The Lost Queen (The Lost Queen Trilogy, #1)

The Lost Queen by Signe Pike
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Loosely based on the legend of King Arthur. Languoreth and her twin brother Lailoken (Merlin) have an idyllic childhood as the children of King Morken. The book begins with their Mother's death and the end of the idyllic childhood they knew. Languoreth grieves that as the only daughter of the King she cannot become a Wisdom Keeper like her brother Lail but must make an advantageous marriage instead (interesting fact she will inherit her Father's property).

Languoreth's Foster Brother Gwenddolau joins his Father's (King Ceidio) allies Emrys Pendragon and his Dragon Riders. Languoreth gives her love to Maelgwn, one of the Dragon Riders, before wedding Rhydderch, son of the High King Tutgual ( a highly despicable man). Languoreth gives birth to 4 children with her eldest son Rhys secretly being Maelgwn's. When Emrys Pendragon dies after being poisoned Gwenddolau succeeds him as Uther Pendragon (the other Pendragon). And Lail is his Wisdom Keeper. Languoreth's youngest daughter Angharad will be fostered by her brother Lail in order for her to become a Wisdom Keeper. Cyan and Gladys are still at home with Languoreth at the end of the book.

When Christianity first came to the country the Christians and those who followed the Old Gods coexisted in Peace, but Mungo destroyed the peace when he attacked a sacred groove cutting down the Oaks and burying a body in the sacred ground. His numerous attacks on Languoreth's family culminates in the hanging of Cathan (her family's Wisdom Keeper) and an attack on a pregnant Languoreth. Rhydderch manages to hunt down and kill most of the attackers but High King Tutgual refuses to allow Bishop Mungo to be executed and only exiles him.

Rhydderch loves his young wife and is sympathetic to the Old Gods but as the second son of the High King he has to walk a fine line between the Supporters of the Old Gods and the Christian God his Father supports. When High King Tutgual agrees to go to War against Uther Pendragon Rhydderch and his eldest son Rhys ride with him even though it means fighting against his wife's brother and Foster Brother and attacking a fortress that houses his youngest daughter. Languoreth risk everything in order to send a groom with a message to Gwenddolau and Lail warning of the attack.

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