A great conclusion to this duology! The extra povs really added more depth to this story; I loved getting to know more of the characters, seeing their growth and development as things came to a head, and the storytelling was so rich and atmospheric. Learning more about the Shepherd King’s history and the side characters really had me even more emotionally invested than the first installment (we love flawed mc’s and a redemption arc). Every character was sent through the wringer multiple times in this book, and my mouth fell open many times while reading. Everything was so intense, but I loved every second of it. Such a unique and well written story, and thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books for gracing me with this arc!

Poetry is as judicious as violence.
~
Yews do not break…they bend.
~
This was everything I could’ve ever wanted as a sequel and conclusion to one of my favorite reads of 2022. I squealed when I got this ARC, and it did not let me down. I truly flew through, and this world I loved so much, this magic system, these unique and special characters, picked up right where they left off and immersed me in the story until I felt like I was in the Alder Wood, with the Spirit, in the trenches with the characters, even feeling the heat of the fires that roared. I was in the memories, in the minds, in the castle, in every single aspect of this story and I didn’t want to leave. Gillig does a fantastic job giving the characters the endings each of them deserve and I would be lying if I said I didn’t shed a tear or two. I gasped, I yelled, I smiled, I swooned, I went through all of the emotions, and I implore you to pick this up. This is a duology for the ages, and I will forever recommend this series. I don’t want to say too much because this deserves to be read without an ounce of spoilers, so I’ll leave you with this: A fitting end to an incredible world.
~
“Magic sways, like salt water on a tide. I believe the Spirit is the moon, commanding the tide. She pulls us in, but also sets us free. She is neither good nor evil. She is magic — balance. Eternal."

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am happy to give it five stars. The first book in the series, One Dark Window, was one of my top reads of the year. I love how original the plot and storyline is while still including popular tropes everyone loves. The second book continues this amazing story and plot, while adding to the story in fun ways, specifically with the introduction of a new love interest / couple. It was a really enjoyable read and I look forward to reading more works by Rachel Gillig.

A million Slow claps for Rachel for pulling off a perfect ending to a perfect duology

Two Twisted Crowns picks up right where One Dark Window left off. The storyline is just as complex and the characters are just as lovable as the first book in this series. There is so much happening, this book was nonstop - the plot kept moving forward and kept me intrigued the whole time.

You will fall so much more deeply in love with characters you already care for and there’s also a new romance blossoming in Blunder that will steal your heart.

This series deserves so much hype, it’s honestly exceptional

Oh. My. God.

Two Twisted Crowns manages to be even better than book one, which is no small feat. It’s the PERFECT end to the duology. Rachel Gillig, I love your mind.

This book is darker, steamier, and answers all the questions you could possibly want about the lore and magic of Blunder.

Info dumping? I don’t know her. This book is so satisfying in the way it unwinds, piece by carefully constructed piece. This is one of those books that had me kicking my feet, screeching, and gasping in equal measure. A few times I had to put the book down and try explaining all the lore to my husband just to be able to tell him why I had such a visceral reaction.

This is absolutely one of my favorite series. If you’re a fan of books/series like A River Enchanted, Vespertine, and The Foxglove King… what are you waiting for???

And if you’re a Hozier girly… this book’s two central storylines can be summed up as Francesca and Unknown/Nth. Do with that information what you will.

To those who felt the romance in book one left something to be desired… have no fear. A new romance is in the building, and IT DELIVERS. Seriously, it was so perfect and good. It will be a long time until I’m over ~that scene~. I’m so excited for more people to read it so that I can talk about it!!!

SO. GOOD.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

*soft spoilers ahead*

First off, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to read this arc!
Wow. Let me just say that I read 200+ pages in the first sitting. Is this book anything like what I thought it would be? No. Was it better? Yes!!!

In this sequel, we get the same dark and intense atmosphere as One Dark Window. It's definitely best read at night. The number of times my heart raced during this novel had me physically unwell. We follow another story line in this book and that was interesting to me, I will admit I did try to fight the process, but it quickly won me over.

