Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig — Book Review, Characters, & Discussion Guide

Welcome back, book lovers!
This week we’re diving deep into Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig — the dark, atmospheric, magic-twisted conclusion to the Shepherd King duology. If you’re here from my November 2025 Reading List: Dark Fantasy Books, Cozy Fall Reads & Book Club Favorites, you already know this sequel tops my fall TBR.

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Haunting forests, deadly magic, cursed royals, and a heroine battling the monster in her mind — if you love moody, gothic fantasy with high emotional stakes, this one delivers.

This post includes:

Spoiler-free plot overview + analysis
Character guide
Themes & worldbuilding notes
Book club discussion questions
Sneak-peek mentions for upcoming recipes, travel inspo, and a full book guide

Psst… I’ll link my downloadable book club kit here later this week!

Book Summary & Review

Two Twisted Crowns opens in the shadow of devastation, immediately continuing the events of One Dark Window. Elspeth Spindle, once quietly fighting the curse inside her mind, now stands fully entwined with the Nightmare — the ancient Shepherd King whose presence has been both protector and destroyer. With her identity fractured and the lines between self and spirit blurring, Elspeth becomes both a threat and a savior to the kingdom of Blunder.

The Return of Forgotten Power

What sets this finale apart from traditional fantasy endings is its refusal to present magic as either gift or curse — it is both.

We watch as the rowan court asserts dominance, as political tensions rise, and as the truth behind Blunder’s blessing-turned-curse finally unravels. Gillig builds on her tarot-esque magic system by revealing its origins and the true history behind the Shepherd King — a story steeped in grief, sacrifice, and deeply human mistakes.

This is not just a sequel — it’s a mythology being unearthed.

Elspeth’s Internal Battle

Elspeth’s journey shifts from physical survival to psychological surrender and reclamation. She is forced to confront:

her fear of losing herself
the seductive power of ancient magic
her responsibility to a kingdom she never chose to save
the very real possibility that she may not survive, even if she succeeds

Her dynamic with the Nightmare — once eerie and shadow-laced — becomes layered with tragedy. He is not simply a monster; he is the echo of a king who once tried to save his people and paid the ultimate price.

In many ways, this novel asks a single question: What part of yourself are you willing to sacrifice for the greater good?

Romance in the Midst of Ruin

Rather than center romance as a dramatic spotlight, Gillig allows it to root the narrative in humanity. Ravyn’s love for Elspeth remains steadfast but never smothering — he is a protector who refuses to cage the woman he loves, even as her fate terrifies him. Their relationship burns slow, but in this installment, the emotional depth sharpens.

We also see Elm Yew shine — his charm, wit, and unexpected depth make him a standout voice who brings levity and raw vulnerability when needed most. His arc, like Ravyn’s, reinforces one of the story’s central themes:

There is more than one kind of love worth dying for.

Atmosphere: Fog, Forest, and Folklore

This book is the literary embodiment of mist-cloaked woods, lantern-lit roads, bone-deep fear, and ancient whispers. Blunder itself feels alive — a character shaped by superstition, rot, and hope.

If One Dark Window felt like a secret whispered in a dark room, Two Twisted Crowns feels like opening a door and finding an entire haunted kingdom waiting.

Ending Without Spoilers

Without spoiling major turns, the ending is:

haunting
bittersweet
tragically beautiful
emotionally earned

It prioritizes theme over spectacle and legacy over grand battles. It’s the kind of conclusion that lingers — not because every thread ties neatly, but because every sacrifice means something.

And most importantly — it proves that a soft heart can still save a kingdom.

My Thoughts

I truly loved Two Twisted Crowns. The atmosphere, the mythic weight of the magic system, and the emotional stakes were everything I wanted from this finale.

Seeing Elm step into the spotlight was such a highlight — I adored him in the first book, and here he becomes even more layered, charming, and quietly heroic. I also really enjoyed how the Nightmare’s backstory unfolded. It added so much depth and turned him from a mysterious force into a beautifully tragic figure.

And, of course, Elspeth’s growth was powerful and emotional. Watching her face both internal and external battles gave this story so much heart.

