Signe Pike's The Shadowed Land delves into the possible Scottish roots of Arthurian legend

Personal transformations echo throughout Pike’s intensely felt third novel (following The Forgotten Kingdom, 2020) in an ongoing series about sixth-century Scotland’s political and religious conflicts. Grounded in intriguing new research, it brings to life the little-known stories of Languoreth of Strathclyde, a powerful early medieval queen, and Artúr mac Aedan, a war leader and prince of Dalriada—potentially the true, historic King Arthur behind the legends.

After the Battle of the Caledonian Wood, where the brutal Angles were defeated, the characters endure separate tests of fortitude. Languoreth, a pagan follower of the Old Way, grudgingly endures a treacherous former bishop’s presence in her lands while Artúr returns to Dalriada at his father’s behest.

The book’s title references the Pictish kingdom, where Languoreth’s daughter Angharad travels to hopefully apprentice herself to the druid Briochan. A valiant young woman with deep emotional reserves, Angharad undergoes physical and mystical trials during her quest.

There are perhaps too many viewpoints, but Pike enthusiastically transfers her affinity for ancient Celtic cultures to readers, and her interpretation of the Arthurian canon exudes originality.

The Shadowed Land was published this week by Atria/Simon & Schuster, and I reviewed it initially for Booklist. I had previously reviewed book one, The Lost Queen, and book two, The Forgotten Kingdom, but since the previous book came out over four years ago, it took some time to reacquaint myself with where the characters left off.  You really don't want to start with this book. Originally the series was planned as a trilogy, but the story doesn't end here.  There will be one more book to come.