Whispers in the Fog: 
Why You Need to Read the Shepherd King Duology

Spoiler Free Review!

Darkly atmospheric, richly magical, and full of gothic romance. What more could a girl ask for from a duology? One Dark Window and its sequel Two Twisted Crowns follow Elspeth Spindle, a young woman haunted by a dangerous secret in a kingdom cursed by corrupted magic. The series blends dark fantasy, slow-burn romance, and eerie folklore in a world where magic comes at a steep price...and sanity is always on the line.

I first stumbled upon One Dark Window completely by chance during a trip to Barnes & Noble. I was in one of those moods where I just needed a new series to dive into, and after scanning the shelves for a while, I asked one of the employees if she had any recommendations. Her face lit up the moment I mentioned fantasy and she immediately pulled One Dark Window off the shelf and told me how much she loved it and hadn't stopped thinking of it since she finished reading it months ago. She described it as dark, magical, and totally unique, and honestly, she couldn’t have been more right. I bought it that day, started it that night, and was absolutely hooked. 

If you love gothic fairytales, morally gray magic that literally anyone has a shot at obtaining, and a heroine grappling with both power and madness (aren't we all though??), this duology is a must-read! 

 

High Level Summary: 

🌑 One Dark Window (Book 1)

Elspeth Spindle lives in a kingdom where magic is strictly controlled, and using it comes with a dangerous cost. Those who wield magic risk losing their sanity and their lives. But Elspeth has a secret: she carries a monster in her mind, a whispering presence known only as the Nightmare.

When she crosses paths with a mysterious highwayman (🥵) and becomes entangled in a rebellion against the ruling authorities, Elspeth is pulled into a dangerous mission to collect powerful magical relics known as Providence Cards. With the Nightmare’s voice growing stronger and enemies closing in, Elspeth must walk a razor’s edge between salvation and ruin.

Tone: Mysterious, gothic, slow-burnnnnnnnnnnn 
Perfect for: Readers who love dark fairytales, secret identities, beautifully crafted worlds, and inner monsters

👑 Two Twisted Crowns (Book 2)

The sequel picks up right where One Dark Window ends, with higher stakes, darker secrets, and more tangled loyalties. As the rebellion gains momentum and the kingdom teeters on the edge of chaos, Elspeth and her allies must race to unravel the full truth behind the magic, the curse, and the crown.

This book shifts perspectives to deepen the world and explore new characters while continuing Elspeth’s journey. It weaves romance, sacrifice, and haunting magic into a powerful conclusion that is just as lyrical and eerie as the first book...but even more emotionally gripping.

Tone: Epic, emotional, slightly darker
Perfect for: Readers who want a satisfying conclusion with heart, horror, and healing

What I Loved Most

This series took me completely by surprise. I picked up One Dark Window on a whim and was instantly hooked by the haunting prose and the unsettling presence in Elspeth’s mind. It’s equal parts romantic, eerie, and emotionally layered.

There’s something so satisfying about reading a duology that sticks the landing and Two Twisted Crowns absolutely delivers. I loved that I picked this series up once it was already concluded...made binging these super easy! 

I also loved that it was a fantasy series with a side of romance. If you are looking to embark on the most epic romance journeys.....these probably aren't going to hit the mark for you (which mind you, they aren't advertised that way IMO). While there's certainly not a shortage of love interests and relationship building in these books, I really liked that we got a main course of a deliciously well written plot and story with a side serving of heat and romance. Not every story has to have the quest for love be stage center and the main plot, and Gillig balanced romance really well in this epic tale. It literally has something for everyone...dig movies with vibes like The Village? You'll find parallels. Obsessed with swoon worthy morally grey males? Boom, delivered. Want to disassociate from the real world so hard that you close your eyes and can visit a fantasy land? Yep, this is the final boarding call so you better have your fantasy passport in hand. Like to know what's going on with some of your other favorite characters but not lose momentum of the story line or the main characters? Heck yessss, this 👏 is 👏 for 👏 you 👏

📖Favorite Quotes:

 

Aesthetic & Vibe

• 🍂 Fog-drenched forests

• 🕯️ Gothic castles and candlelight

• 📜 Cursed relics

• 🌙 Whispers in the dark and haunted minds

• 🗝️ A world where magic is locked in your blood and alters you with every use

Themes

• Power & Corruption: Magic isn’t free. It’s dangerous, addictive, and tied to an ancient curse.

