This book is incredible. I love the relationship between the magic and users in this book. I need the next book in this series ASAP!

This book took a minute to get into and was a little confusing at first in regards to the magic system. Once I got into it however, it was almost impossible to out down. Gillig wrote a very interesting world and very interesting characters (that I can't wait to read more of). It started out kind of in a YA vein, but takes some dark and violent turns that make it more of an adult fantasy.

The relationship between Ellspeth and the Nightmare was very engaging. Sometimes it seemed like it wanted nothing more than to be in control, but at the same time, it seems to have at least some caring towards her. Ellspeth's relationship with Ravyn was also rocky at the start, and their journey towards each other was quite good. Almost no one else seemed to accept her the way he did... even when he was suspicious about what she was hiding.

I am quite excited to read the conclusion of this adventure in the next book and I hope to see a good ending for Ellspeth.

This book was a breath of fresh air in a vast sea of dark fantasy novels. I sincerely can’t think of one thing I didn’t like about it.

Oh! I know! It’s that I don’t have the second book in my hands right this second.

“One Dark Window'', and Gillig’s writing in general, remind me of Hannah Whitten, Ava Reid, and even a bit of Margaret Rogerson. I’m loving these fantasy writers who aren’t afraid to shy away from the dark side of fantasy, especially when it comes to instilling that dark side in their female protagonists. Shying away from toxic masculinity where they can, giving their females power and agency to make their decisions about what to do with that power–for ill or for good–and not insulting their readers by beating it into our heads that balance is the key, because we all know that by now.

At the same time, Gillig also reminds me of those same writers because of the evocative imagery, the lush prose, the thought and care put into her very intriguing magic system (and can I just say I’m loving it?), and the care she puts into her characterizations.

What does seem to set Gillig apart here is her imagination. Nothing in fantasy is original, but Gillig has found new and unique ways to spin just about every trope, trick, and “way of doing things” to her own tune. I’d give you some examples, but there be spoilers. Let’s stay away from those shoals.

If you’re looking for a great dark fantasy read, I definitely recommend it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Orbit Books for granting me access to this title.

Please note this review is being written as part of a series of backdated ARC reviews that were due earlier in the year but, for one reason or another, I wasn’t able to get to them by the publication date.

File Under: 5 Star Books/Fantasy Series/Dark Fantasy/Fairy Tale/Fantasy Romance

This book surprised me! I loved the world building and the relationships. I need the second book asap! If you love enemies to lovers and romance fantasy, this is definitely the book to read!

I was Super excited to see another Gothic fantasy novel as I love Gothic stories, especially ones that can lean a little bit dark or a little bit more spooky. I can definitely see why it was recommended for fans of the wolves or uprooted as it definitely had similar vibes at parts. The nightmare was fantastic and I was really excited once the plot started ramping up. The romance was wonderful and I cannot wait for the next book to know more about what happened!

My bad that I didn't check it was only Book One! Grrrr. It was like Caraval/Uprooted and The Bear and the Nightingale, with bits and pieces of each type of story interwoven here. It was actually interesting and engaging and I like the premise and the characters. Hopefully book 2 will take us in a new direction, bc there's alot unanswered while still feeling like there was already a full story.

Dark, suspenseful, lushly gothic, and achingly romantic, ‘One Dark Window’ is everything I hoped it would be and then some!

Gillig crafts an incredible story, rife with twists and dark edges. This dark fantasy debut has incredibly detailed and delivered lore entangled with one of the most intricate and unique magic systems I’ve read in a long, long time. The characters are all so well defined and engaging, each with their own secrets and motivations; Gillig makes it impossible not to want to know everything about every single one of them. And with a cliffhanger ending that will leave you wrestling with whether to applaud or throw your book across the room, you will be dying for the sequel.

It’s difficult to sing too many praises about ‘One Dark Window’ without getting into spoilers because, truly, I loved it that much, but suffice to say that if dark fantasy, medieval gothic, and/or cottagegore are your vibe, this is an absolute must!

