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wickeddelights's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The first book in this duology was good, but the second book was even better! There is so much growth in the characters, and the pining between two of the romantically involved characters and their banter had me hooked.
Rachel has earned herself a place on my instant buy/read list for whatever she comes out with next!!
From here on out there are going to be spoilers.
The first book ended with the melding of the Nightmare and Elsbeth's mind, the title of the book One Dark Window becoming prophecy to what Elsbeth endures from that point forward.
Two Twisted Crowns is no different in that regard. Like Shepherd King when he wrote the Book of Alders, Rachel Gillig offers her readers a glimpse of the ending once more in her title.
Even with the ending laid at our feet, the journey there is still one that is difficult to turn away from. The relationship forming between Elm and Ione was enough to have me on the edge of my seat, but the hardships Ravyn and the others face on their quest to save Elsbeth and blunder are no less interesting and endearing.
To take a note from Taxus's style of speaking, I'll leave my review with this:
The monster becomes Martyr, Foe becomes friend. The future unwritten, until she holds the pen.
;)
(I had to give a nod to the final line of the book haha.)
Rachel has earned herself a place on my instant buy/read list for whatever she comes out with next!!
From here on out there are going to be spoilers.
The first book ended with the melding of the Nightmare and Elsbeth's mind, the title of the book One Dark Window becoming prophecy to what Elsbeth endures from that point forward.
Two Twisted Crowns is no different in that regard. Like Shepherd King when he wrote the Book of Alders, Rachel Gillig offers her readers a glimpse of the ending once more in her title.
Even with the ending laid at our feet, the journey there is still one that is difficult to turn away from. The relationship forming between Elm and Ione was enough to have me on the edge of my seat, but the hardships Ravyn and the others face on their quest to save Elsbeth and blunder are no less interesting and endearing.
To take a note from Taxus's style of speaking, I'll leave my review with this:
The monster becomes Martyr, Foe becomes friend. The future unwritten, until she holds the pen.
;)
(I had to give a nod to the final line of the book haha.)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Blood, Chronic illness, and Death
Minor: Grief, Physical abuse, Violence, Kidnapping, Sexual content, Torture, and Alcohol
lallabc's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Blood, Death, Chronic illness, and Gore
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Violence, Torture, Murder, and Vomit
lydsgrace99's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Be wary. Be clever. Be good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Pandemic/Epidemic, Physical abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Blood, Alcoholism, and Alcohol
Minor: Chronic illness
roseleebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This second book picks up shortly after the ending of One Dark Window.
The focus and atmosphere of this story was different from the first and although I found it enjoyable, it didn't quite manage to hold onto the subtlety of the horror in the first book. It felt much more like a quest/adventure story except for certain aspects of Elm's POV.
There also was a reveal that was projected so obviously to us as readers that it was annoying that the characters didn't figure it out.
Despite the above, I think the pacing and characters were once again so well done that you just get pulled right back into the story. The inclusion of Elm's storyline became a strength of this book, as was the Nightmare as a more filled out character.
Overall the series was very good and I would give it a 4.5 overall.
The focus and atmosphere of this story was different from the first and although I found it enjoyable, it didn't quite manage to hold onto the subtlety of the horror in the first book. It felt much more like a quest/adventure story except for certain aspects of Elm's POV.
There also was a reveal that was projected so obviously to us as readers that it was annoying that the characters didn't figure it out.
Despite the above, I think the pacing and characters were once again so well done that you just get pulled right back into the story. The inclusion of Elm's storyline became a strength of this book, as was the Nightmare as a more filled out character.
Overall the series was very good and I would give it a 4.5 overall.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Blood, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Chronic illness, Gore, and Child death
savshanae's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book confirms for me that duologies are the superior story telling format, and THIS is the best I’ve read to date, hands down! I wish I could rate this book higher than than five stars.
The world building is exquisite, the story is captivating, and the character development sent me over the edge. By the last page I was crying (not for the first time) and was left feeling more satisfied by a book than I have in a long time.
This is my book of the year & I’ll be recommending it to all my bookish friends!
The world building is exquisite, the story is captivating, and the character development sent me over the edge. By the last page I was crying (not for the first time) and was left feeling more satisfied by a book than I have in a long time.
This is my book of the year & I’ll be recommending it to all my bookish friends!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Violence, Confinement, Abandonment, Blood, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Bullying, Chronic illness, and Cursing
naomi_k's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Torture, Medical trauma, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Violence, Child death, Blood, Sexual content, Confinement, Child abuse, Classism, Cursing, Alcohol, Chronic illness, and Body horror
Minor: Alcohol and Sexual violence
bettysbookishworld's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This duology is my new obsession! I enjoyed One Dark Window but I loved Two Twisted Crown. That's how good this sequel is.
I think Two Twisted Crown had everything I was missing in the first book. The fantasy elements with cards and enchanted forest are very unique and well-crafted. The whole duology has this brilliant dark gothic atmosphere I like in the books. The romance in the first book wasn't working for me, but here in the second book, we got a new couple and I rooted for them from the start. They had passion and chemistry between them, and their love felt more real to me. Loved them so much! With that being said, the characters got more depth and they felt more like a real people than in the first book. All of them had distinct personalities and personal secrets that improved the story so much. And the storyline was really intriguing and I couldn't put the book down. There was switchinh between different POVs this tíme and it added to the overall suspense the author was creating. And the whole conclusion was just a chef's kiss.
And even though I usually don't like fantasy romance, this duology has my heart! I loved it and can recommend it to anyone because it has the great balance between fantasy and romance, and the whole world is just so interesting! And if you read One Dark Window already, don't hesitate with this one!
I think Two Twisted Crown had everything I was missing in the first book. The fantasy elements with cards and enchanted forest are very unique and well-crafted. The whole duology has this brilliant dark gothic atmosphere I like in the books. The romance in the first book wasn't working for me, but here in the second book, we got a new couple and I rooted for them from the start. They had passion and chemistry between them, and their love felt more real to me. Loved them so much! With that being said, the characters got more depth and they felt more like a real people than in the first book. All of them had distinct personalities and personal secrets that improved the story so much. And the storyline was really intriguing and I couldn't put the book down. There was switchinh between different POVs this tíme and it added to the overall suspense the author was creating. And the whole conclusion was just a chef's kiss.
And even though I usually don't like fantasy romance, this duology has my heart! I loved it and can recommend it to anyone because it has the great balance between fantasy and romance, and the whole world is just so interesting! And if you read One Dark Window already, don't hesitate with this one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Violence, Domestic abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Chronic illness
Minor: Torture and Bullying
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