Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of <i>The Princess of Selgovae and the High King</i> in exchange for
an honest review. All opinions are my own.

<h4 style="margin-top: 84px;">The Gist</h4>

<i>The Princess of Selgovae and the High King</i> by Bryce Gibby is a spellbinding tale of royalty, power, and forbidden love set against the backdrop of a richly imagined medieval world. Gibby effortlessly transports readers into a realm filled with court intrigue.

<h4>The Details</h4>

At the heart of the novel is Princess Eira, the headstrong and courageous daughter of the Selgovae tribe, and High King Lachlan, ruler of the rival kingdom. When their worlds collide, their initial animosity soon blossoms into a forbidden romance. This threatens to unravel the fragile peace between their peoples.

Gibby's prose is lush and lyrical. It certainly immerses readers in a world brimming with vivid imagery and vibrant characters. From the majestic landscapes of the Scottish Highlands to the opulent halls of the royal court, every detail is meticulously crafted. Truly transporting readers to a bygone era of knights and chivalry. I have to say, though, that it is heavily based on faith/religious aspects, making it not everyone’s cup of tea.

Gibby also weaves a complex tapestry of supporting characters, each with their own motivations and desires. From loyal knights to conniving courtiers, every character feels fully realized and adds depth to the narrative.

<h4>The Verdict</h4>

Overall, <i>The Princess of Selgovae and the High King</i> is a sweeping epic that will enchant readers from beginning to end. With its compelling characters, lush prose, and captivating plot, Bryce Gibby has crafted a timeless tale that will linger in the minds and hearts of readers long after they turn the final page.

Honestly, when I initially picked up this book on a whim, I wasn't expecting much. It didn't seem like the kind of story that would capture my interest. Yet, to my surprise, it quickly became a page-turner. It's a peculiar concoction, akin to a flavorful masala, blending various elements that individually appeal to us into something remarkably tasteful. While it doesn't break new ground, there's a timeless quality to it, something that transcends any particular time or place, making it universally relatable.

One aspect I particularly appreciated was the inclusion of a guide to deciphering outdated terms, a thoughtful touch often overlooked in many works of this genre.

As much as I found the prose beautiful, I must admit that its excessive descriptive nature occasionally detracted from the narrative flow. This verbosity prolonged my journey through the book, somewhat dampening the overall experience.

This book had gorgeous artwork and I was very intrigued by the premise: Princess Vivienne is the only living person besides the loyal smiths who knows where Cedician steel is forged and how to reach the concealed location, so soliders from rival kingdoms are after her. She meets King Arthur and romance ensues.

This book is written in an older English writing style that is a little more difficult to consume than most fantasy I've read, so it did feel quite a bit slower, for that reason. There was also a lot of history and geography based on ancient Britain that was pleasant but didn't add great meaning to the story.

I felt like the beautiful artwork aimed at my generation and peer group of fantasy readers, but the text wasn't exactly what I was expecting. The story does have promise and was interesting, but it wasn't my favorite fantasy that I've read in the last year.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and to Wendy and Bryce for providing a gorgeous illustrated hard copy and press box, this book will sit beautifully on my shelf and I will include in my tiktok fantasy videos.

The Princess of Selgovae is a fantastically written story that anyone who enjoys stories about knights, courtship/love, witchcraft and fantasy. I’ve been reading more fantasy and getting into historical fiction, but I’m also a romance girl to my core, and this really satisfied all of my favorite tropes.

I was really impressed with the pacing of the story as well. I struggle sometimes with fantasies and the world building, and sometimes feel sluggish working through some of the necessary time it can take to bring a world to life. I didn’t feel like this at all reading this story. I was invested fairly quickly and found myself flying through trying to figure out where the story was going.

Overall, I found the book to be extremely well paced and entertaining and it’s something I would recommend to readers, as it’s one I can see myself revisiting from time to time when I find myself in a reading slump.

