Listen, I am a huge sucker for any book that promises to have spooky woods and magic in it. This book was no different. I absolutely devoured the first 80% of this novel in about a day, and then I put it down for a couple more because I wasn’t ready for it to be over.
This is a dark, gothic fantasy about mist-shrouded kingdom that needs to be cured from the magic that infects it.
Along with the mist, there are a few surviving “infected” individuals who may be able to garner some of this magic to use for themselves like our heroine, Elspeth. In order to help cure the kingdom there are tarot-card-esque Providence Cards to collect, and our lucky main character can “see” them in more ways than one.
There is far more than meets the eye here though. What seems a fairly straightforward premise is built upon with love and care, you can tell that Gillig really put her heart into this, and she created a beautifully atmospheric world on the way.
I really adored the characters, this book has MAJOR found family vibes, plus an evil stepmother, and more evil characters that pop up throughout the book. I was here for the spooky woods, the Nightmare, the characters growing relationships both romantic and not, as well as the obvious lore and mythos that Gillig infused.

And that ending?!?! I will be anxiously awaiting a chance to read the second book. There are so many wild directions that the second book could take, and I am so eager to find out what happens.

Overall (TLDR)
If you can’t tell, I adored this book. If you enjoyed For the Wolf or if you enjoy very lush imagery and atmosphere, I would highly recommend this one to you. I can’t wait to go out and buy a finished copy on launch day, and it is the PERFECT time of year for a spooky book like this.
You can expect:
-Spooky woods
-Tarot-card-esque magic used via Providence Cards
-Found family
-Gothic, dark, fairytale atmosphere
-Wonderful lore that I instantly want more of
-A Nightmare

Thank you as always to Orbit for the review copy! I am so grateful to have the privilege of reading books early to give my opinions on them.

Rachel Gillig’s debut novel is set in the kingdom of Blunder. Plagued by a sickening-induced most, the residents shelter and take precaution to not fall victim to the mist and to not get sick. In this society, becoming ill means almost certain death. Because it is the sick ones that are infected magic. And magic isn’t tolerated by the King.

Elspeth Spindle was infected as a child. While her inner family knows she was infected and hid that fact from the king’s guards, no one knows of the spirit trapped within her mind.

In this society, there are 12 Providence Cards (which I thought looked like tarot cards) and they can give the user a different set of powers. The story really begins when Elspeth ventures away from her seclusion with her aunt.

The book details the old story of the Shepherd King. It plays a prominent role in the plot. As does Elspeth’s feelings for the head guard who’s job it is to seek out those who are infected and hand them over to the King.

I liked this book. It was a tad slow to start and was interesting throughout. I’ve heard some call it more Adult. I think it’s mostly YA. I wish the author Tom some more risks. There weren’t any shocking twists for me.

Having said that I’ll read the next book because of the way it ended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 🌶️ 3/5
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit books for giving me this ARC. I’m going to start off with saying that most of the books I read, I read for the romance (cause the plot isn’t as enthralling), but this book!! Wow!
The author wove an enthralling gothic dark fantasy (angsty, yet humorous). There was great world-building in this book, and it was so unique: in the mist-locked kingdom of Blunder, there are 12 different providence cards that provide magic to the user, but come with a cost: once used too often, take the opposing in return. I was looking forward to seeing each one used. To cure the mist, all 12 providence cards must be joined, and any and all infected people are sentenced to death by the king. The author’s writing style was phenomenal, I absolutely adored how each chapter started with a quote from the Book of Alders. The teaser (prologue) went straight to action (I loved it!!). There was great insightful poetry, quotes, and rhymes from the Book of Alder. The plot was so enthralling, and the cliffhanger killed me:((( my favorite character was the Nightmare, second favorite was Elm. (Seriously, I love sarcastic guys) tbh we all have a nightmare in our head.
The romance was swoon-worthy and great! MMC was tall, dark, and handsome.
Tropes: slow burn, hate to, court intrigue, touch her and you die, one horse, fake relationship, swoon worthy romance, guy falls first, cliffhanger😡

A massive Thanks to Netgalley & Orbit Books for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Elspeth Spindle has a deadly secret, 11 years ago she caught a terrible fever and now there's a monster living in her mind. If the magic-hating King knew, he would execute her immediately. The only magic allowed in the land of Blunder, and therefore highly sought after, are the Providence Cards. Highwaymen comb the forest road in search of cards to steal - maybe they'll get lucky and find a rare card! When Elspeth gets attacked on the road by a band of highwaymen, she quickly finds out that collecting 12 providence cards might not only be a cure for the monster in her head, but also save the land from a mystical fog that's been claiming villagers for centuries.

