• The Lost Queen: A Novel (Book 1 of The Lost Queen Trilogy) by Signe Pike
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The Lost Queen: A Novel Book Cover The Lost Queen: A Novel
The Lost Queen Trilogy
Signe Pike
Young Adult, New Adult, Historical Fiction, Medieval Fantasy
Atria Books
September 4, 2018
Kindle, Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook, Audio CD
544

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.

A magical melding of myth, fact, and fiction…

Twins Lailoken and Languareth are children of a powerful chieftan who still follows the traditions and beliefs of the Old Way.  While Lailoken has been chosen to study as a Keeper, those imparted with the knowledge and power of the gods and who live out that calling as servants to the people and counselor to rulers, his sister, as the only daughter of a lesser king, must marry into another powerful family as tradition and politics dictate.  While Lailoken understands his role in keeping the old beliefs alive in burgeoning age of Christianity on the island, Languareth is torn between duty and love when fate brings her in contact with one of the feared and revered Dragon Warriors. The machinations of men of power and the battle for the hearts of the people by the old and new gods decides her future course for her.

In 2018 Signe Pike released The Lost Queen the first book in The Lost Queen Trilogy.  Set in medieval Scotland, this epic novel is based on the historical figures Lailoken, who scholars believe is the fabled Merlin, and his enigmatic twin sister Languoreth, one of the most powerful queens in British history. Using extensive research of history, literature, archaeology, and myth Pike has created a wonderfully captivating and believable tale of intrigue, war, love and loss.  Rich historical details and accuracy is the backdrop for a compelling plots that flows effortlessly through the chapters.  The merging of fiction and fact is exceptional and ignites in the reader a desire to learn more about this historical period and the figures of this time.

The storytelling is equally balanced from both Languoreth and Lailoken’s perspectives.  While their lives set out on separate but frequently intersecting trajectories, each story is exciting and completely enthralling which makes The Lost Queen an extremely enjoyable read. I was drawn to both characters and loved how relatable Pike made such larger than life figures.  This has been one of my all-time favorite historical fiction stories and I am very excited for the upcoming release of book 2 The Forgotten Kingdom in mid-September.