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A review by misskitty14
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Folks weren't kidding when they said The Shepard King series offers a unique magic system! I won't get too into it, but I really like not only how magic works but also the in-world logic behind how it works. I think this underscores Gillig's capacity for world-building.
Aside from the magic system, I really love the tree-theming of this world: all the noble houses derive their names and insignias from different tree types, which connects back to their society and culture's focus on the forest and natural world. The one critique I have regarding this world-building is when the characters drop the f-bomb. While I'm not personally opposed to cussing (in fact, I quite enjoy it), it took me out of the book a bit. Ultimately, I found the use of "trees" as an expletive to suffice.
The characters are interesting and I love how they each have a variety of different motivations and challenges. Elspeth isn't the most amazing FMC and there isn't anything particularly unique about her, but I do like the idea that she is just a "normal" girl trying to exist in this space. Is the romance predictable? Yes, but the banter adds some fun to the whole thing.
I will say, I wish we got more banter between Elspeth and the Nightmare. Anytime we get those Venom-esque interactions, I was reminded how much I love that stuff.
The poems that open each chapter (a combination of Providence Cards and passages from The Old Book of Alders) were a bit of a hit-and-miss. They certainly added flavor and offered additional ways to learn about the magic system and this world, but in terms of their literary skill, they were bleh.
Excited to continue with Two Twisted Crowns.
Aside from the magic system, I really love the tree-theming of this world: all the noble houses derive their names and insignias from different tree types, which connects back to their society and culture's focus on the forest and natural world. The one critique I have regarding this world-building is when the characters drop the f-bomb. While I'm not personally opposed to cussing (in fact, I quite enjoy it), it took me out of the book a bit. Ultimately, I found the use of "trees" as an expletive to suffice.
The characters are interesting and I love how they each have a variety of different motivations and challenges. Elspeth isn't the most amazing FMC and there isn't anything particularly unique about her, but I do like the idea that she is just a "normal" girl trying to exist in this space. Is the romance predictable? Yes, but the banter adds some fun to the whole thing.
I will say, I wish we got more banter between Elspeth and the Nightmare. Anytime we get those Venom-esque interactions, I was reminded how much I love that stuff.
The poems that open each chapter (a combination of Providence Cards and passages from The Old Book of Alders) were a bit of a hit-and-miss. They certainly added flavor and offered additional ways to learn about the magic system and this world, but in terms of their literary skill, they were bleh.
Excited to continue with Two Twisted Crowns.