That ending was a perfect close for the duology 😭🫶🏻 I love this so much.

Continuing from the events that happened in the first book, the search for the twin alders card continued. With a lot at stakes and time running out, they must be clever, wary, and good.

When I started this book, I was just so excited to be back in the world of blunder. Its magic, its whimsical and gothic aesthetic is truly one of a kind. When I got to the mid-point of the book I thought that maybe this one will not be a 5 stars for me but man was I so wrong. Towards the end the pace quickens and there are so many amazing action scenes and I was not able to put this down. I literally feel like I have to finish this in one sitting and I did.

The characters are so lovable (of course exception applies to some). But in this book I like Elm, Ione, and Jespyr more than I did in the first book. Also Nightmare’s character is one that I cannot help but keep thinking about. The way the author created this character will always do something to my brain. Learning more about his character is so fascinating because one moment you’re like so confused but the next you figured it out and it all made sense and it’s so satisfying.

The book is told in multiple povs which I actually really like for this book. It allows us as readers to know each characters stand point and it just fits so well. I adore Elm and Ione’s plot in this one!

Overall, I love this book, if you are into fantasy, high stakes, and magic that deals with cards; this duology is a must read!

Thank you Netgalley for providing an arc of this book to me <3

After reading One Dark Window a few months ago, this was one of my most anticipated sequels of the year and it did not disappoint! I read this book pretty much in one sitting on a flight home and I couldn’t put it down. It really delivers on everything you want from it after the first book, the stakes are high, the dark gothic fantasy atmosphere continues to pull you in and there’s two angsty romances to captivate you.

The main romance focus shifts onto a different couple in this book whilst the couple from book one is still there but takes more of a back seat and I actually really enjoyed it. I continued to love the characters in this series and enjoyed getting some new POVs. I forgot how much I love the unique magic system and we really learn a lot more about that in this sequel.

The last 25% of the book had me on the edge of my seat and I thought the ending was perfect.

I can’t say much more without spoiling it but I truly think this is a fantastic duology and if you haven’t picked up One Dark Window yet now is a great time to dive in!

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The two were together, so the two were the same: "The girl, the King, and the monster they became."

This is multi-pov: the Nightmare, Ravyn, Elm, and - in short glimpses - Elspeth. However, this does mean that Elspeth is no longer the main character. In fact, she only really starts to have a feature in it after the half way point. This also means her and Ravyn’s ill-fated relationship has no time to blossom as she’s trapped in the Nightmare’s mind.

This allows for a bigger focus on Elm, and in particular Elspeth’s cousin, Ione.
Elm is just a sweetheart. Like a wounded golden retriever. He also provides glimpses back to the old, wide-eyed happiness and innocence of Ione in contrast to her stony Maiden exterior.

”I'd be your King, but always your servant. Never your keeper."

I feel like this could have worked better either as a condensed standalone or a longer trilogy. The pacing just felt off and I definitely preferred book one.
I know duologies are much beloved though, so hopefully it will find the right audience!

Thank you to Orbit for providing an arc in exchange for a review!

Two Twisted Crowns was a beautiful continuation from One Dark Window. I remain enthralled by the magic system and find the ease of the writing and Gillig's ability to drag me into blunder exceptional. The cast of character's remain enthralling and I absolutely fell in love with Renelm in this book. I found the lacking of Elspeth and Raven disappointing, and therefore am withholding a star.

Such a delicious sequel to One Dark Window, this book managed to be even better than the first. A gorgeous read, it managed to be both terrifying and beautiful at the same time.

Absolutely loved it. As per the publishers request I will not post my review until within two weeks before the release date. At which point I will update my review and add a link to my Instagram book blog:
Update

📚BOOK REVIEW 📚
TWO TWISTED CROWNS - @rmgillig

I cannot tell you the pure book geek joy I felt when @littlebrownbookgroup_uk approved my @netgalley request for an #arc of this sequel to one of my favourite reads of 2022 #onedarkwindow.

This book is sublime. The magic system and world building are elite; it's immersive and complex and brilliant. Oh to be in the author's mind and see how such depth is conjured.
What's more, the characters are just as strongly developed as the world and I was really invested in their journeys.
This book brings with it new enemies to lovers storyline and it's one that I think I preferred to the first book!

