the_spines's review against another edition
5.0
Just so you all know where I was standing on my way into this novel, I am fairly new to fantasy and even more new to the historical fantasy genre. I didn’t come into this book because of the Merlin-era background, for the nobility or the 6th century Scottish setting, or for historically accurate writing. I just wanted a break from real life reading and thought a bit of magic fit the bill. With that in mind, I loved this book so much! The magic was hinted at or utilized through knowledge or healing, which grounded the entire novel, and the immense time line swept me away after about 50 pages.
FULL REVIEW HERE: http://meganprokott.com/the-lost-queen-signe-pike/review
FULL REVIEW HERE: http://meganprokott.com/the-lost-queen-signe-pike/review
lenajgib's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars. Love Pendragon and Merlin stories. Definitely read the author’s note at the back.
abcafe395's review against another edition
4.0
I love Arthurian legend and this one tells the story of Merlin’s twin sister. It tells of her childhood, marriage and adulthood. I’m so intrigued and excited to see where these stories go.
reneeisalwaysreading's review against another edition
5.0
Very good book. I recommend it and am looking forward to reading the next two books in the trilogy.
I thought I might give it 4 stars since I had some trouble falling in love with the dialogue and the main protagonist. Then I read the author’s note at the end and was completely won over. She put an amazing amount of work and passion into this book. It was enough to make me not care about my minor grievances. The story is solid.
I thought I might give it 4 stars since I had some trouble falling in love with the dialogue and the main protagonist. Then I read the author’s note at the end and was completely won over. She put an amazing amount of work and passion into this book. It was enough to make me not care about my minor grievances. The story is solid.
lferneau's review against another edition
5.0
Second time I've read this book. Still love it. I have an affinity for historical fiction.
keribchilders's review against another edition
5.0
The Lost Queen was everything I had hoped it would be. Think: your favorite themes from Game of Thrones (family loyalty, forbidden love, political intrigue, folklore, war, a bit of magic, etc.) but make it 6th century Scotland.
Signe Pike’s writing is beautiful and atmospheric. While the pace of the book is a bit slower, it is enough to keep you interested and perfectly fleshes out the characters and world building. I fell in love with the characters. I loved their personalities, their secrets, their faults, their fierceness. I loved the world they lived in.
I really really did not want this to end but had a hard time putting it down.
Signe Pike’s writing is beautiful and atmospheric. While the pace of the book is a bit slower, it is enough to keep you interested and perfectly fleshes out the characters and world building. I fell in love with the characters. I loved their personalities, their secrets, their faults, their fierceness. I loved the world they lived in.
I really really did not want this to end but had a hard time putting it down.
dbookrecs's review against another edition
4.0
4.25 Stars
If you liked the mysticism and writing of A River Enchanted
And you like the tales of Camelot and Arthurian legends, than you need to read this book.
This book is a historical fiction set in 6th century Scotland. It follows Langoureth, the daughter of one of the kings of Strathclyde throughout her life as she eventually becomes the High Queen of Strathclyde and battles to protect the Old Way and her loved ones
I don't read a lot of historical fiction, in fact I primarily read fantasy. But I have to say that this novel was incredible. Despite not being full of romantic encounters and action, this book was a page turner.
The author has spent years researching Celtic mythology and Arthurian times and in her author notes she explains where she found the name Langoureth and any other related information.
I enjoyed reading this book and will be picking up the second one!
If you liked the mysticism and writing of A River Enchanted
And you like the tales of Camelot and Arthurian legends, than you need to read this book.
This book is a historical fiction set in 6th century Scotland. It follows Langoureth, the daughter of one of the kings of Strathclyde throughout her life as she eventually becomes the High Queen of Strathclyde and battles to protect the Old Way and her loved ones
I don't read a lot of historical fiction, in fact I primarily read fantasy. But I have to say that this novel was incredible. Despite not being full of romantic encounters and action, this book was a page turner.
The author has spent years researching Celtic mythology and Arthurian times and in her author notes she explains where she found the name Langoureth and any other related information.
I enjoyed reading this book and will be picking up the second one!
mayagould's review against another edition
4.75
This is truly one of those books that wraps you up in its atmosphere and makes takes you away for a while🌛it has all the depth, breadth and the feminist tones of Circe by Madeline Miller, along with all the power of setting of Wuthering Heights.
I think Signe Pike's The Lost Queen for dark-ages Scotland what Katherine Arden's The Winternight Trilogy does for medieval Russia, using folklore and history with a little bit of magic to weave a story of epic proportions <3
I think Signe Pike's The Lost Queen for dark-ages Scotland what Katherine Arden's The Winternight Trilogy does for medieval Russia, using folklore and history with a little bit of magic to weave a story of epic proportions <3
"Nothing can touch those days. The earth here remembers. We remember."
Pike's writing is so descriptive and I felt she captured Langoureth's voice really well (we follow her from age 11ish to 32 and I could hear her voice maturing as she grew up.)
The only thing that irked me a bit was
Spoiler
the speed of the romance, it felt very 'insta love'-ish and given how long each of them spend pining for the other afterwards, I feel like the build-up should have been more slow-burn. Also, I did have to gaslight myself into thinking Langoureth was like 19 instead of 14/15 in part II because even if it's historically accurate that she was a literal child when she married, reading her as so young in those chapters makes me *extremely* uncomfortable especially when Rhydderch is about 30 and Maelgwn is at least 20🥴Overall I really enjoyed this and I'm excited to get to the rest of the series!