Two Twisted Crowns (The Shepherd King, 2)

Perfect journey and ending, it picks right up where the other book left off and carried you to a beautiful perfect ending. What a unique and fascinating and fun book to read. I couldn’t put it down, I love it so much. The magic is just so different than anything else I’ve read and the writing style is perfect for me. The pace was great, the romance was great, the riddles and twists and turns in the journey were perfect. I just love this book. Only good things to say. If you haven’t read this yet- you should do so soon! It’s sooo good and you’ll be glad you did.

Trigger Warnings : sexual content, violence, murder, suicidal ideation, self harm, abuse, torture I did really enjoy this book. I think it was definitely an improvement on the first book. I didn’t really connect with Elspeth, mostly because she couldn’t seem to make a decision by herself she always had to have someone tell her what to do. I really love Ione and Elm. I think Ione’s motivations are more relatable, and I really enjoyed getting to know her more in this book. Ione and Elm definitely held this book together for me. Completely losing the Elspeth/Ravyn story line for 75% of the book really took some of the heart out of it. I was speeding through Ravyn’s perspective to get back to Ione/Elm. I just felt like overall this book dragged on. It could’ve definitely been shorter, and I would’ve enjoyed it more. Once again, I think the author is being overly descriptive. I do not need to know every minute detail of every room the characters see. It just felt like there was a lot that could’ve been cut out without ruining the integrity of the overall story. The pacing was definitely off, for me. It never really picked in the way most books do. I do appreciate that this book has a very satisfying ending. I like how she wrapped everything up while leaving certain things a little ambiguous. It felt very appropriate for the overall story. Tropes : magical quest, found family, forbidden love, tyrant king, gothic fantasy

Physical Condition: The book arrived in good condition. No scrapes or dents as if it had been dropped or dragged along a jagged surface. There were no missing pages or noticeable misprints that affected my reading the book. I ordered a new copy and that is what I received. Book Review: This was a great follow-up and conclusion to the duology! The book continued seamlessly from where we left off in the previous one. We cut right to the chase and didn’t waste time on any unnecessary crap. I appreciated the fact that the author switched the structure to a Multiple POV. Not only was the book more interesting, but it allowed us to get to know the characters better and connect with them on a deeper level. I grew more attached to them honestly and was not ready to see any one of them be unalived. The magic system was so interesting in the way things worked and I enjoyed finding out the truth of the history of how their society became what it was. I liked the fact that we see the ugly truth of the myth that became twisted and romanticized over time. Even in seeing the way the characters faced what they did and still decided to be in charge of their own fate instead of letting history repeat itself. There was much more action and suspense in the sequel considering all the groundwork had already been laid. I was never quite sure the direction the author was going to take the book, which made it more enjoyable. The ending is what bumped this book up from four to five stars. I was dying to know how things played out and didn’t want to put the book down. I even liked the additional romance that budded throughout. I was rooting for both couples and so desperately wanted them to have their happy endings. While I was rather satisfied with the ending, I think I wanted just a tinnnyyyy bit more of their life after things finished. Maybe have the epilogue do a 5 year or so time jump to show how their lives adjusted and changed? That probably would’ve made it feel like the perfect conclusion. Overall I can say I did enjoy this duology and I can see why people suggest it. Was I obsessed with it to the point I’m going to be thinking about it nonstop for days to come? No. Was it still worth the read? For sure. It’s always hit or miss with trending books, but this one at least didn’t feel like a waste of time (even for being a YA novel). I give it 5 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’m normally not a fan of a duet series but this is one of the very few I actually loved! Very well written with characters you quickly fall in love with, a writing style that is poetic and haunting and has a mature feel to it that isn’t because of spice level it’s just how the characters think and act that doesn’t feel like a traditional young adult novel. However it’s suitable for younger readers as well as adult readers. A very thorough conclusion and great ending. Highly recommend this series!

Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig was an incredible conclusion to the duology. The story feels like a dark fairy tale, rich with atmosphere and emotion. Everything introduced in the first book expands here in a way that feels natural and deeply satisfying. One of my favorite parts was seeing more of Elm and his role in the story. His perspective added depth and made the overall narrative even stronger. I loved this book and found it impossible to put down. I started it the same day I finished the first book and felt fully immersed until the final page. An excellent ending to a beautifully told story.

TREES! "Be wary. Be clever. Be good." If you liked the first book you're going to LOVE this. Can we talk about Elm!? He and Ione brought this story to a whole other level and I absolutely loved it. I missed Elspeth and Ravyn a bit but man did Elm and Ione make up for that ten fold! “The way you look at me, terrifies me.” “Why, has no one ever loved you?” Melt me! Seriously! This picked up right where the last book left off and it was done so perfectly. The progression was written beautifully. I also really enjoyed the backstory of the Shepherd King. It brought a lot of depth to this story. Absolutely recommend this duology!

Absolutamente incrível! Uma das melhores fantasias que já li. Me fez rir, chorar e ansiar pelo próximo capítulo. Rachel Gillig tem todo meu respeito!

The cover page is cut shorter and the page got torn on delivery

Enchanting, Haunting, and Utterly Unforgettable Rachel Gillig delivers a stunning conclusion to the Shepherd King duology with a story with shadowed magic and aching romance. This sequel not only lives up to the dark beauty of One Dark Window, but expands it into something even richer Set once again in the eerie, mist-drenched kingdom of Blunder, Gillig crafts a world steeped in lore and danger. The atmospheric writing pulls you in like the mist itself - clever plotting wrap around you until you’re fully immersed. One of the most compelling magic systems in fantasy today. Elspeth and Ravyn's journey is as complex as ever—wrought with sacrifice, longing, and a desperate fight for a future they may never see. Their relationship deepens in surprising ways, with every choice they make with consequence and passion. Meanwhile, side characters like Elm and Ione get powerful moments that enrich the emotional landscape of the story. I need more Rachel Gillig in my life ASAP

This is the second and final book in the Shepherd King duology, and it’s filled with dark secrets, enchanted forests, and the kind of atmospheric vibes that pull you in from the very first page. It takes us back into a world where magic and bargains come with consequences, and where love has the power to break you, heal you, and push you through anything. The first book laid all the groundwork for this epic conclusion, and here the stakes rise even higher. The characters are pushed to make choices that shake them emotionally and morally. This book has the perfect blend of mystery, danger, and eerie tension, the kind that makes you feel like you’re right there with the characters, stepping deeper into a forest where something both beautiful and terrifying is waiting. The characters are complex and flawed in the most realistic ways, and that makes them feel incredibly raw and human. The romance is slow-burning, filled with yearning and tension, and I loved how it never overshadowed the plot. The world building is richly layered with gothic tones and an ever present sense of dread that keeps you turning the pages. The secondary characters ended up stealing a piece of my heart, and I truly wish we could get a book just for them. The author writes with such elegance that it becomes impossible not to be hooked. This final conclusion feels both satisfying and bittersweet, and I know I’ll be thinking about these characters for a long, long time. If you love books with atmospheric settings, morally complex characters, and hauntingly beautiful writing, then this book is a must read!

Great book! Everyone should read a Gillig duology