Two Twisted Crowns was a five out of five star read for me. I was surprised that I enjoyed this book more than the first book because typically the second book in a series is hard to top the first book. In this book, the side characters from the first took a life of their own and I fell in love with their story. The story came full circle and I had a better understanding of the character as well as the magic system. My favorite characters was Elm and Ione who had a very passionate story of their own. Two Twisted Crowns was 100% worth the wait and the perfect dark fantasy to read during the fall season.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC of "Two Twisted Crowns" in exchange for my honest review. Since reading "One Dark Window" last summer I have been eagerly awaiting the conclusion to this duology. Two Twisted Crowns picks up right where we left off in the previous novel. I loved watching how all the side characters' plots became bigger plot points in this novel. My favorite character was of course Elm and I had been hoping there would be a romance between him and Ione so I was thrilled with their scenes. Ione was also a pleasant surprise. I had found myself wondering in "one dark window" why she still seemed to care for her cousin even under the control of the Maiden Card- I was happy this was explored more. I thought the book ended so well and everything wrapped up perfectly. Sometimes when I read fantasy I notice authors will lose alot of steam near the end as if they do not know how to wrap everything up but Rachel clearly had no issue as everything tied up nicely. In my previous review of "One Dark Window," I mentioned that The Nightmare was hands down my favorite character and I loved that he got more "screen time" with Elespeth taking a backseat. I found myself sad to see his story end but I thought it was all tied up very well. 
This is a series I will remember forever, so unique and well done.

This sequel in the Shepherd King duet was absolutely phenomenal ! There are not enough words to explain how well this book immersed me in this world. The 1st book had me hanging on the edge of my seat and this one had me reading late into the night. By far the best fantasy duology I have ever read!! Unique world building and fantasy, Multi POV, a quest, a bit of banter, redemption, romance with a dash of spice...this story wrapped well and satisfied me as a reader. Highly HIGHLY recommend.

I immediately started this one after finishing the first book because that ending was such a cliffhanger and I needed to know what happens. I'm so glad I did.

The second book takes place right after the events of the first one. Elspeth is trapped somewhere in her mind. The Nightmare has come to take over her body and promises to help Ravyn find the final card, the one that's been missing for over 500 years. The great thing about having Nightmare with you is that he knows exactly where it is. But this story isn't just about Ravyn and Nightmare's search for the final card. This story is also about Elm and his newly appointed position as heir to the throne.

I was actually surprised of the turn of events in this one. I was expecting it to be way more focused on Elspeth and Ravyn, but this had me wanting to read more about Elm and Ione. Ravyn's story honestly felt secondary as they revealed the history of the cards, journeyed to find the final one, met with the Spirit of the Woods, and carried out the last will of the Nightmare. You would think that this would be the crux of the story since that's a lot of what you were getting from book 1.

But this book's focus felt mainly on the first book's secondary characters. Elm is coming to terms with the reality of his new position. Ione is searching for some answers and the Maiden card that trapped her emotions behind a veil of beauty. The entire time I was reading, I had this feeling like yeah, we're looking for the final card, but we're really into Elm and Ione now. Rachel Gillig did a great job balancing the two different stories (in multiple-POV), but I found myself wanting to read more about Elm and Ione than Ravyn and Elspeth.

However, what really kept me going was the deep levels of betrayal, intrigue, and villainous characters who had no redeeming qualities whatsoever. I love a baddie who's always and forever will be a baddie. The plot moved and when things slowed down in one POV, it expertly switched to the other so that there wasn't a break in movement. I honestly couldn't find a good place to put this down and do other stuff, so I just kept on reading.

This was definitely a fun, fast-paced romantasy with tons of intrigue, magic, and a world that I definitely couldn't get enough of. I loved that Rachel Gillig kept the story to two books, which makes it perfectly digestible without being draggy. I cannot wait to read more from her!

