So good, even as a standalone novel! (Details below)

I’ll be honest, I’m not sure how to go about this review. I was pretty far into the novel when I realized it was book two of a series. However, I was too invested as it was, so I kept on reading! The Forgotten Kingdom by Signe Pike is a completely captivating read, even if you haven’t read the first book in Pike’s The Lost Queen series.

Signe Pike’s writing style is easy to follow, flowing and natural to read. Each chapter starts with a character’s name, so you are oriented as the story jumps around both geographically and, sometimes, temporally.

What I found most fascinating, though, was the author’s insights at the end of the novel. Pike discusses the historical events described in the novel, along with things she changed and other literary choices she made along the way. She also describes the historical figures present in the novel, many of whom grew into the Arthurian legend we know today. Really, just a fascinating way to top off an already great book!

Read my full review of the novel here: https://catsandcoffee.me/the-forgotten-kingdom-by-signe-pike/

This was a strong follow-up to The Lost Queen and I’m definitely going to keep my eye out for the final book in this trilogy.

While The Lost Queen focused on Languoreth’s POV, The Forgotten Kingdom adds two more perspectives: her brother Lailoken (the future Merlin) and her daughter Angharad. I’ll admit that I was less interested in Lailoken’s chapters than in the two women; I appreciated his inclusion but it seemed to distract from Pike’s original goal in the first book of resurrecting a lost queen from the depths of history. That said, I really enjoyed Angharad’s journey and this comparison between that and Langoureth’s path in the first book.

The writing here is strong though the jumps in time sometimes caught me off-guard. The chapters are mostly marked with dates, but I would sometimes forget what the last date was and be a bit confused where we were in time. That’s more on me, though, than the book itself I think.

Like with the first book, I really appreciated the author’s note at the end for how it unpacks the historical context of this story. You can tell that Pike has done her research, which cannot always be said of historical fiction. She also explains where she took liberties with the story, which was interesting.

Overall, this is an interesting book that explores a little-covered period in historical fiction. If you like the genre, or are interested in the history of Merlin or Scotland, this is definitely one to check out.

I was so excited to continue reading the adventures of Languoreth and her family/friends. This story is such a sweeping and epic story, yet Pike really draws you in with her characters and plot. Pike's writing is so beautiful, and I can't wait to see what happens in the final part.

I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book had an amazing plot, but I felt the characters were a bit hard to connect to.

Thank you kindly to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this review copy.

After searching for books similar to Outlander, I found The Lost Queen trilogy by Signe Pike. Set in Scotland in the 500s, this second book of the series begins with Languoreth awaiting news of her husband, her brother, and her children. There’s magic and battles and the beginning of Christianity in the country.
I have loved the first two books, and can’t wait for the third.

The Forgotten Kingdom is the sequel to The Lost Queen. Languoreth is a prisoner in her own council as she awaits the news of her husband who is fighting against her brother and first love. Eventually, her husband returns and becomes king. As queen, can Languoreth find a way to bring peace between the Old Religion and the New? As Languoreth learns the ropes of queenship, she discovers that there is a personal cost.

Languoreth is the sole narrator in The Lost Queen. However, her story is barely focused upon because the story also focuses on her brother, Lailoken and her daughter, Angharad. She sits on the sidelines throughout the novel, which I was a little disappointed in. Still, this novel shows Languoreth as a grieving mother who yearns for her lost children. There are also some glimpses of her striving to be a good queen and leader. Still, I wish that there was more to Languoreth’s journey than what was offered in this novel. I loved Angharad’s story as she grows from a child to a confident priestess. She is the true hero of this story. I found Lailoken’s story to be my least favorite and unnecessary. You could skip his chapters and not miss out on anything in the story.

Overall, this novel is about war, religion, and choices. The characters seemed to be very complex. The setting seemed very realistic and made medieval Scotland come to life. The Forgotten Kingdom was beautifully written and made me feel like I was walking alongside the characters. I also thought the ending seemed rushed. Still, I can’t wait to read the final book in the trilogy. I want to see what the next book has in store for these characters! I recommend this novel for fans of Queen of Oak, The Mists of Avalon, and The Raven Queen!