• Identity & Duality: Elspeth’s internal conflict is one of the most compelling parts of the story.

• Sacrifice: What are you willing to give up to protect the people you love?

• Choice vs. Fate: The line between destiny and decision is blurred in this series in such an interesting way.

Worldbuilding

The magic system is based on Providence Cards. Each one bestowing a unique magical ability, but at a cost. There’s a rich folklore surrounding these cards that unfolds like a dark fairytale, with creepy rhymes and whispered histories. I loved how the magic felt both whimsical and deeply unsettling at the same time.

 

The kingdom of Blunder (yes, that’s really its name) is atmospheric in the best way! Misty, cold, and cursed. Autumn/Halloween are my favorite times of the year, and I fear that Gillig set the trap, and I gladly took the bait. It’s one of those fantasy worlds where you can practically smell the damp earth, hear the crows in the trees, and get goosebumps while reading about it. Gillig writes in a way that you can weave her details into images and feel immersed into Blunder. I honestly don't always get that from the books I read, and I have a deep appreciation for this skill. Reading is my favorite form of escapism, and Gillig makes it so easy to wander down a damp and dark road with her characters.

Who Should Read This

Fans of:

• Gothic fantasy (Double dog dare you to stick your toe in the water if you're a Romantasy fan!)

• Creepy folklore and original magic systems

• Slow burn, yearning, and a bunch of twists along the way

• Female characters navigating power, fear, and identity 

Final Thoughts

 

I can say without hesitation that One Dark Window and Two Twisted Crowns were the best books I've read in a while. I'll stand 10 toes down on this every single day. They got me out of my Throne of Glass slump--a slump that I honestly did not realize I was in for over a year. 

From the very first chapter, I was hooked and not just by the eerie, poetic writing, but by how deeply immersive the entire world felt. There’s something so rare about a book that manages to be both beautifully written and completely unputdownable (I mean, is there higher praise than that?), and this duology gave me BOTH. The slow-burn tension, the gothic atmosphere, and the emotional weight of Elspeth’s journey all stayed with me long after I closed the final page. I rave about these books to anyone that literally gives me time to speak about books...and even to those that don't. 😂

What truly stood out to me was how unique the magic system felt. The Providence Cards weren’t just a clever concept. They were symbolic, haunting, and full of narrative depth that we continued to discover throughout both books. I also loved the quiet intensity of the romance, the emotional growth of the characters, and the eerie fairytale quality that threaded through every chapter. I found myself savoring the prose one moment and holding my breath the next. These books reminded me why I love fantasy so much and why I’ll always make space on my shelf for a story that isn’t afraid to be both dark and beautiful (because let's be honest...isn't that truly the perfect blend?).

This duology is dark, lyrical, and completely immersive. You'll literally shoot daggers at your partner if they so dare to interrupt you while reading these (my husband learned this one the hard way 😅). If you’re looking for a fantasy series that doesn’t shy away from the eerie or the emotional, One Dark Window and Two Twisted Crowns should be next on your list. 

Gillig is going to release beautiful deluxe versions of these books this year and I can't wait to see them in person! I'm also [not so secretly] praying that this gets adapted by Graphic Audio because I know that my soul would simply leave my body on my first listen through.

