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sarahkronk's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
bmerritt's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
rather_b_reading15's review against another edition
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
philomath_in_phila's review against another edition
4.0
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review. The opinions are entirely my own, and any quotes are taken from the ARC and may be different in the final published copy.
The Forgotten Kingdom by Signe Pike is the 2nd novel in The Lost Queen Trilogy. To give a fair review, I read the first book, The Lost Queen.
This novel is told by 3 points of view, unlike the 1st novel, which had two. We continue to follow Langoureth and Lailoken and are introduced to Langoureth's daughter, Angharad.
The Forgotten Kingdom opens with Languoreth still locked in her chamber, awaiting news of her husband and son who have ridden to wage war with her brother, the love of her life, and the rest of the Dragon Warriors. While you could start reading the trilogy with this part, Pike beautifully sets up the world, allies, and enemies in book one. Reading it would give a clear understanding of the actions in book two.
Rarely does it happen, but I enjoyed this sequel more than book one. Pike's writing is detailed but not overly done. She built a vibrant world that is as magical as the characters within.
Unlike book one, the story could end after book 2, but with the introduction of Arthur to Merlin, who would want it to stop? Goodreads does not list a release date for book three.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 9/24/20.
The Forgotten Kingdom by Signe Pike is the 2nd novel in The Lost Queen Trilogy. To give a fair review, I read the first book, The Lost Queen.
This novel is told by 3 points of view, unlike the 1st novel, which had two. We continue to follow Langoureth and Lailoken and are introduced to Langoureth's daughter, Angharad.
The Forgotten Kingdom opens with Languoreth still locked in her chamber, awaiting news of her husband and son who have ridden to wage war with her brother, the love of her life, and the rest of the Dragon Warriors. While you could start reading the trilogy with this part, Pike beautifully sets up the world, allies, and enemies in book one. Reading it would give a clear understanding of the actions in book two.
Rarely does it happen, but I enjoyed this sequel more than book one. Pike's writing is detailed but not overly done. She built a vibrant world that is as magical as the characters within.
Unlike book one, the story could end after book 2, but with the introduction of Arthur to Merlin, who would want it to stop? Goodreads does not list a release date for book three.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 9/24/20.
lazygal's review against another edition
3.0
Not having read the first book in this trilogy won't hurt, as this feels as though it could be a stand-alone in addition to part of a series. Set in an alternate version of the Arthur tale but set in Northern England/Scotland rather than closer to Cornwall and Glastonbury, and with three main POV, we get the backstory on how Merlin (Myrddin) emerges during the war between the New and the Old Religion. We also spend time with women of power, part of the Old Religion and with the first people, the Picts, as they battle the Angles and other tribes of Britain.
Many of the places still, to some extent exist, and readers will get a sense that this version of the story is, quite possibly, more real than others because of the setting and the known history that is interwoven with the myths. I'm looking forward to Book Three to see who the Lost Queen is (I have a guess, but could be wrong).
eARC provided by publisher.
Many of the places still, to some extent exist, and readers will get a sense that this version of the story is, quite possibly, more real than others because of the setting and the known history that is interwoven with the myths. I'm looking forward to Book Three to see who the Lost Queen is (I have a guess, but could be wrong).
eARC provided by publisher.
zoeforde2's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of those books that you can tell the author put a lot of thought and time into and it’s wonderful. A combination of my two favorite things, history and fantasy. The book not only gives insight to a largely forgotten period of time in the British Isles but also sparks conversation about religion and the way Christianity came to be dominant in the Isles.
The women in the book are BADASS despite the shitty circumstances of the patriarchy at the time they find ways to obtain power and change the future. I absolutely love reading Signe Pike’s books, they transport me to another world.
I have to read book 3 because I absolutely have to know what happens with Artur (if you’ve read it you’ll know what I mean). The end was sort of a cliffhanger and I’m so excited to see what comes next!!!
Thank you to Signe Pike and Atria for the ARC giveaway!!
The women in the book are BADASS despite the shitty circumstances of the patriarchy at the time they find ways to obtain power and change the future. I absolutely love reading Signe Pike’s books, they transport me to another world.
I have to read book 3 because I absolutely have to know what happens with Artur (if you’ve read it you’ll know what I mean). The end was sort of a cliffhanger and I’m so excited to see what comes next!!!