This book gave me "Monstress" energy, with a little bit of "Cardcaptors" vibes, and it's a gloomy & gothic read, perfect for autumn. I really enjoyed the ominous tension created by the looming threat that the Monster is slowly becoming stronger. I liked her as a character and I really enjoyed the budding romance between her and a mysterious highwayman. The action, and the card-based magic system was fun! The lore of the world was incorporated in small rhymes at the beginning of each chapter which I actually really loved.

One less favorable element is the set-up of the stakes, it could have been done more subtly. Every fantasy reader has read the phrases "Magic comes at price" and "Nothing is free" and yet they were both repeated so often that it became annoying.

Also, it ends in a cliffhanger so now the waiting game begins...I'm definitely looking forward to the second book and excited to see what happens next!

What a wild book this was!

This book is told from one point-of-view and it comes from Elspeth but there are flashbacks here and there to explain more about the shepherd king and rhymes that correlate with the magic system which is done by providence cards. Basically, they are like tarot cards. I loved all of the tales surrounding the cards as they were fun to read and gave me a bit more on what to expect from them. Elspeth has grown up with keeping a lot of secrets for her own safety as well as those she is close with, like her family. It must have been tough because the ruling king seems kind of ruthless and as you get to know one of the princes you realize he is to.

Elspeth is strong-willed and wants to do what is right, but she can also be impulsive which can cause a lot of chaos. I would say that in ways she can be morally grey and the thing living inside her head definitely is. The nightmare is something else and I loved the conversations they had!

The other characters in the book were just as interesting, even if some had smaller parts. I never once thought, “ugh, it’s this person again”. Even though the ruthless prince has personality, not always in a good way but he sure knows how to liven up a party! A lot of the characters have the same goal in common but it’s getting there that is different.

My least favorite part was the romance. It’s not bad per say and I did enjoy it a lot, but the build-up kind of sped up and then they were definitely in love. I do like the guy that Elspeth is interested in and their banter was cute so I’m not really going to complain that much, haha.

There were so many plot twists when it came to the plot and I was hear for every single one! They had my jaw dropping and the author killed me with that ending. I knew something was going to happen but let me down easy. It came full force!

I loved the magic system and thought that it was very unique. Nothing I have ever read before and I think it was done well. I understood it from the beginning and that’s something that doesn’t always happen when reading fantasy.

Overall, this was a fantastic book and I can’t wait for the sequel!

CW:
Scenes of terror
General violence/gore
Child in peril
Blood
Mention of self-harm for magic
Moderation sexual content
Mention of parental neglect
Alcohol consumption
Vomiting

Thank you, Rachel Gillig, Orbit Books, and NetGalley for this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Blunder is a small town surrounded by woods and mist. Elspeth lives there with the Nightmare and their secrets. Blunder is a place where magic is no longer free. Now you must possess a providence card to legally use magic, but nothing is free, everything has a cost. This was a perfect read for fall. The forest and mist come alive around you. It’s dark, gothic, and inviting, I didn’t want to put it down. I needed to know what happened next. There’s a little bit of everything mystery, adventure, romance, monsters of all kinds, and magic. I can't wait to read the next book in this duology. It was one of my most anticipated reads this year and it did not disappoint. It is one of my favorites. I will reread and recommend it.

One Dark Window was a breath of fresh air in YA fantasy. The magic system in this book and the mission the characters were on were completely unique to me, and a nice change of pace for the genre. This gothic fantasy book had me biting my nails, blushing, smiling and pulled at my heart strings. Thank you to Orbit Books for allowing me to read this ahead of its release date. I need book 2 right now!

“Mind the mist. It does not lift. The Spirit ensnares, like grain through a sift. Hold tight to your charm, And you’ll come to no harm. The Spirit ensnares, like grain through a sift.”

The prose and the poetry throughout this story is enthralling. I am just so grateful to have read it and I hope to read the sequel sooner rather than later.

