I was fully absorbed in the world of 6th century Scotland while reading The Forgotten Kingdom (Lost Queen #2).

Central to the tale are the battles - literal and figurative - between those who wish to maintain the Old Ways and those who follow Christianity.

Languoreth and her twin Lailoken, her husband Rhydderch, daughter Angharad and many more became almost real to me. Their anguish and fear were palpable. I found myself holding my breath while Angharad was hiding in the forest, not wanting to be found. I easily imagined the sounds of men fighting.

These are bloody times. Battle scenes and acts of cruelty are detailed. Lives and loves are lost, some are found again.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable book and I eagerly await the final in the trilogy.

This series is incredibly addictive and full of adventure, history, and a bit of magic. I love anything Arthurian and felt this was so well done and the characters I enjoyed. It does end with a cliffhanger but thankfully the next book is already out!
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this arc.

I adored the Lost Queen, and I'm so pleased to say The Forgotten Kingdom was just as good, if not better. Languoreth is such a compelling character to follow, and I love the introduction of new perspectives into this novel. I'm dying to see what will happen in the sequel (I think there will be a sequel..?) and I'm so glad I found this series.

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for granting me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Pike immerses readers in 6th-century Scotland, bringing to life the political landscape, religious conflicts, and daily life of the period through vivid descriptions and detailed historical references. The story features several complex and compelling female characters, including Languoreth, a future queen imprisoned in her chamber, and her daughter Angharad, who embarks on exciting adventures in the Scottish highlands. Lailoken, Languoreth's twin, features prominently, too. There are multiple secondary characters, and keeping them straight all the time can be confusing. I enjoyed the balanced blend of history and fantasy. The novel seamlessly weaves historical events with Celtic mythology and magic elements, creating a unique and fascinating world. Pike's prose is lyrical and immersive, drawing readers into the story and keeping them engaged.
The pacing felt uneven. It is a slow start, and the number of characters engaging in mundane activities can feel irrelevant. The Celtic magic adds a layer of intrigue, but there was not as much as I expected.
The romantic subplot is an underlying thread but buried too far beneath it. It is a wisp and doesn't play an intricate part in the novel.
The Forgotten Kingdom is a well-written and engaging historical fantasy novel with strong female characters and a detailed historical setting. However, the slow pacing and lack of romance might appeal to only some readers.

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!!

The Forgotten Kingdom is the second in the Lost Queen series and I am anxiously awaiting book 3. This story has it all - incredibly drawn characters, an engaging storyline, and a fierce female protagonist. Just read it, please.

If you read the author's note at the end of this incredible book, you can't help but be in awe of the amount of research that went in to this extraordinary story. I'm actually a little jealous. But it's interesting when you think about whether or not this book should be considered historical fiction or historical fantasy. I'll let you read it and decide. You can read the synopsis so I don't know how much I can add, other than to say this book blew me away. It's not a book I thought I would enjoy, but it is *easily* one of my favorites of the year.

Book two of a trilogy, and The Forgotten Kingdom by Signe Pike .
This story continues where book one left off. Languoreth is in prison, awaiting her fate. The book continues on to include the story of Languoreth’s daughter, Angharad, who studies to become a Wisdom Keeper. A new religion which is Christianity and in a constant battle with the old traditions.

Now with this second book, I can say that these books are amazing . The story is sweeping and magical while also features characters you will absolutely adore . It’s also a story you probably aren’t familiar with, the author Signe Pike, does her research on Languoreth, and I appreciate a this story that really needs to be shared. I can hardly wait for book three.

This is an excellent conclusion to the story begun in "The Lost Queen" (which is also excellent.) The characterizations are well-done and vivid. Personalities are distinct and realistic. Rarely isthe plot moved forward by someone doing something stupid, which is a nice change of pace from other books I've read. The descriptions of mthe landscapes and interior settings give you a real sense of where the story is taking place and have a cinematic quality to them.

While you do need to read "The Lost Queen" first to understand the story, I highly recommend both books!

The Forgotten Kingdom by Signe Pike
Book #2 in The Lost Queen series, The Forgotten Kingdom by Signe Pike, was much more exciting and action packed than the usual middle book in a trilogy. It is a tale of historical fiction and fantasy, and I loved every bit of it.
Angharad is the main character in The Forgotten Kingdom. The daughter of Languoreth is thrown into an epic journey as she struggles to return home to her mother. Her training as a Wisdom Keeper/ Priestess with numerous battles and captures lead her finally back home.
Book three of this series is expected out in September 2024 and there are mentions of a possible book four. Hollywood is currently working (?) on a TV series.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC and the opportunity to read and review The Forgotten Kingdom by Signe Pike.

