Reviews

The Forgotten Kingdom by Signe Pike

ashndean88's review against another edition

4.0

Loved this second installment! It took me a minute to get used to the triple narration, especially because I LOVED reading all the court drama in book one, but eventually I got used to the change and liked the book just as much. Was not a huge fan of how one narrator would be in April while the other was still in November, but I did understand from a storytelling perspective. Of course the history was super fascinating and you can tell the author really dug deep into this secretive past to create an amazing story. Her characters were just as strong as they were in the first.

Cannot wait for the third book!

merlandre's review against another edition

5.0

Great 2nd book in the Trilogy. I anxiously await the conclusion. An excellent development of the family of which Merlin is only one interesting element. Well developed characters with lots of mystery, conflicting needs and ideas. Kept me reading with the knowledge that I would finish it too soon while the characters lived on in my mind.

breenmachine's review against another edition

2.0

The love story was very responsible. Which hilariously made it a bit dull. The book was entertaining, but nothing surprising or intriguing happened. I do love the history at the end and all the knowledge the author shares in the epilogue. Overall just OK.

khoyle29's review against another edition

5.0

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.

klaartjesmits's review against another edition

5.0

The Forgotten Kingdom continues the fictionalised story of Languoreth, a 6th century Brittonic queen in what we now call Scotland. She's known as the twin sister of Lailoken, one of the men who might have inspired the myth of the wizard Merlin. In this second book Languoreth's culture and native religion are not only threatened by Christians but by invading Saxons as well. On top of that there is also a war going on between the kingdom of her own family and the kingdom she has recently become queen of by having to marry a prince who is more sympathetic to Christians. This war supposedly prompted Languoreth's brother Lailoken, a druid, to flee to the Caledonian forest and 'go mad'. 

This second installment in the trilogy is even more profound and immersive than the first book, partly because it not only follows Languoreth but also her daughter - who possesses the gift of sight - and Lailoken in alternating POV chapters. I will never forget Lailoken's spiritual journey as a druid, and Pike's reimagination of his so-called 'madness' is extremely well done. The battle scenes too are some of the most memorable and heartbreaking parts of the book because they revolve around the emotions of the characters first and foremost. Lastly, how the author handles the addition of a new people - the Picts - proves again how well she can make cultures we know so little about come to life.

I want to include this note from Pike herself: "(...) I would ask readers to consider this: If a Christian character in a historical novel believes in the power of prayer and imagines they see a result, the work is still deemed historical fiction. If a pre-Christian character does the same, the work is deemed historical fantasy."

lindseymaxwell's review against another edition

5.0

Historical fiction at its best. Signe Pike draws readers into the world, hearts, and minds of her characters in an incredibly engaging way. The time period and historical details of this series are fascinating. I couldn’t put this one down

charlotatot's review against another edition

5.0

I think I liked this even more than the first. Told from three perspectives, I was particularly enraptured in Angharad's storyline. There were so many moments, where paths connected or reconnected that I just felt so full and satisfied - usually when books tie plots in pretty bows I give a massive eyeroll, but these were just so perfect. Cannot wait for the last book!

cyon's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

katreadsalot's review against another edition

4.0

I really enjoyed this follow up to The Lost Queen. I love rooting for Langoureth and Lailoken, and Angharad's adventure with the Picts was delightful to follow! The lush descriptions of this world are astoundingly beautiful. As usual, Pike's historical notes make for fascinating reads. I'm now inpatient for the third book!

carlymb's review against another edition

adventurous dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5