Signe Pike Livres

"The year is AD 573. Languoreth is imprisoned in her home, awaiting news of a battle. Her husband and son have ridden off to war against her twin brother and the men her son admires most: Uther Pendragon's Dragon Warriors. Her nine-year-old daughter, in training to become a Wisdom Keeper, is lost in the chaos. Who has lived, and who has died? As the winds of battle scatter Languoreth's loved ones across the mountainout and mist-shrouded wilds of Scotland, they must face danger, deceit, and unspeakable loss, even as they encounter mystical lands and powerful ancient kingdoms. Meanwhile, Languoreth takes the throne as queen, stepping into a climactic battle that will determine the fate of both her family and her people. Bitter rivalries are ignited, lost loves are found, new loves are born, and old enemies come face-to-face with their reckoning in this intensely absorbing, relentlessly compelling new look at one of the most endurin legends of all time."--Back cover.

Outlander meets Camelot (Kirsty Logan, author of The Gracekeepers) in the first book of an exciting historical trilogy that reveals the untold story of Languoreth--a powerful and, until now, tragically forgotten queen of sixth-century Scotland--twin sister of the man who inspired the legendary character of Merlin. Intelligent, passionate, rebellious, and brave, Languoreth is the unforgettable heroine of The Lost Queen, a tale of conflicted loves and survival set against the cinematic backdrop of ancient Scotland, a magical land of myths and superstition inspired by the beauty of the natural world. One of the most powerful early medieval queens in British history, Languoreth ruled at a time of enormous disruption and bloodshed, when the burgeoning forces of Christianity threatened to obliterate the ancient pagan beliefs and change her way of life forever. Together with her twin brother Lailoken, a warrior and druid known to history as Merlin, Languoreth is catapulted into a world of danger and violence. When a war brings the hero Emrys Pendragon, to their door, Languoreth collides with the handsome warrior Maelgwn. Their passionate connection is forged by enchantment, but Languoreth is promised in marriage to Rhydderch, son of the High King who is sympathetic to the followers of Christianity. As Rhydderch's wife, Languoreth must assume her duty to fight for the preservation of the Old Way, her kingdom, and all she holds dear. Moving, thrilling, and ultimately spellbinding (BookPage), The Lost Queen brings this remarkable woman to life--rescuing her from obscurity, and reaffirming her place at the center of the most enduring legends of all time. Moving, thrilling, and ultimately spellbinding, The Lost Queen is perfect for readers of historical fiction like The Clan of the Cave Bear and Wolf Hall, and for lovers of fantasy like Outlander and The Mists of Avalon (BookPage)

One of Kirkus Reviews' Best Books of 2010 "Part travel memoir, part anthropological study, [Pike] captures the hopefulness of childhood & the magic of believing." —Harper's Bazaar Signe Pike left behind a career in Manhattan to undertake a magical journey in search of something to believe in again. In a sweeping tour through England, Ireland, Scotland, and beyond, she takes readers to dark glens and abandoned forests, ancient sacred sites, and local pubs, seeking those who might still believe in the mysterious beings we've relegated to the dusty corners of our childhood imaginations: Faeries. But as Signe attempts to connect with the spirit world, she'll come to view herself and the world around her in a profoundly new way. Engaging and full of heart, Faery Tale is more than a memoir--it's the story of rekindling the spark of belief that makes even the most skeptical among us feel like a kid again.

Als kleines Mädchen traf Signe Pike während der Spaziergänge mit ihrem Vater im Wald auf Feen und unterhielt sich ganz selbstverständlich mit Elfen und Kobolden. Jetzt arbeitet sie in Manhattan, und der Zauber der Feen scheint für immer aus ihrem Leben verschwunden. Erst der Tod ihres Vaters ruft die Erinnerungen an die keltische Märchenwelt ihrer Kindheit wieder wach. Sie kündigt ihren Job und macht sich auf die Suche nach den verschwundenen Elfen. Eine magische Reise beginnt, die sie durch England, Irland und Schottland führt – zu Malern, Druiden, Elfenbeauftragen und schließlich in jenen traumhaften Bereich unserer Wirklichkeit, in dem die Märchen noch immer leben und die Elfen tanzen. So findet sie nicht nur die Elfen - sondern auch zurück zu sich selbst.