The Princess of Selgovae and the High King

by Bryce D. Gibby

“No disguise could cloak her beauty and therein was unspeakable danger.”

Princess Vivien's idyllic life is shattered when Saxons invade her sire’s kingdom. So long had the Selgovaeans enjoyed peace they are ill prepared and are quickly conquered by the barbarians, her father slain. Alone, Vivien is forced to flee to the hidden sanctuary of The Mountain. Her journey is extremely perilous as the Saxons search out every road and trail, seeking to capture the princess and obtain a vital secret that she possesses. To evade her enemies, she must rely on wit, cunning and the help of the enigmatic sage, the Immortal Hawk.

Destined for a purpose far greater than she can imagine, Vivien is empowered to establish a realm of unearthly majesty, where warriors are secretly trained as skilled and chivalrous knights. The sage, known by his foes as the Magician, foretells of the rise of young Arthur, a resistance fighter who will raise an army of knights, defeat the invaders and be crowned High King of Britannia. Yet these prophecies are dependent on Vivien, her men-of-war, the secret she guards with her life, and above all else, the inspiration of her love.

The Princess of Selgovae and the High King is a thrilling tale of adventure, magic, romance and destiny, set against the backdrop of ancient Britain. Fans of epic fantasy and historical fiction will be swept away by this tale of a young princess who risks everything to save her kingdom and fulfill her destiny.

Genres: Fantasy, Mythology, Historical Fiction, Romance

310 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 19, 2015

About the author

Aviator + photographer + storyteller of legends that fire the imagination

Reviews

[Mallory · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to admit that if I had not received a copy of this one and promised to review it I would probably have given up. Now after looking at other reviews on goodreads I seem to be in the minority so please feel free to give this one a try for yourself if it sounds up your alley. At the description I was of course intrigued. This is the story of King Arthur, and it did seem well researched to me. Despite her kingdom being destroyed and taken over Princess Vivien is destined for greatness and creates a new hidden kingdom where knights are trained to help the one true king to take his rightful throne and save them from the Saxons. I was disappointed by the writing/tone of this book. It read more like a history text even though it is a novel based on myth. Because of the tone none of the characters had any dimension and I ended up not caring for any of them at all. I did like the pictures, but they would have been more beautiful in color. I know these stories can be full of heart and adventure but I found all of that lacking in this book.

[(old.enough.for.fairytales) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars:

I’ll be honest, I’m surprised at how much I ended up enjoying this book! I was a bit hesitant at first because this is not normally the type of book I read (I’m typically a fantasy book reader), but I think this book combined many of the tropes I love, creating an overall enjoyable experience. I love a sweet romance, I’m always here for knights and princesses, and I like a little bit of otherworldly magic…and The Princess of Selgovae contained all of those things. Highly recommend for fantasy readers and historical fiction readers alike!

I listened to the audiobook and while the narrator was not my favorite, I still really enjoyed the story. It took me a while to get used to the narration style, but that didn’t detract from the story and didn’t factor in to my review of the book.

Thank you so much to the author for sending me a copy for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jeff Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

There have been countless retellings of the classic tales of knights in shining armor in contemporary literature. Typically, these consist of cheap attempts to make "edgier" versions of classic legends, along the lines of Game of Thrones and other popular cable programs.

The Princess of Selgovae is the first volume in a series that defies this tired trend, and approaches a well-known story from a fresh new angle, by focusing the narrative on a character that has often gone overlooked as he deftly combines the narrative voice of Sir Thomas Mallory's Le Morte d'Arthur with the artfully crafted allegory of Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia. The result is a worthy addition to the body of Arthurian romance, and rightly deserves a place on the shelf of any avid reader of the lore of Camelot.

[Laura Bone · Rating 2 out of 5]

Goodreads Giveaway
1.5

Mhm, where to begin?

I hate to be "that person" on a book with so few reviews, but I also want to be true to my reading experience.

I won The Princess of Selgovae and the High King from a Goodreads Giveaway, and I was really excited to read it based on the cover art (look at that cover art, it's beautiful!) and the description. I also was really intrigued with the fact that the novel was "illustrated." I love fairytales and I love art. Unfortunately, for me the writing/story did not live up to my expectations.

Firstly, the good. There were very few typos or mistakes in the writing, which is always appreciated. Also, I could tell that the author cares deeply about this subject. Gibby included a nice notes section at the back of the book which helped clarify outdated terms (e.g., rod, league, gibbet, etc.), and which provided extra information about the ancient places, names, and myths. I enjoyed the historical aspects and dedication to the details of the legends. There also were some lovely maps in the beginning and beautiful photos and illustrations throughout that coincided with the story. These were all positive things that made the reading experience better.

