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margo415's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
raeleechoins's review against another edition
4.0
Oof. Oh man. This series. I need the last one to come out tomorrow. It felt like a filler book though; the story was necessary, but the first one was better.
myworldtoread's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and War
Minor: Rape
barcodeborrower's review against another edition
2.0
Did not connect with this one as much as the 1st, unfortunately.
pcbrx's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Loved this so much. Great writing. Perfect characters. Fantastic story. 10/10!!!
alissamargaret's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting sequel to The Lost Queen, now told by multiple perspectives. I enjoyed following each group of characters on their own patches and seeing how each group (or character) interacted with the others. This book had more action in it than the first and at times felt a bit darker than the first.
moody_gobling's review against another edition
3.0
This book, unlike the first, struggled to hold my attention. I'm not sure if it was the style of the book or finding out that the last in the trilogy wont be released for some time that slowed my pace. It was still enjoyable, but not as much as the first.
After meditating on it, this book feels very much like an intake of breath. Things are happening, the game board is being set. The exposition is building. Characters begin to solidify themselves into who they are in the great Arthurian Mythos. It feels very much like the middle of a trilogy, because this is a "building" book.
The only issue I have with the story is that somewhere in the middle of the book, the differing POV experience different timelines. It was a little confusing to me until it became clear that this is what had happened. In one POV a character was talking about Imbolc and the Wolf Moon, while a chapter or two before and after had been about Samhain. I had wondered whether or not the author had made a mistake until I sorted out the time difference for myself.
Over all, this book is "okay". Not enough to stop me from reading the third, and likely I will be re-reading this book the year that the third one is released.
After meditating on it, this book feels very much like an intake of breath. Things are happening, the game board is being set. The exposition is building. Characters begin to solidify themselves into who they are in the great Arthurian Mythos. It feels very much like the middle of a trilogy, because this is a "building" book.
The only issue I have with the story is that somewhere in the middle of the book, the differing POV experience different timelines. It was a little confusing to me until it became clear that this is what had happened. In one POV a character was talking about Imbolc and the Wolf Moon, while a chapter or two before and after had been about Samhain. I had wondered whether or not the author had made a mistake until I sorted out the time difference for myself.
Over all, this book is "okay". Not enough to stop me from reading the third, and likely I will be re-reading this book the year that the third one is released.
winingaboutbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I loved book 1 so much that I went straight into Book 2, and it did NOT disappoint. The Forgotten Kingdom is more action-packed than it's predecessor, as the many conflicts our characters have been participating in have come to a head.
Languoreth is separated from her children, and must tread on eggshells to survive her marriage. Lailoken is in battle and then forced to flee to the wilderness, where he undergoes a mysterious transformation. Angharad, meant to be training as a Wisdom Keeper, becomes lost in the chaos of battle, and is transported to Pictland.
All of our favorite characters have been torn apart from each other, with no knowing if they will be reunited. This sequel is just a good as The Lost Queen, and certainly more heartbreaking. I am not-so-patiently waiting for Book 3!
Languoreth is separated from her children, and must tread on eggshells to survive her marriage. Lailoken is in battle and then forced to flee to the wilderness, where he undergoes a mysterious transformation. Angharad, meant to be training as a Wisdom Keeper, becomes lost in the chaos of battle, and is transported to Pictland.
All of our favorite characters have been torn apart from each other, with no knowing if they will be reunited. This sequel is just a good as The Lost Queen, and certainly more heartbreaking. I am not-so-patiently waiting for Book 3!
kimiloughlin's review against another edition
4.0
The Forgotten Kingdom, the second of Signe Pike's Lost Queen Trilogy, is just as magical and well-researched as the first. It is fascinating to read a fictionalized historical account of the Britons, especially as they relate to the Merlin legend as it is known today. I especially love learning this forgotten history of the strong women of the time, Languoreth and Angharad. Though The Lost Queen focused mainly on Languoreth, the expansion of perspectives to include both Lailoken and Angharad added depth to the story. I slightly missed the simplicity of a single timeline but Pike did a good job to keep it all reigned in and reveal the story in an exciting manner, from all sides. This magical trilogy is perfect for fans of the King Arthur and Merlin legends, Outlander (books or TV show), historical fiction buffs, and of strong, powerful women.
It is obvious the care and time Pike has taken to do research and to fill in gaps with evidence but also a strong, creative voice. Though the story is deliciously dramatic and thoroughly enjoyable (also heart breaking), it's Pike's Author's Note where her true passion shines. She details her journey on historical research and even gives apology and explanation around where details may have taken more creative license. As a reader, I care less about proof whether something is historically accurate or not (as long as it makes for good reading) but I can appreciate Pike's desire to be as transparent as possible and to build this story from the evidence/historical records up.
I listened to the first book. The Lost Queen, in audiobook format. Though reading physically is just as thrilling, having a native Celtic speaker (I especially loved the Language section of Pike's Author's note that goes into the branching of the Celtic language into modern Welsh and Godelic/Gaelic languages) like Toni Frutin pronounce the names and terms truly elevated the experience for me. Having that preface helped me immensely in holding the names of these characters in my head while reading The Forgotten Kingdom physically - I often read the names aloud as I continued, to keep the lilting language at the top of my mind. Though this book can be consumed in any format, if you want a truly immersive storytelling experience, I highly recommend the audiobook for this novel!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
It is obvious the care and time Pike has taken to do research and to fill in gaps with evidence but also a strong, creative voice. Though the story is deliciously dramatic and thoroughly enjoyable (also heart breaking), it's Pike's Author's Note where her true passion shines. She details her journey on historical research and even gives apology and explanation around where details may have taken more creative license. As a reader, I care less about proof whether something is historically accurate or not (as long as it makes for good reading) but I can appreciate Pike's desire to be as transparent as possible and to build this story from the evidence/historical records up.
I listened to the first book. The Lost Queen, in audiobook format. Though reading physically is just as thrilling, having a native Celtic speaker (I especially loved the Language section of Pike's Author's note that goes into the branching of the Celtic language into modern Welsh and Godelic/Gaelic languages) like Toni Frutin pronounce the names and terms truly elevated the experience for me. Having that preface helped me immensely in holding the names of these characters in my head while reading The Forgotten Kingdom physically - I often read the names aloud as I continued, to keep the lilting language at the top of my mind. Though this book can be consumed in any format, if you want a truly immersive storytelling experience, I highly recommend the audiobook for this novel!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
susanlbussey's review against another edition
4.0
The second book of what will soon be a trilogy. A very good story about Merlin, based on lots of research by this author and others, of the existence of Merlin and his twin sister (the queen) in 6th century Scotland.