This book was better than the first in my opinion. I loved the dual storyline and the different POV’s that told each story. It did end in a HEA. I had many questions from the first book and all of them were answered. Gillig went between the POV’s at the perfect time, I didn’t want to put the book down. I needed to know what was happening between all the characters. Elspeth’s POV was still in first person, but I thought it was hard to distinguish between her and the nightmare. Everyone else’s POV was in third person which I think helped move the story along.

It was a fantastic sequel and I can’t wait to see what Rachel Gillig has up her sleeve for her next book.

*Received an eARC from Netgalley for an honest review. Thank you!

I think I may be rating this higher than the first installment for mostly the wrong reasons. It's worth noting that this switches different povs, which I love because it is a much richer experience getting to read through multiple eyes. For me, part of the joy of reading is to feel what it's like to be with the characters, and to observe a range of differing perspectives, their emotions, their reactions, feels much more whole.

It is also worth noting that if you're here to get more of Elspeth, you may be left a bit disappointed because she was cast to the back to witness everything unfold. But I wasn't mad, if anything, I was more than happy because I honestly did not care much for her, and I think that is very unpopular opinion.

However, of the characters I did care for, I am satisfied that they encompassed about 60% of this book, and they were, for the most part, consistently how they left off in One Dark Window. If I'm honest, I wish the duology was about them instead. Their presence gripped me and kept me willingly going through this book more than Elspeth and Ravyn ever did in both these books combined. And it's none other than Elm and Ione, as I had predicted would play a crucial role. What these two suffered through and their resolve to make right of all the wrongs dealt to them was so worth the chapters I had to sit through for Elspeth and Ravyn. I was nodding my approval the whole way through for Elm and Ione. Even for some of their chapters that felt slow, those very chapters revealed so much about their suffering in silence that I think the book would hurt more to strip them away.

I also have to share my positive regards to the development of the Nightmare because I actually enjoyed his presence in this book. The complex nature of his relationship with Elspeth is a projection of his past mistakes and I felt satisfied with his role and the conclusion to his story. It was rather heartfelt, without releasing too many spoilers.

And what didn't work me...

My issues with this book are an extension of the issues I had in the first. I do think there is a noticeable improvement in regards to the writing style and maybe some more thought towards character development. However, what became more glaring to me was the plot holes and sudden leap of logic. Spoilers ahead.

Firstly, I think Ravyn is more irritating to me in this book. He is well regarded as the Captain of the Destriers, the elite guards of the King, yet he made so many glaringly stupid mistakes that cost lives and nearly cost his own. Too busy fawning over Elspeth that their group was easily ambushed, he asked so many redundant questions that irritated me, not just the Nightmare, and he was so spectacularly overconfident in his ability to beat Hauth, yet he ended up at the knife end and almost dies, which left the Nightmare to clean up his sloppy mess. As the Nightmare points out accurately, it seems he's the one doing all the work. That's also part of the problem with the Nightmare, as much as I liked this presence; He was a dues ex machina. His abilities had no end and he was constantly solving all these near impossible tasks without much explanation beyond "it's magic."

Which then leads me to the Spirit of the Woods and her magical nonsense. The bartering in this world is supposed to be an equal exchange, a price paid for every magical deed, which I thought was executed fairly well until we get to Ravyn's sacrifice for the Twin Alders card. How is his true name, one he was certain he knew, a fair trade to the Spirit? If anything, I would argue the Spirit gave him two things in return for nothing. She gains absolutely nothing by teaching Ravyn his true lineage, except maybe his suffering? Which is odd to me because she is supposed to be a neutral entity, so it is not like she revels in Ravyn's suffering. It was said that she took his true name, but took it in what sense?

With similar criticism, I am confused why Hauth didn't just rip all of the cards he had in his possession to pieces after he witnessed Ravyn tear the Scythe. If he had done so and not run away to god knows where, that would have been enough delay to pass the solstice and the Nightmare's plans ruined. Additionally, it's odd to me that the very magic they wanted to not exist anymore became a new card, with the rest still scattered and active. I was expecting all the cards to stop existing, in exchange for the mist dissipating and the infected cured for good. It seems, once again, that the Spirit loses more than she's gained.

