From the author of The Lost Queen, hailed as ”Outlander meets Camelot” (Kirsty Logan, the author of The Gloaming) and ”The Mists of Avalon for a new generation” (Linnea Hartsuyker, the author of The Golden Wolf), a “rich, immersive” (Kirkus Reviews) new novel in which a forgotten queen of 6th-century Scotland claims her throne as war looms and her family is scattered to the winds. AD 573. … forgotten queen of 6th-century Scotland claims her throne as war looms and her family is scattered to the winds.
AD 573. Imprisoned in her chamber, Languoreth awaits news in torment. Her husband and son have ridden off to war against her brother, Lailoken. She doesn’t yet know that her young daughter, Angharad, who was training with Lailoken to become a Wisdom Keeper, has been lost in the chaos. As one of the bloodiest battles of early medieval Scottish history abandons its survivors to the wilds of Scotland, Lailoken and his men must flee to exile in the mountains of the Lowlands, while nine-year-old Angharad must summon all Lailoken has taught her to follow her own destiny through the mysterious, mystical land of the Picts.
In the aftermath of the battle, old political alliances unravel, opening the way for the ambitious adherents of the new religion: Christianity. Lailoken is half-mad with battle sickness, and Languoreth must hide her allegiance to the Old Way to survive her marriage to the next Christian king of Strathclyde. Worst yet, the new King of the Angles is bent on expanding his kingdom at any cost. Now the exiled Lailoken, with the help of a young warrior named Artur, may be the only man who can bring the warring groups together to defeat the encroaching Angles. But to do so, he must claim the role that will forever transform him. He must become the man known to history as “Myrddin.”
“Intrigue, rivalry, and magic among the mists of old Britain–The Forgotten Kingdom is an enchantment of a read” (Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Alice Network).
more
Signe Pike pens a haunting, poetic origin story to the Arthurian legend, following the twisting paths of a young seer in training, a courageous queen stranded on both sides of a vicious war, and her battle-haunted brother who will someday don the mantle of Merlin. Intrigue, rivalry, and magic among the mists of old Britain–The Forgotten Kingdom is an enchantment of a read!
Hooked on page one. RIch language, strong characters, an enchanting tale woven from Celtic history. Can’t wait for the next book in the series.
In The Forgotten Kingdom, a dramatic and feverishly paced continuation of her Lost Queen trilogy, Signe Pike brings medieval Scottish history compellingly to life. As the narrative follows Languoreth through grueling captivity, loss of security, violent separations from loved ones and pervasive fears that shake her to the core, we learn much about loyalty, devotion, endurance and personal courage. Pike’s fans will be thrilled and captivated.
Signe Pike gets inside the minds and the skins of those who dwelled in ancient Britain after the Romans left and as Germanic tribes invaded from the east. Wonderfully evocative of an ancient time and place.
Where do I even begin? Even better than the Lost Queen, the first book in this series.The Forgotten Kingdom starts off where the Lost Queen left us. Languoreth is locked away in the tower. Lailoken and Angharad are away with Gwenddolau the Pendragon at his fortress. Languoreth’s husband Rhydderch and her son Rhys are marching into battle to slay the Pendragon and his army. The battle leaves everyone changed. So many die. So many suffer.
Languoreth must find a way to survive her loss and guilt. Lailoken has survivors guilt and vengeance in mind. Angharad is lost in the battle. She must find her own way. The book takes us on each of their journeys. We hear tales of our old favorite friends, as well as meet some new ones.
This book was epic in pure scale. You felt every moment and could easily transport yourself through time and space. It was like standing on a battle field watching each and every slice. I was captivated and shook to the core. Signe Pike brought you right back to Arderydd. It was intense.
The story line was so well plotted and executed. I will say I hated the path Languoreth is on. I disliked her character immensely by the end of the book. She asked too much of people who suffered far more in my mind then she had. She was merely a spectator who suffered loss. Where as others lived every moment. She was still strong. But Angharad stole the show. I was struck from the beginning. I loved her character and who she became. Lailoken was a hero. He endured everything and still fought. He was so admirable a character.