I will be purchasing a physical copy of Two twisted crowns because it's a book worthy of rereads.
I highly recommend reading one dark window, if you haven't. This sequel will be published in the UK on the 19/10/23

Be Wary, Be Clever, Be Good.

Two Twisted Crowns
Author: Rachel Gillig
Pub Date: 19 Oct 2023
Rating: 4/5

This installment continues the exploration of every topic that was left unanswered at the end of One Dark Window. Elspeth and Ravyn's journey takes on progressively darker turns as they try to obtain the twelve providence cards.

Multiple points of view are present throughout the book. I don't mind numerous POVs, but when it switches from first to third, it may get a little confusing, and I was a little bummed by that. However, the world building is exquisitely done, and the pace is perfect. It still has the same atmosphere as book one.

Overall, reading this book kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Rachel Gillig gave it an epic ending.

Thank you to Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

There have been so many occasions where the second book in a duology has been a let down. Not living up the first book. But my god, this was EVERYTHING. I loved One Dark Window and wanted to know desperately what happened next and I was not disappointed at all.

The plot, the characters, the twists and turns. It was exactly what I hoped for and nothing like I expected. I’m not going to ruin the plot as I think this is a book that needs to be experienced by the reader. But all I’m going to say is I rushed through this book to find out what happened at the end and also savoured the development of the characters, the beautiful world building and the best outcome that could have happened in this book.

I think it’s safe to say I will read anything Gillig writes from here on out.

The wonderful new voice of Rachel Gillig is here to give us all the atmospheric, spooky, October vibes with her second and last instalment of The Shepherd King series, Two Twisted Crowns. Grab your blanket, get a hot beverage and immerse yourself in the adventures of The Nightmare, Elspeth and Ravyn, Elm and Ione and their twisted world of magic, wickedness and Providence Cards.

The stakes are higher. The magic deadlier. The Providence cards no child’s play. Everything in this book is darker, every decision made on a razor’s edge and the growth of all our favourite characters coming at the price of their suffering. Be prepared to suffer with them because the writing is so immersive that you follow the action with bated breath, page after page, chapter after chapter. You want them to find their happiness but you never want this book to end.

I am in agreement with the writer as she said that her favourite character will forever be the Nightmare. His character slowly unfolds in this book, Gillig unbinding the thick mystery around him to let us see beyond the veil of the monster at the actions and decisions that made him so and maybe empathise with him and root for his redemption. Following the Nightmare for me is Elm. He took center stage in this one and I, for one, am very glad for that. I loved Ravyn too, don’t get me wrong, but he never got my complete attention. I felt a bit put off by his detachment. His mask of coldness kept me at bay. I know it was deliberate and Elspeth along with the end of this book helped with that but…still. I couldn’t completely resonate with him. Elm on the other hand. A wallflower in One Dark Window, now in full bloom. Tormented by demons from his past and present but always playful and flirty. A character mix resulting in undeniable charm and irresistible flair. I loved seeing through his eyes and wished from beginning to end that I could end his troubles and give him his happy ending because he is so so worth it. And speaking of Elm… I must say that him and Ione got a delicious tension filled romance. With passion. Lots of that. And some spice that got me looking at Elm like…well…let’s just say that he is not always a good boy. *wink emoji

Everything was better in this book and I was really surprised by that because I already loved the first one! But here I was, a nervous wreck about how things will go for my favourite characters, cheering them on, hating others deeply (you know who I am talking about), reading action scenes like I was watching a movie with special effects, getting swept off my feet by extraordinary writing and a magical, dark atmosphere. I will miss all the characters and I cried a great deal at the end but I am really thankful that new authors like Rachel Gillig found my home with their books. Two Twisted Crowns was one of my favourite reads of the year.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me enjoy a free eARC of this book.

If you’ve loved the first book, you won’t be disappointed with the sequel. This is such a good duology!

When finishing the first book, I wasn’t sure what to expect and how the story would continue.
And I was so pleasantly surprised by the multiple POV’s. I never would have expected to love Elm’s POV so much. Like SO MUCH 😍 For me those were the best parts in the story.
In the first part of the story I wasn’t too sure about the Elspeth/Nightmare’s POV, I couldn’t really get invested (that’s the reason I gave 4 and not 5 stars).
But once I reached the parts where all the action would pick up a pace… Trees! I loved it!