This is certainly an improvement on the first, and the pacing of the storytelling was fine overall. Though my criticisms exist, Two Twisted Crowns was still a compelling read. The author has shown that she can write characters well, so I hope her protagonists in future novels will prove that.

What a Blunder of a tale, 500 years in the making! Gillig gives a beautifully executed sequel to her One Dark Window novel, Two Twisted Crowns. Mystery, magic, romance, and action packed chapters awaiting you from start to finish. Gillig elegantly provides answers to the most sought after questions from the first novel at key points ensuring the story doesn’t feel rushed, engaging readers to follow the bread crumbs of clues to the next big event. Not only does each chapter leaving you wanting more, Gillig masterfully gives meaningful character development to each of the respective characters. After finishing this novel, I will eagerly await a trip back into this world. Trees, til then I’ll need to be wary. Be clever. And be good.

This duology is one I am going to be thinking about for a long time. I wasn’t sure how this one would live up to One Dark Window but it was just as incredible. I am in love with these characters and this world and I’m so sad to be saying goodbye to it.

A digital copy of this book was provided to me as an ARC from Net Galley - thank you Rachel Gillig, Orbit, and NetGalley. I have been debating on how to write this review for a few days now, and truly it is because I loved the the second book just as much as I did the first which left me speechless and unable to put into words why I'm giving Two Twisted Crowns 5 stars just as I did with One Dark Window. Second books I always find intimidating to read, especially when you loved the first one so much because you will hold matching expectations for the second. In this case as a reader I reminded myself before starting TTC that I needed to get to know the other characters deeply that felt far away in the first book, which all makes sense now after finishing it as to why I felt like Elm and Ione were in the background in the beginning, because they did not disappoint in this one for good reason. From the very beginning of this story I had so many unlikely theories that I was so confident in and others that I wanted to go against because I felt they could be too obvious, but just like blunders mist, Rachel worked her magic to create balance yet left room for wonder until the very end. I truly enjoyed the work Rachel has done, and I couldn't thank her enough for putting her comforting and cozy yet dark and unpredictable imagination into this book and duality, it really scratched the foreboding gothic fantasy itch. The story line continued seamlessly, development between characters felt organic, and the uneasy atmosphere was cultivated and described in way I was sucked into the book and in the wood with the nightmare himself. Very well done!

(4.5 stars)

I devoured this in almost one sitting. After being left on quite the cliffhanger at the end of book one, I needed to know what was going to happen next, and I didn’t have to wait long for things to pick up. It’s the same dark, gothic feel as book one, but the stakes are so much higher.

This book is written in multi POV, unlike book one, so we get a much wider view of all the moving pieces, but I found that it also endeared me to the characters a bit more, especially a few of the side characters from book one.

The romance in this was similar to One Dark Window, but maybe just a hint more detailed and intimate. However, that’s not what won me over - the emotional depth in this book, combined the angst and the struggle, made this so much more satisfying.

I took a half star away because I was a little disappointed that we didn’t get more closure surrounding two of the characters. After everything they’ve been through, I would’ve liked a little more of a glimpse into their HEA.

Overall, I thought the main storyline came to a satisfying and climactic ending, and I absolutely would recommend!!

I know what I know... My secrets are deep... But long have I kept them, and long will they keep.

This book was absolutely stunning.
It was an emotional rollercoaster in the best possible way. I wish it wasn’t over.

The book starts out at full speed and it never really slows down. There was so much growth in characters outside of Elspeth and Ravyn and I loved it. Elm, Ione and the Nightmare all had this wonderful growth and character exploration and it really kept the pacing of the story up. The ending was genuinely beautiful. I love Ravyn’s character deeply.

Overall I would read 100 more books in this series because it is just masterfully written.

