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dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow I can absolutely understand why people love this book. Obsessed with trees as last names, and the magic system was so unique
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Chronic illness, Murder
Minor: Infidelity, Vomit, Alcohol
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
One Dark Window is a surprisingly good romantasy debut with a unique magic system and enough mystery, magic, and romance to keep you entertained until the end.
I loved the Providence Cards. This is such a fun idea for how to control and wield magic, almost like pokemon cards for powers. Linking all of the names, swear words, magic, etc. to trees? So fun and I didn't catch all of it for a little bit! Also, magic coming with a price is such a great way to keep from having one super overpowered hero/villain so I love the degeneration that came into play.
Despite this, I had quite a few issues with this book. For one, despite the really cool magic system, you really don't learn enough about it and what you do is mostly info-dumped right at the beginning with some sprinkles throughout the rest of the story. And, what you do learn of it is really only seen through the eyes of the rich and the royal, with no mention of the common folk/servants except when they serve to further the plot. Not to mention, the FMC is just way too trusting and couldn't ask a clarifying question to save her life. Then, there's my worst enemy in a book: repetitive phrases/writing. Please. I get it. Magic comes at a cost. Nothing is free. My sanity most definitely is not.
Otherwise, I think the writing really picked up toward the middle/end of the book so I'm glad I stuck it out and I may continue on to the second book or pick up her new series. I'm curious to see how she continues to develop as a writer.
Definitely grab this book if you're looking for a unique romantasy series with just a little spice that only spans a duology instead of a massive unending series. Also, definitely a great starting place for people new to the fantasy/romantasy genre as the world building/magic is fairly easy to understand.
I loved the Providence Cards. This is such a fun idea for how to control and wield magic, almost like pokemon cards for powers. Linking all of the names, swear words, magic, etc. to trees? So fun and I didn't catch all of it for a little bit! Also, magic coming with a price is such a great way to keep from having one super overpowered hero/villain so I love the degeneration that came into play.
Despite this, I had quite a few issues with this book. For one, despite the really cool magic system, you really don't learn enough about it and what you do is mostly info-dumped right at the beginning with some sprinkles throughout the rest of the story. And, what you do learn of it is really only seen through the eyes of the rich and the royal, with no mention of the common folk/servants except when they serve to further the plot. Not to mention, the FMC is just way too trusting and couldn't ask a clarifying question to save her life. Then, there's my worst enemy in a book: repetitive phrases/writing. Please. I get it. Magic comes at a cost. Nothing is free. My sanity most definitely is not.
Otherwise, I think the writing really picked up toward the middle/end of the book so I'm glad I stuck it out and I may continue on to the second book or pick up her new series. I'm curious to see how she continues to develop as a writer.
Definitely grab this book if you're looking for a unique romantasy series with just a little spice that only spans a duology instead of a massive unending series. Also, definitely a great starting place for people new to the fantasy/romantasy genre as the world building/magic is fairly easy to understand.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Blood, Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexism, Toxic relationship, Death of parent
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
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a bit of a slow start for me. I thought that the writing in the first half of the book was a little awkward. What I really liked about this book, was the magical system being cards. As we got to know more about Elspeth and the Nightmare the better the book became. The second half of the book was definitely much more exciting. For being a debut novel this was pretty solid!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Blood
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent
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
adventurous
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was fine. The beginning was the best part, along with the overall aesthetic of the entire novel with the dark clothes, the gothic atmosphere, the simple magic system, and the mist clinging to the city.
Once it got past 55%, I started getting annoyed with the repetition of character descriptions and certain phrases. The main romance was not for me. Elspeth also started to get on my nerves the more the novel went on.
I'll still read the second book, but I'm not in a rush to do so.
Once it got past 55%, I started getting annoyed with the repetition of character descriptions and certain phrases. The main romance was not for me. Elspeth also started to get on my nerves the more the novel went on.
I'll still read the second book, but I'm not in a rush to do so.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Child abuse, Death of parent
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Abandonment
Minor: Emotional abuse, Sexual content