Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

11 reviews

erinreadsbooks's review against another edition

dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, Blood, Death, Gore, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Infidelity, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Child abuse, Murder, Sexual content, and Child death

scarlett_f's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Blood, Toxic relationship, Death, Body horror, Confinement, Violence, and Bullying

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Vomit, Gore, Self harm, Sexual content, Grief, Child death, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Drug use and Domestic abuse

janieboucher's review against another edition

dark emotional 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? No

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Terminal illness, and Mental illness

Moderate: Murder, Violence, and Child death

Minor: Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse

mzquirk's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Pandemic/Epidemic, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Confinement, Bullying, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual content, and Violence

soup27's review against another edition

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

5.0

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: Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Sexual content, Violence, Gaslighting, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Blood, and Body horror

amyteurhour's review against another edition

5.0

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.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, and Emotional abuse

naomi_k's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Murder, Blood, Mental illness, Torture, Terminal illness, and Death

Moderate: Classism, Confinement, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Body horror

Minor: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, and Death of parent

missgarceau's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

What a horribly cruel cliffhanger ending!!!

I recommend waiting until the series is complete tbh.

The magic system is fascinating & the lore is intriguing. It’s like a dark and twisted fairytale full of riddles & rhymes. An epic quest full of shock & horror and a sprinkle of slow-burn romance.

It’s not FTB but the spice is mild. 

Idk if this is categorized as a romance, but unless there’s an HEA- I might trash it in my fury & rage! I am REELING after that ending!! Toddler tantrum level 3000!!!

Caveat emptor. Buyer beware. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Sexual content, Abandonment, Body horror, Body shaming, Physical abuse, Violence, Vomit, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, Toxic friendship, Mental illness, Torture, and Toxic relationship

lqvekanej's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I knew absolutely nothing going in other than that a fantasy Bookstagrammer that I liked rec’d it, and holy shit did this not disappoint in the slightest!! WHAT A BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN BOOK!! I can’t wait for the sequel ❤️

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Alcohol

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Misogyny, and Classism

mybookishdelights's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

kissing and a non-graphic on page sex scene

I absolutely loved this one! Somehow we have a unique magic system in a fantasy book, which is hard to do. I loved the characters, the plot kept me interested

even though I guessed it was the Shepherd King that was the monster (it's okay to guess plot points)

, and I loved the romantic tension. The story is still living in my head and I can't wait to read the next one. 

CAWPILE Score: 9.57 = 5 stars
Characters: 10
Atmosphere: 9
Writing: 10
Plot: 9
Intrigue: 10
Logic: 9
Enjoyment: 10

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Blood

Moderate: Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual content