One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
One Dark Window is a gothic fantasy novel that follows Elspeth Spindle, who was infected with the fever as a child. The fever is caused by the magical mist, which is a curse that seals off Blunder from the rest of the world. Those who get caught in the mist without a lucky charm will get infected, and if they survive the fever, they will be granted wild powers which slowly kill the host. The only way to get rid of the mist is to reunite all 12 Providence cards. Elspeth must team up with the ruthless King’s nephew to collect the cards before the solstice.
What creature is he, with mask made of stone? Captain? Highwayman? Or beast yet unknown?
•Gothic slowburn romantasy •Unique magical system •Fake courtship •Broody MMC •Enemies to allies •Voice in her head •Forbidden magic •Forced Proximity
•Violence •Magical fever •Whipping •Poisoning •Voice in head •Parental abandonment/child neglect •Murder
It was going to happen anyway, Nightmare. You’re strong. And I’m…I’m so tired.
This book has been on my shelf for a while now, and I had been wanting to read it after seeing the hype on booktok, but as with a lot of hyped books, I was apprehensive. Then my lovely friend Roni recommended it to me as a part of my 12 Friends…12 Months…12 Books challenge.
As stated above, this book follows Elspeth, who, after catching the fever, becomes infected with magic. At first, everyone believed her to be lucky and not have magic, as she seemed normal once she had healed from the fever. However, when Elspeth’s uncle comes home with one of the magical providence cards, “the Nightmare” card, Elspeth finds out what her magic is. Elspeth can absorb the essence of the card if she touches it; she touches the Nightmare card and absorbs the Nightmare’s soul. She can see the other cards by their colour, thanks to the Nightmare living inside her head. The Nightmare talks to her frequently in rhymes and can come to the forefront to use his strength and speed to help her, but only when she asks him to, as each time he does, she weakens.
I don’t wish to ruin the storyline for anyone, so I will say that Elspeth and the Captain of the Destriers, Ravyn Yew, end up finding out that one another has magic, and Ravyn asks Elspeth to help him collect the Providence cards to free Blunder of the mist. If either of them is caught, they will be labelled traitors and executed. The only way to heal themselves and those around them is to collect and reunite the cards. So people don’t become suspicious, they start a “pretend” courting.
The Twin Alders is hidden in a place with no time. A place of great sorrow and bloodshed and crime. Betwixt ancient trees, where the mist cuts bone-deep, the last card remains waiting asleep…
Only I can find the Twin Alders…
For it was I who left it there.
I enjoyed this book, but there was something missing, and I don’t quite know what it was. I just wasn’t hooked, and didn’t want to pick it up and read. Maybe it’s the fact that I didn’t feel any type of connection to any of the characters. Elspeth was fine, so was Ravyn…I just found it all very meh in that respect. I liked that it was a different magic system, and I like the gothic setting of the book. The mist and the fever were a nice touch. I also liked the Nightmare’s rhymes. I have seen people say this book is “spicy” to me; there weren’t really any graphic details of intimacy. He undressed her and asked if he could kiss her…not on the lips. That was as steamy as that 1 scene was. Would it have been better with more spice? No, probably not, like I said, there was no connection to the characters, so I don’t think that would have mattered. I haven’t read book two yet, I’m still undecided if I want to. My review sounds all bad, but it’s not. I did enjoy reading it, but I just didn’t love it and didn’t connect to the characters or the story.
Have you read this duology? If so, what are your thoughts?
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️/5
