ONE OF MY MOST HIGHLY ANTICIPATED SEQUELS EVER!! I was SCREAMING at the end of One dark window & ITCHING for a certain couples to get together👀

This sequel answered all my questions, wrapped up every story thread BEAUTIFULLY✨ I love this author and the way she writes such gothic settings, I’m so so excited to see all she comes up with next!!

Thank you Netgalley for giving me an early copy to read/review🫶🏻

Loved this whole entire series- the magic, the Nightmare, Ravyn, Elm...all of it. 🖤
Loved the addition of Elm's POV into this sequel.

I am obsessed with this duology!!! It was brilliant , beautiful, twisted, creepy, and so addictive!! Every single one of these characters drew you in for better or for worse. The nightmare was my favorite 😂 I loved their banter so much. The world building is unusual and kept me engaged the whole time.
Highly recommend this duology!!

5 stars Can Rachel Gillig write anything bad to me? Probably not. This finished up her Sheperds King series better than I thought it would.

This book was AMAZING! I love the gothic atmosphere and the magic of using Tarot cards was brilliant and interesting! I really loved Nightmare, especially! I would highly recommend this book to everyone!

I hardly ever like a second book better than the first, but this was phenomenal!

In One Dark Window, I expressed how I felt like I personally wanted a little more spice to add. I didn’t feel it lacking for this book, even though it was still very PG. Elm is a top tier book boyfriend and I like him even more than Ravyn.

This world building was so immersive and still held up for the duration of the duology, even with the new locations. And the storytelling where we learn more about the Nightmare and what led him to that path was creative genius!

I enjoyed the first book. The second book read to me like fanfiction and was really hard for me to get through. It seemed like the author backed herself into a corner and couldn't write herself out of it. This one made me sad because it had potential to be good, but ultimately, in my eyes, fell well short of the mark.

ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!! This DUOLOGY IS A MUST READ! I devoured this in one day, could NOT get enough. This story will consume you. I truly could not stop thinking about this book.

One Dark window pulled me right in and two twisted crowns continued the story in a great way. Rachel Gillig can just do atmosphere in the best way and to me that's the strongest point in the book. It's perfect for a fall read right as the leaves are changing and cozy blankets are coming out. While the atmosphere Gillig creates is the strongest point for me, the magic system still holds up in the second book as well. If you enjoyed the first book then you'll love the second one even more.
Thank you to NetGalley, Orbit Publishers and Rachel Gillig for the gifted arc.

Rachel Gillig is such an amazing writer. This dark gothic fantasy is the second installment of The Shepard King duology. Two Twisted Crowns continues the story of Elspeth and with multiple POV, which I truly loved. It allows us to know the other characters who plan a significant part in the book. Elspeth is such an amazing character. Rachel is definitely one of my favorite authors.

Two Twisted crowns was one of my most anticipated releases this year and let me tell you it absolutely lived up to my expectations! Gillis has managed to hit that perfect duology sweet spot for me where all of the story lines are wrapped up in a satisfactory way without it having to be dragged out with superfluous information. We get so much out of this book, from exploring the magic system, to new povs, to expanding on the culture of the world, and explaining the histories behind it. I am such a fantasy history girlie so anytime we are getting flashbacks, or we're getting lore drops I am giddy!

No going forward there are going to be several spoilers throughout this review! The bigger ones all kind of separate off, but I am going to be discussing plot points, and character decisions. So be aware!

New povs
One thing that I was obsessed with in one dark window was the incredibly brave thing that Gillig does and essentially destroying her main character. At the end of book one the POV character essentially does not exist anymore. That is an incredibly brave thing to do, both narratively and as a debut author. So often it's characters that we connect with so to have the character who's story we've been following the entire time be gone is a risky business. That said it's handled so well. The one thing I can see some people having issue with is that we are going from a first person point of view with a singular narrator, into a book that has third person multiple povs. It didn't bother me but I know that can be something that other people find issue with.

That said I was obsessed with each of the new povs we got. Each character feels distinct from the others. There isn't a flat narrator voice simply telling you what different characters are doing it actually felt like each character had their own voice to tell their own story. Now let's get into it... We get three povs in this novel Rayen who is struggling with the fact that he is stuck traveling with the monster that is taken over the body of the woman he's fallen in love with, then we have Elm who is dealing with the ramifications of his father's brutal court, and his brother's blatant abuse without the protection of his cousin that he's come to rely on. Finally we have
what remains of Elseph as she is locked within the memories of the shepherd King and we're seeing the ramifications of years gone by while she is struggling bit by bit to claw herself back into consciousness.

