LOVED this duology so much!
If you loved the first book One Dark Window, please don’t skip this book. It was everything I could possibly ask for and more for an ending to this series.
Rachel is an incredible writer and I cannot wait to see more from her!

I loved this duology. Two Twisted Crowns picks up close to where we left off in One Dark Window. The pace felt slower but not in a boring way- I felt like I was savoring it. You get more of history on the unique magic system based in Providence Cards, as well as more focus on Elm’s POV. Oh Elm. ELM! I loved his chapters. If you don’t really like him, then I can see why this might not be as good as ODW for you. My main complaint is that I do miss some of my favorite POVs from the first book but Elm almost makes it up for me.

I wish the series could have been longer but liked the way things wrapped up. I mostly loved Gillig’s writing- It’s simple, uncomplicated but somehow deep and satisfying? I can see some people not enjoying the pacing or the lack of a vast adventure and action but it hit the spot for me. This will live on my list of favorite duos!

Thank you Netgalley and Orbit for this e arc!

The conclusion to The Shepherd King Duology has left me almost speechless. I loved the multiple POVs we got in this novel, and multiple storylines to follow. Elm and Ione quickly became my favorite characters in this one! Gillig really had me on the edge of my seat this entire book, especially the last half of the book. There were a lot of moving pieces and plot twists to tie together, and I think she did so beautifully. Overall I highly recommend this duology to any lover of fantasy, dark magic, romance, and adventure.

This duology will find itself on the top of my list of favorites for the year, no question! I love the unique magic system centered around providence cards. In this book, we get to see more of the cards in use and learn more about how they originated. It truly was interesting to finally understand how things got to be the way they are in present day (I know that’s vague but no spoilers lol). This book is brimming with action, adventure, betrayal, and a WEB of secrets. Everything is just so, so good! Gillig is an auto-buy author for me!

The magic, the fights, the romance. Everything in this book is just so well done. Although I liked the first one more- this is still such a good follow up and a happy ending.

Seriously the magic system in these books is like crack. You get infected with magic but it comes with a price and everyone wants to kill you. You have to be hidden. You’re only supposed to have access to magic through these special 12 cards. It’s so magical, and yet real.

I highly recommend this duo. It blends so perfectly together. Leaving quite a huge cliffhanger at the end of the first. And I’m just so happy with how everything ended.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in advanced in exchange for my honest opinions!

An epic conclusion to this fantastic duology. Full of darkness, twisted and heroic characters alike with plenty of them in the grey area, forbidden romance, and a centuries old wrong that needed to be righted. I adored this book, it is all you would want from a good fantasy! Romance, intrigue, betrayal, again, a super unique magic system that I loved, and characters that you fall in love with.

Fire: open door scene, violence

Thank you to Orbit for sending me this ARC. All reviews are honest reflections of my own opinions, always.

Maiden. Monster. Mist.

The kingdom’s infected continue to suffer. Punished and hunted, degenerating under the blessing, the curse, of magic. As Solstice draws ever nearer, time runs thin for those who would unite the Providence Cards, complete the deck, and lift the veil.

Rayvn Yew cannot see the girl he loves beyond the Nightmare that now fully possesses her. Elspeth. He’d only just begun to share her life. Now, led by the monster itself, Rayvn and his small band of faithful traitors must travel through fate itself to find the final Providence card. The Twin Alders.

The journey is long, the way is deadly, and Rayvn Yew will discover much as he claws his way forward. Always forward.


Left behind, trapped, the shadows and haunted memories stalk Prince Renelm. His only light; Ione. His brother’s fiancée, future Queen of Blunder. But the line of succession is a dangerous one to walk, and Elm is already under heavy suspicion; truth and hatred and something else entirely unexpected simmering just beneath his thin veneer of Princely manners. Pulled into one another’s orbit, Elm & Ione undertake their own quest, discovering one another along the way, unaware of the greater part each must play.





3 stars, rounded up to 4. Because sequels are *difficult*, especially of a duology. Rachel Gillig’s gothic conclusion is rife with romance, magic, and a mist so pervasive the reader feels its chill on the periphery of each chapter turned. High stakes paired with just enough banter to take the edge off, this book is everything one could ask of its genre. Perfect for fantasy readers who enjoy a unique magic system, dark atmosphere, & aching romance.

