Ri ♡ 's Reviews > Two Twisted Crowns

“Be wary. Be clever. Be good.”

My favourite and the best gothic fantasy I've ever read. Everything about this book was perfect. The vibes, plot, romance and action. I loved every second of it.

“Human life is short. You are not as a tree, stoic and unyielding, but a butterfly. Delicate, fleeting. Inconsequential.”

The enchanting and a mysterious duology about a cursed town, magical cards and magical trees. This book was the perfect combination of gothic, mysterious and spooky atmospherical vibes, the mystery of twin alders card and Shepherd King's past, witty banter between characters, thrilling action sequences, and the most enticing and scorching romance.

“Truth bends, Ravyn Yew. We must all bend along with it.”

I loved Rachel's exquisite writing and narrative. This was written in three povs—Elspeth, Ravyn and Elm. There were two stories nested in one storyline—Ravyn and Elspeth's quest for Twin Alders card and Elm and Ione's story. I loved the way Rachel focued on both and it didn't felt like jumping stories.

“Poetry is as judicious as violence.”

The perfect blend of romance and mystery made this book more interesting and captivating. Its not a romance fantasy but the romance in it was swoon-worthy. I loved that we got both the love stories in this series—Ravyn & Elspeth's in one dark window and Elm & Ione's in this book.

I was truly satisfied with Ravyn and Elspeth's story, their character developments and how their relationship developed in book 1 but I still missed them so much. They didn't had their moments until the very last chapter. I wish we got more of them together. The story started with Elspeth—a girl with a monster trapped inside her head. But Elspeth felt like a side character in this book. Which I didn't liked.


➸ Ravyn Yew

The dark and mysterious captain who would do anything to save his family Elspeth even sacrificing himself. I loved his protective and possessive side. The way he cared for Elspeth and protected her had me swooning everytime. I suspected his relation with the Shepherd king and I was right about it. I loved his interactions with Nightmare. At first I thought it would be a little weird to see him talk with Nightmare but through Elspeth, but their banter and the way Nightmare mocked Ravyn had me laugh out loud.

“You and I are Blunder’s reckoning, Ravyn Yew. Not its peace.”

➸ The Shepherd king

The star of this series and my absolute favourite character. His story was painful and emotional. He was trapped for centuries for his revenge against Rowan while his family passed the veil. What happened to him and his family was brutal. I loved the way he protected Ravyn, Elspeth and Jasper. Like they were his own kids. I was happy but also a little sad after the ending but it was the best ending he deserved after all the pain and rage he went through for centuries.

“Blunder’s reckoning.” The Shepherd King’s grin was worse than any snarl. “I am the root and the tree. I am balance.”

➸ Elm Rowan

There is something about him being a prince but also being a traitor to the crown. He always knew what was right and never supported what his father or brother did. He was charming and witty but also dangerous because of his Scythe card controlling powers. Elm always wanted to be seen and liked by his family. I hate Hauth so much for what he did to Elm when they were kids. I loved the way he loved and cared for Ione and saved her from King's wrath. Elm might not be able to fight with the swords or knife but he's always been the best Rowan prince with intelligent and cunning mind and kind hearted spirit.


➸ Ione Hawthorn

We get to know more about her character and what happened to her in book 1 that made her act like she didn't care about anything. I felt bad for what Hauth did to her and the way she was tortured to feel no emotions at all. Ione was always the cheery yellow haired girl with the biggest smile on her face until Hauth happened and I loved that Elm helped her all the way in this book.


╰┈➤ Elm and Ione

I desperately wanted them to be a couple ever since I read about Elm stealing those little glances at Ione in One dark window. They had chemistry from the very first moment. They both helped and healed the broken parts of each other. Ione always saw the real version of Elm and not the rude Rowan prince.

“What would you have me do? Burn the castle down with everyone in it?”
“That would be a start.” A laugh rose up Elm’s throat.
“Trees, Hawthorn. What a Queen you’d make.”


“I’d be your King, but always your servant. Never your keeper.”

The forced proximity, the tension between them, the way they teased each other and bantered, the way Elm wanted to see if he affected Ione in any way, the way he was obsessed with her yellow hair and the way he told her to use him if that would help her to feel anything had me melting and swooning. They were perfect for each other. And the angsty chalice scene? You are not ready for that scene. It's my favourite scene. The ending of their story was the best and the perfect one. I wish we got more of them.

“It was difficult to look at her. Beneath the ache that existed between them was a thin, fragile thread. One Ione had slipped through the eye of a needle and plunged into Elm’s chest, past all his bricks and barbs, though she didn’t yet realize it.”

This was the perfect end to this dulogy. I loved this and the characters so muc. I need more of them. *fingers crossed* Maybe Rachel can write a novella or something in future.

“For even dead, I will not die. I am the shepherd of shadow. The phantom of the fright. The demon in the daydream. The nightmare in the night.”

I'd definitely recommend this because this is the best fantasy duology for this spooky season.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.