The subgenre of historical fantasy is full of interpretations and reinterpretations of Arthurian legend, including women-centric slants. Most famous, of course, is Marion Zimmer Bradley’s THE MISTS OF AVALON, which casts men and women, new and old, Christian and pagan, against one another. What made the book’s world believable --- prior to the revelations of Bradley’s alleged abusive behavior --- was the well-described religious dichotomies and rituals. In THE FORGOTTEN KINGDOM, her second book focused on the historical Merlin’s sister, Languoreth, Signe Pike attempts to take up Bradley’s flagging standard.

"Readers will ache for Languoreth, who is caught on both sides of a truly deadly conflict; long-loved characters and new friends will tug at their heartstrings."

What stood out about Pike’s first book about Languoreth, THE LOST QUEEN, was the geographical and chronological shift. Mythographers have long discussed the legendary northern English/Scottish bard Lailoken as a possible inspiration for Merlin. Pike took that hypothesis and spun a realistic family around Lailoken, including his adored sister, Languoreth, hundreds of miles north (and maybe 75 years later) than most Arthurian mythohistories. The twins’ intensely close bond, emotional dynamics with their beloved father, and hatred for those ravaging their homeland of Strathclyde rang true.

THE FORGOTTEN KINGDOM kicks off with Britain deeply divided between the “Wisdom Keepers” --- Druids --- and the savage Christians, echoed by the divisions between Languoreth and her own family and friends. Readers will ache for Languoreth, who is caught on both sides of a truly deadly conflict; long-loved characters and new friends will tug at their heartstrings. The stakes are high, and death is close at hand.

However, Pike doesn’t succeed in bringing to life a vision of a religiously divided Britain. Her vague rituals and mythologies are a pale echo of those in previous Arthurian fantasies from Bradley, Nancy McKenzie or any number of other authors. The Wisdom Keepers and Christians are painted with too-broad strokes. As a result, the central conflict of religions, upon which other strife is based, doesn’t ring true.

Still, Pike’s characters are individually compelling, and it will be interesting to see how the story concludes in the final book of the trilogy, which is expected to release in the U.S. in September 2023.