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The Shepherd King #1
One Dark Window
Elspeth needs a monster. The monster might be her.
Elspeth Spindle needs more than luck to stay safe in the eerie, mist-locked kingdom of Blunder—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 Blunder from the dark magic infecting it. And the highwayman? He just so happens to be the King’s nephew, Captain of the most dangerous men in Blunder…and guilty of high treason.
Together they must 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 taking over her mind. And she might not be able to stop him.
Elspeth Spindle needs more than luck to stay safe in the eerie, mist-locked kingdom of Blunder—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 Blunder from the dark magic infecting it. And the highwayman? He just so happens to be the King’s nephew, Captain of the most dangerous men in Blunder…and guilty of high treason.
Together they must 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 taking over her mind. And she might not be able to stop him.
399 pages, Paperback
First published September 27, 2022
About the author
Rachel Gillig
6 books6,113 followersRachel Gillig was born and raised on the California coast. She is a writer, with a B.A. in Literary Theory and Criticism from UC Davis. If she is not ensconced in blankets dreaming up her next novel, Rachel is in her garden or walking with her husband, son, and their poodle, Wally.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 21,443 reviews
November 28, 2023
gothic romantic fantasies will remain on top as long as they are written this way. i’d go to the front lines for Elspeth and Ravyn‼️ ALL TEN TOES DOWN FOR THEM 😤
my god this was too mf good. i can’t even form words to express my love for this book. so ill try my best here. everything was a hit! the magic system. the characters. the found family. the romance. the plot. my scalp was tingling.
our head girl Elspeth basically has this monster’s soul living inside of her. kinda like how Venom lives inside of Eddie Brock. this is her “curse” of sorts. having a sassy tongued creature keep her in check 24/7.
then Elspeth meets homeboy (my husband) Ravyn Yew, with his knife to her chest but she beats his ass (literally) and runs ways. later they find out they have a similar problem and are off on this quest. they’re lots of slow heated moments and stolen glances. long story short: it’s kinda hard for them to break the law while they’re on this quest since the kings son is a living menace. iykyk
this book dehydrated me. because tell me why i let go of all responsibilities in my life to read this book? drinking water included.
Ravyn the man that you are. had me blushing left and right. the way he so effortlessly protects Elspeth. someone give him a medal. he’s so sassy and funny and fierce and loyal to his girl since page 1.
**Elspeth and Ravyn having a hot moment with their clothes being ripped off**
Ravyn: “Can i kiss you?”
Elspeth: “A bit late to ask, isn’t it?”
Ravyn: “Not on your mouth, Elspeth”
**lowers himself to his knees***
me: pointing a gun at my head
4.5 ⭐️
my god this was too mf good. i can’t even form words to express my love for this book. so ill try my best here. everything was a hit! the magic system. the characters. the found family. the romance. the plot. my scalp was tingling.
our head girl Elspeth basically has this monster’s soul living inside of her. kinda like how Venom lives inside of Eddie Brock. this is her “curse” of sorts. having a sassy tongued creature keep her in check 24/7.
then Elspeth meets homeboy (my husband) Ravyn Yew, with his knife to her chest but she beats his ass (literally) and runs ways. later they find out they have a similar problem and are off on this quest. they’re lots of slow heated moments and stolen glances. long story short: it’s kinda hard for them to break the law while they’re on this quest since the kings son is a living menace. iykyk
this book dehydrated me. because tell me why i let go of all responsibilities in my life to read this book? drinking water included.
Ravyn the man that you are. had me blushing left and right. the way he so effortlessly protects Elspeth. someone give him a medal. he’s so sassy and funny and fierce and loyal to his girl since page 1.
**Elspeth and Ravyn having a hot moment with their clothes being ripped off**
Ravyn: “Can i kiss you?”
Elspeth: “A bit late to ask, isn’t it?”
Ravyn: “Not on your mouth, Elspeth”
**lowers himself to his knees***
me: pointing a gun at my head
4.5 ⭐️
September 26, 2023
4.5⭐️ SO GOOD WOW. So engaging, unique and THE VIBES?!?! incredible. Need the next book NOW.
September 20, 2023
DNF at page 205
Am sorry y'all, I can't with this book 😭 I wanted so badly to love it, but the more I tried the more it disappointed me.
Reasons why I didn't like it-
1. My expectations were too high. I saw so many people love this book, so many positive reviews for this and it did make my expectations rise unrealistically high.
2. The writing had no emotion. It is written in a very bland way and comes across as if facts are being presented but all jumbled up, rather than a story being written. I was bored. I started to skim. It does have goth YA vibes to it but nothing too impressive.
3. The world building and the plot did not make much sense to me. I was confused. The cards significance took me a while to understand and I was not impressed.
4. The characters were boring and I didn't like anyone. I would have liked to know more about Nightmare but I stopped caring about it.
Yeah am let down by it and do believe it is overhyped. But instead of forcing myself, I decided to stop and move on. It had the potential to put me in a reading slump. IMO, if you like Caraval, you'll like this book.
~•~•~
It's time to see what the hype is about.
Am sorry y'all, I can't with this book 😭 I wanted so badly to love it, but the more I tried the more it disappointed me.
Reasons why I didn't like it-
1. My expectations were too high. I saw so many people love this book, so many positive reviews for this and it did make my expectations rise unrealistically high.
2. The writing had no emotion. It is written in a very bland way and comes across as if facts are being presented but all jumbled up, rather than a story being written. I was bored. I started to skim. It does have goth YA vibes to it but nothing too impressive.