I felt everything: happiness, sadness, laughter, pity, anger, surprise, shock,… what an emotional roller coaster 🎢 and it all came to a beautiful ending, I couldn’t expect something better.

Conclusion: add them to your TBR! Now is even the perfect time to pick them up with the fall/spooky vibes! 🍂

This tale comforted me the same way a cup of tea does after a cold winter walk. It’s a rare thing to find a duology that takes up so much space in my mind, but I found myself living and breathing this story from the start until the end, even when I wasn’t actively reading it.

For those of us who adored Elsbeth and Ravyn in One Dark Window, the addition of multiple POVs and the switch between Elsbeth’s first person and Ravyn and Elm’s third person might deter or disappoint some readers. I was overjoyed to discover, however, that I was as much in love with Elm and Ione’s story as I was with Elspeth and Ravyn.

Elsbeth’s first person chapters gave her story a watery, dreamlike quality which worked really well within the context of the story, and really emphasised the distance between her and the others. It also made her memories and The Shepherd King’s easily intertwine.

The third person chapters allowed us to get closer to our secondary characters as well as driving the plot forward, without us losing that intimate link we had with Elspeth throughout book one.

The tension and connection between our new couple was completely dreamy. I need romance intertwined with my fantasy plot and this absolutely delivered. I am also not one keen on spice, and prefer it when beautiful prose is used to detail exploits between characters. If you’re looking for smut level spice as so many readers are at the moment, be aware that you’ll be getting less of that and more of delicate look in. However definitely will not feel the relationship lacking or like you’re starved for intimate connection, there’s plenty of tension to go round.

I was so pleased with how the story developed, the twists and turns and slow reveal of how Blunder came to be was beautifully done. It was drip fed throughout the story enough where it kept me really engaged without dragging it out. The concept of the Providence cards is really refreshing and quite unique take on magic and gave this story a folklore quality I won’t be forgetting any time soon.

Other little details I really enjoyed is the flora themed names. Elm, Rowan, Yew, Taxus and even Ione all have roots in trees and flowers. I also love how The Nightmare quite often speaks in nursery rhyme, it really adds to the gothic and romantic feeling of the book.

If you enjoy being immersed in a world and it’s inhabitants, this one is for you. A story about love, fate, greed and growth, this duolgy will join others in my favourites shelf.

Two twisted crowns is the perfect follow up to one dark window. As the magic system and world building was done so perfectly in book one, this instalment really concentrated on the plot, and I actually preferred the live story in this instalment to that of the first book (we love Elm!

It’s hard to get into specifics for a second book without adding spoilers but I will say the character development, immersive writing and excellent pacing only continues in Two Twisted crowns, and it had me gripped from the first page.

If you loved one dark window, you will definitely love this!

(I was provided with an arc copy by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)

I was beyond thrilled to be given access to an eArc from Netgalley (thanks guys)
This did not disappoint. Stunning sequel that I couldn’t put down.
Loved Elms POV.
All the stars.

I loved the first book, and this one too. This is the second book in a fantastic dark, inventive, original gothic fantasy duology. The first book ended in a cliff hanger, now we can find out what happens. The nightmare knows what he wants. Revenge! Read and find out the consequence for all the users of the Providence Cards as the search for the Twin Alders continues. Thank you to Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

I absolutely loved the first book, and this was one of my most anticipated sequels!! This did not disappoint!

I loved the spotlight that other characters got, particularly Elm and Ione. In the first book we only saw them through Elspeth’s eyes, but here they were pushed into the action fully, and were given the chance to be fully developed characters. Ravyn also undergoes an incredible development, and I gained a bigger appreciation for him!

It’s a huge strength of this book that I enjoyed all the pov’s; I never felt any dread when I saw whose chapter it was. My only wish was that I had a little more of Elspeth because I really loved her in the first book, and I missed her.

The insight into relationships between characters like Ravyn and Elm were so beautiful to read, and gave so much more depth to the story. My favourite part will always be the Nightmare and Elspeth, and this sequel did not disappoint with their interactions.

And the plot!! It was so exhilarating to see all the pieces fall into place. I particularly loved reading the parallels between the Shepherd King’s past, and the present action in the book. It’s such a powerful read, and I loved how everything came together in such a satisfying way!

I’m so sad that this series is over but I enjoyed every moment of reading!!

