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For fans of Uprooted and For the Wolf comes a dark, lushly gothic fantasy about a maiden who must unleash the monster within to save her kingdom. But the monster in her head isn't the only threat lurking.Elspeth needs a monster. The monster might be her.Elspeth Spindle needs more than luck to stay safe in the eerie, mist-locked kingdom of Blunder—she needs a monster. She calls him the Nightmare, an ancient, mercurial spirit trapped in her head. He protects her. He keeps her secrets.But nothing comes for free, especially magic.When Elspeth meets a mysterious highwayman on the forest road, her life takes a drastic turn. Thrust into a world of shadow and deception, she joins a dangerous quest to cure Blunder from the dark magic infecting it. Except the highwayman just so happens to be the King’s own nephew, Captain of the most dangerous men in Blunder…and guilty of high treason.He and Elspeth have until Solstice to gather twelve Providence Cards—the keys to the cure. But as the stakes heighten and their undeniable attraction intensifies, Elspeth is forced to face her darkest secret yet: the Nightmare is slowly, darkly, taking over her mind. And she might not be able to stop him. Read more
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Top Amazon Reviews
One Dark Window is a dark fantasy debut that delivers a richly atmospheric tale brimming with gothic undertones, forbidden magic, and a slow-burn romance that smolders beneath layers of secrecy. Set in the eerie, mist-shrouded kingdom of Blunder, Rachel Gillig crafts a world where magic is both a blessing and a curse — and those who wield it are marked as dangerous. The novel follows Elspeth, a young woman harboring a sinister secret: a monster resides inside her mind, known only as the Nightmare. This inner voice gives her power and protection, but also threatens her sanity, creating a constant internal struggle that sets the tone for the novel’s dark and intoxicating atmosphere. At the beginning of the novel, Elspeth appears to be a quiet and cautious woman, living a life of concealment in a world where magic is feared and outlawed. But as the story progresses, she transforms into a more confident and courageous figure — not because she conquers her fear, but because she learns to act despite it. Her internal growth is deeply tied to her relationship with the Nightmare, the ancient, powerful entity that shares her mind. This voice, which could have easily served as a simple plot device, is instead an integral part of her character arc — a manifestation of both trauma and hidden strength. Elspeth's development is also shaped by her growing bond with Ravyn Yew. Initially distant and mistrustful of others, Elspeth gradually opens up as she finds people who treat her with respect and care. The romance between her and Ravyn doesn’t rush or overshadow the plot; rather, it becomes a quiet but powerful part of her journey toward trust, intimacy, and self-acceptance. She begins to see herself as more than just the vessel for a monster — she becomes a protector, a rebel, and someone willing to fight for the people she loves. Ravyn, on the other hand, develops from a cold, dutiful soldier into a man grappling with his own past mistakes and family obligations. His initial rigidity softens as he works with Elspeth, and his vulnerability slowly emerges, particularly in scenes with his younger brother. His growth is subtle but emotionally significant, showing how he learns to allow others into his carefully guarded world. The Nightmare, though not a traditional character, is also given unexpected emotional depth. What starts as a terrifying presence reveals itself to be full of loneliness, sarcasm, and even a touch of protectiveness. This layered portrayal challenges the reader's initial judgment and adds complexity to the relationship between monster and host. One of Gillig’s strengths is her ability to evoke mood and setting with just a few vivid lines. The mist-covered forests, the Gothic architecture, and the ever-present sense of secrecy and dread are painted in a way that feels immersive but never overwhelming. Her style leans into sensory details — the feel of damp stone, the flicker of candlelight, the hush of unspoken thoughts — all of which add to the book’s haunting ambiance. The narrative voice is intimate and introspective, reflecting Elspeth’s inner turmoil and growth. Gillig doesn’t rely heavily on exposition; instead, she trusts readers to infer emotion through dialogue, small gestures, and tone. This subtlety makes the emotional shifts feel organic, and it allows space for the characters' internal conflicts to breathe. Dialogue is another area where Gillig excels. It’s natural yet polished, often laced with tension or quiet wit, especially in the exchanges between Elspeth and the Nightmare. The way she integrates the Nightmare’s voice — often italicized, always intrusive — adds a psychological layer to the narrative that’s both unsettling and compelling, a clever stylistic choice that mirrors Elspeth’s fractured sense of self. Moreover, Gillig's use of folklore and prophecy through poetic interludes, old songs, and whispered legends adds depth to the world-building and enriches the novel's themes of fate, identity, and sacrifice. These mythic fragments are woven seamlessly into the story, giving the impression of a world long haunted by forgotten magic. At its heart, One Dark Window explores the tension between identity and power, particularly the price one pays for both. Elspeth’s struggle with the Nightmare inside her is not just a fantasy device—it’s a powerful metaphor for internal