3. The world building and the plot did not make much sense to me. I was confused. The cards significance took me a while to understand and I was not impressed.
4. The characters were boring and I didn't like anyone. I would have liked to know more about Nightmare but I stopped caring about it.
Yeah am let down by it and do believe it is overhyped. But instead of forcing myself, I decided to stop and move on. It had the potential to put me in a reading slump. IMO, if you like Caraval, you'll like this book.
~•~•~
It's time to see what the hype is about.
September 27, 2022
I confess I was quite wary of this book because of someone telling me it was what "For the Wolf" was supposed to be and other details that both lowered my expectations and put me on alert for a negative outcome. But it surprised me pleasantly, and despite expecting the worst, I ended up liking it.
As a début book, it isn't as polished as it should be. There's plenty of "rookie mistakes" writing-wise, but I believe its positives outweighed them and made this a good story; better than I'm accustomed to seeing from debutante authors, in fact, and more so from YA debutantes that are more hype than substance. The plotline might not be all that original, no, it has vibes from "Vespertine," and the characters aren't all that unique either. Here, you must look at the story as a whole. I won't go into the comparisons with other hyped books nor the (mis)categorisation of genres that's bothered others, as it's splitting hairs at this point and I don't want to burden the book with the missteps made by the publicity dept. They should've been more careful precisely because it's a new author.
Anyhow, back to the story, the main reason I enjoyed this is simple: in this story, magic has a cost. I adored "Vespertine," which shares the same topic of possession with "One Dark Window," and has a much richer world and better characterisation (and banter!). But where Rogerson was building on the Catholic Church's rich lore for her worldbuilding, Gillig is playing more with her own creation from bits and pieces of cloth, and one thing where she outpaced Rogerson is in the price to pay for magic. In "One Dark Window," all characters that have magic pay an awful price, which could actually be far grimmer if this wasn't mild by genre restrictions. Were this Grimdark or adult instead of YA, we'd probably be looking at "The Exorcist" instead of "Vespertine" lite.
Why is this important? This is personal preference, but in recent discussions I've had with other Fantasy lovers, one complaint was that in books where "dark" magic is used, there's no price to pay for it, or the price is hardly more than a slap on the wrist. And in this case, we're talking about possession, for goodness' sake! A powerful, not exactly morally sound being enters your mind and cohabitates with your soul, feeding on you like a parasite and giving you powers... and you're supposed to not pay a price for such a thing? Every single real-life lore where the topic of possession exists, be it by demons or other beings, is clear about the risks, but in YA it's not always the case. Hence I'm happy that, in this book, it does.
The magic in this book is based on a deck of cards, likely inspired by the Tarot. There's over seventy Providence Cards that an ancient king with powerful magic granted by a primeval forest spirit created, magic that ended up causing a rift with the spirit, who cursed the land with a noxious mist that's slowly eating away at the kingdom's lands and infecting people with a fever. To stop the advance of this toxic mist, twelve of these cards are needed, the chief ones, and use them to break the curse. Unfortunately, one of them is missing and has never been seen, the rest are in possession of the kingdom's nobles, who use them for their own ends, good and bad, always paying a price for their use. The protagonist, Elspeth, had the fever as a child and her family hid it to avoid her being executed by the king, who hunts fever survivors that possess magic, but she accidentally touches one of the chief Providence Cards that results in her being possessed by the Nightmare.
The Nightmare and her have a complicated relationship. Unlike Artemisa and the Revenant, where she was educated on what the being possessing her was and knew better about his powers and his nature, Elspeth was never taught how to use her powers, she doesn't even know who or what the Nightmare is. Which accounts for her erratic feelings and attitude towards him, screaming for help when she's afraid and lashing out when she's annoyed. The age difference and the education level definitely account for this, so I'm not sure I'd call this poor characterisation. I do, however, wish they talked more naturally and had better banter, because sometimes the Nightmare sounds like your street's resident gossip doing live commentary on your behaviour. I do wish Elspeth knew how to reply to him without sounding like a brat so often.
As for the romance, it's slow-burn, but not particularly noteworthy. Maybe because they don't have that great a chemistry as a couple as they do as partners in crime. In fact, I was hoping Elspeth would end up with Elm. He's more abrasive and distrustful, but also so loyal and doesn't go about her with kid gloves. I also liked Emory better. Well, I liked all the other male characters far more than I did Ravyn, even the Nightmare was more likable for me. I'm basically liking this story for Elspeth and the Nightmare, I want his backstory, what made him a "monster," what his quarrel with the Spirit was like exactly, what his real name is, how can he come back if he can, why he's been like that for so long, did he know Elspeth would be born and waited for her, et cetera. So many questions! And the cliffhanger this book ends in wasn't helping.
To sum it all up, this first book is pretty much a set-up for a series, shows enough but hides enough to keep interest, and I'm going to read the next because I want my questions answered.
Thank you to Orbit Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
As a début book, it isn't as polished as it should be. There's plenty of "rookie mistakes" writing-wise, but I believe its positives outweighed them and made this a good story; better than I'm accustomed to seeing from debutante authors, in fact, and more so from YA debutantes that are more hype than substance. The plotline might not be all that original, no, it has vibes from "Vespertine," and the characters aren't all that unique either. Here, you must look at the story as a whole. I won't go into the comparisons with other hyped books nor the (mis)categorisation of genres that's bothered others, as it's splitting hairs at this point and I don't want to burden the book with the missteps made by the publicity dept. They should've been more careful precisely because it's a new author.