Two Twisted Crowns is, just like One Dark Window, the perfect Fall read. Blunder is still being plagued by the mist, and the overall setting is incredibly atmospheric with tons of gothic vibes. I loved getting more POVs in this book. I think Elm’s story POV was my favorite. He struggles a lot with his situation and who he wants to be, so his arc was super fun to follow. There are some other characters that took a surprisingly big role in the story as well, which I totally enjoyed.

I think one of the most impressive things about this book is the relationship between Elspeth and the Nightmare. I’m assuming you’ve read One Dark Window, so you know the Nightmare has completely taken over Elspeth’s mind and body. This means Elspeth kind of has a backseat role in this book. However, reading from the Nightmare’s POV I’ve come to better understand him. I even felt sad for him at some point. And his banter with Ravyn is absolutely hilarious.

We also finally learn the full story of the providence cards, how they were made, and how the Nightmare came to be. I felt like besides getting a wonderful story, I also got a history lesson. Like I could step to a group of people tomorrow and explain the history of Blunder and its kings as if it really happened. Having lore that deep in just two books is impressive, really.

I also quite liked the ending. The buildup to the finale was quite good and I felt anxious the entire last 100 pages.

Hauth is still an asshole.

This was a great story. It took me a little bit to get back into it since I read One Dark Window last year and didn't recall some of the details. I highly recommend either a reread or immediately reading this after finishing One Dark Window. You will be pretty lost on some things if the book isn't fresh in your mind. This duology is fantastic and I'm very satisfied with the conclusion. Thank you #NetGalley for providing an early copy of this book.

I adored One Dark Window and Two Twisted Crowns was one of my most anticipated reads. 

Firstly this book was not bad at all but for me this did not give me the absolute elation I had after book one - book one put me in to a reading slump.

Two Twisted Crowns picks up right where One Dark Window ends and for our major players nothing is right in fact everything is very very wrong.

We have the same gothic vibes but for me what I missed was the lyrical, rhythmic way that we have so much of the narrative in book 1 and I really kept on trying to rhyme things in my head. 

I adored that we got to see more of Elm and Ione, Ione who I didn’t warm to at all in book one - this pair definitely became one of my favourites. 

The Nightmare’s absolute sass throughout is incredible

I felt that the story was constantly unfurling and there was lots going on but it didn’t fully grip me until about 80% - there were glimmers and I did enjoy that we got the history of Blunder and the mist but there were also a few parts where I wanted to linger a little longer.

I do feel that the ending was the one I wanted and everything was wrapped up so well, I’m interested to see where RM Gilling goes next. 



it’s 3.75/4 stars for me

All the stars. Absolutely perfect sequel. Everything I could have hoped for and more. I loved the multi-POV and that we got more about Elm and Ione. Gillig did a wonderful job of making the reader hate the Shephard King on one page and love him on the next.

I loved this book so much, possibly even more than the first one! The writing and the atmosphere of this book are just perfection!

This book starts off right where One Dark Window ended, with Elspeth and the Nightmare facing the ramifications of their actions at the end of the first book. This book continues the adventure of searching for the Twin Elders card in order to save Blunder from its curse. There were so many twists and turns and I genuinely did not know how everything was going to be resolved in the end. But the ending was so satisfying!! I can’t recommend this duology enough!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

Wow! I was stuck between trying to savor this book vs devouring it like a 3 course meal. This sequel did not disappoint. It was eerie and creepy while also full of healing and love. I absolutely loved Elm and loved the use of multiple POVs. Again I was so intrigued with the magic system and the idea of the cards. The Shepard king ended up growing on me and I was sad to see him go. In fact I’m sad to say goodbye to blunder as a whole. Great duo!! I posted my thoughts on Instagram. I’ll post my thoughts on Goodreads momentarily! Thank you again for the eARC!

5 ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This sequel to One Dark Window was everything I hoped it would be and more. This story has romance, action, adventure, and beautiful imagery. It has three different POVs which differs from the first book. Which I enjoyed as we got experience multiple different storylines and got to know side characters more. This book captivated me from beginning to end!