battles, mental health, and the fear of becoming something unrecognizable. The novel delves deeply into duality: light and dark, sanity and madness, control and surrender. Gillig also weaves in themes of secrecy and truth, especially how entire societies can be built upon silence, fear, and the distortion of history. The use of Providence Cards raises compelling questions about fate versus free will—can people choose their path, or are they forever trapped by the powers they've inherited? There’s also a strong undercurrent of sacrifice and trust, shown in the growing bonds between characters who must risk everything, not only for freedom but for each other. Ultimately, One Dark Window is a story about finding strength in vulnerability and uncovering the truth—both in the world and within oneself—even when it’s terrifying. One Dark Window is a hauntingly beautiful debut that stands out in the fantasy genre with its gothic atmosphere, imaginative magic system, and emotionally resonant storytelling. It’s a slow-burn journey into a world where every choice has a cost, and no one is free of shadows. Perfect for fans of For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten or The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon, this book promises an unforgettable blend of mystery, magic, and madness. With an ending that leaves you yearning for more, Rachel Gillig has cast a spell that lingers long after the final page.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2025 by Jennie_reader
This book had a slow start to it, so slow that I almost gave up on it, however when things took off they really took off. This is one of those books I wouldn’t mind seeing on the big screen. I enjoyed the tone the author took with this book, it was dark and poetic and it helped the reader really get in the mindset of what was going on. The riddles also did the same thing, it added so much mystery to everything that happened it made it that unveiling the truth of what was happening was such a pleasant surprise. I enjoyed the idea of the magic cards in contrast to the magic born. There is so much symbolism in that, It highlighted a lot about the society they were living in. Truth vs manufactured lies. True king vs usurper. Freedom vs domestic cages. The shepherd king vs the Rowan king. I enjoyed the elements of the prophecy ( I love a good prophecy), the myth around the shepherd king and the cards, I enjoyed the battles, the highway men and the underground resistance, the feud between family and the new found family being created. It’s truly refreshing to read a well thought out fantasy. This was a great read.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2025 by oluwatobi
"Nothing is free. Nothing is safe. Magic is love, but also, it’s hate." i'm so lucky to have dodged any and all spoilers since this book has blown up and went into it almost completely blind. i was completely enthralled from the beginning and enchanted by rachel gillig's phenomenal story. "That’s how the best lies are told—with just enough truth to be convincing." firstly, the poems and magic system. very unique, the use of the stanzas to reveal information throughout the story as well as the lore within the book and to explain the magic system. i've always loved when magic comes with a cost in fantasy, and this system does so in poetically creative ways counterpointing the gifts the magic gives. there is little more satisfying than when an author gives me a few stanzas of rhyme and the tempo is obvious and consistent. it just itches a scratch in my brain. it was very intriguing to have the nightmare basically only speak in his riddle-esque rhyme. he also surprisingly provided some excellent comedic relief. "Now we must play at tea with Blunder’s bottom-feeders? You said joining these fools would be dangerous. You said nothing of torture." "I could have died! Don’t be dramatic, the Nightmare said. People fall off horses every day." the cast of characters is distinct and layered. ione was very intriguing to me with her journey, i never quite knew where to stand 100% with elm or ravyn. the precariousness of trust heightens the tension throughout the story and keeps the stakes raised. i've probably read too many betrayal tropes LOL so i won't go on too much about it BUT the chemistry between elspeth and ravyn was organic, well-developed, and simmering. “What about you, Captain? Are you too nice for your own good?” He watched me, something I could not read flashing in his gray eyes. “No, Miss Spindle,” he said. “I’m not nice at all.” it's quite a unique premise and the gothic setting with its fairy tale lore creates a creepy vibe that wonderfully helps drive the story and paint a vivid picture. the motifs of the mist, the trees, the salt, ravens, and crowns incorporate your senses as a reader to help immerse you into the book. the providence cards are easy to liken to a deck of tarot cards, which further encourage both mystical and medieval tones and imagery. "The Hawthorn tree carries few seeds. Its branches are weary, it’s lost all its leaves. Be wary the man who bargains and thieves. He’ll offer your soul to get what he needs." "The stone chamber—enveloped by moss and vines—stood tall at the edge of the mist. How strange it looked, alone in the ruins, unmarked but for one dark window situated on its southernmost wall." overall, i was very impressed (and enraptured) with elspeth and the nightmare's story. i can't wait to see where book two takes me. “The girl, the King… and the monster they became.”
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Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2024 by i'd rather be reading