Scan barcode
ashleynp24's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved the tension throughout the book. The pace really kept it flowing and I was constantly surprised by the turn of events.
Elspeth is a strong protagonist, used to doing everything in her own. A strong female character is really nice to see, with both her strength as well as her wits.
I enjoy the relationship a lot between Elspeth and Ravyn, and enemies to lovers/fake dating trope. I hope their relationship Will get to develop more in the next book since it took off a bit late in this one.
The relationship between the nightmare and Elspeth adds a bit of comedy relief in a way, their relationship playful but also deadly.
The plot and characters really compliment each other and I’m excited to get to learn more in the next book.
Elspeth is a strong protagonist, used to doing everything in her own. A strong female character is really nice to see, with both her strength as well as her wits.
I enjoy the relationship a lot between Elspeth and Ravyn, and enemies to lovers/fake dating trope. I hope their relationship Will get to develop more in the next book since it took off a bit late in this one.
The relationship between the nightmare and Elspeth adds a bit of comedy relief in a way, their relationship playful but also deadly.
The plot and characters really compliment each other and I’m excited to get to learn more in the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, Classism, Torture, Blood, Violence, Child abuse, Child death, Physical abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis and Abandonment
hallht98's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit and Violence
Minor: Torture
sophs_mood_reading's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
When men want power they will do whatever it takes to get it. This is what the shepherd king did, and now the people of blunder suffer centuries (I think) later.
We meet Elsbeth, cursed with the infection and possessed by a creepy nightmare beast/man, let’s just say life’s complicated.
For years she’s stayed hidden from those hunting the infected but then on one fateful day (courtly ball) she finds herself suddenly face to face with the man who is in charge of ridding the world of the infected (yup not great), and yes he is handsome and broody with some mysteries of his own (well hello captain).
Thus we start a tale of two sworn foes thrown together to help save their world. But of course they both have secrets they are yet to share.
I have to say I love me some ye old- timey fantasy/ magical books. We have kings, castles, curses, heroines and a broody MMC who I am sure is a spitting image of Henry Cavil 🤣.
There was a great unique magic system and it was a fun way to see the price paid for using magic and how it is wielded.
Pet peeve of course is a cliffhanger where there is no resolution to the story and you need to read the next book. But I will happily do this as it was great.
We meet Elsbeth, cursed with the infection and possessed by a creepy nightmare beast/man, let’s just say life’s complicated.
For years she’s stayed hidden from those hunting the infected but then on one fateful day (courtly ball) she finds herself suddenly face to face with the man who is in charge of ridding the world of the infected (yup not great), and yes he is handsome and broody with some mysteries of his own (well hello captain).
Thus we start a tale of two sworn foes thrown together to help save their world. But of course they both have secrets they are yet to share.
I have to say I love me some ye old- timey fantasy/ magical books. We have kings, castles, curses, heroines and a broody MMC who I am sure is a spitting image of Henry Cavil 🤣.
There was a great unique magic system and it was a fun way to see the price paid for using magic and how it is wielded.
Pet peeve of course is a cliffhanger where there is no resolution to the story and you need to read the next book. But I will happily do this as it was great.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, and Vomit
Minor: Abandonment and Death of parent
missgarceau's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
What a horribly cruel cliffhanger ending!!!
I recommend waiting until the series is complete tbh.
The magic system is fascinating & the lore is intriguing. It’s like a dark and twisted fairytale full of riddles & rhymes. An epic quest full of shock & horror and a sprinkle of slow-burn romance.
It’s not FTB but the spice is mild.
Idk if this is categorized as a romance, but unless there’s an HEA- I might trash it in my fury & rage! I am REELING after that ending!! Toddler tantrum level 3000!!!
Caveat emptor. Buyer beware.
I recommend waiting until the series is complete tbh.
The magic system is fascinating & the lore is intriguing. It’s like a dark and twisted fairytale full of riddles & rhymes. An epic quest full of shock & horror and a sprinkle of slow-burn romance.
It’s not FTB but the spice is mild.
Idk if this is categorized as a romance, but unless there’s an HEA- I might trash it in my fury & rage! I am REELING after that ending!! Toddler tantrum level 3000!!!
Caveat emptor. Buyer beware.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Sexual content, Abandonment, Body horror, Body shaming, Physical abuse, Violence, Vomit, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, Toxic friendship, Mental illness, Torture, and Toxic relationship
lbelow's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Torture, Terminal illness, and Gore
Moderate: Sexual content, Mental illness, Cursing, Death, Body horror, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Child abuse
One scene in this book has a villainous character magically drugging the protagonist's wine for the purpose of taking advantage of her (not sexually). Maiming (disabling, specifically of the legs) is considered just recompense by one (somewhat) villainous character toward another villainous character.remaininlullaby's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
i got big warlock-vibes from this before i even started it & i was right & i ate it right up. elspeth & the nightmare are basically my first ever dnd character and her patron & i'm so here for this.
this was just the right amount of dark & suspenseful, but also full of feeling. so many side characters we're so well thought out. LOVED the rhymes.
at one point in the second to last chapter, i legit had to put it down for a second & go "YES." if you know, you know.
this was just the right amount of dark & suspenseful, but also full of feeling. so many side characters we're so well thought out. LOVED the rhymes.
at one point in the second to last chapter, i legit had to put it down for a second & go "YES." if you know, you know.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Violence
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Torture, and Terminal illness
Minor: Death of parent and Child abuse
sarrie's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This book was a lot like walking out a misty morning into a train wreck of a day and not wanting to look away - the best way possible. One Dark Window is a dark and moody fantasy that I would put squarely between YA and Adult. The characters and the melodrama of it felt very YA while the tone and worldbuilding felt more adult for me, so be aware of that going in. That melodrama and setting was eventually what kept me going.
The town of Blunder is surrounded and beset by a fog or mist that never leaves, and is slowly taking over and cutting it off from the world. It all comes from a deal made by an ancient king to the Spirit of the Woods and she's wants her payment. Elspeth, our main character, gets sucked into a conspiracy to locate and fulfill the prophecy that will end the deal and save the town and the the townsfolk.
The book builds slowly, Elspeth is possessed? Is in possession of? A spirit that lurks in the back of her mind. He speaks with her in riddles and rhymes and knows far more than he tells her. Over the course of the novel we find out more about him, slowly, and Elspeth learns more how to work with him and struggles to find the answers to her questions. The rest of the cast, though interesting is hardly important. There is our obligatory love interest, who felt very standard, and his assorted found family. Some of which I did really enjoy! There was also an interesting character in Elspeth's cousin who at first a thought was going to become Elspeth's female rival, but the further into the story we went I think perhaps the author is going to explore a different kind of relationship and that's one I'm very excited for.
The setting is the win here though. You want something moody, misty, and you want to feel the cold and chill of the place? One Dark Window has it in spades. The creepy forest, the feel of something always behind you, it's all captured wonderfully. It ties will with the magic of the story. It's all due to the Spirit of the Woods and a bargain made years ago by The Shepard King. Now magic is sealed in Cards that can be used by the people of the town. All other magic is shunned since it comes from the mist and it leads to madness. The idea of give and take is very real and involved here.
Ultimately I ended up loving where this book went. The melodrama and slow pace of the first portion were saved by the atmosphere and the setting. And the ending that pops off had me actually yelling out loud (my husband was highly amused). I immediately ordered my own physical copy because as soon as I can get my hands on the second book I'm rereading the first and diving in. Go in with the right expectations and I think you'll be delighted. 4 Glowing Cards out of 5
The town of Blunder is surrounded and beset by a fog or mist that never leaves, and is slowly taking over and cutting it off from the world. It all comes from a deal made by an ancient king to the Spirit of the Woods and she's wants her payment. Elspeth, our main character, gets sucked into a conspiracy to locate and fulfill the prophecy that will end the deal and save the town and the the townsfolk.
The book builds slowly, Elspeth is possessed? Is in possession of? A spirit that lurks in the back of her mind. He speaks with her in riddles and rhymes and knows far more than he tells her. Over the course of the novel we find out more about him, slowly, and Elspeth learns more how to work with him and struggles to find the answers to her questions. The rest of the cast, though interesting is hardly important. There is our obligatory love interest, who felt very standard, and his assorted found family. Some of which I did really enjoy! There was also an interesting character in Elspeth's cousin who at first a thought was going to become Elspeth's female rival, but the further into the story we went I think perhaps the author is going to explore a different kind of relationship and that's one I'm very excited for.
The setting is the win here though. You want something moody, misty, and you want to feel the cold and chill of the place? One Dark Window has it in spades. The creepy forest, the feel of something always behind you, it's all captured wonderfully. It ties will with the magic of the story. It's all due to the Spirit of the Woods and a bargain made years ago by The Shepard King. Now magic is sealed in Cards that can be used by the people of the town. All other magic is shunned since it comes from the mist and it leads to madness. The idea of give and take is very real and involved here.
Ultimately I ended up loving where this book went. The melodrama and slow pace of the first portion were saved by the atmosphere and the setting. And the ending that pops off had me actually yelling out loud (my husband was highly amused). I immediately ordered my own physical copy because as soon as I can get my hands on the second book I'm rereading the first and diving in. Go in with the right expectations and I think you'll be delighted. 4 Glowing Cards out of 5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture, Xenophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, and Blood
Minor: Sexism and Child abuse
More...