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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
color me obsessed?! i ate this up, and for my first gothic fantasy this knocked it out of the park. the card magic system was so unique, and the romance subplot was perfection!! i fear two books is just not going to be enough
"One Dark Window" by Rachel Gillig is a lush, gothic fantasy that drew me in immediately and held me tight until the final page.
Gillig has crafted a world that feels both eerie and enchanting, full of creeping shadows and whispers of magic that linger long after each chapter ends. The gothic setting is woven beautifully into the fabric of the story, making the environment feel like a character in its own right.
The plot follows Elspeth, a young woman carrying a dangerous secret: a voice in her head that is not her own. As she becomes entangled in a desperate struggle involving magic cards, a kingdom on edge, and a dangerous highwayman, the stakes rise with every revelation. Themes of fear, power, and sacrifice run throughout, grounding the fantasy in deep emotional resonance.
What worked best for me was the way Gillig balanced gothic atmosphere with character depth. Elspeth’s inner conflict and her struggle with the Nightmare that lives inside her is both haunting and compelling. The romance that develops is slow-burning and well-earned, giving the story emotional weight without overshadowing the larger plot. The worldbuilding around the Providence Cards is inventive and fresh, adding a layer of intrigue that kept me hooked.
If I had one minor critique, it would be that the book feels just the slightest bit rushed into a cliffhanger. Gillig does such a wonderful job taking her time to let things simmer and develop, and while a cliffhanger is certainly not an issue, I did feel ever so slightly rushed as we got pushed off the edge.
I recommend "One Dark Window" to readers who love gothic fantasies steeped in atmosphere, morally complex heroines, and inventive magic systems. I would not recommend it to readers who prefer standalones or who dislike darker, more unsettling tones in their fantasy. For me, it was a near-perfect blend of gothic horror and romantic fantasy, and I cannot wait to continue the story!
Gillig has crafted a world that feels both eerie and enchanting, full of creeping shadows and whispers of magic that linger long after each chapter ends. The gothic setting is woven beautifully into the fabric of the story, making the environment feel like a character in its own right.
The plot follows Elspeth, a young woman carrying a dangerous secret: a voice in her head that is not her own. As she becomes entangled in a desperate struggle involving magic cards, a kingdom on edge, and a dangerous highwayman, the stakes rise with every revelation. Themes of fear, power, and sacrifice run throughout, grounding the fantasy in deep emotional resonance.
What worked best for me was the way Gillig balanced gothic atmosphere with character depth. Elspeth’s inner conflict and her struggle with the Nightmare that lives inside her is both haunting and compelling. The romance that develops is slow-burning and well-earned, giving the story emotional weight without overshadowing the larger plot. The worldbuilding around the Providence Cards is inventive and fresh, adding a layer of intrigue that kept me hooked.
If I had one minor critique, it would be that the book feels just the slightest bit rushed into a cliffhanger. Gillig does such a wonderful job taking her time to let things simmer and develop, and while a cliffhanger is certainly not an issue, I did feel ever so slightly rushed as we got pushed off the edge.
I recommend "One Dark Window" to readers who love gothic fantasies steeped in atmosphere, morally complex heroines, and inventive magic systems. I would not recommend it to readers who prefer standalones or who dislike darker, more unsettling tones in their fantasy. For me, it was a near-perfect blend of gothic horror and romantic fantasy, and I cannot wait to continue the story!
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
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No