The Chosen Queen: A Novel of the Pendragon Prophecy

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.

Author: Sam Davey
Publisher: Diversion Books
Published: 06/03/2025
Pages: 352
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.34lbs
Size: 9.21h x 6.39w x 1.08d
ISBN: 9798895150399


Review Citation(s):
Foreword 04/21/2025
Booklist 05/01/2025 pg. 42

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.