One Dark Window

I’ve seen so many good things about this book, so when I finally got to it recently, I completely understood the hype. This was also my first read by the author, and I can confidently say that it definitely won’t be the last. The atmosphere and the writing pulled me in from the very start. The story is set in the kingdom of Blunder, which is shrouded in a dangerous mist, delivering a dark and atmospheric fantasy filled with danger and secrets. The magic system in this kingdom is powerful, unpredictable, and always comes with a price. The fog-filled forests along with its long hidden secrets also added the right amount of eeriness to the story. The worldbuilding is so vivid, and the magic system built around the Providence Cards felt mysterious and unsettling in the best way. The entire atmosphere of the book gives off such a rich and dark vibe that it had me completely hooked. The FMC’s connection with the Nightmare was the highlight for me. Their dynamic is full of tension and it kept me on the edge of my seat. I found myself rooting for the Nightmare at times, yet also despising him for all the things he’s done and how he continues to do so. The slow-burn romance between the MCs added so much warmth and comfort to the story, and I loved that it never overshadowed the main plot. Overall, I had an amazing time reading this, and it’s definitely become one of my all-time favourite reads. If you’re looking for a book filled with dark, gothic vibes, a magic system that feels both enigmatic and dangerous, and a slow-burn tension between the MCs, then this one is absolutely worth diving into.

I had been wanted to read this book since I added it to my tbr and finally picked up and WoW!! I blindly read it from the start and it had me intrigued and interested. Amazing atmosphere and mysterious story filled with secrets, suspense, and dangerous powers. The ending left me what??!! I can't wait to read the sequel!!

Eleven years of living with a monster in her head, Elspeth Spindle harbours a dark secret that tortures her every single day. He calls himself Nightmare. When her dearest cousin gets engaged to the brutish Prince Hauth Rowan, she is devastated. But the real turn of events take place when she meets the group of highwaymen who attack her one night outside her uncle's house. The maiden, the monster and the Providence cards. The author creates an arresting dark theme and setting in the woods. The eerie backdrop with mysterious dark elements sets the essence of the plot. The story is fast paced and I was engrossed in it completely. The characters grow only more interesting by the end of it and the ending is left on a razor sharp cliffhanger. Be sure to buy the duology together, because you really won't be able to sleep after the ending.

At the heart of this world, lives Elspeth Spindle -- with the voice in her head. They have been together for 11 years; surviving, protecting, learning. There is another thing at Blunder's core -- Magic; both legal and illegal. Legal via the use of Providence Cards; Illegal due to the infection. But nothing comes free! The kingdom is being ruled by fear -- fear of the mist, the infection, the Destriers and fear of those who hold the power. Elspeth lives in fear too -- both inside and outside her mind. She longs for a normal life, where her thoughts are her own and the voice in them, also her own. But times are a-changing. Among the festivities of the power holders, there is a rebellion! They want to eviscerate the fear and rescue Blunder. Ravyn, Captain of the Destriers, Elm, second Prince of the Kingdom and Jespyer, a Destrier and Ravyn's sister : all prominent members of the rebel council (among others). Ravyn ushers Elspeth into the rebellion. She identifies with their cause and joins to aid them and herself. Elspeth and Ravyn soon realize that they each had a loose end of the string running from their heart which now stands complete in one another. But there are tasks to be completed and secrets to be unearthed. Council, Ravyn and Elspeth attempt to fight it all -- but are they powerful than the monster living in Elspeth's head? Or will they discover its Elspeth who's the monster? Part one of this Shepherd King duology is intricately woven with magic, suspense, determination, ambition and love. The twists make you squirm in your seat; gasping for more. The details so elusive that you are never satisfied with what is shared -- its as if you know, but do you? Conclusively, a brilliant premise for the next and the final installment -- Two Twisted Crowns.

Well 70 % of the book was ok but 30% was good and 2nd part two twisted crowns is even better so read it. With gothic setting it will going to became more interesting as you read. Love Rachel gillig ❣❣

It arrived without any damage, it's original.

Book is original but the book was Damaged and that's why I am giving 3 stars. Please be alert while choosing books to deliver to your customers.

wow...such a lovely gothic book. I' m loving fantasies these days. this will be one of the best books I read this year. This had a very unique plot, the storyline so different, I was intrigued. The world was already set so it took me a chapter or two to understand the concept of this book. But when I did, it sped up for me. the writing sinfully amazing like dark chocolate. Its sharp and grasping. You wont want to skip a word. Please read everything carefully for all words heavy with meaning and secrets and threats. You will be lost in the mist like the people in blunder if you do. If you love gothic romance, little hoor, some nightmare, a bit of magic you would want to experience, the characters complex, the sinister spirit of the woods, suspense, dystopia then you will love this book!

今のところかなり楽しめています。世界観がとても面白くて、カードを使った魔法のシステムも新鮮で興味深かったです。 個人的には、もう少しバトルシーンが多かったらさらに嬉しかったですが、物語自体がすごく魅力的で、最後までずっと引き込まれていました。 気づいたら一気に読み終えてしまうくらい夢中になって、読むのを止められませんでした。

The paper quality was good and the pages were crisp. Absolutely worth the purchase, would definitely recommend from this seller.

Llego súper rápido, bien protegidos y buena calidad son para una sobrina.

I read a lot of books, all genres, and have for a long time. This book I could tell was different than its counterparts at the start. It's still magic and fantasy with a dash (tiny) of romance. The spice level is half a pepper at best. Magic has always been something I've loved I'm 39 now but I've always loved the idea of it. And Rachel writes it by using what we know of magic but making it her own. In this case the magic is stored in cards and even those who are infected with magic, all of it comes at a price. And you slowly get fed the story of what happened through the voice that lived in the main characters head. The main character is female and a badass in her own right, but with words and not fighting. That alone was a nice change since every book Ive read for the last 20 years, if the lead is female, she's also capable of everything. And tho I am a solo human and enjoy my own company more often than not and am also a runner, I am not at all going to win a fight. So Elspeth, the main character, was more relatable rather than a true fantasy. And neither is wrong, I enjoy both tropes, but it was every nice to have a change of pace. Gillig does a good job of character development, it's probably why I kept reading. The story was very slow at first. I almost put it down and I'm really glad I didn't. I am tired of authors alluding to things but never giving you the full story. And that did get old quick. Fortunately as the story develops, Rachel stopped "hiding" things from the reader and the story started moving quicker, giving you more detail to help you stay invested. She is pretty detailed, but not overly so, which may be why the first part dragged until the action kicked in. Obviously you need to hide somethings, you have a plot to build. It was more of that foreshadowing or just not fully detailing it out or alluding to something more that would get in the way of my enjoyment. Rachel isn't alone in this, it's an overly used writing technique right now, which may be why I noticed it more. All in all, the writing was beautiful, different from anything I've read lately, took me a minute to get used to and I thoroughly enjoyed a shift from my normal pace. I loved that the story was familiar but also so different. And I am left ready to dive into book 2 and cannot wait. If that's what you're looking for, and are also a fan of magical fantasy, try out One Dark Window, I don't think youll regret it. If you are looking for that,

This book is a window into a charming place and time; featuring gothic romance, a unique concept of magic, and a captivating plot. This duology reads like a short story in its completeness and will leave you feeling full in a way that you didn’t know you needed. The writing is vibrant and poetic. The character development and movement of the plot brings pace and joy. A must-read for fantasy lovers!