One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

• Facebook
• X
• ShareCopied to clipboard

INITIAL THOUGHTS

I read this one for the Garden of the Books book club. I was in the mood for a dark fantasy with a slow-burn romance, and that’s precisely what I got. Plus, there is a fair bit of gothic fog and eerie forest charm. The writing felt more like a young adult than an adult, but it hooked me with the worldbuilding and mystery surrounding the magical cards and the ancient spirit in Elspeth’s head.

WHAT IT IS ABOUT

In the mist-shrouded kingdom of Blunder, Elspeth Spindle hides a dangerous secret: the soul of the long-dead Shepherd King, now known as the Nightmare, lives inside her head. When she’s pulled into a secret rebellion to cure the kingdom’s deadly curse, she must collect the magic Providence Cards before the King does. All while trying to resist the Nightmare’s growing control over her mind.

MY REVIEW

Writing Style

The prose is atmospheric, lyrical, and heavily descriptive, sometimes at the expense of pacing. It has a dark fairytale quality that fits the foggy, cursed kingdom vibe. The romantic elements were soft and slow-burning, though sometimes more teen-coded than adult.

Themes & Messages

One Dark Window is a story of inner darkness, chosen family, generational trauma, and what it means to carry a burden no one else can see. It touches on legacy, grief, and autonomy, with a touch of found family and rebellion against oppressive power.

Characters

Elspeth was the weakest link for me. Despite hosting the literal soul of the Shepherd King for over a decade, she never once thought to ask the entity any helpful questions. Her lack of initiative made her feel frustratingly passive. Ravyn, the Captain, was charming and noble, albeit overly trusting. Emory, Jespyr, and Ione were standout side characters I hope to see more of. The Shepherd King himself was one of the most compelling presences in the book, even if no one talked to him enough!

Vibes, Settings, and Tropes

• Misty forests and haunted ruins.
• A mysterious deck of magical cards.
• A forbidden romance between a traitorous soldier and a cursed girl.
• Ancient kings and hidden ghosts.
• Gothic fairytale energy.
• The Cinderella-coded heroine meets morally gray magic.

Favorite Quotes

“I don’t want rest, Elspeth,” he murmured into my lips. “I want you.”

“My nostrils flared. I’m merely trying to navigate this utter disaster without alerting the Captain of the Destriers to the fact that I’ve got a five-hundred-year-old MONSTER living in my head. I think you mean “traitor to lord and land,” not “Captain.” After all, dear one, there were only two Nightmare Cards ever forged. Long have the Rowans sought one, only for it to be here—hidden neatly in the King’s castle—under his very nose. I glanced at Ravyn, who stood so still he might have been another piece of furniture in the shadowy room. We don’t know why he’s hidden his Nightmare Card from his uncle, I said. There could be a plausible reason. Plausible reasons are but a shadow at the gallows. The highwayman meets the hangman, one way or another. Ravyn”

“Are you still pretending?” I said, reveling in his gaze. Ravyn gave a surprised laugh and, in front of everyone, leaned in and kissed me. “I never was,” he whispered into my lips.”

What Worked For Me

• The worldbuilding with the Providence Cards was fascinating and unique.
• The slow-burn romance was tender and emotionally grounded.
• The ruined castle twist and ghostly family reveal added a lot of heart.
• Emory, Jespyr, and Ione were refreshing supporting characters.
• The cliffhanger had real weight and made me want to pick up the next book immediately.

What Didn’t Work For Me

• Elspeth’s lack of curiosity was maddening.
• Some plot points were unclear, especially regarding Ravyn’s “degeneracy.”
• The pacing dragged in the middle.
• While sweet, the romance reads more like Young Adult than adult fantasy.

Final Thoughts

If you’re in the mood for a moody, mystical fantasy with a touch of gothic romance and morally gray magic systems, One Dark Window will hit the spot. While Elspeth’s passivity tested my patience, the lush world, haunting lore, and ending twist redeemed it. I’ll be picking up the sequel to see how this curse gets resolved.

Let’s Talk

Have you read One Dark Window? Were you also yelling at Elspeth to ask the Shepherd King a question already? Who was your favorite side character?