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adventurous
dark
tense
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Chronic illness, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Torture, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Abandonment
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Emotional abuse, Death of parent
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
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
4.5⭐️
K this book was a solid 4 stars for me until the last 50 pages BECAUSE THAT ENDING (WOWZA!) easily bumped it up to 4.5. I love it when authors aren’t afraid of switching up the dynamics of the characters.
The reason it wasn’t a solid 5 stars is cause I felt the romance plot was a little rushed. I didn’t dislike it, but at the same time it was a smidge forced in my opinion. Needed a little more banter and build up rather than just obviously already secretly being in love with each other pretty much the whole time. Like even when he has a right to be mad at her for her keeping a rather big secret from him, he forgives her almost immediately before he’s even upset. There’s no fight for it. Idk, it was just too easy!!!
But I kind of liked that the romance wasn’t the main focus of the book, there was way more important shit to focus on.
As for stand out characters, man, I love “the Nightmare”. He’s just a crazy lil guy who loves word play. Go off, king! What an icon. Excited for more from this lil psychopath.
Also, I truly love Elm. Why did Elm and Elspeth have more chemistry than her and Ravyn? Like, I felt like they even had more scenes together?! Ravyn trusted and loved her from the start, so I felt like the relationship didn’t build, BUT Elm is super wary of her and RIGHTFULLY SO and they have a fun bantery dynamic! IDK, I FEEL LIKE THERES POTENTIAL THERE. NO? JUST ME?! ok whatever. Anyways. Loved him. He’s great.
Ione, I’m interested in seeing more from her. I feel like she’s a part of some grand sub plot. Excited for her potential.
In conclusion… The world building, magic system, overall badassery and concept of this book is outstanding. It was so friggin cool. Loved it. If the author took a smidge more time building the relationships between the characters it would’ve been an easy 5 stars for me.
Excited for BOOK 2! LETS GO GIRLS!
K this book was a solid 4 stars for me until the last 50 pages BECAUSE THAT ENDING (WOWZA!) easily bumped it up to 4.5. I love it when authors aren’t afraid of switching up the dynamics of the characters.
The reason it wasn’t a solid 5 stars is cause I felt the romance plot was a little rushed. I didn’t dislike it, but at the same time it was a smidge forced in my opinion. Needed a little more banter and build up rather than just obviously already secretly being in love with each other pretty much the whole time. Like even when he has a right to be mad at her for her keeping a rather big secret from him, he forgives her almost immediately before he’s even upset. There’s no fight for it. Idk, it was just too easy!!!
But I kind of liked that the romance wasn’t the main focus of the book, there was way more important shit to focus on.
As for stand out characters, man, I love “the Nightmare”. He’s just a crazy lil guy who loves word play. Go off, king! What an icon. Excited for more from this lil psychopath.
Also, I truly love Elm. Why did Elm and Elspeth have more chemistry than her and Ravyn? Like, I felt like they even had more scenes together?! Ravyn trusted and loved her from the start, so I felt like the relationship didn’t build, BUT Elm is super wary of her and RIGHTFULLY SO and they have a fun bantery dynamic! IDK, I FEEL LIKE THERES POTENTIAL THERE. NO? JUST ME?! ok whatever. Anyways. Loved him. He’s great.
Ione, I’m interested in seeing more from her. I feel like she’s a part of some grand sub plot. Excited for her potential.
In conclusion… The world building, magic system, overall badassery and concept of this book is outstanding. It was so friggin cool. Loved it. If the author took a smidge more time building the relationships between the characters it would’ve been an easy 5 stars for me.
Excited for BOOK 2! LETS GO GIRLS!
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
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:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Best book I have read this year, 5/5⭐️ the magic system is unique and I can’t think of anything I’ve read that’s similar. The characters are complex and worth getting attached too unlike other series (cough ACOTAR cough cough)
Elspeth made me love, hate and worry about her. 🤦🏻♀️ The girl needs a hug badly.
My heart went out to Emory, he seemed so young and carefree between his bouts and I think his interactions with Elspeth massively enriched the world building helping you to understand the relationship between the nightmare and Elspeth.
When it comes to the nightmare my feelings were complicated at first we was menacing then he seemed to thaw and I actually started to relate to him and his protectiveness of Elspeth but in the end I’m so conflicted on his actual intentions I’m going into book two wary of the giant fur ball.
Ravyn is dark, mysterious and tense and I honestly think the author was a little bit smitten with him 😂 all those descriptions of his smirk. I saw them and girl you need to chill. However I get it he’s a handsome scary(not really) boy.
I will say this book has a large amount of background/secondary characters and at first keeping up on who’s who can be a little difficult but honestly they enrich the story so well I wouldn’t get rid of any of them. Except Nerium she’s just a b*tch.
However the ending was so abrupt I audibly gasped. I’m invested to deep to be cut off like that 😂 send help because I’m going straight into Two Twisted Crowns and I won’t be sleeping until I’ve read it cover to cover in a sitting.
Elspeth made me love, hate and worry about her. 🤦🏻♀️ The girl needs a hug badly.
My heart went out to Emory, he seemed so young and carefree between his bouts and I think his interactions with Elspeth massively enriched the world building helping you to understand the relationship between the nightmare and Elspeth.
When it comes to the nightmare my feelings were complicated at first we was menacing then he seemed to thaw and I actually started to relate to him and his protectiveness of Elspeth but in the end I’m so conflicted on his actual intentions I’m going into book two wary of the giant fur ball.
Ravyn is dark, mysterious and tense and I honestly think the author was a little bit smitten with him 😂 all those descriptions of his smirk. I saw them and girl you need to chill. However I get it he’s a handsome scary(not really) boy.
