Two Twisted Crowns (The Shepherd King, #2) in Scripted in Fantasy and Fiction

Oct 29, 2024 Jenny rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

"Shall I tell you the story?"
"What story?
"Ours, dear one."
I sat up straight.
"There once was a girl," he said, his voice slick, " clever and good, who tarried in shadow in the depths of the wood. There also was a King - a shepherd by his crook, who reigned over magic and wrote the old book. The two were together, so the two were the same:
"The girl, the King, and the monster they became."

I couldn't wait to return to Blunder after falling in love with its world and characters in "One Dark Windo

"Shall I tell you the story?"
"What story?
"Ours, dear one."
I sat up straight.
"There once was a girl," he said, his voice slick, " clever and good, who tarried in shadow in the depths of the wood. There also was a King - a shepherd by his crook, who reigned over magic and wrote the old book. The two were together, so the two were the same:
"The girl, the King, and the monster they became."

I couldn't wait to return to Blunder after falling in love with its world and characters in "One Dark Window", and the sequel did not disappoint. "Two Twisted Crowns" is a compelling story with twists and turns that I never saw coming. The character development is phenomenal, and I loved the inclusion of more main characters in this second instalment. The pacing was perfect, and the atmosphere remains as captivating as ever. I can already see myself rereading this series many times in the future.

This is one of those stories where I adore every single characters and I wish I could spend more time with them. Elspeth Spindle is a brilliant character, but I loved the author's decision to let Elspeth step back (even if involuntarily) and give the Nightmare the spotlight. The Nightmare is such a unique and complex character, and I loved discovering more about his backstory. I also admire Rachel Gillig for keeping the Nightmare morally gray—she didn’t try to turn him into a hero, which made his role all the more compelling.

The second best thing to happen was Elm becoming one of the main characters! While I had hoped for more of him, I never expected him to receive his one character arc in "Two Twisted Crowns". Honestly, Elm and Ione nearly stole the show from other characters. To me, Elm has always been the stronger character compared to Ravyn, and while I still enjoyed Ravyn's storyline, Elm's arc resonated with me so much more! The tension between him and Ione was beautifully written, and it was heart breaking to follow their journeys. I absolutely loved the ending and (view spoiler)

His gaze turned back to Brutus. Yellow, wicked -
Infinite.
"For even dead, I will not die. I am the shepherd of the shadow. The phantom of the fright. The demon in the daydream. The nightmare in the night."

Including three POVs - Elspeth/Nightmare, Ravyn, and Elm - was one of Rachel Gillig's best decisions. It gave the story greater depth and allowed for a broader perspective, making it possible to explore two key threads of the plot. Elm and Ione’s storyline at court, focused on locating the missing Maiden Card, added intrigue and tension, while the Nightmare and Ravyn’s journey into the woods in search of the Twin Alders offered adventure and mystery. Both storylines enriched the lore of Blunder, making this world feel even more alive.

The Providence Cards remain central to the plot, and I loved how many of the unanswered questions from the first book were finally addressed. Rachel Gillig dives deeper into the workings of the magic system and its origins, which added layers to an already fascinating world. That said, I would have loved to see the world-building expanded beyond Blunder and the timeline from the Shepherd King to the present events. It feels like there’s still so much potential in this world, and perhaps this could be explored in a future sequel. I couldn’t help but feel that some of the side characters are more than deserving of their own stories.

The Shepherd King duology truly has my heart, and it feels so bittersweet to leave Blunder and these beloved characters behind. Even after some time has passed since finishing the book, I still find my thoughts drifting back to this story. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys gothic fantasy. The characters and world Rachel Gillig has created will stay with you long after the final page, and this series was absolutely perfect for this time of year. I can’t wait to see what Rachel Gillig writes next!

He knew as well as I did that the Nightmare was gone. But Aemmory Percyval Taxus had bled into me for so long that, somewhere in the dark, listless shore of my mind, he remained with me. For it was we who had drawn the circles. We, who had shepherded the others toward their destinies. We, who had rearranged the kingdom like trees in our very own wood.
And though it had taken slow, painful time, I knew who I was without him. I was more than the girl, the King, and the monster of Blunder's dark, twisted tale.
I was its author.

⇢ 5 stars ...more

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