Moving onward to my main critique. I understand that the author probably chose to write in a removed tone to slightly emulate how legends and fairytales are often told. However, I still found the writing stilted and too descriptive about unnecessary details while lacking in character development. I also could not grasp the intent of the writing. More often than not, the story read like a researched religious retelling, while at other times the writing conveyed a fanciful narrative. Overall, the style was too stiff and felt more like a historical essay than a fantasy novel. Because of the removed tone and mismatched narrative style, I was not able to connect with the characters. They all felt flat, which can easily happen with characters based on legends, often there just isn't enough in the old stories to make them interesting and well-rounded characters by themselves without authorial intervention.

Lastly, while I do understand that the Arthurian legends are closely tied with Christianity and religion, it felt in this instance that many passages (and notes) were proselytizing to the reader. I read another novel called The Book of Joby, which also has overt themes of Christianity and King Arthur and did not feel it to be as "preachy" as this one. Based on the summary, I was not expecting the heavy-handed Christian elements, specifically long passages of biblical quotes and stories (luckily most of the direct quotes were contained in the notes) and over time I found it tedious. Christian/religious writing has its place, and I would never take it away from anyone, it just was jarring for me in this retelling.

Overall, I'm glad others have found great enjoyment in The Princess of Selgovae and the High King, I found it to be an alright read for myself. But I can see others enjoying it for the exact reasons I did not.

[Candice Willman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to the author for sending me a copy of the book to read! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

First off, I actually enjoy historical romance and fiction. I love reading and picturing all the beauty from the past and what could have been. This book definitely serves up on that end.

Princesses, Kings, Knights, magic, war, romance, this book has it all! It reminded me of a lot of stories we read in my Medieval literature class set in the Middle Ages.

Did I mention Camelot? This is the start to a series of Arthurian stories and romances. I’ve always been in love with the lore of Camelot and it makes for beautiful storytelling.

One thing I also enjoyed, throughout the book there are beautiful pieces of art to help tell the story and set in this time period.

If you enjoy a good Knight story with romance, historical literature, and tons of timeless moments, be sure to pick this one up!

[Sheila Samuelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
Thank you to BookishFirst for picking me to win this FREE ARC Copy in a Raffle on their website earlier this year.

This was my first time reading a Fantasy Novel by Bryce so I wasnt sure what to expect but I have to say I really enjoyed this one especially since it reminded me alot of ACOTAR but without all the characters and Drama lol 😆.

The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. Princess Vivian was definitely my favorite. I loved reading about her Backstory so much. I could definitely relate to the Grief and sadness she endured.

The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in Great Britain and the surrounding areas.

Overall a Good Book 1 in this Fantasy Series. Can't wait to read Book 2 soon.

[Tati Alvarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to the author for collaborating and sending me a free copy of his book!

The Princess of Selgovae is a beautifully written knight story that includes a plethora of tropes that would appeal to many readers. For example, the story includes war, romance, adventure, history, witchcraft, and other topics. Witchcraft and love sold it for me, honestly!

I absolutely adore tales of kings, knights, princesses, and royal love. I don't care how many books are out there that fit this description, I will continue to read them. However, The Princess of Selgovae is quite different from the books in this genre.

What I am most impressed about this book is how much research Gibby had to do for this book (or at least I think he had to do!) This book talks myths, Rome, the British Isles, and hardships. I'm not well versed on these topics, so they were interesting to read about, even if this book is a work of fiction. Gibby's writing kept me intrigued, even as I was taking in all this information about the world at this time and the wars happening.

And of course there is a love story woven in there because what good knight/king book doesn't have? I loved reading about the princess and the high king over the span of 12 chapters.

Overall, this book was extremely entertaining and something I would recommend to readers who enjoy these sorts of retellings. I cannot wait to read more!

[Louis (audiobookfanatic) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Bryce Gibby and NetGallery for offering me this audiobook.

The Princess of Selgovae and the High King is a suspenseful adventure story with elements of magic and romance. The cover art of this book is extremely eye-catching and will definitely give curious readers incentive to learn more about this book.

The story is set against the backdrop of ancient Britain. It’s very clear from the story that Gibby did a substantial amount of research on early British history and Arthurian mythology in advance of writing this novel, as the story is abundant in his discoveries. There are also several religious and biblical references in the story, and this book could easily be sub-classified as Christian fantasy.

It should also be noted that there is a lot of lofty and archaic dialogue in the story, all of which is perfectly reflective of ancient Britain. For those readers or listeners who aren’t used to reading such prose, it’s recommended that you take your time to fully grasp and appreciate all that’s written here.

Although not at all obvious in the early part of the story, this book is a retelling of King Arthur and will likely be enjoyed by readers who enjoy fantasy and historical fiction. Once you recognize this, the characters and storyline will likely become more familiar, and you may appreciate the story in an entirely different way.

This is the first book in a series of seven books, so there’s definitely enormous potential for character development, world-building, and high adventure in the remaining books. This book is also much shorter than comparable epic fantasy adventure novels, making it a great option for those wanting to try a new series!

[Josee Holden · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover of this book is stunning, the art work inside is just as beautiful! I really enjoyed the maps, and the art that was included throughout the book. It really brought the book to life for me!