Two Twisted Crowns picks up soon after where One Dark Window left off. The quest to unite the Deck continues…

This was such an easy 5 star rating for me!! I loved learning more of the history behind Blunder, history of the Cards and how they can be used, the new romance, and the constant action. This story wrapped up so beautifully, and I’m sad it’s over🥺

So happy to be able to finish this lovely duology! Multiple POVs for Elspeth, Rayven, and Elm. I really didn’t think I would care much for Elm’s POV, but they happened to be some of my favorite chapters! The character development was incredible.
I really took my time to read this one, sometimes to can skim a few paragraphs to get the context, you will definitely miss things if you do that. There are so many fun little breadcrumbs in every page! The thought behind everything is so complex and well excucted.
I do wish we had more time with Rayven and Elspeth! I loved their relationship in the first book, but it all makes sense for the plot. I feel like everything wrapped up really well.
Pace was a little slower for the first half and then picked up, I really didn’t want to put it down in the last 30%. This is a perfect fall read, the magic system is so unique, and the writing is so good!
4.5⭐️
Thank you to Little Brown Book Group- Orbit and NetGalley for this ARC!

The atmosphere in this book is top notch. With the mist, the castle, and house yew it captivated me every time. If you loves the first book, the second book is made for you too!

I love being inside the mind of The Nightmare. Leaning more about his past, his family, and the cards. This helped bring both book together. I was happy to get Elspeth back, but The Nightmare character was amazing!

I did also love the chapters of other multiple POV's. I don't want to give too much away, but I adore the new twist in book #2.

Two Twisted Crowns is the thrilling sequel to One Dark Window, and it does not disappoint. In this book, Elspeth and Ravyn must embark on a perilous quest to find the last Providence Card and save the kingdom from the tyrannical King Aodhan. Along the way, they will have to face dangerous creatures, treacherous allies, and the darkness within themselves.

Gillig's world-building is wonderful, the vibes of this book are top notch and the mist-cloaked forests and ancient ruins of Two Twisted Crowns come to life on the page. The magic system is also unique and fascinating, and Gillig does a great job of explaining how it works without bogging down the story.

The characters in Two Twisted Crowns are complex and well-developed. Elspeth is a strong and determined protagonist, but she is also flawed and relatable. Ravyn is a mysterious and intriguing love interest, and his relationship with Elspeth is one of the highlights of the book.
The plot of Two Twisted Crowns is fast-paced and exciting, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers guessing. Gillig also does a great job of building suspense, and the climax of the book is both thrilling and satisfying.

Overall, Two Twisted Crowns is a must-read for fans of dark fantasy and romantic fantasy. It is a well-written and exciting novel with complex characters, a unique magic system, and a thrilling plot. I highly recommend it!

Thank you NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars! What a beautifully written, satisfying conclusion to the duology. As with the first book, the Nightmare’s origin story is shrouded in mystery, but it's fun to piece together the riddles to discover who they are and why they did what they did. The romance between Elsabet and Ravyn is still part of this story, but we also get another romance between two prominent side characters who get their own chance in the spotlight, which I was SO happy to see!!!

“Neither Rowan nor Yew, but somewhere between. A pale tree in winter, neither red, gold, nor green. Black hides the bloodstain, forever his mark. Alone in the castle, Prince of the dark.”

My favorite storyline was Ione and Elm. The little hints we got in the first book paid off and all the angst their friendship/romance had was exactly what I had hoped for. The tragic nature of the Maiden card, damn I was not prepared!

The dark whimsical gothic tale told against a medieval backdrop makes this a perfect autumn read.

“For even dead, I will not die. I am the shepherd of shadow. The phantom of the fright. The demon in the daydream. The nightmare in the night.”

OMGosh this book delivered! Sometimes you get a sequel and it falls short, but this... this one delivered!
Rachel Gillig has a way with words that sucks you in and doesn't let go!
After finishing One Dark Window I was accepted as an arc reader for Two Twisted Crowns and I am so very thankful!
This book gave me the conclusion I needed. This duology is hands down some of my top reads of 2023. I want to go back into them now!

