Book Review: Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig

Two Twisted Crowns

Rachel Gillig

The Shepherd King, #2

Publisher: Orbit Books

Published Date: October 17, 2023

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Gothic, Fiction

437 Pages / 14 Hours 12 Minutes

Date Read: January 21-31, 2026

Format: 🎧+📖

Source: Chirp Books + Owned Book

Keep in mind this is a continuation of a series and by discussing this, you may encounter spoilers if you have not read the previous book. As always, if you prefer a spoiler free review please read my quick review instead of the in depth review below.

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About the Book

Elspeth and Ravyn have gathered all but the last and most important Providence card: The Twin Alders. And the only one who can lead them there is the monster that shares Elspeth's head. The Nightmare. And he's not eager to share any longer.

Quick Review (Spoiler Free)

I was not at all ready for this series to end. I think this is probably my favorite series I’ve read in a long time. It will definitely stay in my top of all time. I started listening to the audio and finally got impatient and picked up my physical copy to finish it because I needed it faster. It felt like I never stopped reading after the first book. The story was so fluid and the characters progress was chef’s kiss. 

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Now, let's get into the details!!

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I have so many books on my TBR and when I had an open opportunity I snatched this one up so fast! I really enjoyed One Dark Window and couldn't stop thinking about this story and what was coming next. Rachel Gillig's storytelling is so immersive and this story specifically had such unique concepts for me.

The characters' progress was chef’s kiss. I haven’t felt so invested in a set of character endings like I did with this book in a long while. I was worried about how Elspeth’s story would move forward after the events from book one but I was happy with the way everything was integrated. I really enjoyed getting to see the other side of the Nightmare. The Shepherd King's story was so neat to watch unfold and to watch everything he sacrificed in the creation of the Providence cards.

We were introduced to the relationship between Ravyn and his cousins Hauth and Elm in book one; but I really enjoyed getting to see the progression and the backstory between them. All the irritation that I had for Elm in book one dissolved as I read this one. The depth to his character really got to shine in this one and even with the hints I didn't see his ending coming. And I would not have imagined that Ione's story would intertwine into so many characters like it did. Her story ended up being so sad and I felt myself feeling so protective of her character and everything that she went through. Hauth deserves so much worse for everything he has done to everyone involved.

It felt like I never stopped reading after the first book. The story was so fluid. I had a break in reading this series and I never felt like I was lost or couldn’t remember what had happened. It tied everything in so nicely and even addressed some things that happened early on in the series. I really enjoyed the magic system and learning the story behind the Book of Alders and the Providence Cards. The author gave so much detail to all of the cards and it just felt like she put so much attention to detail in the overall story.

I was not at all ready for this series to end. I think this is probably my favorite series I’ve read in a long time. It will definitely stay in my top of all time. I very much so wish that I could re-read this one for the first time again. I definitely feel like when someone asks me what my taste in books is, that this series will be in the front of my mind. I devoured it all like it was a movie playing out in my head. I read it in a few sittings but had to make myself stop and pause a few times because I wasn’t ready to finish it.

I originally wasn't a fan of slow burn romances but this book has really cemented the little threads of happiness that I get from rooting for two characters to finally make the jump! This book kept me on my toes, took me on a roller coaster of emotions, and left an imprint on my brain. I am excited to start Rachel's other series now!

Narration Comments

I love that the narrator was able to convey the emotions evoked by the Providence Cards. The coldness of the Maiden, the creepiness of the Nightmare… it was a pretty immersive thing for me. The only reason I didn’t finish the audiobook was that I got too impatient to continue the story and I don’t like listening at really fast speeds because it takes me away from the story. So I finished it via physical copy.

Ratings