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adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Considering I was interrupted dozens of times and I still returned and finally finished, with a very positive review, says a tremendous amount.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Chronic illness, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Minor: Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book has such an enjoyably dark atmosphere and unique magic system. I read the last 75% in one day because I could not put it down! The ending was an excellent setup for the next book.
The reasons I didn't give 5 stars:Hauth just did not cut it for me as a villain, very one dimensional and predictable. Also, the reveal of the Nightmare's identity was a bit obvious and it seemed like it would have been figured out much earlier by Elspeth. These were fairly minor but annoyed me quite a bit since the rest of the book was so well done.
I immediately picked up the next book, glad I started this after the sequel was released!
The reasons I didn't give 5 stars:
I immediately picked up the next book, glad I started this after the sequel was released!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Violence, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
Graphic: Bullying, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Abandonment
Minor: Child death, Death of parent
I know I shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but to be honest this cover made it seem a lot creepier than what I normally enjoy. I'm glad I did give this a try though, because I ended up loving it! I really enjoyed Gillig's writing style and how she developed the characters. I'm looking forward to reading the next book, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to just purchase instead of waiting on hold at the library because I definitely see myself revisiting the series again.
The narrator, Lisa Cordileone was good, but some of the stylistic choices she made weren't my cup of tea--namely actually laughing when the text said 'so and so laughed,' etc. But I thought overall the audiobook was good.
The narrator, Lisa Cordileone was good, but some of the stylistic choices she made weren't my cup of tea--namely actually laughing when the text said 'so and so laughed,' etc. But I thought overall the audiobook was good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Abandonment
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-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:
Yes
Very reminiscent of “For the Throne,” but not quite as well executed.
The magic system is so unique and Gillig did a great job with her world building. The characters use “trees” as a curse word, which was such a fun touch for a fantasy world with a cursed forest.
I like a vulnerable heroine, one whose strength evolves over the series, but I was really unimpressed by Elspeth.She was constantly complaining about the Nightmare in her head (valid), but at the first whiff of trouble she was screaming for his help. And then went right back to whining about him. It could have just been the voice the narrator chose to use for Elspeth, but she was just an endlessly whiny baby.
Gillig’s debut definitely had promise—the world was interesting and grounded, the magic system was interesting, and the plot was great. But her characters (her many, many main characters) were so flat that it ultimately fell short in my eyes.
The magic system is so unique and Gillig did a great job with her world building. The characters use “trees” as a curse word, which was such a fun touch for a fantasy world with a cursed forest.
I like a vulnerable heroine, one whose strength evolves over the series, but I was really unimpressed by Elspeth.
Gillig’s debut definitely had promise—the world was interesting and grounded, the magic system was interesting, and the plot was great. But her characters (her many, many main characters) were so flat that it ultimately fell short in my eyes.
Content Warnings
Minor: Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Hate crime, Blood, Death of parent, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
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
One of my new favorite fantasy worlds!!!
This book is the spooky magical gothic world of my dreams. The folktale style and the Providence cards. The rich world that you are brought into isn't overwhelming and the world-building feels really natural. This whole book felt like a foggy autumn afternoon with a cup of tea. It was honestly such a good reading experience.
The love story between Ravyn and Elspeth was so well done too. As an avid romance reader, I thought that it was really done and well balanced with the other things going on in the book. I loved going on adventures with them and seeing their bond grow.
Also, the side characters are not to be ignored! They were so damn good! I was not only invested in Elspeth and Ravyn's story, but also Elm, Ione, and all of the Yew's.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Death of parent
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
Just finished "One Dark Window" by Rachel Gillig, and holy smokes, it's a 5/5 for me. Went in blind, knew nada about it, and came out thrilled.
This book, it's dark and tense in all the right ways. Every turn of the page had me craving more, uncovering layers of suspense that kept me hooked till the end.
Now, you'd think with a title like "One Dark Window," it's all gloom and doom, right? Well, surprise! Elspeth and her misfit gang of friends are lovable in this twisted and dark way. Despite the threatening atmosphere, the author somehow makes you care deeply for them. It's a wild ride of emotions, and I'm here for it. If you're into dark and thrilling reads with unexpectedly endearing characters, this one's a winner. Can't recommend it enough.
This book, it's dark and tense in all the right ways. Every turn of the page had me craving more, uncovering layers of suspense that kept me hooked till the end.
Now, you'd think with a title like "One Dark Window," it's all gloom and doom, right? Well, surprise! Elspeth and her misfit gang of friends are lovable in this twisted and dark way. Despite the threatening atmosphere, the author somehow makes you care deeply for them. It's a wild ride of emotions, and I'm here for it. If you're into dark and thrilling reads with unexpectedly endearing characters, this one's a winner. Can't recommend it enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Death of parent, Murder
adventurous
dark
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: Body horror, Death, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Self harm, Vomit, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity, Torture, Fire/Fire injury
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
the first YA and fantasy book i’ve enjoyed in a loooong time.
the magic system being like TCG/cards is so unique and gives me life! def the best part of the book. and the Nightmare is like Venom.
i really like how abandonment and finding a family elsewhere are portrayed. the romance is typical but nice.
this was going to be a 5! but the book drags in the last part and doesn’t conclude, just sets up a sequel—which makes me not want to read it.
the magic system being like TCG/cards is so unique and gives me life! def the best part of the book. and the Nightmare is like Venom.
i really like how abandonment and finding a family elsewhere are portrayed. the romance is typical but nice.
this was going to be a 5! but the book drags in the last part and doesn’t conclude, just sets up a sequel—which makes me not want to read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Mental illness, Sexual content, Blood, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment
Moderate: Misogyny, Torture, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual assault, Vomit, Death of parent