One thing that you should know about me is that my favorite character in any piece of media is always going to be the saddest boy available. There is something about a fictional man who is sad and expressing emotions that hit just right. So Elm was next level. We have childhood trauma, we have feelings of inadequacy, we have mutual pining, we have abandonment issues! I was being fed here!
With elms story we are largely watching a cinderella-like story play out juxtaposed against Ravyn's race against Time to save the lives of those he loves... And lo -key I was more stressed out about the Cinderella story. The way Elm and Ione interact was so entertaining. The way they clash heads, and the way they work together toward a common goal was rippled with tension. Now I had the vaugest inklings in book one, and I was fully prepared for this to be a crack ship I was RIGHT! Don't you ever doubt my ability to sniff out a romance! Where as last time we got the delightful fake dating trope this time we are having a delightful time with this forbidden Love. I was having a stellar time thank you very much!

Then of course we have, as mentioned before, Ravyn embarking on a race against Time to find the twin alder card! He is balancing the line between staying just well enough inside of the king's good graces, well also committing blatant treason. All the while having to look into the eyes that no longer belong to the woman he loves knowing that anything goes wrong he will never get her back. The banter between all of the characters in this POV is delightful. We have the ivy twins back and I love them in the first book. They were so light-hearted and they gave an air of humor to everything. So I was delighted to have them back. And then I love how Gillig writes siblings. The interactions between Ravyn and his sister feel like interactions that actual siblings would have. It is so hard to write sibling Dynamics in a way that don't come off entirely cringy, so I enjoyed feeling like this was real. Like they actually had a relationship. And to watch the give and the take, to see the way that their sibling dynamic plays out to both their strengths and their detriments was done incredibly well. And blends so well against the backdrop of the historical information that is being sprinkled throughout. Showing that if history doesn't repeat it sure does rhyme.

Magic system

Now you cannot talk about this series without talking about the magic system. It is a stunningly done incredibly unique system, where we're dealing with two types of hard magics. We have the fever, which grants individual powers to different people seemingly involuntarily. And the more we learn about the fevers brought on by the mist, and how the spirit of the wood fit into the larger society the more we're starting to understand how the Rowans came to power and why.
Then of course there are the cards themselves. The whole point of the story is to get the final card out of the deck so that people can be cured of the sickness that comes from the mist. So that their magic will no longer be killing them. The way the different cards are handled is so beautiful. Taking simple cards that can largely be overlooked and showing that in the right circumstances they are phenomenally powerful was such a fun ride.
having the maiden card be regarded as nothing more than vain frivolity when in reality it is perhaps one of the most powerful cards in the deck... Just *chefs kiss* amazing no notes!
Also seeing the way that other users of the cards are affected by them, and showing the character's strengths by being able to push through the negative aspects of the cards when pushed to their limits. It showed off an inner strength to these characters that really sink in how much they've grown throughout the course of the story.

What we could have done without

Now just like any other story it wasn't perfect. There are a few things that I thought were just thrown in there to add extra pages. Like we meet a society of individuals who are living outside of the reaching hand of the Rowan Kings, who are surviving within the forest shrouded in mists... And we spend a whopping 10 minutes there. Like it had so much potential to be so interesting. It starts so many cool conversations to have, and then it's just brushed over and forgotten. It really could have been taken out of the book and not affected the plot in any substantial way. That might just be a me thing though, cuz I'm not a huge fan of travel books. Where the entire plot is just getting from point A to point b and, oh no unforeseen circumstance that slowed us down? However are we going to get there on time?
If I'm going to have to read about travel I want each moment to feel like it meant something, so unnecessary detours like that really take me out of the story.

In a similar vein to that I feel like Emery (I literally had to look up his name cuz I forgot what it was) was such a non-character given that the entire reason anyone is doing anything is to save him. Really all we know about Emery is that if he touches you he can see the future (kind of sort of) and that he's frail. But there's nothing in the story that really shows us the connection that they have to him, other than the text simply telling us that they do. I would have liked to see more interactions with his family, with Ravyn, really just something that made him feel like a character and less like a prop.

Those are really my only hang ups, otherwise I absolutely adored the story. I thought it wrapped everything up nicely. It lived up to my expectations, and it is something that I will definitely recommend to others. My one regret is that I didn't get to Buddy read it with my friend who I read one dark window with. But because of that I do have a list of spoilers without context for any of you who would like to enjoy those!


SPOILERS WITHOUT CONTEXT

So you know that one scene from bridgerton season 2 where Anthony falls in the lake? If you know you know....... Yeah that or something similar happens like four times. These men are getting dropped in lakes left and right, and I for one was here for it!

You know how in the first book (and this one too) people were constantly making comments about how distinctive Ravyn's nose is? Yeah that's plot relevant.

There are significantly less mentions of how warm Ravyn's hands are. (If you're looking for a drinking game then read one dark window and take a shot every time Elseph mentions how warm Ravyn's hands are, or someone mentions his nose)

The second book took me for a ride! I really enjoyed this one.

I was not expecting a new romance plot, and least expected it between Elm and Ione. Absolutely loved their romance, honestly more than Rayvn and Elspeth! I missed Elspeth in this book, and felt like we lost her a bit. However, Nightmare was HYSTERICAL and was giving Venom vibes (DC fans).

