I’m so thankful I waited to read One Dark Window so I could immediately jump right into Two Twisted Crowns. I loved the unexpected love story, learning more about the Nightmare’s history, and everyone fighting together for Blunder. Overall I think it’s the perfect ending for the duology and I didn’t want it to end.

First and foremost, thank you to Netgalley and Orbit Books for the ARC. All opinions are my own. Also, a MASSIVE thank you to Rachel Gillig for writing such an incredible duology. I don't think I'll ever be over this story or these characters.

Two Twisted Crowns (TTC) had been one of my most anticipated books to release this year. I absolutely loved One Dark Window (ODW) when I read it earlier this year, so I was counting down the days for the sequel. This duology is incredibly unique. It has a unique story, a unique writing style, and a unique magic system.

I cannot even put into words how much I loved this book. I devoured it so fast; constantly sitting at the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next; even at 80-85% I had no idea how it would end. The twists, turns, riddles, and puzzles had me guessing until the very end. And yes, it left me in tears.

Different from ODW, TTC follows multiple POVs. Side characters from ODW take on a more prominent role in TTC and we get to know them on a deeper level. We also learn more about The Shepherd King's past, connecting the dots from the clues left in ODW.

While I absolutely loved Two Twisted Crowns, I'm honestly so heartbroken that this is the end of The Shepherd King Duology. I'm not ready to let go of the story and characters. They all will be living rent free in my head for a LONG time to come. However, the book was wrapped up so beautifully, we got the conclusion and closure that we needed.

Plot - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice - 🌶️
Narration - 3rd Person & 1st Person, Multiple POV
Genre - Dark Fantasy


This is book two in The Shepherd King Duology. I was so eager to see what became of Elspeth after the end of Book 1 (One Dark Window). This book starts right where book 1 left off and gave me just what I needed. It had been a few months since I read One Dark Window, but I didn’t have a hard time jumping back into the storyline at all.


Elspeth and The Nightmare are one. They share Elspeth’s body, and The Nightmare has now taken over.


“There once was a girl, clever and good,
Who tarried in shadow in the depth of the wood.
There also was a King- A Shepherd by his crook,
Who reigned over magic and wrote in the old book.
The Two were together,
So the two were the same.
The girl, the King, and the monster they became.” 💔


We get three POV during book two.
POV 1- Ravyn who is desperate to save Elspeth and get her back. Every time he looks at Elspeth, its not her.. He is still hiding his secrets from the King, but is able to take The Nightmare out to find the Twin Alders card to unite the deck. On their journey they encounter multiple complications.
POV 2- Elspeth is experiencing The Nightmare’s memories as he has taken over her body. She struggles to remember herself and what has happened to her. But eventually she can fight back from within, which leads to us seeing the softer side of the “monster”.
POV 3- Elm, The Prince, who was not next in line of succession has just moved up as his brother is not expected to recover. He is coming to terms with his new obligations while helping and falling in love with Ione.


A couple plot twists later, and the book ended just right. A tear or two may have been shed during the reading of this book 😉


I received this book as an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

“Here we are, my darling girl. The end of all things. The last page of our story.”

If I were being REALLY honest with my review- this book gets 6 stars. I thought I liked the characters before, this book made me fall absolutely in love with all of them. I became so emotionally invested that by the end of the book I was straight up sobbing at work during my break. In the conclusion to The Shepard King duology, we follow our characters as they continue their hunt for the Twin Alders card to unite the deck. We are taken on a long and dangerous journey spanning generations. We learn what could drive someone to become the nightmare. We witness the power of love time and time again. When I finished, my boyfriend asked me “was it everything you hoped it would be?” And all I could say was “it was so much more.” I couldn’t have dreamed up a more perfect ending if I tried with all my might.

This is the first duology I’ve ever read as I tend to be drawn to longer series but there is something so poetic and beautiful about keeping things short and oh-so sweet. I feel completely broken and yet so healed at the same time. I am left completely in awe at Gillig’s storytelling power. I can’t wait to see what else she has in store for us in the future.