This book has left me in awe. I do not know how I will survive until the next books release. It was everything I expected. Yet so much more. I want to crawl inside this story and live there. I must know how it ends. The Lost Queen and The Forgotten Kingdom are two books I think every person should read. The story is riveting and mesmerizing. I wish it would never end.
5 stars, loved the book, but just a heads up, it won’t resolve anything for you! It’s a great set up for book 3 (and who knows when that will be out) and definitely worth the read. I had to get it in hardback, it’s not available at the library in Kindle format (although it is in other eb0ok formats).
The Forgotten Kingdom picks up where The Lost Queen left off. Languoreth is still locked in her chamber while her husband and son (and father in law) are off to make war on her brother Lailoken and her lover Malgwyn. Languoreth is a follower of the old way and had sent her young daughter Angharad with Lailoken to become a Wisdom Keeper. As the battle arrives, Angharad becomes separated from Lailoken and has her own set of adventures. The book covers around a 10 year period of what happens with Angharad, Lailoken, Languoreth from their point of view, as battles are won and lost. Just as good as The Lost Queen, The Forgotten Kingdom is a riveting read, and I read it in just 2 sittings. While you could read it without having read The Lost Queen, I think you’ll enjoy it more if you have. I’m dying to read the third book in the trilogy; it can’t come out fast enough for me!
This is the second book in the historical fantasy fiction series by Signe Pike that follows the famed Merlin, the famed wizard counsel of King Arthur and his long-forgotten sister, Languoreth. I love this series so incredibly much that it makes me want to go back and read as much Arthurian literature as I can get my hands on!
The story spans the years though you never feel like you’re lacking. The focus of this story is more on Languoreth’s daughter Angharad who has left home to study to be a wisdom keeper with her uncle, Lailoken (AKA Merilin). Each chapter bounced between the viewpoint of different main characters, though Languoreth’s is the only one that is told in the first person, because really it’s supposed to be her expansive, all-encompassing story, and boy what a story it is. This woman, who is now middle-aged and a mother of several children, has been through so much. I really liked her development in this story compared to the first one when she was younger. She is older, wiser, and more dedicated to her family and husband. She’s learned to love him through the years even though their marriage is not filled with passion, like she felt with her youthful love with Maelwgn. I love Angharad’s journey in becoming a wisdom keeper and all the trials she faces through the story. Her character has the biggest transformation of all of them. We also get to see the pagan festival of Samhain. You can tell a lot of research and dedication has gone into the accuracy of the story on the author’s part. There are so many wonderful glimpses into Scotland during the 500BC time period. It’s so far back that it’s almost impossible to imagine life then, but Signe Pike has done a wonderful job of bringing it to life.
There are very few times I read a series while it’s being published. I like to wait until they’re all out, or mostly out, and binge through them so I don’t forget what happened from book to book, but this is my exception. I cannot wait for the third book in this trilogy to come out! If you like history or fantasy, I highly recommend this series!
The Forgotten Kingdom
By Signe Pike
So happy to be able to read this amazing Lot Queen trilogy. The Forgotten kingdom is the second book in the series and I really enjoyed this book so much for its exciting premise and a complete page turner for me. Both books so far have swept me away in this epic saga. The research that went into writing these books by Signe Pike definitely shows in this amazing Historical Fiction Fantasy novel.
Pick this series up before the release of the third book. You will love the characters and the story will definitely capture your heart.
I won The Lost Queen from Goodreads and after I read it I had to have the second in the series. The Forgotten Kingdom is fast paced and all consuming.
As I sat and read, I was transported to Scotland in AD 572. Signe Pike wrote in a way that made me feel as though I was walking alongside Languoreth, Lailoken, Angharad, Rydderch and the Dragon Warriors. I was along with them in their different journeys and battles.
