Such rich world building and a plot that kept barrelling forward at a ferocious pace - this book is dark and twisty and compelling. I couldn’t put it down, and it felt like a totally original twist on so many different fairytales. The ending left me desperate for more, and I can’t wait to find out what happens to Elspeth!

Thank you NetGalley and Orbit for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have heard such great things about this book, and I hate to say but it fell a little short. It was a rather enjoyable book to read, but it took a while for me to understand what was going on. The plot was a bit slow to start with, although it did quickly pick up. I loved the premise of it, and thought it was unlike other fantasy novels I’d read. The characters were likeable and you easily established a connection with the main character. Regardless, I can’t wait to read the next book as the ending left me with so many questions to be answered.

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig is a dark, gothic fantasy set in the mist-locked kingdom of Blunder, where magic comes at a terrible price. The story follows Elspeth Spindle, who carries a monster called the Nightmare within her mind – a spirit that protects her and grants her power, but at a dangerous cost. When Elspeth meets Ravyn, the king’s nephew and a wanted traitor, she is pulled into a quest to collect twelve Providence Cards that hold the key to curing the kingdom of its cursed magic. But as Elspeth’s connection to the Nightmare grows stronger, she must confront the terrifying possibility that the real monster might be herself.

Elspeth is a fascinating protagonist whose struggle with the Nightmare inside her adds depth and tension to the story. She’s brave, determined, and constantly battling the darkness within her. Her relationship with the Nightmare is complex, filled with fear, defiance, and an uneasy alliance that makes for some of the book’s most compelling moments. I appreciated how Elspeth’s character isn’t perfect – she’s impulsive, often scared, and makes mistakes, which makes her journey feel real and relatable.

Ravyn, the king’s nephew and a fugitive, is a strong and loyal character who brings a sense of honour and determination to the story. His interactions with Elspeth range from tense to tender, and their slow-burn romance is filled with stolen glances and charged moments. I loved his fierce protectiveness of Elspeth and his unwavering commitment to their dangerous mission. Ravyn’s character complements Elspeth well, although their chemistry sometimes feels more like a partnership than a fiery romance.

The Nightmare is perhaps the most intriguing character in the book – a mysterious, ancient spirit with a dark sense of humour and a penchant for manipulation. His presence in Elspeth’s mind adds an ever-present layer of tension and unpredictability, as he constantly teeters between ally and threat. The Nightmare’s backstory and motivations are shrouded in mystery, making me eager to learn more about him in the sequels. His dynamic with Elspeth is central to the plot, and their interactions are both fascinating and fraught with danger.

Set in the eerie kingdom of Blunder, the plot revolves around a quest to collect the twelve Providence Cards, which are needed to lift a curse that has plunged the land into a toxic mist and infected its people with dangerous magic. The story’s mix of magic, intrigue, and romance reminded me of classic gothic tales, with a unique twist involving the deck of magical cards that grant powers at a significant cost.

The magic system, inspired by Tarot, adds an element of unpredictability and risk that kept me hooked. While the narrative has its predictable moments, the stakes are high and the quest compelling enough to maintain tension throughout. However, the ending cliffhanger left me with many unanswered questions, making it clear that this book is just the beginning of a larger series.

Rachel Gillig’s writing is richly atmospheric, capturing the dark and misty world of Blunder with vivid descriptions and a sense of foreboding that permeates the entire book. The prose is accessible yet evocative, and the pacing, while occasionally slow, suits the story’s gothic tone. There are moments where the writing feels a bit unpolished, with some rookie mistakes typical of debut novels, but overall, the world-building and character dynamics kept me engaged. I appreciated the balance of action, intrigue, and quieter moments of introspection, particularly those involving Elspeth’s inner struggles with the Nightmare.

One Dark Window explores themes of power, sacrifice, and the cost of magic. It delves into the idea that nothing comes for free, especially when dealing with dark forces, and examines the moral ambiguities of using such powers. Elspeth’s journey is one of self-discovery and acceptance, as she grapples with the monster inside her and the consequences of her actions. The book also touches on themes of loyalty, trust, and the complexities of human (and inhuman) relationships, making it more than just a straightforward fantasy quest.

