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adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Violence
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Im confused:
why is this book highly rated and what is this book about
why is this book highly rated and what is this book about
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood
Moderate: Death, Toxic relationship, Death of parent
Minor: Vomit
adventurous
dark
mysterious
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved One Dark Window for its immersive intensity and exploration of darker themes like trust and betrayal, identity and discovery, and the ability to wield power through control and fear.
“Magic is the oldest paradox. The more power it gives you, the weaker you become. Be wary. Be clever. Be good. Magic is the oldest paradox.” (219)
Gillig’s writing style is smooth, intense, and atmospheric. I don’t typically like gothic novels, but this one doesn’t get carried away with its ghosts and nightmares. It retains an edge of fantasy over the typical historical gothic genre. Think of mists, dark castles, and trees. The nightmares that are described are bloodless and are more disconcerting than terrifying.
Elspeth is a compelling protagonist. Much of the novel occurs in her head due to her relationship with the Nightmare, but I wasn’t annoyed by this. It is introspective, but moves along at a good pace. I was completely immersed in this book. The romance is light, present but not overwhelming. It retains a feeling of young love without the angst of this trope.
Other books like this:
An Enchantment of Ravens (Margaret Rogerson)
The Bear and the Nightingale (Katherine Arden)
The Foxglove King (Hannah Whitten)
Six of Crows (Leigh Bardugo)
Tropes:
- Enemies to lovers
- Found family
- Hidden magic
- Ancient magic
- Cursed heroine
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing, Sexual harassment
Spice Rating: One open-door scene with non-graphic descriptions
Violence: Blood and injury detail, swordfighting, breaking of bones, physical abuse
Profanity: Less than 10 uses of f*ck
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Absolutely enthralled with this dark and gothic tale. The eerie riddles, the ensnaring mist, the secrets of the infected, and the growing presence of The Nightmare. The ever growing tension as the mysteries and curses unravel. This is my type of book.
Reader warning: F word used numerous times, spicy bedroom scene, physical assault and blood.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A fun, creepy fantasy about a girl with a monster and magic in her head in a world where magic is dangerous and held only by the powerful and those who are permitted to live. Fun premise and first book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Blood
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content, Death of parent, Abandonment
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
honestly enjoyed this way more than i expected. gothic fantasy with a card-based magic system, intriguing lore, political conspiracies, and a gentle, naturally-developing romance. one “fade to black” spicy scene. FMC is a little annoying in the beginning (but i read a lot of fantasy so i’m used to it lol) but she grew on me by the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Dementia, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Took awhile to get into, but the world setup is interesting and the romance is well developed. Good if you want a gothic slow burn.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Sexual content
adventurous
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail