I wanted to start by saying thank you to Orbit and also Netgalley for letting me read this book for an honest review. I was a little apprehensive at first when i saw Elm's POV because I was not sure why a secondary character was getting a main POV this book but then reading on to the story I was so pleased by how it added depth to the story. I love how Rachel writes and her ease with world building. I really enjoyed this story and commend Rachel on knowing how to end a series.

This was a great end to a great duology. I missed the romance from the first book but this romance was also really interesting. I look forward to reason more books from this author for sure.

Thank you so much to the publisher and to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Rachel Gillig is a witch. She knows her way around the written word and her prose is so unlike anything I've read in recent memory. It's dreamy, it's twisty, and it draws you in. I would read this woman's grocery list. After the triumph of her first novel in the series - "One Dark Window" - my expectations were admittedly high, but this sequel matches the first novel in quality, in intrigue, in ability to offer a fully captivating experience where I lose track of hours and hours while immersed in her world.

The one complaint is that I prefer my books to have 1, maaaybe 2 POVs. I'm a girl of simple tastes when it comes to POV preferences, and this book delivered 4 total POVs, which, while I appreciate the complexity this was able to add to the story, ultimately would have preferred fewer minds to enter.

That said, I very much enjoyed the book, and I look forward to whatever Ms. Gillig will enchant us with next.

Two Twisted Crowns was an enjoyable journey to conclude the intriguing story we embarked on in One Dark Window. I was riveted by the storyline and the cards. I liked the change in character focus, and the character development that took place in this book. The pacing was great. I was very satisfied with the ending of this duology- I felt like my questions were all answered and things were wrapped up nicely.

This book is a fun 4/5 star read for me. I didn’t put it in my pile of books to re-read, but I definitely recommend it.

Ah it was so fun to be back in this world. After loving One Dark Window, it was so exciting to receive an arc for Two Twisted Crowns. I couldn’t put it down.

This is the perfect kind of sequel because it focuses on introducing and building on secondary character and give them interesting depth and plot lines (and romance!) without ruining the main characters of the previous book. I love conflict but I hate when it's too contrived and this book strikes an incredible balance of providing readers with all that gothic, romantic goodness without forfeiting the growth of the previous installment. I will be recommending this duology to everyone I know

This wasn’t really what I was expecting from book two. I felt like it was a little weird our MC from book one took a major backseat for the majority of book two it isn’t. Bad story and it wraps up nicely, it just lost the magic and pull book one had for me.

TYSM to Orbit for providing this ARC through NetGalley.

I absolutely loved One Dark Window and Two Twisted Crowns did not disappoint! In book two, we continue to see the relationship between Elspeth and Ravyn grow - as well as the strength of the Nightmare.

Several twists and turns throughout the plot will keep you on your toes and reading well into the wee hours, eager to figure out what will happen next.

Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig, a sequel to One Dark Window was everything I could ever ask for in a sequel.
All the characters are so well written and really add to the story. I love to save the quotes of the author's quirky and poetic prose.
I'm heart broken this series will only be a duology. But I'm excited to read what ever Rachel Gillig puts out next!

Two Twisted Crowns' seamlessly picks up where 'One Dark Window' left off, immediately immersing you in Elspeth and Ravyn’s magical world.

While ODW left me with so many questions about the unique magic system, the secretive history, and the intricate family ties, Two Twisted Crowns addressed all of my questions, exploring so much more than I could’ve hoped for!

Without giving too much of the plot away, I will just say I LOVED the romance in this book. The angst, the stakes, the drama!!! I enjoyed the pacing, the dual POV, and thought the magical system continued to be easy to understand and follow for relatively new fantasy readers such as myself. What a wonderful addition to this duology!

This was the perfect immersive, captivating, and incredibly-paced sequel to One Dark Window! I’m excited to read more of Rachel Gillig’s work!

I thought the first book was alright. i liked it because it was different from what i had been reading at the time, and it was during the fall so it went with the eery vibes of what i was in the mood for at the time. i think those factors really played a lot in why i felt like i liked it more than i truly did. idk why but i was wasnt interested in this storyline. i found nightmare to be a great character, and i felt that feeling continued in this book. But Elspeth, she definitely disappeared in this one. she fell into the background and with her being the main character, that was a bit confusing. i just found myself not wanting to continue reading multiple times in this book due to disinterest. it ended but being okay altogether.

