If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would! Whenever the first book in a series is so good it sets you up for possible disappointment. How could the next be just as good or better? Well I think Rachel Gillig absolutely achieved making Two Twisted Crowns just as good or better than its predecessor. I loved everything about this series!
The 3 things I loved about this book were:
1) The detail
2) The story/magic
3) The heart
Every question I had got answered. Questions that I didn't even think of were answered. And she wrapped up everything with a nice little bow. In the first book I was fascinated by the magic system with the Providence Cards, the mist, and the trees. This book gives us more about the trees and I love the imagery. Makes me wish they would make this into a movie just so I could see it come to life. Trying not to give away spoilers, but we get more information about the cards, the Shepherd King, and the history of Blunder. Again all the little details were wonderful, chef's kiss.
The heart....Ravyn, Elspeth, Ione, Elm, Jespyr, The Nightmare, The Shepherd King each on their own and their interconnecting relationships tugged at my heartstrings. I loved the multiple POVs in this book. Something I thought Rachel did so well was ending each POV and transitioning to the next. It flowed so well.
We do get some more romance in this book. I'd give it like 1.5 🌶. As a romance reader I would always like more, but honestly I still thought it was great.

If you loved One Dark Window you will be very pleased with Two Twisted Crowns. You still get the eerie and gothic vibes, unique well-thought out magic system, romance, action, and an ending that will leave you feeling satsifed.

Book Review - Two Twisted Crowns - Rachel Gillig
Spoiler Free
♾️🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

“𝘎𝘳𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘢 𝘵𝘺𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤, 𝘉𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘭. 𝘌𝘭𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘙𝘢𝘷𝘺𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥: 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘸𝘪𝘯 𝘈𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴. 𝘐𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺’𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘚𝘰𝘭𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘥𝘰𝘮, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘵-𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘌𝘭𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘩’𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥: 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘦.”

I’m so thrilled to be back in this world. This book has everything you need for the perfect spooky season read: cards that hold magical powers, a cursed kingdom, corrupt monarchs, a little violence, a haunted forest, a mysterious spirit, and tragic love. Elspeth’s story picks up shortly after we last saw her at the end of One Dark Window.

Our friends are unfortunately forced to split up in order to continue their secret objective: one group journeys into the mist to seek The Twin Alders card, the other obligated to stay behind and suffer the disquiet within the castle. The chapters began to alternate between POVs from the group in the wood, and the group at Stone and each time a chapter would end, I would scream. The drama, action, and intrigue of each chapter compelling me to keep going, to find out what happens next, to return to the scene I was forced to leave previously. And it continues like this the entirety of the book. When I tell you I devoured the pages, I don’t exaggerate.

The prose is evocatively beautiful and immersive. The haunted nursery rhymes are back and each time I read one, I became more amazed by Gillig’s mastery of writing and her genius imagination. This is one of my favorite aspects of this duology… the language of the spirit of the woods and the trees. Such an original concept and I absolutely love it.

In TTC the villain is even worse than we thought, the love story(stories) even more surprising, heart-wrenching and spicy than before, the revenge so much more satisfying in the end. This is a story of condemnation and atonement, of failure and second chances, of breaking, and bending, and mending of bodies and souls. I fell so in love with all the characters - especially Elm, Ione, and the Nightmare. The Nightmare might be one of my favorite characters of all time with his disguised kindnesses and disgruntled commentary. I know you’ll love him just as much as I do.

It’s so hard to say goodbye to an amazing series, but with an ending as satisfying as this one, you can’t be sad for long.

“𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙬𝙤 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝙨𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙬𝙤 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙚 - 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙞𝙧𝙡, 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙢𝙚.

Thank you so much, @orbitbooks and @netgalley for providing me with this ARC that I feel so fortunate to have received. Rachel Gillig, (@rmgillig) you have solidified yourself as an auto-buy author for me. Thank you so much for this masterpiece.

Two Twisted Crowns comes out October 17th

If I but had the same skill with writing as Gillig, you'd be compelled to read this book by the end of my review. This second of the duology is every bit as magical as the first, if not more, as Gillig masterfully weaves world and plot and characterization into a tale for the ages. This was a book so hard to put down that I had to be cautious about when I picked it up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for an eARC of Two Twisted Crowns!

An absolutely stunning and unputdownable end to an incredible duology! Two Twisted Crowns is action packed from start to finish with a heart pounding quest on one side and a mystery to solve on another. Two Twisted Crowns in Multi-POV and it really helps to expand the world building and to learn the more intricate details of the magic system. I absolutely adored reading from Elm’s POV (could literally read an entire book series just about him, tbh). You’re going to want to preorder this book! One Dark Window and Two Twisted Crowns are great additions to the Spooky Season TBR!

This was an amazing ending to the Shepherd King duology. Perfect fall read with its spooky, macabre atmosphere and heart wrenching, dark, twisty characters. Super interesting magic system, sentient trees, and intricate connections through time. I really enjoyed the multiple perspectives, being inside different characters heads. I love these characters so much, the way I got so attached to them in just two books is a testament to Rachel’s writing. The character development and growth melted my heart, I am so proud of all of them. I used 8 tissues just in the last 20% of the book, literally couldn’t stop crying. I am absolutely wrecked. I only wish there was more, I want to stay in this world with these characters. Im not ready to let go. Still hoping for another book or at least an extended epilogue! Hands down one of my favorite series ever. Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for the ARC.