This authors writing style is beautiful and engaging. The book was fast paced and I flew through it!! I felt very immersed in the story… the whole book is very atmospheric and very descriptive! Which is something that I love. We get to dive into a world that is heavily filled with tradition and we get a strong willed main character!! Which is always a plus in my opinion.

I have not read much literature that is based off of this timeline so it was very fascinating to dive into this time line. I would really love to read more books by this author as I loved being in his story telling world!!

[Sasha · Rating 1 out of 5]

Vivian is a princess living an idyllic life, but that all comes to an end when her kingdom is invaded and her father is killed, forcing her to flee. She soon establishes a new realm with chivalrous knights and a sage known as the Magician, a man who foretells the arrival of Arthur, a man who will be crowned as the High King of Britannia.

This novel was honestly one that, were it not sent to me for a review, I would have dropped in early on. There didn’t seem to be any passion in the writing, nor in the characters; it read more like a fact-filled history book than a novel of fiction. I had no connection to the characters, and hence I couldn’t care less what happened to them. The descriptions were lacking and the action did not pull me in. For me the artwork throughout the novel was the best part of the whole novel.

[BabyGrinch2277 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanna start by saying thank you for this opportunity to read a story I've never seen before! I loved the artwork of this book! The maps were gorgeous the supporting art illustrations were absolutely breathtaking. I will say I didn't expect the entire story of Arthur to somehow fit into a whole other story but it worked out so well. I was so happy to see Vivien and Arthur end up together. The story was beautifully written and the descriptive words were amazing. The author really sets a whole scene for you and continuously updates any scenery that changes throughout a scene. I really enjoyed how well written this book is and I am excited to read the next one in this series at some point. I'm normally not a fan of historical fiction but this Era is actually a very interesting one to me as well. (In regards to the angles and Saxons) Thank you again for this opportunity!!

[Steve Goodwin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm sorry, but this book was just lame. The author states that he did a lot of research and wanted to write a "historical narrative", but felt the available resources were too thin so decided to go with pure fiction instead. The result is a sort of Christian book loosely based on Arthurian legends that was sort of a romance and sort of an adventure and sort of a fantasy and sort of a history but ultimately just didn't work. I'm surprised at all the high ratings, although a lot of those reviewers seem to have been given a free copy of the book so maybe felt the need to be more positive. I did not.

I bought this one for a friend who is interested in the legends of King Arthur and saw that this one was highly rated. When she finished it I asked if she wanted me to get her the others in the series and she said no - she thought the book was OK but not compelling enough to read any more. I read it to see what she meant and now I know (plus there were aspects of it that I really didn't like that didn't bother her).

The first problem is with the writing, which is overly flowery. It has too many adjectives yet doesn't do a great job of describing the settings. It seems that every noun must have a preceding adjective that often doesn't add to the description. I would provide some examples but am too lazy to look them up. The overly flowery writing really detracts from the narrative. The author often uses adjectives that are not quite the right word - like he was using a thesaurus to find new flowery words without understanding the nuances of meaning. Another issue with the writing was the use of footnotes. Often those were used to define terms that the author seems to think people would not know, even though those were sometimes common, such as fortnight - I'm pretty sure most readers would know what that means without a footnote. Sometimes footnotes were used to provide extra context that a more skilled writer would be able to incorporate into the text. Very often they were bible quotes, which sometimes were used to explain something said by one of the characters but at other times seemed to be just because the author is trying to promote Christianity. In any event they are all at the end of the book, so if you want to read them you have to go all the way to the back to find the footnote and then back to the text - very annoying. If you want to include footnotes, at least put them as proper footnotes at the bottom of the page in which they are referenced instead of jammed up at the end. Another odd thing was the quotes at the beginning of the chapters that often had little relevance to the book's content. For example, at the beginning of Chapter 3 there is a quote from the trial transcripts of Joan of Arc, who had nothing to do with the book. Other "quotes" were by the author - what is the point of that? If you're going to "quote" yourself, then just write the book! Very weird. There are a number of other issues but there isn't time to cover them all (and most have been ably discussed by other reviewers).

A second major problem is that this is a Christian book that felt at times like reading the Bible - probably because of all the direct biblical quotes - and all the mystical elements seem to be because God is somehow causing things to happen. Christian books are well and fine, but authors (and publishers!) need to be more forthcoming and say on the cover that it is a Christian book so purchasers will be forewarned in case that isn't their cup of tea. This also led to many plot points that didn't gel or make sense. For example, after Vivien's home is destroyed, this somehow led her to believe that she was chosen for a higher purpose. Well OK, but if I believed in a god and part of that god's plan was to slaughter my entire family and everyone else I knew, I'm pretty sure most people would think it was time to switch teams and find a better god, because the one you believe in clearly isn't working for your benefit. I don't care if it's supposedly part of some higher plan that leads to a greater good, if it results in the slaughter of your family then that doesn't work for me. A better god would kill off the invaders in their boats by conjuring a storm before they arrived at your island - that's a god worth following, not the one who's plan is to kill off your family. Another thing about the Christian genre that I find annoying is that everyone aspires to find a spouse and produce children. That's fine but gets tedious fast. People can read the Bible if they want, you don't need to include it in a novel. Enough of the proselytizing.

A lot of people have commented about how much they liked the illustrations but I found them overly romantic, lame and distracting. To me they looked like AI renditions and really didn't add to the book - better writing would have rendered them superfluous. For example, Vivien is constantly described as being very beautiful and having flaxen hair, but that was about it. What about her other features? What color hair or eyes did Arthur have? What were some other features of any of the characters? We don't know because none of that was well described except in the illustrations. I guess that's why they were needed - if a picture is worth a thousand words then the author saved himself a lot of work by including illustrations instead of using actual writing.

The rest of it was just not well researched and nonsensical. For example, the native Britons were all pagan before the Romans arrived. The Romans killed the Druids as a way of subjugating the population but the native religions persisted well into the Roman period, even after Christianity was proclaimed as the only religion in the Roman empire. Why would the Britons so fiercely cling to a religion that was forced on them by invaders? Vivien escapes other invaders by diving into a rock-filled river that nobody could survive (except by divine intervention). There was an entire city including places for food production that was carved out inside of a mountain and reached only by finding a fissure that was a couple of rods under water - that is more than 32 feet! I don't know about you, but diving more than 32 feet under water to go through a passage and come out on the other side seems highly unlikely. Three feet maybe, but 32 feet not a chance, especially by many people at a time when almost nobody knew how to swim. This underground city is also somehow well lit. The Merlin character at one point defeats several warriors by some sort of magical or maybe divine intervention that just didn't work. I could go on but won't.

I almost never give up on a book before the end, but in this one my barf-o-meter got too high after the ascension of King Arthur and I had to stop. I almost gave up a couple of times earlier but forced myself on in the hope that it would get better. It didn't. I'm very impressed I made it 45% of the way through! I rifled through the rest to see if it might improve but that convinced me I made the right decision.

If you like Christian romances, flowery writing and lame illustrations then this is the book for you! Oh and it is sort of based on Arthurian legends. I thought the author maybe intended to do some research and then write a story about how it all might have happened, but that was not the result. Instead, if you would like a series about the times of King Arthur and Camelot by an author who did the research, but used excellent prose, no lame illustrations and provided a more realistic account, then I highly recommend the Camulod Chronicles by Jack Whyte, which are infinitely better in every way.

[✩₊*Shelby ⋆ ☾⋆ LiteraryFaery ⁺₊✧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks so very much to the author for sending me a copy of the book! All thoughts expressed in my review below are entirely my own!!

When I was earning my undergraduate degree in English Literature, I designed my own concentration in Medieval and Renaissance studies by choosing literally all of the courses in this category that FSU had to offer. My favorite among these was my Middle English Romance course. I even named my child Saxon for crying out loud...Needless to say, the scholar in me felt SO very at home in this brilliant historical fiction novel!

This rich, historical narrative is very reminiscent of other greats in the Arthurian tradition, especially Le Morte d’Arthur by Sir Thomas Mallory, one of my all time favorite literary works. While listening to this epic story on audiobook, I appreciated so much the author’s inclusion of tropes from the classic romance genre, such as religious turmoil betwixt Christians and Pagans, as well as the chivalric codes. I was super excited to meet several familiar faces of Arthurian tales, such as Morgana le Fey, who happens to be my personal favorite.

The Princess of Selgovae and the High King is extremely well researched and well written, with a style that reminded me of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, in that it was apparent throughout just how studied the author is on his craft and subject matter. The best part about this first installment in this Tetralogy of Tales is that the story imagines and explores a multifaceted storyline and character arc for the Princess of Selgovae whose story has been marginalized for millennia. I’m absolutely interested in continuing this series!

Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction, mythology retellings, and epic romances.

[Julia Odintsova · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story of chivalry, romance, and even philosophy

This well-written book is definitely a page-turner… And I believe it is going to be a best-selling series, just like Lord of the Rings or Hurry Potter. I’m fairly sure that you will all agree with me when I say that all engaging books have something in common: it is keeping you thrilled and engaged all the time, while you are reading it from cover to cover. And this one is not an exception.

The action is set in the late 5th early 6th centuries, the legendary times of King Arthur, although it is not a historical chronicle but rather an adventure. Bryce Gibby depicts Arthur as a king of Britain who fights the Saxons to establish a vast empire and stable empire. In parallel with the historical events unfolds a romantic story of the princess of Salgovae. She is a fragile, stunningly beautiful, and at the same time firm and intent young lady who is involved in dramatic, romantic, and magical events.

The characters are well-rounded and evoke a joint experience, what I mean here, is that you may easily identify yourself with a wise magician, or a princess, or a brave knight while reading this book. The plot is engaging and is rich with unexpected twists. The language is elegant and corresponds well to the epoch it is describing.

So what I really think about the whole thing? It is a mixture of realism and fantasy, it has got some emotionally complex characters and many vivid descriptions of the past. To put a long story short it is a delicate fusion of chivalry, romance, and even philosophy. For all the reasons given, I wholeheartedly recommend it because it is a mesmerizing inspiring tale.

[Prashant Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long ago a kingdom was developed with the unision and support of the devoted and dedicated Christians. They were hated by many people who had bad intentions towards them. They were under the rules and protection of Rome until they were called for the Sixth Legion and they had to retrieve. Without their protection all the other evil forces took this time as an opportunity to attack and take over their land and then forcing them to leave Christianity. It seemed that this unfair treatment would never end but after a very dark time came the light of peace. The Era of Queen Selgovae. She was very significant for the great King who loved her considered her so dearly.
This book will come under the genre of Mythology as it contains a lot if those elements. From stories of War and Struggle to stories of Occults and religion.
Contains everything of your interests.Tales of Kings and Queens, Warlocks, Dragons.
Definitely a good book for people who are heavily interested in Myths and Fiction. There are various characters with interesting personality.
This the first book out of four in The Tetralogy of Tales Series. Highly recommend of you want to take a break from your normal daily life and go to a world Magic.

[Linda Cottle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just finish reading/listening to this fabulous tale. I actually have read this a second time. I caught show many details from the first time I read it. Thoroughly enjoyed it. It sets up the Book 2 quote well. The Old English text made it feel as if I had stepped back in time! If you have a busy life and need to escape even for a short time. This will be a perfect escape! I do know the author has done A great deal of research which you were witness in the books. It is a beautiful portrayal of an ancient story so close to many hearts.
There truly is some thing for everyone! Even a young boy or girl would enjoy reading. It’s so well written in a classy way.
I love Sir Rene’ and Martinet! I found myself laughing at times with these two. On Audible the narrator Michael Troughton. Brilliantly done!!
You’ll never regret picking up this book! Thank you!

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

We'll worth the read

Overall, an intriguing retelling of the beginning of the Arthurian legend. Some thought provoking ideas of personal purpose, virtue, and the proper relationship between individuals, rulers and God. In a few places the author tells the reader his tale rather than drawing the reader into the journey for the recovery of Britannia and self.

[The Book Nerd's Corner · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story of King Arthur and the mysterious princess of the lake that captures his heart.

I won this book from a giveaway and I thought that it looked interesting based on the cover alone. I mean, the cover really is stunning and gave off supreme fairy tale vibes. Unfortunately, as soon as I opened the book, the stilted writing assailed my brain. From the get-go, it was difficult to enjoy the book due to the writing style alone, which made it hard to care about pretty much anything else that was happening. The pictures were oftentimes stunning at least, which acted as a nice palate cleanser.

Eventually we hit a point in the tale that I recognized that this was another retelling of King Arthur. I didn't know this going into the book, and this made the story way less confusing when I finally connected the dots. Some of these characters started to become more familiar and random plot points started to awaken some things deep within my memory. However, this has to be the most boring version of King Arthur's story that I have ever read.

There were two things that grated on me the entire time I was reading this book. One was how often they described Vivien as beautiful, pretty, godlike, gorgeous, etc. I felt that this was such a pity, due to the fact that she was a brave princess who was willing to ride out on the field of battle for her people among many other great acts of courage and kindness. Yet this book pretty much only focused on her ethereal beauty. *sigh* The other thing that really annoyed me was all the Christian references. I understand that Christianity and chivalry go hand in hand and that it was a huge part of this time period, but the oversaturation got to be a little much (especially when I didn't care enough to read the notes section in the back of the book that explained the significance of such references). I feel that it really just slowed the story down even more and added to the overall textbook-y feel of the writing.

Overall, "The Princess of Selgovae and the High King" was not the book for me. I found it to read like a wordy textbook with stilted writing that drug the plot, the characters, and everything else down with it. I don't think you could pay me to read all the books in this series, but that doesn't mean that you'll dislike it. I just really couldn't get over a couple of things that just made this book super boring for me to consume.

[Elliot A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Princess of Selgovae and the High King in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Gist

The Princess of Selgovae and the High King by Bryce Gibby is a spellbinding tale of royalty, power, and forbidden love set against the backdrop of a richly imagined medieval world. Gibby effortlessly transports readers into a realm filled with court intrigue.

The Details

At the heart of the novel is Princess Eira, the headstrong and courageous daughter of the Selgovae tribe, and High King Lachlan, ruler of the rival kingdom. When their worlds collide, their initial animosity soon blossoms into a forbidden romance. This threatens to unravel the fragile peace between their peoples.

Gibby's prose is lush and lyrical. It certainly immerses readers in a world brimming with vivid imagery and vibrant characters. From the majestic landscapes of the Scottish Highlands to the opulent halls of the royal court, every detail is meticulously crafted. Truly transporting readers to a bygone era of knights and chivalry. I have to say, though, that it is heavily based on faith/religious aspects, making it not everyone’s cup of tea.

