Two Twisted Crowns

Two twisted crowns is much better then the first book One dark window, it is stronger the plot the charcuterie all were amazing I enjoyed it and would recommend it

🃏3.3 stars🃏It just didn't quite hit the 4 star mark for me. I really liked One Dark Window, so this was kind of disappointing to me.🫰The symbolism during the scenes! Like when Elm looked up at the moon or Ravyn in the snow. Those scenes were devastating and did have me crying.👍Rachel Gillig has beautiful writing as per usual.👌Didn't like how 'popular' Elm was -- I didn't really see the need to give him the 'playboy' personality. But it's a minor aspect of the book, so I don't really mind.👎Ione and Elm were insta-love. It annoyed me that they noticed each other before they even spoke to each other. They're still cute, but their relationship was too fast and went through meagre emotional turmoil. Most of the time, if they weren't flirting, they were probably making out.👎Felt a bit repetitive. I swear I read about Scythes causing nosebleeds at least five times. And Elspeth and Ravyn would get to talk for a bit but then the Nightmare stops them.👎The pacing was getting too fast when they were collecting the Twin Alders card. In fact, during that part, the plot didn't make too much sense either -- why did the Spirit of the Wood willingly hand it over so easily?

adorei

One of those rare times that a sequel was better than the first! The completion of this duology read simultaneously as a sequel AND prequel by giving us more about the Shepherd King’s past and how the cards came to be. The way the lore was expounded on and the past was shown- not just through a lot of random info dumping- was so well done. It was interesting seeing the reversed dynamic of Elspeth’s and The Nightmare’s POVs and I loved seeing the relationship between them develop even more. We got to see Ravyn and Elm’s POVs in this one and got a new romance, as well. Elm and Ione’s storyline is so compelling that you not only don’t mind, but LOVE, that these “side characters” from book one are equally the focus and kinda steal the show in book two. I loved both of their characters and their romance even more than our MMC and FMC! Where the first book is slow and more the set up for everything to come, this one is action packed and jumps right into it from the get go. The first book landed right in the middle for me at 3 stars but this book alone is a 5 star read and really cemented the entire story. I really think it would have been better combined into one, bigger book… Averaging it to a 4 star rating for the story overall.PS- This is probably one of my all time favorite and most unique magic systems I’ve ever read about. The use and lore of the cards is

The Nightmare, no the father is finally home with his children

Well, I liked this one more than ODW however I think that's because our MCs romance was put on the back burner. I loved where the plot was progressing however the pacing of this book had me some type of way. Ravyns POV felt like it was happening too fast and Elms POV felt unnecessary. I do love side characters getting their own romance, even in their own book but it felt like the Author needed to find a way to put enough romance in this to call it a romantasy.However, I am still obsessed with the magic, lore, the Nightmare, the fantasy plot line and the atmosphere so I will keep and eye out for Rachels next book.

This book completely consumed me. Picking up right where One Dark Window left off, Two Twisted Crowns dives even deeper into the cursed, mist-shrouded kingdom of Blunder—and I loved every moment of it.Elspeth’s journey continues, but this time we get a closer look at Ravyn’s cousin, Emory. I didn’t expect to become so attached to him, but his perspective added so much depth to the story. Watching him grapple with his role in breaking the curse while navigating his connection to Elspeth and the Nightmare was chef’s kiss.The stakes are higher, the mist feels more suffocating, and the magic system tied to the cards is just as eerie and fascinating. The gothic atmosphere Gillig created in the first book is even more vivid here, and I was hooked on every page. The slow unravelling of secrets, betrayals, and alliances kept me guessing, and the Nightmare’s presence grew even more intense—its influence constantly lurking and pulling the strings.The relationships in this book absolutely shine. The slow-burn tension between Elspeth and Ravyn is still there, but it’s the quiet moments, the unspoken words, that really hit. And Emory’s arc? Unexpected, emotional, and so satisfying.By the time I reached the finale, I was breathless. The twists, the heartbreak, the ending—it was everything I wanted in a conclusion. If you love gothic fantasy, complex characters, and a world steeped in darkness and magic, Two Twisted Crowns delivers in every way. This duology has solidified itself as one of my favourites.

Obsessed. I'd read whatever Rachel writes.

I loved Elm in this book! The story still had me intrigued and the plot with the cards was carried on in a unique storyline! Unfortunately I don't think I liked it as much as the first book! But it was a good finish to the duology!

