“Outlander meets Camelot” (Kirsty Logan, author of The Gracekeepers) in the first book of an exciting historical trilogy that reveals the untold story of Languoreth–a powerful and, until now, tragically forgotten queen of sixth-century Scotland–twin sister of the man who inspired the legendary character of Merlin. Intelligent, passionate, rebellious, and brave, Languoreth is the unforgettable … brave, Languoreth is the unforgettable heroine of The Lost Queen, a tale of conflicted loves and survival set against the cinematic backdrop of ancient Scotland, a magical land of myths and superstition inspired by the beauty of the natural world. One of the most powerful early medieval queens in British history, Languoreth ruled at a time of enormous disruption and bloodshed, when the burgeoning forces of Christianity threatened to obliterate the ancient pagan beliefs and change her way of life forever.
Together with her twin brother Lailoken, a warrior and druid known to history as Merlin, Languoreth is catapulted into a world of danger and violence. When a war brings the hero Emrys Pendragon, to their door, Languoreth collides with the handsome warrior Maelgwn. Their passionate connection is forged by enchantment, but Languoreth is promised in marriage to Rhydderch, son of the High King who is sympathetic to the followers of Christianity. As Rhydderch’s wife, Languoreth must assume her duty to fight for the preservation of the Old Way, her kingdom, and all she holds dear.
“Moving, thrilling, and ultimately spellbinding” (BookPage), The Lost Queen brings this remarkable woman to life–rescuing her from obscurity, and reaffirming her place at the center of the most enduring legends of all time. “Moving, thrilling, and ultimately spellbinding, The Lost Queen is perfect for readers of historical fiction like The Clan of the Cave Bear and Wolf Hall, and for lovers of fantasy like Outlander and The Mists of Avalon” (BookPage).
more
Why is there not an option for more than 5 stars?
When I first started The Lost Queen I enjoyed the first 2 chapters, then I got a bit bored and went between reading this and another book for the first 2 days; I also really love the premise of the story so I wanted to finish it and I am so happy I gave The Lost Queen a second chance. The depth of the stories in this book are astonishing. I was in awe of this book and I was left just absolutely speechless upon finishing the book.
The language wasn’t consistent (ie: d’na, wouldna, etc), so when it did pop up I was a little confused, but got the gist.
I am excited and a bit nervous honestly, to see what happens in the next book.
I cannot thank a fellow bookstagrammer for recommending this book to me, I love it.
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for the eARC, it is greatly appreciated. All opinions are my own.
The story is based in Scotland during the 6th century, a time when Christianity was spreading and competing with the old ways. I loved the descriptions of life in that time period, the way people lived, the warring factions, the politics, and the royalty. The story is told through Languoreth’s point of view. She was raised in the old ways, with magic and the old gods. Forced to marry the son of the Christian High King, she is miserable, but knows it is what is best for her family. Her twin brother is a Wisdom Keeper, a druid, a path she would have preferred to follow. Instead, she ends up in a Christian household.
This is wonderful historical fiction blended with magic and complicated family ties. The story was made even more interesting once I’d read the Note from the Author and the Acknowledgments at the back of the book.
An interesting re-setting of the Arthurian myth – reasonably well-written. Its ending was confusing and abrupt, perhaps attempting to lead the reader to the next book to continue the story? Hesitantly give the book 4 stars and a recommendation but still found the ending just annoying.
I was interested in the book & enjoyed the different play on the King Arthur ledgen. It will be interesting to see where the author takes it from here.
The description says “Outlander meets Camelot”. The only thing this has in common with Outlander is the setting (Scotland). This is pre-King Arthur, the story of Merlin’s youth, told from the perspective of his twin sister.
I really enjoyed it until the end, where I was left with that “wait a minute” feeling: what happened? Logging in to Goodreads to write this review, I now see that it is the first book in a trilogy. The second installment won’t be released for several months (I’ve put it on my wish list).
