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The Shepherd King #1
One Dark Window
For fans of Uprooted and For the Wolf comes a dark, lushly gothic fantasy about a maiden who must unleash the monster within to save her kingdom—but the monster in her head isn't the only threat lurking.
Elspeth needs a monster. The monster might be her.
Elspeth Spindle needs more than luck to stay safe in the eerie, mist-locked kingdom she calls home—she needs a monster. She calls him the Nightmare, an ancient, mercurial spirit trapped in her head. He protects her. He keeps her secrets.
But nothing comes for free, especially magic.
When Elspeth meets a mysterious highwayman on the forest road, her life takes a drastic turn. Thrust into a world of shadow and deception, she joins a dangerous quest to cure the kingdom of the dark magic infecting it. Except the highwayman just so happens to be the King’s own nephew, Captain of the Destriers…and guilty of high treason.
He and Elspeth have until Solstice to gather twelve Providence Cards—the keys to the cure. But as the stakes heighten and their undeniable attraction intensifies, Elspeth is forced to face her darkest secret yet: the Nightmare is slowly, darkly, taking over her mind. And she might not be able to stop him.
Elspeth needs a monster. The monster might be her.
Elspeth Spindle needs more than luck to stay safe in the eerie, mist-locked kingdom she calls home—she needs a monster. She calls him the Nightmare, an ancient, mercurial spirit trapped in her head. He protects her. He keeps her secrets.
But nothing comes for free, especially magic.
When Elspeth meets a mysterious highwayman on the forest road, her life takes a drastic turn. Thrust into a world of shadow and deception, she joins a dangerous quest to cure the kingdom of the dark magic infecting it. Except the highwayman just so happens to be the King’s own nephew, Captain of the Destriers…and guilty of high treason.
He and Elspeth have until Solstice to gather twelve Providence Cards—the keys to the cure. But as the stakes heighten and their undeniable attraction intensifies, Elspeth is forced to face her darkest secret yet: the Nightmare is slowly, darkly, taking over her mind. And she might not be able to stop him.
419 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 27, 2022
45853 people are currently reading
771469 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Gillig
5 books21.4k followersRachel Gillig was born and raised on the California coast. She is a writer, with a B.A. in Literary Theory and Criticism from UC Davis. If she is not ensconced in blankets dreaming up her next novel, Rachel is in her garden or walking with her husband, son, and their poodle, Wally.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73,587 reviews
May 1, 2023
Regrettably, One Dark Window wasn't it for me.
I have 2 reviews: a constructive one and a silly one. Here is my more sensible take (silly review at the end) ~~
Why One Dark Window didn't work for me
Worldbuilding (+ naming conventions):
The world of Blunder is very textureless. We learn that there's a Wood and a Mist, but little else. The upper classes all have tree-related surnames (Hawthorn, Yew, Rowan, Willow, Laburnum), presumably from the Wood's place in their culture, but the genesis of this tradition isn't explored. Why this fantasy world has the same trees as we do on our Earth isn't explained, either.
Author Rachel Gillig didn't go out of her way to create wholesale her own unique fantasy world, but so little gets described about Blunder's environment, time period, aesthetics (architecture, fashions), and culture (food, music, values) that I can't say she drew particular inspiration from anyone in our history, either. She did, however, use a variety of names from multiple real-world cultures - Elspeth (Scottish), Ione (Greek), Hauth (Anglo-Saxon), Jespyr (Dutch), Dimia (Russian), Nya (Norse), Emory (English). While these names are all equally uncommon, the lack of consistency renders Blunder's naming conventions arbitrary, further diminishing the worldbuilding.
So at least the world being named "Blunder" was appropriate...
The name 'Ravyn':
I'm sorry; I just can't get over this. This name is just too silly.
In keeping with Blunder's naming conventions of just being whatever, the love interest's name is Ravyn. With a Y. Mind you, there are other characters with inexplicable Ys in their names - Jespyr, Alyx, Tyrn - but it was Ravyn that did me in. I said before it's like an AIM username: ~*~Ravyn666~*~ or something edgelord like that. And just hearing it tells you all you need to know about him. Dark, broody, taciturn, hawt boi.
Too many moving parts (but they got rusted over from disuse so they weren't really moving...):
Creepy magical forest. Creepy magical mist. Creepy magical illness. Creepy magical playing cards. Creepy magical monster in head. Creepy magical undead king. There is also court intrigue, heists, and fake dating in the mix. While all of these plot points are more or less related, there are simply too many of them. This surfeit ensures none get explored fully, resulting in scenes like this:
Jespyr: We think this lord might have a super special trading card we need. Elspeth, see if he has it.
*Elspeth has lunch with that lord's daughter*
Elspeth: Say, your dad doesn't have any cool trading cards, does he?
Lord's Daughter: Nah, just a boring [EXACT CARD THEY NEED]
Elspeth: Lit
*Team proceeds to rob Lord of super special trading card*
Furthermore, many plots get sacrificed for one Gillig was clearly more invested in... that being~~
The Romance:
In theory, I do like forced proximity as a trope; I mean, propinquity was why Zelda Gilroy thought she and Dobie Gillis were meant to be 💕 But all intrigue gets lost when it's too obvious, and in One Dark Window, there is no ambiguity that Elspeth and Ravyn will get together. She thinks he's hot from the jump, and immediately gets butthurt when he resists fake courting her. When he holds her hand or helps her with her horse, she completely melts. And every situation in the book requires them to be together, like two animals caged together in a zoo in hopes they'll mate. No other love interests are introduced to threaten their being together. Sadly, they don't even have chemistry; the extent of their attraction is physical and trauma bonding.
The Reveal:
The Nightmare in Elspeth's head is This, unfortunately, comes as no surprise, as no other lore, history, or magic backstory is provided for it to be anyone but who it is.
I saw Gillig make a TikTok poking fun at how dense Elspeth is for not putting two-and-two together about the Nightmare's identity...but isn't that just a self-own? She chose to craft a mystery with only one possible suspect by virtue of the sparseness of her fantasy world.
Here's what I was hoping, though I knew it wouldn't come true:
The Ending:
Recently, I read Tracy Deonn's Bloodmarked, the sequel to the superlative Legendborn. Interestingly, One Dark Window comes to a very similar conclusion to Bloodmarked: In Bloodmarked, this event carries so much more weight. Being a book that challenges the oppression and perceived disposability of women of color, this is yet another attack on the autonomy of a black body by a white person with power. It's an injustice and rightfully horrifying.
What Gillig does with this similar situation is to...just use it as a spooky ooky ending? Perhaps if I cared more about Elspeth this would have been shocking, but, really, the Nightmare was already running that whole show. Everything interesting about her came from the Nightmare, so...maybe this is actually an improvement?
Final Thoughts:
Have you ever played Final Fantasy VIII? Do you remember Triple Triad, its extremely frustrating playing card minigame? One Dark Window is the Triple Triad experience. A bunch of cool cards, but vague rules, aggravating inconsistency, and an unnecessary experience (for me, at least).
~~~
~~~
And now here's my short, dum-dum review: Reading One Dark Window made me feel like One Dumb Bimbo for picking it up lol
I have 2 reviews: a constructive one and a silly one. Here is my more sensible take (silly review at the end) ~~
Why One Dark Window didn't work for me
Worldbuilding (+ naming conventions):
The world of Blunder is very textureless. We learn that there's a Wood and a Mist, but little else. The upper classes all have tree-related surnames (Hawthorn, Yew, Rowan, Willow, Laburnum), presumably from the Wood's place in their culture, but the genesis of this tradition isn't explored. Why this fantasy world has the same trees as we do on our Earth isn't explained, either.
Author Rachel Gillig didn't go out of her way to create wholesale her own unique fantasy world, but so little gets described about Blunder's environment, time period, aesthetics (architecture, fashions), and culture (food, music, values) that I can't say she drew particular inspiration from anyone in our history, either. She did, however, use a variety of names from multiple real-world cultures - Elspeth (Scottish), Ione (Greek), Hauth (Anglo-Saxon), Jespyr (Dutch), Dimia (Russian), Nya (Norse), Emory (English). While these names are all equally uncommon, the lack of consistency renders Blunder's naming conventions arbitrary, further diminishing the worldbuilding.
So at least the world being named "Blunder" was appropriate...
The name 'Ravyn':
I'm sorry; I just can't get over this. This name is just too silly.
In keeping with Blunder's naming conventions of just being whatever, the love interest's name is Ravyn. With a Y. Mind you, there are other characters with inexplicable Ys in their names - Jespyr, Alyx, Tyrn - but it was Ravyn that did me in. I said before it's like an AIM username: ~*~Ravyn666~*~ or something edgelord like that. And just hearing it tells you all you need to know about him. Dark, broody, taciturn, hawt boi.
Too many moving parts (but they got rusted over from disuse so they weren't really moving...):
Creepy magical forest. Creepy magical mist. Creepy magical illness. Creepy magical playing cards. Creepy magical monster in head. Creepy magical undead king. There is also court intrigue, heists, and fake dating in the mix. While all of these plot points are more or less related, there are simply too many of them. This surfeit ensures none get explored fully, resulting in scenes like this:
Jespyr: We think this lord might have a super special trading card we need. Elspeth, see if he has it.
*Elspeth has lunch with that lord's daughter*
Elspeth: Say, your dad doesn't have any cool trading cards, does he?
Lord's Daughter: Nah, just a boring [EXACT CARD THEY NEED]
Elspeth: Lit
*Team proceeds to rob Lord of super special trading card*
Furthermore, many plots get sacrificed for one Gillig was clearly more invested in... that being~~
The Romance:
In theory, I do like forced proximity as a trope; I mean, propinquity was why Zelda Gilroy thought she and Dobie Gillis were meant to be 💕 But all intrigue gets lost when it's too obvious, and in One Dark Window, there is no ambiguity that Elspeth and Ravyn will get together. She thinks he's hot from the jump, and immediately gets butthurt when he resists fake courting her. When he holds her hand or helps her with her horse, she completely melts. And every situation in the book requires them to be together, like two animals caged together in a zoo in hopes they'll mate. No other love interests are introduced to threaten their being together. Sadly, they don't even have chemistry; the extent of their attraction is physical and trauma bonding.
The Reveal:
The Nightmare in Elspeth's head is This, unfortunately, comes as no surprise, as no other lore, history, or magic backstory is provided for it to be anyone but who it is.
I saw Gillig make a TikTok poking fun at how dense Elspeth is for not putting two-and-two together about the Nightmare's identity...but isn't that just a self-own? She chose to craft a mystery with only one possible suspect by virtue of the sparseness of her fantasy world.
Here's what I was hoping, though I knew it wouldn't come true:
The Ending:
Recently, I read Tracy Deonn's Bloodmarked, the sequel to the superlative Legendborn. Interestingly, One Dark Window comes to a very similar conclusion to Bloodmarked: In Bloodmarked, this event carries so much more weight. Being a book that challenges the oppression and perceived disposability of women of color, this is yet another attack on the autonomy of a black body by a white person with power. It's an injustice and rightfully horrifying.
What Gillig does with this similar situation is to...just use it as a spooky ooky ending? Perhaps if I cared more about Elspeth this would have been shocking, but, really, the Nightmare was already running that whole show. Everything interesting about her came from the Nightmare, so...maybe this is actually an improvement?
Final Thoughts:
Have you ever played Final Fantasy VIII? Do you remember Triple Triad, its extremely frustrating playing card minigame? One Dark Window is the Triple Triad experience. A bunch of cool cards, but vague rules, aggravating inconsistency, and an unnecessary experience (for me, at least).
~~~
~~~
And now here's my short, dum-dum review: Reading One Dark Window made me feel like One Dumb Bimbo for picking it up lol
July 20, 2025
Did we all read the same book? Because this was... not good.
In general, I feel like fantasy is a genre I can rely on. Give me an interesting premise, a half-decent execution, some badass heroes and heroines, and I'm pleased as punch. And yet, here comes One Dark Window, making me rethink my entire love for this genre. Because I'm hard pressed to point to even one thing that I truly enjoyed in here.
Let's start with our characters. Wow, were they dumb. Elspeth could barely do anything without first being told, whether it's to be quiet or to run. She and her merry band of allies make one misstep after another, including rushing into battles they shouldn't and distracting each other during crucial moments. I have a hard time believing these characters could even function, let alone save the kingdom.
Neither were they likable, especially our heroine. Elspeth is about the weakest protagonist to have ever graced a fantasy. She gets so easily offended at everything, hates every person she sees, and is constantly tearing up from hurt feelings. Boo hoo. She also seems unable to eat, losing her appetite at every meal, poor thing. But perhaps I'm too quick to judge, and what I attribute to her unlikable personality is simply because she is hangry?
The supporting characters aren't much better, and together, there is this feeling that it's a group of idiots just trampling around getting themselves into trouble. But not to worry, because the villains aren't any smarter either. At one point, one of our good guys gets into an argument with one of the bad guys, and—no joke, you guys—the argument was decided by glaring. Like the one who glared harder and longer was the victor and the other was forced to lower his gaze in shame.
Or another of my favorite scenes—one of our villains forces our merry band to play a game where everyone is compelled by magic to tell the truth, and each can have a turn asking a question of every other person. Ah, I could feel the tension in the air, for here's the moment when the truth will be revealed. And then comes the questions—who wants to marry who, who is better looking, who loves who. I tell you, I shriveled up and died a little on the inside.
The worldbuilding feels both so detailed that you suffer from information overload (why so many cards and characters?), but also not sharp enough that you really feel immersed in the universe. The way information is parsed out, one teeny tiny bit at a time, is to maximize the reveals later on, so you're often confused for no good reason in the meantime. And when the reveals finally do happen, they weren't even that surprising.