From the Lost Queen to The Forgotten Kingdom, Pike did an amazing job with character development. All the characters grew between the books, but Angharad grew the most in this book. The book is more focused on her, as she grows from a child to a woman. Her journey is not always easy, but it is one that is necessary for her to understand and get a hold on her powers.
This book is classified Historical Fantasy, but I think it’s more like Historical Fiction. Pike has really researched the areas and places, as well as people, she includes. Yes, she takes some liberties, but it’s fiction and who doesn’t do that.
I just wished book 3 was out, but alas I have to wait until September 2023 for it. Maybe Pike will get finished with it sooner than expected. I want to know what happens and how it ends.
If you like historical fiction, you need to read this series. I don’t really care for fantasy, but as I said, to me this is Historical.
Book two of a trilogy, and The Forgotten Kingdom by Signe Pike did not disappoint! It was another sweeping tale of Celtic history and war in AD Scotland. Languoreth is back, but there are also viewpoints from her brother Lailoken and daughter Angharad as well. I appreciated getting a couple other viewpoints in this one, but Languoreth is still my favorite of them all. There is more violence in this book of course since it is war, but not too many super disturbing parts or anything that isn’t skippable if you really wanted to. I listened to the audio again and of course it was fantastic. Toni Frutin is back as Languoreth, while Gary Furlong and Siobhan Waring voice Lailoken and Angharad, respectively. I liked all of them and was very happy to have Frutin back again.
I loved the ending of The Forgotten Kingdom, and while you know there will be a third book since it’s a trilogy, I was pretty satisfied with it considering who knows how long we will have to wait for the final book. I don’t love cliffhangers, and while there are definitely questions, it doesn’t really end in a cliffhanger in my opinion which is something I appreciated. You definitely can’t go wrong with reading it or doing the audio, and I highly recommend both. I like the book because it has a map and the author’s note which the audio I listened to was missing.
I highly recommend reading these books in order, although they could also be read as standalones. I think you will get more of the story though if you read them in the correct order which is what I’m doing. I said it before and I will say it again, if you have any interest in Celtic history or historical fiction with a dash of fantasy, I highly recommend checking out both The Lost Queen, and The Forgotten Kingdom. They have both been five star reads for me, and I will be anxiously awaiting the third and final book in this moving tale.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book, all opinions and thoughts are my own.
I said it with book one and I’ll say it again
—
Why is there not an option for more than 5 stars?!
Signe Pike did it again, another phenomenonal book! This time told from POV of Languoreth, Lailoken and Angharad.
I love how the ending of The Lost Queen flows right into the beginning of The Forgotten Kingdom, I really loathe when a sequel is written and the start of the next doesn’t line up with the end of the one prior to it. The Forgotten Kingdom was intense, heartbreaking, angering and left me with my mouth hanging open in quite a few spots.
I am so angry with Languoreth and for those of us who have not gotten an ARC, I will not spoil why, but just know Languoreth has upset me.
I feel bad for Rhydderch because he does love Languoreth and you can tell he does, Rhydderch is put is some very burdensome positions which he has to tread carefully so as to appease the council and his wife, but also be able to live with his choices.
Lailoken has gone through so much, wars, losing family, losing friends, his mind, strife.
The faith in the Old Gods is turned into the religion Paganism, Christianity is growing more followers. You learn more background on certain characters and learn of new characters and villages.
There are so many intertwining stories in this great story.. or is it stories as it is told from 3 POVs? I am in love with these books and in awe of the time and dedication of research that Signe Pike put into these books. I see myself rereading them over and over.
There is just so much to say, so much I am still processing and thinking about that I can’t form into the right words, but I am happy I found these books and absolutely recommend you read them, but please please start with the first.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC and thank you Signe Pike for such an amazing set of books, I look forward to the next one!
Great follow up to The Lost Queen. Well done!