About the Book:
Title: Two Twisted Crowns
Author: Rachel Gillig
Series: The Shepherd King #2
Page Length: 368
Publication Date: Oct. 17, 2022
Publisher: Orbit
Synopsis: In the luscious, dark sequel to One Dark Window, Elspeth must face the consequences of what she’s wrought – perfect for readers of Hannah Whitten’s For the Wolf and Alexis Henderson’s The Year of the Witching.
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.
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Review:
Two Twisted Crowns is the second book in The Shepherd King duology. I was so excited to read this book after reading and loving One Dark Window last year. Like ODW, Two Twisted Crowns is dark and atmospheric with major Gothic vibes. I love the rich imagery and layered world-building, all of which pull you into an epic conclusion to the duology.
The book is told from multiple points of view, which works really well throughout the story. I enjoy stories from multiple perspectives or with an omniscient narrative as you get the thoughts and feelings of many characters. It adds depth to each and to the story as a whole. It works particularly well here because many of the major characters are on separate and equally compelling journeys, and their stories both contrast and complement each other nicely. And how happy was I to have Ravyn’s pov? Sooo happy!
There are also a couple of redemption arcs that were unexpected and fantastic. I love it when an author can take a disliked character and turn them into someone redeemable and dare I say likable? I don’t know how Gillig did it, but she sure did! Elm, Ione, and Nightmare’s perspectives were so intriguing and almost made me forget about how much I wanted more of Elspeth.
Rachel Gillig has once again enraptured me with this dark and twisty, original story. It’s beautifully written and so immersive, and the fantasy elements are fascinating – the providence cards, the Shepherd King, the history of their world, the magic system – it was all so brilliantly woven. Oh my gosh, and the romances!! Fantastic!
Special thanks to Orbit Books for sending me a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
Rating:
Favorite Parts:
- The writing.
- The characters.
- The Gothic elements.
- The world building.
Favorite Lines:
Poetry is as judicious as violence.
“Human life is short. You are not as a tree, stoic and unyielding, but a butterfly. Delicate, fleeting. Inconsequential.”
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