I was so excited to receive an ARC of this! The much anticipated Two Twisted Crowns is such a strong follow-up to One Dark Window, I loved every second of it! We really get to know Elm in this one and I have to say: Welcome to the Book Boyfriend Club, Elm! His character development in this was so fun to watch unfold, and with a twist of darkness I love so much. TTC kept my interest from page one with just non-stop action and romance. And the magic system?? So unique and well thought out! I have not stopped thinking about it since the first book. This really delivers and I could not put it down! POSSIBLE SPOILERS: The ending? Perfect. Absolute perfection. That's all I'll say.

This is a beautiful conclusion to the duology! The atmospheric setting was so well developed, and the darkness was balanced by the lightness of the characters that continued to hope for better days. I had a moment of disappointment when I realized who the main characters would be in this one, but I quickly grew to love them and the journey toward healing they went through together. Their stories broke my heart, and I just wanted to protect them from ever being hurt again. There's so much I could say about Elspeth and The Nightmare and Ravyn, but to avoid spoilers I'll just say I loved everything we got from them in this book!

The pacing of this book was perfect and I didn't want to stop reading! I absolutely love the magic system in these books, it's so unique and works so well with the mood of the story. As much as I'd love to read more in this world, I'm very satisfied with how it all ended. I cried all happy and sad tears in the final chapters!

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you NetGalley and Orbit for the e-book ARC!

One Dark Window was one of my few five star reads from last year, so I was excited to get an arc of Two Twisted Crowns, but my excitement waned as I started reading.

After the events of ODW, I did not expect Elspeth POV to be the main point of view in book two for obvious reasons. I figured it would shift to Ravyn. It did, but it also shifted to Elm. While I do love Elm as a character, he wasn’t who I wanted to spend time with especially as it felt his pov dominated the book and we’re somewhat boring at times. I wouldn’t have minded his storyline with Ione if it had been better balanced with the Main storyline. As it is, Ravyn’s sections are underwritten and just not fulfilling. It kind of felt like the author didn’t know Ravyn as a character as well as Elm and just decided not to spend the time with Ravyn. It was definitely a missed opportunity for character and story development.
It’s also easy to see the author wrote this much quicker than the first book. The prose isn’t as lush as ODW and there’s some repetition in phrases used or just really slapdash scenes that could have been rounded out more (I.e. most of Ravyn’s chapters).
While I was disappointed, I still enjoyed my time with the characters and the ending was decently satisfying.

What a fantastic wrap up to an amazing duology!

I adored One Dark Window, so when I was granted an ARC of Two Twisted Crowns, I was beyond ecstatic and it lived up to my every expectation. This was action packed, heart-wrenching, and utterly romantic in all the best ways. After finishing it, I'm genuinely sad to be saying goodbye to all of these characters and the magical world of Blunder.

As always, a major highlight of the series is the dynamic between Elspeth and The Nightmare, and adding Ravyn into that mix in this book was utterly delightful and poignant. I'll have "the girl, the king, and the monster they became" making me want to cry for days to come, I'm sure. I also adored Ione and Elm's dynamic in this book, it was fantastically done and gave me exactly what I wanted for those characters.

I feel like the less said about the specifics of the plot, the better. It's surprising and moving, and better to go in blind than be expecting too much of one thing or another. I can't wait to see what Rachel Gillig writes next and I'm sure I'll be first in line to read it.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Halloween is right around the corner, and I have the best spooky book to recommend. Last year, I read Rachel Gillis’s debut (One Dark Window) and instantly added the sequel to my calendar. Luckily, I was chosen to read and review an ARC of Two Twisted Crowns. It. Was. Amazing.
Rachel is quickly proving to be one that can contend with authors like VE SChwabb and Rebecca Ross. These books combine Schwab’s craft of weaving a suspenseful storytelling in gothic fantasy with Rebecca’s beautiful writing. This is art.

Two Twisted Crowns releases on October 19, just in time for Halloween! Be sure to read One Dark Window before then.
*Unique and interesting magic system with fantastic world building.
*Riddles and clues
*Fantastic character development and arc
*everything was written with intention and purpose.
*themes such as balance, integrity, and self mastery…..delivered perfectly!