I can’t really review this without first mentioning the first book in the series, One Dark Window, which my friends practically demanded I read. And given my susceptibility to peer pressure, I went to the library immediately only to be placed 248th in queue. Yes truly, 248th. So I waited. And it was worth the wait! I listened to the audiobook first and loved the narrators “nightmare” voice (I’ve heard some criticism about the audiobook. Boo to those people!). The magic system was really cool, the rhyming verse of the Nightmare was so fun, and the court politics aspects had me intrigued. The romance was there without being IN YOUR FACE. So now that I’ve established book one was great. What about book two? It wrapped everything up so wonderfully. I really enjoyed that the author wrote from new perspectives, added some nuance to our characters, and gave more history on the kingdom and magic. Some of the relationships and action felt a tad convenient, but not in a way that makes you want to throw the book at the wall. Oh and! This book is perfect for autumn too. Who doesn’t love an atmospheric book for the season?

Thank you @netgalley and @orbitbooks_us for the ARC!

I absolutely loved this book. I also didn’t realize it was a duology and not a trilogy and now I am so sad to say goodbye to Blunder and all its wonderful characters. This book tied the story up beautifully. I absolutely loved getting POVs from Elm and finding out more about Ione as well. Getting into the Nightmare’s mind was a special treat, and a chilling one at that. If you love dark and broody fantasy with a side of romance, you’ll love this duology.

I LOVED this book - I didn't think it could get any better than 'One Dark Window' but this book was everything I wanted and more. I love that the author. gave us Ravyn and Elm's perspectives (something we didn't get in the first book) and I love that we also got another love story aside from Elspeth and Ravyn's. I couldn't have asked for a better ending for all these characters - the only thing I'm mad about is that there won't be another book in this series for me to devour 😭

A wonderful end to a duology that I felt was stronger than the first! Rachel Gillig's deft at weaving multiple plot twists, threads, and clues was unmatched and I loved how clearly developed the magic system was to give us a satisfying climax to the plots.

I am left with questions about the kingdoms and queendoms outside Blunder, as well as what happens to the Spirit of the Wood, but ultimately I didn't care enough to knock it down any stars

Two Twisted Crowns starts right where One Dark Window left off, and is even better.

Normally I hate the trope where the main love interests are separated, but this is done in a very new and interesting way that had me wanting to keep them separated for longer just to learn more about Taxus. Taxus is one of my favorite morally gray characters of all time and getting to see his character arc was my favorite part of the duology.

I highly recommend this duology to everyone especially if they're looking to read something new and not the same old story as all the other popular books that are currently popular.

I'd like to thank Net Galley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 rounding up. This book was a difficult one for me to rate. In 'One Dark Window', I had really fallen in love with Ravyn and Elspeth relationship development and with how Elspeth and the Nightmare related to each other. I really struggled when this book became all about Elm and Ione, though I enjoyed their story. I suspected the Elm was more sensitive than he was showing the world in the first book, and it was great to see that side of him come out more and fully develop. It was also great to see Ione fight so hard to feel again.

I think my biggest issue with the book was that it felt like gathering the deck and the journey to do that became the side story and this was really a book about Elm and Ione, which then detracts from the whole purpose of writing the first book. I really think that Gillig should have thought through how the whole story (both books) could've been told differently so that we could ship Ravyn and Elspeth and Elm and Ione AND keep the focus of uniting the deck to lift the mist. It just didn't flow like I feel it could have-or at least it didn't for me.

