After reading the first book I absolutely had to read this one and couldn’t put it down. Loving this series!

Man, I LOVE this series so much. The world-building is epic, the characters are amazing, the history-inspired storylines are fascinating. I cannot put these down - I've already started book 3.

The Forgotten Kingdom— A Riveting Saga of Memory, Power, and the Cost of Legacy

In The Forgotten Kingdom, author Signe Pike delivers a breathtaking continuation of Languoreth’s story, weaving history, legend, and myth into an epic tapestry of love, betrayal, and the relentless pursuit of power. Set in the tumultuous year AD 573, this novel plunges readers into the heart of early medieval Scotland, where battles are fought not just with swords, but with memories that refuse to be silenced.

Languoreth—queen, mother, and survivor—is a woman caught between the tides of war and the fragile threads of her own past. Imprisoned within her own home, she awaits news from a battlefield where her husband and first-born son fight against the very men she once called kin—her twin brother Lailoken (known to history as Myrddin) and the legendary warriors of Uther Pendragon. The stakes are not just political; they are deeply personal, tangled with the lives of those she loves most, including her nine-year-old daughter, apprenticed to Lailoken as a budding Wisdom Keeper.

As the narrative unfolds, the winds of battle scatter Languoreth’s family across the breathtaking yet brutal landscapes of Scotland. From mist-shrouded forests to ancient strongholds, they encounter knife-edged danger, unspeakable loss, and even mystical realms that blur the line between history and legend. Yet, amidst the chaos, Languoreth rises—not as a passive figure in someone else’s tale, but as a queen who claims her destiny. Her journey is a fierce testament to the strength required to hold both crown and conscience in a world where memory itself can be a weapon.

Pros:

Complex, Powerful Protagonist: Languoreth is brilliantly written—a woman of resilience, flaws, and fierce determination, whose inner struggles are as compelling as the external conflicts she faces.

Rich Historical and Mythical Fusion: The novel seamlessly blends historical fact with Arthurian legend, offering fresh perspectives on figures like Uther Pendragon and Myrddin.

Emotional Depth: Themes of family loyalty, loss, and the haunting power of memory resonate deeply, adding layers of poignancy to the political intrigue.

Stunning Sense of Place: The vivid descriptions of Scotland’s wild beauty create an immersive backdrop, enhancing both the mystical and historical elements.


Cons:

Complex Timeline: The non-linear structure, with shifts between past and present, may challenge some readers, though it adds to the novel’s haunting, reflective tone.

Heavy Emotional Themes: The intensity of grief, betrayal, and loss might feel overwhelming at times, but these elements are integral to the story’s emotional impact.


Final Verdict:
The Forgotten Kingdom is a masterful exploration of the personal costs of power, the fragile threads that bind family, and the dangerous pull of memory. Both an epic historical saga and a deeply intimate portrait of a forgotten queen, this novel redefines the Arthurian mythos through a lens that is fiercely feminine, heartbreakingly human, and utterly unforgettable.

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

The Second book in Signe Pike's Scottish Arthur tales continues the story of Langoureth and her family and the Christian Kentigern. This series is action packed, well written, and will appeal to lovers of history, historical fiction, and folklore.Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book

The year is AD 573. Languoreth is imprisoned in her own home, awaiting news of a battle. Her husband and first-born son have ridden off to war against her twin brother and the men her son admires most: Uther Pendragon’s “Dragon Warriors.” Her nine-year-old daughter was apprenticed to Lailoken, training to be a Wisdom Keeper. Who has lived and who has died?

As the winds of battle scatter Languoreth’s loved ones to the far corners of Scotland’s dramatically beautiful landscape, they encounter knife-edged danger, unspeakable loss, mystical realms, political subterfuge, and fascinating new cultures. Amidst it all, Languoreth takes her throne as queen, stepping into the test of a climactic battle that will determine the destiny of her family and her kingdom.

One of the best series I've read this year. I'd heard of this trilogy before the third one came out, but I hate reading unfinished series, because I often don't come back to them. It's just me. So when the last one of these came out, I binged all three of them. There are books where you fall in love with the characters, and they become your friends. This is one of those, and I'll come back to it many times in the future, I'm sure. Absolutely love this! 5⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

Loved this. Solid plot. Strong character development. Wonderfully atmospheric. Pretty compulsive read.

The Forgotten Kingdom continues the epic story of Languoreth and Lailoken, further illuminating the harsh yet mystical life of Scottish nobility and warriors during the early medieval age. In combining thorough historical research and rich imagination, Pike has created an unforgettable tale of war, religion, and the enduring bonds of family, comrades, and lovers. Historical fiction fans will devour this story.

I was so glad that I go the second book in this series. I enjoyed the first one so much that I couldn't wait to get into it. I will say that the sequel was even better to me that the first. I loved the way it told the story from different character's points of view with each chapter. Languoreth is still my favorite character. I would definitely recommend this series. It is so well written, and I loved it.

Thank you Net Galley ARC

The sequel was even better than the first book I this series. I loved how everyone had their story told from their point of view through the chapters and it all came together at the end. Highly recommend!

After loving the first book the lost queen I was excited to read the second book. It was as good as the first book if not better. I couldn't put down and finished the book in two days. The writing is excellent keeping me enticed. Highly recommen to read this series.

So, The Forgotten Kingdom was an okay read for me. I went into it hoping to be completely swept away by the historical fantasy elements, and while there were parts I really enjoyed, it just didn't fully grab me. The setting was vivid, and the historical details were impressive, but the pacing felt a bit slow at times. I did like some of the characters, but I had a hard time connecting with others, which made it tough to stay fully invested in the story. That said, the writing was beautiful, and I think fans of slow-burn, detailed historical fiction will appreciate it more. It wasn’t quite what I expected, but still a decent read!

