This book was a phenomenal conclusion to this duology. Gillig did a great job of completing her characters stories and the overall story of the plot. In this sequel, we get more POV’s from different characters including Elm, Ravyn, and the Nightmare. I really enjoyed Elm’s chapters they were a way for us to get a more in-depth look at his character and they also helped to drive the second plot line that was essentially Elm’s story, in tandem with the other plot of Ravyn and the Nightmare going in search of the Twin Alders card. I would have liked just a bit more of the Nightmare’s and Ravyn’s POV as they went into the woods to find the last card. It felt like Elm’s chapters had more pages and took up a little more of the book, and I loved the Nightmare and Ravyn from the first book and wanted more of them, and even a little more of Elspeth since she is still the central character. Ravyn’s points of view were a great insight into our main man from the first book and what he’s going through with Elspeth and the Nightmare and I just wish there had been more of his chapters and points of view and even more of a look at the journey through the woods to retrieve the card. However, I understand that this might have been done to help with the pacing of the book and to make sure that the plots were both moving at a good pace and wrapped up the way they needed to be.

The Nightmare was a delight in this sequel and is more of a character with a physical weight behind him this time. His interactions with all of the characters were a delight and Gillig did such a great job of making him deliciously vile and yet you can’t help but feel for him and connect with him at the same time. As the book progresses Elspeth is shown the memories of the Shepherd King (the Nightmare) and we learn more about how the cards were made and what happened 500 years ago, which was a great exposition for us to learn more about the history of Blunder and the Shepard Kings motivations. There is a point where we do say goodbye to the Nightmare and the scene was done so amazingly and actually brought some tears to my eyes I believe it was very emotional because of the detail and care Gillig put into crafting all her characters and especially the Nightmare that made that small little scene towards the end more impactful.

There was romance in this book as well between Elspeth’s cousin Ione and Elm and it was delightful and sweet and for sure swoon-worthy. Gillig does a great job of ramping up the tension between the love interests that just makes you want to hold your breath when the two lovers are in a compromising position. My only issue here was as much as I loved Elm and Ione I wanted a more in-depth reunion of Ravyn and Elspeth at the end, since the Nightmare doesn’t leave till the very end of the book Ravyn and Elspeth have no moments together which is fine. I just wanted that one moment once Elspeth was free for her and Ravyn to have an emotional reunion, to be physically together again. They do have a small moment at the end but I just wanted it to have more of a bang more of a swoon to it, but honestly, it’s such a small issue I had and the Gillig did it was also really sweet and nice.

The atmosphere was once again on point. The gothic vibes from the first book seeped into every page of this book as well. The author built the atmosphere so well that when there is a decisive shift in it towards the end you feel it just as strongly and profoundly as the characters must in the book, and I really appreciated that. It was like when it’s been raining for days on end and then the sun peeks through the clouds, and the warmth spills back into the world. I think it shows the tremendous talent of the author that she was able to create that feeling through her writing.

In conclusion, the best way I can describe this duology is original. In a book market that is becoming heavily saturated with the same troupes, this book was delightful and refreshing, and I can’t wait to read more from Gillig.

Two Twisted Crowns is a very satisfying conclusion to the gothic fairytale that began in One Dark Window. I especially loved that we got new character perspectives in the form of a fulfilling story arc with Elm and Ione that weaved in nicely to the main storyline of the search for the Twin Alders Card by Elspeth/Nightmare and Ravyn. The rich, unique world building and complicated characters made this one of my favorite books of this year. Rachel Gillig has become a favorite new author of mine and will be an automatic purchase for me with any of her books in the future.

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

This sequel is sheer brilliance and one of the best reading experiences I had with fantasy books! Just PERFECTION. If you enjoyed One Dark Window, you are going to LOVE Two Twisted Crowns. It takes you back into the dark, luscious, fairytale-esque world with immersive plot, intricate family dynamics that are masterfully intertwined with political intrigue and a mysterious ailment that is been plaguing the lands. Of course we cannot forget The Monster who is undoubtedly the major driving factor along with main leads and let me add that there are more POV's and one more couple whose chemistry knocked it out of the park. I have to say re-introducing a couple key characters as main POV's is such a brilliant move by the author to compensate Elspeth's absence for most part. I will not reveal more because it is something one will have to experience by themselves but the multiple POV's are so well done.

As our party embarks on the journey to find the rare twin elder cards into the forbidden forest, tensions are high back home as many factors are linked with Ravyn and the Nightmare/Eslpeth finding these cards to unite the deck. There are more layers to the plot in this one than in One Dark Window but as everything unfolds in a carefully constructed manner, you can't help but admire the perfection of this plot that ends on such a highly satisfying note with no loop holes or loose ends. I absolutely loved every single page of this book and it was in fact super hard to say goodbye to my beloved morally gray, maddeningly complex and hilariously sassy Nightmare.I cannot recommend this duology enough!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a review.

