The Chosen Queen - (The Pendragon Prophecy) by Sam Davey (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Before the sword in the stone, before the rise of Arthur, there was Igraine--the woman whose choices would shape the fate of Camelot.

In this bold, feminist reimagining of Arthurian legend, Igraine steps out of the shadows of myth to reclaim her story--a tale forged in magic, betrayal, and the brutal cost of prophecy.

Raised in the mystical traditions of Avalon, Igraine is more than just a princess--she's a force of nature. Her marriage to the Cornish War Duke Gorlois is one of rare passion and political unity, but when Gorlois turns his back on the old magic, cracks begin to form--not just in their bond, but in the fragile peace of Britain itself.

At a royal gathering, King Uther Pendragon's lust for Igraine ignites a firestorm. When he acts on his obsession, it triggers a chain of war and treachery that Merlin claims is foretold by prophecy: Igraine is fated to bear the Once and Future King. But destiny has a dark price.

As kingdoms clash and alliances crumble, Igraine rises as the spiritual and political heart of Tintagel. She leads the women abandoned by war, trains her daughters--Morgause and Morgan--in the old ways, and dares to dream of a future shaped by women's power. But on the eve of a sacred Solstice celebration, a devastating deception will force Igraine to confront the true cost of her fate.

Chosen by the Goddess, the King, and prophecy--Igraine must ultimately choose herself. And with that choice, she will unleash a legacy of love and vengeance that echoes through the ages.

Review Quotes

"Attending to gaps in the Arthurian legends with care, Sam Davey's captivating fantasy novel The Chosen Queen delves into the dangerous web of politics, religion, and magic that led to the birth of King Arthur....Elegant and intricate, the novel fills a recent void for feminist fantasy audiences, fleshing out Igraine beyond her traditional role as a mere vessel for Arthur's birth and refreshing the timeless atmosphere of Tintagel with everyday details....The compelling historical fantasy novel The Chosen Queen breathes life into an overlooked figure of Arthurian legend, giving her dimension and personality."
--Foreword Reviews

"Arthurian legend has long been a deep well from which myriad retellings have been drawn. Davey's first entry in her Pendragon Prophecies series adds to this body by centering Igraine, Arthur's mother. A devoted wife to the duke of Cornwall and mother to two young daughters, Igraine is caught up in a web of life-altering political machinations when King Uther Pendragon takes notice of her. This Britain is one at the end of Roman rule, with great changes afoot. Merlin may be a powerful magician and the mysteries of the goddess celebrated, but other powers, particularly Christianity, are on the rise, and these competing systems inform much of the tragedy to come. The focus on the roles of women--Igraine and her sister Elaine, Lady of the Lake Vivian--and the futures promised by Igraine's daughters Morgan and Morgause--may remind Arthurian fans of Marian Zimmerman Bradley's Mists of Avalon, though the world here is more grounded in its detail and interpersonal relationships. A great opening chapter for a series providing a refreshing twist on a classic story."
--Booklist

"In the tradition of Marion Zimmer Bradley, Sam Davey brings to life the tale of King Arthur's conception from a female perspective. Igraine, a character previously little acknowledged, emerges as the titular 'Chosen Queen, ' determined not to become a pawn in the political machinations of the Lady of the Lake, Merlin, and Uther Pendragon."
--Judith G. Benz, Ph.D., Teaching Professor of German and University of Notre Dame's Medieval Institute Fellow

"The pain and strength of Igraine, Duchess of Cornwall and mother of the legendary King Arthur, shines vividly in these pages. Her richly drawn character is entirely relatable--across more than a thousand years. Hers is a story of a woman rising to stark challenges and refusing to be a puppet to others. It is a story heartbreakingly relevant to the present...a story that deserves to be told and is, masterfully, in The Chosen Queen."
--Sophie Perinot, author of Medicis Daughter and coauthor of Ribbons of Scarlet

About the Author

Sam Davey is Head of Transformation at London's Royal Opera House and has also been a civil servant, working in the Cabinet Office in the heart of Westminster. She is the founder of the Hastings Book Festival and Chair of the Hastings Writers Group. Davey has always loved the Arthurian stories, having first encountered the retellings as a young girl. She lives on the southeast coast of England with her husband.