Two Twisted Crowns
Ratings192
Average rating4.3
DNF @ 20%. I hope all those bitches succumb to the mist or whatever the fuck the major threat is. I'm still not sure!
I received this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
And boy do I have lots of thoughts and opinions!!! This was just a stunning conclusion to this duology. I've finished this book in two days because of how hooked I was by what I was reading. It was one of my most anticipated releases of the year and it did not disappoint me!
In this book you will find: he falls first and harder, touch her and die, creepy settings, mind/body control, self-sacrifice, interesting magic system, bodyguard/protector and love against all odds.
I'm not going to say anything about the actual plot of the book because I think going in blind is for the best with this book. But as soon as you can get your hands on this book you are on a wild and fantastical ride!
For more of my reviews, check out my blog.
This was EXCELLENT.
Okay, so you know the feeling of fairy tales, right? Rhymes, magic, and legends brought to life in an all-too-real way. Well, that's what The Shepherd King duology feels like at its finish. A new fairy tale for the new generations. It's done wonderfully, magically, and just plain perfect. I enjoyed this series so very much, I really hope that I'll convince more of you to read this one.
Two Twisted Crowns brings the story to a close, and I honestly couldn't think of anything that I would change if I had been the author. All questions are wrapped up, and answered, and all the characters get satisfying endings. We find out more about Ravyn, Elm, and Elspeth. Annnd we get so much of the Shepherd King's backstory that you really start to feel sorry for him – he's also his normal better-than-you, annoying self for the whole book.
We even get to meet the Spirit in the Wood.
Gah.
I know this is touted as a fantasy-romance, but there's so much going on here that I personally would just classify it as a fantasy series. Yes, there's romance, but it isn't the sole focus of the story. Things that happen to characters other than the main couple are important, not just filler. I am glad to report that this series DOES have a happy ending, so you don't have to worry about the romance going wrong or anything. I really, really loved seeing Ione and Elm get together, and how they fit in ways that I hadn't really seen in the first book. They are unbearably cute together. Ravyn and Elspeth are tragically not together for the majority of the book for reasons that make sense. They spend almost the entire novel doing whatever is necessary to get back together, though. Tragic, but in a beautiful way.
Please pick this one up, especially if you like fairy tales or fairy tale retellings. This one isn't a retelling, but it'll give you the same feel as one. Gillig is a master at her work, and I can't wait to pick up more of her books. Easily five stars.
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.
An ancient monster infiltrates a young girl’s body in this fun, clever and well-crafted gothic story. The magic was believable throughout, and the changing points of view kept me engaged.
Even better than the first
While I thought the first instalment was pretty good, I was not as blown away by it as some bookfluencers have hyped it (yes, I‘m easily influenced). Specifically the MCs weren't as interesting as some of the side kicks.
Well, NOW I know why the series as a whole was hyped. In this second instalment we have different POVs and we have a slightly shifted focus on whose story is the focus (of those more interesting side kicks, yeah!). The storylines fuse intricately into each other and while they conclude the duology nicely, there is an opening for more. And those storylines were interesting and fun to read. Actually, „fun“ might be a wrong choice of words...
The setting remains very gothic and mysterious, I still couldn't shake the feeling of a play with limited props. But this time round, there were a few setting changes so it felt less claustrophobic.
Elspeth dan Ravyn sudah berhasil mengumpulkan hampir semua dua belas Kartu Takdir, tersisa kartu ke-12, kartu yang paling penting, kartu Alder Kembar. Mereka berniat menemukan kartu terakhir sebelum titik balik matahari dan “menyembuhkan” kerajaan dari infeksi, serta mengangkat kabut yang menyelimuti seluruh kerajaan.
Namun satu-satunya yang bisa membimbing mereka untuk menemukan kartu terakhir adalah monster yang berada di kepala Elspeth, Sang Mimpi Buruk. Dan Sang Mimpi Buruk tidak berniat berada di kepala Elspeth lebih lama lagi.
Wow, tidak kuduga aku bakal memberi 5 bintang untuk sebuah Romantasy. Karena buku pertamanya kuberi 4 bintang, kukira buku keduanya pun bakal sama, namun ternyata sekuelnya ini melebihi ekspektasiku. Ada tambahan POV disini, sang pangeran favoritku, Elm.
Hal-hal yang masih belum membingungkan dan belum terjawab, terungkap tuntas disini. Penyelesaiannya memuaskan. Aku sangat merekomendasikan buku ini bukan hanya untuk penggemar Romantasy, namun juga penggemar Fantasy, karena buku kedua ini seru sekali.
The second half of this duology did not disappoint! It ended in a very satisfying way. Obviously if you read book one you know this is very dark and book two definitely stuck with that theme. I loved getting to know Elm and Ione more, I didn't really care for either of them in book one but grew to love them in book two.
I loved One Dark Window, but Two Twisted Crowns took the story to another level.
Be wary, be clever, be good!
So uhm
IM IN LOVE
How do you expect me to continue living my life knowing I can't ever read this for the first time ever again huh
Seems like all I ever needed was a good fantasy book to drown all the senseless ones that came before. Everything in this book was so new that I enjoyed every part of it. Not only was it mesmerizingly well written and well thought of, but it was seemingly perfect and delightfully enchanting. Just like the nightmare, Rachel Gillig knew the ending, the beginning altogether, and she clawed her way in to fulfil every last step.
Deze stelde zeker niet teleur! Anders dan ik had verwacht, maar leverde toch een zeer goed geplotte finale op in dezelfde griezelig sfeervolle en lyrische stijl als zijn voorganger.
“I know what I know. My secrets are deep. But long have I kept them. And long will they keep.”
