dracos_library 's review for:

Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig

4.0

adventurous emotional funny 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: No

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“Elspeth says if you do not get up, she’ll never kiss you again.” “That’s—not—what she—said.”

In the review to the first book I said "Overall it had to little world building for my taste. So far it’s really just two villages, a castle and some mist. Also I believe the characters deserve some more depth and attributes to make them more likeable.". Thinking back about the review I have to say that the world building in this book was better. The world itself was still small which is fine, but we finally got more backstory to the history of the cards and the Shepherd king itself.
What was weird to me, was that Elspeth was basically not the MC anymore. She could've just easily not been there. It wouldn't have made a big difference. I've never seen this done before where the main character changes with the sequel. This would've been the death of the book, if the other characters weren't so likable. I know now why I wasn't so into Ravyn & Elsbeth didn't grab my attention in the first book. Because they purposefully didn't get any depth to them so that the reader would also like the new main characters in the second book. And boy, did I like them.

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

“You don’t think I noticed you, Ione?”

Elm and Ione. What is there to say other than that they are made for each other?

“The way you’re looking at me, terrifies me.” “Why? Did no one ever love you before, Elm?” “Not like this. There’s never been anything like this.”

Also. Elm is gonna be added to the book boyfriend list! The way he talks about their love and how he loves her:

“A hundred years,” he said to her, as if she were the only one in the room. “I’ll love you for a hundred years—and an eternity after.”

Overall I have to say that I will cherish Elm & Ione forever. They are cute little fluffy buns that need protection.

 I really enjoyed this book. I am glad its a duology and the writing is beautiful. Even tho many things were predictable in my opinion -if one paid attention to the riddles- it was still a wonderful change to all the other books I usually read.