Not interested in watching my video review, then look below for the major bullet points.
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Rating: 5 out of 5
Genre: Sc-fi/Fantasy
Technical Reasons Points: Writing, Story Arc, Sequel Quality, and World Building. The list is endless.
Hello friends!
In this blog, I’m reviewing Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig. As usual, the first half of the review will be spoiler-free, and more about my overall thoughts, whereas, for the second half, I’ll be doing a technical review. There will be spoilers there to help you strengthen your craft.
his is my first time writing a review for a sequel. It’s hard to figure out what I should say and what I want to say. I don’t give away the plot. Why do we even have a synopsis for a sequel when the first book is an entire synopsis for the second book? I refuse to read them too because I don’t want anything spoiled.
There will be spoilers for the first book, even in the first section, so please go no further if you haven’t read the first book.
Wow. Something rare has happened friends. I loved a sequel more than the first book. Who knew? Hands down this was a five-star read for me. The story was engaging and dark. The characters were full of depth and humor. The romance was just right. And the plot had a lot of twists and turns. I was taken on a ride. Please… If you’re worried about the quality of book 1, hold out and give the second book a chance. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
The world-building was thick. But unlike Iron Flame, it was sprinkled throughout the story, letting the reader savor it instead of being dumped on. The right amount was dolled out to allow the plot twists to play out. The foreshadowing was also perfect — a great example of the three layers.
The ending was everything that I wanted. It consisted of the right amount of suspended disbelief. The right amount of uncertainty — something that I appreciate in a story. And I didn’t have a clue if everyone was going to make it to the end. Again, this was all possible by the plot points Gillig laid out throughout the story.
Excellent example of a duology, because trying to split a three-act story into two sections is difficult. The plot had an arc — it was the right length to be fully developed, and I didn’t feel the story slog anywhere. I also wasn’t asking for more. These were more issued in the first book.
I want to scream this series from the rooftops. I loved Two Twisted Crowns so much that I’ve changed my tune. The story was almost ton the realm of cozy horror, where we had the dark and sadness but also a heartfelt, funny, and soulful story at the same time. I walked away with a lighter step and one hell of a book hangover.
So… if you want good romance for the adults, kickass characters, twisty plots, a fun world, and a good ending, then this is the book for you.
Now look away if you don’t want spoilers.
Because here we be entering the technical review.
Excellent world-building for a wide range of writers.
Believable and heartfelt romance.
Excellent writing for an almost entirely male-led POV
Great plot twists. I could see some of them coming, like Hoth and the maiden card, but I also appreciated the layering of his story in the book. Like Ione being pushed out of the window. That was an amazing twist that felt right with the information that we were given. And it helped to explain the beginning of the book. We got a reason for Ione being in the house instead of some convenient way for Gillig to put her in Elm’s path.
Excellent character arcs without the characters being too good. There were no innocent heroes present. Elm has a past. Ravyn is grey. And the Shephard King is as fucked up as you can get.
I appreciated the elevated writing in general. This is fantasy at its height. This is skill. This is art that needs to be studied. This is what I want to keep reading. So please, give this series a read. And then let’s all shout this out on BookTok and BookReels and whatever to give Gillig the same notoriety as Fourth Wing, because I really do think this Shephard king Series can hold its own.
Happy Reading!
Love,
Kait