Reviews with content warning for Murder - One Dark Window

Reviews tagging 'Murder'

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

161 reviews

oxfordcommas91's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous challenging dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I loved this dark, gothic fantasy with a complex and twisty female main character. I love the unique magical structure that Rachel Gillig created - the world building is a breath of fresh air compared to the vague general "magical powers" that most fantasy novels employ. I enjoyed the fact that Gillig put so much effort into the fantasy part of this novel and built the complex relationships and unique aspects of each character such that the romance subplot felt genuine and realistic rather than forced. I appreciate how morally grey the characters are here - their motivations are real and complicated and multi-faceted, so no one feels one dimensional. This book builds with rapid speed to an incredible crescendo and I was so relieved that I already had the second book in the duology immediately accessible, because that ending! It was missing a little something from me in order to be a five star read but I really enjoyed it nonetheless.

Content Warnings

taryn_g's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

sydneyxx's review against another edition

5.0

dark mysterious tense fast-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

Content Warnings

fannehsm's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous dark 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: Complicated

I really enjoyed this book! It’s very fantastical and the characters grow and move the plot along. The romance is a light focus of the story but well-built—I was always rooting for them!

Good writing and easy to read and follow along. The author lays out information well so you can try to puzzle things together as you read, which is something I love to do.

Great world-building in the sense that you learn and see the world as needed. There wasn’t an unnecessary dumping of descriptions at any point. I was glued to my e-reader the whole time!

I love Elsbeth’s relationship with her monster. He’s grouchy, old, and sassy, and speaks in riddles often. We watch her grow and find heart and soul (literally) from the story around her. Although the violence in this story can be a bit much for those adverse to blood and gore.

I was a little disappointed that the monster is not the lover (hahahaa), but this enemies-to-lover setup works well.

-.25 stars because I want just a little more from the romance/relationship depth. But highly recommend because it’s fun to put things together as you’re reading.

Can’t wait to read the second book!

Content Warnings