“One Dark Window” by Rachel Gillig – A Review
⭐ Rating: 4.5/5
Year Published: 2022
Genre: Romantasy, Gothic, Dark Fantasy
Page Count: 432
Quick Summary
One Dark Window is a dark, gothic fantasy with eerie magic, a cursed protagonist, and a slow-burn romance. The story follows Elspeth Spindle, a girl who survived a mysterious illness as a child—but it left her with an unusual secret: she shares her mind with a powerful entity known as the Nightmare. When she crosses paths with Ravyn Yew, the king’s nephew and a captain of the kingdom’s elite law enforcers, she’s pulled into a dangerous quest to reunite the legendary Providence Cards—magical artifacts that could either save or doom them all.
What I Loved
The Magic System is SO Cool – The Providence Cards, which grant different magical abilities at a cost, are such a fresh and intriguing take on magic. It’s like tarot meets high fantasy, and I was obsessed with figuring out how everything worked.
The Gothic Atmosphere is Next-Level – Blunder (yes, that’s the actual name of the kingdom) is shrouded in mist and full of eerie, cursed magic. The setting feels alive—moody, dark, and completely immersive.
The Nightmare – I loved how the Nightmare exists in Elspeth’s mind, constantly lurking, offering power but also creeping toward control. It’s such a fascinating dynamic, and it made her struggle feel so personal and high stakes.
Ravyn is a Solid Romantic Lead – While the romance is definitely slow-burn, Ravyn and Elspeth’s dynamic is full of tension and emotional depth. If you love brooding fantasy love interests, he delivers.
What Didn’t Quite Work for Me
The Beginning Was a Bit Slow – It took me a little while to really get into the story. The world and magic system are fantastic, but it took some time before I felt fully invested in the characters.
The Ending Felt Rushed – After such a carefully built-up story, the ending came at me fast. It left a lot hanging (which makes sense since there’s a sequel), but I wanted a little more closure for certain plot threads.
Who Should Read This?
If you love dark, moody fantasy with lush prose, a unique magic system, and a protagonist dealing with an internal monster, this one’s for you. Perfect for fans of forbidden magic, slow-burn romance, and gothic atmospheres.
Final Thoughts
I loved this book. The eerie magic, the atmospheric world, the way the story slowly wraps itself around you until you’re completely hooked—so good. It’s not a super fast-paced read, but once you settle into its rhythm, it’s an incredibly rewarding experience. Definitely looking forward to picking up the sequel!