Gibby also weaves a complex tapestry of supporting characters, each with their own motivations and desires. From loyal knights to conniving courtiers, every character feels fully realized and adds depth to the narrative.

The Verdict

Overall, The Princess of Selgovae and the High King is a sweeping epic that will enchant readers from beginning to end. With its compelling characters, lush prose, and captivating plot, Bryce Gibby has crafted a timeless tale that will linger in the minds and hearts of readers long after they turn the final page.

[Audrey Stars in Her Eye · Rating 3 out of 5]

This reprint of The Princess of Selgovae and the High King includes lovely photos, illustrations, and digital art allowing the readers to see the characters and places.
In the first of the Tetralogy of Tales, Princess Vivien's idyllic life is shattered when Saxons invade her kingdom. With her father killed, Vivien is forced to flee to the hidden sanctuary of The Mountain. Helped by a sage known as the Magician, she establishes a new kingdom where warriors become knights and magic crackles at every turn. The Magician foretells the rise of Arthur, a resistance fighter who will defeat the Saxons and become the High King of Britannia. Vivien is the key to this prophecy though she does not truly understand how and why.
I am really surprised that this book got a second edition. I was psyched to read this book. But, past the first few chapters, I had a hard time enjoying it. I found Bryce D. Gibby’s writing style terrible. I don’t mean the wording; I mean the structure and pace. There is little dialogue compared to most books of this length and everything is written so quickly. I am a stickler for the “show don’t tell” rule. I want to be enveloped in the world. Arthur pulling the sword from the stone shouldn’t be a few sentences in a paragraph and then moving on. There is no suspense and very little drama.
The story is good, so I can’t argue with that. I love Arthur tales, and I love that this had a focus on a woman reading Bernard Cornwell’s Uhtred of Bebbanburg series, I was glad to see the Saxons as bad guys. I liked that it explored a variety of myths instead of just the basic story we’ve been fed over and over. The visuals were helpful. But I couldn’t get into the book. I ended up skimming a lot and got everything I needed to know.
This writing style may work better for others. But if you like being inserted into a new world this isn’t for you. But if you just want to read a King Arthur book with a feminine focus, go for it!

I received an ARC from the Publisher; all opinions are my own.

[Elicia Meairs · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Princess of Selgovae and the High King" by Bryce Gibby is a captivating blend of adventure, magic, romance, and destiny set against the backdrop of ancient Britain. From the very first page, readers are swept away into a world of danger and intrigue as Princess Vivien's idyllic life is shattered by the invasion of Saxons and the death of her father, the king.

Gibby's vivid and immersive storytelling plunges readers into the heart of Vivien's journey as she flees from her enemies and seeks refuge in the hidden sanctuary of The Mountain. Along the way, she must rely on her wit, cunning, and the guidance of the enigmatic sage, the Immortal Hawk, to evade capture and protect the vital secret she possesses.

As Vivien's destiny unfolds, readers are drawn deeper into a world of unearthly majesty, where warriors are trained as skilled and chivalrous knights in preparation for the rise of young Arthur and the ultimate battle against the invaders. Gibby expertly weaves together elements of fantasy and historical fiction, creating a rich tapestry of mythology and legend that will captivate fans of both genres.

At the heart of the story lies Vivien's courage, resilience, and unwavering determination to fulfill her destiny and save her kingdom. Her journey is a testament to the power of love, loyalty, and sacrifice, and readers will find themselves rooting for her every step of the way.

"The Princess of Selgovae and the High King" is a thrilling and enchanting tale that will transport readers to a world of adventure and magic. With its compelling characters, richly detailed setting, and gripping plot twists, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression on fans of epic fantasy and historical fiction alike. Gibby has crafted a masterpiece that will keep readers turning the pages long into the night, eager to discover what fate has in store for Princess Vivien and the High King.

[Abby Schneider · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Princess of Selgovae and The High King by Bryce Gibby is a historical fantasy type novel that centers around the beginning of King Arthur’s story. It is written like a book written in the early 1900s or 1800s, in that the writing style is older. The writing is beautiful, however, and the story is intriguing and fun to read. There were also some gorgeous illustrations for the main characters and for different settings, and honestly that might have been my favorite part. It made it easier to visualize the story and they were really pretty illustrations, even in black and white.

The story goes back and forth between a few characters, but mostly focuses on Vivian, the Princess of Selgovae, and her story. It overall covers a war between the Britons and the Saxons and how each of the different characters were involved. The characterization of each of the characters was well done.

I do struggle a bit to read books that are not written in our modern vernacular, which is a big personal flaw of mine and something I am working to correct. I was not expecting this book to be written this way, as it was published so recently, so it was a bit of a surprise. Therefore, I do not believe I got as much joy out of it as I possibly could and would love to come back to it after I have read a few more classics and am able to understand all of the things going on.

