Rachel Gillig| 2023 | 437 Pages | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Gothic, Romance, YA
SUMMARY
In the luscious, dark sequel to One Dark Window, Elspeth must face the consequences of what she's wrought - perfect for readers of Hannah Whitten's For the Wolf and Alexis Henderson's The Year of the Witching.
Elspeth and Ravyn have gathered most of the twelve Providence Cards, but the last, and most important one remains to be found: The Twin Alders.
If they are going to find it before the Solstice and cure the kingdom of the dark magic infecting it, they will need to journey beyond the dangerous mist-cloaked forest that surrounds their kingdom.
And the only one who can lead them there is the monster that shares Elspeth's head. The Nightmare. And he's not eager to share any longer.
MY THOUGHTS & OVERVIEW
In Two Twisted Crowns, we dive deep into a dark and captivating world where Elspeth drifts through a sea of shadows, her mind and body possessed by the Nightmare, the soul of the fallen Shepherd King. As she washes ashore, she encounters Taxus, the young Shepherd King, now an old man in golden armor, waiting for her arrival.
In the kingdom of Blunder, Ravyn unearths the Shepherd King's grave, uncovering not just the old king's shepherd sword but also the lingering soul of his daughter, trapped in a realm beyond. Meanwhile, Elm is on a mission to retrieve Providence Cards from Hawthorn House, where he encounters Ione Hawthorn. She's been betrothed to Hauth Rowan, the heir now cursed by a magical mist. Elm must arrest her, but when highwaymen attack them, Ione's deadly skills force Elm into a deal—she wants the freedom to roam the Rowan castle despite her traitor's mark.
King Quercus, however, is bloodthirsty and seeks to execute Tyrn, Erik Spindle, and Ione. To distract from his court's gossip, he turns his wrath on Ravyn, blaming him for the kingdom's misfortunes. In a dark bargain with the Nightmare, Quercus releases Ravyn's brother, Emory, on the condition that Ravyn and the Nightmare retrieve the Twin Alders Card—while Elm must stay behind. Ravyn, the Nightmare, and Jespyr, his sister, set out for Castle Yew to begin their quest.
Elm's father plans to name him heir and marry him off within a week. Elm refuses, instead choosing to help Ione, whose sense of self is unraveling due to Hauth's magic. As Elm develops feelings for Ione, he reveals his true self to her, breaking from his guarded existence.
Ravyn assembles his team at Castle Yew and attempts to connect with Elspeth through the Nightmare's shared mind. While Elspeth has regained her memories, she relives Taxus's past—his dreams of a prosperous kingdom tainted by his obsession with magical power, leading to personal and societal betrayal.
The group's journey through the forest leads them to challenges, including crossing a lake that preys on their deepest desires and dealing with a severely injured Ivy twin. The Nightmare's revelation about the Maiden Card's true magic and Gorse's betrayal add layers to their struggle. Meanwhile, Elm and Ione's attempts to use the Prophet Card to locate the Maiden Card reveal a future where Ione will give it to the Nightmare.
Imprisoned by those driven out of Stone, Ravyn, influenced by magical smoke, kills Gorse. Their escape leads them to confront the Spirit of the Wood, who offers Ravyn choices involving the Twin Alders Card. He learns his true lineage and his connection to the Nightmare.
At Stone, Elm and Ione's plans to use the Maiden Card to overcome Elm's father's schemes lead to dramatic twists. The Card's powers are tested when Hauth, now healed, uses it to commit murder and seize the throne. Elm and Ione flee while Elm faces his brother's torture.
Ravyn, the Nightmare, and Jespyr's return to the valley and subsequent battle with Hauth, culminating in a dramatic final confrontation, provide a powerful conclusion. With the completion of the Deck and the defeat of Hauth, the kingdom finds peace, and Elspeth and Ravyn are left to wander together once more.
Two Twisted Crowns excels with its intricate lore and character development. The secondary characters, particularly Elm and Ione, add depth and fresh romantic subplots that enrich the story. The expansion of the world and the unique magic system are masterfully handled, keeping the narrative engaging without overwhelming info dumps. The lyrical writing and gothic atmosphere enhance the dark fairy tale feel, while the emotional and complex character arcs, especially for Elm, the Nightmare, and Ione, make the journey unforgettable.
