Reviews with content warning for Gore - Une Fenêtre sur les ténèbres

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig is an enchanting book that captivates readers with its amazing world-building and unique magic system. The author skillfully weaves a tale filled with twists and turns that keep the readers on the edge of their seats.

The slow-burn romance between Ravyn and Elspeth adds an extra layer of depth to the story, while the side character Elm brings additional intrigue and anticipation for his interactions with Ione. The mysterious Shepherd King and the Providence Cards hold secrets that leave readers eager to uncover the history behind them.

Gillig's writing style is mesmerizing, drawing readers in and immersing them in the eerie kingdom of Blunder. The author's attention to detail and vivid descriptions make the story come alive, allowing readers to fully experience the magic and darkness that permeate the pages.

Overall, One Dark Window is a truly captivating read that combines elements of romance, fantasy, and horror seamlessly. It is a must-read for fans of intricate world-building, engaging plots, and well-developed characters. Rachel Gillig has crafted a compelling story that will leave readers eagerly awaiting her future works.

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edilyaaang's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Easily 5 stars.

It was a little confusing at the first few chapters because of the world building. But when you get past that, it will take your breath away.

This had me at the edge of my seat, holding my breath the entire time. How the story unfold was perfection. I didn't even expect to cry but I did at the last part.

This was a very great read to start the new year and I can't wait to read the second book!

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marzreadz2's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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fromjuliereads's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I loved this book. It pulled me in very quickly to the world and the story, and I liked how dark and unique it is. The magic isn't like magic systems I've encountered before. This was the second card magic book I've read and I'm learning that's a magic I quite enjoy! The addition of the folklore and stories was fantastic. And the characters? I love them. All of them. They are morally grey and complex and interesting. I cannot wait to read the sequel with that ending!!! Some very good twists.

Definitely recommend for people who like darker fantasy with interesting magic and some romance.

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katievallin's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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twistykris's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

MY HEARTTTTTTTTTTTTT I LOVED THIS SO MUUUUUUUUUUUCH!! Will be in my Top 10 of the year, for sure.

The characters and world were just SO lush and immersive and the writing is so beautiful. The world was almost a character of its own, especially with the encroaching mist and the eerie forest and what lies within. I got chills down my back multiple times during this read.

I love Elspeth as a character SO much- she can be a liiiittle naive and hypocritical at times, but honestly, I love the way she spoke to the Nightmare and Ravyn, with her wit and sass. She's smart, but as she develops, starts to become aware of her own faults and judgements, which I can appreciate. And Ravyn is so elusive and secretly caring and UGH. And THE NIGHTMARE?! What an incredible character LIVING inside of Elspeth's head. It's a lil bit enemies to lovers (which I love) and I found the romance to be just so lovely, if a little rushed (in a YA sort of fashion), but it still got me kicking my feet. There's also some found family, which I absolutely adore.

I think the audiobook, narrated by Lisa Cordlieone, was fantastic. I think she nailed the characters voices and cadences, especially the Nightmare's.

Very much looking forward to Two Twisted Crowns!

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wildflower_magic's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

What a captivating story! I loved the card component and it's similarities/differences to Tarot. I found the characters loveable/hateable as appropriate in the story. I loved the slow build romance but it wasn't the main focus of the book (not much spice). The magic was intriguing and I was so interested in the Nightmare. He gave Cheshire cat vibes which is my JAM. There were a few spots where descriptions were odd to me and there's a spoiler that I foun obvious and discovered in chapter 3 that the main character didn't discover until chapter 22 so I grew a little impatient waiting for her to put the pieces together. Overall I was obsessed and read most of this in one day. I am eagerly awaiting the sequel!

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natashaleighton_'s review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious 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? Yes

4.5

My first spooky adjacent read of October, One Dark Window, was a gorgeously lush and atmospheric read that gave me gothic fantasy, Guillermo Del Toro meets Tim Burton vibes — which unsurprisingly, I absolutely loved!

I was really intrigued by the premise (a girl with a monster trapped in her head, on a quest to save her town, Blunder, from the dark magic that’s slowly begun to infect it) and enjoyed the unique, card-based magic system (and richly detailed lore) of this beautifully eerie, Sleepy Hollow-esque setting.

The characters too, were pretty intriguing, especially Protagonist Elspeth, whose bond with the nightmarish creature inspires more confidence in her that I really enjoyed seeing. But of course, his help isn’t free and despite how much I loved their bickering, father-daughter-like dynamics, the tenuous balance of power that keeps the nightmare in check made for a nail bitingly intense experience as it slowly begins to fray.

I did appreciate getting to delve into Elspeth’s emotional vulnerabilities though, which helped me to understand her thought processes and the hardships that led to her cautious (and dare I say skittish) nature.

I also loved the deliciously brooding, Byronic love interest (and occasional highwayman), Ravyn who connects with Elspeth in a way that no one else ever has. There’s definitely a touch of Alfred Noyes’ Highwayman about him and Gillig’s lush prose only adds to his allure, before slowly revealing the kind and protective nature he reserves only for his closest friends and family. The romance that develops between him and Elspeth is really endearing if a slow but I’m definitely rooting for these two.

However, our rhyme obsessed, morally grey nightmare might possibly be my favourite character of them all. His dark sense of humour and brutal assessment of everyone around them was quite entertaining and after THAT cliffhanger ending I NEED to get my hands on the sequel.

Overall, a spellbindingly wicked, dark fairytale of a read that fans Hannah Whitten or slower paced, gothic style narratives need to check out!

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