This was a very satisfying ending to a duology. Both books were so well written and I felt like this storyline was a breath of fresh air among so many fantasy genre books feeling like copycats lately. I wish there was a bit more of getting to see our main two characters reunite, but I understand why we had to live with Nightmare for so long. I also usually have a hard time getting into a second love story that gets developed in a second book, but it was well done here and I was really rooting for them too. All in all, I enjoyed this very much!

This sequel follows up on the excellent first book in this duology. Loved seeing the world expand and more of this unique magic system. Can't wait to read more from this author.

This was a really great sequel and end to The Shepard King duology. Thank you to Netgalley, Orbit, and the author for the ARC I received.

Things are a little different this time around. Elspeth is trapped away in her head and we now have three POV characters: Ravyn, Elm, and Elspeth/The Nightmare. This was kind of a big change and I think normally I wouldn't have liked it, but Rachel did a great job of making sure I cared about these characters and their POVs as well as kept the plot really rolling along so the book stayed very interesting (even though a lot of the time I was missing my Elspeth).

I really liked learning more about the Nightmare and his backstory, more backstory about the cards, the Spirit, and the history of Blunder. I also really loved getting a lot more of Ione in this book, since she was one of the characters from book one that I really wanted more of. I loved the trees in this book. I've read books before that are "forest-y fantasy vibes" but I love how in this series the trees end up being really important (and great at creating little poems and rhymes just right off the cuff lol). There was a scene towards the end of the book that gave me Lord of the Rings vibes in the best way (fighting trees are awesome).

I felt like the ending was a little bit rushed and one small part annoyed me, but ultimately, I think it was wrapped up nicely and I even got a little sad in the end. The relationship between Elspeth and The Nightmare was really beautifully written and is one of my favorite aspects of this duology.

So good! This series took me by surprise with how much I truly enjoyed every bit of it. You begin to love characters you never expected to care about while also trying to make sure you're old favorites were still okay! So good and I loved every second of it.

4.5/5 I absolutely loved the first book and this one didn’t disappoint! Rachel is an incredible writer and I enjoy her books so much

This duology is easily one of my FAVORITES of all time. Rachel's talent and imagination are unmatched and I cannot wait to read whatever she writes next. "Two Twisted Crowns" not only satisfied my curiosity and hunger for more Elspeth and Ravyn from the cliffhanger we got in "One Dark Window," but it SURPASSED it by giving me more than I could have ever imagined: another relationship with Elm's POV (talk about a power move), more development regarding Elspeth/the Nightmare's intricate relationship, and oh-so-much longing and emotions coming from Ravyn.

I still remember every single moment in BOTH books, and I read them months ago. When I finished TTC I was in the car, on my way home for the holidays, bawling my eyes out. Easy to say my boyfriend was concerned.

So I read this, not realizing it is BOOK 2 of a 2 book series. It was phenomenal! I was plunged into fast action and fantasy and I loved it. Now I have to read the first book .

A deck of magical cards has been created about 500 years ago by a mysterious king. Uniting the deck will save the kingdom, but the heir to the kingdom has no intention of letting that happen. Keeping the kingdom enshrouded in it's misty curse gives him power and control. But there are others in the story who fight to unite the deck and eliminate the magical curse once and for all.

A Nightmare lives in Elspeth's head. It's true identity soon to be revealed.

I loved loved loved this ending to the series. This duology itself was so beautifully written and the world that was created was simply magical. I loved the characters and their story and can't wait to see what the author does next. The story wraps up in a fantastic way and honestly, I would absolutely recommend this for fantasy readers!

I don't really now how/why I got approved to read the e-ARC of this one, I haven't even read the first book (I do want to though), nor was I approved to review the first book.

I really enjoyed reading the sequel.
Loved the focus on Elm and lone; they're both such lovely characters and brought a refreshing perspective to the book. However, even though we got Ravyn's point of view, I missed scenes with Elspeth, especially interactions between Ravyn and Elspeth and her family members. I would have loved to see more depth added to their characters and their relationship. Despite that, I found the conclusion of the duology very satistying.

Thank you Netgalley for the arc

This was the perfect way to wrap up the duology! I really enjoyed a look into the POV of some other characters and felt like the ending was super satisfying.

Thank you Netgalley and Orbit books for the e-arc of this book 🥹

I’m going to do my best to write a review without spoilers.