The romance between Elm and Ione is particularly compelling, filled with chemistry and emotional depth. Despite their separation, the dynamic between Elspeth and Ravyn remains poignant. The Nightmare's backstory adds unexpected layers, and Ione's struggles turn her into a character worth rooting for.
The book's final sections are intense and satisfying, but the resolution feels rushed. Despite this, the emotional payoff and character arcs are deeply gratifying. Two Twisted Crowns is a captivating read for fans of gothic fantasy and richly developed characters. Gillig's storytelling prowess makes me eager for her next work. Highly recommended!
DETAILED CHARACTER OVERVIEW
Elspeth Spindle is the novel's intriguing protagonist, described as "a pretty maiden with long black hair and charcoal eyes." She is the daughter of Iris Whitebeam and Erik Spindle—the former Captain of the Rowan King's 13 Destriers—and the stepdaughter of Nerium, with half-sisters Nya and Dimia. Elspeth was infected by the Spirit of the Wood's mist at nine. Her father hid her with her maternal relatives, the Hawthorns, to protect her instead of surrendering her to the Physicians. At her aunt Opal and Uncle Tyrn's estate, she encounters the Nightmare Card and absorbs the soul of its creator, the Shepherd King, also known as the Nightmare. For eleven years, she conceals the Nightmare's presence in her mind.
Initially, Elspeth is portrayed as a passive character, forced to stay hidden on the fringes of Blunder society to keep her infection and powers a secret. Her involvement with Ravyn Yew and his team marks a turning point, helping her gain confidence. Despite this growth, she frequently relies on the Nightmare's deteriorating power, a power that is both protective and destructive, for protection. By the novel's end, Elspeth's fate hangs in the balance as the Nightmare seems to gain complete control over her.
The Nightmare, or the Shepherd King, is both an ally and antagonist to Elspeth. The Nightmare, a monstrous soul with a coarse, fur-covered body, long gray fingers tipped with claws, and yellow eyes with slit-like pupils, is described as both formidable and eerie. His relationship with Elspeth is complex: he grows stronger as she uses his magic while she weakens. Despite his ambitions and vengefulness toward the Rowans, the Nightmare genuinely cares for Elspeth and has protected her for years. By the novel's end, he has taken full control of Elspeth and offers to aid the Yews in forming a Deck of Providence Cards.
The Rowan Family serves as the primary antagonists. Though rarely seen, the Rowan King exerts a strong influence over Blunder. He is the father of Hauth and Elm and commands the Physicians and Destriers to capture the infected. Despite his hatred for the infected, he hypocritically employs individuals with practical magic, like Ravyn Yew and Orithe Willow. His ultimate goal is to complete a Deck of Providence Cards, a powerful set of cards that, when complete, can lift the Spirit's mist.
High Prince Hauth Rowan is a key antagonist who abuses his position and the Scythe Card to manipulate emotions, even harming Elspeth's cousin, his fiancée Ione Hawthorn. He harbors jealousy towards his cousin Ravyn, undermining him and targeting Elspeth, whom he suspects of being involved with Ravyn's team.
Second Prince Renelm "Elm" Rowan is a character who evokes sympathy and understanding. He is a reluctant ally to Elspeth, torn between his loyalty to his family and his growing understanding of the plight of the infected. He struggles with his father's disdain and his brother Hauth's cruelty, a conflict that adds depth to his character. Elm, who is close to the Yews through his aunt Morette Yew, is Ravyn's cousin and right-hand man. A Scythe Card-wielder, he can slow an infected Emory Yew's degeneration. Elm is wary of Elspeth, prioritizing the Yews' safety while recognizing her hidden secrets.
Ravyn Yew is Elspeth's love interest and a central figure in her journey. As the son of Fenir Yew and Morette Rowan and brother to Jespyr and Emory, he leads a rebellion to form a Deck before the Rowan King. Ravyn, described as having striking gray eyes and smooth copper skin, is also infected, which grants him near-immunity to the Providence Cards but causes him to lose one Card per year. Despite his uncle's control, Ravyn fights to save Emory from sacrifice.
