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doahdancer's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This series blew me away. Gillig's ability to compose and weave plot using poetry and scattered clues is beyond impressive. She has created a reading experience so rich, compelling, and gripping that I can hardly think of anything comparable.
Where book one introduced us to the devastation Blunder faced through the eyes of young Elspeth Spindle, book two pivots and shows how her hand, dipped into the world of Rowans and Yews, guides them to the feverish final dance of a mist, a shephard, and a deck of magical cards, through the eyes of a destrier and a rotten prince.
While some readers may be disappointed to lose Elspeth's perspective for the majority of this book, it is the only way this story could have been properly told. The perspectives we gain prove endearing and reveal much that would have been mere shadows moving in the corner of Elspeth's gaze. The secondary romantic pairing especially, was a favorite of mine.
Move this series to the top of your TBR. You'll be glad you did.
Where book one introduced us to the devastation Blunder faced through the eyes of young Elspeth Spindle, book two pivots and shows how her hand, dipped into the world of Rowans and Yews, guides them to the feverish final dance of a mist, a shephard, and a deck of magical cards, through the eyes of a destrier and a rotten prince.
While some readers may be disappointed to lose Elspeth's perspective for the majority of this book, it is the only way this story could have been properly told. The perspectives we gain prove endearing and reveal much that would have been mere shadows moving in the corner of Elspeth's gaze. The secondary romantic pairing especially, was a favorite of mine.
Move this series to the top of your TBR. You'll be glad you did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Violence, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Death, Toxic relationship, Torture, Blood, Murder, Physical abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
yilliun's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Confinement and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual content
blackteadragon's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture and Violence
apple_cor83's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Torture, Physical abuse, Medical trauma, and Sexual content
glund_01's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual content and Torture
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
savannahsshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
4.5⭐️ really enjoyed this!! Such a fun duology! I loved the plot the setting the magic the multiple perspectives the romances just everything! The first 40-50% of this book was good but not like irresistible like book one but once I hot that 50% make I couldn’t put it down like that 50% was a 5 star but overall 4.5 and definitely a great story would recommend
Also we don’t get enough duologies like this was so goood not everything needs to be dragged out into a whole huge series
Also we don’t get enough duologies like this was so goood not everything needs to be dragged out into a whole huge series
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Murder, and Torture
razalicious's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I really loved this duology and am sad to be finished with it. I'll be thinking about this story and the feelings it evoked for a long time to come. I can't wait to see what else Gillig writes in the future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Torture, Physical abuse, Murder, Confinement, Child abuse, Bullying, and Body shaming
artmuseam's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
what a magical ending to this beautifully written duology. after that insane cliffhanger left behind from the first book, i was very glad that this one wrapped up a conclusion through an insane emotional rollercoaster. the plot twists had me hooked from the start and seeing a new romance between the characters actually made me enjoy this book even more. i felt like the ending was a little bit underwhelming since it did feel rushed, especially since the pacing of the book earlier had been perfect. regardless, i absolutely loved this book and i am genuinely so sad that we will not be getting more of elspeth and ravyn any time soon :( definitely definitely recommend!! 4/5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Physical abuse, Murder, Torture, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content and Child death
kinsportch's review
adventurous
dark
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Physical abuse, and Torture
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Confinement, Death of parent, Blood, Child abuse, and Child death
Minor: Cursing, Sexual content, and Alcoholism