Two Twisted Crowns (Deluxe Limited Hardcover Edition) (The Shepherd King, 2)

Better than the first. I love the magic system in this story, plus the world and its history and atmosphere. Two Twisted Crowns, the conclusion of The Shepherd King duology has this even more than its predecessor. Ione and Elm make an unexpected and I think a far more compelling couple than Elspeth and Ravyn. Yet, Ravyn makes a harrowing character to learn the story through, and it is good to see his development. And as for Elspeth's continual duality with the Nightmare... I won't give anything away, but the Nightmare is the most interesting part of Elspeth as I read. But to me, unlike Gillig's other work (written after this and that I personally enjoy even far more) The Stonewater Kingdom Duology, which I found to be a feast of characters and for inner dynamics and relationships, this couplet of books is so much more about theme, lessons discovered and learned atmosphere, and mood. and dark and twisted political and psychospiritual dynamics. A perfect fall read for the more cerebral minded who appreciates fantasy still with a somewhat different magical angle with good use of syntax and overall writing skill included.

It was great and fun. Everything I can envision is like if it were a movie. As much as I like Elm, this one focus too much on him and Ione and barely the the Mc and Fmc. I’m really sad about that. I wish to get more scene with them showing their love. It’s was slightly rushed but a perfect ending. It’s almost turned into a story of Elm and Ione for this whole story. Overall, it was great and I had a good time reading it. The world is nice. Not mind breaking but entertaining. Would love it more if I get more Elspeth and Ravyn.

The ending to this duet was just perfection! The way Rachel kept me on the edge of my seat with every secret and clue, and never giving it up until the right moment. It all ties together so well, and I was so happy with how the story ends. We have multiple points of view, as the story has two main plot points happening at the same time in different locations. I was actually really happy with this, as it gives us an insight to Elm’s pov and his budding relationship with Ione. We mostly got Ravyn and Elspeth in book one, and since we don’t see their relationship as much this book, it was nice to get Elm and Ione. This book was different. We don’t just get 2 main characters this round, we get 5, and every single one of them had extreme character growth. I felt like I was living their emotions, their pain, their love, it was like being in the story. And staying true to the “magic comes at a cost”, there is no cutting corners. It was amazing to watch the characters think of a way around a certain rule, or carefully lay out their wording for certain bargains to make sure it was the way they wanted it to play out. Overall this series was epic and I loved how different it was. Would highly recommend, and I will definitely be on the lookout for future books from Rachel.

I absolutely loved this book!!! Beautiful ending . So many themes i enjoyed, I loved the writing style, the pacing, the banter of the characters. A incredibly well done story.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Two Twisted Crowns is everything I hoped for in a sequel and more. Rachel Gillig delivers a stunning conclusion to the Shepherd King duology, expanding on the dark, gothic atmosphere that made the first book so captivating while raising the stakes in every possible way. The story dives deeper into the magic, lore, and mysteries of the kingdom, revealing long-awaited answers without losing the sense of wonder and tension that drives the series. The character development was exceptional, especially for those who took center stage in this installment. Their struggles, growth, and relationships felt authentic and emotionally satisfying. One of my favorite aspects of the book was how seamlessly Gillig balanced action, romance, intrigue, and world-building. The romance is heartfelt without overwhelming the plot, and the twists kept me guessing until the very end. The pacing never lagged, and every chapter seemed to reveal another layer of the story. The writing is beautiful and atmospheric, creating a haunting fairytale quality that feels both magical and unsettling. The ending was powerful, emotional, and incredibly satisfying—a rare conclusion that truly feels earned. If you loved One Dark Window, this sequel delivers everything you could want: higher stakes, deeper character arcs, unforgettable moments, and a conclusion that lingers long after the final page. This duology has easily become one of my favorite fantasy reads in recent years.

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

Dare I say, this book was better than the first! For the last third, I could barely stand to put it down. At first, I didn't think I'd like it as much, what with Elspeth being trapped in the Nightmare, but it was so well-written that she never seemed pushed aside. The pacing of the story was nearly perfect (both couples were still a little too insta-lovey for my preference). I loved how much more of Ione there was in this book, though I wish we'd gotten more of Jesper, too. Overall, I'd definitely recommend this duology!

Incredibly well written. Rich world building and deep characters. Have not read a book like this in a while. 5 stars

Wow. This book was truly amazing. Honestly, words can hardly do it justice. This author is absolutely fantastic, and I genuinely find it disappointing that she hasn’t received more praise and attention for this incredible duology. Two Twisted Crowns was such a refreshing change from all the cookie-cutter books out there—the ones that feel so repetitive and similar to everything else. There was something so special about this story and the world the author created. It pulled me in, kept me invested, and gave me exactly the kind of reading experience I’ve been craving. And that ending?! 😭 What a way to finish the story. This was an incredible duology from beginning to end, and I’m so glad I read it. I only wish more people were talking about it because this series deserves so much more love and recognition!

I was so captured by this book, the darkness, the magic and the Nightmare and Elm. It was so hard for me to put down. I also kept finding myself wanna jump through the chapter, cause some of the cliffhangers was sometime too much to wait another chapter for. There was so much I loved about this book, I don't even know where to start. I completely fell in love with Elm and to my surprise the Nightmare too. And I was differently sobbing by the end of it. This series was absolutely amazing and I'm so sad it's over. This is the frist time in a long time I've wished a series would have been longer but I'm also glad it wasn't, cause it's perfect.

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

Enjoyed this story so much! Books delivered in perfect condition.

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!