I personally found the sequel to be heavy on the romance aspect, and while the story does continue the journey from the first book, we follow other perspectives much more closely than the main characters from One Dark Window. This is not bad, just unexpected. I will say I would’ve preferred to spend more time along the main quest, rather than building an entirely new side story, which was unequivocally less important. The banter between Rayvn & The Nightmare is also much appreciated, but felt awkward at times, weakening the monster built up from the previous book. I found the ending satisfying, tho quick, with the frustration of a few unexplained character developments, and an entirely frustrating lack of reunion scenes & subsequent follow ups. I sincerely hope the author sees fit to send a prequel novella our way to satisfying those hopes.

My rating has been reduced for the consistent use of strong language, and for a romance that borders on explicit.

(4.25/5) I enjoyed this book just as much as One Dark Window. I love how we got to know more about the Shepherd King's backstory. The writing was atmospheric and the storytelling was great. The different character perspectives were very interesting. The only thing I was not positively surprised by was the *kind of* change in the main couple of the story. But overall, a very fun experience and a perfect ending to this duology.

Review posted on Goodreads on Oct 6,2023.

4.5 stars.

When a strong first novel in a duology is released, there is inevitably a lot of pressure on the predecessor to do two things: 1. build on the success of the first book; and 2. wrap up all the threads introduced in both books for a strong conclusion. Two Twisted Crowns is not just a worthy sequel, but an excellent end to this breathtaking duology.

We still have the lush world and magic system we were introduced to in the first installment, with its sentient forest and governing Spirit, and we spend a large portion of this story exploring the wood and some important backstory. There is a divergence in the narrative in the beginning of TTC, which is that half of the story now follows Elm.

It is an interesting choice logistically, because we stay in third person for Elm's POV chapters, and Ravyn's chapters are also third person. Elspeth is still our only first person perspective. I think it might have been easier to accept this change if the story had been in third person to start with, as it doesn't make sense to have someone directly telling the story then switching to third person when that narrator is no longer present. But aside from questioning POV choices, I liked having the different perspectives introduced.

If you were a fan of One Dark Window, Two Twisted Crowns will not be a disappointment. Gillig's writing style is easy to fall into, and I could see the improvement in her writing and pacing of the story in this installment. Now that the magic system is introduced, there was time to take a much more nuanced look at how the Cards work, and we get a fascinating look at some of the backstory there (although I definitely could have had more of this, some of it felt like we were barely skimming the surface -- maybe an opportunity for a novella in the future?).

What worked for me in this story, aside from exploring the magic system, forest, and backstory, was the character interactions. The Shepherd King was such a fun character to explore and I was so glad he took central stage in this book so we could see how all the other characters reacted to him and his weirdness. It definitely made me wonder in the first book whether he was going to give Elspeth a chronic case of TMJ with all the jaw clenching and clicking, and I am happy to report the bizarre mannerisms and general disregard for niceties continues. His interactions with Ravyn ("stupid bird") didn't get old. But I think it was his gentleness towards Elspeth (with insults, of course) that really made the book, for me. Can't go more into detail without spoilers, but suffice to say I truly felt so invested in their interactions.

Now, all of that is not to say this book was perfect. One of my main complaints about the first book was that I felt I could see the strings being pulled by the author to get from one plot point to the next, instead of feeling them happen organically. That improved considerably in this book. However...there is one particular huge plot point that I found absolutely maddening, because it made NO SENSE for one character to make the decision he did. I think Gillig even in a later chapter acknowledges this, with this particular individual commenting that he is stupid and shouldn't have done this thing because it made no sense, but that still didn't save it for me. I think anyone who reads the book will know who and what I am talking about.

My only other complaint is about Elspeth. Or rather, the lack of Elspeth. I understand why, but it felt so passive and underwhelming that she is the main character of this duology, and she took such a back seat in this final installment. I liked Elm's chapters, but I felt like he and Ravyn became the main characters and Elspeth was relegated to backstage, and while I get why it happened, I think there should have been a way to bring her back to the forefront for her own story. Or even, dare I say it, have made this a trilogy, and have Elspeth back in the action in the final installment.

