10 January 2025
The Shepherd King Series By Rachel Gillig Review And Book Club Questions
Reviewed by: Melissa Ng
Quick Facts
Series Overview:
- Book 1: One Dark Window (2022)
- Book 2: Two Twisted Crowns (2023)
How I Read It: Borrowed from my local library
Content & Trigger Warnings: Mild coarse language, spice, violence, gore, blood, terror. For more trigger warnings, please visit Rachel Gillig’s website (One Dark Window + Two Twisted Crowns).
If you haven’t already, you can read my full reviews of book 1 and book 2 of The Shepherd King Series on my blog. They include summaries, characters, quotes, spoilers, and book club questions. Read them now:
The Shepherd King Series Summary
Set in the mist-covered kingdom of Blunder, The Shepherd King series is a gothic fairy-tale-inspired duology blending magic, romance, and a band of misfits.
At the heart of the series is Elspeth Spindle, a young woman cursed with the Nightmare, an ancient spirit trapped in her mind.
The kingdom is plagued by a deadly mist, and the only hope of curing it lies in collecting the twelve magical Providence Cards. These cards grant great power but at a steep personal cost.
In One Dark Window, Elspeth joins Ravyn Yew, a royal and Captain of the Destriers, on a quest to unite the cards and break the curse.
The story is rife with danger, heists, and slow-burn romance, as Elspeth battles not only external threats but also the growing influence of the Nightmare.
Two Twisted Crowns deepens the lore, revealing the origins of the mist and the Shepherd King, who created the Providence Cards.
The series concludes with a high-stakes finale, where Elspeth and Ravyn face impossible choices to save Blunder and themselves.
The Shepherd King Main Characters
- Elspeth: A cursed maiden with the Nightmare’s voice in her mind
- Ravyn: Captain of the Destriers and nephew to the King
- The Nightmare: An ancient spirit, both protector and manipulator
- Ione: Elspeth’s cousin
- Elm: The King’s second son and Ravyn’s cousin
- Hauth: The King’s son and heir to the throne
The Shepherd King Review
The Shepherd King series is a masterful duology that weaves gothic atmosphere, fairy-tale elements, and a unique magic system.
From the moment I picked up One Dark Window, I was hooked. Rachel Gillig excels at creating a world steeped in mystery and magic, with the Providence Cards adding a layer of strategy and tension to the narrative.
Strengths:
- The world-building is immersive, with the mist-covered Blunder offering a hauntingly beautiful setting.
- The characters are morally complex, especially Elspeth and Ravyn, whose dynamic drives much of the story.
- The Providence Cards are an ingenious plot device, each with distinct powers and chilling costs.
Critiques:
- While One Dark Window felt tightly plotted, Two Twisted Crowns struggled slightly with pacing, especially in the first half.
- The addition of multiple POVs in Two Twisted Crowns was jarring at first, but eventually enriched the story.
- The romance subplot between Elm and Ione felt rushed compared to the slow burn of Elspeth and Ravyn.
Overall Rating:
- One Dark Window: 5/5
- Two Twisted Crowns: 4/5
- Series Overall: 5/5
If you’re a fan of Five Broken Blades by Mai Corland or Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher, you’ll love this series. The blend of magic, heists, and a band of misfits makes it a standout in the fantasy genre.
The Shepherd King Series Book Club Questions
- How did the gothic atmosphere of Blunder enhance the story?
- What were your favourite moments from each book?
- Which Providence Card would you choose, and why?
- Did the costs of using the Providence Cards feel justified?
- What did you think of Elspeth’s relationship with the Nightmare?
- How did the romance between Elspeth and Ravyn compare to that of Elm and Ione?
- Were you surprised by the reveal of Ravyn’s lineage?
- How did you feel about the pacing of Two Twisted Crowns compared to One Dark Window?
- Did you agree with the ultimate sacrifice made to complete the Providence Deck?
- If The Shepherd King Series were expanded into a third book, what would you like to see?
- What themes stood out most to you throughout the series?
- How do you think the series fits into the young adult versus new adult category?
- Do you think the series could have worked better as a trilogy? Why or why not?
- If The Shepherd King Series was adapted into a movie or TV show, who would you cast as Elspeth, Ravyn, and the Nightmare?
Frequently Asked Questions
How many books are in The Shepherd King series?
The Shepherd King series is a duology, consisting of two books: One Dark Window (Book 1) and Two Twisted Crowns (Book 2).
Is The Shepherd King series complete?
Yes, the series is complete with two books. There is no The Shepherd King series book 3. However, Rachel Gillig is working on a new series called The Stonewater Kingdom, set to release in 2025.
What genre is The Shepherd King series?
It’s a gothic fantasy series with fairy tale elements, magic, and a romance subplot. While marketed as young adult, the themes and mild spice lean toward new adult.
Are the books in The Shepherd King series connected?
Yes, the two books are directly connected and should be read in order: One Dark Window first, followed by Two Twisted Crowns.
Is The Shepherd King series spicy?
The romance has mild spice but it’s not overly explicit.
What books are similar to The Shepherd King series?
Fans of Five Broken Blades by Mai Corland, Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher, or even the strategic elements of Netflix’s Alice in Borderland will likely enjoy this series.
Is The Shepherd King series suitable for younger readers?
While marketed as young adult, the series contains mild coarse language, violence, and some spice, making it more appropriate for older teens or new adult readers.