This is a beautiful, dark, angsty, enchanting end to the duology. One Dark Window and Two Twisted Crowns are perfect to read under a cozy blanket on a crisp fall day. I would 1000% recommend reading this book!

Be wary. Be clever. Be good.

Two Twisted Crowns is out now!

So happy to be back in Blunder with Elspeth and Ravyn. I love this gothic fairytale land that Gillig has created, and I’m looking forward to what’s to come. I do wish this had stepped away from the YA aspect of the romance that was the only problem with the first book, but still really loved it. Elspeth and Ravyn are developed enough characters to have not YA romance.

I liked this one better than the first but I think some fantasy just isn’t my cup of tea. The writing was great! The story itself just wasn’t something that caught my attention. Fantasy is still a genre I’m trying to get into.

The first part of this duology, One Dark Window, was one of my favorite reads in 2022, so I had high hopes for Two Twisted Crowns. Thankfully Two Twisted Crowns absolutely SMASHED all my expectations, and somehow was even better than the first book. I absolutely loved the story, and how immersive it was. I felt the stakes of the story, and the misery of the characters. Rachel Gillig has an incredible way of writing, and I adore how she weaves her words throughout the story. I will without a doubt read anything she writes, and everyone should definitely read this duology.

SOLID 5/5. What an incredible close to this duology. I am forever in love with Gillig’s prose and her ability to continue to tell a story so intricate, original, and straight up captivating is incredible.

The way this story was told and the narratives that were highlighted was just *chef’s kiss*.

If you are looking for a sweeping dark fantasy with a romantasy as a minor sub plot then this is for you. SO incredible and the best follow up in a duology I’ve read in a LONG time.

in this sequel to one dark window, elspeth and ravyn are desperate to find the last of the twelve providence cards. so desperate they’re willing to journey through the dangerous forest surrounding their kingdom...which requires consulting the nightmare, who doesn’t seem to want to share elspeth’s head any longer.

one dark window is a book that took me by surprise earlier this year and, admittedly, a book i don’t think i would have picked up if it hadn’t been a fairyloot pick. elspeth’s slow descent into madness was something i really enjoyed last time, so it was interesting to see how this problem has worsened in this book. i think this was a great sequel and i highly recommend this to people who enjoyed the first book.

A great way to finish a duology.
I was a little concerned about possible other POV's in this book after the way the last book ended but it all worked out so well.
I loved getting a more in depth look into the magic system and the Nightmare.
Overall this book had so much vivid detail, banter and even romance that it had me so excited to be able to keep reading.
I am a huge fan of duologies and I think this is one of my top duologies of all time.

Two Twisted Crowns was even better than One Dark Window. It’s so rare that a second book can live up to the hype of the first and to exceed expectations like Two Twisted Crowns did is just incredible. Everyone’s stories were fleshed out so well, the element of balance played out perfectly, and there was so much going on at the perfect pace that I just could not put this book down. I could go on for days about the magic system and the characters! One of my favorite reads of the year!

Two Twisted Crowns - Rachel Gillig
★★★★.5 / 5

Swipe for @goodreads synopsis.

Thank you so much Orbit Books US and Netgalley for a digital ARC of Two Twisted Crowns. I can't tell you how excited I was to have this to read right after finishing One Dark Window!

Two Twisted Crowns is the sequel to One Dark Window, wrapping up this duology. It picks up right where One Dark Window leaves off. Its action packed and has more of a romance element to it. It also incorporates added POV’s, which worked really well for the story.

Was the world building perfect? No. Did I care? Also no. I was thoroughly enjoying myself while reading this book, and I know you will too.

Read if you like:
- easy-to-read gothic fantasy
- multiple POV’s and flashbacks
- low spice fantasy (only 1 major spicy scene)

I absolutely loved the last book in this duology!! It was so good and kept me immersed in the world the entire time. I can not recommend this book enough!