Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig

17 reviews

karapillar's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Grief, Physical abuse, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Blood, Gore, Child death, Gaslighting, Torture, Violence, Child abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Murder, Death, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Vomit

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.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, Blood, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Chronic illness, Gore, and Child death

edilyaaang's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-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

I cannot put into words how I love this duology. I laughed, I cried. I was at the edge while reading this, wanting to find out what happened next. I couldn't have asked for a better end.

I will be thinking about this book for weeks to come. I just know it. This was the best book to open 2024

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Violence, Death, Murder, and Gore

Moderate: Grief, Sexual content, Child death, Animal death, Torture, Police brutality, and Self harm

marzreadz2's review

adventurous dark hopeful reflective 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? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Confinement, Death, Torture, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Grief and Vomit

yourbookishbff's review

dark emotional mysterious 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

I loved this sequel and the transition to multiple POVs! I enjoyed One Dark Window, but the deeper world-building, evolved magic system, and the shift to Elm and Ione as our primary romance made this follow-up a stand-out for me. I particularly enjoy when an author can pull off a tight story arc in a duology, and this nailed it - the ending felt appropriately hard-won and resisted easy heroics. I adore the Nightmare, and the complexity in his characterization, and I appreciated the sharp humor he brings to character interactions. This is a dark and atmospheric story with two affirming and compelling romance arcs, and I highly recommend to fantasy romance lovers!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Grief and Sexual content

Minor: Abandonment

katievallin's review

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Cursing, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, and Blood

Moderate: Alcohol, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content

Minor: Medical content, Child death, and Body shaming

eabecker05'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? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Gore, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Death

Moderate: Child abuse, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Blood, Confinement, and Sexual content