Thank you to Signe Pike and Atria for the ARC giveaway!!
jennms_qkw's review against another edition
5.0
I have been waiting for this book and it did not disappoint.
Blending known historical facts with a powerful group of families, advocates of both traditional ways and new ways. And a woman in an arranged marriage with a lover. And children lost to their various fates.
I picked up The Lost Queen kind of randomly and loved it, and about six months later my oldest asked if I'd ever read about early Scottish history involving a queen. I wonder if this appears in a video game somewhere?
Also I re-read The Lost Queen when I started this book just to get oriented.
Blending known historical facts with a powerful group of families, advocates of both traditional ways and new ways. And a woman in an arranged marriage with a lover. And children lost to their various fates.
I picked up The Lost Queen kind of randomly and loved it, and about six months later my oldest asked if I'd ever read about early Scottish history involving a queen. I wonder if this appears in a video game somewhere?
Also I re-read The Lost Queen when I started this book just to get oriented.
leahsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley. I am providing an honest opinion voluntarily.
TRIGGER WARNING: captivity, gore, war, rape, slavery
After reading The Lost Queen, I couldn't wait to dive into this book. It picks up right where the last book left off - with Languoreth kept captive in her bed chamber as her husband and oldest son go off to attack her brother and his men. Her youngest daughter is in the custody of her brother, training to become a Wisdom Keeper.
The story is told from three points of view, that of Languoreth, Lailoken, and Angharad, which allows the reader to see the story unfold from different perspectives. It does jump back and forth in time a bit, with certain chapters being told out of sequence. At first it threw me for a loop, but each chapter is clearly marked with the point of view and time period. Each character is struggling with their own issues - Languoreth is facing her feelings of powerlessness, frustration, and fear for her loved ones who are on differing sides of the conflict, Lailoken has his own frustration, anger, and guilt, and Angharad deals with the aftermath of exposure to trauma and abandonment.
It was a riveting story that I couldn't put down. I read the entire book in a single day, even as I promised myself that I would try to read it slower and make it last. The amount of historical research is incredible and comes together to make a realistic and detailed story. I could empathize with the characters and the horrifically difficult situations that each were forced to confront. The characters are realistic, well-rounded, and perfectly imperfect, making it easy to empathize with them.
There is a lot of action in the story, and it centers around war and battles. There is a lot of gore and scenes of war, but there's also a focus on healing, family, forgiveness, and nature. I love the series, the character, the setting, and feeling like I've been immersed into 6th century Scotland. I've only just finished the book and I am already looking forward to the final book in the trilogy!
TRIGGER WARNING: captivity, gore, war, rape, slavery
After reading The Lost Queen, I couldn't wait to dive into this book. It picks up right where the last book left off - with Languoreth kept captive in her bed chamber as her husband and oldest son go off to attack her brother and his men. Her youngest daughter is in the custody of her brother, training to become a Wisdom Keeper.
The story is told from three points of view, that of Languoreth, Lailoken, and Angharad, which allows the reader to see the story unfold from different perspectives. It does jump back and forth in time a bit, with certain chapters being told out of sequence. At first it threw me for a loop, but each chapter is clearly marked with the point of view and time period. Each character is struggling with their own issues - Languoreth is facing her feelings of powerlessness, frustration, and fear for her loved ones who are on differing sides of the conflict, Lailoken has his own frustration, anger, and guilt, and Angharad deals with the aftermath of exposure to trauma and abandonment.
It was a riveting story that I couldn't put down. I read the entire book in a single day, even as I promised myself that I would try to read it slower and make it last. The amount of historical research is incredible and comes together to make a realistic and detailed story. I could empathize with the characters and the horrifically difficult situations that each were forced to confront. The characters are realistic, well-rounded, and perfectly imperfect, making it easy to empathize with them.
There is a lot of action in the story, and it centers around war and battles. There is a lot of gore and scenes of war, but there's also a focus on healing, family, forgiveness, and nature. I love the series, the character, the setting, and feeling like I've been immersed into 6th century Scotland. I've only just finished the book and I am already looking forward to the final book in the trilogy!
slangston10's review against another edition
4.0
Liked this even more than "The Lost Queen;" more plot, nice character development over time.
jennifer_fatula's review against another edition
4.5
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 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!