This is a 6 star read. This duology is easily 5 stars.

The pacing, the writing, the character development, the character TENSION AND ON PAGE CHEMISTRY….it was a beautiful ending to such a unique story. Not one bad thing to say about the second book.

Just give it a chance, it’s worth it for sure.

Be wary. Be clever. Be good. 🥹

I think this is my favorite fantasy duology TO DATE. I’m almost always disappointed in sequels to fantasy books. I feel like it’s hard for authors to compete with their first novels. Rachel did it & more! I love how she expounded upon the characters in the first book more. The added POV’s?! I was living for them! When Elspeth & Raven’s story takes a turn, there is so much more than expected for the other POV’s that just had me excited to keep reading!

I do think occasionally I got a little lost on some plot points while listening to the audio! I wish I would’ve had the physically book to read for the last half because of how tricky the magic is as the story wraps up.

Rachel’s storytelling and writing brought Blunder to life. I loved every minute of time there! And the ending with Elspeth & the Nightmare, I CRIED. Such a great fantasy series! 100% recommend!

If you were a fan of One Dark Window this sequel does a fantastic job of keeping the dark, fairytale world of that book. I cannot say enough goos things about the character development for all but especially Elm. If you’re a fan of gothic romance and a story to keep you on edge of your seat you need to read this duology!

I received an e-arc of Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I remember eating up the One Dark Window, but this one felt so much longer and most of the time I was like wtf is going on?
I was kinda only here for Elm and Ione - like Elspeth who? It took far too long to resolve Elspeth's plotline and any time I was in her POV I wish I was in Elm's POV.
3 stars, this was an ok ending to the duology.

This duology has quickly become a fave of mine. I have it on a few displays and am constantly hand selling it to those who love romantasy books.

I devoured this, I was so excited to get an Arc of it! It was incredible. It's very rare that I find a book with this particular vibe and now that's all I want to read. So sad there were only 2 in the series.
5/5

🃏🃏🃏🃏🃏(5 providence cards)

Oh my gosh this duology was everything. This is now one of my favorite books ever. The second book was everything I could have wanted and nothing I expected. @rmgillig writing is poetic and spellbinding. All the little rhymes throughout were so alluring. The Nightmare and Elspeth’s relationship was so unique. Seeing the POV from all my favorite characters was everything. All the plot twists, romance, adventure, and magic were intrinsically woven into the perfect tale. This book made me laugh, cry, scream, squeal, and curse.

If you are a fan of Stephanie Garber’s writing. You will love Rachel’s writing. If you love dark gothic atmospheres you’ll love The Shepard King duology.

I could go on and on so I’ll stop here. Oh if you love audiobooks the narrator was perfect. I alternated between audio and physical.

There once was a girl,” he murmured, “clever and good, who tarried in shadow in the depths of the wood. There also was a King—a shepherd by his crook, who reigned over magic and wrote the old book. The two were together, so the two were the same: “The girl, the King… and the monster they became.

I ADORED the first book in this series and instantly had the second book preordered. And boy did it deliver! Absolutely loved the chemistry between the main character, loved Elspeth!! Looking forward to Rachel Gilligs next series!

Two Twisted Crowns is Rachel Gilig's sequel to the loved book, One Dark Window, in the Shepard King Duology.

It follows the aftermath of the Elspeth being taken over by the Nightmare and the search for the Twin Alders. While the first book focused on such a single POV of Elspeth and her love interest, Ravyn, this second book had multiple POVs, with a main focus on Elm and his love interest, Ione. Many people have actually really enjoyed the switch in the focus and I can appreciate why Gilig might have done this, considering Elspeth's POV was primarily through the Nightmare in her head, giving way to a tedious book, but I was expecting this change and thought it a bit jarring. I do believe this was better paced than the first and the romance was a lot more developed. And for this reason, I actually didn't mind reading about Elm and Ione. The only thing was, this focus on Elm and Ione actually forced Ravyn and Elspeth to take a backseat, and in my mind, Elspeth was the lead of the book and therefore, this choice does a disservice to her character. She has almost no autonomy throughout the book and is reduced to a mouthpiece, which was a little frustrating to read as in the first book, Elspeth also had little agency.

Either way, this was an entertaining read and the gothic vibes were on point.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an arc.