“Mists of Avalon” is one of my all-time favorite books, and this one is set in the same location, one generation ahead. If not for the way the author chose to end “The Lost Queen”, I would have also rated this book five stars. Minus one star for the cliff-hanger ending, although anyone who has heard of the Arthurian legend has an idea what happened next.
The Lost Queen is author Signe Pike’s first book in a trilogy. It is part historical fiction and part fantasy. The story is set in the middle ages in Europe when Christianity’s rise is threatened the ancient Celtic religion and lifestyle. There is plenty of political and religious conflict that reflects the author’s research on the period and topic. The story further explores the impact this conflict has on the people of Scotland.
This epic saga features legends, warriors, a forgotten sixth-century Scottish queen and Merlin. I loved the strong female character, but her blunders reminded me of what I didn’t like in the main character of the Outlander series (to which The Lost Queen has been likened). The occasional use of a modern phrase can be easily overlooked by most readers (but fantasy devotees may cringe at a few). While modern readers might take offense to how some characters are treated, the author’s use of the social hierarchies and norms is clearly well researched and felt authentic to the period.
Unlike some fantasy sagas I’ve read, Ms. Pike’s plot is straightforward. There is a lot of forward movement. In the several fantasy sagas I’ve read, there was so much devotion to world-building and creating an incredibly vast cast of characters, that the arc of the plot is easily lost, or it wasn’t until the final book that there was any real forward trajectory in the plot.
Even though the story is well written, at 500 pages, the book was a bit long for me given my interest level in the fantasy genre in general and Arthurian legend specifically. True fantasy lovers will relish diving into Ms. Pike’s debut novel!
This was sold to me as Camelot meets Outlander and since I love both, I was instantly on board. Now that I’ve read this, however, I’m not sure why Outlander was used as comp title because I don’t see it in this plot. This is basically a Camelot prequel, in part the story of how Merlin became Merlin but centered on his twin sister Languoreth who became a queen.
And what a character Languoreth is! We first meet her when she’s 10 years old, just after the death of her mother. Child narrators don’t always work for me but this one did, in part, because she doesn’t act like a contemporary 10 year old. Olden days 10 year olds were much more mature and capable, which makes sense given how 15 year olds were considered men and women. Which by today’s standards: yikes.
In any case, the novel is divided into parts, often skipping several years ahead and so we see Languoreth grow up, as well as how her family and country is changing along the way. There is no small amount of intrigue due to wars, political machinations, and the arrival of a more evangelical Christianity. Languoreth’s dad has to be careful about who he trusts, while also giving fealty to the High King, no matter what he thinks about his leadership. He wants to help preserve the Old Ways but the new Christians don’t fight fair, which was infuriating to see.
I came to care very deeply about the characters, to the point of worrying about them when I wasn’t reading the book. Languoreth’s brother Lailoken, our future Merlin, was a puzzle to me and I kept looking for clues of who he would become. He’s part warrior, part Druid, and has so many more options than Languoreth by virtue of his gender. They’re such close siblings and I really liked how the story explored their twinship.
Then there’s Maelgwn, a warrior in Emrys Pendragon’s army. He and Languoreth have an immediate connection but she’s already been promised to the son of the High King. This was agonizing to see. She had no real choice, not one that wouldn’t dishonor and discredit her family and put their people in danger. Once she was betrothed to Rhydderch, it was hard to root for her and Maelgwn. Rhydderch may not have been the man she’d choose but he does truly care for her, which is all the more impressive, given the people who live in the High King’s castle.
And yet, Maelgwn. I was basically in love with him, not only because of his character but because he kept trying to do right by everyone. After she gets married, she has children and the years pass but her feelings for Maelgwin do not waver. At the same time, she had some unreasonable expectations of him once their paths cross again. I was deeply irritated with Languoreth for being mad at Maelgwn, as if he was supposed to have pined over her for the past 16 years while she’s married to someone else. It was so selfish of her, not to mention I worried her actions would jeopardize her family.
And then. That ending. Big things are afoot for the next book and I cannot wait for it to be released! This was an epic saga and I loved every bit of it.