Is it crazy to say that the best part of this book was the villain?Well for me it was. I really really loved this book. I read each chapter of the arc before reading the one from the published book and let me tell you that I loved the experience. I loved the world building and the idea of a virus affecting people in a magical way.
I loved the slow burn between our MC, and although it is not a healthy one, the relationship between Elspeth and the nightmare. I really enjoyed the writing style, the story was so easy to read that at moments I forgot that I was reading.

I really loved the changes that were made and how the published book turned out but it was really fun to read the arc.
Something I really enjoyed was the begging of the chapters with the cards. It was giving a sense of mystery that I didn’t know I needed.
I hope the next book is already in process ‘cause I need more of this story.

I highly recommend this book

I want to thank NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review

I finished this book in one sitting, so I obviously enjoyed it. This gothic fantasy has an intriguing magical system, and the The world building was beautifully atmospheric and left me wanting more. Elspeth was an interesting, badass, and intriguing MC. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing her character growth throughout the book. My only complaint is that there's is an absolutely brutal cliff hanger ending in this book. I need the sequel in my hands immediately.

4 stars
Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for the ARC

WOW, what a spooky, gothic read! It was definitely a good one to pick up for the Halloween season. The cover is gorgeous and I cannot wait for my special edition to come!

I really enjoyed the writing in this book. It flowed easily and I found myself deeply immersed in the story. I also like the enemies-to lovers trope. I am a sucker for those.

Overall, I would recommend this book if you enjoy YA Gothic stories.

!No spoiler!
5 stars! The moment I finished this book, I wished I could read it all over again for the first time. The story telling was phenomenal, and had so many secrets, twists, and so much excitement. I finished this book in a day because I could not put it down.

Usually while reading a book, you can start to predict some events that will happen by the end… The ending was so unpredictable that I could have never even imagined it. I feel so blind sided in the best way possible.

The world that Rachel Gillig created was just indescribable. She created magic that I have never seen in any other book, and it was such a nice breath of fresh air.

This is a dark and captivating fantasy that I will be recommending to everyone.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was atmospheric, and dark. A perfect gothic fantasy to read during fall.

I loved so much of this. The magic system is so unique and I loved that there were consequences for using too much magic too often, which is something that isn’t really discussed or explored in other fantasy books. Each card has a negative effect that is the opposite of its power. The characters have to be intentional with their use of the powers afforded them, and I think that adds a layer to the book that I find missing in some fantasy.

There is a light enemies-to-lovers romance, but it is balanced so well with the overarching plot and doesn’t overshadow the central conflict. I am very excited for the sequel and cannot wait to continue on with this series.

Thank you to NetGalley, Orbit, and Rachel Gillig for an e-arc of One Dark Window in exchange for an honest review.

DNF at not even a whole chapter in
I dont think this book is BAD. I just wasn't into the tone or the emotional feel. I've heard good things about it, its gothic, its creepy, its intriguing... But! Its not for me!

I devoured this story. Gothic atmosphere, strong female character, enemies to lovers romance, fantasy, mystery, and a fast-paced plot are a recipe for a five star read from me, and not only did this novel contain these, but it did it extraordinarily well. I was so impressed to discover this is the author's debut novel. The writing style was easy to get captured in when no words were wasted either propelling the plot, delving into characterization, or providing unique description that helped set the dark atmosphere. I appreciated the unique plot of monsters, murderous fables, and a creative magic system based on tarot-like cards. The only negative was that there was a bit of a cliffhanger, but it was a fantastic ending that also tells me there will be another book to look forward to, so I'll forgive the author:) I can rave about this book for a long time and highly recommend for any gothic literature/dark fantasy romance fans.

**Link to goodreads review posted below**

I loved this book! A morally grey love interest? Fantasy with some horror sprinkled in? Fake dating turned into touch her and you die tropes? Hell 👏🏼 yes 👏🏼 please👏🏼!

Rachel Gillig’s magic system was simple to follow, yet deep and intricate in the ways she was able to weave it throughout this book. I have a ton of shits about Elspeth’s character and that had a LOT to do with the way Gillig built her character through the warring of who she was as a person and who she was with the Nightmare inside of her. I loved her and Ravyn’s love and the slow burn was beautifully written.