Finally i was able to finish this book. I would say that this series was little overhyped but it is just my opinion. I wasn't a big fan of the cards concept, but i did like the characters and the storyline. I believe this storyline had more potential.

Unfortunately it’s time to say goodbye to a beautiful, fascinating DuologyThis book was definitely better than the first one ( mind you the first was amazing ) but this one was everything about everything The magic, the back story and the history, the forest, the Rowen’s and their endings and beginnings , the Yew family, Elm and Ione, Ravyn and Elspeth ( MY BABIES )even the villains in this book i truly love ( I adore when there’re a character meant to hate ) , i love when a fantasy book talks like a fantasy world, the writing style here was really on point in my humble opinion, the way “ the nightmare “ talks, the trees and the spirit of the woods, “ the old book of olders “ i really wish it was real to have it, felt sorry for the shepherd king but it was his doing after all but still, I appreciate how he felt towards the fmc ( i merely cried in the last chapter iykyk ) I truly wish to forget this series so i can read it again and again for the first time, i will definitely read more from the author, just knew that she already has a book released and another one on the wayIf anyone didn’t reading this series yet, you should pick it up NOW

Ha sido un final de bilogía muy épico, con mucha magia y acción. Me ha gustado mucho el desarrollo de la historia y de los personajes como El Tormento.Sin embargo, la trama entre Elm e Ione no podía resultarme más aburrida. Sinceramente, Ione no me parecía ni relevante en el primer libro como para centrarse tanto en ella, pero es mi opinión personal. También me ha desconcertado un poco el gran protagonismo que tiene Elm aquí, pero entiendo el punto.Ha habido pocas sorpresas por mi parte, ya que, como en el primer libro, hubo varias cosas que ya se veían venir.En resumen, el mundo de este libro me ha parecido fascinante, igual que el sistema de magia con las cartas. La protagonista ha sido mi personaje favorito.

Unfortunately it’s time to say goodbye to a beautiful, fascinating DuologyThis book was definitely better than the first one ( mind you the first was amazing ) but this one was everything about everything The magic, the back story and the history, the forest, the Rowen’s and their endings and beginnings , the Yew family, Elm and Ione, Ravyn and Elspeth ( MY BABIES )even the villains in this book i truly love ( I adore when there’re a character meant to hate ) , i love when a fantasy book talks like a fantasy world, the writing style here was really on point in my humble opinion, the way “ the nightmare “ talks, the trees and the spirit of the woods, “ the old book of olders “ i really wish it was real to have it, felt sorry for the shepherd king but it was his doing after all but still, I appreciate how he felt towards the fmc ( i merely cried in the last chapter iykyk ) I truly wish to forget this series so i can read it again and again for the first time, i will definitely read more from the author, just knew that she already has a book released and another one on the wayIf anyone didn’t reading this series yet, you should pick it up NOW

This book was what I was expecting the first book to be like, without the ending. It was a lot more fast paced than the first book, and from three POV’s. Eslepths, but Ravvyn and Elm’s mostly. I preferred Elm’s simply because there seemed to be more going on in terms of events with him, than there did with Ravvyn, but they were both just as good. And, honestly, I wasn’t expecting the twist with Elm and Ione falling in love. It was unexpected on my part, since I stayed away from spoilers before reading this book, but surprisingly good. I didn’t like Ione, still don’t, honestly, but I like her with Elm. And the Shepard King in this one…I was genuinely surprised that he gave up being able to live again for Elspeth. I expected him to betray them all in the end just so he could live a little longer…but he didn’t and that sacrifice really defined his character from what we saw of him in the past memories. I also like the banter between him and Ione when the King is the one who is in control of her body. I absolutely HATE Hauth and how cruel he was not just to Ione, but to Elm and just about everyone around him, but was genuinely surprised when I found out that Ravvyn is descended from the Shepard King’s first son, Bennet. This was a good twist and wished there was more of them in this duology.

Amazing. Just so amazing. I'm not really even sure how to gather my thoughts when it comes to this duology. It was confusing, beautiful, twisted, creepy, addictive, brilliant. Every single one of these characters drew you in for better or for worse. I was caught off guard on more than one occasion with the twists and turns. This duology will haunt me in the best way for years to come. I genuinely wish I could read this from the very beginning for the first time again.