The novel fits well within the gothic fantasy genre, with its dark atmosphere, complex characters, and elements of magic and horror. While it has a YA feel due to the age of the characters and some of the romantic elements, the themes and tone also appeal to an adult audience looking for a darker, more nuanced fantasy story. Fans of books like Vespertine and For the Wolf will find familiar elements here, but Gillig’s unique magic system and eerie setting give the story its own distinct flavour.

Positives of One Dark Window
Compelling Protagonist: Elspeth’s struggle with the Nightmare inside her adds depth and tension to her character, making her journey engaging.
Unique Magic System: The use of Providence Cards inspired by Tarot, with magic that comes at a cost, adds a fresh and intriguing twist to the story.
Atmospheric Setting: The dark, mist-locked kingdom of Blunder provides a richly gothic backdrop that enhances the narrative’s tone.
Intriguing Dynamic with the Nightmare: The constant tension between Elspeth and the Nightmare in her mind is one of the book’s standout elements.
Negatives of One Dark Window
Rookie Writing Mistakes: Some aspects of the writing feel unpolished, with moments of telling rather than showing that can break immersion.
Predictable Plot Elements: While the story is compelling, certain plot points and character arcs feel familiar and could benefit from more originality.
Cliffhanger Ending: The book ends on a cliffhanger with many unresolved questions, making it feel more like a setup for the series than a complete standalone story.
Underdeveloped Secondary Characters: While the main characters are well-crafted, some secondary characters and their dynamics could use more depth and development.
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig is a dark and atmospheric debut that combines gothic fantasy with a unique magic system and a compelling protagonist. While the writing has some rough edges typical of a first novel, the story’s strengths lie in its complex characters, eerie setting, and the intriguing relationship between Elspeth and the Nightmare within her.

With a plot that promises danger, romance, and high stakes, this book is a promising start to what looks to be an engaging series. I’d rate it 3 out of 5 stars for its imaginative world-building and the dark allure of its magic, with hope that the sequel will delve even deeper into the mysteries of Blunder and the fates of its characters. If you enjoy gothic fantasies with a twist, One Dark Window is definitely worth adding to your reading list.

Absolutely haunting gothic fantasy with an insane magic system that was so intriguing I could not put it down.

I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. I thought the magic system of the various Providence cards was interesting and well described. I liked Elspeth as a protagonist and her inner turmoil was a nice touch. The other characters felt fleshed out and individual, which I appreciated and the pacing was good throughout. Overall, a fun and entertaining read and I will pick up the conclusion eagerly.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This book was almost like reading a nightmare - dark, strangely satisfying and twisted. The characters were all really interesting and have so much potential for the future books! I liked how they were all quite familiar stereotypes you typically see in older YA but each with a little twist. The prose reads very fairy-tale esque and I would say if you are a fan of for the wolf by hannah witton you would really like this one! I also really enjoyed the magic system in this one,

I would not recommend picking this first in this duology up if you do not have the next in your sights. This is almost one big adventure split into two books and additional viewpoints from one story to the next.
The world that we venture into is like a medieval European one with an additional complexity. Magic and mist are intertwined. A king made a deal years ago, the details of which are sparingly provided in the first installment. This deal has marked generations of people living in the area and trapped the magic that once existed freer into cards that are held by a precious few.
In the first book, we spend time with two people, one more than the other. The girl/young woman, Elspeth, had the fever early on, and this had left a version of magic running in her veins. This magic meant she absorbed an old trapped creature (for the lack of a better word), and this voice now resides in her head and lends her powers.
The card and the powers send her into the sights of a small rebel group operating under the current tyrannical king's very nose. This book is solely to build up the world, lay the foundation and show us the stakes for everyone involved.
Every character is well-developed and distinct, making their interactions a treat to follow.
The writing is dark and twisted while maintaining a character-based approach for the full experience. I highly enjoyed every minute of it, and my rating of this is only because I read the next right at its heels, and I had to do something to distinguish my experience between the two.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

It was okay. It's a good thing I like forest settings or I would not have enjoyed it as much as I did.