This beautiful story is one that has stuck with me since I read it. I’m absolutely obsessed and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!

I loved this sequel to The Lost Queen. The writing is beautifully lush and descriptive. The characters are complex. And the storyline is fascinating. I could not put it down.

This title was not for me. Although the writing and story are great, I just couldn't seem to stay interested in it. It was easy for me to put down and forget about.

This is the second book in the Lost Queen trilogy and the story keeps getting better.
In this novel we follow the story of Myrddin, the character we now know as Merlin, and his firsts encounters with young Artur. Reading Pike’s work is a magical experience, this book is beautiful, thrilling and fascinating. The best series I’ve read in a long time.
If you like Historical Fiction and epic sagas this is a must read.

Thank you NetGalley, Atria Books and Singe Pike for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A beautiful telling of the origins of Merlin, King Arthur and the breaking of an ancient kingdom. This sequel is just as haunting as the first book. Beautiful descriptions that transport you to the ancient Welsh countryside. Very highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the copy in exchange for my honest review.

I liked this book much more than the first one! The first one wasn't bad but it was much slower with a lot of background, building, and character development (which was needed for this book). This one started right in on the action and I loved it! There are multiple character POV which I liked as well and, something that I found interesting, is that the times of those POV weren't always happening at the same time; it was interesting to jump around and go backward and forward in time depending on which POV you were reading. I am really excited for the third book now!

I loved this! A great continuation to an epic story! The Forgotten Kingdom brings us back to where book one, The Lost Queen, left us. We're thrown into the heartache of loved ones riding into battle and the loss of life, loss of direction and mistrust and a deep feeling of unknowing. While we follow Languoreth's story we also get to follow Lailoken's story and Languoreth's daughter, Angharad. Angharad embarks on her own journey with her uncle Lailoken when she was only a young girl. She was off to learn the ways of a Wisdom Keeper under her uncle's guidance while living with the famed Dragon Warriors and their leader Uther Pendragon. Her time with them was short for she was lost to the world after the epic Battle of Arderydd. Her time away from the world she had known led her deep into the world of the Old Ways where her gifts were nurtured and honed. Throughout all his time, Languoreth and Lailoken were living worlds apart as well. Lailoken was in exile with the last of the Dragon Warriors and Languoreth had to remain steadfast in her role as the next possible queen of Strathclyde. After years apart, time has allowed them to possibly mend the rifts that occurred from battles that were not of their own making. At the same time, there's a danger lurking around the corner. By fate they're all brought together once again. Things cannot be the way they were before but Languoreth, Lailoken and Angharad have grown in strength in the Old Ways and their influence in this new time is yet to be known.

I loved the first book and I loved this book! I had trouble getting into the first book, but after a few chapters I was definitely hooked and after I opened the second book and I just couldn't put it down. I was immediately at a loss for words for Languoreth's heartbreak and Lailoken's time on the battlefield. Pike's ability to put you in the middle of the battle or in the depth of heartache and loss is so intense. I was near tears at the Battle of Arderydd for everything they'd ever known and loved was gone. In the face of all this pain, all of them endured! The strength to pick themselves up and go on, the ability to change course and follow the new path laid out, the fear of the unknown. So much of this book was overwhelming. There's no doubt Pike did her research because the details of this book put you directly into 6th century Arthurian legend. I could not get enough of this book. While it put you in three separate worlds simultaneously, the complex story just flows. I really loved everything about this story and I am on the edge of my seat waiting for the next book! This story was epic and it's an easy recommendation. It's one of those stories you wish you could read for the first time again. Loved it!

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.

Absolutely loved this book! If you love Marion Zimmer Bradley, Elizabeth Chadwick or Diana Paxson you will love this book. The second in a trilogy, it follows Languoreth as she finally leaves her imprisonment to find her brother Lailoken has disappeared, her son Rhys was off to battle in which he’d face off with his uncle, and her daughter Ahgharad has disappeared. There are battles galore, priestesses with magical powers, and more. It’s a real page turner; I could not put it down. I can’t wait for the third book in the trilogy to come out.

