Two Twisted Crowns (The Shepherd King, 2)

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.

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.

Great duology. Great storytelling. Great writing. Slow burn, romantic, and a easy read. A book I would recommend to someone who like fantasy but is in it for the lore then the romance (as opposed to in it for the steam then the 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.

One Dark Window drew me in, it was a perfect set up with character depth - and Two Twisted Crowns dug deep into my bones!! I absolutely loved this final book of the The Shepherd Kind Duology! Such a unique and beautiful story. If you love Dark Fantasy you'll love this.

Entertaining and captivating. Finished fast. Was an easy read with well developed characters. Was complex in a good way plot-wise

I finished this book in a day. Compelled to know how Elspeth’s story would end I blazed through this one. The multiple POVs throughout the novel worked so well at building suspense (oh the suspense) and learning how everything twisted together. The yearning was top-tier, and the characters so well developed, part of me wanted more of their stories. I very much look forward to reading more of Rachel Gillig’s work, and I’ll be recommending this duology to everyone!

I could not put these books down! I was hooked by the first chapter. Beautifully written, witty, dark and magical. I’m obsessed! Please make a movie!

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

This rarely happens but book two was even better😱 what an AMAZING read. There's two stories happening in this book and i loved them both equally. This book felt perfect to me and it was impossible to put down. Oh and there's definitely a special place in Hell for you Hauth 🤨. I've never hated someone as much as i hate him. Well done 😝 Sorry no highlights this time. I just simply didn't have the time. I was to busy eating these pages.

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 !