Wow I loved this duology so much. I’m sad to see these characters go but I feel these chartersu received the perfect ending. The story of Elm and Ione just perfection . I wish we had a little more of Elspeth and Ravyn but still satisfying. Thank you again NetGalley for this ARC

This duology is EVERYTHING. I loved book one and I enjoyed book two even more!

Twisted Crows was the perfect sequel to One Dark Window. I loved the atmosphere of the book, the different povs, and how the author wrapped up the story. This will definitely be a book that I will highly recommend to everyone. I don’t want to go into much detail as I do not want to spoil this for anyone. Just know that it is worth your time and you need to read it ASAP!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advanced copy.

Loved every minute…oh, Nightmare!!! Elm’s POV in this book was glorious, love him; yet missed Elspeth/Ravyn dearly. Great book, glorious writing as always, beautiful ending to a story that will stay with me forever <3

The vibes were right. I know that the use of the word vibe is getting cringey, but the vibes were right. I want to say that it's because all of the actions or when they reference a card, it rhymes and it gives an ominous and spoopy feeling. It's great.

Like most folks who read the first book, Elspeth and Rayvn were a tad annoying and you wanted to punt them into next week, but this definitely settled them, and I really appreaciated that we got a different romance arc. It was really interesting reading the history of the Nightmare and why he is the way that he is.

Although I'm not 100% confident this is the final book in a series, it did sew itself up quite nicely. But I wouldn't be upset if there was a third where everything went off the deepend. Alas, that is my own personal wish.

Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit for an early copy.

Where do I start? The beginning, I suppose.

RG immediately pulls the reader in with HER DEDICATION. I mean:

"To anyone who's ever felt lost in a wood. There is a strange sort of finding in losing."

It made my little melancholy heart sing with kinship. The prologue was also excellent at reminding us where we were (or weren't, as Elspeth's case may be). From there, the story unfolds in the different POVs much quicker than in ODW. You can feel Ravyn's despair really clearly. I won't dive too far into the actual story, but my heart is broken for him.

I will say the story was unexpectedly Elm heavy. At first, it really bugged me, but then the story was revealed, and I ended up really enjoying it. I will say I wished he and Ione had more build up. It felt a little rushed.

Overall, I love this book and adore the ending. You think you've nailed it (and maybe you have, mostly), but there will be a.mpmemt where you think huh..maybe didn't see that as clearly as I thought.

A fantastic sequel to a unique and gloomy novel that is absolutely perfect for any fall reader.

This story returns us to the infuriating cliffhanger of the previous novel and slowly teases apart the world. Entry-level fantasy reader fret not as this is a perfect addition due to its accessible and bite sized fantasy elements.

The pacing could use a little work but if you are looking for something dark, whimsical, and wholly unique - you better add to your TBR.

I had a hard time putting this one down.
I was so worried that after the amazingness that was One Dark Window that this book was going to fall short and thank god it was just as good as the first one.
TTC was much more of an ensemble than the first book, which honestly I loved.
There was so much mystery surrounding Elm and Ione and the entire Rowan/Yew Clans at the end of ODW, that one pov was just not enough to tie it all together. Rachel did such a phenomenal job of slow rolling the reveals in a way that felt natural to the characters.

The world building in this duology is just so rich, I'm excited to do a re-read and take a stronger look at the different Book of Alders poems throughout and how they foreshadow some important story elements.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.


I really wanted to love this but unfortunately I really struggled to get through it. The magic system is so unique and interesting, but I was completely thrown off by the POV change after the first book. I also felt that there was no real emotional payoff for Ravyn and Elspeth and it felt somewhat anticlimactic.

This book does not suffer from second book syndrome. i was obsessed from start to finish. Rachel you've done it again. the writing is wonderful and kept me glued to the page from start to finish. thank you thank you!!!

it’s hard to find the words to describe how much I love the Shepherd King duology. I think I might have actually screamed when I found out I got approved for an ARC of Two Twisted Crowns. it has been one of my most anticipated book releases, especially after that cliffhanger!

I adored the dark atmospheric world, the unique, mesmerizing magic system, and intricately woven characters in the first book and the sequel did not disappoint.

Two Twisted Crowns is full of quests, forbidden love, balance, and the oftentimes steep price of power. I loved learning more about the Nightmare as well as other characters I had always been intrigued by. this story took so many unexpected turns and the ending made me so very emotional.

also there were MANY quotes that absolutely wrecked and remade me. I can’t wait to get myself a physical copy of this book so I can highlight the entire thing.🥰

thank you Netgalley and Orbit Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Amazing. Breathtaking prose. Amazing characters. Vibes were immaculate. Perfect ending to the Shepherd King Duology

Wow. There is a lot to be said about a book that can leave you utterly speechless. This was just.. well.. wow.

I found and read One Dark Window in June after the Fourth Wing hangover for me. That pulled me right out of it and I was hooked on the story that was Elspeth, Ravyn and The Nightmare.

Book two didn’t go any way I thought it would. I am SO GLAD we got to see more characters in this book. The plot was immaculate and so well thought out. I absolutely blew through this book and I’m amazed at how well paced it was.

This book is truly a five star read. I was crying, raging, laughing, etc. It’s not unlike me to get attached to characters, but the arcs that all of these characters had were some of the best written characters I’ve ever read. This entire plot was something that was so interesting because it really hasn’t ever been done before. I didn’t think there could be anything better than book one, but book two held its own torch.