Overall, despite some criticisms keeping this from being a perfect conclusion, my love of this story wins out, and I know I will be rereading these in a not-too-distant future. Rachel Gillig is most definitely an author to watch.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the chance to review a much-anticipated read!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️.5/ 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

WOW! I am just as impressed with Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig as much as I was with One Dark Window. This book will make you laugh, cry, rage, and swoon. Gillig has a dark whimsical and fantastical way of writing that I’ve never experienced before. I absolutely loved reading Two Twisted Crowns and I’m so ready to annotate my physical copy once it ships out for release. There are SO many amazing quotes and scenes I want to hold onto forever. 🖤

Tropes:
— touch her and ☠️
— found family
— prophecy
— dark past
— strong FMCs

“The two were together, so the two were the same— the girl, the King, and the monster they became.”

Be wary. Be clever. Be good.

(I am an ARC reader and these are my honest opinions.)

I am not okay.

Two Twisted Crowns was a stunning conclusion to The Shepherd King duology. I was nervous going into it, worried that it wouldn’t live up to the charm, atmosphere, and steamy swooning of the first book, but if anything, Two Twisted Crowns blew One Dark Window out of the water.

If you told me at the start of the first book that the nightmare would have me sobbing over him, I would have been skeptical. I loved every moment we got to spend with him in Two Twisted Crowns. Speaking of people I loved to spend time with? Ione and Elm stole my entire heart. I love Ione so much and am going to fight everyone who ever hurt her.

But TTC isn’t just about the romance, it’s a rich world with a fantastic lore and this book really expanded on that lore, tying it into the story.

If you liked the first book, you should definitely read this one! If you haven’t read book 1 but are fans of creepy forests, unique magic systems, and romance, then you should check this series out!

Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for the eARC. All thoughts are my own.

Coming back to these characters to round out this duology felt like coming home to friends. This gothic tale was oozing with descriptive prose that brought the story to life. The pacing with Gillig’s stories is slower than others I typically read, but if you enjoy world building that will immerse you deeply in a visual fantasy, this is the book for you. I haven’t come across another author that writes their scenes so descriptively that I can see the story come to life.

At first, I found myself irritated by the chapters with Elm’s POV and simply wanted to return to THE story of Elspeth, Ravyn, and the Nightmare - but his arc and his relationship with Ione pulled me in and I discovered I was looking forward to his chapters as the book progressed.

However, The Nightmare propelled this story forward from the first page and I was delighted to find the witty banter between him and Elspeth develop as the pages turned.

The pacing of the book felt off at times - slow and drawn out before racing to conclusion, but it doesn’t detract from the story and the journey the characters take, both literal and within.
Knowing how this ends - I couldn’t have imagined this being written any other way.

If dark fantasies are your jam, definitely check out this fantastic duology.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for giving me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

WARNING THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS FOR THE FIRST BOOK, "ONE DARK WINDOW"!!


Let me start by stating how much i loved the first books and the authors writing style. This series is like fairytales come to life and the authors writing style paints the picture in bright bold color to go with the setting of the scene. The only problem i had with the first book was that it left me with more questions than answers. Thankfully this book answered them all in a great way (not info dumping) that gave you background of how things were connected and how they came to be.

I loved the character growth with all the character from the first book and how things developed. We as readers learn more stories from The Old Book of Alders and more about its author and The Shepard King making the plot more interesting and us seeing a different side to the cards and what they cost. Not to be forgotten for even a minute we also learn more about the Nightmare and I know this reader started to feel something else besides hate and disgust towards this character.

This is a great sequel that wrapped up the story perfectly and answered all the questions without making it not feel natural. Would recommend these books to anyone who likes fantasy, dark fairytales and centuries old secrets that come back to haunt generations of families. It also makes one think about tarot decks and what could happen if they all had powers attached to them that came at a price.

Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig, book #2 of The Shepherd King series. Gothic, moody, and great banter.

I rated this 5 stars.

I inhaled One Dark Window so quickly and couldn’t wait to read the second one to see what happens with Elspeth/Shepherd King/Nightmare. Getting an email that I received an ARC of this book I was absolutely thrilled. I finished it in a day.