CW: death of parent, grief, infidelity, murder, violence, religious desecration, sexism, references to domestic violence, rape, and child rape
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.
I liked pagan and Christian religion perspectives.
4.5 for me
What a magical journey you will go on when you pick up The Lost Queen.!!
It’s Celtic folklore, its magic, its historical fiction.
The descriptions make you feel like you are sitting in the Big Hall with the KIng and Queen and all the soldiers. You are there with them as they ride off to battle.
I was sorry to turn the last page but am so looking forward to the rest of the trilogy . Can’t wait
Once again please take the time to read the author’s notes. Adds so much to the story.
I listened to this book on Audible. The narration by Toni Frutin was wonderful and her voice quickly made the lead character, Languoreth, come alive. I was immersed in the story immediately and couldn’t get enough of it. The story pacing was good and most of the characters were richly developed. There were hints and bits of magic interspersed in the book as well as war, love and loss.
I was sad when it ended, and kept wishing that there were already a 2nd book in the series so that I could continue the story. Hope Signe Pike writes a follow up to this novel as there is still much to be explored here.
This book is stunning. Historical fiction with a slight tint of fantasy thanks to the customs and beliefs of people in 6th-century Scotland. The writing is beautiful, the storytelling rich. The audiobook is so brilliant that I highly recommend giving it a listen. This is a book I’ll re-read, something I never do.
The Lost Queen by Signe Pike is the first novel in a series about the Merlin and King Arthur legend. This is a legend I have love since I was a little girl. Signe Pike has turned that legend on it’s head and the result is a meticulously researched novel that brings the true history behind the legend to life. This book is no romanticized version with little truth to back it up it is a historically meaty version that brings the 6th century Britons to life. It is one of the best books I’ve ever read on the subject of Merlin and those who surround him.
I’ve read The Crystal Cave and Mists of Avalon. Both are good but The Lost Queen is exceptional in it’s ease of reading, authentic atmosphere and engaging storyline. It delves into the chaotic times when those who live above Hadrian’s wall are being threatened by the Angles and Christianity. Both are trying to conquer a people in different ways and completely change their way of life.
The novel is told from the viewpoint of Languoreth a forgotten queen of sixth-century Scotland and twin sister Lailoken the man who inspired the legend of Merlin. The story begins when they are ten years old and children of a lessor King Morken. Rather than reiterating what is known and has been written about Lailoken/Merlin the author introduces us to his sister Languoreth and we follow her journey to becoming a Princess through marriage to Rhydderch the son of King Tutgual of Strathclyde.
At age 15 Languoreth as the female head of household welcomes Emrys Pendragon to her father’s hall. With him are his Dragon Soldiers. Maelgwy is his General and he and Languoreth share a spritual connection that grows to a consuming love. A love that can’t be fulfilled because Languoreth must marry to strengthen bonds between kingdoms.
This novel has one of the best storylines I’ve ever read. It makes you feel what it must have been like to live in a century where you can’t tell friend from enemy and everyone is a pawn in a game played by the powerful. You clearly see that power and wealth corrupts. It intertwines the story of the struggle of those of “the old faith” against the power of the emerging Catholic Church with the struggle of a people who have almost been conquered once by Rome and must fight again against the anglo-saxons flooding their shores. Amoungst those struggles there is also the need to stay vigilant because of changing politics between the Briton Kingdoms. The story is engrossing and historically informative as well as accurate. I was able to highlight names and places on my kindle and find them on Wikipedia if I wanted to know more.
There is a lengthy list of characters in this novel with Celtic names which are unfamiliar today. However, all of the characters are so well fleshed out and identifiable I had no problem keeping them straight in my mind as I read. I never had to refer back to the beginning of the book to figure out who each was and which kingdom or group they belonged to. I’m short, character development was excellent.
I highly recommend this book. For the history alone it’s worth reading but the writing, storyline and characters make this a must read. I can’t wait to read the next in the series.
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it