I wasn’t expecting to like this as much as a did and will definitely be reading the sequel. I like that the relationship isn’t a whole crazy drawn out thing. There’s some tension but neither of them make it a bigger deal. I liked the world as well and am interested to learn more about it for sure! Some of the names were a little cheesy but it’s fantasy so I’m willing to overlook that.

I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was amazing! I absolutely LOVED it!

Elspeth was a fun character to get to know and I loved that she has such a dark and strange secret. From the very start of the book I was hooked. The main character is forcefully awoken by her aunt and thrown out the window. .for her own good. lol She makes it to the woods but not of her own powers.

The book was amazing, well written and the premise was SO intriguing! SPOILERS FROM HERE ON OUT PEPPERED INTO MY REVIEW!

I love the magic of the world. You have the infected blood magic users and you have the card wielding magic users, neither of which is comes freely. The blood magic users, if they are killed after catching the fever, degenerate in some sort of way. One of them is literally dying, one of them loses the ability to use the magic cards, and the other. . loses herself. The card users all pay a different price depending on the card they use. Examples of this are The Maiden gives beauty but makes the person cold, unfeeling and sometimes cruel. The Scythe gives the user power over others but causes great pain to them. etc etc. Its a very unique magic system that I think gives this book a lot of character.

Elspeth Spindle is the main protagonist and you follow her as she learns more about herself and the world around her. She caught the fever at an early age and was hidden from those that would have her killed. Normally one to shy away from social events in order to better keep her secret, she goes to the equinox party and there, runs into the head of the very people that hunt and kill her kind. Instead of arresting her, however, he drags her into an underground world where one family is attempting to right all the wrongs that magic has brought by lifting the curse and combing the entire deck of cards together. Ravyn is not only the captain of the destriers, he is also infected!

From that point on, its a wild ride to the finish of the book, which is NOT the end of the story!! Never before have I been so frustrated to reach the end of the book and realize, I will have to wait SO LONG for number 2 to come out!

Highly recommend this to any fantasy lover that likes a unique new twist to magic and fantasy!

Rachel Gillig has created an enchanting, incredibly magical world in”One Dark Window”! Elspeth Spindle has lived much of her life with a creature living in her mind. He is willing to help her when she needs it, but nothing comes without a price. Slowly she discovers him becoming stronger and stronger. At what point will she no longer be able to hold him back? One night she finds herself befriending a highwayman, who turns out to be Captain of the Kings guards. The Captain is on a mission to rid their town of a dark magic, and Elspeth might be able to help. But how long can she keep the creature in her mind hidden from the Captain?

This was so good!

Elspeth Spindle was infected with magic at a young age. Hidden away at her uncle's estate in the woods to keep her safe, Elspeth guards the secret of her magic and the nightmare inhabiting her brain.

In Blunder, to be infected with magic is a death sentence.

Elspeth keeps to her quiet life until one night she is beset by highwaymen in the woods, highwaymen looking for her uncle's magical cards. To escape she lets the nightmare take over, borrowing his strength and power to get to safety.

Anyway, eventually Elspeth ends up at the King's equinox party where she encounters Rayven Elm, the captain of the fearsome Destriers. However, Rayvn isn't what he seems needs Elspeth specific skill set to save his family.

I honestly loved this book and cannot wait for the sequel.

One Dark Window was absolutely spectacular. It reminded me a lot of Asperfell by Jamie Thomas mixed with For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten and a little bit of T. Kingfisher. The writing is so intricate and detailed, and despite the world being incredibly complex, everything was explained perfectly without the story feeling dragged down by too much exposition. The setting is so creepy, and the characters are amazing - Elspeth, Ravyn, Elm, and even the Nightmare. This was definitely one of the best books I've read this year. I am so excited for the second book, especially after that cliffhanger!

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig is a stunning Gothic fantasy and fiction novel that had me enthralled throughout.

I just loved this book! It was eerie, hazy, dark, mysterious, and beautifully Gothic…yet it had fantasy, a historical fiction-type feel and element to it, a thread of romance, mystery, and suspense also present. All of these things blended together to make a truly gripping, addictive, and entertaining read. Yes, it is labeled “sci-fi/ fantasy”, nut I think it really would appeal to readers that normally do not gravitate towards this genre because it has so many more elements present that would entertain those who like a good atmospheric mystery and a good old-fashioned fiction.

The pacing, plot, and ending were right on and superb. I cannot recommend this enough.

5/5 stars


Thank you NG and Orbit Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my NG account only and will post it to my GR, Bookbub, Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 9/27/22 per publisher request.

Oh now this is my kind of fantasy novel, one that leaves you anxious for the sequel and near tears to find out what will become of your favorite characters.

Elspeth and Ravyn are already an iconic fantasy couple, evenly matched in how their darkness finds and complements each other. The love story develops slowly and naturally, without a false note played between the two of them, and the others who populate their world are all super compelling characters on their own. I have a soft spot especially for the relationships between Elspeth and Ione, and Ravyn and Elm, each cousins who are more like siblings to them, and yet while Ravyn and Elm remain strong despite their obstacles, Elspeth and Ione start to fracture at the seams.

The world building of the novel is a real high point, as well, though it does take a little while to fully understand how the world works. Every chapter begins with a poem that helps to shed more light on the mythology of the world though, which I really enjoyed. I can't wait to see where things go next and how the world will continue to evolve.

The strongest point of the book though is the tragedy that is built into so many of the characters. Elspeth routinely feels like an outsider to the world, but unlike a lot of fantasy heroines, she has a very valid reason for feeling that way, and as she discovers that her time is running out, this is especially poignant. One of the highlights of her journey is her strained relationship with her father and how that relationship is complex for both of them. Emory will break your heart, especially in the last scene of his, and Nightmare... better to be unspoiled, but the complexity of the dynamic between Elspeth and Nightmare is fascinating.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Gillig does an excellent job of showing the claustrophobic feeling of being trapped inside your head with another entity. Though it was a little bit of a slow start, the story shines as it gets going, with characters that make it hard to know who to trust, and the ending left me frantically turning pages hoping for more. Elspeth is such a complex character and I was pulled right in like I was living it beside her. Wishing the next book was out already.

Absolutely loved every moment. Enemies to lovers. Slow burn romance. Dark and engaging. Couldn’t put it down. Fell in love with all the main characters. I’m invested and need book two!

Excellent fantasy! It is a great start to what looks to be an epic story. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this novel. #OneDarkWindow #NetGalley