This was even better than the first! And I don't say that lightly because duologies often make me nervous. There is so much that can go wrong. They can fall flat and feel like extended epilogues or throw too much at you. This had neither of those problems. Gillig continues the first story beautifully while also giving us an additional story line following characters we were already introduced to in the first book. It works so well. This might be one of my top books from 2023. She left so much for us to learn about the intriguing world she created and leaving these characters behind was bittersweet. She wraps it up beautifully though and if you pick one duology to read this year, it should be this one.

Rachel Gillig did it again! The Shepherd King duology is perfection. Beautifully written, unique magic system and characters that you grow to love (and hate in some instances).

This book was nothing short of amazing! This by far has to be one of my favorite books of the year. Major props to Rachel Gillig for writing such an amazing, atmospheric, spellbinding fantasy series with superb world building! Not to mention I throughly enjoyed all the magic in this book. I very highly recommend this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟

5 stars and everything I’ve ever wanted out of a fantasy duology!!! Literally so so obsessed with the characters, the aesthetic, and the vibes.

The world building? Slaps.
The romance? Slaps.
The side characters? Slaps.
The magic system? Slaps.

Everything about this duo was amazing and the second book lived up to all my expectations!! Stop what you are doing now and read this ASAP!!

4.5 ⭐️

I liked this one a lot better than the first book!! The addition of Elm’s POV was a stroke of brilliance. Ravyn and Elspeth are really similar characters and their stoicism is really hard to relate to. The Shepherd King is a much more interesting character than both of them so as strange as it was to have main POV relegated to essentially watching the story on a screen, it kind of worked out better? Ione and Elm were the heart of the story even in Book 1 and I found myself impatient, almost skimming through the other two POVs to get back to them. I loved the ending so much and definitely teared up at points, especially when the theme of family would come back up. While both books in the duology are clunky and plodding at points, this series ended up being what I wish the manga The Girl from the Other Side had ended up being. This continued to remind me of The Buried Giant as well. A great vibey read for late fall for sure!!!

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC!

"The way you look at me, terrifies me."
"Why, has no one ever loved you?"

THIS BOOK! I didn't know how much I was going to love Ione and Elm since we left on such a cliffhanger, and don't get me wrong I did miss Elspeth and Ravyn BUT OMG Ione and Elm brought this story to another level. This story takes place right after the events of book 1- Elpseth has been sheltered in her mind to a place where no one can reach her not even Ravyn with his Nightmare Card. The Nightmare AKA Shepherd King is parading around in her skin and has promised the King the Twin Alders Card, but he is the only one who can guide him there. The King sends Ravyn but doesn't let him take Elm with him, which broke my heart a little because of how much Elm HATES Stone. Ravyn sets off eith Jespyr and a few other people and is determined to not only get the last card in the deck but to find Elspeth in her mind and bring her back to to present.

Meanwhile Elm finds Ione at her house and is forced to bring her back to the castle to be questioned because of what happened to his brother who happens to also be her betrothed and the current heir to the throne. Elm is intrigued by this new Ione he sees who is hidden behind the Maiden card. The Maiden card makes her not feel anything she claims, then why does he see heat sometimes when she looks at him. Why does he see anger sometime when they are bickering? How has it all of a sudden become his world to help her find her Maiden card and in the meantime poke and prod and play games with this woman who has captured his heart? Their banter was chef's kiss. Their sexual chemistry was great- it kept building and building. I loved how despite being locked in a glass cage of no emotion, Ione stepped up and did things to protect Elm in her own way. I loved watching Elm who thinks he was broken come to life. UGH they were just amazing!

Hauth is the absolute devil incarnate and got exactly what was coming to him. I was so impressed by this duology. The world building and magic was very unique and unlike anything I had read. I do want to say that I also hate that it is a duology because there are other characters I wanted to learn more about- looking at you Jespyr. I was excited to hear that Rachel has another series coming out in 2025 and can't WAIT to hear more details about it. If you haven't already read this series, I HIGHLY recommend it. It was dark and addictive with a splash of spice (not a ton but I was ok with that) and magic.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Two Twisted Crowns is the second book and conclusion to the Shepard King Duology and picks up where we left the Kingdom in One Dark Window. The Shepard King has fully taken over Elspeths body and Ravyn has promised the tyrant king, his uncle, that he will work with the Shepard King to find the Twin Alders card and complete the set. I loved getting to know Ravyn and Elspeth in One Dark Window and watching their connection grow but in Two Twisted Crowns we get to see and experience the cleverness and romance that is Elm and Ione and I almost, ALMOST, loved this more.

Honestly, this series has been one of the best reads for me in the past year and I couldn’t put either book down. The magic is unique, the characters are complex and entertaining, the world building lush, and the romance perfect. I love that our MCs are not the perfect heroes and the relationship between Elspeth and The Shepard King is truly wonderful.

I cannot wait to see what Rachel Gillig brings us nextd.

i dont even have the words to say. i loved this book. maybe even more than the first one! rachel knows whats up!! i really love the series and the writing, honestly everything.

I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own.

Picking up where One Dark Window left off, Two Twisted Crowns is a dark, gothic fantasy complete with magic, vengeance, political intrigue, romance, and monsters that will have you flipping pages late into the night. Elspeth, the Nightmare, and Ravyn journey on a quest to complete the deck of Providence Cards and save Blunder from the Mist, but the clock is ticking, and they only have until Solstice before time runs out. The journey is long and littered with danger and darkness, can they make it in time? Meanwhile back in Blunder, Elm faces old fears and new challenges. Can he make it to Solstice without Ravyn by his side?

