- Author: Rachel Gilling
- Genre: Gothic fantasy
- Pages: 399
- Year Published: 2022
- Rating: 4/5
- Goodreads rating: 4.28
Preface:
Rachel Gilling is an American author who is quite new to the publishing game. One Dark Window was her first published novel and since then has published one more: Two Twisted Crowns, the final in the Shepard King duology. She is expected to release another book this year.
I picked up this book as a part of a book club reading. Although fantasy is not my standard genre, I was excited about this book. I started this book April 8th and finished it April 12th. I listened to this and thought that the audiobook quality was very good.
Plot introduction:
Blunder is a realm plagued by magic. The infection affects children and grants them magic, however, this magic is not stable. Due to the possible danger associated with the infection, children who are infected are put to death. The only “real” magic that is recognized by society is from providence cards, magically cards created by the Shepard King nearly 500 years ago. These cards have set rules and set side effects, which can be stopped by simply ceasing use of the card.
Elspeth Spindle was infected as a child, but against all odds, her parents kept it a secret. Elpseth has kept her magic secret for years, she has a nightmare providence card stuck in her head. The nightmare speaks to her, seeing through her same eyes, and can grant her his strength if she asks.
During the equinox feast, Elspeth meets Rayvn Yew, nephew to the King, only to find out that he wants to commit high treason. His goal is to united all 12 providence cards and break the curse of the infection, all while saving his brother. Only, he needs her help to do it.
“There once was a girl,” he murmured, “clever and good, who tarried in shadow in the depths of the wood. There also was a King—a shepherd by his crook, who reigned over magic and wrote the old book. The two were together, so the two were the same: “The girl, the King… and the monster they became.”
― Rachel Gillig, One Dark Window
Review:
I expected to only sort of like this book, but I had a lot of fun with it. The magic wasn’t too complicated that I was forgetting what everything was, but it was still something cool. The protagonists are all very likable. I really enjoyed the gothic feel that this book had, it made me feel more at home(at least in genre). The romance was mostly good, only a little awkward sometimes. Overall, I enjoyed the plot, characters, and writing of this book. I would recommend.