One of the best things about this book is that Languoreth was a real woman, with real influence. As with her first book, Signe Pike has done detailed and in-depth research, and brings the many historical characters to life in vibrant detail. I highly recommend this book.

Signe Pike continues to captivate and breathe new life into a tale many of us know all so well. THE FORGOTTEN KINGDOM is truly an epic tale filled with magic, war, and the shadows of what will come. I loved every single page.

The second book in the Lost Queen trilogy picks up where the first left off. The two main characters from The Lost Queen are front and center again, but this time with the addition of a third. This new character is probably my favorite part of the novel as Pike is able to show her growth and maturity as she travels the world and grows into her powers. As always, Pike has a great talent for storytelling and descriptions.

I ended up not enjoying this book as much as the first book. I really wanted to enjoy this book but the pacing was off.

The Forgotten Kingdom basically picks up exactly where The Lost Queen leaves us. Langoureth waits, imprisoned in her room, to hear news of the battle between her husband and her brother (Lailoken). In the aftermath of the battle, learning who she has lost, Langoureth must carry on in the capital as she mourns and waits for further word of her lost daughter (Angharad) and exiled brother/Dragon warriors. With the increased threat from the expanding Angle kingdom, Langoureth and Lailoken and Angharad, along with the rest of the Britons, face impending war to defend their land. Despite the increasing conflict between the Old Ways and Christianity, and long-standing internal rivalries, the Britons will have to band together to face that external threat. And they’ll turn for aid to a new ally, a young warrior named Artur.

As with the last book, although the major aspects of this story (the action, if you will) is primarily based on the unfolding effects of the actions of the men, as history is usually is communicated, the women in this trilogy take a more central stage, as far as story-tellers and the “behind the scenes” manipulations that fuel and decide the outcomes of these major events. The primary perspectives this story is told through are, as before, Langoureth (holding it together on the “home front” for family and country and tradition, ascending, at last, to Queen) and Lailoken (struggling with his battle losses/illness and sliding into a certain kind of madness). But there is an additional POV, that of Angharad, that becomes a major voice and force shaping events. And I loved it. As we watched Langoureth grow into herself in the first book, this book allows us to take a similar journey alongside Angharad. Separated from Lailoken and during the battle that opens the novel, we follow her growth over miles and years as she learns more about her power and trains into her role as a priestess. It’s a wonderful chance for Pike to give us more of her amazing descriptions of England/Scotland – the land, the people/cultures, the beliefs – the way she writes it just really makes me feel like I am there. Plus, there is a definite romance hinted at that I cannot wait to see more of in the final book because honestly, the entire love situation so far has been deeply bittersweet (a product of the politics of the period and the way relationships were used for maneuvering, not for feelings). And it’s been so well written. But it’s still heartbreaking (like really, Langoureth and Maelgwn leave such a longing ache in my heart).

From battles to politics to “magic” to the characters’ growth and interactions, this fictional history is superbly atmospheric. I fell right back into the story and the land and I never wanted to leave (in fact, I definitely strung out reading it in order to be able to stay with it longer). Pike creates such full female characters, diving deep into their strength and resilience in the face of grief, lost love and lives, violence, separation, compromise and more. Yet, despite it all, they continue to take what choices and power they can, in whatever way(s) they can, to manipulate their reality to protect those they love, the beliefs that are important to them, and their land/homes. It’s intense and inspiring and so completely rendered. Again I say, you can truly tell how much Pike respects and cares about these characters and their stories. I am so ready for the culmination of this new look at an old legend (and I am dying without an expected pub date for the final book to look forward to.)

A great world building book that will take readers on the adventure of a lifetime! It’s the rise of the villains where a world is not ready for the destructive chaos. The characterization of each character was brilliant as it blended perfectly with the plot and overall story arc!

This is the second book of The Lost Queen Trilogy, and WOW does it deliver. I’m usually not the biggest fan of sequels but this knocked it out of the ball park and went beyond my expectations. I can’t wait for the third book, I hope it has the same effect as this one did!