Of course, this wouldn't be a romantasy without the requisite romance and the one in here is about as bland as they come. Why were Elspeth and Ravyn attracted to each other? The book certainly doesn't make it clear. And not only that, but when they do finally come together, there is quite the ick factor because of The Nightmare in her head, watching the whole thing. Eww!
You know the scene that really cemented my disillusionment with this book though? When a character was cold (not magically cold, mind you, just cold from being outside for too long), and one of our idiots used a Scythe card to warm them up. Never mind that using magic costs the wielder irreparable damage. That I can look overlook. What I can't overlook is that the Scythe card doesn't work that way. It changes someone's emotions, not what they actually are (as the book had already explained at length). So instead of actually warming up the poor dope, they just made them think they feel warmer.
I have to draw the line somewhere, and when the magic system is written so wishy washy and without sharpness that even the author got herself confused, that's when I finally realized this book isn't going to cut it
Now, if you're wondering if you should give this a go, I suggest you read the version that everyone else read and definitely not the one that I did. Good luck.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
✧ Connect with me ✧ Instagram ✧
In general, I feel like fantasy is a genre I can rely on. Give me an interesting premise, a half-decent execution, some badass heroes and heroines, and I'm pleased as punch. And yet, here comes One Dark Window, making me rethink my entire love for this genre. Because I'm hard pressed to point to even one thing that I truly enjoyed in here.
Let's start with our characters. Wow, were they dumb. Elspeth could barely do anything without first being told, whether it's to be quiet or to run. She and her merry band of allies make one misstep after another, including rushing into battles they shouldn't and distracting each other during crucial moments. I have a hard time believing these characters could even function, let alone save the kingdom.
Neither were they likable, especially our heroine. Elspeth is about the weakest protagonist to have ever graced a fantasy. She gets so easily offended at everything, hates every person she sees, and is constantly tearing up from hurt feelings. Boo hoo. She also seems unable to eat, losing her appetite at every meal, poor thing. But perhaps I'm too quick to judge, and what I attribute to her unlikable personality is simply because she is hangry?
The supporting characters aren't much better, and together, there is this feeling that it's a group of idiots just trampling around getting themselves into trouble. But not to worry, because the villains aren't any smarter either. At one point, one of our good guys gets into an argument with one of the bad guys, and—no joke, you guys—the argument was decided by glaring. Like the one who glared harder and longer was the victor and the other was forced to lower his gaze in shame.
Or another of my favorite scenes—one of our villains forces our merry band to play a game where everyone is compelled by magic to tell the truth, and each can have a turn asking a question of every other person. Ah, I could feel the tension in the air, for here's the moment when the truth will be revealed. And then comes the questions—who wants to marry who, who is better looking, who loves who. I tell you, I shriveled up and died a little on the inside.
The worldbuilding feels both so detailed that you suffer from information overload (why so many cards and characters?), but also not sharp enough that you really feel immersed in the universe. The way information is parsed out, one teeny tiny bit at a time, is to maximize the reveals later on, so you're often confused for no good reason in the meantime. And when the reveals finally do happen, they weren't even that surprising.
Of course, this wouldn't be a romantasy without the requisite romance and the one in here is about as bland as they come. Why were Elspeth and Ravyn attracted to each other? The book certainly doesn't make it clear. And not only that, but when they do finally come together, there is quite the ick factor because of The Nightmare in her head, watching the whole thing. Eww!
You know the scene that really cemented my disillusionment with this book though? When a character was cold (not magically cold, mind you, just cold from being outside for too long), and one of our idiots used a Scythe card to warm them up. Never mind that using magic costs the wielder irreparable damage. That I can look overlook. What I can't overlook is that the Scythe card doesn't work that way. It changes someone's emotions, not what they actually are (as the book had already explained at length). So instead of actually warming up the poor dope, they just made them think they feel warmer.
I have to draw the line somewhere, and when the magic system is written so wishy washy and without sharpness that even the author got herself confused, that's when I finally realized this book isn't going to cut it
Now, if you're wondering if you should give this a go, I suggest you read the version that everyone else read and definitely not the one that I did. Good luck.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
✧ Connect with me ✧ Instagram ✧
November 28, 2023
gothic romantic fantasies will remain on top as long as they are written this way. i’d go to the front lines for Elspeth and Ravyn‼️ ALL TEN TOES DOWN FOR THEM 😤
my god this was too mf good. i can’t even form words to express my love for this book. so ill try my best here. everything was a hit! the magic system. the characters. the found family. the romance. the plot. my scalp was tingling.
our head girl Elspeth basically has this monster’s soul living inside of her. kinda like how Venom lives inside of Eddie Brock. this is her “curse” of sorts. having a sassy tongued creature keep her in check 24/7.
then Elspeth meets homeboy (my husband) Ravyn Yew, with his knife to her chest but she beats his ass (literally) and runs ways. later they find out they have a similar problem and are off on this quest. they’re lots of slow heated moments and stolen glances. long story short: it’s kinda hard for them to break the law while they’re on this quest since the kings son is a living menace. iykyk
this book dehydrated me. because tell me why i let go of all responsibilities in my life to read this book? drinking water included.
Ravyn the man that you are. had me blushing left and right. the way he so effortlessly protects Elspeth. someone give him a medal. he’s so sassy and funny and fierce and loyal to his girl since page 1.
**Elspeth and Ravyn having a hot moment with their clothes being ripped off**
Ravyn: “Can i kiss you?”
Elspeth: “A bit late to ask, isn’t it?”
Ravyn: “Not on your mouth, Elspeth”
**lowers himself to his knees***
me: pointing a gun at my head
4.5 ⭐️
my god this was too mf good. i can’t even form words to express my love for this book. so ill try my best here. everything was a hit! the magic system. the characters. the found family. the romance. the plot. my scalp was tingling.
our head girl Elspeth basically has this monster’s soul living inside of her. kinda like how Venom lives inside of Eddie Brock. this is her “curse” of sorts. having a sassy tongued creature keep her in check 24/7.
then Elspeth meets homeboy (my husband) Ravyn Yew, with his knife to her chest but she beats his ass (literally) and runs ways. later they find out they have a similar problem and are off on this quest. they’re lots of slow heated moments and stolen glances. long story short: it’s kinda hard for them to break the law while they’re on this quest since the kings son is a living menace. iykyk
this book dehydrated me. because tell me why i let go of all responsibilities in my life to read this book? drinking water included.
Ravyn the man that you are. had me blushing left and right. the way he so effortlessly protects Elspeth. someone give him a medal. he’s so sassy and funny and fierce and loyal to his girl since page 1.
**Elspeth and Ravyn having a hot moment with their clothes being ripped off**
Ravyn: “Can i kiss you?”
Elspeth: “A bit late to ask, isn’t it?”
Ravyn: “Not on your mouth, Elspeth”
**lowers himself to his knees***
me: pointing a gun at my head
4.5 ⭐️
September 20, 2023
DNF at page 205
Am sorry y'all, I can't with this book 😭 I wanted so badly to love it, but the more I tried the more it disappointed me.
Reasons why I didn't like it-
1. My expectations were too high. I saw so many people love this book, so many positive reviews for this and it did make my expectations rise unrealistically high.
2. The writing had no emotion. It is written in a very bland way and comes across as if facts are being presented but all jumbled up, rather than a story being written. I was bored. I started to skim. It does have goth YA vibes to it but nothing too impressive.
3. The world building and the plot did not make much sense to me. I was confused. The cards significance took me a while to understand and I was not impressed.
4. The characters were boring and I didn't like anyone. I would have liked to know more about Nightmare but I stopped caring about it.
Yeah am let down by it and do believe it is overhyped. But instead of forcing myself, I decided to stop and move on. It had the potential to put me in a reading slump. IMO, if you like Caraval, you'll like this book.
~•~•~
It's time to see what the hype is about.
Am sorry y'all, I can't with this book 😭 I wanted so badly to love it, but the more I tried the more it disappointed me.
Reasons why I didn't like it-
1. My expectations were too high. I saw so many people love this book, so many positive reviews for this and it did make my expectations rise unrealistically high.
2. The writing had no emotion. It is written in a very bland way and comes across as if facts are being presented but all jumbled up, rather than a story being written. I was bored. I started to skim. It does have goth YA vibes to it but nothing too impressive.
3. The world building and the plot did not make much sense to me. I was confused. The cards significance took me a while to understand and I was not impressed.
4. The characters were boring and I didn't like anyone. I would have liked to know more about Nightmare but I stopped caring about it.
Yeah am let down by it and do believe it is overhyped. But instead of forcing myself, I decided to stop and move on. It had the potential to put me in a reading slump. IMO, if you like Caraval, you'll like this book.
~•~•~
It's time to see what the hype is about.
October 27, 2023
Elspeth got a fever when she was little and now has a furry Dr. Seuss with a mean right hook in her head. She meets a guy with a dumb name and the cleanliness habits of a frat boy. He brings her to a meeting with his wackadoo family and she finds out they’re trying to get a bunch of Pokémon cards so they can break a fog curse. Ravyn needs Elspeth nearby so they pretend to date; I’m not questioning it and you shouldn’t either. There are three thousand “his smile didn’t touch his eyes”. Everyone is named after a tree, which is pretty obvious and yet I managed to miss until someone pointed it out to me. Trees are also, like, sacred or whatever. Big Botany Energy. Magic smells like salt, a tricky feat since salt doesn’t smell like anything. The letter Y is employed so much it deserves decent medical insurance coverage. There’s a cousin who’s a huge asshole marrying a cousin who’s turned into Soulless Barbie. Will voices stop dripping with oil? Beats me.
May 7, 2025
i was so worried going into this. the synopsis sounded so interesting, but its compared to “uprooted” and “for the wolf,” both of which i rated 2 stars. so i really didnt know if i was going to enjoy this. but im so glad i decided to give it a try anyway.
because, like the synopsis suggests, this is indeed a really interesting story! i love the concept of providence cards, the way the magic in the world works, the main mission/quest, and the mystery of the mist tied in with local folklore and legend. i also found all of the characters to be quite developed and enjoyed how they interacted with each other, the world, and the magic - particularly elspeth x nightmare and elspeth x ravyn.
this is definitely a book that, once it ended, i wanted to grab the sequel and read immediately. so i have high hopes for and am looking forward to seeing how the story progresses!
↠ 4.5 stars
because, like the synopsis suggests, this is indeed a really interesting story! i love the concept of providence cards, the way the magic in the world works, the main mission/quest, and the mystery of the mist tied in with local folklore and legend. i also found all of the characters to be quite developed and enjoyed how they interacted with each other, the world, and the magic - particularly elspeth x nightmare and elspeth x ravyn.
this is definitely a book that, once it ended, i wanted to grab the sequel and read immediately. so i have high hopes for and am looking forward to seeing how the story progresses!
↠ 4.5 stars
December 16, 2024
alright alright alrightttttt, i’m obsessed! cannot wait to read the next one. if you’re new to fantasy like me this was the perfect amount, easy to follow, loved the tension, just overall a great read! wooo hoo i feel like im unlocking a whole new me
September 26, 2023
4.5⭐️ SO GOOD WOW. So engaging, unique and THE VIBES?!?! incredible. Need the next book NOW.
December 26, 2024
Wow this was such a cool and unique magic system. This book was more fantasy than romance, but the world was so interesting that I didn’t even mind. I’m excited for the second one!
August 21, 2024
The hype for this book is intense, and all I want to say is...
Why are all y'all out here LYING???
Beautiful writing? Loveable characters?? Intrigue??? Stakes???? Romance????? A plot that isn't just Pokemon?????? Nary a one can be found here. Nary a one, I say!
First of all, this is not adult fantasy. Nope. Nada. The protagonist may be 20, and her love interest a bit older, but this reads like a poorly executed amalgamation of every other YA fantasy that's been flooding the market lately, with all of the excessive tropes to match. If you're a fan of this brand of YA fantasy (think Sarah J Maas and Fourth Wing), maybe this will work for you. But if you're looking for something truly adult, or even just unique and compelling, look elsewhere.
I will give Gillig an extra star for the magic system, which was interesting in and of itself (if severely underutilized). But a good magic system alone can't carry a fantasy book, especially when the world-building is as minimal and nonsensical as it is here. The constant insertion of references to trees (or characters just literally exclaiming "Trees!" ad nauseam) without any real consideration as to how their reverence for the aforementioned trees would shape their society left my eye twitching.
Speaking of eyes twitching, Elspeth, our 20-year-old protagonist, is the absolute worst. She's judgmental, helpless, and constantly assumes the worst of everyone. Her interactions are melodramatic and soap opera-esque, full of lingering glances and over-the-top angst. She has the maturity of a high school freshman and is one of the most petulant main characters I have ever had the displeasure to read about, throwing tantrums and just generally being a useless asshole to everyone around her at all times.
Ravyn is slightly less annoying, but Gillig's insistence on referring to him by his job title every other sentence had me ready to throw my Kobo across the room. Here's just a small sampling of what I had to suffer through just under 80 times over the course of this book:
“If my cheek took him aback, the Captain of the Destriers did not show it.”
“But I could not say the same thing about going head-to-head with the Captain of the Destriers a second time.”
“I clenched my jaw, hardly able to fathom that I, Elspeth Spindle, was willingly following the Captain of the Destriers into the King's castle.”
“The Captain of the Destriers ran his hand over his brow, impatience cutting through his low voice.”
“I had not meant to say it, there in the mist, alone with the Captain of the Destriers.”
“I watched the Captain of the Destriers make his way across the hall, his steps hurried.”
“He was a strange man, the Captain of the Destriers.”
