The Shepherd King Series by Rachel Gillig

The Shepherd King series by Rachel Gillig is a gothic fantasy duology comprising One Dark Window and Two Twisted Crowns. Set in the mist-shrouded kingdom of Blunder, the narrative follows Elspeth Spindle, a young woman infected by a magical fever that grants her forbidden powers. She harbors a mysterious entity known as the Nightmare within her mind, a presence that both aids and endangers her. To cure the kingdom's affliction, Elspeth allies with Ravyn Yew, the king's nephew and leader of the Destriers, embarking on a perilous quest to reunite twelve magical Providence Cards. As they confront dark magic, political intrigue, and inner demons, the series weaves themes of identity, sacrifice, and the complexities of power.

• One Dark Window – Elspeth hides a dark magic inside her mind while helping a rogue prince collect ancient cards to save their cursed kingdom.
• Two Twisted Crowns – As the kingdom unravels, Elspeth and her allies race against time to break the curse—before darkness consumes them all.