Two Twisted Crowns (The Shepherd King, 2)

This book was a true delight! The author's writing style in this one allowed me to connect with each character on a deeper level, especially Elm, whom I simply fell in love with. It's inspiring to see how a great writer can create such a profound impact through their words.
I'm so excited to read more from this author! I'm a little sad to finish this book though because I'll miss the characters. I would definitely recommend this series to anyone who's looking for a good fantasy book with a touch of romance and no fairies.

Book 2 was just a little slow to start for me, but I ended up LOVING it. One thing I really missed in this one were all the little rhymes, but the magic system was still incredibly interesting & unique so that aspect remained. I LOVED Elm and Ione. I actually felt like their connection was more formed than Elspeth and Ravyn’s. I actually felt like Elspeth and the Nightmare had a stronger love than they did

Chefs kiss! So happy to have finally dug into this series - a fun magic system. A dark world and a sinister plot. It is engaging and interesting from page 1

This is how you end a duology. Truly. In Two Twisted Crowns, Rachel Gillig somehow pulled together prophecy, old magic, cursed bloodlines, romance, sacrifice, and destiny into an ending that feels both shocking and completely perfect. I kept thinking I knew where the story was going and then, plot twist after plot twist, I was proven so delightfully wrong. One of my favorite things about this sequel? The expanded POV. Getting Elm's perspective added so much emotional depth and political tension I didn't even know I needed. His love for Ione is soft, intentional, and patient. He embodies love is patient, love is kind. Watching him outmaneuver everyone around him was so satisfying. He is far smarter than he lets on and his arc added real emotional weight to the political side of the story. The journey through the Woods with Ravyn, Elspeth, and the Nightmare was tense, eerie, and honestly a little heartbreaking. The banter between Ravyn and the Nightmare remains one of my favorite dynamics in the series, balancing the darkness with sharp humor. Every revelation about lineage, sacrifice, and the Providence cards raises the stakes until you can barely keep up. By the time the truth about Ravyn's bloodline is revealed, everything clicks into place with that rare fantasy feeling of narrative perfection. Family legacies matter. The magic system grows more complex and more dangerous. Every choice has consequences. The ending ties together past, present, and future so cleanly that I finished the book in awe. I want more, but I genuinely cannot imagine a better conclusion to this duology. Elm's final decree felt like hope after generations of cruelty, which is exactly what this story was building toward all along. I've seen some readers wish there was more focus on Ravyn and Elspeth's romance. I actually loved the balance of bringing in more POVs. This book isn't just a love story. It's the story of a kingdom healing, history being rewritten, and characters choosing mercy over power. That scope is what made the ending feel so deeply satisfying. If you loved One Dark Window, then Two Twisted Crowns delivers everything you hoped for and more: atmospheric fantasy, emotional payoff, meaningful sacrifice, and a conclusion that feels earned. I am genuinely in awe. Bravo, Rachel Gillig. I am officially in a book hangover. This one is going to live in my head for a long time.

Trees! After finishing "Dark Window," I eagerly dove into its sequel, eager to find out what would happen to Elspeth, Ravyn, Elm, Ione, and their loved ones, including the Nightmare. The book captivated me with its blend of physical and emotional journeys, making Ione and Elm two of my favourite characters. The interaction between the Nightmare and Elspeth was particularly striking, characterised by unique and vivid descriptions that painted a clear picture in my mind. Rachel Gillig's writing weaves a wonderfully dark and mysterious gothic fantasy that held my attention. I raced through the second half of the book, driven by a desperate need to uncover the fate of the characters I had grown to love.