“I tried to keep my mouth from moving to lessen the deep unease I felt to be trapped so near the Captain of the Destriers.”
*It would be one thing if this was all before she learned his name, but she was introduced to him officially after maybe the third time and just kept thinking of him by his job title for NO APPARENT REASON.*
As you can see, the writing is another point of contention. It's awkward, full of clunky sentences and weirdly placed phrases, and just so damn repetitive. The overuse of certain words and phrases, like "bramble" and "oil slick," stuck out like sore thumbs and don't get me started on Ravyn's gray eyes, which are mentioned a staggering 21 times in the first half alone.
“Ravyn Yew watched me with gray eyes, his head tilted to the side.”
“At first, the Captain said nothing, his gray eyes lost in the darkness twisting down my arm.”
“But as I watched Ravyn Yew's face, his gray eyes
tracing the darkness in my veins…”
“When I did not move to follow him, he turned, his gray eyes unreadable.”
“Ravyn held it open for me, his gray eyes tight on my face.”
“The Captain of the Destriers watched me, his gray eyes momentarily lowering to my mouth.”
“The Captain leaned back in his chair, his gray eyes never leaving my face.”
“He watched me, something I could not read flashing in his gray eyes.”
“The Captain's gray eyes tightened on my face.”
“I looked at the Captain of the Destriers, his gray eyes full of me.”
“No sooner had our eyes met - a flash of gray -”
*Oh my god we get it!! His eyes are gray! Please just make it stop, I beg of you.*
And then there are the poems. Oh, the poems. Juvenile, simplistic, and honestly laughable. The "terrifying" 500-year-old monster spouts nursery rhyme-level poetry that's so bad it makes you wonder how he hasn't given up and picked up a new hobby at some point in the past few centuries.
“Yellow girl, soft and clean. Yellow girl, plain - unseen. Yellow girl, overlooked. Yellow girl, won't be Queen.”
*…?? Like, okay? Thanks for sharing I guess? Didn’t know I signed up for monster slam poetry, but cool.*
As for the "twists"—yeah, they were pretty obvious. The whole plot is telegraphed from the second page, and we're forced to wait hundreds of pages for our clueless protagonist to get with the frickin' program.
Oh, and that cliffhanger ending? Infuriating. If you want me to read the next book, just write a good book. Don't hold the ending hostage. It felt like a cheap trick to manipulate readers into buying the sequel, but it didn't work. I have zero interest in continuing this series.
Honestly, I'm shocked at how highly rated this is on Goodreads. The premise wasn't interesting, to begin with, but the potential of the magic system was entirely wasted. The writing remained subpar, the rhyming was atrocious, the characters were bland, and the tropes were piled on without care. Save yourself the time and effort—there are plenty of better books out there. This one? A complete and utter waste of time.
Watch me rant about all the ways this book let me down in my Romantasy reading vlog: https://youtu.be/c0BdT5DdPUA
Trigger/Content Warnings: violence, death, child abuse, loss of parents, blood, murder, child murder
You can find me on...
Youtube | Instagram | TikTok
You can join our book club over on Patreon...
PBB Book Club
Why are all y'all out here LYING???
Beautiful writing? Loveable characters?? Intrigue??? Stakes???? Romance????? A plot that isn't just Pokemon?????? Nary a one can be found here. Nary a one, I say!
First of all, this is not adult fantasy. Nope. Nada. The protagonist may be 20, and her love interest a bit older, but this reads like a poorly executed amalgamation of every other YA fantasy that's been flooding the market lately, with all of the excessive tropes to match. If you're a fan of this brand of YA fantasy (think Sarah J Maas and Fourth Wing), maybe this will work for you. But if you're looking for something truly adult, or even just unique and compelling, look elsewhere.
I will give Gillig an extra star for the magic system, which was interesting in and of itself (if severely underutilized). But a good magic system alone can't carry a fantasy book, especially when the world-building is as minimal and nonsensical as it is here. The constant insertion of references to trees (or characters just literally exclaiming "Trees!" ad nauseam) without any real consideration as to how their reverence for the aforementioned trees would shape their society left my eye twitching.
Speaking of eyes twitching, Elspeth, our 20-year-old protagonist, is the absolute worst. She's judgmental, helpless, and constantly assumes the worst of everyone. Her interactions are melodramatic and soap opera-esque, full of lingering glances and over-the-top angst. She has the maturity of a high school freshman and is one of the most petulant main characters I have ever had the displeasure to read about, throwing tantrums and just generally being a useless asshole to everyone around her at all times.
Ravyn is slightly less annoying, but Gillig's insistence on referring to him by his job title every other sentence had me ready to throw my Kobo across the room. Here's just a small sampling of what I had to suffer through just under 80 times over the course of this book:
“If my cheek took him aback, the Captain of the Destriers did not show it.”
“But I could not say the same thing about going head-to-head with the Captain of the Destriers a second time.”
“I clenched my jaw, hardly able to fathom that I, Elspeth Spindle, was willingly following the Captain of the Destriers into the King's castle.”
“The Captain of the Destriers ran his hand over his brow, impatience cutting through his low voice.”
“I had not meant to say it, there in the mist, alone with the Captain of the Destriers.”
“I watched the Captain of the Destriers make his way across the hall, his steps hurried.”
“He was a strange man, the Captain of the Destriers.”
“I tried to keep my mouth from moving to lessen the deep unease I felt to be trapped so near the Captain of the Destriers.”
*It would be one thing if this was all before she learned his name, but she was introduced to him officially after maybe the third time and just kept thinking of him by his job title for NO APPARENT REASON.*
As you can see, the writing is another point of contention. It's awkward, full of clunky sentences and weirdly placed phrases, and just so damn repetitive. The overuse of certain words and phrases, like "bramble" and "oil slick," stuck out like sore thumbs and don't get me started on Ravyn's gray eyes, which are mentioned a staggering 21 times in the first half alone.
“Ravyn Yew watched me with gray eyes, his head tilted to the side.”
“At first, the Captain said nothing, his gray eyes lost in the darkness twisting down my arm.”
“But as I watched Ravyn Yew's face, his gray eyes
tracing the darkness in my veins…”
“When I did not move to follow him, he turned, his gray eyes unreadable.”
“Ravyn held it open for me, his gray eyes tight on my face.”
“The Captain of the Destriers watched me, his gray eyes momentarily lowering to my mouth.”
“The Captain leaned back in his chair, his gray eyes never leaving my face.”
“He watched me, something I could not read flashing in his gray eyes.”
“The Captain's gray eyes tightened on my face.”
“I looked at the Captain of the Destriers, his gray eyes full of me.”
“No sooner had our eyes met - a flash of gray -”
*Oh my god we get it!! His eyes are gray! Please just make it stop, I beg of you.*
And then there are the poems. Oh, the poems. Juvenile, simplistic, and honestly laughable. The "terrifying" 500-year-old monster spouts nursery rhyme-level poetry that's so bad it makes you wonder how he hasn't given up and picked up a new hobby at some point in the past few centuries.
“Yellow girl, soft and clean. Yellow girl, plain - unseen. Yellow girl, overlooked. Yellow girl, won't be Queen.”
*…?? Like, okay? Thanks for sharing I guess? Didn’t know I signed up for monster slam poetry, but cool.*
As for the "twists"—yeah, they were pretty obvious. The whole plot is telegraphed from the second page, and we're forced to wait hundreds of pages for our clueless protagonist to get with the frickin' program.
Oh, and that cliffhanger ending? Infuriating. If you want me to read the next book, just write a good book. Don't hold the ending hostage. It felt like a cheap trick to manipulate readers into buying the sequel, but it didn't work. I have zero interest in continuing this series.
Honestly, I'm shocked at how highly rated this is on Goodreads. The premise wasn't interesting, to begin with, but the potential of the magic system was entirely wasted. The writing remained subpar, the rhyming was atrocious, the characters were bland, and the tropes were piled on without care. Save yourself the time and effort—there are plenty of better books out there. This one? A complete and utter waste of time.
Watch me rant about all the ways this book let me down in my Romantasy reading vlog: https://youtu.be/c0BdT5DdPUA
Trigger/Content Warnings: violence, death, child abuse, loss of parents, blood, murder, child murder
You can find me on...
Youtube | Instagram | TikTok
You can join our book club over on Patreon...
PBB Book Club
September 27, 2022
I confess I was quite wary of this book because of someone telling me it was what "For the Wolf" was supposed to be and other details that both lowered my expectations and put me on alert for a negative outcome. But it surprised me pleasantly, and despite expecting the worst, I ended up liking it.
As a début book, it isn't as polished as it should be. There's plenty of "rookie mistakes" writing-wise, but I believe its positives outweighed them and made this a good story; better than I'm accustomed to seeing from debutante authors, in fact, and more so from YA debutantes that are more hype than substance. The plotline might not be all that original, no, it has vibes from "Vespertine," and the characters aren't all that unique either. Here, you must look at the story as a whole. I won't go into the comparisons with other hyped books nor the (mis)categorisation of genres that's bothered others, as it's splitting hairs at this point and I don't want to burden the book with the missteps made by the publicity dept. They should've been more careful precisely because it's a new author.
Anyhow, back to the story, the main reason I enjoyed this is simple: in this story, magic has a cost. I adored "Vespertine," which shares the same topic of possession with "One Dark Window," and has a much richer world and better characterisation (and banter!). But where Rogerson was building on the Catholic Church's rich lore for her worldbuilding, Gillig is playing more with her own creation from bits and pieces of cloth, and one thing where she outpaced Rogerson is in the price to pay for magic. In "One Dark Window," all characters that have magic pay an awful price, which could actually be far grimmer if this wasn't mild by genre restrictions. Were this Grimdark or adult instead of YA, we'd probably be looking at "The Exorcist" instead of "Vespertine" lite.
Why is this important? This is personal preference, but in recent discussions I've had with other Fantasy lovers, one complaint was that in books where "dark" magic is used, there's no price to pay for it, or the price is hardly more than a slap on the wrist. And in this case, we're talking about possession, for goodness' sake! A powerful, not exactly morally sound being enters your mind and cohabitates with your soul, feeding on you like a parasite and giving you powers... and you're supposed to not pay a price for such a thing? Every single real-life lore where the topic of possession exists, be it by demons or other beings, is clear about the risks, but in YA it's not always the case. Hence I'm happy that, in this book, it does.
The magic in this book is based on a deck of cards, likely inspired by the Tarot. There's over seventy Providence Cards that an ancient king with powerful magic granted by a primeval forest spirit created, magic that ended up causing a rift with the spirit, who cursed the land with a noxious mist that's slowly eating away at the kingdom's lands and infecting people with a fever. To stop the advance of this toxic mist, twelve of these cards are needed, the chief ones, and use them to break the curse. Unfortunately, one of them is missing and has never been seen, the rest are in possession of the kingdom's nobles, who use them for their own ends, good and bad, always paying a price for their use. The protagonist, Elspeth, had the fever as a child and her family hid it to avoid her being executed by the king, who hunts fever survivors that possess magic, but she accidentally touches one of the chief Providence Cards that results in her being possessed by the Nightmare.
The Nightmare and her have a complicated relationship. Unlike Artemisa and the Revenant, where she was educated on what the being possessing her was and knew better about his powers and his nature, Elspeth was never taught how to use her powers, she doesn't even know who or what the Nightmare is. Which accounts for her erratic feelings and attitude towards him, screaming for help when she's afraid and lashing out when she's annoyed. The age difference and the education level definitely account for this, so I'm not sure I'd call this poor characterisation. I do, however, wish they talked more naturally and had better banter, because sometimes the Nightmare sounds like your street's resident gossip doing live commentary on your behaviour. I do wish Elspeth knew how to reply to him without sounding like a brat so often.
As for the romance, it's slow-burn, but not particularly noteworthy. Maybe because they don't have that great a chemistry as a couple as they do as partners in crime. In fact, I was hoping Elspeth would end up with Elm. He's more abrasive and distrustful, but also so loyal and doesn't go about her with kid gloves. I also liked Emory better. Well, I liked all the other male characters far more than I did Ravyn, even the Nightmare was more likable for me. I'm basically liking this story for Elspeth and the Nightmare, I want his backstory, what made him a "monster," what his quarrel with the Spirit was like exactly, what his real name is, how can he come back if he can, why he's been like that for so long, did he know Elspeth would be born and waited for her, et cetera. So many questions! And the cliffhanger this book ends in wasn't helping.
To sum it all up, this first book is pretty much a set-up for a series, shows enough but hides enough to keep interest, and I'm going to read the next because I want my questions answered.
Thank you to Orbit Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
As a début book, it isn't as polished as it should be. There's plenty of "rookie mistakes" writing-wise, but I believe its positives outweighed them and made this a good story; better than I'm accustomed to seeing from debutante authors, in fact, and more so from YA debutantes that are more hype than substance. The plotline might not be all that original, no, it has vibes from "Vespertine," and the characters aren't all that unique either. Here, you must look at the story as a whole. I won't go into the comparisons with other hyped books nor the (mis)categorisation of genres that's bothered others, as it's splitting hairs at this point and I don't want to burden the book with the missteps made by the publicity dept. They should've been more careful precisely because it's a new author.
Anyhow, back to the story, the main reason I enjoyed this is simple: in this story, magic has a cost. I adored "Vespertine," which shares the same topic of possession with "One Dark Window," and has a much richer world and better characterisation (and banter!). But where Rogerson was building on the Catholic Church's rich lore for her worldbuilding, Gillig is playing more with her own creation from bits and pieces of cloth, and one thing where she outpaced Rogerson is in the price to pay for magic. In "One Dark Window," all characters that have magic pay an awful price, which could actually be far grimmer if this wasn't mild by genre restrictions. Were this Grimdark or adult instead of YA, we'd probably be looking at "The Exorcist" instead of "Vespertine" lite.