Anyhow, back to the story, the main reason I enjoyed this is simple: in this story, magic has a cost. I adored "Vespertine," which shares the same topic of possession with "One Dark Window," and has a much richer world and better characterisation (and banter!). But where Rogerson was building on the Catholic Church's rich lore for her worldbuilding, Gillig is playing more with her own creation from bits and pieces of cloth, and one thing where she outpaced Rogerson is in the price to pay for magic. In "One Dark Window," all characters that have magic pay an awful price, which could actually be far grimmer if this wasn't mild by genre restrictions. Were this Grimdark or adult instead of YA, we'd probably be looking at "The Exorcist" instead of "Vespertine" lite.
Why is this important? This is personal preference, but in recent discussions I've had with other Fantasy lovers, one complaint was that in books where "dark" magic is used, there's no price to pay for it, or the price is hardly more than a slap on the wrist. And in this case, we're talking about possession, for goodness' sake! A powerful, not exactly morally sound being enters your mind and cohabitates with your soul, feeding on you like a parasite and giving you powers... and you're supposed to not pay a price for such a thing? Every single real-life lore where the topic of possession exists, be it by demons or other beings, is clear about the risks, but in YA it's not always the case. Hence I'm happy that, in this book, it does.
The magic in this book is based on a deck of cards, likely inspired by the Tarot. There's over seventy Providence Cards that an ancient king with powerful magic granted by a primeval forest spirit created, magic that ended up causing a rift with the spirit, who cursed the land with a noxious mist that's slowly eating away at the kingdom's lands and infecting people with a fever. To stop the advance of this toxic mist, twelve of these cards are needed, the chief ones, and use them to break the curse. Unfortunately, one of them is missing and has never been seen, the rest are in possession of the kingdom's nobles, who use them for their own ends, good and bad, always paying a price for their use. The protagonist, Elspeth, had the fever as a child and her family hid it to avoid her being executed by the king, who hunts fever survivors that possess magic, but she accidentally touches one of the chief Providence Cards that results in her being possessed by the Nightmare.
The Nightmare and her have a complicated relationship. Unlike Artemisa and the Revenant, where she was educated on what the being possessing her was and knew better about his powers and his nature, Elspeth was never taught how to use her powers, she doesn't even know who or what the Nightmare is. Which accounts for her erratic feelings and attitude towards him, screaming for help when she's afraid and lashing out when she's annoyed. The age difference and the education level definitely account for this, so I'm not sure I'd call this poor characterisation. I do, however, wish they talked more naturally and had better banter, because sometimes the Nightmare sounds like your street's resident gossip doing live commentary on your behaviour. I do wish Elspeth knew how to reply to him without sounding like a brat so often.
As for the romance, it's slow-burn, but not particularly noteworthy. Maybe because they don't have that great a chemistry as a couple as they do as partners in crime. In fact, I was hoping Elspeth would end up with Elm. He's more abrasive and distrustful, but also so loyal and doesn't go about her with kid gloves. I also liked Emory better. Well, I liked all the other male characters far more than I did Ravyn, even the Nightmare was more likable for me. I'm basically liking this story for Elspeth and the Nightmare, I want his backstory, what made him a "monster," what his quarrel with the Spirit was like exactly, what his real name is, how can he come back if he can, why he's been like that for so long, did he know Elspeth would be born and waited for her, et cetera. So many questions! And the cliffhanger this book ends in wasn't helping.
To sum it all up, this first book is pretty much a set-up for a series, shows enough but hides enough to keep interest, and I'm going to read the next because I want my questions answered.
Thank you to Orbit Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 20, 2023
✔️ gothic fantasy fiction
✔️ dark fantasy
✔️ alluring monsters
✔️ romantic fantasy
✔️ beautifully lush prose
✔️ author's debut
TREES! I love this book 😩🙌🏽
this book had no business rivaling the love for my favorite fantasy(six of crows, obviously) I've read this year. I loved everything about it.. the storytelling was like nothing I've ever read before 🥺
It's so exciting and engaging. If it isn't obvious, I'm completely obsessed with the characters 😭 I love it when every character gives and no mcs are slacking in their roles as mcs.
ngl, for an adult gothic fantasy it does read like YA but when a book is this good, that fact is barely significant. the dark gothic fantasy atmosphere, dark magic, creepy woods, fog/mists and tarot cards with potential monsters vibes were just immaculate ✨️❤️
***
♥️REREAD♥️: I read this book in April and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. I want to read book 2 but I'm going to reread this first 🥺♥️ omfggg I missed my babies, Ravyn and Elspeth sm 😭😭
✔️ dark fantasy
✔️ alluring monsters
✔️ romantic fantasy
✔️ beautifully lush prose
✔️ author's debut
TREES! I love this book 😩🙌🏽
this book had no business rivaling the love for my favorite fantasy
It's so exciting and engaging. If it isn't obvious, I'm completely obsessed with the characters 😭 I love it when every character gives and no mcs are slacking in their roles as mcs.
ngl, for an adult gothic fantasy it does read like YA but when a book is this good, that fact is barely significant. the dark gothic fantasy atmosphere, dark magic, creepy woods, fog/mists and tarot cards with potential monsters vibes were just immaculate ✨️❤️
***
♥️REREAD♥️: I read this book in April and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. I want to read book 2 but I'm going to reread this first 🥺♥️ omfggg I missed my babies, Ravyn and Elspeth sm 😭😭
February 28, 2024
4 ☆
"To the quiet girls with stories in their heads. To their dreams— and their nightmares." - dedication
I went into this blind and did not really didn't know what to expect. The premise of the magical system, creepy woods, mist, and the cards that house magic had me hooked from page one, even though I have been slumpy. I must say that it was helping me with that aspect.