My only (selfish) critique?
I missed Elspeth at times. With more character perspectives in this book, I sometimes wanted even more of her voice and inner world, especially after feeling so connected to her in One Dark Window. She’s such a compelling heroine that I never wanted to leave her chapters.

Overall, though — this was a dark, enchanting, and deeply satisfying conclusion to a duology I absolutely loved.

Who Will Love This Book?

This duology is perfect for readers who crave:

gothic forest fantasy
morally gray magic systems
folklore and whispered prophecy vibes
emotional intimacy over spicy romance
heavy atmosphere and lyrical prose

Fans of For the Wolf, The Bear and the Nightingale, The Foxglove King, and Uprooted will devour this world.

⭐️ Rating: 4.7/5
🎭 Vibe: atmospheric, eerie, romantic, myth-tinged
🔥 Spice: low — emotional intimacy > physical

Main Characters in Two Twisted Crowns

Elspeth Spindle

Haunted, brave, determined. Bound to the Nightmare and wrestling her identity against his power. Central to the prophecy and the heart of Blunder’s fate.

The Nightmare / Shepherd King

The ancient power inside Elspeth — a curse, protector, and tragedy wrapped into one. His backstory unfolds fully here, reshaping the story’s moral center.

Ravyn Yew

Steadfast, loyal, and quietly intense. His devotion to Elspeth is one of the novel’s great emotional anchors.

Elm Yew

Charming, sharp-witted, and morally gray in delicious ways. Provides levity and conflict, and shines in this book.

Ione

Elspeth’s cousin — fragile yet fierce. Her arc is unsettling and vital, showing the true price of the magic that binds Blunder.

Hauth

Ambitious, commanding, and dangerous. A political foil tied to the Rowan court.

The Rowan King

Cold, commanding, and steeped in power and tradition. His influence shapes much of the novel’s conflict and political tension.

Themes & Atmosphere

Theme	Notes
Curses & Legacy	The cost of power + generational consequences
Identity vs Fate	Who controls destiny — you or the magic inside you?
Morality	Choosing the lesser evil; the weight of sacrifice
Gothic Folklore	Forest lore, ancient spirits, eerie mysticism
Slow-Burn Romance	Trust, sacrifice, unspoken love, found loyalty

If you love fantasy with folkloric dread + lush prose, this series nails it.

Book Club Discussion Questions

Use this for your group — and don’t forget, a full printable discussion guide is coming soon! 👇

How do curses operate as metaphors in the book — mental illness, trauma, fate?
Did you trust the Nightmare? When did your feelings shift?
Which character’s moral choices felt justified vs unforgivable?
How does Ravyn’s love for Elspeth shape her fate?
What role does family legacy play in Blunder and Rowan?
Elm adds humor in a dark world — how does this affect the tone?
What did you think of Ione’s arc? Was it tragic or inevitable?
If you lived in Blunder, would you use magic knowing the cost?
How does prophecy function — destiny or self-fulfilling motive?
This duology ends bittersweet. Was it satisfying?

Full 20-question printable guide coming soon! Stay tuned.

Inspired Content Coming This Week

Bookmark this post — links incoming 👇

Blunder-inspired Recipes

Rosemary Skillet Bread
Firelight Mulled Wine

Fantasy Travel Edition — Visit Blunder IRL

Romantic foggy forests
Gothic castles & misty rivers
Medieval villages with lantern-lit streets

(Think Ireland, Scotland, Bavaria… stay tuned!)

Full Book Club Guide PDF

Character cheat sheets
Symbols & magic breakdown
Printable menu + cocktails
Spotify playlist
Trivia & icebreakers

Shop the Book & Cozy Reading Essentials

Get Two Twisted Crowns:
Amazon | Book Shop

Cozy add-ons for your dark fantasy night:

Before You Go…

If you loved Two Twisted Crowns, don’t forget to:

✅ Read my November Reading List
✅ Sign up for my email list for the book club kit
✅ Check out my book-inspired recipes + travel guide
✅ Comment your thoughts below — who was your favorite, Elm or Ravyn?

Happy Reading!

Peach

AVeryPeachyLife