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adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
Loved this more than I was expecting. Dark and a bit spooky with an interesting magic system and a great slooow burn romance that I enjoyed immensely.
Didn’t love some of the rhyming poems and some of the dialogue felt a bit too modern in the context of this old fashioned world!
Didn’t love some of the rhyming poems and some of the dialogue felt a bit too modern in the context of this old fashioned world!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Read this basically in a day. How do I describe this book….. it’s got a magic deck of cards that is spread among the people. A sickness that infects people with magic, but they’re killed if they have that infection/magic…. There’s a dark broody guy and a lot of rhyming verse. Great book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence
Moderate: Death
Minor: Sexual content, Death of parent
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Religious bigotry, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent
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
Popular trading card game turns deadly as entire kingdom takes it too seriously
Jokes aside, the story is very gripping. The lore and world building were well done, the characters fleshed out. The romance had my heart pounding, and the spicy scene was titillating
I guessed the Nightmare’s true identity pretty early on, but it was a good reveal halfway through anyway
Excited to read the next one
Jokes aside, the story is very gripping. The lore and world building were well done, the characters fleshed out. The romance had my heart pounding, and the spicy scene was titillating
Excited to read the next one
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement, Death of parent
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
Be Wary. Be Clever. Be Good.
"Atmospheric" doesn't even begin to capture the beauty of Rachel's writing. The magic system is so unique and the whole world is built around the lore and use of the cards. I love the characters, especially the Nightmare, and his rhymes set so much of the mood and mystery.
(Any time I see an allusion to The Highwayman, I get chills)
*updated after a reread, and it holds up as one of my favorite books.*
"Atmospheric" doesn't even begin to capture the beauty of Rachel's writing. The magic system is so unique and the whole world is built around the lore and use of the cards. I love the characters, especially the Nightmare, and his rhymes set so much of the mood and mystery.
(Any time I see an allusion to The Highwayman, I get chills)
*updated after a reread, and it holds up as one of my favorite books.*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Alcohol
Minor: Child death, Physical abuse, Sexual content, 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
This was such a fun immersive book! I loved the world created in Blunder and the idea that magic only existed through decks of cards. The story follows Elspeth, who was “infected” with magic as a child, resulting in a voice in her head, the personification of the magical Nightmare card . Elspeth stumbles across highway men one night and her life completely changes as she tries to find a way to save her world.
I wish more time had been given to building Blunder as a world and discussing Elspeth’s family. Particularly Ione, I would have loved to spend more time getting to know her in order to feel properly invested by the changes caused by the Maiden card.
Overall though, I was completely drawn in to the story and I am so worried about the fates of the characters that I have already ordered the next book!
I wish more time had been given to building Blunder as a world and discussing Elspeth’s family. Particularly Ione, I would have loved to spend more time getting to know her in order to feel properly invested by the changes caused by the Maiden card.
Overall though, I was completely drawn in to the story and I am so worried about the fates of the characters that I have already ordered the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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
This book has mystery, intrigue, ghosts, magic, and romance! Love the interesting magic system and unique storytelling. The only reason it’s not 5 stars is because I think it needs a glossary to keep track of people and things. 😂
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood
Moderate: Confinement, Sexual content, Medical trauma
Minor: Death of parent
adventurous
challenging
dark
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
This was so easy to read, it was such a joy. The writing wasn't basic or anything, it was still beautiful but just easy to read and very interesting, kept me captivated!
I am glad there was only one s*x scene and one kiss scene, much more preferred. I liked the world and the fantasy of it. I enjoyed our characters and I just love magic card stuff, always here for tarot related stuff.
I am glad there was only one s*x scene and one kiss scene, much more preferred. I liked the world and the fantasy of it. I enjoyed our characters and I just love magic card stuff, always here for tarot related stuff.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Bullying, Sexual content
Minor: Confinement, Cursing, Gore, Sexism, Torture, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Sexual harassment
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
Worse than a mediocre romantasy is a mediocre romantasy with potential. One Dark Window has atmosphere and engaging worldbuilding based on dark fairy tales. It has the idea of an engaging female protagonist in its first chapters. Elspeth is quiet, silently flinching at the monster trapped in her head, but quietly resilient. The card magic system may have flaws but it fits the world itself, and the consequences of using magic is compelling. The opening chapters instantly set it apart from many cookie cutter romantasy by having a clear aesthetic and good writing style that ties everything together.
Then the poems slowly start to grate on you. Some are compelling, eerie, and the rhyme schemes fit. Others are so bad I laughed at what was supposed to be a dark moment. Then, the love interest is introduced…
Ravyn is in no danger of being Rhysand. He is the more brooding, angsty type who actually asks Elspeth’s permission. However, he, like Elspeth, suddenly gets possessed by the spirit of romantasy. He is the captain of the Destriers despite secretly being infected himself, and Elspeth barely mentions how he has literally killed his own (and only a brief mention of him ‘helping a few escape’ after Elspeth does the work for them). The two are forced into a very sad fake dating scenario that suddenly rears its mediocre head randomly and reminds you it exists. Elspeth banters with him in such a bland way it’s almost embarrassing, and their insta-love is so devoid of chemistry I tried convincing myself she’d have a different love interest.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Death of parent
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Child death, Genocide, Infidelity, Terminal illness, Vomit, Death of parent, Alcohol