Jespyr Yew is Ravyn's sister and the only female Destrier. She faces prejudice due to her gender but is a crucial member of Ravyn's team. Jespyr and Elspeth form a strong bond of friendship through their missions, supporting each other along the way. Their camaraderie and mutual support add a heartwarming element to the narrative.
Emory Yew is Ravyn and Jespyr's infected brother. Chosen by the Rowan King for sacrifice, he is secluded in Stone due to his erratic behavior. Emory's magic allows him to sense the Nightmare's presence in Elspeth's mind.
The Hawthorn Family includes Elspeth's aunt and uncle, Tyrn and Opal Hawthorn. Tyrn's motivations for taking in Elspeth were driven by greed, and he later betrays her by arranging her marriage to Hauth. Opal, however, accepts out of love and has a more complex relationship with Elspeth.
Ione Hawthorn, Elspeth's cousin, is betrothed to High Prince Hauth in exchange for Tyrn's Nightmare Card. Initially kind-hearted, Ione uses the Maiden Card, a powerful card that enhances beauty but at the cost of emotions, to enhance her beauty and loses her emotions in the process, becoming more power-driven. Despite this, she tries to protect Elspeth from Hauth's suspicions.
The Spindle Family features Erik Spindle, Elspeth's father, who, despite his role in hunting the infected, loves Elspeth and regrets his past actions. His separation from her was driven by the need to protect her, but he later wishes he could change the past.
The Willow Family comprises Orithe, Filick Willow, cousins, and Physicians. Orithe, the head of the Physicians, follows the Rowan King's decree to hunt the infected—Filick, who supports Ravyn and Elspeth, advocates for treating the infected as patients rather than pariahs.
THEMES
Family and (Dis)Loyalty
In One Dark Window, family and hierarchy play crucial roles. Although of noble descent, Elspeth Spindle is forced to hide her infection and act submissively to avoid attention. Living with her maternal relatives, the Hawthorns, she navigates her position as a noble and an outcast. Her loyalty to both her families is tested when she joins Ravyn's team, risking their safety to help Blunder.
Ravyn Yew faces similar challenges. His love for Elspeth threatens his role as Captain of the Destriers, as he fears that his growing closeness to her could jeopardize his position and his family's safety. Ravyn struggles to balance his desire for change with the dangerous expectations of the Rowan King.
Second Prince Elm Rowan remains tied to their power despite his dislike for his father and brother's oppressive rule. His role helps the Yews but also keeps him under the Rowans' control. Unlike Ravyn, Elm finds acceptance and freedom with his chosen family, the Yews, but still faces pressure from the Rowans.
Falsifying History and "Otherness"
The Rowans use fear and manipulation to control Blunder. They distort spiritual beliefs and historical records to frame the infected as dangerous. By corrupting The Old Book of Alders, they create fear of the Spirit of the Wood and justify violence against the infected. This manipulation upsets the natural balance of magic in Blunder.
The true nature of the Nightmare and the Shepherd King reveals how the Rowans have rewritten History. Elspeth's connection to the Shepherd King through the Nightmare challenges the Rowans' version of events and exposes the truth. Her journey shows the complexity of the Shepherd King's legacy and counters the Rowans' myths.
Elspeth's transformation and merging with the Nightmare challenge the Rowans' attempts to isolate and fear the infected. Her story reclaims the humanity of those labeled as "other" and confronts the Rowans' oppressive tactics.
Dominance Through Fear
The Rowans maintain control through fear. Although the exact details of how Brutus Rowan overthrew the Shepherd King are unclear, the Nightmare's title as "usurper" suggests violence. The Rowans use fear to enforce their rule, punishing those who show compassion towards the infected.
The Physicians, once healers, have been repurposed by the Rowans to hunt the infected. Filick Willow, a former healer and ally to Ravyn and Elspeth, criticizes this change: "We did not fear [the mist]. We venerated the Spirit of the Wood". Given his noble background, Orithe Willow's role in enforcing Rowan's violence is ironic.
The Rowans also use Scythe Cards to control others' emotions. Hauth Rowan's use of the Card to enforce his authority highlights the Rowans' reliance on fear and cruelty to maintain their power. Public punishments and personal vendettas against Ravyn, Elspeth, and others illustrate how the Rowans keep their rule unchallenged through terror.
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