help, ione and elm are it

*SPOILERS AHEAD!*



Oooohhh goodness gracious me, where to begin with this completely enchanting amazing second book of an enchanting amazing duology I will now be recommending to everyone? It's rare for me (and I think in general) for a a sequel or second story installment to be better than the first, but not impossible. I think this certainly classifies as one of those cases.
Wowie, there are so many amazing parts of this novel's plot. A lot of them hinge on the set up of One Dark Window's stakes and conflicts (Elspeth's parasitic friend, Hauth Rowan's terrifying power trip, and the necessity to venture into the mist-filled woods to destroy the Deck once and for all). But Gillig manages to make me care about side characters that weren't even on my radar at the beginning of the duology. Namely, Ione and Elm. My goodness, do these two have chemistry. Like, "I'm reading by myself and have to look up from the book to see if anyone else read the same heartthrob sentence I just read" type of chemistry. I was such a fan of their slow burning relationship at the book's beginning, since it made it clear to me why Elm's POV was going to be important. What I liked even more was that it didn't take toooooo long for them to finally admit they care for each other and do everything within their power to protect each other from the forces that be (mainly big scary Hauth and the misuse of the powerful Providence Cards). If Rachel Gillig ever offers a masterclass on "how to get your readers to care more about your secondary characters than your main characters," I'll be the first to sign up. 
The tension of the Providence Cards' use makes me reflect once again on the unique magic system and worldbuilding of Blunder. It's just so atmospheric and unique in a way that I think especially shines in this second book because we learn more about the Shepherd King as an actual likable character. Truth be told, I sometimes forgot to envision him clothed in Elspeth's body, wearing her skin whilst she inhabits his mind. I was really intrigued by what felt like a slow but purposeful progression of their relationship from annoyed and distant to attached and familial. While they were undoubtedly forced into closeness from Elspeth's decision to touch the Card, I like the slightly uncomfortable sentiment that they are one and the same (and therefore, a monster). The analysis of their individual characters becomes that much more of a beast (no pun intended). I think the irony of this mind/body switch up worked really well to increase the tension between Ravyn and the Nightmare. Because while Ravyn is busy loathing the Nightmare for shutting Elspeth away from him, he's blind to the signs that he and the Nightmare actually have many similarities. The payoff of their revealed ancestry lost to time and rewritten Rowan legacy feels heavier, and the parallels of losing loved ones and traitorous friends is chilling.
On another note, I absolutely looooooved the descriptions of the Alderwood and deep forests beyond the immediate reaches of Stone. I really felt the mysticism while reading and learning about the Nightmares ancient power over the trees manifested in Elspeth's body. I think the full circle moment of the trees aiding the good guys in their fight against the bad guys near the novel's end was so so cool to watch unfurl.
I have to end this review with another nod to Ione and Elm. Like, wow, I'm obsessed with them and their story. The levels of hurt and healing they experience to get to the ends of themselves and the beginning of their love is beautiful. This is one of the best books (and duologies, by default) I've read so far this year.




Some of my favorite quotes from ​Two Twisted Crowns:

"There were not enough pages in all the books Elm had read, in all the libraries he’d wandered, in all the notebooks he’d scrawled, that could measure—denote or describe—just how beautiful she was."

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

"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. It was uncomfortable, pretending she was not sewn into him."

"I think about how easy it would be to do horrible things if I felt I had a good reason."

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