Two Twisted Crowns (The Shepherd King, 2)

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. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Two Twisted Crowns is a beautifully written continuation of the series and a strong fantasy novel overall. The writing remains atmospheric and immersive, and the world still feels rich, dark, and thoughtfully constructed. This installment leans much more heavily into Elm and Ione’s story, which was a bit of a downside for me personally. For some reason, I didn’t connect as strongly with their characters, so that shift in focus made the book feel less engaging than the first one. Because of that, it didn’t captivate me in quite the same way One Dark Window did. That said, I still genuinely enjoyed the storyline. The adventure, the unfolding events, and the romantic elements were all well done and kept me invested. Even if this book wasn’t my favorite of the two, it’s still a great conclusion to the series and absolutely worth reading—especially for fans who appreciate lyrical writing, dark fantasy, and a well-developed magical world.

“I’d be your king, but always your servant. Never your keeper.” This is a stunning conclusion that takes everything from One Dark Window and raises the stakes. The atmosphere is dark and gripping, the magic system continues to feel fresh and dangerous, and the plot is full of tension and twists that kept me hooked. The character development is excellent, the dynamics between characters are layered and emotional, and the romance deepens in a way that feels earned. This duology is beautifully written, haunting, and incredibly memorable!

Two Twisted Crowns is a stunning and deeply satisfying finale to The Shepherd King duology. Rachel Gillig’s writing is lyrical, atmospheric, and completely immersive. The gothic setting, mist-covered forests, and eerie magic create a haunting backdrop that pulls you fully into the story. I especially loved the dual POV storyline in this book. Following both Elspeth and Ravyn’s journey alongside Elm and Ione’s added so much emotional depth and character growth. Elm’s arc was particularly rewarding to witness. The Nightmare remains one of the most unique and compelling characters I’ve ever read, and seeing more of his emotional complexity in Two Twisted Crowns made the story even more powerful. The romance is emotional and meaningful, but the story remains plot-forward, with the magic system and character arcs taking center stage. And the ending was absolutely perfect: emotional, satisfying, and beautifully concluded. This duology is atmospheric, haunting, and unforgettable. I will absolutely read anything Rachel Gillig writes next.

What happened?! How did the story from the first book (which I deeply loved) morph into this epic conclusion where character development blew up the pages? How did the most annoying character become so utterly swoon worthy? I knew that I was absolutely invested in Elspeth and Ravyn's romance but the second one was like the best unexpected gift ever. These characters flourished as the plot thickened and consumed me. The different points of views were brilliantly breathtaking. I am not well and at the very same time, my heart has never felt more whole. That ending was spectacular, and poignant, and truly makes this a god tier duology. The monster more hero than villain... who knew... Brilliant, swoony, and oh so unputdownable! This is what gothic romance should be!

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

Two Twisted Crowns picks up right after One Dark Window as we follow Elspeth's journey and provides a great conclusion. Overall, This duology is fantastic and Rachel Gillig did an amazing job with a unique magic system, descriptive and engaging world building, political plots, and romance. We get the added bonus in this book of additional POV's that add a new few and depth to the story. I was so excited to be approved for the ARC. Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley!

I think I officially found my favorite ever duology. The Shepherd King was such an intriguing book that I literally read book 1 and picked up book 2 off my shelf. No break. No pause. Just jumped immediately back in. I loved that this magic system was so different than traditional fantasy we are seeing lately. It was like a nice breath of fresh air to read something different. I also think I did myself a favor reading this between fall and winter with it's incredibly gothic vibes and the cold, dark weather outside. It just set the vibes for me. I also want to note that the side characters in this series are 10/10. I love a book with strong side characters and this series checked the box.

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

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

Fantastic sequel, this was a really gripping, ‘different to most romatasy books’ duology! 100% recommend reading !

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