Twisted Crowns, to me, was packed with even more action that ODW. The scenes in this book were a blast and there were times I audibly gasped.  The ending was not rushed, it plays out in the most beautiful, heart wrenching way that is neither rushed nor drug out.

Couldn't have asked for a better sequel, I wish selfishly that there were more coming!
Thank you again!

This sequel is 10000000% worth the hype and one of the best endings to a duology I’ve ever read. I don’t know what I was expecting but Gillig surpassed all expectations and more. You must read this series - it’s spooky, it’s dark, it’s fantasy, it’s cutting. Please see my review for book one for more plot details!

In this book we’ve got the same found family, the same quest, the same snarky Nightmare, the same incredible magic system and curse, but we also have new POVs, a new who-did-this-to-you romance, smart quips and one-liners, and things that made me feel so deeply. I didn’t know I needed these new insights and now I’m not sure how we got by without them in book one.

It can be challenging to make a second book hit as well as the first but damnit if this isn’t the better of the two. I will henceforth be reading anything RH writes and you best add this one to your tbr if you’re reading taste is anything like mine.

Our October 19 and you must run to get it. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the e-reader ARC.

Pls note there are many many trigger warnings in this story line so pls check

Thank you Netgalley and Orbit Books for this eARC. This book is fabulous! It’s everything I wanted to end the duology. She completes the story and it was nice to see the different points of view for the different characters. When everything comes together *chef’s kiss*. I felt all the emotions reading this book. I can’t wait to see what else Rachel Gillig brings us. She is quickly becoming and auto buy author for me.

Having been fortunate to receive an advanced copy, I got an early glimpse into the final book of The Shepherd King duology. [If you haven’t read One Dark Window yet, run to your nearest library (or local bookstore) and get a copy! And stop reading this review because spoilers from the first book!] In this eagerly anticipated sequel, Elspeth and Ravyn's quest continues, delving deeper into the mysteries Blunder holds as they pursue the other Providence Cards.

"'You asked for the truth. Truth bends, Ravyn Yew. We must all bend along with it. If we do not, well…' His yellow eyes flared. 'Then we will break.'"

At the core of this sequel lies a compelling exploration of truth and its intricate, shifting nature. Rachel Gillig masterfully navigates the complexities of truth, revealing how adaptation and understanding are vital in a realm where magic and reality converge.

"Much like the chamber at the edge of the meadow, my room had no door, only a window—a hole in the darkness."

The symbolism of windows and darkness further enriches the narrative, embodying the essence of mystery and discovery. Gillig's adept storytelling invites readers to traverse a world where what's perceived may not always align with the truth.

Navigating through the pages, one cannot overlook the cryptic Nightmare, whose presence adds layers of intrigue and complexity. Elspeth's internal struggle takes center stage, painting a vivid portrait of resilience amidst darkness. It is truly akin to what it is like living with a mental illness and overcoming similar obstacles daily.

Two Twisted Crowns propels readers beyond the mist-cloaked forest into uncharted territories, mirroring the characters' journey to unearth the final Providence Card. The stakes escalate, leaving us eagerly anticipating the climactic resolution that promises to cure the kingdom.

Thank you NetGalley and Orbit for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

**Spoilers for One Dark Window**
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the arc.

"Be wary. Be clever. Be good."

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating: 🌶.5

Honestly, where do I begin. This was everything one would want in a sequel and a perfect ending to a duology. I gave the first book four stars but this one gets all five.

In the first book we followed Elspeth but in Two Twisted Crowns, she takes a backseat while Ravyn and others are given more of a storyline.

To be honest, when One Dark Window ended I had no idea how this book would play out and I was pleasantly surprised.

There's heaps of information we learn about the Nightmare and who he was/his story. The way it is given to us is very clever and well done.

We not only get Ravyn's POV but also Elm's as well and we get to see two different journeys played out. Elm instantly became my favorite character as I got to know more about him and how he grew up as a Rowan. There is another romance in this book and I enjoyed it MUCH more than Ravyn and Elspeth's relationship. That was the one thing I had an issue with in the first book was that their romance seemed a little dull. However, the new relationship in this book was exactly what I wanted.