I don’t know what to say so as not to spoil it but Elspeth has a story to tell and you go on this journey with her and you meet some amazing people and some horrible monsters and maybe a few that are both.

I can only say that I hope to get an in real life copy as soon as possible and the audiobook too. I just adored this tale and cannot wait for more.

A dark and beautifully twisted debut. Prepared to be ensnared by romance, dark magic found in a deck of Providence Cards, and so many gothic vibes. Reading One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig is like walking through the misty graveyard in Sherlock Holmes’ Hound of the Baskervilles where anything might just jump out at you and whisper a menacing, “BOO!” and instead of running away, you actually want to be there. It is dark and eerie, with forced proximity between the love interest, and monsters both man and beastie walk the secluded town of Blunder. 🖤

Elspeth Spindle has an ancient spirit trapped in her mind. She calls him the Nightmare. He protects her. He keeps her secrets. For a price.

When Elspeth meets a mysterious highwayman on the forest road, her life takes a drastic turn. Together they must gather twelve Providence Cards to rid Blunder of the dark magic and mist infecting its people. But as the stakes heighten and their undeniable attraction intensifies, Elspeth is forced to face her darkest secret yet: the Nightmare is slowly taking over her mind. And she might not be able to stop him.

This debut novel is truly a masterpiece. One of the many things I loved about it was the dynamic between Elspeth and The Nightmare who's spirit has been preserved inside Elspeth's mind. Elspeth and The Nightmare intimately juxtaposes the relationship between Elspeth and her love interest, Ravyn, and completely consumed my thoughts weeks after finishing the novel.

Additionally, I was intrigued by the magical cards and the magic depicted and as a malicious plague thrust upon the denizens of Blunder. If you use the magic within the cards, it takes something from you in return and these characters need to figure out if they're willing to give up something in the future for something in the present. Normally it's cool to have powers but in this magic system Rachel Gillig created, it's more of a curse.

What to Expect while Reading
A Fairytale Reimagined
Forced Proximity
Fake Courting
A Dangerous Quest
Scheming, treachery, and betrayal
Sweet, lyrical prose and poems in every chapter heading
Steamy Romance
A Magical Malicious Forest
Thievery, action-packed scenes and bloodshed
All the VENOM vibes

If you loved Dreams Lie Beneath by Rebecca Ross, Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson and the classic tale of Cinderella darkly reimagined, I promise wholeheartedly you will devour One Dark Window with every beat of your dark heart.

I could not put this book down and cannot wait for the sequel. I very rarely give five stats - I reserve that for memorable, unputdownable books, and this hits that mark dead on.

Based on the description, I thought the book could be entertaining or it could be dark and dreary. Despite the darkness, it was fast-paced and anything but dreary. Elspeth, the main character, was beautifully and believably written as someone who has long struggled with a lonely, terrifying secret. She possesses a clear inner strength while remaining very human and relatable. That said, my favorite character (much to my surprise) is the Nightmare. His interplay with Elspeth is riveting and his character development drew me in.

The writing itself is excellent. The poetry written as part of the backstory is beautiful and enhances the plot. I enjoyed every word.

One (major) caveat - I have seen some reviewers refer to this as Young Adult. There is some very unexpected explicit material in here. It was a bit jarring, almost as if there were a sudden genre shift. For this reason, I would definitely not classify this as YA.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review the ARC.

4 stars.

This is one of those books that I loved for a very particular reason but I know will not be universally liked.

We follow Elspeth, a young woman with a monster in her head who is enlisted by a group of rebels to try and lift the curse on her kingdom, while simultaneously taking down the King.

This book is incredibly plot focused, but that is what I loved about it. It's just a good story. It also has so many elements that I love in fantasy. First we have a young woman who is underestimated by everyone around her but who refuses to be a victim. We also have a dashing rebel who has those bad boy vibes that we all know we love (or at least I do). We also have a cursed kingdom, a cruel king, and an intriguing magic system based around what are essentially a version of tarot cards. And finally the slow burn romance was just the right amount in my opinion.

The downside to this story is that the author hasn't included any representation, and the inhabitants of the kingdom are incredibly homogenous (read cis-het-white). This feels like an oversight in 2022 especially since this a completely made up kingdom, so why is everyone so samey-samey?

