Review: Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig

Name: Two Twisted Crowns
Series: The Shepherd King #2
Author: Rachel Gillig
Publisher: Orbit
Format: Kindle (through Kindle Unlimited)
Genres: Gothic, Horror, Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Magic
Noted Tropes: Insta-Love (ish?)
Steam or Spice: Spice-ish

Rating:

Synopsis: Goodreads
Elspeth and Ravyn have gathered most of the twelve Providence Cards, but the last, and most important one remains to be found: The Twin Alders.

If they are going to find it before the Solstice and cure the kingdom of the dark magic infecting it, they will need to journey beyond the dangerous mist-cloaked forest that surrounds their kingdom.

And the only one who can lead them there is the monster that shares Elspeth’s head. The Nightmare. And he’s not eager to share any longer.

Review:

Two Twisted Crowns is the thrilling finale to The Shepherd King duology, and as such there are likely spoilers for One Dark Window below.

What a sequel! Rachel Gillig can absolutely write a bloody sequel! One Dark Window has already pulled me in, I was already hooked… But then Two Twisted Crowns happened. And given the cliffhanger of Nightmare taking over Elspeth’s body as she called on his help after Hauth’s attack… I just had to find out how this all played out.

We gained additional POVs in Two Twisted Crowns – Elspeth remained (and by association so did Nightmare), Ravyn, and Elm joined the fray. And I loved all of them. I was initially a bit frustrated by Elm and Ione’s upgrade to main characters because although I loved Elm, I didn’t really care too much about Ione (awful, I know!) as she rubbed me the wrong way in One Dark Window… but their upgrade to main characters also brought with it a romance that I am 100% here for. I didn’t think I loved them at first, but they grew on me SO FAST!

Their romance was somewhat insta-lovey, but I think that it felt that way due to Ione and the Maiden Card effects as opposed to true insta-love. And so I don’t hate it! I certainly prefer Ione pre Maiden vs Ione under the effects of Maiden! But I enjoyed Elm’s chapters with her none the less. I can absolutely see why everyone loved Elm!

I really enjoyed the plot twists in Two Twisted Crowns, whilst I saw some of them coming – how we got there was not the path I expected, for a couple of them! And ultimately Nightmare throws his own curveballs into the mix consistently so even if you think you have it figured out, one of Nightmare’s riddles or comments will have you second guessing anyway.

Nightmare I think remains my favourite character, and he was certainly responsible for a handful of my emotional reactions over the course of this duology! I think he was cleverly written and felt so separte from Elspeth and yet absolutely a part of her. His whole character creation – as Nightmare, not as the Shepherd King – was amazing. Finding out about his time as the Shepherd King, however… broke my heart… I love both versions of Nightmare, the King and the Monster!

Rachel Gillig might truly be a Queen of duologies! For me duologies don’t normally HIT it. And so I tend to avoid them. But Rachel nailed it, and I have every faith in her ability to consistently nail it. She has joined Carissa Broadbent and Helen Scheuerer on my 2024 Queens list! I hope you convince yourself to give The Shepherd King duology a chance! It’s absolutely worth the read! And both books were added to my 6 Star Rating Club!

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

Reading With Tyler