One Dark Window is the first book in The Shepherd King series. The writing is like nothing I have read before with riddles that are pieces to a puzzle, and the world building was easy to understand and had me falling into it quickly. It is a dark, gothic fantasy, with secrets, magic, tension, banter, and a found family that had me wanting more.
In the kingdom of Blunder, the mist in the woods is the magic that is feared. It is dangerous as it infects those that it touches, therefore keeping the townspeople locked out from the rest of the world. There is an ultimate price if you are infected with magic, and that is death. Elspeth Spindle was infected with magic at a young age and has hidden it from the townspeople for the last eleven years. There are few that know of her infection, but no one knows that she is haunted by a creature in her mind called the nightmare. She doesn't trust anyone besides the nightmare. That is until she meets the captain and higwayman Ravyn Yew, who is hiding his own secrets and is seeking out 12 providence cards that can help free the town and help save her. She teams up with him, helping to locate the final cards even if it means getting caught for treason. Can she trust him entirely to reveal her whole truth? Can they find all 12 cards and save the people in time?
Elspeth Spindle is strong, intelligent, and mysterious. She has had to fight to keep her secret safe, and I was eating up the moments that it was physical, as she was aided by the nightmare to do so. I loved watching her come out of her shell piece by piece and sharing parts of herself that she never had with anyone.
"Still, it was the first time I stopped fearing the Nightmare— the voice in my head, the creature with strange yellow eyes and an eerie, smooth voice. Eleven years later, and I don’t fear him at all. Even if I should."
Ravyn Yew is dark, broody, and protective. He does have a caring side when someone messes with the ones that are closest to him and will risk himself to keep them safe. Oh, this man had me swooning. I fell in love with him from the beginning with his touch her and die attitude, and the way that he inserts himself to protect her at all costs.
“I resisted, Elspeth, because I was already imagining how I might press my finger against your wet lips again, like I had in my room.”
This was a slow burn that built up to the romance, though there wasn't much of it. The little that there was had me smiling and swooning. There was one scene that surprised me as this is YA, but it was so good.
“It is not they who bring the reckoning, Ravyn. It is you. It is us.”
Nightmare was snarky, sarcastic, and humorous at times. I did enjoy his riddles, dark lore, and when he would insert his comments to Elspeth whether they were wanted or not. Their banter back and forth had me cackling at times. They had a kind of love and hate relationship. One minute, she wanted his help and others she wanted him to leave her be.
"I’m just the wind in the trees, the shadow, and the fright. The echo in the leaves… the nightmare in the night."
I enjoyed most of the side characters. They had a strong found family, which I will always be weak for. I can't wait to see more of Elm and Jespyr. The one that I'm not sure how I feel about as of now is Ione, but I guess we will see if she there are changes with her to come. I just simply don't trust her. I'm kind of hoping that something happens between her and Elm. As for Hauth, well, I loathe him and feel that he got what he deserved.
I'm hoping for a little more romance in the next book, but we will see with that ending. I was not expecting that crazy cliffhanger. It left me satisfied in a way but yet wanting to know what happens next. I am also happy that I waited to read this so that I can go straight into the next book.
Favorite quotes/moments
“I resisted,” Ravyn said, “because I haven’t stopped thinking about you since that first night on the forest road. And I realized at Equinox that the closer I let myself get to you, the less I’d want to be the King’s Captain—the less I’d want to pretend. And it’s dangerous for me, for my family, to stop pretending.”
“Can I kiss you?” My voice shook. “A bit late to ask, isn’t it?” “Not on your mouth, Elspeth.”
“Are you still pretending?” I said, reveling in his gaze. Ravyn gave a surprised laugh and, in front of everyone, leaned in and kissed me. “I never was,” he whispered into my lips.
"Do you trust me, Elspeth? I blinked through the blur of tears. Do I have a choice? My darling, you’ve always had a choice."
~~~~~~
Pre-review: First new book of the year ✨️ FINALLY jumping in on the group read with the Allure girlies 🩷
"To the quiet girls with stories in their heads. To their dreams— and their nightmares." - dedication
I went into this blind and did not really didn't know what to expect. The premise of the magical system, creepy woods, mist, and the cards that house magic had me hooked from page one, even though I have been slumpy. I must say that it was helping me with that aspect.
One Dark Window is the first book in The Shepherd King series. The writing is like nothing I have read before with riddles that are pieces to a puzzle, and the world building was easy to understand and had me falling into it quickly. It is a dark, gothic fantasy, with secrets, magic, tension, banter, and a found family that had me wanting more.
In the kingdom of Blunder, the mist in the woods is the magic that is feared. It is dangerous as it infects those that it touches, therefore keeping the townspeople locked out from the rest of the world. There is an ultimate price if you are infected with magic, and that is death. Elspeth Spindle was infected with magic at a young age and has hidden it from the townspeople for the last eleven years. There are few that know of her infection, but no one knows that she is haunted by a creature in her mind called the nightmare. She doesn't trust anyone besides the nightmare. That is until she meets the captain and higwayman Ravyn Yew, who is hiding his own secrets and is seeking out 12 providence cards that can help free the town and help save her. She teams up with him, helping to locate the final cards even if it means getting caught for treason. Can she trust him entirely to reveal her whole truth? Can they find all 12 cards and save the people in time?
