Two Twisted Crowns

• Author: Rachel Gillig
• Genre: Fantasy
• Publication Date: October 19, 2023
• Publisher: Orbit
• Series: The Shepherd King #2

Thank you to NetGalley, Orbit, and Angela Man for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

CONTENT WARNING: self-harm (for magical purposes), suicidal ideation, violence, murder, death of a child

In the dark, spellbinding sequel to One Dark Window, Elspeth must confront the weight of her actions as she and Ravyn embark on a perilous quest to save the kingdom.

Gripped by a tyrant king and in the thrall of dark magic, the kingdom is in peril. 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’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. 

And he’s not eager to share any longer.

I fell in love with the atmospheric, dark, twisty writing of Rachel Gillig when she burst onto the scene with One Dark Window, a novel that immediately left me wanting more. When I finally got to start this book, nothing could tear me away.

Whereas the last book mainly focused on Elspeth’s perspective and experience, this one broadens the scope by giving us more perspectives—we see the world through the eyes of Ravyn, Elm, and the Nightmare. I like books with multiple perspectives when it’s done well, and Gillig masters it here. It was especially beneficial to the story since all three of these characters are on separate journeys in the story. Elspeth kind of takes a backseat in this story, although she still features in it.

I really loved getting to know more about the Nightmare. There’s all these flashbacks to his past throughout the book, and we get to know who he was and who he is now, and what made him change. I really loved getting to see even more of his snide comments, and his interactions with Elspeth. 

Gillig continues to display her immense talent when writing characters in this book. She writes incredible character arcs for Ravyn, Elm, the Nightmare, Ione, and Elspeth. She even wrote a redemption arc for a character that I was convinced that I hated. Her writing itself is wonderful—atmospheric, evocative, and dreamlike. I felt like I was transported to Blunder and the mist-shrouded forests right alongside the characters, and was fully invested in everything that was happening.

Overall, this was an incredible read. This story was just as dark and twisty as the last one, and I couldn’t get enough of it. I was blindsided by so many plot twists, and loved seeing different sides of the characters I thought I knew. There’s an unexpected romance that I loved seeing bloom, and it was between two characters that turned out to be cinnamon rolls desperately in need of a sweet romance. Everything about this story was perfect, right up until the ending. I’ll be eagerly awaiting whatever Rachel Gillig writes next.