I’m not sure how I felt about this one I know it’s a super popular series but maybe it’s just not for me! Still giving a higher rating because I can totally respect the writing style!

Fantastic sequel! I could not put it down! The plot was strong and characters had great depth. The last third of the book with all those twists had me wrecked. Thank you so much for allowing me to read this early!

Thank you to Orbit Books on Netgalley for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

When I read One Dark Window, I was amazed and enthralled by the gothic horror imbued with haunting fairytale elements. The sequel continues and completes the duology where it leaves off: with the Nightmare now in control of Elspeth's body as they seek to complete the magical deck and save the kingdom once and for all.

Elspeth's presence takes a huge backseat in the sequel, which I was at first disappointed about, but later pleased at the exploration of the other characters in depth–particularly the history and secrets around the Nightmare that's now in control. New romance blooms between some other characters that are featured, but the journey to obtain the final Providence card was phenomenal.

The story concludes nicely if a little too happily, but the tension and horror that it took to get there was well worth the fairytale ending. Overall, this duology as a whole will be one of my favorite duologies and I am so pleased that I had a chance to read both books as arcs.

4.5 Stars
I enjoyed One Dark Window and was excited to read Two Twisted Crowns, which exceed any expectations I had.. The slow build of One Dark Window is long gone and Two Twisted Crowns keeps you moving at an enjoyable quick pace, shifting between several POVs which adds greater depth to the story. Some elements were predictable but it did not make the story any less enjoyable. I am a little sad to be leaving Blunder but throughly enjoyed how Two Twisted Crowns came to a close. Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books for the opportunity to read and review Two Twisted Crowns in exchange for an honest review.

"ᴛʜᴇ ɢɪʀʟ... ᴛʜᴇ ᴋɪɴɢ... ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴏɴꜱᴛᴇʀ ᴛʜᴇʏ ʙᴇᴄᴀᴍᴇ."

➰ ARC Review: Two Twisted Crowns ➰

Rating: ✨5/5✨

Overall Thoughts: This duology took me on a wild ride. There were highs and lows for the characters. I'll miss them and the interesting world @rmgillig created.

My only criticism is...I didn't like how little we saw Elspeth and Nightmare. I became attached to her in One Dark Window, and they get like side characters. With that being said, I ate those chapters up because I love their dynamic.

‼️Spoilers below this point‼️

ꕥ Nightmare/Elspeth: The father/daughter relationship they shared is one of my favorites I ever read. Nightmare’s little nicknames for her got me in the feels every time. How Rachel got me to fall in love with a horrific monster, idk, but the ending... Where they told the story? This was me: 😭🤧😭I knew that ending was coming, but damn, it still hurts bad. Also me writing this: 🥺😭🥺

ꕥ Now, the other characters: Ravyn was still a struggle character for me. His development was only surface deep. I never felt like I got to like him. I only cared because Elspeth cared. His chapters mainly were him moping but stoically.

Ione was extremely interesting to me. I desperately wanted her POV. What WAS she feeling? Elm was never sure, but I would pay good money to see her side. I really liked their relationship. It was sweet and wholesome. Their chapters were predictable but kept me interested in their romance. Not sure they added too much to the plot, though. It could've been a novella.

ꕥ The end: it was a satisfying ending, and I'll recommend this series to others (aka you guys). I don't think fans of the series will be disappointed. I suspect the author isn't entirely done with this world, either. Great duology.

"Be wary. Be clever. Be good." ♥️

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One Dark Window was great. Two Twisted Crowns? Immaculate. This story and magic system was so unique that I got completely swept away. A tale of magic, betrayal, family, and love that I simply didn’t want to end. Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for the ARC. Be wary. Be clever. Be good.

Thank you Netgalley and Orbit for providing me with an ARC. This is my honest review. "Two Twisted Crowns" by Rachel Gillig lived up to its promise as one of my most anticipated reads of 2023. I loved the first book and this is a perfect follow-up! This luscious sequel to "One Dark Window" continues Elspeth and Ravyn's journey, with the fate of their kingdom hanging in the balance. The narrative is a masterclass in dark whimsy, and it grips you from the beginning until its shocking end. Gillig weaves a tale that's both enchanting and unsettling.

“Nothing is free, the trees called after them. Nothing is safe. Magic is love, but also it’s hate. It comes at a cost. You’re found and you’re lost. Magic is love, but also—“

Elspeth & Ravyn. and the shepard king? unite the deck! lift the mist and heal the infection! We get a new romance!! TWO love stories! Squeals! l LOVE THIS DUOLOGY.

✨ THINGS AND STUFF ✨
-multiple pov
-a hunt: find the missing twin adler cards
-salt & magic
-trees & the Spirit of the Wood.
-touch her and i’ll unalive you
-there’s only one horse
-right old wrongs
-bartering
-#IsThisAKissingBook: open door. “Elspeth says if you do not get up, she’ll never kiss you again.”

thank you orbit books for an advanced copy!