Elspeth Spindle is strong, intelligent, and mysterious. She has had to fight to keep her secret safe, and I was eating up the moments that it was physical, as she was aided by the nightmare to do so. I loved watching her come out of her shell piece by piece and sharing parts of herself that she never had with anyone.
"Still, it was the first time I stopped fearing the Nightmare— the voice in my head, the creature with strange yellow eyes and an eerie, smooth voice. Eleven years later, and I don’t fear him at all. Even if I should."
Ravyn Yew is dark, broody, and protective. He does have a caring side when someone messes with the ones that are closest to him and will risk himself to keep them safe. Oh, this man had me swooning. I fell in love with him from the beginning with his touch her and die attitude, and the way that he inserts himself to protect her at all costs.
“I resisted, Elspeth, because I was already imagining how I might press my finger against your wet lips again, like I had in my room.”
This was a slow burn that built up to the romance, though there wasn't much of it. The little that there was had me smiling and swooning. There was one scene that surprised me as this is YA, but it was so good.
“It is not they who bring the reckoning, Ravyn. It is you. It is us.”
Nightmare was snarky, sarcastic, and humorous at times. I did enjoy his riddles, dark lore, and when he would insert his comments to Elspeth whether they were wanted or not. Their banter back and forth had me cackling at times. They had a kind of love and hate relationship. One minute, she wanted his help and others she wanted him to leave her be.
"I’m just the wind in the trees, the shadow, and the fright. The echo in the leaves… the nightmare in the night."
I enjoyed most of the side characters. They had a strong found family, which I will always be weak for. I can't wait to see more of Elm and Jespyr. The one that I'm not sure how I feel about as of now is Ione, but I guess we will see if she there are changes with her to come. I just simply don't trust her. I'm kind of hoping that something happens between her and Elm. As for Hauth, well, I loathe him and feel that he got what he deserved.
I'm hoping for a little more romance in the next book, but we will see with that ending. I was not expecting that crazy cliffhanger. It left me satisfied in a way but yet wanting to know what happens next. I am also happy that I waited to read this so that I can go straight into the next book.
Favorite quotes/moments
“I resisted,” Ravyn said, “because I haven’t stopped thinking about you since that first night on the forest road. And I realized at Equinox that the closer I let myself get to you, the less I’d want to be the King’s Captain—the less I’d want to pretend. And it’s dangerous for me, for my family, to stop pretending.”
“Can I kiss you?” My voice shook. “A bit late to ask, isn’t it?” “Not on your mouth, Elspeth.”
“Are you still pretending?” I said, reveling in his gaze. Ravyn gave a surprised laugh and, in front of everyone, leaned in and kissed me. “I never was,” he whispered into my lips.
"Do you trust me, Elspeth? I blinked through the blur of tears. Do I have a choice? My darling, you’ve always had a choice."
~~~~~~
Pre-review: First new book of the year ✨️ FINALLY jumping in on the group read with the Allure girlies 🩷
March 10, 2024
—— 4.25 ✰ stars.
Ooookkkkkkkk, this book was quite a ride, if I didn't read it faster it's because I really didn't have time, but I liked it a lot, it has small details that made me lower my rating a little, but I would recommend this book 100% to any fantasy lover.
This review will be completely spoiler-free, and as Ramadan is approaching, I must say that the book does not contain explicit spice, there is a scene that narrates a sexual act but nothing is described in too much detail, you know what is happening but that's it, this for my Muslim besties.
'To the quiet girls with stories in their heads. To their dreams—and their nightmares.'
In a world where a mysterious mist has terrified its inhabitants, and where an infection with magical side effects means you will be killed, our main character, Elspeth Spindle, has been hiding her infection and the consequences it brought her for 11 years. A monster has entered his head, The Nightmare, which is getting stronger and stronger. Everything changes when she and a group of people (mystery mystery hehe) set out on a dangerous mission to save the city, but nothing comes free, magic has a price, and Elspeth is going to start paying for it.
'Nothing is free. Nothing is safe. Magic is love, but also, it's hate. It comes at a cost. You're found, and you're lost. Magic is love, but also, it’s hate.'
I loved the world building and the magic system, I found it very original, the cards, the story, the lore, everything, I had never read anything like it and this is already something difficult to say after so many books.
Ok, this is where I come into conflict with myself, I didn't find the author's writing bad, but I sometimes found it confusing and weird, it could be that, since English is not my first language, it was more complicated for me, but I do not know. What I do have to say is that I loved the poems and the little “riddles,” and they gave a lot of personality to the book and the story.
'My magic moves, he said. My magic bites. My magic soothes. My magic frights. You are young and not so bold. I am unflinching—five hundred years old.'
The pace of the story starts slow, the first 100 pages are somewhat tedious and confusing, but once you pass that mark, the plot picks up speed and I couldn't stop reading. Also, the setting of the book is excellent in my opinion.
I'm only going to talk about the two main characters and one more character that I really liked, the rest I'm going to let you get to know when you read. Muahahaah.
'Are you still pretending?' I said, revealing in his gaze. Ravyn gave a surprised laugh and, in front of everyone, leaned in and kissed me.