It also reads a little young (keeping in mind there is an on page sex scene as well as some graphic violence). I think this tends to happen when you have a protagonist who is acting like a 20 year old circa 2022 ie. still figuring her shit out, as opposed to how 20 year olds were in ye olden medieval times (which is the vibe of the book's setting) when they already had six babies by then and weren't taking anyone's shit and were just tired. I would probably call this new adult rather than adult or young adult.

Like I said at the beginning, even though I loved this book, it is not a universal recommendation in my view. I think you should give it a shot if you want something atmospheric for the spooky season and you aren't looking for complex themes, or deep character explorations, and are ok with reading a young protagonist who acts young.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a free eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.*

This gothic romance had a ton of potential, and I was initially interested in the premise, as well as the moody setting.

Ultimately, however, I feel the plot suffered, and I found the worldbuilding relatively bland. As a result, this book struggled to hold my interest for the most part.

I do think there was potential with the writing and the premise.

My main issue with One Dark Window is it is being marketed as a gothic adult fantasy, but it felt like it would be more suited for young adults except maybe the spicy parts. It also didn't have much of a gothic atmosphere. However, I did like that the characters could use magic through cards. I thought that was a different take on magic. The last 10% of the book saved the story for me. Because of the ending I might be interested in reading the follow-up

Blunder is a kingdom covered in mists. Ruled by a violent king with a violent son. Those who wish to see change are working in the shadows to collect Providence Cards through any means necessary to lift the mists and find a cure for those who have been blighted. But nothing comes free, especially where magic is concerned and no one knows that better than Elspeth Spindle.

🌿

Honest to the gods above this book gave me full breath of life. I shouldn't have to say it, but definitely a 5 star read. This is the first book in a duology and I obviously can't wait for the second one. This is an ARC that I will for sure be preordering and purchasing for my bookshelf.

Things I loved-

The magic system: One of the unique magic systems I've read in a book before. Yeah, if you're familiar with magic the gathering or other card games you'll get the "tapping" reference, but I've not quite seen it done and words so for me that was pretty neat. I loved the emphasis that overusing the cards had a negative effect acted as a cautionary tale.

Characters: Elspeth and Ravyn *sighs* I loved these characters. They weren't really an enemies to lovers, but were disgruntled and reluctant when forced into a "fake courting" situation when they obviously crushed on each other. I liked Elm even though he was standoffish and I have an idea of who I would love to see him with in the future, but we shall see! The stepmother was a "peach". The NIGHTMARE THO!

Lore: The lore of the kingdom and the rulers was *chefs kiss* The Nightmare twist was a little expected, but not in a bad way. I loved how the cards were created and the rhyming and stories that accompanied them. Can't wait to see what this book looks like once they format it for print.

[3.75 rounded to 4] It's been a while since I inhaled a book so quickly. But ONE DARK WINDOW was the book my soul needed amidst the late summer bookish bustle. This is a story for fans of dark fantasy, grim fairy tales, and treason.

The synopsis of the books is on point, so I won't belabor what someone has already professionally summarized. Usually I launch into what themes are present in a book, but ONE DARK WINDOW is nearly pure escapism. And I don't mean that in a negative way. There are certainly themes of power/propaganda/fear, trust, and love/sacrifice present. But I overwhelmingly found this story to be like an old friend, as far as dark fairy tales and monsters trapped in one's head go.

In addition to the escapism aspect, I appreciated that it was easy to understand the magic system and its history. There was one section that contained a lot of information regarding the purpose of each magic Providence Card as well as its detriment. While I felt that information could have been better incorporated into the story, it didn't detract from the book. It was also evident the author devoted a lot of effort developing the myth that is the backbone of ONE DARK WINDOW. By that I mean we're privy to the actual verses everyone in the story learns when they're children, that they pass down with each generation.

One of the more powerful themes espoused in the legend is that of balance. Too much of one good thing may yield unintended consequences. This applies to the use of the Providence Cards as well as their origins and the kingdom's current state. Prior to the Providence Cards' existence the people honored the spirit of the forest and its magic. But the introduction of the cards bestowed the people with magic at their own fingertips. And, in a tale as old as time, greed began to set, tipping the balance.