Overall we got more dark magic, some soft gore moments, riddles that broke my brain and plot twists that I was not expecting.

There was a bit of a lull in the middle of the book, but it picked right back up and I just HAD to finish the book. Only reason for my 4 star rating and not a 5.

The duology was honestly wrapped up in a perfect bow for me. I look forward to reading more of this authors books!


Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review *

I ended up purchasing the physical book as Rachel Gillig has become an auto-buy author. And once again, she does not disappoint!
It’s been some time since I’ve read this book, but I do still think this duology has one of the most original magic systems.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Two Twisted Crowns in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Gist
To begin with, Two Twisted Crowns picks up right where One Dark Window left off—and from the very first chapter, Rachel Gillig pulls you even deeper into the eerie, enchanted fog of Blunder. This is the kind of sequel that not only meets expectations but shatters them, rebuilding its world with higher stakes, sharper emotion, and a story that cuts clean through the heart.


The Details
Firstly, Elspeth has changed. Where she once simply survived the Nightmare’s voice in her head, now she stands toe-to-toe with it. Her growth is one of the strongest elements in this book. She’s stronger, wiser, and more dangerously aware of what she’s willing to sacrifice. Watching her navigate the blurred line between choice and destiny is as compelling as the twisted magic running through the plot.



Ravyn, too, is more than a loyal shadow. His role in this installment brings more vulnerability, more complexity, and a romance that simmers without overwhelming the narrative. Their dynamic—equal parts tension and tenderness—is grounded in mutual respect, not just desire. It’s a love story with teeth and depth, and it’s one of the book’s strongest emotional threads.



Beyond the two leads, the supporting cast shines. Side characters are given space to breathe, to hurt, to fight, and to make mistakes. Gillig crafts each arc with intention. Every decision matters, and every consequence feels earned. There are no throwaway moments here—only ripples of action and reaction that build toward an epic, satisfying conclusion.



Gillig’s prose remains breathtaking. Her writing is lush without ever becoming dense, balancing vivid gothic imagery with clean, evocative storytelling. The pacing moves with a quiet urgency—never rushed, never dragging. She doesn’t waste a single scene. From cursed forests to ancient relics, every setting comes alive with mood and meaning.



Certainly, the magic system deepens in this installment, revealing more secrets behind the Providence Cards. And instead of getting bogged down in lore, Gillig weaves the mythology directly into the character arcs and the plot. It’s elegant, eerie, and full of the kind of dark enchantment that makes you wish you could step into Blunder—despite all the danger.



Hence, more than just fantasy, Two Twisted Crowns is a story about identity, agency, and sacrifice. It asks hard questions and doesn’t offer easy answers. Gillig explores what it means to carry power you never asked for, and how far someone will go to protect the people they love—even if it means breaking themselves along the way.



By the time I reached the final pages, I was emotionally wrecked in the best possible way. This book doesn’t offer a neat, clean ending. It offers something better: resolution that feels raw, real, and earned. The kind of ending that lingers long after you close the book.



Basically, Two Twisted Crowns is gothic fantasy at its finest—atmospheric, romantic, and devastating in all the right ways. If you loved One Dark Window, this is the rare sequel that makes everything richer and more powerful. If you haven't started this series yet, don’t wait. There’s magic in these pages—and a whole lot of heartbreak, too.



Lastly, highly recommended for readers who crave:






Gothic atmosphere with emotional depth



Slow-burn, morally complex romance



A richly layered magic system



High stakes and haunting prose


The Verdict
Final Thoughts: Dark, beautiful, and utterly immersive, this is a book that lingers in your mind like mist in the trees—quiet, eerie, and impossible to forget.

I absolutely adored this sequel! It was everything I imagined it would be because it is better than the first! I love the romance in this book and the characters are more developed in this novel! I also love how atmospheric and suspenseful this book was! I can’t wait for more books by this author!

I wish it hadn't taken me so long to pick this series back up. I absolutely loved being back in this world. This wrapped up the duology nicely.

Going into a sequel is hard when the first one was so good. Let me say that Two Twisted Crowns did not disappoint. Without spoilers I would say that many questions I had were answered and they blew my mind. I especially loved that this story had multiply Pov's. Which is something I didn't know I needed. Two Twisted Crowns opened up right where One Dark Window left off so no need to wait for answers. I thought this book tied and ended the dualogy full circle.

Looooooved this ending to the duology. Rounded things up well and with a great climax. I loved all the characters and was pleasantly surprised with the multiple POV's. Usually, it would be a bit confusing with a character driven book like this, but I found it to be very entertaining. Especially Elm's POV.

While this was better than the first for me, it still felt very shallow. I preferred the POV’s in this book over Elspeth’s, but I found the explanation of the magic system lacking overall

If I could wipe my memory and read 1 book over again it would be ODW and TTC. Rachel Gillig is an auto buy author for me. The world building, the relationships, the plot??? 10 out of 10