Overall, I would give this book 3/5 stars. It is beautifully written as far as I can tell, the illustrations were gorgeous, and the story itself was really interesting. The pacing was a bit slow for my taste, but again, that is something I have noticed with books written in an older vernacular and something I am trying to get used to. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes classics and wants to read something that feels historical and fantastical. I really did enjoy it and would like to read it again.

[Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Princess Vivien's picturesque life is rudely interrupted by Saxons invading her sire’s kingdom. With her father slain and the Selgovaeans ill-prepared for a barbarian buffet, Vivien must embark on an extremely perilous journey to The Mountain. Evading Saxon pursuers, she relies on wit, cunning, and the help of the enigmatic sage, the Immortal Hawk. Destiny unfolds as Vivien is empowered to establish a kingdom of unearthly majesty, and the stage is set for the rise of young Arthur, a resistance fighter destined to be crowned High King of Britannia.

Pros:
🌟 Four stars for this thrilling adventure! I love it – it's like Arthurian tales met a princess who took charge of her own narrative.

😍 I love Arthurian tales! It's like diving into a pool of legends, but with Vivien front and center, rocking the crown with style.

📜 Very descriptive — wonderful prose that's practically a feast for the imagination. It's like the author sprinkled literary magic dust on every page.

🖌️ I love the illustrations – a visual treat that adds an extra layer of enchantment to the already captivating story.

📚 The author has done a lot of research — it shows. It's like a history lesson wrapped in a fantasy novel, making the ancient Britain setting feel as authentic as a time-traveling TARDIS.

Cons:
🤷 Some of the characters fell a bit flat, but overall, it's an enjoyable read. It's like having a delightful dessert with a few crumbs that could be a touch sweeter.

Disclaimer: Thanks to NetGalley and the magical quill of Bryce Gibby for the enchanting eARC. All opinions are as uniquely mine as Vivien's journey through ancient Britain. 👑📚

[Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Princess Vivien's picturesque life is rudely interrupted by Saxons invading her sire’s kingdom. With her father slain and the Selgovaeans ill-prepared for a barbarian buffet, Vivien must embark on an extremely perilous journey to The Mountain. Evading Saxon pursuers, she relies on wit, cunning, and the help of the enigmatic sage, the Immortal Hawk. Destiny unfolds as Vivien is empowered to establish a kingdom of unearthly majesty, and the stage is set for the rise of young Arthur, a resistance fighter destined to be crowned High King of Britannia.

Pros:
🌟 Four stars for this thrilling adventure! I love it – it's like Arthurian tales met a princess who took charge of her own narrative.

😍 I love Arthurian tales! It's like diving into a pool of legends, but with Vivien front and center, rocking the crown with style.

📜 Very descriptive — wonderful prose that's practically a feast for the imagination. It's like the author sprinkled literary magic dust on every page.

🖌️ I love the illustrations – a visual treat that adds an extra layer of enchantment to the already captivating story.

📚 The author has done a lot of research — it shows. It's like a history lesson wrapped in a fantasy novel, making the ancient Britain setting feel as authentic as a time-traveling TARDIS.

Cons:
🤷 Some of the characters fell a bit flat, but overall, it's an enjoyable read. It's like having a delightful dessert with a few crumbs that could be a touch sweeter.

Disclaimer: Thanks to NetGalley and the magical quill of Bryce Gibby for the enchanting eARC. All opinions are as uniquely mine as Vivien's journey through ancient Britain. 👑📚

[My Humble Thoughts · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Princess of Selgovae and the High King" by Bryce Gibby is a captivating tale of courage, destiny, and romance set in ancient Britain. Princess Vivien's serene life is shattered when Saxons invade her kingdom, forcing her to flee to the hidden sanctuary of The Mountain. The narrative unfolds with gripping intensity as Vivien navigates a perilous journey, pursued by the relentless Saxons who seek a vital secret she guards.

Gibby weaves a rich tapestry of adventure, magic, and destiny, positioning Vivien as a central figure destined for a purpose far greater than she initially realizes. The enigmatic sage, the Immortal Hawk, adds an intriguing layer to the narrative, guiding Vivien in her quest. The prophecies foretelling the rise of young Arthur and the establishment of a realm of unearthly majesty create a compelling backdrop, adding depth to the storyline.

Throughout the novel, Gibby skillfully explores themes of resilience, sacrifice, and the transformative power of love. Vivien's journey is not only a physical one but also a profound exploration of her inner strength and determination. The romantic element adds a touch of warmth to the narrative, enhancing the overall reading experience.

For fans of epic fantasy and historical fiction, "The Princess of Selgovae and the High King" offers a thrilling and immersive experience. Gibby's storytelling prowess brings ancient Britain to life, making it a must-read for those who enjoy tales of heroism, magic, and the enduring spirit of love in the face of adversity.

[Shradha · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars rounded up to 2

"The Princess of Selgovae" started off strong, a book retelling Arthurian legends in the style of recent translations/recountings. It was fairly obvious that the author did their research, and the illustrations were beautiful.