Why is this important? This is personal preference, but in recent discussions I've had with other Fantasy lovers, one complaint was that in books where "dark" magic is used, there's no price to pay for it, or the price is hardly more than a slap on the wrist. And in this case, we're talking about possession, for goodness' sake! A powerful, not exactly morally sound being enters your mind and cohabitates with your soul, feeding on you like a parasite and giving you powers... and you're supposed to not pay a price for such a thing? Every single real-life lore where the topic of possession exists, be it by demons or other beings, is clear about the risks, but in YA it's not always the case. Hence I'm happy that, in this book, it does.
The magic in this book is based on a deck of cards, likely inspired by the Tarot. There's over seventy Providence Cards that an ancient king with powerful magic granted by a primeval forest spirit created, magic that ended up causing a rift with the spirit, who cursed the land with a noxious mist that's slowly eating away at the kingdom's lands and infecting people with a fever. To stop the advance of this toxic mist, twelve of these cards are needed, the chief ones, and use them to break the curse. Unfortunately, one of them is missing and has never been seen, the rest are in possession of the kingdom's nobles, who use them for their own ends, good and bad, always paying a price for their use. The protagonist, Elspeth, had the fever as a child and her family hid it to avoid her being executed by the king, who hunts fever survivors that possess magic, but she accidentally touches one of the chief Providence Cards that results in her being possessed by the Nightmare.
The Nightmare and her have a complicated relationship. Unlike Artemisa and the Revenant, where she was educated on what the being possessing her was and knew better about his powers and his nature, Elspeth was never taught how to use her powers, she doesn't even know who or what the Nightmare is. Which accounts for her erratic feelings and attitude towards him, screaming for help when she's afraid and lashing out when she's annoyed. The age difference and the education level definitely account for this, so I'm not sure I'd call this poor characterisation. I do, however, wish they talked more naturally and had better banter, because sometimes the Nightmare sounds like your street's resident gossip doing live commentary on your behaviour. I do wish Elspeth knew how to reply to him without sounding like a brat so often.
As for the romance, it's slow-burn, but not particularly noteworthy. Maybe because they don't have that great a chemistry as a couple as they do as partners in crime. In fact, I was hoping Elspeth would end up with Elm. He's more abrasive and distrustful, but also so loyal and doesn't go about her with kid gloves. I also liked Emory better. Well, I liked all the other male characters far more than I did Ravyn, even the Nightmare was more likable for me. I'm basically liking this story for Elspeth and the Nightmare, I want his backstory, what made him a "monster," what his quarrel with the Spirit was like exactly, what his real name is, how can he come back if he can, why he's been like that for so long, did he know Elspeth would be born and waited for her, et cetera. So many questions! And the cliffhanger this book ends in wasn't helping.
To sum it all up, this first book is pretty much a set-up for a series, shows enough but hides enough to keep interest, and I'm going to read the next because I want my questions answered.
Thank you to Orbit Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 20, 2023
✔️ gothic fantasy fiction
✔️ dark fantasy
✔️ alluring monsters
✔️ romantic fantasy
✔️ beautifully lush prose
✔️ author's debut
TREES! I love this book 😩🙌🏽
this book had no business rivaling the love for my favorite fantasy(six of crows, obviously) I've read this year. I loved everything about it.. the storytelling was like nothing I've ever read before 🥺
It's so exciting and engaging. If it isn't obvious, I'm completely obsessed with the characters 😭 I love it when every character gives and no mcs are slacking in their roles as mcs.
ngl, for an adult gothic fantasy it does read like YA but when a book is this good, that fact is barely significant. the dark gothic fantasy atmosphere, dark magic, creepy woods, fog/mists and tarot cards with potential monsters vibes were just immaculate ✨️❤️
***
♥️REREAD♥️: I read this book in April and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. I want to read book 2 but I'm going to reread this first 🥺♥️ omfggg I missed my babies, Ravyn and Elspeth sm 😭😭
✔️ dark fantasy
✔️ alluring monsters
✔️ romantic fantasy
✔️ beautifully lush prose
✔️ author's debut
TREES! I love this book 😩🙌🏽
this book had no business rivaling the love for my favorite fantasy
It's so exciting and engaging. If it isn't obvious, I'm completely obsessed with the characters 😭 I love it when every character gives and no mcs are slacking in their roles as mcs.
ngl, for an adult gothic fantasy it does read like YA but when a book is this good, that fact is barely significant. the dark gothic fantasy atmosphere, dark magic, creepy woods, fog/mists and tarot cards with potential monsters vibes were just immaculate ✨️❤️
***
♥️REREAD♥️: I read this book in April and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. I want to read book 2 but I'm going to reread this first 🥺♥️ omfggg I missed my babies, Ravyn and Elspeth sm 😭😭
February 28, 2024
4 ☆
"To the quiet girls with stories in their heads. To their dreams— and their nightmares." - dedication
I went into this blind and did not really didn't know what to expect. The premise of the magical system, creepy woods, mist, and the cards that house magic had me hooked from page one, even though I have been slumpy. I must say that it was helping me with that aspect.
One Dark Window is the first book in The Shepherd King series. The writing is like nothing I have read before with riddles that are pieces to a puzzle, and the world building was easy to understand and had me falling into it quickly. It is a dark, gothic fantasy, with secrets, magic, tension, banter, and a found family that had me wanting more.
In the kingdom of Blunder, the mist in the woods is the magic that is feared. It is dangerous as it infects those that it touches, therefore keeping the townspeople locked out from the rest of the world. There is an ultimate price if you are infected with magic, and that is death. Elspeth Spindle was infected with magic at a young age and has hidden it from the townspeople for the last eleven years. There are few that know of her infection, but no one knows that she is haunted by a creature in her mind called the nightmare. She doesn't trust anyone besides the nightmare. That is until she meets the captain and higwayman Ravyn Yew, who is hiding his own secrets and is seeking out 12 providence cards that can help free the town and help save her. She teams up with him, helping to locate the final cards even if it means getting caught for treason. Can she trust him entirely to reveal her whole truth? Can they find all 12 cards and save the people in time?
Elspeth Spindle is strong, intelligent, and mysterious. She has had to fight to keep her secret safe, and I was eating up the moments that it was physical, as she was aided by the nightmare to do so. I loved watching her come out of her shell piece by piece and sharing parts of herself that she never had with anyone.
"Still, it was the first time I stopped fearing the Nightmare— the voice in my head, the creature with strange yellow eyes and an eerie, smooth voice. Eleven years later, and I don’t fear him at all. Even if I should."
Ravyn Yew is dark, broody, and protective. He does have a caring side when someone messes with the ones that are closest to him and will risk himself to keep them safe. Oh, this man had me swooning. I fell in love with him from the beginning with his touch her and die attitude, and the way that he inserts himself to protect her at all costs.
“I resisted, Elspeth, because I was already imagining how I might press my finger against your wet lips again, like I had in my room.”
This was a slow burn that built up to the romance, though there wasn't much of it. The little that there was had me smiling and swooning. There was one scene that surprised me as this is YA, but it was so good.
“It is not they who bring the reckoning, Ravyn. It is you. It is us.”
Nightmare was snarky, sarcastic, and humorous at times. I did enjoy his riddles, dark lore, and when he would insert his comments to Elspeth whether they were wanted or not. Their banter back and forth had me cackling at times. They had a kind of love and hate relationship. One minute, she wanted his help and others she wanted him to leave her be.
"I’m just the wind in the trees, the shadow, and the fright. The echo in the leaves… the nightmare in the night."
I enjoyed most of the side characters. They had a strong found family, which I will always be weak for. I can't wait to see more of Elm and Jespyr. The one that I'm not sure how I feel about as of now is Ione, but I guess we will see if she there are changes with her to come. I just simply don't trust her. I'm kind of hoping that something happens between her and Elm. As for Hauth, well, I loathe him and feel that he got what he deserved.
I'm hoping for a little more romance in the next book, but we will see with that ending. I was not expecting that crazy cliffhanger. It left me satisfied in a way but yet wanting to know what happens next. I am also happy that I waited to read this so that I can go straight into the next book.
Favorite quotes/moments
“I resisted,” Ravyn said, “because I haven’t stopped thinking about you since that first night on the forest road. And I realized at Equinox that the closer I let myself get to you, the less I’d want to be the King’s Captain—the less I’d want to pretend. And it’s dangerous for me, for my family, to stop pretending.”
“Can I kiss you?” My voice shook. “A bit late to ask, isn’t it?” “Not on your mouth, Elspeth.”
“Are you still pretending?” I said, reveling in his gaze. Ravyn gave a surprised laugh and, in front of everyone, leaned in and kissed me. “I never was,” he whispered into my lips.
"Do you trust me, Elspeth? I blinked through the blur of tears. Do I have a choice? My darling, you’ve always had a choice."
~~~~~~
Pre-review: First new book of the year ✨️ FINALLY jumping in on the group read with the Allure girlies 🩷
"To the quiet girls with stories in their heads. To their dreams— and their nightmares." - dedication
I went into this blind and did not really didn't know what to expect. The premise of the magical system, creepy woods, mist, and the cards that house magic had me hooked from page one, even though I have been slumpy. I must say that it was helping me with that aspect.
One Dark Window is the first book in The Shepherd King series. The writing is like nothing I have read before with riddles that are pieces to a puzzle, and the world building was easy to understand and had me falling into it quickly. It is a dark, gothic fantasy, with secrets, magic, tension, banter, and a found family that had me wanting more.
In the kingdom of Blunder, the mist in the woods is the magic that is feared. It is dangerous as it infects those that it touches, therefore keeping the townspeople locked out from the rest of the world. There is an ultimate price if you are infected with magic, and that is death. Elspeth Spindle was infected with magic at a young age and has hidden it from the townspeople for the last eleven years. There are few that know of her infection, but no one knows that she is haunted by a creature in her mind called the nightmare. She doesn't trust anyone besides the nightmare. That is until she meets the captain and higwayman Ravyn Yew, who is hiding his own secrets and is seeking out 12 providence cards that can help free the town and help save her. She teams up with him, helping to locate the final cards even if it means getting caught for treason. Can she trust him entirely to reveal her whole truth? Can they find all 12 cards and save the people in time?
Elspeth Spindle is strong, intelligent, and mysterious. She has had to fight to keep her secret safe, and I was eating up the moments that it was physical, as she was aided by the nightmare to do so. I loved watching her come out of her shell piece by piece and sharing parts of herself that she never had with anyone.
"Still, it was the first time I stopped fearing the Nightmare— the voice in my head, the creature with strange yellow eyes and an eerie, smooth voice. Eleven years later, and I don’t fear him at all. Even if I should."
Ravyn Yew is dark, broody, and protective. He does have a caring side when someone messes with the ones that are closest to him and will risk himself to keep them safe. Oh, this man had me swooning. I fell in love with him from the beginning with his touch her and die attitude, and the way that he inserts himself to protect her at all costs.
“I resisted, Elspeth, because I was already imagining how I might press my finger against your wet lips again, like I had in my room.”
This was a slow burn that built up to the romance, though there wasn't much of it. The little that there was had me smiling and swooning. There was one scene that surprised me as this is YA, but it was so good.
“It is not they who bring the reckoning, Ravyn. It is you. It is us.”
Nightmare was snarky, sarcastic, and humorous at times. I did enjoy his riddles, dark lore, and when he would insert his comments to Elspeth whether they were wanted or not. Their banter back and forth had me cackling at times. They had a kind of love and hate relationship. One minute, she wanted his help and others she wanted him to leave her be.
"I’m just the wind in the trees, the shadow, and the fright. The echo in the leaves… the nightmare in the night."
I enjoyed most of the side characters. They had a strong found family, which I will always be weak for. I can't wait to see more of Elm and Jespyr. The one that I'm not sure how I feel about as of now is Ione, but I guess we will see if she there are changes with her to come. I just simply don't trust her. I'm kind of hoping that something happens between her and Elm. As for Hauth, well, I loathe him and feel that he got what he deserved.
I'm hoping for a little more romance in the next book, but we will see with that ending. I was not expecting that crazy cliffhanger. It left me satisfied in a way but yet wanting to know what happens next. I am also happy that I waited to read this so that I can go straight into the next book.
Favorite quotes/moments
“I resisted,” Ravyn said, “because I haven’t stopped thinking about you since that first night on the forest road. And I realized at Equinox that the closer I let myself get to you, the less I’d want to be the King’s Captain—the less I’d want to pretend. And it’s dangerous for me, for my family, to stop pretending.”
“Can I kiss you?” My voice shook. “A bit late to ask, isn’t it?” “Not on your mouth, Elspeth.”
“Are you still pretending?” I said, reveling in his gaze. Ravyn gave a surprised laugh and, in front of everyone, leaned in and kissed me. “I never was,” he whispered into my lips.
"Do you trust me, Elspeth? I blinked through the blur of tears. Do I have a choice? My darling, you’ve always had a choice."
~~~~~~
Pre-review: First new book of the year ✨️ FINALLY jumping in on the group read with the Allure girlies 🩷
May 13, 2023
TREES! This was a great book!
One Dark Window is set in the wonderfully dark and gothic town of Blunder that is cut off from the rest of the world bc of a mist that keeps the townspeople trapped and threatened with dark magic. Anyone infected with the magic is believed to be evil or dangerous and is sentenced to death. Elspeth has hidden her infection since childhood not letting anyone know that she lives with another inside her own mind but when she meets a mysterious highwayman who holds his own secrets, she must risk her own safety to work together to possibly find a cure to the dark magic and save herself and everyone else.