What an ending! The magic, the characters, and most of all the story telling, just fantastic! The hunt for all 12 providence cards is still on. Magic not widely known is learned and links in families trees are discovered.

One Dark Window was good and Two Twisted Crowns is amazing. I was not quite able to guess how everything was going to together. If you are a fan of Uprooted then this duology will not disappoint!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy to read and review.

Amazing. This was one of my most anticipated reads for the year after finishing One Dark Window and it did not disappoint. Story picks right back up from where the first book left us and I felt this book was more Rayvn’s and Elm’s book. I LOVE the magic system in this story. The cards. The salt. The trees. The mist. Everything about the magic system is so unique it keeps you engaged. There were a few more laughs than the first book and shocking surprises. Rachel Gilbert writes so beautifully the ending and epilogue had me in tears.

Thank you Netgalley and Orbit Books for the opportunity to receive an arc!

This book was everything I wanted it to be. And a perfect ending to the story. I loved everything this story was and will tell anyone who will listen to read this series. Absolutely perfect. Thank you netgalley for a copy of this arc.

✨Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books for providing me with this ARC. ✨

I am having a hard time putting my thoughts into words. I finished this book days ago and am still struggling with the articulation of what this book did to me. If anything I think that says it all.

I am absolutely speechless. This sequel was more than I could have ever asked for. I was gripped in its talons from the first page. The expanded world building was so beautiful. I had craved knowing more of the most and what lies within and I was not disappointed. I would have to say though, the new POVs and budding relationships is what had me begging for more.

I don’t want to spoil much of anything - especially for those that have yet to pick up One Dark Window - but this was possibly the best sequel to a duology I have ever read. I wish to have more from these characters for obvious reasons but the whole story was wrapped up so beautifully I was left with wanting very little at the end, save for more time with all of them.

Rachel Gillig I will patiently wait forever for any words you wish to provide us. I am a humble follower from this moment forward.

And to all those reading this:
- Be Wary. Be Clever. Be Good.

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC!

Let me preface by saying I absolutely adored One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig, therefore, I waited with anticipation to see how Two Twisted Crowns would finish Elspeth's story. It is rare for a sequel to measure up with the first novel and much rarer to see a sequel written better than the original novel. Yet it was with delight that I found Two Twisted Crowns to be written just as well, if not even better than One Dark Window.

I read One Dark Window earlier this year and was relieved to find that I did not have to wait too long to read the next book. The kingdom of Blunder has stolen my heart-from the noble houses to Elspeth's family to each of the beautifully written riddles. One Dark Window was truly written so well and ended on a jaw-dropping cliffhanger.

Two Twisted Crowns picks up right where we were left. I originally thought I had a good idea of what must happen for Elspeth and Raven, I was pleasantly surprised at how much more there was to learn of Blunder and its history. I loved the character growth in this merry band of highway men. I'll miss living in the world of Blunder and know this will be a duology I will come back to re-read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5 stars

“Be wary. Be clever. Be good.”

Rachel Gillig is a phenomenal writer. She has a gift for creating a moody, atmospheric, gothic fantasy like I haven’t read before. Coupled with a unique magic system, based around cards, and you have a recipe for a must read romantasy duology.

This fitting conclusion to The Shepherd King duology is lush with extraordinary magic, gothic atmosphere, and compelling character insights. After the painful cliffhanger of One Dark Window I was deeply concerned for the story and characters. I shouldn’t have worried. Gillig somehow both expanded and contained the story by introducing new character POVs, along with a quest to save both Blunder and our poor Elspeth.

The Shepherd King is more fantasy than romance, however, the romance in Two Twisted Crowns is just as precious and angst filled as the romance was in One Dark Window. There are meaningful moments between all of the characters that shed light on their history’s and personalities. We finally learn the history of both the Providence Cards and The Shepherd King himself in a third act filled with jaw dropping surprises.

In a duology that played with the theme of masks, we finally see these characters stripped down and exposed for who and what they really are, and they are incredible. What a gorgeous journey this was. I truly look forward to future books by Rachel Gillig, she is now a must buy author for me.