Unfortunately, where this book went wrong for me was the heavy emphasis on Christian theming and teaching. While I realize that a lot of Arthurian mythology was reclaimed to a Christian perspective, this book over time went from incorporating Christian themes in the same vein as previous retelling, to actual prosetylizing about the glories of Christ. Although I have nothing against those who enjoy Christian fiction, I am not one of them, and I could not help feel very much tricked into reading what was ostensibly devout Christian fanfiction.

On a lesser note, the illustrations, unlike in the First Look on the BookishFirst website, were all black and white with none of the vibrant color that had me interested in the book in the first place. Although I can understand the burden colored printing can have financially, I feel that incorporating these elements in the First Look were a bit deceptive.

Perhaps the only thing that kept me from DNF'ing and raising this book by half a star to 1.5 stars was the character Rene and his beloved horse Martinet. Their interactions and witty, funny dialogue was the only bright point in medieval story gone so terribly awry.

Thank you to BookishFirst and the author for giving me a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good story if you're into stories about the British Isles during the time of King Arthur. This tale focuses on the Princess of Selgovae (Vivien/Lady of the Lake) and Knight Arthur, who becomes High King. Shortly after Vivien is driven into hiding by the Saxons who have murdered her father and taken over Selgovae, she is able to find sanctuary in a hidden place, where her father's secret forges live. I liked this fresh take on who Arthur, Merlin, and the Lady of the Lake were to the land and to each other, and it was also interesting to hear how the knights came to be. There is a strong thread of Christianity that runs through the tale which I did not mind, but some might find off-putting. Sometimes it fit in perfectly with the story and other times, it kind of pulled me out of the story. But that was partly the style of the tale.

The style was not something I was used to, and it felt like I was reading a history book rather than a regular novel. It was better than the usual history book, but it still felt like someone was telling us a story that took place during that timeline and interrupting their story with interesting historical facts. As such, although the writing was beautiful and I enjoyed the age-old story from a different point of view, I had a hard time fully connecting with the main characters.

Overall, I would say that it's a pretty good tale and worth checking out.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Cindy Disl · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Princess of Selgovae and the High King is an interesting book. This book is the mix of myth, magic, and religious troupes. The story is written in a writing style that I am not used too and it took a while for me to adapt but once I did the story became more enjoyable. This is a great book for people interested in history, Arthurian tales, and religion. The author, Bryce Gibby, is obviously very knowledgeable and did his research on Welsh mythology and medieval post Roman rule Britain. I was excited to read his take on the origins of King Arthur, the knights of the round table, and Excalibur.

The hero is obviously Arthur and our heroine is Vivien the Princess of Selgovae. Vivien early in the book finds herself needing to escape the war in her homeland. She goes on a dangerous journey to a safe haven that holds a much sought after secret. Vivien is a princess that is strong in character, virtue, and kindness. Through faith and help from a spiritual magic man, Myrddin, Vivien becomes a leader to her people. There are also other characters that are familiar like Morgana Le Fey and Mordred. I enjoyed Sir Rene, a the Knight of the Round Table, and his faithful stallion.

The Princess of Selgovae and the High King is the first book in a series and I’m excited to read the next book. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

[Susan Beamon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read several books about King Arthur, so another one is welcome. This one tries to set the legend and myth in a real, historical setting. We get place names that are s curate as can be for the times. Using the Middle English spelling for these places was a bit difficult for me, but I got past that.
Our story begins when the VI Legion from Rome was recalled and left Britain, an island of small kingdoms, to defend itself. This opened the island to the Saxons, Angles, Picks, Scots and others, all of whom came and conquered. Artorius or Arthur started as a young resistance fighter with great military senses, so he became a leader while still a teen.
Out main concern is Vivien, a princess of Selgovae. Her homeland is known for the swords and armor they produce. The Saxons want the steel for themselves, so Vivien needs to hide from them. She is the only person not living there who knows where the forges and the ore are. She is helped by Myrddin Emrys or Merlin as we know him. Myrddin pops in and out of the story whenever he feels the need.
This book is volume 1 in a trilogy. The amount of detail would make one book just too long. The author did a great deal of research onto early British history and Arthurian mythology, and has skillfully combined the two. I enjoyed reading it. I think you will too.
I want to thank the author and the publisher who gave me this book through their website. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an enthralling story! And honestly, not what I thought it was going to be either (which is a good thing, because I was pleasantly surprised).
This book has many tropes, that I think any ready would enjoy, like there's literally something for everyone.

I love the artwork in this book by the way. It was absolutely STUNNING.

Bryce took a timeless classic, and a character who is merely used as a plot device, and gave us new voices and stories that, again, I believe any reader would love.

I honestly can't wait to read more- I just loved this book and found myself wishing I could jump in and be there with the characters. It was so very well written, meticulously planned, and thought out, and well researched. I couldn't find any plot holes or things that felt wrong or amiss.

Now something that I feel others might not like is the religion. While I am not a religious person, I still enjoyed this book though. While themes of Christianity are placed throughout, it didn't feel preachy to me at all, and there was enough going on in the story to sort of distract.