This world and these characters were so lush and immersive. The writing is beautiful and engaging, there are no slow parts in this book, I was captivated on every page! Elspeth was an amazing main character, she was strong, witty and her banter with other characters was really funny. Ravyn was elusive and interesting from the beginning; I loved him so much and his relationship with Elspeth was developed perfectly! This did not feel YA to me at all btw! 😂 (in the best way)
The star of the show was Nightmare. I loved this scary psycho like monster so much and I am not even sure if I am supposed to but he was my favorite part. I like crazy and weird and he really checks those boxes.
Thank you to my darling bestie Deema for reading this book with me, we had so much fun going back and forth with all of our theories and thoughts!
One Dark Window is set in the wonderfully dark and gothic town of Blunder that is cut off from the rest of the world bc of a mist that keeps the townspeople trapped and threatened with dark magic. Anyone infected with the magic is believed to be evil or dangerous and is sentenced to death. Elspeth has hidden her infection since childhood not letting anyone know that she lives with another inside her own mind but when she meets a mysterious highwayman who holds his own secrets, she must risk her own safety to work together to possibly find a cure to the dark magic and save herself and everyone else.
This world and these characters were so lush and immersive. The writing is beautiful and engaging, there are no slow parts in this book, I was captivated on every page! Elspeth was an amazing main character, she was strong, witty and her banter with other characters was really funny. Ravyn was elusive and interesting from the beginning; I loved him so much and his relationship with Elspeth was developed perfectly! This did not feel YA to me at all btw! 😂 (in the best way)
The star of the show was Nightmare. I loved this scary psycho like monster so much and I am not even sure if I am supposed to but he was my favorite part. I like crazy and weird and he really checks those boxes.
Thank you to my darling bestie Deema for reading this book with me, we had so much fun going back and forth with all of our theories and thoughts!
March 10, 2024
—— 4.25 ✰ stars.
Ooookkkkkkkk, this book was quite a ride, if I didn't read it faster it's because I really didn't have time, but I liked it a lot, it has small details that made me lower my rating a little, but I would recommend this book 100% to any fantasy lover.
This review will be completely spoiler-free, and as Ramadan is approaching, I must say that the book does not contain explicit spice, there is a scene that narrates a sexual act but nothing is described in too much detail, you know what is happening but that's it, this for my Muslim besties.
'To the quiet girls with stories in their heads. To their dreams—and their nightmares.'
In a world where a mysterious mist has terrified its inhabitants, and where an infection with magical side effects means you will be killed, our main character, Elspeth Spindle, has been hiding her infection and the consequences it brought her for 11 years. A monster has entered his head, The Nightmare, which is getting stronger and stronger. Everything changes when she and a group of people (mystery mystery hehe) set out on a dangerous mission to save the city, but nothing comes free, magic has a price, and Elspeth is going to start paying for it.
'Nothing is free. Nothing is safe. Magic is love, but also, it's hate. It comes at a cost. You're found, and you're lost. Magic is love, but also, it’s hate.'
I loved the world building and the magic system, I found it very original, the cards, the story, the lore, everything, I had never read anything like it and this is already something difficult to say after so many books.
Ok, this is where I come into conflict with myself, I didn't find the author's writing bad, but I sometimes found it confusing and weird, it could be that, since English is not my first language, it was more complicated for me, but I do not know. What I do have to say is that I loved the poems and the little “riddles,” and they gave a lot of personality to the book and the story.
'My magic moves, he said. My magic bites. My magic soothes. My magic frights. You are young and not so bold. I am unflinching—five hundred years old.'
The pace of the story starts slow, the first 100 pages are somewhat tedious and confusing, but once you pass that mark, the plot picks up speed and I couldn't stop reading. Also, the setting of the book is excellent in my opinion.
I'm only going to talk about the two main characters and one more character that I really liked, the rest I'm going to let you get to know when you read. Muahahaah.
'Are you still pretending?' I said, revealing in his gaze. Ravyn gave a surprised laugh and, in front of everyone, leaned in and kissed me.
'I never was,' he whispered into my lips.
❥𝑬𝒍𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒕𝒉 𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒆
I really liked Elspeth as the main character, she is strong, and she fights her battles in a more mental than physical way, which is not as usual on fantasy fmc, because she has been hiding her secret for 11 years, she doesn't trust anyone, but the circumstances of the story will lead her to trust if wants to survive.
'He held me, resting his cheek against the crown of my head, his heart drumming against my ear. I inhaled him, leather and smoke and cedar, settling into his arms like a rabbit in its warm, safe den. I had not fit into anyone’s arms like that since childhood. And even then, no one had ever held me so tightly—as if they needed me in their arms as much as I needed to be held. As if nothing else mattered but to hold one another. As if we had all the time in the world.'
❥𝑹𝒂𝒗𝒚𝒏 𝒀𝒆𝒘
OH. YEAH. I FELL, I FOLDED, I ADMIT IT. Has he done something especially crazy to make me feel this way? Nope, but you just have to see their fan arts and that's it, sold.
Ravyn has a dark and mysterious aura at first, but he is selfless, kind and a considerate person, especially towards his family, whom he protects fiercely.
'I resisted, Elspeth, because I was already imagining how I might press my finger against your wet lips again, like I had in my room. He took in a breath, his mouth dropping to my ear. And that was nothing to the wicked things I was imagining after we argued in the garden.'
❥𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑵𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒆
He is the monster that has been living in Elspeth's head for 11 years, and in my opinion the most interesting character in the book, everything that surrounds him is a mystery, he is full of secrets, and in order not to spoil it, I will not say anything else.
'I am the shepherd of shadow. the phantom of the fright. the demon in the daydream. the nightmare in the night.'
EEEEEEE, after everything I had heard about the romance of this book, I expected more, I have not seen it as slow burn as I expected, in my opinion it goes by fairly quickly, since I am the number 1 fan of slow burn, and everything that is not 400 pages of suffering so that they simply touch each others hands seems fast to me HAHAHA. So if you are expecting a romantasy with a lot of romance, lower your expectations, because that is not the case, there is no spice.
'When he looked at me, I felt seen, known. There was a line between us, drawn by fate and magic, that stretched out over space and time. Ravyn and I had walked that line our entire lives, unaware we were headed straight for each other.'
I really want to read the second one because the ending had me screaming crying throwing up eating glass istg.
➳ Old Updates:
👁️👄👁️ ok. rtc
feb 26: I have heard amazing things about this one! Hope I love it hehe 🤭💗
'The girl, the King… and the monster they became.'
Ooookkkkkkkk, this book was quite a ride, if I didn't read it faster it's because I really didn't have time, but I liked it a lot, it has small details that made me lower my rating a little, but I would recommend this book 100% to any fantasy lover.
This review will be completely spoiler-free, and as Ramadan is approaching, I must say that the book does not contain explicit spice, there is a scene that narrates a sexual act but nothing is described in too much detail, you know what is happening but that's it, this for my Muslim besties.
'To the quiet girls with stories in their heads. To their dreams—and their nightmares.'
┏━✦❘༻𝓅𝓁𝑜𝓉༺❘✦━━┓
In a world where a mysterious mist has terrified its inhabitants, and where an infection with magical side effects means you will be killed, our main character, Elspeth Spindle, has been hiding her infection and the consequences it brought her for 11 years. A monster has entered his head, The Nightmare, which is getting stronger and stronger. Everything changes when she and a group of people (mystery mystery hehe) set out on a dangerous mission to save the city, but nothing comes free, magic has a price, and Elspeth is going to start paying for it.
'Nothing is free. Nothing is safe. Magic is love, but also, it's hate. It comes at a cost. You're found, and you're lost. Magic is love, but also, it’s hate.'
I loved the world building and the magic system, I found it very original, the cards, the story, the lore, everything, I had never read anything like it and this is already something difficult to say after so many books.
┏━✦❘༻𝓅𝒶𝒸𝑒 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓌𝓇𝒾𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔༺❘✦━━┓
Ok, this is where I come into conflict with myself, I didn't find the author's writing bad, but I sometimes found it confusing and weird, it could be that, since English is not my first language, it was more complicated for me, but I do not know. What I do have to say is that I loved the poems and the little “riddles,” and they gave a lot of personality to the book and the story.
'My magic moves, he said. My magic bites. My magic soothes. My magic frights. You are young and not so bold. I am unflinching—five hundred years old.'
The pace of the story starts slow, the first 100 pages are somewhat tedious and confusing, but once you pass that mark, the plot picks up speed and I couldn't stop reading. Also, the setting of the book is excellent in my opinion.
┏━✦❘༻𝒸𝒽𝒶𝓇𝒶𝒸𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓈༺❘✦━━┓
I'm only going to talk about the two main characters and one more character that I really liked, the rest I'm going to let you get to know when you read. Muahahaah.
'Are you still pretending?' I said, revealing in his gaze. Ravyn gave a surprised laugh and, in front of everyone, leaned in and kissed me.
'I never was,' he whispered into my lips.
❥𝑬𝒍𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒕𝒉 𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒆
'Except, in this fairy tale, the maiden has blood on her hands.'
I really liked Elspeth as the main character, she is strong, and she fights her battles in a more mental than physical way, which is not as usual on fantasy fmc, because she has been hiding her secret for 11 years, she doesn't trust anyone, but the circumstances of the story will lead her to trust if wants to survive.
'He held me, resting his cheek against the crown of my head, his heart drumming against my ear. I inhaled him, leather and smoke and cedar, settling into his arms like a rabbit in its warm, safe den. I had not fit into anyone’s arms like that since childhood. And even then, no one had ever held me so tightly—as if they needed me in their arms as much as I needed to be held. As if nothing else mattered but to hold one another. As if we had all the time in the world.'
❥𝑹𝒂𝒗𝒚𝒏 𝒀𝒆𝒘
'He came for the girl... And got the monster instead.'
OH. YEAH. I FELL, I FOLDED, I ADMIT IT. Has he done something especially crazy to make me feel this way? Nope, but you just have to see their fan arts and that's it, sold.
Ravyn has a dark and mysterious aura at first, but he is selfless, kind and a considerate person, especially towards his family, whom he protects fiercely.
'I resisted, Elspeth, because I was already imagining how I might press my finger against your wet lips again, like I had in my room. He took in a breath, his mouth dropping to my ear. And that was nothing to the wicked things I was imagining after we argued in the garden.'
❥𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑵𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒆
He is the monster that has been living in Elspeth's head for 11 years, and in my opinion the most interesting character in the book, everything that surrounds him is a mystery, he is full of secrets, and in order not to spoil it, I will not say anything else.
'I am the shepherd of shadow. the phantom of the fright. the demon in the daydream. the nightmare in the night.'
┏━✦❘༻𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓇𝑜𝓂𝒶𝓃𝒸𝑒༺❘✦━━┓
'Which perhaps was why Ravyn Yew enraged me so deeply. It was easier to hate him for being secretive and dishonest than admitting I hated myself for the same reasons.'
EEEEEEE, after everything I had heard about the romance of this book, I expected more, I have not seen it as slow burn as I expected, in my opinion it goes by fairly quickly, since I am the number 1 fan of slow burn, and everything that is not 400 pages of suffering so that they simply touch each others hands seems fast to me HAHAHA. So if you are expecting a romantasy with a lot of romance, lower your expectations, because that is not the case, there is no spice.
'When he looked at me, I felt seen, known. There was a line between us, drawn by fate and magic, that stretched out over space and time. Ravyn and I had walked that line our entire lives, unaware we were headed straight for each other.'
I really want to read the second one because the ending had me screaming crying throwing up eating glass istg.
➳ Old Updates:
👁️👄👁️ ok. rtc
feb 26: I have heard amazing things about this one! Hope I love it hehe 🤭💗
July 25, 2024
{ 🌑 } ˒ ⊹ . 4.50 stars – major spoilers
𓂃 : 𓈒 ⤹ ⠀the romantasy genre in this slayed so hard, the magic system was so unique and i loved raven + elspeth !! i definitely recommend this to people who love fantasy or romance, or both <3
・ spoiler: also, wait, so she's the shepherd king and the nightmare and elspeth spindle and the spirit of the wood? i'm so confused ... ⠀ ⤸ 𓈒 : 𓂃
— buddy read with emma, veerali, maddalena and chloe !!
𓂃 : 𓈒 ⤹ ⠀the romantasy genre in this slayed so hard, the magic system was so unique and i loved raven + elspeth !! i definitely recommend this to people who love fantasy or romance, or both <3
・"i felt tethered — wrapped in an invisible string that tied me to ravyn yew."
・ spoiler: also, wait, so she's the shepherd king and the nightmare and elspeth spindle and the spirit of the wood? i'm so confused ... ⠀ ⤸ 𓈒 : 𓂃
— buddy read with emma, veerali, maddalena and chloe !!
March 8, 2024
I don't see the appeal.
