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What Members Thought
Series: The Shepherd King
Book 1: One Dark Window ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book 2: Two Twisted Crowns ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I like the idea of the cards. Individual cards that can grant the user magic powers - but at a cost. I started off completely invested, and while I found Elspeth a little (a lot) bland and boring, I thought things would pick up once we encountered the highwaymen. But it really didn't. Her relationship with Ravyn is also quite bland and boring with zero chemistry and the best thing about this book is obvi ...more
Book 1: One Dark Window ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book 2: Two Twisted Crowns ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I like the idea of the cards. Individual cards that can grant the user magic powers - but at a cost. I started off completely invested, and while I found Elspeth a little (a lot) bland and boring, I thought things would pick up once we encountered the highwaymen. But it really didn't. Her relationship with Ravyn is also quite bland and boring with zero chemistry and the best thing about this book is obvi ...more
I loved the magic system of the cards and how using the cards can damage you, I have never read anything like that. I like that the magic and the plot was easy to follow, for someone like me who doesn’t do high fantasy this was very approachable without being dumbed down. I loved the nightmare and how he is protective of Elspeth, but also wants to take over her mind. Is he evil? Is he helping her? I still can’t tell. I liked that the romance between Eslpeth and Ravyn was very natural and they pr
...more
I’m so disappointed.
The world building? Wack.
Characters? Wack.
Writing on a sentence level? Wack.
Weird ass poetry? Wack.
Don’t you dare come at me and call this a gothic fantasy. And don’t even get me started on the salt shit. SALT DOESN’T HAVE A SMELL. That is a literal fact. This is a dishonor on Rachel/Rachael’s everywhere. Ugh.
The worst part is that this could have been really interesting if she just spent more time thinking and asking herself why.
The world building? Wack.
Characters? Wack.
Writing on a sentence level? Wack.
Weird ass poetry? Wack.
Don’t you dare come at me and call this a gothic fantasy. And don’t even get me started on the salt shit. SALT DOESN’T HAVE A SMELL. That is a literal fact. This is a dishonor on Rachel/Rachael’s everywhere. Ugh.
The worst part is that this could have been really interesting if she just spent more time thinking and asking herself why.
love me a ragtag group of friends on a mission to save the world
Magnificent.
Absolutely incredible. I binge read this in one day. It was so beautifully done.
The world building is amazing, the characters had me sucked in instantly, the slow burn was beautiful, and the nightmare in her head was such an interesting dynamic.
Initially I started this book knowing NOTHING. I didn't even read the blurb. So there I was thinking the love interest would be the creature in her head lmao. Can't deny I felt a prick of disappointment when I realise he was NOT. Because come ...more
Absolutely incredible. I binge read this in one day. It was so beautifully done.
The world building is amazing, the characters had me sucked in instantly, the slow burn was beautiful, and the nightmare in her head was such an interesting dynamic.
Initially I started this book knowing NOTHING. I didn't even read the blurb. So there I was thinking the love interest would be the creature in her head lmao. Can't deny I felt a prick of disappointment when I realise he was NOT. Because come ...more
4.5☆
Worth the hype. The book did get considerably better towards the second half. Beautifully flowing language, it reads like poetry. I love the Nightmare, really interesting banter between Elspeth and him.
Unique magic system, interesting characters, intriguing plot that is constantly moving forward.
(view spoiler) ...more
Worth the hype. The book did get considerably better towards the second half. Beautifully flowing language, it reads like poetry. I love the Nightmare, really interesting banter between Elspeth and him.
Unique magic system, interesting characters, intriguing plot that is constantly moving forward.
(view spoiler) ...more
At first I dnf but then I came back to the book and the second half was sooo good. The world building is well done but the book definitely starts off very slow. But there is a lot of payoff if you stick around.
4.5 - loved
Jul 12, 2024
Eva
added it
Dec 10, 2023
Michelle
marked it as to-read
Aug 29, 2025
Amber Knights
marked it as to-read
Apr 25, 2024
Magnafeana
marked it as to-read
Jul 07, 2024
Danielle
marked it as to-read
Jul 09, 2025
Rick
marked it as to-read