'I never was,' he whispered into my lips.
❥𝑬𝒍𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒕𝒉 𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒆
I really liked Elspeth as the main character, she is strong, and she fights her battles in a more mental than physical way, which is not as usual on fantasy fmc, because she has been hiding her secret for 11 years, she doesn't trust anyone, but the circumstances of the story will lead her to trust if wants to survive.
'He held me, resting his cheek against the crown of my head, his heart drumming against my ear. I inhaled him, leather and smoke and cedar, settling into his arms like a rabbit in its warm, safe den. I had not fit into anyone’s arms like that since childhood. And even then, no one had ever held me so tightly—as if they needed me in their arms as much as I needed to be held. As if nothing else mattered but to hold one another. As if we had all the time in the world.'
❥𝑹𝒂𝒗𝒚𝒏 𝒀𝒆𝒘
OH. YEAH. I FELL, I FOLDED, I ADMIT IT. Has he done something especially crazy to make me feel this way? Nope, but you just have to see their fan arts and that's it, sold.
Ravyn has a dark and mysterious aura at first, but he is selfless, kind and a considerate person, especially towards his family, whom he protects fiercely.
'I resisted, Elspeth, because I was already imagining how I might press my finger against your wet lips again, like I had in my room. He took in a breath, his mouth dropping to my ear. And that was nothing to the wicked things I was imagining after we argued in the garden.'
❥𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑵𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒆
He is the monster that has been living in Elspeth's head for 11 years, and in my opinion the most interesting character in the book, everything that surrounds him is a mystery, he is full of secrets, and in order not to spoil it, I will not say anything else.
'I am the shepherd of shadow. the phantom of the fright. the demon in the daydream. the nightmare in the night.'
EEEEEEE, after everything I had heard about the romance of this book, I expected more, I have not seen it as slow burn as I expected, in my opinion it goes by fairly quickly, since I am the number 1 fan of slow burn, and everything that is not 400 pages of suffering so that they simply touch each others hands seems fast to me HAHAHA. So if you are expecting a romantasy with a lot of romance, lower your expectations, because that is not the case, there is no spice.
'When he looked at me, I felt seen, known. There was a line between us, drawn by fate and magic, that stretched out over space and time. Ravyn and I had walked that line our entire lives, unaware we were headed straight for each other.'
I really want to read the second one because the ending had me screaming crying throwing up eating glass istg.
➳ Old Updates:
👁️👄👁️ ok. rtc
feb 26: I have heard amazing things about this one! Hope I love it hehe 🤭💗
'The girl, the King… and the monster they became.'
Ooookkkkkkkk, this book was quite a ride, if I didn't read it faster it's because I really didn't have time, but I liked it a lot, it has small details that made me lower my rating a little, but I would recommend this book 100% to any fantasy lover.
This review will be completely spoiler-free, and as Ramadan is approaching, I must say that the book does not contain explicit spice, there is a scene that narrates a sexual act but nothing is described in too much detail, you know what is happening but that's it, this for my Muslim besties.
'To the quiet girls with stories in their heads. To their dreams—and their nightmares.'
┏━✦❘༻𝓅𝓁𝑜𝓉༺❘✦━━┓
In a world where a mysterious mist has terrified its inhabitants, and where an infection with magical side effects means you will be killed, our main character, Elspeth Spindle, has been hiding her infection and the consequences it brought her for 11 years. A monster has entered his head, The Nightmare, which is getting stronger and stronger. Everything changes when she and a group of people (mystery mystery hehe) set out on a dangerous mission to save the city, but nothing comes free, magic has a price, and Elspeth is going to start paying for it.
'Nothing is free. Nothing is safe. Magic is love, but also, it's hate. It comes at a cost. You're found, and you're lost. Magic is love, but also, it’s hate.'
I loved the world building and the magic system, I found it very original, the cards, the story, the lore, everything, I had never read anything like it and this is already something difficult to say after so many books.
┏━✦❘༻𝓅𝒶𝒸𝑒 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓌𝓇𝒾𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔༺❘✦━━┓
Ok, this is where I come into conflict with myself, I didn't find the author's writing bad, but I sometimes found it confusing and weird, it could be that, since English is not my first language, it was more complicated for me, but I do not know. What I do have to say is that I loved the poems and the little “riddles,” and they gave a lot of personality to the book and the story.
'My magic moves, he said. My magic bites. My magic soothes. My magic frights. You are young and not so bold. I am unflinching—five hundred years old.'
The pace of the story starts slow, the first 100 pages are somewhat tedious and confusing, but once you pass that mark, the plot picks up speed and I couldn't stop reading. Also, the setting of the book is excellent in my opinion.
┏━✦❘༻𝒸𝒽𝒶𝓇𝒶𝒸𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓈༺❘✦━━┓
I'm only going to talk about the two main characters and one more character that I really liked, the rest I'm going to let you get to know when you read. Muahahaah.
'Are you still pretending?' I said, revealing in his gaze. Ravyn gave a surprised laugh and, in front of everyone, leaned in and kissed me.
'I never was,' he whispered into my lips.
❥𝑬𝒍𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒕𝒉 𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒆
'Except, in this fairy tale, the maiden has blood on her hands.'
I really liked Elspeth as the main character, she is strong, and she fights her battles in a more mental than physical way, which is not as usual on fantasy fmc, because she has been hiding her secret for 11 years, she doesn't trust anyone, but the circumstances of the story will lead her to trust if wants to survive.
