Book Review: Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig

*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Title: Two Twisted Crowns
Author: Rachel Gillig
Publisher: Orbit
Publication Date: October 19, 2023
ISBN: 9780326312174

Synopsis:
Gripped by a tyrant king and in the thrall of dark magic, the kingdom is in peril. 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’re going to find the card before Solstice and set free the kingdom, they will need to journey through the dangerous mist-cloaked forest. The only one who can lead them through is the monster that shares Elspeth’s head: the Nightmare. And he’s not eager to share any longer.

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Oh my heart! I’m so here for this duology, and to be honest, it’s a bit of a relief to have taken a break to enjoy a smooth, easy-to-read, finite series that sees the reader from start to finish in two, moderate-length books. In this conclusion to The Shepherd King series, Elspeth, Ravyn, and their closest friends embark on a quest to rid their world of the magic that has caused widespread condemnation and death, particularly at the hands of the royal family. There is so much lost and so much at stake that they cannot afford to fail, else their world fall into despair and certain death.

I spoke of the uniqueness of this story in my review of the first book, when I walked through how this magic plays on use of cards to activate powers for the cardholder, blended with the mysterious magic of the Spirit of the Woods, that infects people within the town of Blunder, leading to their most certain death. In this second book, the magic is explored even further as death and despair looms closer for all of our beloved characters, and the people within the town.

The world-building continues to be phenomenal as Gillig expands her world to explore outside of the castles and town of Blunder. There’s a real fairytale-esque quality to this tale since the world itself is quite small and contained, yet is so thoughtful, detailed, and mysterious that it’s more than enough to bring this vibrant story to life. What is also incredible is the way that the author brings so many points of view and differing voices to the table in this series, compelling the reader to fall in love with characters who began as secondary, but rose in ranks to be key contributors to the plot and overall outcome of the tale. Characters like Elm and Ione, who are tolerable in book one, but hard to love, finally get their chance to shine and darn it, if I didn’t love hearing their story more than the primarily plot.

Honestly, this story does so much and is so beautifully written, and it doesn’t bend over backwards to do so. Sometimes simplicity is best, and when you pair that with incredible writing, then you’ve got yourself some bestseller material. Gillig’s writing is contemplative, compelling, and carefully laid out, so that you can’t help but fall entirely into her world and get swept away from the beauty and terror that is the magic.

Happy reading!