I thought this was such an AMAZING book. Once I got started it was hard to put down. I thought this was a great sequel to The Lost Queen. I liked how it was done in three different points of view. From Languoreth, to Angharad, and Lailoken. It is interesting to read about Britain before it was Britain. This series takes place in the 500s AD. I think out of the three I like Angharad the best. Languireth is also good, but we got most of her story in the first book and Angharad is her daughter and just like her. At a young age she left with her Uncle Lailoken to be trained as a Seerer. I love the mix of historical fiction and the splash of fantasy. I can not wait to continue with the series when more books are added. I think it could be a great saga with amazing characters and learning about history.

A fantastic continuation to a series dedicated to highlighting a long forgotten time period and its people. Pike shed light on a forgotten queen and the multiple legends surrounding her family. It was a time infused with violence, corruption, and fantastical beliefs. It's a hefty read and at times it felt every bit the length. Overall a wonderfully immersive look inside a time and place we will never fully appreciate.

I received a copy of this title via NetGalley.

I am such a fan of Signe Pike. She does an amazing job at capturing a marvelous story, including real elements and fictionalized elements. The story is excellent. The characters are well developed. The last 10 chapters or so I could not stop and just had to keep reading because of the tension and the excitement just felt so much. I cannot wait for the third of this book series. Definitely one of the great historical fiction writers in my opinion.

YES to all things King Arthur. YES to Signe Pike. YES to Languoreth. YES to this book.

Book 2 does not disappoint, as someone who loved Book 1, The Lost Queen, I was so thrilled to be transported back into 6th-century Scotland. Signe Pike's narration and research make this novel shine.
Seeing the names Gwenddolau and Myrddin brings the whole book to a new level bringing forth the research the author has done, and the nostalgia that the stories we grew up with knowing.
I loved seeing Angharad's story as a young woman growing up. Languoreths grief is done in a way that will touch the hearts of readers, and Lailoken's magic gives this book the fantasy elements that we so often associate with King Arthur's story.

I want to thank the writer for giving us Languoreth. A woman whose story does not end with marriage and childbirth, but rather it is PART of her story, and her story continues, her adventures continue. This book fills the gap that so many fantasy novels have left us with, this is a story of a MOTHER.

Would I recommend? Yes, I recommend this book all the time
Would I reread? Yes, I will reread before Book 3 comes out!

Arthurian historical fiction ✔️
Strong female protagonists ✔️
Well-researched historical tie-ins ✔️
Timeline appropriate Celtic mysticism ✔️

Pure perfection. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’m always on the hunt for a good Arthurian novel. Bonus points if it’s a series! Finding an adult book with the above 4 criteria is nearly impossible. The Mists of Avalon is the only other book that can easily meet these requests. But MoA is written for a very specific audience and comes with a lot of author baggage. Whereas Signe Pike’s Lost Queen series is universally written in a way that anyone can enjoy, all without quelling the female leads - a balance that other authors in this genre fail to achieve.

Book 3 cannot come soon enough! ❤️

This is the 2nd book in the lost queen books. This book is full of magic, history, battles, rivalry, and intrigue. It kept me up readingbfor hours. So good!!
I just reviewed The Forgotten Kingdom by Signe Pike. #NetGalley
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Although a very well-written sequel to "The Lost Queen," I just didn't find myself as enthralled with this book as I did with the first one of the trilogy. I had looked forward to seeing what would happen with all the characters from the first novel but found myself struggling to continue to care about them through their journeys. I probably will still read the final book just to see how the trilogy wraps up. I hope I can connect with that one a little better.

I really love this series—the research that went into it is so interesting and perfectly woven into the background of fiction. I can’t wait for the third book!

Absolutely brilliant! I loved The Lost Queen so I knew I needed to read this one, and it surely did not disappoint. Signe Pike is able to write the most compelling and captivating stories, you feel like you are living in these stories. So impressed with the detail and research that went into this book. Signe Pike is definitely an auto-buy author!

Signe Pike's well researched novel of twins, Languoreth, future Queen of Scotland and her brother Lailoken, future Merlin of Arthurian legend, is a deeply satisfying read as the second book in The Lost Queen Trilogy. A page turner that I read in a record 2 days. If you loved Mary Stewarts's Merlin and King Arthur books or Marion Bradley Zimmer's "Mists of Avalon", I guarantee you will love this. Looking forward to the final book that is due out in September 2023.

I tried the first book and unfortunately it did not work for me. Therefore I did not try this one as it is a sequel.

This series is a masterclass in merging history and legend. In the first book, “The Lost Queen”, the characters and setting were well introduced. In this second installment, the action of battle and its consequences drives the plot. War is being waged
between the old ways and the new. Some warriors rise as others fall. While Myrddin is on the retreat, he meets Artur and the stage is set for the final book in this trilogy. I can’t wait!!
*Thanks to Atria books and NetGalley for this ebook copy for review.