughout the book. The birth of Arthur was foreshadowed throughout, however ended up feeling like an afterthought as it was only passed over briefly at the end of the book.

I love a good retelling of Arthurian legends. I also love stories where authors take a familiar tale and gives readers a back story. Sam Davey does an excellent job of giving a fresh take on a very old tale. Fantastic world building and character development.

The Chosen Queen: A Novel of the Pendragon Prophecy by Sam Davey is a captivating retelling of Arthurian legend, filled with intrigue, magic, and complex characters. Davey’s vivid world-building and gripping plot bring new life to familiar tales, making it a must-read for fans of historical fantasy