I loved this book! It was so good and had me on the edge of my seat!! So grateful to have received an arc!! Thank you!

I haven’t read something so immersive in a while! These books are definitely the kind where you completely forget you’re reading and not just seeing the story through the character’s eyes. The magic system Gillig writes is so unique and well done.

Two Twisted Crowns features multiple POVs rather than just Elspeth’s perspective, which I’m always a fan of. The character development in this one, and the way the story unfolds is so well done! My only complaint is that the story is over.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

This is an amazing follow up to One Dark Window. I thoroughly enjoyed this duology and will be thinking about these characters for a long time.

The Shepherd King duology was such a reading highlight of 2023 for me, definitely two of my top reads of the year! I went into these books with no idea of what to expect and I got a beautifully crafted fantasy world with a unique magic system, a captivating plot that kept me wanting to know what would happen next, and incredible characters with so much depth to them. I loved every moment I spent reading these books, they were both a 10/10 for me!

Two Twisted Crowns is the perfect example of how you write a sequel. It gave everything One Dark Window gave and more by adding both Ravyn and Elm’s POVs. It was the perfect conclusion to the story. I’m so sad this series is over, but can’t wait to read what Rachel Gillig writes next!

If you want a dark, atmospheric fantasy read, you NEED to read The Shepherd King duology!

***4.0 Stars***

Overall,
I have to admit that I am not generally a duology reader, I find that often the first book is strong and the second book is either not enough or too much story. It is rare to find a solid well thought out and well planned duology. Rachel Gillig has done just that. The follow up to One Dark Window was everything that I wanted it to be. We got all of the answers to the questions from book one. We got a deeper look in to some of the side characters. It was dark but not too dark. I really enjoyed this.

Recommendation,
For those who enjoy a dark twisted tale, that is unique in its lore, I would recommend this to you. There is some romance, magic and a really important quest. I would not consider this YA. There are definitely adult themes.

Epic second novel from the first. This story drew me in ever deeper than the first. I can’t wait to reread with an audio version and the beautiful world building:

I loved this one of the best book series I’ve read ever and I can’t wait to own a physical copy of this!

[3.75/4] TWO TWISTED CROWNS picks up nearly where ONE DARK WINDOW ended in a cliffhanger. The Shepherd King now controls Elspeth's body. Ravyn feels helpless watching Elspeth disappear, relegated to the depths of her own mind. However, Ravyn and the Shepherd King have the same goal: to unite the deck of Providence Cards to lift the curse of magic from Blunder. They embark on a mission through the misty forest to retrieve the Twin Alders, the last card needed to complete the deck. But the Spirit does not give freely, appeased only by balance.

This conclusion to The Shepherd King duology has three points of view: Elspeth, Ravyn, and Renelm (Elm). Elspeth's POV is interesting because she has to slowly find her way in her own mind after succumbing to the Shepherd King. Because two minds occupy one body, this allows for snippets of the king's history and attachments to surface. I particularly liked reading about the origin story behind each Providence Card. The internal banter between Elspeth and the Shepherd King provided some minor comic relief on the occasions he communicated for her to Ravyn.

I did not feel as invested in Ravyn's POV. Perhaps this is because he could no longer connect to Elspeth directly and has to keep his emotions tucked away. This makes it, at least for me, harder to empathize. He certainly thinks about his family and their safety, but he avoids mentally broaching the topic of Elspeth to get through his mission.

However, I really enjoyed Elm's POV and often couldn't wait for the book to switch back to him. There is some instalove, but Gillig incorporates it well and it's not cloying or unbelievable. This provides another avenue for Elm to open up outside of his internal monologue, which allows the reader to connect with him more. His POV also keeps the reader in the castle, where there's tension between Elm and those loyal to his sadistic brother Hauth.

With respect to the magic system, I'm not quite sure I fully understood it by the end. The use of the Providence Cards is easily understood. The importance of uniting the deck before Winter solstice was unclear to me , though (or perhaps I just missed it). And while I enjoyed this book, I didn't feel as engrossed as I did with ONE DARK WINDOW.

However, TWO TWISTED CROWNS is a fitting conclusion that wraps up centuries of a perceived curse. The characters work to right wrongs and begin a new reign free of discrimination against those with magic in their veins.

This is a stellar sequel to one dark window and I really liked how the author was able yo expand on the story and world from the first book !

Thank you for the arc