I was drawn in initially by the somewhat spooky atsmosphere and the Nightmare, who was creepily lovely, and the endings had some fast moving plot developments that kept me interested, but the middle of the book lagged quite a bit. There was just hardly anything happening.

The characters were fine. The Nightmare was the only really interesting one.

It was just good enough to make me read the second one.

Incredible. Just incredible. I read it in one seating and was craving more as soon as I finished it.
The magic system in this romantasy book is new, at least to me. Tarot cards, mist, ancient powers. A little bit of spice, but nothing a new adult cannot read

There is a blight of infection in Blunder, where a child who is infected either dies by the Kings orders, or wastes away due to the effect of the magic within the infection.

Elspeth is different, saved from the infection by the Nightmare card and hidden by her family, she thinks she can go without the punishment, until she is happened upon by some Highwaymen looking for the other Providence cards. To unite a full set of the 12 cards means to end the blight and save the town but the stakes are high.

The Nightmare in Elspeths mind came from one of the 12 cards, and can she bring them together not only saving the town, but herself. Or will the Nightmare claim her in the process.

Elspeth is also thrown into the quest for this with Ravyn and the rest of his family, but can she trust them with her biggest secret. Hiding it becomes so much harder as the dangers increase.

This is one of those books I am sad to say I waited so long to read... the only plus point of waiting is I can go straight into book two! I am excited and a little scared for what is going to happen next but diving straight in!

A beautifully written story following Elspeth our main character. A beautiful fantasy romance and I can't wait until the second book

*3.5 stars rounded up*

One Dark Window pleasantly surprised me with its unique magic system and immaculate gothic vibes. The Nightmare provided some deliciously dark commentary but it also got sassy at times which was very comedic. I found the story to be both interesting and compelling, and the writing kept up my intrigue. Overall, a solid debut that I enjoyed my time reading.

That said, I think this book would have benefitted from some more editing. There was A LOT of unnecessary repetition, e.g. "magic has a price" was practically drilled into us every chapter. When something is mentioned so many times, it personally takes me out of the story and causes disbelief. I would have loved to be shown the consequences of magic use rather than for us to be told so many times. I also found the story themes to be a little 'on the nose' and thought they could have been blended more seamlessly.

Looking forward to reading more from this author. Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was an enjoyable fantasy read. It’s world building is rooted in the sort of set up you see in fairytales so it might not be defined enough for some readers, however since it carries a fair few fairy tale tropes. For example, the characters live in a country where the mist cuts them off from the rest of the world and gets worse every year – to the point where it’s affecting crops – but everyone knows it’s because of a previous magical blunder and they accept it. Magic is outlawed except for the magic held within providence cards. So it’s a lot more about theme than rich detail. That said, as a magical adventure this is fun. Elspeth is an engaging character with a decent supporting cast. Overall, this was a good read.

While I enjoyed elements of this overall, I felt that there was some repetitive tropes present and it felt quite YA to me. The romance was a little too focused on for my liking and the magic system felt a little under-utilised to me. I feel like the magic system had a lot of potential but didn't have a lot of depth to it. I love the idea of a creepy forests and a mist covering everything, but it felt like there are too many plot points and not enough time to explore them in any depth.

Preliminary 5-star review. Will post a full review and adjust the rating accordingly after I finish the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC copy of this book, in exchange for this honest review.

Absolute perfection, I do not say this lightly but I can’t say any less. I absolutely adored was the magic, the idea that people were badly effected by magic, which is never considered in most books or that there would be fear. I could not put this down, in fact only the need to sleep so I could work for pay tore me from this. The plot, the mystery, the town’s history and the romance , all of it was fantastic I could not ask for more or better. I am eagerly awaiting the next book and I’m ecstatic I got a special edition of this one.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Five stars. No notes.

I jokes, of course there are notes! I went into this pretty blind because I just went off the gorgeous cover alone - who could blame me?! I was not disappointed!