We continue to see Langoureths life evolve in the 2nd book of this series. She's a warrior, mother, sister, friend, lover, queen and wife and plays each role with aplomb. Her family is dispersed and there's a war going on. We sees the emergence of Merlin ans Artur. In this book.

Descriptive, captivating and exciting.

#netgalley #TheForgottenKingdom

We learn so much about these ancient tribes of the North: Angles, Picts, Britons
Languoreth is so alive and well rounded. She is wife, mother, , daughter, lover, and queen. It’s such a shame her history has been lost. It makes me think many strong female leaders have been lost in history.
A great battle ensues between the various Scot tribes against the Angles for the latter third of the book. This is slowly bringing Lailoken or Myrddin into focus as well as Artúr to become a more prominent character.
I’m curious to see how these worlds will come together in the last book of the trilogy.

The Forgotten Kingdom is book two in The Lost Queen Signe Pike trilogy.
An extraordinary historical page-turner! Pike is a master at crafting vivid characters from the first page.

"The Forgotten Kingdom" continues the saga Signe Pike began with "The Lost Queen." It's a beautifully written sequel to the first novel. It is so well-researched and such a different tale than you are used to. I cannot wait for the third installment.

The Forgotten Kingdom picks up where The Lost Queen leaves off following now not only Languoreth but now her twin brother Lailoken and her nine-year-old daughter Angharad who is learning from her uncle to become a Wisdom Keeper in the midst of one of the bloodiest battles in Scottish History. Ultimately these family members get torn apart after the battle only then to find themselves following their own paths of growth and finding who they are.

Over all I felt like Lailoken & Languoreth’s chapters fell a bit flat for me - I honestly wanted to skip their sections because I was bored. When it came down to Angharads chapters I was fully entertained and always looked forward to what was going to end up happening to her. I felt like if the book solely focused on her this would’ve been a 10/10.

Wow, what a great addition to my 2024 reading list! "The Forgotten Kingdom" by Signe Pike completely captivated me from the very first page. While historical novels aren't typically my go-to genre, the promise of uncovering the lost queen of Scotland and delving into the origins of Merlin in the Arthurian legends was simply irresistible, especially given my own UK ancestry.

Signe Pike's prose is nothing short of mesmerizing, whisking readers away to the early Middle Ages in Scotland with vivid descriptions that make you feel like you're right there alongside the characters. What impressed me most was Pike's ability to make history come alive without ever feeling dry or academic. Instead, she immerses us in a tumultuous time period marked by the clash of ancient Druidic beliefs with the rising tide of Christianity, all against the backdrop of political intrigue and shifting power dynamics among the Britons, Picts, and Angles.

The depth of research that Pike brings to her storytelling is truly commendable, and she seamlessly weaves historical accuracy with compelling characters and a gripping plot. I found myself deeply invested in the characters' journeys, particularly as they navigated themes of sex, gender roles, religious conflict, and the erosion of traditional beliefs.

One aspect that truly sets "The Lost Queen", Pike's first book in the series apart is the inclusion of a detailed section at the end of the book, providing further historical context and insight into the time period and characters. It's clear that she's passionate about her subject matter, and her dedication shines through in every page.

In terms of criticisms, I have none. "The Forgotten Kingdom" exceeded all my expectations and left me eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series. With rumors of a movie deal in the works, it's clear that Pike's epic saga has the potential to rival the cultural phenomenon of "Game of Thrones."

In conclusion, "The Forgotten Kingdom" is a triumph of historical fiction that will appeal to both history enthusiasts and casual readers alike. With its richly drawn characters, intricate plot, and immersive setting, it's a book that will stay with me long after I've turned the final page. Five out of five stars from me!

Thank you to Netgalley for providing an eARC of this novel in 2020 in exchange for an honest review. My deepest apologies for my review being so egregiously late.

Writing reviews for anything after the first book in a series is always challenging for me. I’m not sure how much I should say or keep hidden. The announcement of new characters can be as much of a spoiler as the silence of an old character. I teeter on the edge with these reviews and hope that I can still do the book, and future readers, justice.

The first book ended in heartbreak, and I was so hoping the second would set its sights on mending it. While that may have happened through the course of the novel, the first quarter was even more devastating than I could have imagined or planned for.

A major difference in book two is that we now have multiple points of view as the story progresses. I loved this choice because our main characters are varied and no longer within a day’s ride of one another. In book one it was easy to follow Languoreth and those who orbited her, making multiple points of view unnecessary.

Another major difference was the duration of time for book two. Instead of following a character from childhood to her early thirties, we followed the span of about seven years. While a lot can happen in that time period, I did feel slightly less emotionally connected to some of our new points of view. Languoreth’s story in book one intertwined within my own soul as I was reading. I watched her grow and learn and overcome. Though I enjoyed the multiple POV’s, and it was necessary to help the story to progress, it did mean that my connection with the characters was split. Instead of one character having my full attention we jumped not only from person to person, but also location and place in time.

This story is masterfully written. Switching forward and backward years or months from character to character cannot be easy as an author, and yet the story flowed effortlessly from page to page. I never felt out of place or confused as the reader, and often found myself mentally calculating if this character is here on this date what were the other’s doing at the same time? This is definitely not a light novel that can be read with little brain power on the reader’s part. This novel requires time and attention to detail, and empathy to love, loss, madness, and war.

I felt like I was on the edge of my seat for the entire novel. I had so many questions about the character’s mindsets, locations, well being, and outcomes. Where book one ended in heartache, book two ended in hope for the future. I’m so looking forward to seeing what will befall our main characters next time, and selfishly hope that for some they might find a happy ending even if their people might never find peace.

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.