Author Gush: Rachel Gillig and The Shepherd King

The Two Were Together, So The Two Were the Same- The Girl, The King…and The Monster They Became.

Smack my tits and burn my grits, dear reader. This is a good ‘un!

You know, I’d like to think I’ve read enough books in my time to generally understand when a story is gearing up to the grand finale. A sort of hint at the pacing that suggests “hey, you. You should probably stop reading until tomorrow because you won’t stop reading otherwise you pernicious little word junky.”

Imagine my surprise, then, when on both occasions while reading this series I heard that little voice and promptly told it to shut the fuck up because a thumb just grazed someone’s lip.

Food became a distraction, sleep a sign of weakness, the magic and romance like crack cocaine- and daddy needed his fix.

Comprising two books in all, The Shepherd King tells the tale of a kingdom ensnared by magical mist, and of a certain girl infected by magic within it. That girl is plagued by the Nightmare living in her head and fuck me running if his snide commentary didn’t make me crack a smile more often than not.

The magic of salt, Providence Cards, and the simple repetition of poetry make this feel like a Grimm’s fairy tale of the modern age. That combined with the subtle yet horrifying imagery the few times the Nightmare is unleashed made me lean forward in my chair several times thinking “ah, shit. It’s getting real.”

Think on this, dear reader: Rachel Gillig has made a poem, a nursery rhyme no less, into one of the most badass “I’m about to open a can of undiluted scatmanjon on your overconfident bitch ass” one liners I’ve read in recent memory. On a related note, I have never wanted a character so brutally crippled to suffer so much (don’t know if that says more about me or the character but I’m not sorry and he deserved everything he got. If you know you know).

And the romance, dear reader!

Listen, I’m a dude who’s not particulary “in” with the romance lit scene, and even I am down to clown on Elspeth Spindle and Ravyn Yew.

How down you ask? Let’s just say I shipped these characters so hard Theseus is jealous.

Put simply, the relationships in this duology are too well done to not crow on about. They evolve naturally and their often steamy culmination makes you feel like a randy dowager in the best of ways.

What’s that you say? Ravyn Yew grazed his fingers across the back of Elspeth’s hand? …do go on.

*gasp!* Prince Renelm has an unrequited love he’s been harboring for YEARS? Four silken handkerchiefs fluttered in shock out of five!

The stakes are high, secrets are revealed, the magic’s great, and feels are real.

So do I recommend The Shepherd King?

Yes. Decidedly.

How MUCH do I recommend The Shepherd King?

I finished both books in well under 48 hours and then proceeded to immediately order the Barnes and Noble exclusive hardcovers complete with decorative foil and am working on an acquiring author signed copies without shame.

These two books will hold a place of honor amongst my bookshelf, dear reader, if only because I wasn’t expecting to have as good of a ride when I first picked them up.

If you’re looking for a good time, call….er, I mean, pick up these two today and thank me later.

And remember: be wary. Be clever. Be good.

Until next time.