November 3, 2024
since the weather is finally cold and i can read under blanket it’s time for this spooky vibe 🍂🙂↕️
February 15, 2025
did this book simply have the misfortune of being the first thing i read after mistborn, or is it really not that good? i fear the answer is both, but i’m leaning towards the former because it makes my wild miscalculation of one dark window hurt just a little less. i guess, take my opinion with a grain (and the smell) of salt (iykyk 👀).
the fact that the story isn’t cover to cover smut is something i’ll commend (although maybe it should have been, because that chapter was 🫦🙂↕️) but i think that the claim it’s not romantasy, or is somehow different from the rest is misleading. writing so focused on creating ~vibes~ it inadvertently crushed my immersion; a world so weakly conceived i genuinely couldn’t draw you a map if i tried (nor could the publisher, it seems, because one was not provided); a plot that trusts the reader is paying as little attention as the main character. the info was all there!! excerpts from the book of alders at the top of every chapter/the nightmare dropping not very subtle hints the whole time!! why do the fantasy girlies struggle so with these riddles and rhymes? elspeth is a feyre archeron dupe fr.
the fact that the story isn’t cover to cover smut is something i’ll commend (although maybe it should have been, because that chapter was 🫦🙂↕️) but i think that the claim it’s not romantasy, or is somehow different from the rest is misleading. writing so focused on creating ~vibes~ it inadvertently crushed my immersion; a world so weakly conceived i genuinely couldn’t draw you a map if i tried (nor could the publisher, it seems, because one was not provided); a plot that trusts the reader is paying as little attention as the main character. the info was all there!! excerpts from the book of alders at the top of every chapter/the nightmare dropping not very subtle hints the whole time!! why do the fantasy girlies struggle so with these riddles and rhymes? elspeth is a feyre archeron dupe fr.
December 28, 2023
5/ 5⭐
1/5 🌶️
TREES! READ IT NOW!! 🗡️🗡️🗡️
One Dark Window is a captivating journey into the realm of gothic fantasy, an enchanting world that wholly enraptured me. The atmospheric allure of dark, eerie forests, enveloped in thick fog and mystical mists, along with the sinister allure of dark magic, left me utterly spellbound. The prose within the pages is an exquisite symphony of words, gracefully lyrical, undeniably beautiful, and profoundly poetic. Surprisingly, this gem of a book had escaped my notice until it found its way into my hands through FairyLoot. I can genuinely say that if it weren't for their magical intervention, I might never have had the privilege of experiencing this mesmerizing tale. As I read it during a plane flight, the world around me ceased to exist, and I was wholly transported into the hauntingly enchanting universe of One Dark Window.
Ravyn is my new book boyfriend. Perfection.
I definitely can‘t wait to read the sequel, and I‘m already counting the days until its release.
Quotes:
“There once was a girl,” he murmured, “clever and good, who tarried in shadow in the depths of the wood. There also was a King—a shepherd by his crook, who reigned over magic and wrote the old book. The two were together, so the two were the same: “The girl, the King… and the monster they became.”
"Be wary. Be clever. Be good."
"I looked at the rose, then back at his face. Trees, that face. Austerity and beauty. An imperfect, breathtaking statue."
“And with every kiss, every flick of his tongue, Ravyn was... pushing me toward an inevitable, ruinous fall. He did not let me fall right away. By his sighs, the muffled, contented growls, he was taking his time with me. Laying waste to me”
“It is not they who bring the reckoning, Ravyn. It is you. It is us.”
🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️
1/5 🌶️
TREES! READ IT NOW!! 🗡️🗡️🗡️
One Dark Window is a captivating journey into the realm of gothic fantasy, an enchanting world that wholly enraptured me. The atmospheric allure of dark, eerie forests, enveloped in thick fog and mystical mists, along with the sinister allure of dark magic, left me utterly spellbound. The prose within the pages is an exquisite symphony of words, gracefully lyrical, undeniably beautiful, and profoundly poetic. Surprisingly, this gem of a book had escaped my notice until it found its way into my hands through FairyLoot. I can genuinely say that if it weren't for their magical intervention, I might never have had the privilege of experiencing this mesmerizing tale. As I read it during a plane flight, the world around me ceased to exist, and I was wholly transported into the hauntingly enchanting universe of One Dark Window.
Ravyn is my new book boyfriend. Perfection.
I definitely can‘t wait to read the sequel, and I‘m already counting the days until its release.
Quotes:
“There once was a girl,” he murmured, “clever and good, who tarried in shadow in the depths of the wood. There also was a King—a shepherd by his crook, who reigned over magic and wrote the old book. The two were together, so the two were the same: “The girl, the King… and the monster they became.”
"Be wary. Be clever. Be good."
"I looked at the rose, then back at his face. Trees, that face. Austerity and beauty. An imperfect, breathtaking statue."
“And with every kiss, every flick of his tongue, Ravyn was... pushing me toward an inevitable, ruinous fall. He did not let me fall right away. By his sighs, the muffled, contented growls, he was taking his time with me. Laying waste to me”
“It is not they who bring the reckoning, Ravyn. It is you. It is us.”
🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️
August 3, 2023
4.25 stars, this was fantastic!
The gothic atmosphere, the dark forest vibes, the incredibly unique magic system, the world building, the characters, the romance, the pacing...I ate this book UP and I can't wait for the next one. That ending?????
I'm really glad I ended up waiting so long to read this so I only have a few months to wait until the next one, but even so...Orbit I am begging for an ARC
The gothic atmosphere, the dark forest vibes, the incredibly unique magic system, the world building, the characters, the romance, the pacing...I ate this book UP and I can't wait for the next one. That ending?????
I'm really glad I ended up waiting so long to read this so I only have a few months to wait until the next one, but even so...Orbit I am begging for an ARC
December 13, 2023
ALEXAA play monsters by Ruelle + disturbia & monster by Rihanna
4 stars
“To the quiet girls with stories in their heads. To their dreams—and their nightmares.”—the author
The premise of this, the magic system, the gothic haunting fairytale vibes, the romance and the magical cards?! I was entranced by it all wanting more of it. Grim, fascinating, enchanting, and sharp claws would be the perfect words to describe this
“Be wary the green, be wary the trees,”
In the dark kingdom of blunder, magic is feared upon and considered dangerous as it “infects” causing illness to those it touches. The price to be paid even at no fault? Death. The magic to be feared is known as the mist and has kept the people of blunder confined with no way of out bc of it. But that’s not all, 12 magical cards are also worth mentioning as each serves a different purpose in their use and they ultimately determine the fate of the town and all of its people.
At a young age, Elspeth spindle became infected with magic and the result? Being haunted by the nightmare—a monster whose voice suddenly appeared in her mind. She’s unaware who she can trust for good reason, leaving the nightmare to be the only one.
“I'm just the wind in the trees, the shadow, and the fright. The echo in the leaves...the nightmare in the night.”
As the price to be paid for being infected is death, elspeth has had to hide her infection for so many years and keep hidden mostly.
the key to finding a cure? *Inserts Ravyn* a captain and highwayman (we love those) 🫠 who she strangely meets and teams up with him in a secretive mission to save those infected including herself—even if it means committing treason. Aside from the nightmare who she has to coexist with. At times I didn’t know if I disliked him or liked him given his back story. He never failed to insert himself with his unwanted opinions and his riddles—they held great meaning and I reveled in them. I found him so apathetic, dark, snarky and mysterious yet humorous?! as he says so many puzzling things that left me intrigued and agreeing with him. I don’t want to compare but during some points he reminded me of tairn iykyk.
“The two were together, so the two were the same: “The girl, the King… and the monster they became.”
Final thoughts on this:
I was definitely interested in the secondary characters to this in particular elm and jespyr and saw the potential for found family given the interactions with them. I hope to see more of them and I do have to mention the breakfast scene 🤭 absolutely disliked hauth for what he did and best believe he deserved what came to him (hopefully worse in book 2). I have my doubts on Ione but I hope a few things happen with her and a particular character
**this wasn’t the romantasy I wanted it to be (high expectations over here) but the elements of romance were there ofc—it just wasn’t the sole driving force to it—only the subplot. the build up towards it could’ve been better as well yet the slow burn vibes were there and I did find myself grinning and swooning when the romance was apparent so there’s that.
the rhyme and lore the nightmare spoke in every chapter hinting at certain things had me so immersed. One min elspeth hated and wanted the nightmare to go away and the next wanted his help lmao I couldn’t keep up with her but understood. This is YA btw for those who didn’t know which I was surprised given one particular scene iykyk.
Highly recommend but don’t go into it expecting more romance like I did. overall, I very much enjoyed this and the writing pulled me in. The world building felt easy to get into and almost immediately (for me) you’re able to understand what’s going on. it ended on a satisfying cliffhanger that’s left me anticipating everything to come and I need the next book IMMEDIATELY.
This definitely gives off fall vibes and feels perfect for spooky season even more so that the second book comes out in October!
a few of the romance crumbs I ate up to not spoil the fantasy aspect of it
“I was already imagining how I might press my finger against your wet lips again, like I had in my room. He took in a breath, his mouth dropping to my ear. “And that was nothing compared to the wicked things I was imagining after we argued in the garden.” THIS. more of this is what I wanted 🤌🏼
“It is not they who bring the reckoning, Ravyn. It is you. It is us.”
“When he looked at me, I felt seen, known. There was a line between us, drawn by fate and magic, that stretched out over space and time. Ravyn and I had walked that line our entire lives, unaware we were headed straight for each other.”
“And I realized at equinox that the closer I let myself get to you, the less I want to be the King's Captain- the less I'd want to pretend. And it's dangerous for me, for my family, to stop pretending”
4 stars
“To the quiet girls with stories in their heads. To their dreams—and their nightmares.”—the author
The premise of this, the magic system, the gothic haunting fairytale vibes, the romance and the magical cards?! I was entranced by it all wanting more of it. Grim, fascinating, enchanting, and sharp claws would be the perfect words to describe this
“Be wary the green, be wary the trees,”
In the dark kingdom of blunder, magic is feared upon and considered dangerous as it “infects” causing illness to those it touches. The price to be paid even at no fault? Death. The magic to be feared is known as the mist and has kept the people of blunder confined with no way of out bc of it. But that’s not all, 12 magical cards are also worth mentioning as each serves a different purpose in their use and they ultimately determine the fate of the town and all of its people.
At a young age, Elspeth spindle became infected with magic and the result? Being haunted by the nightmare—a monster whose voice suddenly appeared in her mind. She’s unaware who she can trust for good reason, leaving the nightmare to be the only one.
“I'm just the wind in the trees, the shadow, and the fright. The echo in the leaves...the nightmare in the night.”
As the price to be paid for being infected is death, elspeth has had to hide her infection for so many years and keep hidden mostly.
the key to finding a cure? *Inserts Ravyn* a captain and highwayman (we love those) 🫠 who she strangely meets and teams up with him in a secretive mission to save those infected including herself—even if it means committing treason. Aside from the nightmare who she has to coexist with. At times I didn’t know if I disliked him or liked him given his back story. He never failed to insert himself with his unwanted opinions and his riddles—they held great meaning and I reveled in them. I found him so apathetic, dark, snarky and mysterious yet humorous?! as he says so many puzzling things that left me intrigued and agreeing with him. I don’t want to compare but during some points he reminded me of tairn iykyk.
“The two were together, so the two were the same: “The girl, the King… and the monster they became.”
Final thoughts on this:
I was definitely interested in the secondary characters to this in particular elm and jespyr and saw the potential for found family given the interactions with them. I hope to see more of them and I do have to mention the breakfast scene 🤭 absolutely disliked hauth for what he did and best believe he deserved what came to him (hopefully worse in book 2). I have my doubts on Ione but I hope a few things happen with her and a particular character
**this wasn’t the romantasy I wanted it to be (high expectations over here) but the elements of romance were there ofc—it just wasn’t the sole driving force to it—only the subplot. the build up towards it could’ve been better as well yet the slow burn vibes were there and I did find myself grinning and swooning when the romance was apparent so there’s that.
the rhyme and lore the nightmare spoke in every chapter hinting at certain things had me so immersed. One min elspeth hated and wanted the nightmare to go away and the next wanted his help lmao I couldn’t keep up with her but understood. This is YA btw for those who didn’t know which I was surprised given one particular scene iykyk.
Highly recommend but don’t go into it expecting more romance like I did. overall, I very much enjoyed this and the writing pulled me in. The world building felt easy to get into and almost immediately (for me) you’re able to understand what’s going on. it ended on a satisfying cliffhanger that’s left me anticipating everything to come and I need the next book IMMEDIATELY.
This definitely gives off fall vibes and feels perfect for spooky season even more so that the second book comes out in October!
a few of the romance crumbs I ate up to not spoil the fantasy aspect of it
“I was already imagining how I might press my finger against your wet lips again, like I had in my room. He took in a breath, his mouth dropping to my ear. “And that was nothing compared to the wicked things I was imagining after we argued in the garden.” THIS. more of this is what I wanted 🤌🏼
“It is not they who bring the reckoning, Ravyn. It is you. It is us.”
“When he looked at me, I felt seen, known. There was a line between us, drawn by fate and magic, that stretched out over space and time. Ravyn and I had walked that line our entire lives, unaware we were headed straight for each other.”
“And I realized at equinox that the closer I let myself get to you, the less I want to be the King's Captain- the less I'd want to pretend. And it's dangerous for me, for my family, to stop pretending”
November 20, 2023
♾️ ⭐️!!!
OH MY GOD I THINK THIS IS THE BEST BOOK IVE READ ALL YEAR I can't wait to make this my whole personality 🤭
"The girl, the King...and the monster they became."
THE PLOT
The town of Blunder is isolated from the rest of society due to a magical mist that drives those who enter insane and infected. Elspeth entered the mist as a young child, but was hidden by her aunt and uncle to keep her alive. Those who are infected are sentenced to death. During this infection, Elspeth touches a magical card that housed a 500 year old monster named Nightmare, who for 11 years lived inside Elspeth's mind and soul. In order to rid her mind of Nightmare and lift the mist surrounding Blunder, 12 Providence cards must be collected. However, magic is not used without consequences...and spares no life.