Thank you so much to Orbit Books and NetGalley for the arc! This was a favorite of mine 🖤

I was so excited to get this ARC approved! Rachel Gillig has built such a unique and engaging magic system in this duology. Seriously, this magical system is brilliant. I've never quite read anything like it before and I love reading something totally new. It really was a joy to dive back into the world of Blunder.

I was a tad disappointed that we didn't get more of Elspeths point of view in this. But even with that, I really enjoyed following the plot of this. It was so engaging and honestly, wrapped up the story so well!

If you liked One Dark Window, you won't be disappointed with the conclusion of this duology!

I love this world!!! To be honest I think I liked the first book better but for a duology I was really satisfied with the ending, and I love the new romance that was introduced.

Can't wait to read more of Rachel Gilling's books!

Oh how I couldn't wait for this book. Elspeth and Ravyn had my heart tearing apart in this one and the nightmare had me on the edge of my set with just how would he exact his revenge for all of Blunder and for his family. The extra POVs in this one gave the book, the first book you mainly get Elspeth and Ravyn but now you get Elm and more....Sorry don't want to give much away. The plots twist were phenomenal, one I didn't see coming at all. This is by far one of my favorite duologies.

After reading the first book, I was impatiently waiting for the second and this one did not disappoint whatsoever! I love Rachel's writing and the banter between the characters was everything!

Generally speaking, if a book makes me cry it is going to get 5 stars from me. So here you go, Rachel. 1.5 Spice

This duology is perfect for fans of:
- Unique magic
- Reluctant allies to lovers
- Fake dating
- Delicious tension
- Secrets/mysteries
- Exchanging truths
- Spooky setting
- Complex characters

The second book in this series also has multiple POVs for those who need 110% of the details coming from every angle. We also are BLESSED as readers with a second budding romance in book two. Following both sets of lovers as well as the mysterious "Nightmare" will keep you thoroughly entertained with banter, action, heartache. As with the first book, there is a little bit of on page spice that is very tasteful and not detracting from the main plot at all.

This book really dove into the lore behind the Nightmare and made my heart break for him and those he loved. Flawed and fallible and trying his best to right wrongs.

By time I hit about 80-85% of this book I STILL had no clue what the heck was happening. I wasn't sure if we were going to get closure or a cliffhanger. Things were just popping off left and right. I will say that the libra in me felt the ending for this book was very just.

Overall, I now have to make this book my personality. I haven't stopped thinking about it since I finished. A beautiful story in an eerie setting. Just the thing I needed to kick off my autumn.

The perfect second act to Rachel Gillig’s duology. Two Twisted Crowns continues as our heroines work to unite the deck and save Blunder from the mist and the infection. This book is told primarily from Elspeth and Elm’s point of view. We get a closer look at each of the characters we meet in One Dark Window and wonderful character depth. I enjoy the balance of romance and adventure storylines.

• Dark secrets
• Emotional scars
• Revenge

All our questions are answered. 5/5 stars for this duology. Thank you so much to NetGalley for the arc copy of this book!

What a sequel! It’s very easy to get lost in the world of Blunder, in the mist, in the magic and in the trees. We pick up in Blunder where we left off in One Dark Window. We’re set on a quest to retrieve the final Providence card before the winter solstice. The relationship threads between all the characters really shine in this book, good, bad and inbetween. You really feel the love and you really feel the hate. While romantic relationships are present and progress beautifully, the bonds of siblings, of parents, of friends are so well intwined throughout the story. It’s so well written, it paints very clear vivid scenes. After an incredibly taxing quest, all our friends face their final epic battles which really keep you on edge all the way to the end. Absolutely loved this book and the series, I’m quite sad to say goodbye to it.

This has become one of my favorite books/series. The author did an amazing job with finishing this story. I loved that there were more povs and we got a more in depth view of Raven and Elm. The story telling of Nightmare and the history of Blunder was so well done also. This is definitely a book that stuck with me for days after I finished it. Absolutely loved this series.

Two Twisted Crowns is the perfect October spooky vibe you need if you are a mood/seasonal reader like me! Also if you can’t stomach horror but you want the spooky vibes this is your book!!

While the book did start a little slow, it quickly picked up and had my full attention. I received so many long awaited answers and the ending was poetically beautiful just like the whole story was. There were many crazy plot twists that kept me hooked and reading well into the night

Please do your self a favor and read this series!!