Pros:
-I enjoy the world that Gillig created
-The characters are likable
-HEA-which we all appreciate
-The writing develops the conflict and suspense steadily
-A few great moments of exchanges of wit

Cons:
-Lost sight of our original FMC-I just felt her voice was really lost overall-even though she had chapters from her perspective
-Didn't care for the switch in in the couple we were already shipping to a brand new couple
-Layout of this story should've been delivered differently-could've ended up with the same end result. I just ended up feeling kind of let down and the ending felt a bit anti-climactic.
-I was waiting for a big reunion moment between Elspeth and Ravyn and just never got it.
-Several typos and grammatical errors in the draft I received

All in all, it was a decent read and I'm glad for the HEA. A sound duology,, and while I will recommend reading it, it won't have that "OMG-MUST!" ring to it for me. 🫤

A gothic fantasy I couldn’t put down! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this advance reader copy.

I had read so much about One Dark Window but had held off on reading it because it was a duology. I am sorry I waited. From the very first book you are brought into a world with a unique magic system. Book one ends in a cliffhanger and I was so happy to have received the second part, Two Twisted Crowns. This book was different in that we were given more insight into two more characters through chapters in their POV. This book hit the ground running and didn’t stop until the climactic end! You will find yourself on the edge of your seat at the end of every chapter. Almost each ends with a climatic break before switching narrator.

I loved this book! It’s the perfect book for those chilly autumn days! I’m excited to read more from the author!

I LOVED THIS BOOK!

Usually I'm desperate for shorter stories. A standalone, duology or a trilogy. But this is one time I wish it had kept going.

I look forward to reading more by this author. New auto-buy author.

Two Twisted Crowns is the finale of Rachel Gillig's The Shepherd King duology. As with any story ending, there is the chance of disappointment. I am here to say that there is no disappointment here. Ms. Gillig finishes her series with a worthy conclusion filled with action, twists, and love.

Not only does Two Twisted Crowns finish the story of Elspeth and the Nightmare, but we also learn how the Mist and the Providence Cards came to be. This becomes pertinent information and provides some much-needed answers to who the Nightmare is and his agenda.

What surprised me most about Two Twisted Crowns is how emotional it made me. Ms. Gillig pulls your heartstrings in unexpected ways. Not only do we come to understand the Nightmare, we watch Ravyn's growing desperation to save his family, and we get more insight into Elm's trauma. It adds a gravitas to the story that I wasn't expecting.

Two Twisted Crowns is a heart-pounding adventure story with many twists and turns. It makes One Dark Window seem tame in comparison. The way in which Ms. Gillig weaves all of the intricate pieces of her story together is masterful. As is her storytelling. Ms. Gillig puts you in the action with each character as they face each obstacle. You feel all their emotions, and there are many. She puts her characters through hell, and we are there for every bit of it.

I loved Two Twisted Crowns. I fell in love with Elspeth and Ravyn, Ione and Elm. The story of Blunder and the House of Rowan is much more complex than I thought. The sign of a good novel is never wanting it to end, and that is how I feel about Two Twisted Crowns. Since it did have to end, I cannot wait to see what Ms. Gillig has for us next.

Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit for the ARC in exchange for a review.

After One Dark Window I was eager to return to the atmospheric world of Two Twisted Crowns, and the conclusion to the duology does not disappoint. The unique magic system is further explored here, where we finally get the origin story that was teased in the first book. While Elspeth is missed as the central narrator, the strength of new POV characters adds depth to One Dark Window's secondary characters and makes the ending feel even more earned. While multi-POV books can often suffer from switching POVs at the point of action -- or let's face it, a less interesting POV character -- Two Twisted Crowns manages to achieve two equally compelling and well-paced storylines that complement each other. Overall, the duology comes to a satisfying conclusion in Two Twisted Crowns, while further building on the world and layering the characters introduced in the first novel.