One Dark Window and Two Twisted Crowns should be studied and used as the blueprint for all fantasy books. Did not have a care or a want for any type of spicy because I was so invested in the plot. I’m very glad we got to see genuine friendship and love throughout both books. Also a huge round of applause to the sibling/family love that was showed through both books as well.

My only “qualm” was the lack of page time Elspeth and Ravyn got this book, but I wasn’t entirely mad at that though. I think Ione and Elm really carried the book and getting their story along with Ravyn’s and Elspeth’s from book one was enough for me.

I loved the first book in this series, One Dark Window, and was so excited to receive this ARC!

After the ending of One Dark Window, I was anxious to see how the sequel would be told (especially from what POVs). The sequel was different in that way than ODW, but it worked very well. This was action-packed and kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering how the series would conclude. It continues the magic and wonder of the first book and brings the same beautiful prose.

I really enjoyed this sequel and thought it was an excellent conclusion to the series. I'm looking forward to reading more from Rachel Gillig.

I absolutely loved One Dark Window, but Two Twisted Crowns was even better. I am so surprised that this is Rachel Gillig’s debut series because everything was so well done. The plot, the pacing, character development, and the world building were all spectacular in this sequel.

I am so happy we got multiple POVs in this book and were able to learn so much more about so many of the characters. The character growth was amazing, especially for Elm.

This book had me smiling, giggling, crying, and shocked throughout. I am so happy with how it ended, it was the perfect closure for everyone.

Potential Spoilers:
The only thing I wish we had more of was Ravyn and Elspeth’s relationship. They don’t get much interaction in this book due to the Nightmare taking over her body for most of it, and I was hoping for a chapter or two of them at the end after she gets her body back. But I can only assume they all lived happily ever after.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Orbit Books for sending me an eARC of this!

A) One of the best sequels I have ever read (I’m talking a Catching Fire level sequel)
B) One of the most exceptionally original duologies I have been fortunate enough to come across
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I thought I couldn’t love the magic and the history of the world, and the characters that Rachel Gillig created more than I did in One Dark Window. I have never been so happy to be proven wrong. The depth, emotional weight, and raised stakes in Two Twister Crowns was completely captivating, and the answers to questions from the first book were satisfying and impactful.
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I genuinely enjoyed both sets of perspectives we got in this book, and Elm quickly became one of my favourite characters. Though it was hard to have our main character become more of a voice in the background in this installment, it was a choice that made complete sense story-wise, given that she had become a background actor in her own body, and the added tension of her experience in contrast to the other characters’ interactions with the Shepherd King was an effective creative decision. I cannot wait to get my hands on whatever marvel Rachel Gillig dreams up next.
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Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for access to an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

WOW I love this series. I was so sad to see this book end, I couldn’t get enough. This was a beautifully well rounded story with remarkable characters.

Coming off the cliffhanger at the end of the first book, Two Twisted Crowns opens the book in a strong way by making it multi POV. I felt that it benefited the plot and characters really well to get all sides of the story and get to explore more into the characters that didn't get much of the spotlight in the first book.

There was quite a bit to wrap up from One Dark Window in this conclusion to the story and I think Rachel did a great job filling up the holes and completing these characters story in a happy ending. I think a lot of times in fantasy books, authors tend to go for a character death to get a reaction from readers and make the ending more impactful. Slight spoiler warning, no one dies in the end. Everyone gets to grow and heal from their past experiences becoming better people for themselves and others. I find that to be the braver choice and the better choice to write that development rather than having them sacrifice themselves.

I didn't love Elm's POV and the story that was happening at Stone while the others were searching for the Twin Alder's card. However, as the story progressed there was more happening under the surface of the character's motivations and a new romance blooming that made me have more appreciation for the switch between one POV to a multi POV. I thought it was great that we got to explore more into Ione's story without taking away from the main plot and getting to hear more from Elm and see what he actually thinks instead of how other's perceive him. Same goes for Ione and how people perceive her.

Overall, I really enjoyed the first book and I loved the second one even more. The characters were greatly developed, the world and magic are super unique, and the plot will get you thinking and has a good pace throughout the whole book. If you're into gothic worlds, tarot cards, riddles, forced proximity, strange magic, I'd recommend this book for you.

I rarely like second books as much as the first. It’s even more rare for me to like a second book more than the first. But this book was better. I’m impressed in the way that Rachel wove all the pieces and moving of this story together. I was nervous in the middle that I would be left wanting and that a loose thread would remain. But everything really feels finished at the end of this book.

I loved that the plot and romance are so throughly flushed out in this book that neither feel like afterthoughts.

Overall this duology is one of my favorite reads of the year!

Absolutely loved this book! Perfect sequel! Rachel Gillig did a phenomenal job following the story line. I loved all the details and falling in love along side the characters. Coolest and scariest deck of cards ever!

This is book two in the One Dark Window duology!

These books are so lovely. They are unlike anything I’ve read in that they are dark but still quite whimsical. I fell in love with the characters, the storyline, & the mystery of it all. There were new perspectives in this book too, which I loved!

Read for:
💭 Multiple POV
✋🏻 The completed story
🫶🏻 Multi-faceted characters
🃏Unique fantasy storyline
🥊 Good vs. Evil
🗺️ Powerful world-building

There are some worlds that books take us to that we will not soon forget, and this is one for me! I know I will come back to this duology again soon. 🫶🏻

Thank you so much to @orbitbooks_us & @netgalley for this advanced eARC. I was bursting when I was approved & could not wait to finish this story!