'He held me, resting his cheek against the crown of my head, his heart drumming against my ear. I inhaled him, leather and smoke and cedar, settling into his arms like a rabbit in its warm, safe den. I had not fit into anyone’s arms like that since childhood. And even then, no one had ever held me so tightly—as if they needed me in their arms as much as I needed to be held. As if nothing else mattered but to hold one another. As if we had all the time in the world.'
❥𝑹𝒂𝒗𝒚𝒏 𝒀𝒆𝒘
'He came for the girl... And got the monster instead.'
OH. YEAH. I FELL, I FOLDED, I ADMIT IT. Has he done something especially crazy to make me feel this way? Nope, but you just have to see their fan arts and that's it, sold.
Ravyn has a dark and mysterious aura at first, but he is selfless, kind and a considerate person, especially towards his family, whom he protects fiercely.
'I resisted, Elspeth, because I was already imagining how I might press my finger against your wet lips again, like I had in my room. He took in a breath, his mouth dropping to my ear. And that was nothing to the wicked things I was imagining after we argued in the garden.'
❥𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑵𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒆
He is the monster that has been living in Elspeth's head for 11 years, and in my opinion the most interesting character in the book, everything that surrounds him is a mystery, he is full of secrets, and in order not to spoil it, I will not say anything else.
'I am the shepherd of shadow. the phantom of the fright. the demon in the daydream. the nightmare in the night.'
┏━✦❘༻𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓇𝑜𝓂𝒶𝓃𝒸𝑒༺❘✦━━┓
'Which perhaps was why Ravyn Yew enraged me so deeply. It was easier to hate him for being secretive and dishonest than admitting I hated myself for the same reasons.'
EEEEEEE, after everything I had heard about the romance of this book, I expected more, I have not seen it as slow burn as I expected, in my opinion it goes by fairly quickly, since I am the number 1 fan of slow burn, and everything that is not 400 pages of suffering so that they simply touch each others hands seems fast to me HAHAHA. So if you are expecting a romantasy with a lot of romance, lower your expectations, because that is not the case, there is no spice.
'When he looked at me, I felt seen, known. There was a line between us, drawn by fate and magic, that stretched out over space and time. Ravyn and I had walked that line our entire lives, unaware we were headed straight for each other.'
I really want to read the second one because the ending had me screaming crying throwing up eating glass istg.
➳ Old Updates:
👁️👄👁️ ok. rtc
feb 26: I have heard amazing things about this one! Hope I love it hehe 🤭💗
May 13, 2023
TREES! This was a great book!
One Dark Window is set in the wonderfully dark and gothic town of Blunder that is cut off from the rest of the world bc of a mist that keeps the townspeople trapped and threatened with dark magic. Anyone infected with the magic is believed to be evil or dangerous and is sentenced to death. Elspeth has hidden her infection since childhood not letting anyone know that she lives with another inside her own mind but when she meets a mysterious highwayman who holds his own secrets, she must risk her own safety to work together to possibly find a cure to the dark magic and save herself and everyone else.
This world and these characters were so lush and immersive. The writing is beautiful and engaging, there are no slow parts in this book, I was captivated on every page! Elspeth was an amazing main character, she was strong, witty and her banter with other characters was really funny. Ravyn was elusive and interesting from the beginning; I loved him so much and his relationship with Elspeth was developed perfectly! This did not feel YA to me at all btw! 😂 (in the best way)
The star of the show was Nightmare. I loved this scary psycho like monster so much and I am not even sure if I am supposed to but he was my favorite part. I like crazy and weird and he really checks those boxes.
Thank you to my darling bestie Deema for reading this book with me, we had so much fun going back and forth with all of our theories and thoughts!
One Dark Window is set in the wonderfully dark and gothic town of Blunder that is cut off from the rest of the world bc of a mist that keeps the townspeople trapped and threatened with dark magic. Anyone infected with the magic is believed to be evil or dangerous and is sentenced to death. Elspeth has hidden her infection since childhood not letting anyone know that she lives with another inside her own mind but when she meets a mysterious highwayman who holds his own secrets, she must risk her own safety to work together to possibly find a cure to the dark magic and save herself and everyone else.
This world and these characters were so lush and immersive. The writing is beautiful and engaging, there are no slow parts in this book, I was captivated on every page! Elspeth was an amazing main character, she was strong, witty and her banter with other characters was really funny. Ravyn was elusive and interesting from the beginning; I loved him so much and his relationship with Elspeth was developed perfectly! This did not feel YA to me at all btw! 😂 (in the best way)
The star of the show was Nightmare. I loved this scary psycho like monster so much and I am not even sure if I am supposed to but he was my favorite part. I like crazy and weird and he really checks those boxes.
Thank you to my darling bestie Deema for reading this book with me, we had so much fun going back and forth with all of our theories and thoughts!
December 28, 2023
5/ 5⭐
1/5 🌶️
TREES! READ IT NOW!! 🗡️🗡️🗡️
One Dark Window is a captivating journey into the realm of gothic fantasy, an enchanting world that wholly enraptured me. The atmospheric allure of dark, eerie forests, enveloped in thick fog and mystical mists, along with the sinister allure of dark magic, left me utterly spellbound. The prose within the pages is an exquisite symphony of words, gracefully lyrical, undeniably beautiful, and profoundly poetic. Surprisingly, this gem of a book had escaped my notice until it found its way into my hands through FairyLoot. I can genuinely say that if it weren't for their magical intervention, I might never have had the privilege of experiencing this mesmerizing tale. As I read it during a plane flight, the world around me ceased to exist, and I was wholly transported into the hauntingly enchanting universe of One Dark Window.