I can’t explain to you how each chapter had me on the edge of my seat! I had goosebumps even before the Prologue.

An absolute a page turner!

Rachel Gillig’s writing is eerie, beautifully dark, and poetic. You can tell she put much thought into every character and every line of dialogue. Her writing is so fun to read not just because of the story but because of the way she weaves it. I don’t even know how to explain it.

I don’t want to give any spoilers whatsoever but I’ll will say you’ll be sorry if you don’t read this duology!

Where do I even start, this was so good! I started this one immediately after finishing up book one - which was perfect, because the book picked up right where the end of book one left off. In this book, we do get different POV's from various characters. I enjoyed seeing and learning more about other characters in the world, like Elm. The story continues as they try to reunite the deck of cards and free Blunder from the Mist.

This duology was well written, and I loved everything about the world, the characters (both the good and evil ones).

Be wary. Be clever. Be good.

Thank you NetGalley for this eArc. I was so excited to receive this and it exceeded my expectations. I loved every aspect of this book. Rachel Gilling created a world of amazing characters and magic. This has became one of my favorite series. I’m so excited for what Rachel Gilling has in store for us next.

*actual rating 4.5 stars

A great conclusion to one of my new favorite duologies! Loved how everything in this book played out and came together. The pacing was fast, the characters changed & grew, and the ending was satisfying. I also lovedddd seeing more of Elm & Ione and they really stole the show. Minus half a ⭐️ because some things were just TOO convenient as plot devices. Definitely give this duology a try if you want a fantasy that is interesting but not too complicated, with plenty of magic & action, flawed characters, and a surprisingly good romance or two.

Thank you to Orbit for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

One Dark Window is my favorite book that I read this year, so I was very excited to get this ARC because I needed it back in January upon finishing book one. I am pleased to say Two Twisted Crowns did not disappoint!
We pick up immediately where One Dark Window leaves off and this book showcases other characters from book one a bit more. In the light stands Elm and Ione as they are left in the clutches of the monsters residing in the castle while the the rest of the group set off on their mission. I absolutely loved all of Elm and Ione's chapters, as Elm feels like a true cinnamon roll character so he was extremely easy to love.
This book has the same writing style as One Dark Window, so I do believe that if you liked that, Two Twisted Crowns will be just as satisfactory.
The only complaint I have with this book is that there were a few situations that felt a little too "on the nose" and mighty convenient for our characters, especially those traveling to obtain the final card. However, I am in love with this story and (almost) all of the characters, so it didn't do much to deter my overall enjoyment. The story comes to a clear end, with no lose threads drifting about.
This has ended up being my favorite duology, and I plan on reading these again in the future!

Thank you Netgalley and Orbit Books for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own :)

Wow. What a stunning series. I waited a year with One Dark Window on my shelf for this book to come out since I heard it ended on such a cliffhanger, and I finished both books in a day. I rooted for Elspeth and Ravyn from the beginning, and was hooked on all the challenges their relationship faced throughout Two Twisted Crowns. I love the concept of a corrupt kingdom and being torn down from within, full of secrets and treachery. I felt for Iona and her struggles, where once I saw her as shallow, I saw her as a victim of a rotten kingdom. This book will have you hooked before you even start it, and once you start it, you won't be able to stop.

Two Twisted Crowns picks up where One Dark Window leaves off with the Nightmare and Rayven and crew working to free Blunder from the mist and tyrant ruling family.

When I read One Dark Window, I had mixed feelings on the story as it seemed a bit creepy with the rhymes and the unique magic system. However, I was still interested to see where the story went and found this sequel to exceed my expectations. I enjoyed learning the missing pieces of the nightmares background, and watching the growth of the relationships old and new.
I found myself connecting with Elm and Rayven and grieving as they grieved. Overall this series had my heart in its hands and hanging on to see if/how these characters I become so connected got their happily ever after.
Great end to the series and great writing! I would recommend this!

This was the perfect conclusion to the Shepherd King duology.

Without giving away too much, Two Twisted Crowns explores all the supporting characters of One Dark Window. Elspeth takes more of a minor role but we learn so much more about Ravyn, Elm, Ione, and especially The Nightmare.

While the romance between Ravyn and Elspeth is minor and full of angst, we do see a new romance develop, and it is everything.

I absolutely loved the exploration of The Nightmare's character. The way his story unfolded was incredibly clever and full of continued intrigue. I liked him in book 1 and already had a good sense of his protectiveness over Elspeth, but I adored him, ached for him, and cried with him in book 2.

And the ending is so satisfying for so many reasons. Gillig perfectly tied up the complex world she's created.

Two Twisted Crowns:⁣
⁣
Thank you @orbitbooks_us for my gifted copy.⁣
⁣
Tress, let’s talk about it. ⁣
⁣
I honestly loved how we got to see more of the secondary characters like Elm, Ione, Jespyr, even MF Petyr. Evil was evil, karma was a slow burn. Even Erik Spindle got a redemption arc. I liked how we got the nightmare’s backstory without it being a total flashback. It related to the plot as Elspeth was in the abyss. Do I think some people won’t like it because it’s not Ravyn/Elspeth only? Sure. But I loved the multiple storylines and POV. ⁣
⁣
The twists and connections made sense, but we’re still beautifully executed. I think one revelation of a certain card had me shocked. The journey to retrieve the Twin Alders had me hooked. I was very interested in Elm’s chapters, but once we were off on the hunt, I couldn’t read fast enough. I LOVED the race to midnight where all the magic was flowing to help bring down the mist. A perfect ending battle scene. ⁣
⁣
Overall, a great ending to a duology. The epilogue got me in my feels. We learned more about the magic new and old, which was such an interesting world. We’ve got love all around. We have bad guys doing horrid things, and we have our underdogs never giving up. I’ll never get over this world.⁣
⁣
Be wary. Be clever. Be good. ⁣
⁣
Out 10/19.

Please see link below for goodreads review (I’m unable to copy/paste actual review), but THANK YOU for a chance to read this ARC, I absolutely loved it!

I was so excited for this book and it did not disappoint. This world was a unique magical experience—saying goodbye to these characters will be difficult.


****Spoilers*****
I would have loved to have seen more of Elspeth and Rayven, Ione and Elm was a great addition to the plot.

This book had me in a chokehold from the very first pages! The opening prologue hooks you so quickly that you are dropped right back into the story. The story begins immediately after Elspeth/Nightmare turns themselves into the Rowan king. There are multiple new viewpoints, specifically, my boy Elm gets a TON of page time, and I am HERE for it.

You could tell in the last book that Elm was really feeling Ione, his brother's betrothed, and Elspeth's cousin...and I am VERY happy to say, that this plays heavily into the second book. The writing is poetic and visceral, the story is creating parallels that play out in real time. The author is able to create emotions of angst, despair, hope, and love all in turn.

The "gothic" vibes continue with lots of body horror and a spooky setting. This story also hits on societal misogyny, effects of PTSD, family legacies of violence, and codependence. The characters all have to face their own vulnerability and work to heal their trauma in order to enact true change and claim the twin alders card.

One Dark Window was my FAVORITE book that I read this year, and I can say with no lie, that the second book in this series carried that through until the end. Rachel Gillig is a truly talented author with a gift for creating storylines and worlds that keep you riveted. Whatever she puts out next, I will read.

Thank you to #Netgalley and #orbitbooks for supplying the ARC to read in exchange for a fair and honest review. Help complete the deck in the search for the #twinalders card!

So sad this series is over I loved all of the characters and the story was so good! I did find it a little difficult to follow along at times because of the two storylines going on at the same time from the different character’s perspectives. But other than that this book was amazing and I am so happy with it!

Thank you NetGalley and Orbit books for allowing me to read the ARC!

I was a little nervous to read TTC because I was scared it wouldn’t live up to my expectations because the first book is a top 10 book for me. But this book? As much of a masterpiece as the first.

This book can only be described as beautiful, and everything a sequel should be. It expands on the unique magic system and character relationships while maintaining that wonderful and angsty gothic atmosphere. I could go on for ages about everything I love with this book, but I won’t bore all of you to death with it. Just know that, in my opinion, this duology is a masterpiece.

I cried when I finished this book. Not because the ending was particularly sad, but because I didn’t want to say goodbye to this world and these characters. Rachel Gillig is 100% an insta buy author for me

This duology is pure perfection. It's unique, dark, atmospheric, emotional. The Providence Cards magic system is just so interesting and different and I love it. Everything I love in a fantasy with hint of unsettling. The characters are just amazing. I love Nightmare/Shepherd King and Elspeths relationship. Their humor, the psuedo father/daughter bond. It kind of cracked me up how the Nightmare kind of picked on Ravyn being that protective father figure. He really gave some hard lessons and motivational stuff to Ravyn as well which is out of character/not out of character for him.

I loved to read Ione and Elms relationship blossom. Ione was really making me upset in the first book but then we get to know her better through Elms pov and what she went through.

If you want something that will wrench at your heart, every character having a tragic backstory, a little romance and a changed kingdom, this is for you.

The books has completely done me in! Rachel Gillig does it again!
Her characters are captivating and the world is dark, mysterious and foreboding. This second book to The Shepard King series offers more suspense and intense scenes! I ate this book up and am unwell. I would, and have, suggested this book, as well as One Dark Window, for those looking for a unique read.
I will be rereading both stories again as Ravyn and Elspeth, the Nightmare and The Shepard King are unforgettable characters. This series has been my favorite read this year, even topping Fourth Wing.

I absolutely adored this book! It was everything I could have wanted in a hauntingly beautiful story. The character development was probably my favorite part. I loved getting to all of the other characters.
Rating it 5/5 because it will truly be a book I cherish for a very long time. I cannot wait until family and friends can finally read it in October!!
“Be wary. Be cleaver. Be good”