Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig 

**Major Spoilers Ahead** If you want the spoiler-free Goodreads synopsis, skip to the bottom of this post! 

I loved this duology! I can totally see why people say the second book is their favorite! I actually really liked (preferred???) Elm’s POV. If there was a side character of the year award, it would go to Renelm’s, hands down! 

I feel like Elm and Ione’s story was what I was missing in book 1 – heart eyes for me the entire time! I loved their fire-burning tension, but you also finally get Ione’s version of the story and how Hauth mistreated her. 🙁 The window scene was terrible! I cried when Hauth stabbed her in the chest, and I now equate his character with my level of hatred for Joffrey in GOT, which is saying something. 

I actually enjoyed Elm’s storyline over the group on the quest for the Twin Alders, but by the last part of the book I was hooked on both ongoing storylines! I was on the edge of my seat, screaming at no one while listening to the ending. Lol!

 I really thought I wasn’t going to like this book as much since The Nightmare had officially taken over Elspeth, but I was so wrong! Getting to see and understand their relationship was really important to the story, and also knowing The Shepard King’s story was key. What a twist at the end there with the Yews! I’m actually mad that I didn’t see that coming. 

What a satisfying ending to this duology! This was definitely a successful Bookstagram rec for me! 

Good Reads Synopsis – The Shepherd King Book 2

Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig

In the luscious, dark sequel to One Dark Window, Elspeth must face the consequences of what she’s wrought – perfect for readers of Hannah Whitten’s For the Wolf and Alexis Henderson’s The Year of the Witching.

Elspeth and Ravyn have gathered most of the twelve Providence Cards, but the last, and most important one remains to be found: The Twin Alders.

If they are going to find it before the Solstice and cure the kingdom of the dark magic infecting it, they will need to journey beyond the dangerous mist-cloaked forest that surrounds their kingdom.

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.

The Shepard King Inspired Sticker. Purchase on my Redbubble Shop!