There once was a girl, 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."
🌿
What was your last 5 star read?
Mine is Two Twisted Crowns which I finished about 10min ago and had to share! It's book 2 in The Shepherd King trilogy, I devoured book 1, and all it's poems, so was a bit weary that this one wouldn't be as good. We all know how second books sometimes fall flat.
This did not happen!
Two Twisted Crowns had all the things I loved still, the Nightmare (my favourite character!), his relationship with Elspeth, the poems, the quiet wrath, but this time we explored the other characters' stories more. And as much as I was here for Nightmare and Elspeth, I did thoroughly enjoy their stories too. If you like fantasy at all, read these! I promise you won't regret it.
"Be wary. Be clever. Be good"
Thank you Netgalley for this amazing arc!

I loved how this was so improved from the last one. Even though it really enjoyed the first book, this was a step up. The romance was tasteful and incredibly satisfying. The magic and world was so interesting and even more detailed in this one. I love a book that can bring a moody atmosphere as well as make me laugh. I loved the relationships and this also had a proper villain.

Thoughts:
There were some sentences that made absolutely no sense and I wonder if it was because of the arc ebook copy or if it will be that way in the finished book.

“𝐁𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐲. 𝐁𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫. 𝐁𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝.”
I loved The Shepherd King duology! And the “Two Twisted Crowns” book is beautifully wrapping up this duology.

The second book helps us to learn the characters deeper. We learn more about Nightmare and its motives. And oh man I needed the Elm’s story.. his POV was my favorite from the sequel!!

Once I started reading it, I realized that I forgot a lot from One Dark Window, but as the story progressed it all came back to me.

Rachel Gilling’s writing is so beautiful, gothic, and atmospheric. It’s so hard to not give away anything from the plot while writing a review on this sequel.
So I would just say that this sequel was very satisfying and I loved this duology!

4.5⭐️ /5 for Two twisted crowns
4.75⭐️/5 for duology

Thank you NetGalley for an arc of Two Twisted crowns in exchange of my honest opinion.

That's how we do a second book of a duology!
Two Twisted crowns picked up right where we left of on One dark window and just made it better!
Firstly, it expanded on the worldbuilding going into more details what each of the magic cards' powers entailed. That was so crucial to the development of the story and I really appreciated this added layer to the magic system. Additionally, the history of the world was better explained and we could understand the origins of the Sheppard King! That honestly blew my mind.

Now, usually the duologies still follows the same protagonist of book 1, but here Gillig added another romantic plot point that gave a fresher start to the book. Elspeth is still here but she is trapped in her own body that is being controlled by the Sheppard King. However, we go into more details on the relationship of her cousin Ione and Elm, the second son of the Rowan's family. I thought the author developed this relationship in such an organic and delicate way. Elm's pursuit felt so earnest!

Lastly, the end of the book was such a thrilling moment! You could feel the clock ticking for the characters to complete the mission and the way the author brought this sense or urgency was just amazing!

That's such a well rounded atmospheric duology and I totally recommend to pick if you a re a fan a this type of fantasy.

I absolutely adored this book. It was the perfect follow-up to One Dark Window. The multiple POVs enhanced the storyline and brought me even further into the world that Rachel Gillig has built. Masterful story telling and I will read everything Ms. Gillig writes in the future. Thank you NetGalley and Orbit for the ARC of this lovely book.

Hands down, this was such an INCREDIBLE sequel! It’s always hit or miss if a sequel can hold up to such a good first book and Rachel Gillig pulled it off! 👏🏻👏🏻

This book picks up where we left off in One Dark Window with Elspeth lost to the Nightmare. In ODW we have only Elspeth’s POV but we have multiple POVs in this one and I truly enjoyed that. Elspeth as a character is kind of put on the back burner in this one but for good reason so it’s understandable. There is also even more slow burn romance with another couple that was quite possibly even better than Elspeth and Ravyn 🥹 but they all have such great banter! It added to the intrigue and the angst was so good!

The plot was just so beautifully written with, once again, an enchanting atmospheric setting! Character development is perfection along with the magic system and action packed plot. We learn a lot more about the Nightmare and the history of the Providence Cards. The pacing wasn’t slow or rushed and I think the ending was perfect for this duology!