What I loved:
- Elspeth Spindle is the kind of name that exudes gothic, fantasy heroine. And Elspeth lives up to her name. She is a thoroughly well developed character. Gillig perfectly portrays a main character who is struggling to figure out who she is whilst battling a literal inner demon.
- The supporting cast of characters are also well fleshed out; personally, I think Elm is my favourite side character, probably for the fact I cannot resist witty, sardonic characters!
- The worldbuilding is sublime. The concept of Providence Cards (magic system!) and the lore of The Shepherd King weaves through the narrative effortlessly. Each new card mentioned, each new tidbit of lore fed to us is delicious!
- A sprinkling of fake courting (feels a bit weird to say 'fake dating' for a fantasy!) was very much welcome and whilst not the main focus, the romance element of the novel was wonderfully written.
- The concluding chapters literally had me furiously thumbing through pages, unable to contain my excitement and trepidation.

I cannot WAIT for the sequel!

Read if you love:
- Found Family
- Fantasy Heists!
- Fake Courting(dating!) / Forced proximity
- Reading: A Far Wilder Magic, Legendborn, An Enchantment of Ravens, The Drowned Woods, Sorcery of Thorns

This book was really good. When I started it, it started off a little slow and had some elements that made me think I wouldn't like it in the long run but boi was I wrong about that. I really really liked it and I can't wait to see what comes next.

I have to admit, this was totally a book that I judged by its cover. In the sense that it had all the vibes I was looking for, a serious gothic feel, and then, combined with the words "maiden, monster, martyr"—I was very much looking forward to reading this.

In truth, I originally DNF'ed this. I got to a point, just after the Providence Cards were introduced, that I couldn't keep going through with reading it. I don't know how to explain it, maybe it was my mood, I'm not entirely sure, but I had to stop, But then, it showed up everywhere on my social media, and I thought, okay, let me give it another go.

Looks like second time was the charm. It worked for me! I loved Elspeth a really interesting character. The worldbuilding was really, really good—the Providence Cards really worked for me, Elspeth's connection to them, the Nightmare slowly poisoning her mind, and her romance with Ravyn. I'm excited for the next book!

This book truly surpassed all my expectations! My only regret is that I couldn't read it when it was originally published, this would make the perfect autumn read. It has this wonderful creepy, dark atmosphere that would pair well with dark, colder nights, and has just enough spine chilling moments to make for a really good Halloween read.

Elspeth shares her mind with a monster - he is the Nightmare in the dark, but he protects her when she needs him, and he keeps her secrets. But one day she knows she will pay for his help.

In the world where Elspeth lives there exists magic, but all magic has a price that must be paid for its usage. Dark magic has infected the town of Blunder, a mist that is ever growing and takes the people who wander within it. When Elspeth meets a highwayman on the road, it leads her on a journey that might just save the people of Blunder...but only if she gives into the monster within her...

To say I was absorbed by this story is a understatement. I could not stop reading once I started and stayed up all night to finish it. The plot is so engaging, the mystery and darkness surrounding the town of Blunder and it's history, the background and origin of the magic and the romance between Elspeth and her love interest, I greatly enjoyed all of it.

One of the things I absolutely adored was the magic, the idea of the Providence cards and the effects of magic on the town. Magic having a cost was made clear right from the beginning of the book. The idea that people were very badly effected by magic, and in vastly different ways, was so well handled. There was a thread of fear that ran through the book, Elspeth was always aware of the degeneration that could be caused by her using the monster in her head, and this really kept up the tension.

The world building was sublime, the way the history of the cards and the royal family was dealt with, even things like the characters names were not just an afterthought but a cleverly thought out idea. It truly felt like the perfect gothic read and I loved the romance that grew within the story. It never took over which I appreciated but was just enough to make me swoon, a lovely enemies-to reluctant allies-to lovers romance.

Lastly I would be remiss if I didn't mention the poetry within. The rhymes and rhythm were all amazing, every time Nightmare spoke, or parts of the book were written down, I was so impressed by Gillig's talent. They were quite possibly my favourite part and really pulled me into the story.

Also THAT ENDING!! Oh my gosh! I cannot wait for the sequel to see what Rachel Gillig has for us next! My only wish is that there is more Elm and Ione because I couldn't get enough of them in this one!

Many, many thanks to Orbit and Netgalley for the ARC.