Though I loved this book and its tropes, I do feel I need to shove those emotions to the side for the sake of objectivity. I felt that some of the plot progression was a little too convenient and predictable. There were a number of times where I found myself wondering how Elspeth and the Captain kept escaping suspicion. In general I prefer a little more plot tension and intrigue, but nonetheless I still enjoyed this book.

Contrary to the synopsis, I wouldn't classify this story as a gothic read. However, it's squarely in the dark fantasy realm and has vibes reminiscent of FOR THE WOLF. Those seeking a waking reverie in a foreboding fable will find their appetite whetted with ONE DARK WINDOW.

"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 she calls home - 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 the kingdom of the dark magic infecting it. Except the highwayman just so happens to be the King's own nephew, Captain of the Destriers...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."

You know, dark Gothic fantasy might be my most favorite genre, especially because it covers such a range of subgenres.

I was so thrilled to get an arc for One Dark Window thanks to NetGalley. I first heard about it on Instagram and immediately knew it was going to be the perfect Autumn read!

The author did an excellent job creating characters and a world that came alive and really transported the reader. I absolutely adore the lyrical writing style, pleasantly repetitive, like reading a powerful poem. After a bit of a slow start I couldn’t put it down!

The magic surrounding the Providence Cards was clever and original, the cast of characters intriguing and relatable.
One Dark Window is the perfect blend of romance, mystery, magic, and the just the right amount of humor.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the kind of book that sucks you in and won’t let you put it down. One Dark Window is a dark-ish, atmospheric fantasy. You follow Elspeth, who received magical powers from a sickness as a child, and now there is a secret soul, that she calls Nightmare, living in her head. She has been keeping Nightmare and the associated magic a secret her whole life, as those who have gotten magic from the sickness are heavily persecuted by the royal family. Through Nightmare, Elspeth can see these cards that give the user magic (each chapter starts with a bit about these cards, and these details really sell the dark atmosphere of the book). Elspeth meets Ravyn, head of the Kings Guard, and Elm, the Prince, and the three of them and their allies plot unite the deck of cards and heal their world from the magic.

The setting of this book is really good – like keep you wondering about all’s its secrets good, but for me, that characters in this book were my favorite part. I found them all to be really well written, with even the bit side characters sketched in enough that I had a good sense of them. They seem like real people who were making real decisions, good or bad, but in a way where you know why they are doing the things they are doing (this is a big stickler for me in books).

The relationships in this book really make it. The sisterly bond with her cousin Ione really had me rooting for their relationship to make it out of the story unscathed. And the contrast between the protective relationship with her Aunt and the cold relationship Elspeth has with her father. The whole partners-in-crime thing that Elspeth, Ravyn, and Elm have going just keeps you on the edge of your seat – I just love good team dynamics. While I found her romantic relationship with Ravyn a little tepid, there was enough of a slow-burn there that I was invested in their relationship, and this did not take away from the book at all. Elpeth’s new friendship with Ravyn’s sister Jespyr and Emory, the magic-addled brother Ravyn is trying to save just add to this even more.

Probably Elspeth’s most important relationship is with Nightmare, and I ate up every single bit of it and wanted more. He lives in her head, and as you read though you get more and more of a sense of him, and the mystery of it all is just top-notch.

I would highly recommend this book, especially to fans of Maggie Stiefvater and Brigid Kemmerer, or to anyone who likes fantasy, especially if you are looking for fantasy with a little bit of an edge.

Great retelling of an already classic story, with more magic that was a nice touch.

Sadly, it just wasn't my thing. But please do not be discouraged and read if it seems your thing.

Thanks for the chance to read and review.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me this eARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This book's release is timed perfectly, this is a great spooky/fall/gothic feeling world that you are dropped into. The world that Gillig creates has original elements, with its form of magic being cards, with the Nightmare that speaks only to Elspeth.

Though this book is marketed as an Adult book, because the MC is 20, it still feels very YA. If you are interested in dipping your toe into more Older YA/Younger Adult Fantasy, this is a great option.

Pros -
Spooky Vibes
Interesting Magic system which included repercussions for using magic with the feel of "nothing is free"
Enemies to Lovers(ish) Trope
Fake Dating Trope

Cons -
Reads very YA
Elspeth is a bit dense in figuring out some obvious mysteries
Fringe characters not well developed
Cliffhanger Ending, not stated it is part of a series