There were lots of giggles and kicking my feet moments, gasps, and moments of stress. The last 20 - 30% of the book had me on the edge of my seat I was so nervous.

**I was provided with an ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.**

When I saw this was available for an ARC on Netgalley, I rushed over to the website and put in a request. I waited weeks hoping they would accept my request and after waiting patiently, it happened!

THIS WAS EVERYTHING I WANTED AND MORE! Talk about a fantastic ending to this two book series. This is the second book following the first book One Dark Window. Which if you haven’t read yet, get too it. I don’t hear or see enough people talking about this series and they are missing out. This book continues the storyline of the main characters trying to collect the deck of cards to lift the mist. And the hardest one yet to find will be the Twin Alders. We have Elspeth/Nightmare’s POV, Ravyn POV, and Elms POV which was just *chefs kiss* perfect! I loved reading how everything played out with these characters and even though I’m sad to let them go, I’m so happy the author wrapped everything up so nicely! The ending was everything I wanted. Don’t get me wrong, my heart hurt more than a few times and there were a few twist I did not see coming! But I wouldn’t change a thing.

Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to received this ARC. It meant so much to me!

What an amazing ending to this series! I loved each characters perspective and the romance was genius! There was never a dull moment and the way everything played out was perfection. Definitely a new favorite.

I was a huge fan of One Dark Window so I was beyond excited to get an ARC copy of Two Twisted Crowns from Netgalley. I loved it. I read it in one sitting, I couldn't put it down. I thought it was a great continuation of the story and really did the story justice. Loved it!!

This is so tricky to review because I don’t want to spoil anything but at the same time I want to express how much I loved this book!

I read One Dark Window and Two Twisted Crowns back-to-back and thank goodness for that because the prior ended on a massive cliffhanger that had me thanking the literary Gods (in this case Orbit) that I could immediately read the second book.

So, things I can say:

Book 2 is multi-pov, expanding from the singular voice in book 1. I love the new POV’s added and each one ended in a way that had me scrambling to return to it! It was like hook after hook!

There is romance, of course, and it is a little fast-burn for my taste but considering that it’s a side plot I’m absolutely fine with it.

My favourite character is definitely the Nightmare—so snarky. I loved him from the first book and I enjoyed going deeper into his backstory in this one. Also, another character I loved from the first book has a POV in this one 👀

Two Twisted Crowns definitely has a much darker theme than One Dark Window… the storylines are definitely in the horror spectrum and it’s the quintessential fall read! I’m absolutely obsessed with it and I thank you Orbit for the chance to read early!

I wish I could give this book 1000 stars! I've loved this story for a long time, and the conclusion was everything it needed to be. While I loved Elm and Ione's story, I always want more of Elspeth and Ravyn.

“Be wary. Be clever. Be good.”

Ever since reading One Dark Window, I’ve been dying to get my hands on its sequel. When my approval email came through? My scream? It was heard for miles 😂 The biggest, biggest thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review!

TTC picks up immediately where ODW leaves off, transporting the reader back into the dark, magical world of Blunder and the quest its characters have embarked on. In my eagerness to find out what happened ASAP (red alert red alert, one of my most anticipated fall releases in my hands early!) I did not take the time to go back and reread book 1. Despite this, I’d like to note that I do believe reading the books back to back will prove to be the elite reading experience and I cannot wait to reread them consecutively in the future!!

TTC is everything I could have wished for in a sequel and Rachel truly did such a fantastic job. This book landed on my kindle on a Monday morning, and even with work in between, I was done by Wednesday night. Every aspect that I loved from book 1 was present and built upon. The magic! The cards! The Nightmare! The riddles! The dark and atmospheric world! The romanceeee (though possibly not in the way you might be expecting 😉). With new POVs introduced, we are able to get to know previous characters on a much deeper level and I fell in love with them even more. I loved Elm’s chapters so very much in particular!

