The Lost Queen: A Novelvolume 1 (Lost Queen, #1)

by Signe Pike

Compared to Outlander and The Mists of Avalon, this thrilling first novel of a debut trilogy reveals the untold story of Languoreth—a forgotten queen of sixth-century Scotland—twin sister of the man who inspired the legend of Merlin.

I write because I have seen the darkness that will come. Already there are those who seek to tell a new history...

In a land of mountains and mist, tradition and superstition, Languoreth and her brother Lailoken are raised in the Old Way of their ancestors. But in Scotland, a new religion is rising, one that brings disruption, bloodshed, and riot. And even as her family faces the burgeoning forces of Christianity, the Anglo-Saxons, bent on colonization, are encroaching from the east. When conflict brings the hero Emrys Pendragon to her father’s door, Languoreth finds love with one of his warriors. Her deep connection to Maelgwn is forged by enchantment, but she is promised in marriage to Rhydderch, son of a Christian king. As Languoreth is catapulted into a world of violence and political intrigue, she must learn to adapt. Together with her brother—a warrior and druid known to history as Myrddin—Languoreth must assume her duty to fight for the preservation of the Old Way and the survival of her kingdom, or risk the loss of them both forever.

Based on new scholarship, this tale of bravery and conflicted love brings a lost queen back to life—rescuing her from obscurity, and reaffirming her place at the center of one of the most enduring legends of all time.

• ISBN10: 150119142X
• ISBN13: 9781501191428
• Publish Date: 4 June 2019 (first published 4 September 2018)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Simon & Schuster
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 576
• Language: English

Reviews

[Beth C.]

This is such a great book! Based off of some little-known history about the idea that Merlin may have been a true historical figure, with a twin sister, this book introduces us to them both. Told from his sister's perspective, it's a fascinating look at the times then and the making of them both - this figure that survives in myth and magic, and this powerful queen who has been lost to history. The storytelling is beautiful and evocative, and I'm very much looking forward to the second book.

NOTE: I listened to the audio version of this, and the narrator is FABULOUS. Her voice is lush and lovely and honestly, if she could come over and read me bedtime stories every night I would be happy.

[Kait ✨]

Amazing. This surpassed my expectations, which were sky high after reading this pitch: “Mists of Avalon meets Philippa Gregory 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.”

This books is slow-paced yet a page-turner (my favourite, which is a hard balance to strike), the characters are thoughtfully drawn, and the setting is rich and pervasive. This is historical fiction at its finest—Pike educates readers on a little-known historical figure but uses fiction to expand on the character in a way that is still realistic. I already can’t wait to re-read this and I already can’t wait for book two. This may be my favourite book of 2018. ♥️

[elysium]

3,5 stars

I haven’t read that many books based on King Arthur so I was curious enough to try this and there aren’t too many books set in sixth-century Scotland either.

Languoreth is a twin of Lailoken who will be known as Merlin. Growing up Languoreth wants to become a Wisdom Keeper, a druid, like her brother and hates the fact that her fate lies in marriage. She is wed to Rhydderch, son of a Christian High King, but she has fallen in love with Maelgwn, one of Pendragon’s man.

Languoreth is an easy character to like. Strong and fearless who soon learns the ways of the court intrigues. Her marriage to Rhydderch doesn’t start in a promising way but in time they develop mutual respect for each other.

It was interesting to see the coming of Christianity and slowly losing the Old Ways. Anglo-Saxons are coming and there are wars and bloodshed. The book is from Languoreth’s point of view and I think it kind of restricts the story. It would have been nice to see what happens elsewhere, like in battles and such.

One real complaint from me is that Languoreth and Maelgwyn’s romance was a bit too instalove for me. They meet and in a manner of days, they’re so in love with each other that they’ll pine for each other for nearly 20 years.

The start dragged a bit but once things start to happen it flows nicely. In the end, I just wanted to know what happens next. All in all, I think this was an enjoyable read and I’m looking forward to the next book.