Speaking of writing - I normally hate poetry, but I loved it here. The way Gillig used it was simplistic but also pretty haunting at times. The ending, while it left me on a cliffhanger was stunning and heartbreaking all at once (Ravyn, I love you. You can call out to me on the void anytime.).

My only gripe was that scenes with the Nightmare were getting darker, and I think Gillig could have amped up the gore in her writing in the later scenes to match the brutality and protectiveness the Nightmare was clearly escalating to when it came to Elspeth.

Thank you so much, Orbit for the ARC! I am doubly sorry that life got in the way of me reading this prior to its official publication date.

one dark window is a dark, eerie gothic fantasy about a girl with a monster in her head and a kingdom infected by the magic that once protected it.

it’s apparent that odw is a debut novel, as it definitely has an unpolished feel. the pacing drags and while the concept is very intriguing, the execution leaves something to be desired. i was also thrown off by the marketing—it’s supposedly an adult fantasy, but it definitely reads as more ya/na.

however, i still very much enjoyed a lot of aspects of the story. the magic system was a highlight, as was elspeth’s dynamic with the nightmare in her head. the entire novel has a bewitching gothic fairytale vibe that i loved—that, more than anything, has me eagerly anticipating the sequel.

DNF at 92 pages

https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2022/11/17/one-dark-window-by-rachel-gillig/

As is usual for my DNFs, this will be a fairly quick review. If I don’t like something—unless it annoys or offends me on a truly rant-worthy level—my thoughts on it are typically pretty succinct. In this case, I just didn’t meld well with it. It never claimed my attention in the first place and then just couldn’t hold it as the pages began to turn.

I mean…

Well, this was an absolutely frustrating book. Strange, uneven pacing. A plot told in starts and stops. I never understood the cards, which were such a big part of the plot (in the beginning at least). I didn’t like the romance—which had barely even begun by the time I DNFed it.

I’ve seen an incredible variation in the ratings for One Dark Window among people that I know (and whose opinions I really, actually, somewhat care about). Among the rest of everyone—it’s a hit. Overwhelmingly praised, albeit with quite a few non-rating DNFs. If you read this to the end, odds are you’ll like it. Love it, even. But if you don’t love it, it probably won’t hold your attention.

I’m actually tempted to believe that there’s a decent read here, if you can find it. But I didn’t, and it wasn’t for me. And if I’m not enjoying something, I won’t push through it in search of what everyone else can see. I don’t see it—and that’s enough for me.

This book is it! This is my favorite read of the year! I am absolutely hooked! That ending! I can not express how much I loved this book! The magic system, the Forrest, the politics! All of it was just perfection! I can’t wait for the next one!

The moment I started this book I couldn't put it down. It was just that good. Not only is the cover beautiful, the writing itself is just fantastic. It has everything I love, enemies to lovers, horror, and unique magic systems.
The magic system in this book is unique and interesting. There are tmagic cards called ‘ Providence cards’ that grant the user different powers depending on which of the 12 cards they are in possession of. There is also an infection that has granted some users magical powers. Our main character Elspeth has her own form of magic in a way, she has someone stuck in her head called the ‘ Nightmare’. The Nightmare and Elspeth truly have an interesting storyline and I don’t know how she can deal with someone else in her head. I feel I’d go insane so props to her. Elspeth also meets a mysterious highwayman who turns out to be the captain of the guard. There starts an amazing enemies to lovers storyline.
Each character in this story had good character development and I ended up loving how they progressed throughout the story. The description of the world was beautiful also, with the way the author described certain places in the book I found myself imagining it in my head. The storyline was super easy to follow and captivating. I never wanted to put this book down and when I reached the last few chapters I found myself getting super sad because it was ending. I can’t wait to read book two once it releases!
Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit Books for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

A enthralling read that will check almost if not all of your boxes: characters to root for, characters to hate, an interesting plot, romance and most importantly writing that keeps you intrigued. And the ending?! The best part of the book for me, and has hooked me in for the second one.