MY THOUGHTS
Words have just all of a sudden left my body. How can I physically explain in words how much I loved this book? Everything from the world building, the characters, the plot, it was all written and explained so well. The magic system in this book? UNREAL! I was hooked from the very first page and never put this down unless I had to. However, I will say that it is very confusing at the beginning of the book. Like I was genuinely very confused for the first like 100 pages. I stuck it out tho and I'm SO glad I did!! I will be recommending this book to anyone and everyone. Ravyn is my new book husband and I am obsessed with him. His relationship with Elspeth just blossomed so well and other than the magic aspect of the book, they were my favorite part of plot. I could write all the words in the world and it still wouldn't accurately display my love for this book and its characters. I'm glad that those in the book who I hated got what they deserved. Death to them all if I have a say in anything 🫡
FAVORITE QUOTES AND SCENES
There was darkness in Ravyn's quiet. I could see it in his expression--the cool control of his features. He, like me, had learned to still his face--to obscure his thoughts under a mask of control and austerity. Which meant he, like me, had things to hide.
I wanted to shout, to break the glass of his control. But I could not find the words. The day had stolen them. And the night had buried them. Weakness was King, and I his servant.
The berry of Rowans is red, always red. The earth at its trunk is dark with blood shed. But a Prince is a man, and a man may be bled. He came for the girl...and got the monster instead.
My aunt had told me once that my strange charcoal eyes were special, beautiful even--a dark window to the soul beneath. But as I glanced back into the looking glass, the reflection of my black eyes flickering to that bright, eerie yellow, I had to wonder...whose soul was it?
The Nightmares? Or mine?
His words moved something in me. The same calling from before--the same ache. I wanted him to run his hand over my mouth again--to feel the texture of his rough, hardened skin. My body was screaming, a mindless, impatient call for touch.
His touch.
"I resisted, Elspeth, because I was already imagining how I might press my finger against your wet lips again."
"Can I kiss you?"
"A bit late to ask, isn't it?"
"Not on your mouth, Elspeth."
"Are you still pretending?"
Ravyn gave a surprised laugh and, in front of everyone, leaned in and kissed me.
"I never was," he whispered into my lips.
"Do you trust me, Elspeth?"
"Do I have a choice?"
"My darling, you've always had a choice."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
i am SO excited i wanna see what the hype is about 🤭
OH MY GOD I THINK THIS IS THE BEST BOOK IVE READ ALL YEAR I can't wait to make this my whole personality 🤭
"The girl, the King...and the monster they became."
THE PLOT
The town of Blunder is isolated from the rest of society due to a magical mist that drives those who enter insane and infected. Elspeth entered the mist as a young child, but was hidden by her aunt and uncle to keep her alive. Those who are infected are sentenced to death. During this infection, Elspeth touches a magical card that housed a 500 year old monster named Nightmare, who for 11 years lived inside Elspeth's mind and soul. In order to rid her mind of Nightmare and lift the mist surrounding Blunder, 12 Providence cards must be collected. However, magic is not used without consequences...and spares no life.
MY THOUGHTS
Words have just all of a sudden left my body. How can I physically explain in words how much I loved this book? Everything from the world building, the characters, the plot, it was all written and explained so well. The magic system in this book? UNREAL! I was hooked from the very first page and never put this down unless I had to. However, I will say that it is very confusing at the beginning of the book. Like I was genuinely very confused for the first like 100 pages. I stuck it out tho and I'm SO glad I did!! I will be recommending this book to anyone and everyone. Ravyn is my new book husband and I am obsessed with him. His relationship with Elspeth just blossomed so well and other than the magic aspect of the book, they were my favorite part of plot. I could write all the words in the world and it still wouldn't accurately display my love for this book and its characters. I'm glad that those in the book who I hated got what they deserved. Death to them all if I have a say in anything 🫡
FAVORITE QUOTES AND SCENES
There was darkness in Ravyn's quiet. I could see it in his expression--the cool control of his features. He, like me, had learned to still his face--to obscure his thoughts under a mask of control and austerity. Which meant he, like me, had things to hide.
I wanted to shout, to break the glass of his control. But I could not find the words. The day had stolen them. And the night had buried them. Weakness was King, and I his servant.
The berry of Rowans is red, always red. The earth at its trunk is dark with blood shed. But a Prince is a man, and a man may be bled. He came for the girl...and got the monster instead.
My aunt had told me once that my strange charcoal eyes were special, beautiful even--a dark window to the soul beneath. But as I glanced back into the looking glass, the reflection of my black eyes flickering to that bright, eerie yellow, I had to wonder...whose soul was it?
The Nightmares? Or mine?
His words moved something in me. The same calling from before--the same ache. I wanted him to run his hand over my mouth again--to feel the texture of his rough, hardened skin. My body was screaming, a mindless, impatient call for touch.
His touch.
"I resisted, Elspeth, because I was already imagining how I might press my finger against your wet lips again."
"Can I kiss you?"
"A bit late to ask, isn't it?"
"Not on your mouth, Elspeth."
"Are you still pretending?"
Ravyn gave a surprised laugh and, in front of everyone, leaned in and kissed me.
"I never was," he whispered into my lips.
"Do you trust me, Elspeth?"
"Do I have a choice?"
"My darling, you've always had a choice."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
i am SO excited i wanna see what the hype is about 🤭
April 9, 2024
I might have to reread this, but the ending????? Need some explanations😭
3.75🌟
-----------------
pre-read
I have HIGHHHH hopes for this one!!
3.75🌟
-----------------
pre-read
I have HIGHHHH hopes for this one!!
April 16, 2024
This one dark soul of mine, became melodramatically tethered with One Dark Window.
A gothic fantasy, done right… somber, and unilluminated - snuffing out all foreseeable hopes of light… 🎤
Readily encasing myself within the cavernous confines of a universe, fearsomely proclaimed as Blunder: calamitous and cataclysmic.
The underlying beauty of being unsafe in a fictional world.
A magical elemental system based on twelve providence cards. Each one, unique and formidable. Touch one, and suffer the consequences.
A paranormal spirt haunting the scarcely visited woods with an odious mist consuming its earthly air, disseminating a cursed infection upon trespassers who are nonsensical enough to take a step inside. Enter, and endure the infamous disease that is laced with supernatural abilities, but nothing comes free- coming with a price to be paid beyond measures.
A female protagonist, Elspeth Spindle who bears such an infection consumed by a monstrous voice, entitled as the nightmare. Resentfully demonic, living inside her mental, both vying for control. Read on and find out who wins.
All of what I just uttered is presented within the first twenty pages, deeming it one of the best adventuresome introductions that was dawned upon me.
So what happens after the first twenty 20 pages though?
Well. The lore deepens, each chapter emboldened with teasing riddles pertaining to a cards wicked power. Hungering you to acquire knowledge about all of them.
Side Characters are introduced with opportune style dazzling and bringing their own eccentric shady history and witty banter.
And the story develops by paying complete loyalty towards its bleak theme, just like its name keeping it indeed, dark. No happy beginnings and no happy endings, but a suspense that I allowed to undo me.
The best part, is how it is delivered with fluidity.
For the first time, in a fantasy, I didn’t have to aggressively arch my eyebrows all the way up in confusion and say hold the fuck up? Or revert back to an annoyingly existent glossary to understand the magical elements. Or have to facepalm myself with all the unnecessary world building. None of it needed.
Because the execution is masterfully clean and uncomplicated, while keeping the premise different in appeal at the same time.
Making me succumbing to it entirely.
🤌.
“To be wary is to be keen - keen of those who may use the magic for wrong. To be clever is to be wise - wise not to use the cards too often. To be good is to be reverent - reverent of balance of the salt in the air of the Spirt of the Wood. Be wary. Be clever. Be good”
Just like the quote above be good and keen by listening to me when I say.
Read this. 🪟👀
A gothic fantasy, done right… somber, and unilluminated - snuffing out all foreseeable hopes of light… 🎤
Readily encasing myself within the cavernous confines of a universe, fearsomely proclaimed as Blunder: calamitous and cataclysmic.
The underlying beauty of being unsafe in a fictional world.
A magical elemental system based on twelve providence cards. Each one, unique and formidable. Touch one, and suffer the consequences.
A paranormal spirt haunting the scarcely visited woods with an odious mist consuming its earthly air, disseminating a cursed infection upon trespassers who are nonsensical enough to take a step inside. Enter, and endure the infamous disease that is laced with supernatural abilities, but nothing comes free- coming with a price to be paid beyond measures.
A female protagonist, Elspeth Spindle who bears such an infection consumed by a monstrous voice, entitled as the nightmare. Resentfully demonic, living inside her mental, both vying for control. Read on and find out who wins.
All of what I just uttered is presented within the first twenty pages, deeming it one of the best adventuresome introductions that was dawned upon me.
So what happens after the first twenty 20 pages though?
Well. The lore deepens, each chapter emboldened with teasing riddles pertaining to a cards wicked power. Hungering you to acquire knowledge about all of them.
Side Characters are introduced with opportune style dazzling and bringing their own eccentric shady history and witty banter.
And the story develops by paying complete loyalty towards its bleak theme, just like its name keeping it indeed, dark. No happy beginnings and no happy endings, but a suspense that I allowed to undo me.
The best part, is how it is delivered with fluidity.
For the first time, in a fantasy, I didn’t have to aggressively arch my eyebrows all the way up in confusion and say hold the fuck up? Or revert back to an annoyingly existent glossary to understand the magical elements. Or have to facepalm myself with all the unnecessary world building. None of it needed.
Because the execution is masterfully clean and uncomplicated, while keeping the premise different in appeal at the same time.
Making me succumbing to it entirely.
🤌.
“To be wary is to be keen - keen of those who may use the magic for wrong. To be clever is to be wise - wise not to use the cards too often. To be good is to be reverent - reverent of balance of the salt in the air of the Spirt of the Wood. Be wary. Be clever. Be good”
Just like the quote above be good and keen by listening to me when I say.
Read this. 🪟👀
March 7, 2025
I finally finished it 😅 and I enjoyed it much more than I did on my first two attempts, but it still drags in some areas for me and my mind started drifting off.
Full review in a bit
I'm going to try this book one more time...
ETA - I might actually be enjoying it this time... 👀
Full review in a bit
I'm going to try this book one more time...
ETA - I might actually be enjoying it this time... 👀
November 30, 2024
2 stars ⭐️
⤷ spoiler-free review!!⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪
i’m going to be much stricter with my ratings from now on (fr this time)! i looked back at my old ones and honestly, what was i even thinking, rating some of those books so high when i didn’t even like/enjoy them? 😭
anyway, i know i’m in the minority, but this book just wasn’t it for me. it felt super bland, and elspeth and rayvn had zero chemistry IMO (before anyone comes for me). that’s it. that’s the review. thank you, next.
pre-read:
i’ve been meaning to read this for a while now, and with all the rain lately, it feels like the perfect time to start another gothic fantasy book ~
⤷ spoiler-free review!!⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪
i’m going to be much stricter with my ratings from now on (fr this time)! i looked back at my old ones and honestly, what was i even thinking, rating some of those books so high when i didn’t even like/enjoy them? 😭
anyway, i know i’m in the minority, but this book just wasn’t it for me. it felt super bland, and elspeth and rayvn had zero chemistry IMO (before anyone comes for me). that’s it. that’s the review. thank you, next.
pre-read:
i’ve been meaning to read this for a while now, and with all the rain lately, it feels like the perfect time to start another gothic fantasy book ~
April 13, 2024
4 stars!
i approach most popular books with a sort of wary anticipation, eager to see why they’re so loved, but also a bit cautious because… well, a friend to all is a friend to none. to be transparent, i’ve come to believe that something loved by the masses, something that is capable of moving multitudes of people, is inherently valuable, at least to some extent. but even so, subjectivity prevails — especially when it comes to art. all this to say: i am relieved, excited, and a little surprised to admit that i really, really enjoyed this.
one dark window is unlike anything i’ve read before. it blends a chilling, gothic atmosphere with a unique magic system, a captivating storyline, and endlessly intriguing characters, who have much to hide but are incredibly endearing nonetheless, while also exploring, uncompromisingly and incisively, the dangers of magic and power, that double edged sword that can give you exactly what you want and destroy you in the process. i was hooked from the very first page, and though you’ll probably be a bit confused at first, hang in there — it’s worth it. the romance was adorable (rooting for them 🥹 i love their soft, stolen moments), the pacing solid, and the writing bingeable, albeit a little repetitive at times. but honestly, i haven't had this much fun reading a fantasy book (or any book, really) in so long.
❝nothing is free. nothing is safe. magic is love, but also, it’s hate. it comes at a cost. you’re found, and you’re lost. magic is love, but also, it’s hate.❞
i approach most popular books with a sort of wary anticipation, eager to see why they’re so loved, but also a bit cautious because… well, a friend to all is a friend to none. to be transparent, i’ve come to believe that something loved by the masses, something that is capable of moving multitudes of people, is inherently valuable, at least to some extent. but even so, subjectivity prevails — especially when it comes to art. all this to say: i am relieved, excited, and a little surprised to admit that i really, really enjoyed this.
one dark window is unlike anything i’ve read before. it blends a chilling, gothic atmosphere with a unique magic system, a captivating storyline, and endlessly intriguing characters, who have much to hide but are incredibly endearing nonetheless, while also exploring, uncompromisingly and incisively, the dangers of magic and power, that double edged sword that can give you exactly what you want and destroy you in the process. i was hooked from the very first page, and though you’ll probably be a bit confused at first, hang in there — it’s worth it. the romance was adorable (rooting for them 🥹 i love their soft, stolen moments), the pacing solid, and the writing bingeable, albeit a little repetitive at times. but honestly, i haven't had this much fun reading a fantasy book (or any book, really) in so long.