Today I'm here to share my thoughts on one of the books I was most looking forward to this year, the sequel to the excellent "One Dark Window," namely "Two Twisted Crowns." It will be released on October 19th, and I had the chance to read it thanks to NetGalley (thank you so much!!)

We find ourselves in a dark world filled with mist just after the events of One Dark Window. The Shepherd King has taken complete possession of Elspeth's mind and body and seeks to exact his vengeance against the Rowans' lineage.

❤️ What I loved:
• The plot here changes compared to ODW, with Elspeth taking a secondary role, allowing the Shepherd King to take the spotlight. Elspeth/Shepherd King, Ravyn, and Elm are the three point of view (POV) characters we have in this book, and I really liked how the story shifted to other characters, exploring how their destinies would intersect and intertwine, and delving into their emotions and past.
• The world remains as dark as ever, with the writing staying just as fluid and addictive, featuring beautiful prose once again.
• The Shepherd King. I became quite attached to this character, his backstory, and what he has been through, including the loss of his family and his connection with Elspeth. In the previous book, he appeared more malevolent, but in the end, he reveals himself as a rather paternal figure, living up to his name of 'shepherd. for the characters. I loved his interactions with Ravyn, lots of banter here.
• The romance between Raven and Elspeth takes a back seat, almost nonexistent, but we are treated to another romance that I preferred and adored.
• The ending, which I found touching, almost brought a tear to my eye.

A sequel as addictive as One Dark Window for this book with a dark universe and an original magic system, all leading to a touching conclusion.

OMG. I don’t know what to say.


I’m always wary going into sequels. You never know if it’s going to live up to the first book but this…. this, in my opinion, was perfection!


The story picks up where it left off in One Dark Window with the addition of another POV: The flow and progression of the story is just so seamless. It’s not jarring; there’s no whiplash. It just makes sense.


We get treated to another romance, the hints of which I noticed in One Dark Window. Ahhhh…it was soooo good!


I will end my praise her as I could keep going on and I don’t want to add any spoilers. You need to experience this duology for yourselves!!


I will be picking up anything Rachel Gillig writes in the future and I have already preordered my copy for Two Twisted Crowns, as it deserves a place on my shelf!!!!


Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. Honestly the last 24 hours of reading this book have just been great!

I applied for this ARC before I had even finished ‘One Dark Window’ and I can honestly say that this book, did not disappoint.

Two Twisted Crowns picks up where we left off in book one, and instantly throws you back into the world of Blunder. And although, we do not see as much of Elspeth (for obvious reasons), she is still very much a vital part of the story, that helps us to learn more about the Shepard King and his past involving the providence cards.

I also loved that we had multiple points of view in this book, which added depth to characters such as Ravyn and Elm, that had not been given previously.

Much like ‘‘One Dark Window’ this book was beautifully written and Gillig managed to keep the same gothic atmosphere throughout. It is not often that a duology impresses me as much as this one has. To me, it was perfect, and the ending bittersweet.
I wish i could read it again for the first time.

Love love loooooved it. I had sort of forgotten how much I enjoyed the charming prose and grim fairytale vibes of One Dark Window and the sequel does not disappoint. It's somehow richer and dives deeper into many of the supporting characters. It's very rare I get invested in the sub plots/stories of the non main characters but Ione & Elm's story almost stole the whole book for me. I love Gillig's writing stye, adore the rhyming verses, the secrets and haunting themes. I'm not sure what this is classified as but I'd put it under New adult rather than YA for some of the more mature themes & explicit content. If you love Grimm's fairytale, a good mystery fantasy page turner, then you won't be disappointed.

Special thanks to Little Brown Group UK and Netgalley for providing me an advance copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Excited does not even begin to describe how I felt when I got approved for this book via NetGalley. I applied for this ARC after finishing One Dark Window at the beginning of September and was eager to dive back into that world and find out what happened to the characters that I had come to know and love.
Now this does not mean that I wasn't apprehensive as to whether this would meet the standards set by One Dark Window but once I started reading it I was happily mistaken. The quality of Rachels writing amazes me, It quickly immersed me back into the world and picked up straight where it left off. The character growth. insight and challenges had me hooked and anxiously turning the page to see what would happen next. A part of me is devastated that this was only a duology but the rest of me is grateful for the exquisite ending and cannot wait to see what else Rachel writes in the future. Be wary. Be clever. Be good.