The only spoiler I am going to give you is this past weekend I finished Gillig's latest novel: The Knight and the Moth and you can darnnnnn well bet once I'm done analyzing and digesting it, I'll be raving to you about it next 😉 

 

Until next time, be weary, be clever, be good.
🖤 Brittny Tried It

✨ Shop It Here: 

One Dark Window:
Paperback:https://amzn.to/46sUSgz
Kindle: https://amzn.to/4ktHjkH
Deluxe Pre-order:https://amzn.to/4ktHAEf

Two Twisted Crowns:
Paperback:https://amzn.to/401JnJd
Kindle:https://amzn.to/4lji45I
Deluxe Pre-order:https://amzn.to/407OKXf

The Knight & The Moth:  
Hardcover:https://amzn.to/4nAoHCb
Kindle:https://amzn.to/4nvGytT

*If you use my link, I may earn a small commission—thank you for supporting Brittny Tried It! 💕 

Bonus Content:

Literally, this is my "and another thing!" because I wasn't done yapping yet.....Here’s a playlist of songs that IMO capture the haunting, gothic, romantic, and magical vibes of One Dark Window and Two Twisted Crowns. These songs reflect the eerie forests, whispered secrets, emotional tension, and the slow unraveling of power. Perfect for reading or reminiscing about the series 🫶 

🎧 The Shepherd King Vibes Playlist

1. “Control” – Halsey

   Dark, defiant, and perfectly captures Elspeth’s internal struggle with the Nightmare.

2. “Bones” – MS MR

   Ethereal and haunting with just the right edge of danger and obsession.

3. “My Body Is a Cage” – Arcade Fire (or the Peter Gabriel cover)

   The emotional weight of being trapped—physically, magically, or mentally.

4. “Bury a Friend” – Billie Eilish

   Unsettling and whispery, it feels like a musical embodiment of the Nightmare’s voice.

5. “Seven Devils” – Florence + The Machine

   If the Providence Cards had a theme song, this would be it. Chilling and powerful.

6. “The Woods” – Daughter

   For the misty, eerie forest scenes. Beautifully melancholy and raw.

7. “In the Woods Somewhere” – Hozier

   A slow, atmospheric track with dark folklore undertones—pure Blunder vibes.

8. “I Know Places” – Taylor Swift

   For the tension of running, hiding, and forbidden romance under the watchful eyes of enemies.

9. “Castle” – Halsey

   Perfect for the reclaiming-power arc, especially in Two Twisted Crowns.

10. “Runaway” – AURORA

Dreamlike and otherworldly—captures the aching beauty and strange magic of the world.

I grew up on Loreena McKennitt's album The Book of Secrets and these book totally gives me the same vibes as this album (which by the way is my favorite autumn soundtrack). This entire album feels like a spell. With its Celtic instrumentation, poetic storytelling, and haunting vocals, it mirrors the fairytale like magic and moody atmosphere of the Shepherd King series. Tracks like “The Mummers' Dance” and “Dante’s Prayer” feel like they were made to accompany a walk through the cursed forests of Blunder or a quiet moment with Elspeth as she wrestles with fate. It’s a perfect backdrop for readers who want to sink even deeper into that shadowy, romantic world. Check it out and let me know your thoughts!

📚If you liked One Dark Window or Two Twisted Crowns, maybe try these reads next:

From chatting it up with other bookish people, these books came recommended if you enjoyed this series. While I haven't read all of these personally, I figured I would share the list with you all in the event you find something you enjoy:

·  The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
(For fans of dark fae politics, twists, and morally grey characters)

·  Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
(If you love complex characters, heists, and dark fantasy with high stakes)

·  An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson
(For atmospheric fae lore mixed with dark romance and artistry)

·  Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
(Witches, enemies-to-lovers, and a richly built fantasy world)

·  The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
(Dark dystopian fantasy with supernatural powers and complex conspiracies)

·  The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller
(A dark romance with a scheming heroine and a dangerous king)

·  An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
(For those who love gritty fantasy, rebellion, and complex characters)

·  Fable by Adrienne Young
(Sea adventures, dark secrets, and a fierce heroine)

·  The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
(A brutal, dark fantasy with complex characters and intense worldbuilding)

 ·  The Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent
(Beautiful slow burn, with the protagonist battling a creature for control of their mind and body)