October 28, 2024
4.75
i don’t think i have the words to adequately sum up my thoughts on this book besides me telling you that i loved it.
that’s it, that’s the review. i apologize for my pea brain but if you haven’t read this duology yet, you should move it to the top of your tbr.
trees, i love elspeth and ravyn and this entire story.
i don’t think i have the words to adequately sum up my thoughts on this book besides me telling you that i loved it.
that’s it, that’s the review. i apologize for my pea brain but if you haven’t read this duology yet, you should move it to the top of your tbr.
trees, i love elspeth and ravyn and this entire story.
June 19, 2025
❝There once was a girl, clever and good, who tarried in shadow in the depths of the wood. There also was a King a shepherd by his crook, who reigned over magic and wrote the old book. The two were together, so the two were the same: The girl, the King... and the monster they became❞
❥ gothic horror
❥ dark fantasy
❥ monsters within.
❥ unique magic.
❥ Romance.
➸ The Story: 500 years ago Blunder kingdom flourished with the power that the spirit of the woods granted its people and their king. They asked for her blessings and in return they honored her woods and trees. Swearing by them. took the names of the trees as their own. It was old magic. old religion. For his reverence, the Spirit of the Wood granted the Shepherd King strange, powerful magic. He wanted to share his magic with his kingdom, and so he made the twelve Providence Cards. But everything has a price. For each Card, the Shepherd King gave something up to the Spirit of the Wood. But it was the Spirit of the Wood, in the end, who would pay. With the Shepherd King's Providence Cards, people had magic at their fingertips.
They did not have to go to the wood and beg her blessings.
the Spirit grew vengeful, treacherous. She created the mist, to lure people back to the wood. Those who came upon it lost their way, and often their minds. The mist spread, isolating them from neighboring kingdoms. Worse, children who tarried in it grew sick with fever, their veins darkening. Those who survived the fever often carried magical gifts like those the Spirit used to bestow, only more unruly more dangerous.
Chronicled in the ancient text, The Old Book of Alders, Providence Cards were not only Blunder's greatest treasures but also the only legal way of performing magic. Anyone could use them all it took was touch and intention. Clear your mind, hold a Card in your hand, tap it three times, and the Card was yours to wield. Three more taps, or the touch of another person, and the flow of magic would halt. But use a Card too long, and the consequences were dire. And They were exceptionally rare. Providence Cards cannot be destroyed, They are woven by old magic.
All unravel in A doorless chamber with one dark window.
➸ my thoughts: the huge shocking fact that THIS Duet Is the author’s debut? I can’t believe it! By the time you’re reading this, I’m probably halfway through the sequel because WOW. Just wow. Let me kick this off by saying that the magic system in this book? Chef’s kiss. It’s fresh, it’s clever, and honestly, it’s got originality written all over it. You can tell the author poured thought into every detail of it, and it never felt recycled or predictable. The plot? Immaculate. The pacing? Elite. Each chapter ended in this calm-but-chaotic way that had me sprinting to the next one. You know that panicked “just one more chapter” vibe? Yeah, this book nailed it. Big applause for Rachel Gillig. 🎩
➸ The Writing Style: I could write a whole separate love letter about the writing style. Seriously, it’s that good. It’s elegant, haunting, and so atmospheric it practically yanked me into another dimension. Half my annotations ended up being quotes from monologues—yes, monologues. this was different. For once, the monologues were magnetic. I got literal chills reading some of the lines.
The way Gillig crafts her sentences? Pure art. Sometimes the words felt poetic, sometimes terrifying, but they always hit just right. And don’t even get me started on how smooth the world-building was—it never felt info-dumpy or heavy. Instead, it was sprinkled naturally through conversations and monologues. Even if fantasy isn’t your thing, you’d be able to follow this without feeling lost. and let’s talk about the vibe. This book is dripping in atmosphere, all eerie and immersive, like you’re walking through a foggy dream. I wasn’t just reading; I was living in the world Gillig created.
➸ The Characters:
Oh, the characters. You’re gonna love them. I promise.
➴ Elspeth Spindle: Our 20-year-old protagonist with a heavy past and an even heavier secret. Her backstory? Wild. She’s the daughter of Erik Spindle, a guy who hunted people like her for a living. But when she gets infected with magic, her father hides her away for 11 years, sending her to live with her aunt’s family. Oh, and then there’s the monster. The thing living in her head ever since she touched something she wasn’t supposed to. He’s not a man. He’s not an animal. But he’s been with her for years, whispering in her mind. I liked Elspeth a lot, but I’ll be real: there were moments when I felt like the side characters got more development than she did. If the second book gives her more depth, it’s gonna be a guaranteed 5-star read for me.
➴ The Nightmare: This dude (or...entity?) is living rent-free in Elspeth’s head, and I’m here for it. Their mental back-and-forth is chef’s kiss. His personality is this perfect mix of taunting and seductive, and let me tell you, I enjoyed it more than I probably should have. Every time Elspeth asks for his help, he obliges—but there’s always a price. The cost of magic, you know? His riddles, his quotes from the Old Book of Alders, his eerie rhythm—it’s all so perfectly unsettling.
”My magic moves, My magic bites. My magic soothes. My magic frights. You are young and not so bold. I am unflinching five hundred years old.”
➴ Ravyn Yew: aaaa, Ravyn. The King’s eldest nephew and, honestly, a walking heartthrob. Those heated stares of his? I’d be blushing right alongside Elspeth. The moment he broke the first heir’s hand for hurting her? I. Was. Swooning. This man has my whole heart, and I just know he’s going to move mountains for her in the next book.
"What about you, Captain? Are you too nice for your own good?" He watched me, something I could not read flashing in his gray eyes. "No, Miss Spindle," he said. "I'm not nice at all."
I felt seen, known. There was a line between us, drawn by fate and magic, that stretched out over space and time. Ravyn and I had walked that line our entire lives, unaware we were headed straight for each other.
"Can i kiss you?"
"A bit late to ask, isn't it?"
"Not on your mouth, Elspeth"
*he get to his knees*
➴ Prince Renelm Rowan: The second heir to the throne, aka my personal favorite. First of all, can we just appreciate how iconic the name “Rowan Rowan” would be if he married me? Secondly, he’s absolute perfection. If book two doesn’t give me some POV chapters from him, I’m filing a formal complaint. I need more of him.
➴ And Emory. My sweet sweet boy 🥺
Emory held my gaze. "You're very beautiful," he mused. "Your eyes are so dark so infinite." He paused. "Like a maiden in a storybook. As if the Shepherd King had penned you himself." The Nightmare laughed, sending a shiver clawing up my spine. “Death at his door, and the boy still understands you better than the rest of these fools.”
This book was a wild, beautifully written ride with a killer plot, characters you can’t help but adore, and a magic system that feels refreshingly original. The atmosphere alone is enough to keep you hooked, and Rachel Gillig’s writing is nothing short of exquisite. If you haven’t read this yet, stop what you’re doing and get on it. you’re not ready for how good it is.
──── ♥︎ 𝑺𝑯𝑬𝑷𝑯𝑬𝑹𝑫 𝑲𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑫𝑼𝑬𝑻 𝑹𝑨𝑻𝑰𝑵𝑮𝑺 ♥︎ ─────
❥ one dark window ➸ 4 ✰
❥ Two twisted crowns ➸ 5 ✰
❥ gothic horror
❥ dark fantasy
❥ monsters within.
❥ unique magic.
❥ Romance.
➸ The Story: 500 years ago Blunder kingdom flourished with the power that the spirit of the woods granted its people and their king. They asked for her blessings and in return they honored her woods and trees. Swearing by them. took the names of the trees as their own. It was old magic. old religion. For his reverence, the Spirit of the Wood granted the Shepherd King strange, powerful magic. He wanted to share his magic with his kingdom, and so he made the twelve Providence Cards. But everything has a price. For each Card, the Shepherd King gave something up to the Spirit of the Wood. But it was the Spirit of the Wood, in the end, who would pay. With the Shepherd King's Providence Cards, people had magic at their fingertips.
They did not have to go to the wood and beg her blessings.
the Spirit grew vengeful, treacherous. She created the mist, to lure people back to the wood. Those who came upon it lost their way, and often their minds. The mist spread, isolating them from neighboring kingdoms. Worse, children who tarried in it grew sick with fever, their veins darkening. Those who survived the fever often carried magical gifts like those the Spirit used to bestow, only more unruly more dangerous.
Chronicled in the ancient text, The Old Book of Alders, Providence Cards were not only Blunder's greatest treasures but also the only legal way of performing magic. Anyone could use them all it took was touch and intention. Clear your mind, hold a Card in your hand, tap it three times, and the Card was yours to wield. Three more taps, or the touch of another person, and the flow of magic would halt. But use a Card too long, and the consequences were dire. And They were exceptionally rare. Providence Cards cannot be destroyed, They are woven by old magic.
All unravel in A doorless chamber with one dark window.
➸ my thoughts: the huge shocking fact that THIS Duet Is the author’s debut? I can’t believe it! By the time you’re reading this, I’m probably halfway through the sequel because WOW. Just wow. Let me kick this off by saying that the magic system in this book? Chef’s kiss. It’s fresh, it’s clever, and honestly, it’s got originality written all over it. You can tell the author poured thought into every detail of it, and it never felt recycled or predictable. The plot? Immaculate. The pacing? Elite. Each chapter ended in this calm-but-chaotic way that had me sprinting to the next one. You know that panicked “just one more chapter” vibe? Yeah, this book nailed it. Big applause for Rachel Gillig. 🎩
➸ The Writing Style: I could write a whole separate love letter about the writing style. Seriously, it’s that good. It’s elegant, haunting, and so atmospheric it practically yanked me into another dimension. Half my annotations ended up being quotes from monologues—yes, monologues. this was different. For once, the monologues were magnetic. I got literal chills reading some of the lines.
The way Gillig crafts her sentences? Pure art. Sometimes the words felt poetic, sometimes terrifying, but they always hit just right. And don’t even get me started on how smooth the world-building was—it never felt info-dumpy or heavy. Instead, it was sprinkled naturally through conversations and monologues. Even if fantasy isn’t your thing, you’d be able to follow this without feeling lost. and let’s talk about the vibe. This book is dripping in atmosphere, all eerie and immersive, like you’re walking through a foggy dream. I wasn’t just reading; I was living in the world Gillig created.
❝Birds fluttered beneath a box shrub, startled by my graceless gait, and flew upward in a flurry.❞
➸ The Characters:
Oh, the characters. You’re gonna love them. I promise.
➴ Elspeth Spindle: Our 20-year-old protagonist with a heavy past and an even heavier secret. Her backstory? Wild. She’s the daughter of Erik Spindle, a guy who hunted people like her for a living. But when she gets infected with magic, her father hides her away for 11 years, sending her to live with her aunt’s family. Oh, and then there’s the monster. The thing living in her head ever since she touched something she wasn’t supposed to. He’s not a man. He’s not an animal. But he’s been with her for years, whispering in her mind. I liked Elspeth a lot, but I’ll be real: there were moments when I felt like the side characters got more development than she did. If the second book gives her more depth, it’s gonna be a guaranteed 5-star read for me.
➴ The Nightmare: This dude (or...entity?) is living rent-free in Elspeth’s head, and I’m here for it. Their mental back-and-forth is chef’s kiss. His personality is this perfect mix of taunting and seductive, and let me tell you, I enjoyed it more than I probably should have. Every time Elspeth asks for his help, he obliges—but there’s always a price. The cost of magic, you know? His riddles, his quotes from the Old Book of Alders, his eerie rhythm—it’s all so perfectly unsettling.
”My magic moves, My magic bites. My magic soothes. My magic frights. You are young and not so bold. I am unflinching five hundred years old.”
➴ Ravyn Yew: aaaa, Ravyn. The King’s eldest nephew and, honestly, a walking heartthrob. Those heated stares of his? I’d be blushing right alongside Elspeth. The moment he broke the first heir’s hand for hurting her? I. Was. Swooning. This man has my whole heart, and I just know he’s going to move mountains for her in the next book.
"What about you, Captain? Are you too nice for your own good?" He watched me, something I could not read flashing in his gray eyes. "No, Miss Spindle," he said. "I'm not nice at all."
I felt seen, known. There was a line between us, drawn by fate and magic, that stretched out over space and time. Ravyn and I had walked that line our entire lives, unaware we were headed straight for each other.
"Can i kiss you?"
"A bit late to ask, isn't it?"
"Not on your mouth, Elspeth"
*he get to his knees*
➴ Prince Renelm Rowan: The second heir to the throne, aka my personal favorite. First of all, can we just appreciate how iconic the name “Rowan Rowan” would be if he married me? Secondly, he’s absolute perfection. If book two doesn’t give me some POV chapters from him, I’m filing a formal complaint. I need more of him.
➴ And Emory. My sweet sweet boy 🥺
Emory held my gaze. "You're very beautiful," he mused. "Your eyes are so dark so infinite." He paused. "Like a maiden in a storybook. As if the Shepherd King had penned you himself." The Nightmare laughed, sending a shiver clawing up my spine. “Death at his door, and the boy still understands you better than the rest of these fools.”
This book was a wild, beautifully written ride with a killer plot, characters you can’t help but adore, and a magic system that feels refreshingly original. The atmosphere alone is enough to keep you hooked, and Rachel Gillig’s writing is nothing short of exquisite. If you haven’t read this yet, stop what you’re doing and get on it. you’re not ready for how good it is.
──── ♥︎ 𝑺𝑯𝑬𝑷𝑯𝑬𝑹𝑫 𝑲𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑫𝑼𝑬𝑻 𝑹𝑨𝑻𝑰𝑵𝑮𝑺 ♥︎ ─────
❥ one dark window ➸ 4 ✰
❥ Two twisted crowns ➸ 5 ✰
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