The provided synopsis on this one is a bit confusing because the only names mentioned are Ravyn and Elspeth’s yet I would argue they become less prominent characters in their own narrative. There could be no other way really given Elspeth’s circumstances at the end of the first novel. I may have come here for Ravyn and Elspeth’s romance (and it is still there) but I certainly was not disappointed by the new romance introduced.

The character interactions between literally anyone in this novel are wildly entertaining. Everyone’s trying to come to terms with the change in dynamics from the first novel and no one is handling it well. This makes for delightful tension and banter that is done particularly well, especially between Ravyn and the Nightmare. The Nightmare was the quintessentially morally grey villain. If he showed kindness I immediately doubted his motives but if he was ruthless I never really bought into that either. As a villain his character had an incredible amount of depth, which we were also provided insight too by Elspeth’s unique circumstances.

I am definitely looking forward to reading whatever Gillig writes next!

Thank you to Orbit Books for providing an ARC through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This book was the perfect conclusion to this story. I devoured this book. The pacing of this book was perfect and the plot progression kept me guessing. There are multiple. POVs in this book, and while I normally don’t like that, it worked in this book. The mood of this book is perfect to read going into spooky season.

It was everything you hope for when you pick up a sequel! I loved the magic system and the character development in the first book, and the second book was even better. I loved that it had multiple POVs!! Elm’s storyline was my favorite. I feel like it made the series feel complete, but didn’t distract from the overall plot. Perfectly fits the mood for the fall months. Highly recommend picking this up!!

Thank you NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

I loved One Dark Window and was so excited when I got this arc, but this book disappointed me a little. Although I loved getting multiple POVs and in turn going more in depth into other character stories, I missed Elspeth and her relationship with Ravyn and seeing it grow. When the book ended I wanted so much more and desperately wished there was a longer epilogue. Don't get me wrong I did enjoy this book, but I think my expectations were just too high. I'm trying to avoid spoilers here but one plot point to me should have been resolved at the latest 75% so we could see the after effects and relationship more. I still highly recommend this series!

I’m writing this review with a bittersweet heart after finishing the 2nd installment in The Shepherd King duology. Miss Gillig brings back our beloved characters in a race against time , when Ravyn Yew fights to great lengths to get his Elspeth back before Solstice.

Being approved for TTC was a dream come true for me. I knew without a doubt that I was not going to be disappointed. I was so happy to see that the readers got more of an inside look on the Shepherd Kings’ past and why he is the way he is. — I also love that the relationship between Ione and Elm got to develop more as well (SOBS).

I don’t want to go into too much detail, so I am just going to leave with saying that I am giving Two Twisted Crowns 5 stars for truly sending me to tears while simultaneously making me blush at times.

Thank you so much to Miss Rachel Gillig and Orbit Books for this opportunity!!

This was such a great ending to this duology!
There's a huge change in the set up of Two Twisted Crowns. In this book we follow multiple povs instead of only Elspeths.
The chapters are split up between Ravyn, Elm and Elspeth but primarily Ravyn and Elm. It took a bit getting used to but ended up really enjoying their povs.
If you liked Carden from The Cruel Prince series then you'll end up loving Elm. Their stories are very similar but nonetheless enjoyable.
wish that the Elspeth chapters more than a few pages but overall it worked for the story. I LOVED seeing her complicated relationship with Nightmare. It was so wholesome in its own odd way.
Things really come full circle in TTC and there's some really beautiful character development.
This is absolutely a "just one more chapter" book. It's action packed and filled with twists and turns. If you loved One Dark Window you won't be disappointed with Two Twisted Crowns.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

I received this book as an arc for my honest review and truly this book was incredible. There’s nothing I would change about this series. The author wrapped this story, better yet, experience up any better. I have never enjoyed a second book as much as this one. I was bawling at the end and I will forever wish I could read these books for the very first time. Favorite book of the year.