Two Twisted Crowns gaat verder waar One Dark Window eindigde, wat een verschuiving in vertellers noodzakelijk maakte. Bij het na elkaar lezen van beide boeken, leek dit aanvankelijk een beetje schokkerig, maar uiteindelijk is het best heel logisch voor het verhaal.
Toch is het een zeer moedige zet om je oorspronkelijke primaire verteller volledig buitenspel te zetten en extra nadruk te leggen op een verteller die niet eens het hoofdmissiegedeelte van het verhaal volgt.
Gelukkig raakte ik uiteindelijk erg gecharmeerd door dit nieuwe gezichtspunt en genoot ik echt van hun kant van het verhaal.
Helaas nam dit ook wel een deel van de focus weg van wat volgens mij het hoofdverhaal was, waardoor het enigszins onevenwichtig aanvoelde. Het gebrek aan focus op wat in boek één als het primaire koppel werd aangeduid, voelde ook een beetje nalatig.
Het algehele plot zat heel vernuftig in elkaar. Mijn nieuwsgierigheid was doorheen gans het boek heel hoog en de algehele uitvoering en onthullingen waren enorm bevredigend.
“Here we are, my darling girl, he whispered to me. The end of all things. The last page of our story.”
Al met al een zeer mooie gothic fantasy-duologie, met een intrigerend magie systeem, een zeer goed in elkaar stekend en afgerond verhaal en een immens mooie schrijfstijl.
Ik ben enorm benieuwd naar het volgende werk van deze auteur!
Y'all, I'm obsessed. This series was so damn good. The beginning dragged for me, but once I got into the swing of things I couldn't put it down. This fairy tale-like book just flowed and tugged at heartstrings. Romance and death, laughter and tears, and most importantly an HEA.
I seriously cannot wait to read what else this author writes.
Sequels can so easily miss the mark. That's not the case here. Two Twisted Crowns continues the ensnaring story of Elspeth, The Nightmare, and the search for the Twin Alders. The balance between POV chapters is so well done. Usually, I'll have a preference for certain characters but I was fully immersed in everyone's chapters.
The danger feels so real. It's gripping. I usually have control of my face, but I caught my jaw dropping and eyes wide in shock or fear multiple times.
I want to read this duology for the first time, again and again.
4.5 for the first 85% of the book - 5 stars for the ending! WOW WOW WOW
9/25/24: updating to 5 stars because the more i think about it the more i realize i'm an idiot for not giving it 5 stars
The book emerges as a captivating read, particularly for enthusiasts of dark fantasy. The book follows an addictive narrative style that seamlessly blends a moody, atmospheric setting with a fluid, engaging storytelling technique. This combination is sure to enthrall readers, drawing them deep into the world the author has crafted.
While the book excels in its ambiance and narrative style, it does encounter a hiccup in terms of plot originality. The storyline, although absorbing, tends to tread along predictable paths, which might detract from the experience for those seeking unexpected plot developments or innovative twists. Additionally, the impact of the book has been somewhat overshadowed by the overhype it received on social media platforms like TikTok, where it was perhaps excessively lauded, leading to inflated expectations among readers.
Despite these issues, it does redeem itself with a satisfying conclusion. The ending provides a well-rounded and gratifying closure to the duology, leaving readers with a sense of completion and contentment. This resolution is particularly commendable, considering the challenges in crafting a finale that lives up to the expectations set by a strong first installment.
In essence, this is a recommendable read for its atmospheric setting, engaging writing, and a fulfilling conclusion. Though it may not completely evade the pitfalls of predictability and social media overhype, it ultimately succeeds in delivering a pleasing and comprehensive conclusion to its dark and intriguing tale.
my bad reading trait is that when it comes to a series I'm always tempted to finish it regardless of enjoyment. I can DNF otherwise and I badly wanted to with this one.
Elm and Ione story line was just filler. I didn't mind his POV but to have a romance with Ione was just odd, why couldn't he of seen her as a human to help but not have a whole new love plot and a more descriptive sex scenes than Ravyn/Elspeth did lol. More flirting, more banter, more everything than Ravyn/Elspeth. It made Ravyns sacrifices and Jes's sacrifices seem so silly and not noteworthy in the end.
Also Elm being so helplessly in love with Ione but genuinely could not care less for Elspeth in any way was a joke and I missed the punchline. The whole thing Ravyn saying how much Elm cared for him and his family, choosing them over his brother, etc but yet not batting an eyelid to the pain Ravyn had regarding Elspeth? That coupled with Ione was just weird as fuck, like the only few people who he claims to love in his life care for Elspeth and all he can do is be like “told you so Ravyn but watch me be a hypocritical little bitch baby when it comes to an ethereal beauty with curves(!!) did I mention she has (curves!!!).
Gillig won't be on my radar any time in the future. Characters are one dimensional, and as thin as the paper it's been penned on.
The only blessing is she had the smarts to end it all here.
A satisfying conclusion to a dark and immersive fantasy duology filled with old magic, evils, and those who find the strength to overcome them.
A brilliant end. It's not often that I'm so engrossed in a story that I'm not trying to figure out where it's going, but it happened with this.
My only complaint is I wish I had reread the first before moving to this one.
The perfect sequel!
Everything about this book was amazing. The characters, the vibes, the plot – it drew me in, and I was invested. I enjoyed the multi-pov. Watching the relationship between the Nightmare and the other characters grow was also exciting (the banter and camaraderie made me smile). The ending also had me shedding a tear or two. The only thing I wish we got was a proper Ravyn/Elspeth reunion.
This was a beautifully written story – I'm so sad I finished it! I would definitely re-read this series again. It would also make an amazing show/movie. :')
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