Two Twisted Crowns is even better than One Dark Window. It is difficult for a sequel to meet the expectations set by its predecessor, but Gillig has done it and done it well!! Loved, loved, loved the world building, the prose, the multiple POVs, and the character arcs. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!!

What an amazing conclusion to this duology. I really enjoyed the multiple POVs through the book, it allowed you to connect to a lot of characters at a deeper level. This was such a beautifully written complex story that unraveled each layer in captivating way. I was unable to put it down.

"Yews do not break, they bend"

𝗖𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿
LOVEEEE the cover, it matches book 1 so well and also fits with the contents of the book itself!

𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀
quest
dark magic
love
monsters
illness

𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
OMFG i loved it. at the beginning i was not sure, but now that ive finished it, i think i struggled because i didnt reread One Dark Window! i was getting confused but i soon got into it, i BLOODY LOVED IT.

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀
my faves have not changed!!!!! i LOVEEEE The Nightmare and also Ravyn ofcourse. this time though i like Elm and some of the other characters, which was nice.

𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
i looooved the rhymes and the dark magic, or gothic vibes. i also loved how the magic system was explained, one of my favourites, i must admit!!! it reminds me of Cardcaptors so much.

𝗔𝗻𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗱?
nope!!!!! maybe could have had a lil recap at the beginning

𝗙𝗮𝘃𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗲
"i dont want rest... i just want you"

"Two Twisted Crowns" by Rachel Gillig is a spellbinding masterpiece that effortlessly weaves together elements of fantasy, intrigue, and political drama. From the very first page, Gillig immerses readers in a world brimming with complexity, where characters navigate a web of secrets, betrayals, and alliances. The strength of the narrative lies in the richly developed characters, each with their own compelling story arcs, and the meticulous world-building that brings the fantastical realm to life with vivid landscapes and intricate cultures.

What sets this novel apart is its impeccable pacing and the skillful execution of plot twists that keep readers on the edge of their seats until the final page. Gillig's prose is a delight, combining eloquence with a powerful command of language that paints a tapestry of emotions. "Two Twisted Crowns" is not just a book; it's an immersive experience that lingers in the reader's mind, a testament to Rachel Gillig's storytelling prowess. For anyone seeking a captivating fantasy adventure with depth and resonance, this book earns its place among the literary elite with a resounding ten stars.

Two Twisted Crowns was an excellent follow up to One Dark Window. I enjoyed the perspectives of Elm, Ravyn, and the Nightmare. Rachel Gillig has a wonderful writing ability. I look forward to reading her future books!

I have been awaiting this book’s release since I finished the first one almost a year ago, and it did not disappoint! Once again I was immediately drawn into the dark fantasy and magic of the story. I loved that Ione and Elm got a love story of their own, and the way that the mist and antagonists were dealt with and given their revenge was done so well!

The only reason that I’m not giving five stars is that I wanted more Ravyn and Elspeth content — I grew so attached to them in book 1 and wanted to see more of them together.

But overall, so, so good! I sped through this — definitely one of my favorite fantasy series.

I wanted to say a special thank you to Rachel Gilligs team for the ARC of this book I received. I know I’m a little late with this review, but I do appreciate it.

The sequel to one dark window thrusts you right back into the world of Blunder. This gothic like fantasy world was amazing. At first I was a little nervous because of following a huge cliffhanger, but this book lived up to the first. My actual favorite part was the focus on Ione and Elm. There relationship was very well done and added SO much to this story. I looked forward to their chapters the most and it helped really sync up everything between what Ravyn and The Shepherd King was doing and what was happening at the castle.

The writing of this book was superb. The plot had me thinking ten steps ahead and constantly on my toes. The quotes, the lines, so well done!!

Rachel Gillig you had me in a chokehold and I can’t wait to read more of what comes from your beautiful brain.

“Those yellow eyes flared, wicked, infinite.”

5/5 ⭐️ 1 🌶️ wow, this is was a dark and beautiful conclusion to the Shepard King duology. The author did an amazing job of spinning this story together, allowing you to feel the emotions of the character and brought me to tears in the last few chapters. I admire the Nightmare for looking after Elspeth, since he was not present for his own children, for attempting to right the wrongs of the past. Ravyn’s love for Elspeth is visible and his determination to save her is heart warming. Hmm, Elm & Ion?! 🥵 the pair I did not see coming but the two that deserve each other. A little bit of the Nightmare will remain with us, even as this story concludes.

Be wary. Be clever. Be good.

Bravo, Rachel Gillig! 👏🏽 Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Orbit Books for this Advanced Reader Copy (ARC).

Rowan and Elspeth are still on their quest to unite the deck or providence cards and root the sickness out of the kingdom, but Elspeth has been fully possessed by the nightmare.

Truly I don’t know how to describe this book without giving everything away. It’s so good - even better than the first! It’s dark it’s sinister and feels like a brothers Grimm fairytale. The rhyming verses worked so well in the storyline and everyone got their due. The magic system is so unique and it did such a good job of showing power corrupts. I want a prequel book all about the shepherd king too

I loved this book so much! I Love the twists and turns and i can not get over the magic in these books. It’s so unique with the cards. I loved Elm and Ione and even though I’m not a huge fan of the nightmare he really did keep our main MMC protected. I definitely loved how Rayvne never gave up trying to fins her and looked her so much even when he could see or feel here. This book series is absolutely amazing Thank you for give the opportunity to read this book!

I love Elm and Ione ❤️ I need more of them please.. this sequel was better than the first book!! (Which rarely happens)

4.5 *

I absolutely loved how everything wrapped up in the duo-logy. I might be in my fantasy girl era right now and im not complaining🤭⚔️