I thoroughly enjoyed this graphic novel, and can’t wait for the second installment. The art is singular and stunning, full of rich colors and interesting, folksy flair. 

The story follows Temperance, a young ogress raised by witches, as she learns about who she really is and what’s she’s capable of after being forced on a journey to save her village from “the mist.” The same mist she was apparently born within. 

The mist mutates people and animals, resulting in some delightfully sinister creatures for Temperance to fight. 

I’d recommend this for mature teens and older, as there’s some (non-sexual) nudity and violence. I love that body diversity is celebrated in this book, including a plus size main character. It’s also sapphic, and features a diverse cast of characters. 

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Oh. My. God. 

Two Twisted Crowns manages to be even better than book one, which is no small feat. It’s the PERFECT end to the duology. Rachel Gillig, I love your mind. 

This book is darker, steamier, and answers all the questions you could possibly want about the lore and magic of Blunder. 

Info dumping? I don’t know her. This book is so satisfying in the way it unwinds, piece by carefully constructed piece. This is one of those books that had me kicking my feet, screeching, and gasping in equal measure. A few times I had to put the book down and try explaining all the lore to my husband just to be able to tell him why I had such a visceral reaction. 

This is absolutely one of my favorite series. If you’re a fan of books/series like A River Enchanted, Vespertine, and The Foxglove King… what are you waiting for??? 

And if you’re a Hozier girly… this book’s two central storylines can be summed up as Francesca and Unknown/Nth. Do with that information what you will. 

To those who felt the romance in book one left something to be desired… have no fear. A new romance is in the building, and IT DELIVERS. Seriously, it was so perfect and good. It will be a long time until I’m over ~that scene~. I’m so excited for more people to read it so that I can talk about it!!! 

SO. GOOD. 

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for my honest review. 

So this book is definitely not perfect, but I LOVED it nonetheless. I may be in the minority here, but I thought Furyborn was just okay, while this had me HOOKED. 

I’d say the romance was more Insta-lust than Insta-love, and honestly I don’t see anything wrong with that. There’s definitely still some tension or push/pull in the relationship between Gemma and Talan that it seems realistic. Sure, he can kinda lay it on thick, but with reason. ..

Gemma herself is an unlikeable character, and yet I loved her. She deals with chronic pain and crippling anxiety, and as someone who can relate, it can be difficult to find the energy for kindness or generosity when you’re running on fumes like that. She can be moody, irrational, and selfish, but she is also aware of how her actions affect others in the aftermath. She’s a traumatized person who is working on healing and coking to terms with her pain. And I think she has incredible growth over the course of the book. As the author intended, Gemma is absolutely Amy March and Emma Woodhouse coded. 

The plot of the book itself is super interesting, and I found myself unable to put the book down once the mysteries really got rolling. I had to know what all of these seemingly disparate threads meant. While the book takes a really wild turn in the second half, it quickly gets back on course, and there are some intense revelations. It puts a lot of the first half into perspective. 

I absolutely cannot WAIT for book two, which I have on good authority is definitely Farrin’s book. Which hopefully means more Ryder!