This was a pretty good story if you're into stories about the British Isles during the time of King Arthur. This tale focuses on the Princess of Selgovae (Vivien/Lady of the Lake) and Knight Arthur, who becomes High King. Shortly after Vivien is driven into hiding by the Saxons who have murdered her father and taken over Selgovae, she is able to find sanctuary in a hidden place, where her father's secret forges live. I liked this fresh take on who Arthur, Merlin, and the Lady of the Lake were to the land and to each other, and it was also interesting to hear how the knights came to be. There is a strong thread of Christianity that runs through the tale which I did not mind, but some might find off-putting. Sometimes it fit in perfectly with the story and other times, it kind of pulled me out of the story. But that was partly the style of the tale.

The style was not something I was used to, and it felt like I was reading a history book rather than a regular novel. It was better than the usual history book, but it still felt like someone was telling us a story that took place during that timeline and interrupting their story with interesting historical facts. As such, although the writing was beautiful and I enjoyed the age-old story from a different point of view, I had a hard time fully connecting with the main characters.

Overall, I would say that it's a pretty good tale and worth checking out.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

"The Princess of Selgovae and the High King" initially caught my attention with its intriguing premise, and I must say, it exceeded my expectations. This book offers a meticulously crafted world, rich in detail, with characters that leap off the page. Fans of fantasy, historical romance, and Arthurian legends will find much to enjoy in this captivating tale. From the beautifully realized setting to the well-developed characters, it's clear that the author has poured their heart and soul into crafting this story. I particularly appreciated the blend of historical elements, mythology, and a hint of romance, all woven together seamlessly. It gave the narrative a nostalgic charm reminiscent of the books I cherished as a child, yet with a fresh and unique twist. The plot is engaging and well-paced, keeping me eagerly turning the pages late into the night. Each character felt relatable and multi-dimensional, undergoing significant development throughout the story.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I must admit that the cover design could have been more captivating, considering the depth of the story within its pages. Nevertheless, this minor detail did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the reading experience.

I wholeheartedly recommend "The Princess of Selgovae and the High King" to anyone seeking an immersive and enchanting journey. I eagerly anticipate diving into the next installment. Thank you to both the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to experience and review this remarkable book.

this was a very LotR-esque book, with lots of adventure and fun!! the writing was a little bland it could be a little preachy, but it was all in all a fun read!

The Princess of Selgovae and the High King is the first book in a new fantasy/historical fiction book by Bryce Gibby. It isn't the type of book I usually pick up, but I did really enjoy the story.

The characterization was excellent, helping me to understand the motivations and personalities of the main characters. The way the characters talked set the stage for a time long ago--I'd use the word gentle to describe most of the dealings that people had with those in their communities. There was a "gentleness and thoughtfulness in this story that is missing in most books these days, and I really appreciated that escape from the times we live in.

Moreover, the settings were also well done, giving me the ability to picture them in my mind, and the story itself unfolded in a way that brought everything together.

To add even more enjoyment to the story, there are drawings throughout the book of some of the main characters. They are very detailed and are a surprising addition.

I'd give this book 5 stars.

This had a great start to the Tetralogy of Tales series, it had everything that I was looking for and enjoyed how everything worked with the genre. The characters were everything that I was looking for and enjoyed about the genre. Bryce Gibby has a great writing style and I’m glad I was able to read this and look forward to more in this series.

Where to start. I wasn't sure how I was going to like The Princess of Selgovae and the High King though I have found myself pleasantly surprised. If you are a fan of book with an amazingly written world, with incredible character building this book is for you. I think this book is well suited for many audiences, such as fantasy lovers, knight in shining armor and those who love historical romance.

Thank you, NetGalley, for granting me an arc in exchange for an honest review!

This was such a fun one! This isn’t the type of book I usually read, but I really enjoyed it. And I loved all the Lord of the Rings vibes!

O livro é interessante. Foge um pouco do gênero literário que eu consumo, porém me surpreendeu na narrativa. Gostei muito dele.

