The Chosen Queen

Summary

IGRAINE, DESTINED MOTHER OF KING ARTHUR, TAKES CENTER STAGE IN THIS POWERFUL, FEMINIST RETELLING OF CAMELOT.

IGRAINE IS HAPPILY MARRIED to Gorlois, Duke of Cornwall, even though his withdrawal from the Mysteries has created a strain between them, as well as friction between her and Vivian, High Priestess to the Goddess and Lady of the Lake. While they are visiting King Uther Pendragon at his castle, Uther makes it obvious to the entire court that he desires Igraine to be his queen. Later, he accosts her in the castle corridors, and when Igraine tells her husband, Gorlois gathers his people and abruptly leaves the festivities, later declaring war. England has only recently found peace, and Merlin pleads with Gorlois to pledge allegiance to Uther. But Gorlois’ pride will keep him bent toward war, no matter the cost to his people.

In the bloody aftermath, Igraine bravely assumes the role of leader at Tintagel Castle, encouraging the women left behind to continue working the fields to show their devotion to the Goddess and instructing her two daughters, Morgause and Morgan, to harness their own powers. She plans a grand summer Solstice celebration, inviting their allies. On the eve of the Solstice, Gorlois unexpectedly returns to Tintagel. But it is only after Igraine lies with who she believes is her beloved husband that she learns the full extent of Merlin and Vivian’s devious plot.

Igraine is chosen by the Goddess, by the Lady of the Lake, by Merlin, by Uther Pendragon … but in the end, she will choose her own fate.

“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 of 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 Médicis Daughter and coauthor of Ribbons of Scarlet