Two Twisted Crowns ♦ Rachel Gillig | Review

A Breathtaking Continuation – Two Twisted Crowns Delivers!

Two Twisted Crowns, the second installment of Rachel Gillig’s The Shepherd King duology, is a masterwork that flawlessly continues the enthralling story from its predecessor, One Dark Window. Gillig’s talent comes through once more as she transports readers back to the dark and strange world of Elspeth, Ravyn, Rem, and the enigmatic Shepherd King.

Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig
Series: The Shepherd King #2
Published: 17. October 2023 by Orbit
430 pages
Genre: Dark Fantasy, Gothic, Horror, Magic, Romance
Audience: Adult
Shelve: Read 2024
Link to Goodreads
Rating:

In the dark, spellbinding sequel to One Dark Window, Elspeth must confront the weight of her actions as she and Ravyn embark on a perilous quest to save the kingdom—perfect for readers of Hannah Whitten's For the Wolf and Alexis Henderson's The Year of the Witching.

Gripped by a tyrant king and in the thrall of dark magic, the kingdom is in peril. Elspeth and Ravyn have gathered most of the twelve Providence Cards, but the last—and most important—one remains to be the Twin Alders. If they’re going to find the card before Solstice and set free the kingdom, they will need to journey through the dangerous mist-cloaked forest. The only one who can lead them through is the monster that shares Elspeth’s head: the Nightmare.

And he’s not eager to share any longer.

Buy the Book at: Amazon*

Opinion

Two Twisted Crowns immediately returns readers to the center of the action, continuing up where the previous novel left off. However, what distinguishes this edition is the shift in focus from Elspeth to Ravyn and Rem. While Elspeth remains a significant presence, Gillig cleverly allows Ravyn and Rem to take center stage as they begin on separate but intertwined adventures. They try to discover the truth about the Shepherd King and bring salvation to their country cloaked in mist and tyranny of the Rowan King.

The setting is atmospheric and catching at any time, with Gillig brilliantly weaving in aspects of horror and mystery to keep readers on the edge of their seats. As the plot progresses at a leisurely yet interesting pace, tension builds with each turn of the page, keeping readers anxious for the next revelation.

One of the most intriguing elements in Two Twisted Crowns is the use of memories to 500 years ago, when the Shepherd King generated the Providence Cards. These backstories give depth and complexity to the plot, teasing readers with hints about the ultimate secret at the center of the story.

As the narrative progresses, Gillig progressively reveals secret after secret, but all while the protagonists make significant sacrifices. Each character’s journey is peppered with difficulties and hurdles, and it is through their hardships and sacrifices that the truth is eventually exposed.

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Conclusion

To summarize, Two Twisted Crowns is a riveting continuation of The Shepherd King duology that will keep readers captivated until the very last page. Rachel Gillig’s amazing narrative, combined with the dark and mysterious environment, compelling plot, and nuanced characters, make this book a must-read for fantasy and suspense lovers. With its seamless blend of past and present, sacrifice and redemption, Two Twisted Crowns is a dazzling example of one of the finest in fantasy literature.

About Rachel Gillig

Rachel Gillig is the New York Times bestselling author of The Shepherd King series. If she is not ensconced in blankets dreaming up her next novel, Rachel is out walking in beautiful central California with her husband, son, and their dignified poodle, Wally.

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