With high stakes and a racing clock, I was flying through the pages while simultaneously biting my nails and screaming 🤣 As the story unfolds, we learn a great deal about the past and how Blunder came to be. This was so fascinating to see play out! Especially as the pieces all began to come together. In a sequel and conclusion to a storyline there’s always a fear it can’t live up to what came before it. But with TTC? It’s the perfect continuation, companion, and ending.

I’ve intentionally tried to keep this review rather vague so as to not spoil anything but bottom line: I laughed, I cried, and overall had an utterly fantastic time reading this book. If you’re a fantasy lover looking for the perfect fall read(s), please do yourself a favor and place this duology at the top of your list!

This is the perfect conclusion. I absolutely adore this duology! Even before reading Two Twisted Crowns, I recommended One Dark Window to everyone that would listen to me. I truly loved so many things about this book! The story picks up right where we left off in the first installment, it continues with the gothic feel, expands on the magic system, expands on the world history, introduces a new romance, and includes a quest! The romance in this one was so well done, Ravyn and Elspeth are still a favorite but the new romance that was introduced is hard not to fall in love with! I enjoyed the addition of new POV’s. Getting to read from Ravyn and Elm’s perspectives were excellent additions to the story. The expansion of the magic system as well as the history of the magic, the world, and the villain were excellently woven together. If you enjoyed the first book you will love this one! I cannot wait to read more from Gillig. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Orbit Books for letting me read this early!

So happy I got the ARC for this!! I enjoyed One Dark Window but wow I loved Two Twisted Crowns. It was much more fast paced with the multiple storylines following the different characters. The author also kicks the romance a notch 🥵 I stayed up way past my bed time finishing this book!

I received an ARC in return for my honest opinion! This sequel is a gripping and haunting sequel that continues to weave a dark and enchanting tale. Elspeth and Ravyn's quest to save their kingdom from the clutches of a tyrant king and dark magic is rife with tension and suspense. Gillig's evocative writing transports readers into a mist-cloaked forest, setting the stage for a perilous adventure. The internal struggle Elspeth faces with the Nightmare adds depth to her character, and their complex relationship is a highlight of the story. With its richly developed world and thought-provoking themes, this book is a must-read for fans of dark fantasy.

4.5 ⭐️
I am SO sad for this story to end. Knocked off half a star simply because I felt like I wanted certain plot points to be more drawn out. I loved the story, but this book felt a bit more rushed in some ways due to the lack of detail in the storylines regarding the Nightmare and Ravyn and Elspeth 🫣 I just wanted <b>more</b> 😭

The Nightmare and Elm quickly became my favorite characters of this book. I loved their sarcastic wit and banter with the other characters, and they both are complex MCs with a tragic past and good (albeit hidden under a prickly exterior) hearts to boot.

I truly feel like the Nightmares story could have been made into a novella, but that’s just me. Despite being told how rather hideous the Nightmare was in his animal form, I just kept imagining a ratchety little stray dog that you can’t help but to want to cuddle. Is something possibly wrong with me? <u>I think so?</u> Yes.

Elms chapters were some of my favorite to read and I found myself looking forward to getting back to his story every time it switched characters. HOWEVER…I do wish we could’ve seen a bit more into Elms past to fully understand his present. Things happened in his story that could’ve had a bigger impact had we have had a little more build up in my opinion, but it was captivating nonetheless and I am officially an Elm stan 🫡 also, his love story? <b>Here for it. </b>

Given that the focus of Two Twisted Crowns is shifted away from Elspeth, we were able to see the growth of Ravyn and Ione from book one to book two more prominently. Their stories were heartbreakingly relatable and were a perfect depiction of what lengths people will go to in order to help those they love.

And lastly, for understandable reasons Elspeth was a bit more of a background character in this book, but the relationship that developed between her and the Nightmare was tragic and wonderful at the same time. The ending had me in tears, stomped on my heart, yet had me smiling all the while. Bravo, Gillig, bravo.

<i>”There once was a girl, clever and good, who tarried in shadow in the depths of the wood. There also was a King, a shepherd by his crook, who reigned over magic and wrote the old book. The two were together, so the two were the same. The girl, The king, and the monster they became.”</i> 🤍

HUGE thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.