This book caught my attention with the title, the cover and the description. I read it all rather quickly, I wasn't able to put it down, I HAD to know what happens next. I feel like this book was beautifully written, I was able to imagine everything pristinely. It made me anxious, it made me cry a few times. it was really interesting to read the perspective of a woman during this time.


It's about Ingraine who while scrying sees a vision of her husband's death, meanwhile the king seems to have grown infatuated with her and makes inappropriate advances resulting in her husband to start a war. Ingraine struggles to figure out how to keep her daughters safe and what she's willing to give up for that, figuring out who is manipulating her and why, what she and the women have to do to hold down the land while the men go off to war.



I loved how I got so sucked into this story, I felt Ingraine's pain and confusion, I loved the fresh perspective and twist added to the old story of Arthur and the things that took place before that, I loved how descriptive this book was to where I felt and smelled and saw everything the characters did. I'm excited to see how this series continues.

Book Review: The Chosen Queen: A Novel of the Pendragon Prophecy by Sam Davey

Sam Davey’s The Chosen Queen reimagines Arthurian legend through a fresh, character-driven lens, blending historical fantasy with political intrigue. As the first installment in The Pendragon Prophecy series, the novel introduces a mythic yet grounded take on Camelot, centering on a queen whose destiny intertwines with prophecy, power, and personal agency. Davey’s prose is lush and immersive, offering a balance of action, emotional depth, and thematic resonance that will appeal to fans of retellings like BBC’s Merlin and The Mists of Avalon.

Content and Themes
The story follows an original protagonist navigating the treacherous world of Pendragon politics. Davey explores themes of fate versus free will, the weight of leadership, and the tension between duty and desire. The novel’s strength lies in its nuanced characterizations, particularly the queen’s internal struggles as she grapples with her role in a prophecy that could alter the kingdom’s future.

Strengths
Rich Worldbuilding: Davey crafts a vivid Arthurian landscape, weaving familiar lore with inventive twists.
Complex Protagonist: The queen’s perspective adds depth to the traditional legend, emphasizing female agency in a male-dominated narrative.
Pacing and Plot: The balance of court intrigue, battle scenes, and mystical elements keeps the narrative dynamic.

Areas for Improvement
Clarity of Originality: Without spoilers, it’s unclear how drastically the prophecy deviates from established myths; more distinct innovation could elevate its appeal.
Secondary Characters: Some supporting roles feel underexplored, potentially limiting emotional investment in subplots.

Score Breakdown (Out of 5)
Originality & Fresh Perspective: 4/5
Character Development: 4.5/5
Worldbuilding & Atmosphere: 5/5
Plot Cohesion & Pacing: 4/5
Thematic Depth: 4.5/5
Overall Rating: 4.4/5

The Chosen Queen is a compelling entry into Arthurian fiction, offering both escapism and intellectual engagement. Davey’s reinvention of Camelot’s lore feels timely, resonating with contemporary discussions of power and identity. Fans of the genre will eagerly await the next installment.

Acknowledgments
Thank you to NetGalley and Sam Davey for providing an advance copy of The Chosen Queen: A Novel of the Pendragon Prophecy. This review reflects my honest engagement with the text and appreciation for its contribution to Arthurian literature.

The Chosen Queen: A Novel of the Pendragon Prophecy by Sam Davey gives the reader a view into Igraine’s journey. I was initially drawn to this because I am a sucker for a retelling from the historically muted female voices of the myths and legends we grow up with. Unfortunately, this book did not meet those expectations. There was a missed opportunity here to provide a strong female character demonstrating some agency in her circumstances but are left with an Igraine that just lets life happen to her.

Thank you to Diversion Books for the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.

Audiobook Rating: 3 Stars
Pub Date: Jun 03 2025

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#Womens Fiction
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