The Shepherd's Crown is a contemplative fantasy novel about the end of an age. While there is an overarching plot, the book focuses mainly on the reactions of different characters to a changing world, and the ways in which they have to change to match it. Like the other Tiffany Aching books, it has a fairy tale feel that is grounded by the mundane and practical problems the characters face. 

Ultimately, this is a book about grief. The protagonists and antagonists are both faced with the loss of the status quo they knew and loved, and the book follows them as they try more and less successfully to reconcile with this loss and learn from it, preserving what was good about the old order while also recognizing its flaws. The writing is evocative and emotional, but the unfinished nature of the book shows through in places. A worthy ending to a fantastic series.