"The Princess of Selgovae and the High King" immerses readers in a captivating blend of adventure, magic, and romance against the backdrop of ancient Britain. What stands out about this tale is the resilience and courage of Princess Vivien as she navigates a perilous journey to save her kingdom and fulfill her destiny. The tension is palpable as Vivien faces constant danger from Saxon invaders while guarding a vital secret that could change the course of history. The dynamic between Vivien and the enigmatic sage, the Immortal Hawk, adds depth to the narrative, offering intriguing glimpses into the workings of fate and prophecy. As Vivien's quest intertwines with the rise of young Arthur and the emergence of a legendary kingdom, readers are swept up in a thrilling saga of bravery, sacrifice, and love. With its richly imagined world and compelling characters, this book is sure to captivate fans of epic fantasy and historical fiction alike.

This book is quite an interesting read. A cool idea, curious characters and the plot inspired by Arthurian legends. Unfortunately, the style of writing and the language were really difficult and made the whole reading experience worse for me. I’m sure there are readers enjoying this style, but for me English is a second language and I needed a lots of effort to understand and comprehend some parts of the book.

The Princess of Selgovae and the High King is an interesting book. This book is the mix of myth, magic, and religious troupes. The story is written in a writing style that I am not used too and it took a while for me to adapt but once I did the story became more enjoyable. This is a great book for people interested in history, Arthurian tales, and religion. The author, Bryce Gibby, is obviously very knowledgeable and did his research on Welsh mythology and medieval post Roman rule Britain. I was excited to read his take on the origins of King Arthur, the knights of the round table, and Excalibur.

The hero is obviously Arthur and our heroine is Vivien the Princess of Selgovae. Vivien early in the book finds herself needing to escape the war in her homeland. She goes on a dangerous journey to a safe haven that holds a much sought after secret. Vivien is a princess that is strong in character, virtue, and kindness. Through faith and help from a spiritual magic man, Myrddin, Vivien becomes a leader to her people. There are also other characters that are familiar like Morgana Le Fey and Mordred. I enjoyed Sir Rene, a the Knight of the Round Table, and his faithful stallion.

The Princess of Selgovae and the High King is the first book in a series and I’m excited to read the next book. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

The princess of Selgovae and the high king
By Bryce Gibby
Published by Perlycross Publishers

3/5 stars

The cover of this book is beautiful as is the description. This is a great retelling of King Arthur, history, adventure and magic through the telling of Vivian. There are beautiful illustrations throughout, however I did struggle to get into this book in the first few chapters but it was worth reading on!

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for this arc.

Where do I even start! First of all I went in blind, briefly reading what the plot would be. I'm glad I went in blind because I TRULY LOVED THIS STORY! It brought back a nostalgic feeling of the books I read when I was a kid.

It's a historical, mythology, a dash of romance, witchcraft with some Knight of Camelot vibe. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

I will definitely recommend this book. The plot was well thought out and the characters had wonderful development throughout the book. Each character felt relatable at some point which was refreshing for a fantasy novel.

4.5/5 rating!

Thank you Netgalley for this read! I loved everything about it from the characters and their development to the stunning illustrations. It kept me interested from beginning to end. I did struggle a bit with the language style but considering it's set in an Aurthuian era it was fairly on point. Priness Vivie's kingdom is invaded by the Saxons causing her to flee. She must relied on her wits to survive with the help characters like the enegmatic sage and the Immortal Hawk. It's a great read over all.

For the most part this was a lovely read and I very much liked the character of Vivien and the theme of destiny involving knights in Arthurian legends. That being said I struggled at first to adjust to some of the language and structure. The illistrations were beautiful and assisted greatly imaging the setting we are placed in and helped to get past some of that struggle. Overall, it was a nice historical fiction recommeded for any reader that loves Arthurian backdrop/theme.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. Let me start with the good. the artwork is excellent . Done so well you wouldnt think this was fiction. This is my first read from the author. while the story line is unique. it kept posting passages from the bible. It was done in a very preachy way which i found very off putting. Netgalley needs a sub heading for fantasy called christian fantasy. not the authors fault and i reflected that in rating.