Two Twisted Crowns definitely went a different route than I thought but I wasn’t mad. Yes, Elspeth and Ravyn’s “story” isn’t front and center. Yes, Elspeth who was the MC in the first, is more in the background (obvious reason why). And yes Elm and Ione’s new romance is developed. I really enjoyed reading Elm POV and his growth throughout this book.

My pace picked up a couple chapters in once I got use to the different POV’s and the change in main character focus. Looking back after completing this duology you can see how intentional Rachel wrote these books. These two books remain two of my top reads this year.

Thank you, NetGalley and Orbit for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Absolutely delightful! A great conclusion to an interesting concept, and a fun read. The parts that I thought I would like the least ended up being my favorite, and the parts that I thought would be my favorite I found myself enjoying just as much as I'd expected. I'm sad to leave this world, but I'm looking forward to reading more of what Rachel Gillig has tucked away in her mind.

This duology was fantastic!!!! I was loving all of the building of the story and the new romance introduction was everything!!! And the ending!!!!! OMG I’m going to miss this world!!!

You ever just know it’s going to be a five star read, before you’re even half way through? That was this for me. I waited to read One Dark Window so I could get right into this one, and I’m so glad that I did. ODW was one of my favorites of the year, I can’t pin post what but there was just a certain something that kept it from being five stars for me. Whatever that something was, TTC has it! I love this book and where it took off from the first one. Multi POV was great for more back story and to keep my attention, excellent writing (as expected), the elevation in spice and action, plus just having more storylines and time with ten characters, was perfect for me. Im definitely an Elm girly! As sad as I am the series is just a duology I’m also glad that it’s not going to drag on for a many more books, I feel like duologies aren’t that common at the moment. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this before it’s release!

"Be wary, be clever, be good."

I loved this book so much! Brilliant. And Two Twisted Crowns was such a satisfying conclusion to the duology. The magic system is so very unique and I loved learning more about it in this book. But I think for me, it was the character arcs that I really fell in love with. We get multiple POVs and the addition of Ravyn and Elm were so great. Elspeth is in the background of this book but I loved getting to know the Nightmare more. He is such a complex character and being able to learn about his past really brought the story to life. Also, his relationship with Elspeth and later with Ravyn is really tender and I kind of adore it. Elm had such a wonderful arc in this book and though I was craving the relationship between Elspeth and Ravyn, Elm and (*iykyk*) was so unexpected and spicy! I loved the way they were able to be so open with each other despite the magic of the Providence Cards.

Throughout the beginning to middle, I felt the pacing was a little bit off. I found myself craving some POVs more than others. But by the last 30% I was flying through and adored the ending. There was one thing I wish had been explained in better detail (I wont say what to avoid spoilers) but it concluded in a rather convenient way without giving an explanation of how it happened. Otherwise, this duology is wonderful and I will definitely be recommending it to all my fantasy reading friends! Five fabulous stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit books for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Two Twisted Crowns lives up to the brilliance that was One Dark Window. This duology is flawless. From the atmosphere to the pacing to the originality of the story and magic system—nothing missed. The world felt so tangible—I didn’t even bat an eye at the hilarious swear “trees”—it just felt right.

I was so sad to say goodbye to the Nightmare and see this story end, but I love how everything wrapped up so nicely at the end. Truly one of the best gothic fantasies out there and I can see myself recommending it to just about everyone. It’s such a unique story, but accessible enough that I think anyone would enjoy it.

A fantastic end to a truly original story, the magic continues in this follow up to One Dark Window. As with the first book, I fell in deep with the unique magic system, and the story being told. The additional POV’s given in this book gave insight to another character that was integral to the overall story. From the first book, my favorite pieces were rhymes and how they were used to give background on the magic of Blunder. The rhymes continue on in book 2, giving even more history on how they came to The Shepherd King. Elspeth and Raven’s story was heartbreaking but a beautiful journey. Elm himself was complex and you’ll find yourself rooting for him! My favorite remains the morally gray Shepherd King and the nightmare he became. His story was the best of all and many tears were shed throughout his story. The book follows Blunder’s mantra of being good and being clever and I could have read 100 more pages of each characters outcome. I recommend this to anybody who enjoys fantasy, romance, and a magic system with consequences. I am definitely a follower of Rachel for life now and look forward to her next book.