I will say this book has a large amount of background/secondary characters and at first keeping up on who’s who can be a little difficult but honestly they enrich the story so well I wouldn’t get rid of any of them. Except Nerium she’s just a b*tch.
However the ending was so abrupt I audibly gasped. I’m invested to deep to be cut off like that 😂 send help because I’m going straight into Two Twisted Crowns and I won’t be sleeping until I’ve read it cover to cover in a sitting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Child death, Death, Death of parent, Abandonment
Minor: Sexual content
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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:
Yes
Spice Rating: 🌶️ / 5
WOW. Before I even started this book, I knew I was going to like it. But I didn't expect it to pull me in as fully as it did.
Elspeth lives in a world where a magical mist can infect children and gift them with strange magic that slowly degenerates them, even causing them to lose their mind. But Elspeth has been infected for 11 years and has yet to experience that kind of degeneration. Just as her family has hidden her infection, Elspeth has hidden the monster in her head, leading people to believe she was infected but was not gifted the magic that causes the king to execute the infected children. Elspeth has spent these past 11 years denying her magic and the nightmare inside her head, but when she meets a mysterious highwayman, everything changes. She's pulled into a treasonous quest that could change everything and cure her, as well as other infected people, of the magical curse. Elspeth uses the monster in her head to help the highwayman and his family find the Providence Cards that could cure her and hopefully dispel the mist, but this requires her to face the nightmare and become more acquainted with him than she would like. The more they talk, the stronger he becomes, and there might come a point where Elspeth can't stop him anymore. There are so many morally gray decisions Elspeth has to make, and she has to find her limit even as the nightmare in her head has his own agenda.
The magic system in this novel is absolutely fascinating. I love the idea of the magical cards that give people the power of both magic and status within the kingdom. The chemistry between Ravyn and Elspeth isn't quite electric but more of an invisible string that slowly pulls them together. I love how much they understand each other and are, thankfully, more forgiving about secrets than any fantasy couple I've ever read about. Because in a world where everything is out to get both of them, it makes sense that they want to keep their cards (pun intended) close to their chest.
One Dark Window has a film of horror overlaying the plot with gothic vibes that are unmatched. The author made it easy to keenly feel the urgency with Elspeth as the nightmare slowly gained strength inside her head. Rachel Gillig definitely has a way with words. The way she can create such a beautiful yet creepy world that I just want to learn more about. I can't wait to read Two Twisted Crowns and even more stories created by this author.
WOW. Before I even started this book, I knew I was going to like it. But I didn't expect it to pull me in as fully as it did.
Elspeth lives in a world where a magical mist can infect children and gift them with strange magic that slowly degenerates them, even causing them to lose their mind. But Elspeth has been infected for 11 years and has yet to experience that kind of degeneration. Just as her family has hidden her infection, Elspeth has hidden the monster in her head, leading people to believe she was infected but was not gifted the magic that causes the king to execute the infected children. Elspeth has spent these past 11 years denying her magic and the nightmare inside her head, but when she meets a mysterious highwayman, everything changes. She's pulled into a treasonous quest that could change everything and cure her, as well as other infected people, of the magical curse. Elspeth uses the monster in her head to help the highwayman and his family find the Providence Cards that could cure her and hopefully dispel the mist, but this requires her to face the nightmare and become more acquainted with him than she would like. The more they talk, the stronger he becomes, and there might come a point where Elspeth can't stop him anymore. There are so many morally gray decisions Elspeth has to make, and she has to find her limit even as the nightmare in her head has his own agenda.
The magic system in this novel is absolutely fascinating. I love the idea of the magical cards that give people the power of both magic and status within the kingdom. The chemistry between Ravyn and Elspeth isn't quite electric but more of an invisible string that slowly pulls them together. I love how much they understand each other and are, thankfully, more forgiving about secrets than any fantasy couple I've ever read about. Because in a world where everything is out to get both of them, it makes sense that they want to keep their cards (pun intended) close to their chest.
One Dark Window has a film of horror overlaying the plot with gothic vibes that are unmatched. The author made it easy to keenly feel the urgency with Elspeth as the nightmare slowly gained strength inside her head. Rachel Gillig definitely has a way with words. The way she can create such a beautiful yet creepy world that I just want to learn more about. I can't wait to read Two Twisted Crowns and even more stories created by this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Death of parent
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Abandonment
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Cursing, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, Classism
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book just didn’t grip me. I felt like the first 75% of the book moved really slowly and I felt myself getting bored. The reveal of the Nightmare being the old king also felt prolonged—it was fairly obvious that this was the case so when it was “revealed” to Elspeth and the reader, it just felt underwhelming. I don’t enjoy when it feels like the author is underestimating the reader, and this was one of those times.
I also wasn’t a big fan of the romance, but that may be personal preference as I don’t enjoy the “love at first sight” trope.
The concept of the story—a bargain with a greater entity that takes more each time one asks for favors—is really compelling, and the ending was interesting. I just wanted the whole book to be as eventful and impactful as the last 25%.
Read if you like dark fantasy involving bargains for power with a tiny bit of romance.
I also wasn’t a big fan of the romance, but that may be personal preference as I don’t enjoy the “love at first sight” trope.
The concept of the story—a bargain with a greater entity that takes more each time one asks for favors—is really compelling, and the ending was interesting. I just wanted the whole book to be as eventful and impactful as the last 25%.
Read if you like dark fantasy involving bargains for power with a tiny bit of romance.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Sexual content, Death of parent, Murder
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Gore, Violence, Death of parent
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
OBSESSED. WOW! I consumed this book in one sitting. This was such a fun story. The characters came alive in such a vivid way. It was all too easy to fall in love with them. The magic system was really unique and yet it called back to the hallmarks of classic fantasy. I needed this story more than I realized. Also, the romance was DELICIOUS.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death of parent, Alcohol