Song: Woods by Bon Iver

5⭐️ I stayed up till 3am last night finishing this book and oh the feels.

After Elspeths fate was in the balance we finally get to know what’s going on in the nightmares mind. We find out his secrets and what made him who he was. We get to relive the history that made Blunder what it is now.

My hatred for Hauth Rowan rivals the one I have for Professor Umbridge. Rachel Gillis excels in creating characters that make you feel all the feels. Good or bad.
She paints a great picture of a fairytaleesque world with magic and darkness. I can picture Blunder in my minds eyes thanks to her great use of descriptions and imagination.

Two twisted crowns is a sequel definitely worth your time!

I received this arc from NetGalley

4.5 stars! If you like soaking in the vibes of misty forests and damp castles, The Shepherd King duology should be added to your autumnal TBR immediately. Rachel Gillig's gothic fairytale continues with Two Twisted Crowns, an excellent conclusion to a haunting fantasy series that sinks it's claws in you. Gillig's writing excels in this installment - the world expands beautifully and there's a lot more plot and character development. I'm always impressed by an author's ability to make me fall in love with characters that I once hated, and needless to say that happened several times. I even found myself rooting for the new couple more than the one that's established in book one.

There's more action and chilling sequences in book two, the quests are more abundant, and there's a new budding romance that pleasantly surprised me. I thought Ravyn was endgame, but honestly it might be Elm now. Either way, I devoured this duology in two days and relished in the grey tones and gothic vibes. Two Twisted Crowns solidifies The Shepherd King series as a truly unique fantasy and unlike most that I've read. There's a lot of inventive storytelling at play, and I for one have become a new fan of Gillig. A moody and atmospheric finale to a rare gem of a story. I only wish that it continued, but like all good things, it has to come to an end. I do feel the sudden urge to wander a haunted forest however. This book might not be for everyone, but it will definitely find it's audience. I might just be in my gothic fantasy era!

So grateful to NetGalley and Orbit for the ARC! This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and Gillig did not disappoint!

Thank you to NetGalley, Orbit, and Rachel Gillig for a copy of this ARC.

First of all, I loved One Dark Window and so I was ecstatic when I was approved to read Two Twisted Crowns!

The magic system in the book is unique and clever. The book included two romantic couples who I love dearly. It’s full of backstories, a nightmare creature, and secrets.

This second book included multiple different POVs, which is different from the first book. I enjoyed all the characters, but I did miss Elspeth since she was not the main focus in this book.

Overall, I loved this book! You will not be disappointed with the conclusion of this duology.

4.5

This duology was so refreshing and original with the magic system and world building! I also loved the dual romances & kudos for creating a villain that is the absolute worst (best?) antagonist. I was enthralled the entire time reading. However I didn’t rate this a perfect 5 stars since none of the twists surprised me and I have minor issues with the ending, since this wrapped up a little too happily ever after. Great duology & one I’ll recommend!

Two Twisted Crowns

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was so excited to get a copy of Two Twisted Crowns from @netgalley after loving the first one earlier this year!

This one has all of the same great characters as the first, but if it’s been a while between your reads, it might take a bit to get into. This one had a second romance start up as well, and I really enjoyed Ione and Elm. Of course Ravyn and Elspeth are still central to the plot and aren’t missed!

A solid end to the duology!

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit books for an ARC of this highly anticipated book.
I have been waiting for this sequel for so long and I am beyond honored that I was able to get an ARC and read it early.
I recently reread One Dark Window to have the events fresh in my mind before reading this and I feel like Two Twisted Crowns connects seamlessly to book one. The way it expands on the world and the character development is incredible! I love that mystery of the The Shepard King and the deck is revealed slowly throughout the book and once the pieces start to fit together at the end, it’s truly mind blowing how intricate the story is.
I loved the multiple POVs in this book and got to get to know the other characters in a deeper level. I grew so attached to these characters and I’m mourning the loss now that the story is over. The writing is impeccable and I loved how interconnected everything became.
I annotated so many lines because there were so many beautifully written sections that resonated with me. Thank you Rachel Gillig for sharing this incredible fantasy story with world.🩷
Easiest 5⭐️ of my life.

I will be honest, I went into this with low expectations once I realized Elspeth would be locked away the whole time… but I needn’t fear because Rachel Gillig knows what the people want and handled it perfectly.

This picks up right where the first ended, Elspeth is locked away in the Shepherd King’s mind, they need to use him to find the final missing card from the deck, and the king is irate because evil Prince Hauth is basically in hospice care. This book turned out to be multi-pov, and we read from Elspeth a little, but mostly from Ravyn and Elm, which was a great choice. You still know what’s going on with Ravyn’s journey and Elspeth’s mental prison, but you still get romance when things start going Elm and Ione’s way. You also learn about the Shepherd King’s history and get some insight into his journey. Honestly, by the end of this, Ione was my favorite character by far. The only teeny tiny wish I had, was that there was more than one spice scene. I don’t like when books are all smut, and this one was better than the one scene from book one, but I still wanted MORE. Can’t wait to see what this author does next.