Ravyn is my new book boyfriend. Perfection.
I definitely can‘t wait to read the sequel, and I‘m already counting the days until its release.
Quotes:
“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.”
"Be wary. Be clever. Be good."
"I looked at the rose, then back at his face. Trees, that face. Austerity and beauty. An imperfect, breathtaking statue."
“And with every kiss, every flick of his tongue, Ravyn was... pushing me toward an inevitable, ruinous fall. He did not let me fall right away. By his sighs, the muffled, contented growls, he was taking his time with me. Laying waste to me”
“It is not they who bring the reckoning, Ravyn. It is you. It is us.”
🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️
1/5 🌶️
TREES! READ IT NOW!! 🗡️🗡️🗡️
One Dark Window is a captivating journey into the realm of gothic fantasy, an enchanting world that wholly enraptured me. The atmospheric allure of dark, eerie forests, enveloped in thick fog and mystical mists, along with the sinister allure of dark magic, left me utterly spellbound. The prose within the pages is an exquisite symphony of words, gracefully lyrical, undeniably beautiful, and profoundly poetic. Surprisingly, this gem of a book had escaped my notice until it found its way into my hands through FairyLoot. I can genuinely say that if it weren't for their magical intervention, I might never have had the privilege of experiencing this mesmerizing tale. As I read it during a plane flight, the world around me ceased to exist, and I was wholly transported into the hauntingly enchanting universe of One Dark Window.
Ravyn is my new book boyfriend. Perfection.
I definitely can‘t wait to read the sequel, and I‘m already counting the days until its release.
Quotes:
“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.”
"Be wary. Be clever. Be good."
"I looked at the rose, then back at his face. Trees, that face. Austerity and beauty. An imperfect, breathtaking statue."
“And with every kiss, every flick of his tongue, Ravyn was... pushing me toward an inevitable, ruinous fall. He did not let me fall right away. By his sighs, the muffled, contented growls, he was taking his time with me. Laying waste to me”
“It is not they who bring the reckoning, Ravyn. It is you. It is us.”
🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️
December 13, 2023
ALEXAA play monsters by Ruelle + disturbia & monster by Rihanna
4 stars
“To the quiet girls with stories in their heads. To their dreams—and their nightmares.”—the author
The premise of this, the magic system, the gothic haunting fairytale vibes, the romance and the magical cards?! I was entranced by it all wanting more of it. Grim, fascinating, enchanting, and sharp claws would be the perfect words to describe this
“Be wary the green, be wary the trees,”
In the dark kingdom of blunder, magic is feared upon and considered dangerous as it “infects” causing illness to those it touches. The price to be paid even at no fault? Death. The magic to be feared is known as the mist and has kept the people of blunder confined with no way of out bc of it. But that’s not all, 12 magical cards are also worth mentioning as each serves a different purpose in their use and they ultimately determine the fate of the town and all of its people.
At a young age, Elspeth spindle became infected with magic and the result? Being haunted by the nightmare—a monster whose voice suddenly appeared in her mind. She’s unaware who she can trust for good reason, leaving the nightmare to be the only one.
“I'm just the wind in the trees, the shadow, and the fright. The echo in the leaves...the nightmare in the night.”
As the price to be paid for being infected is death, elspeth has had to hide her infection for so many years and keep hidden mostly.
the key to finding a cure? *Inserts Ravyn* a captain and highwayman (we love those) 🫠 who she strangely meets and teams up with him in a secretive mission to save those infected including herself—even if it means committing treason. Aside from the nightmare who she has to coexist with. At times I didn’t know if I disliked him or liked him given his back story. He never failed to insert himself with his unwanted opinions and his riddles—they held great meaning and I reveled in them. I found him so apathetic, dark, snarky and mysterious yet humorous?! as he says so many puzzling things that left me intrigued and agreeing with him. I don’t want to compare but during some points he reminded me of tairn iykyk.
“The two were together, so the two were the same: “The girl, the King… and the monster they became.”
Final thoughts on this:
I was definitely interested in the secondary characters to this in particular elm and jespyr and saw the potential for found family given the interactions with them. I hope to see more of them and I do have to mention the breakfast scene 🤭 absolutely disliked hauth for what he did and best believe he deserved what came to him (hopefully worse in book 2). I have my doubts on Ione but I hope a few things happen with her and a particular character
**this wasn’t the romantasy I wanted it to be (high expectations over here) but the elements of romance were there ofc—it just wasn’t the sole driving force to it—only the subplot. the build up towards it could’ve been better as well yet the slow burn vibes were there and I did find myself grinning and swooning when the romance was apparent so there’s that.
the rhyme and lore the nightmare spoke in every chapter hinting at certain things had me so immersed. One min elspeth hated and wanted the nightmare to go away and the next wanted his help lmao I couldn’t keep up with her but understood. This is YA btw for those who didn’t know which I was surprised given one particular scene iykyk.
Highly recommend but don’t go into it expecting more romance like I did. overall, I very much enjoyed this and the writing pulled me in. The world building felt easy to get into and almost immediately (for me) you’re able to understand what’s going on. it ended on a satisfying cliffhanger that’s left me anticipating everything to come and I need the next book IMMEDIATELY.
This definitely gives off fall vibes and feels perfect for spooky season even more so that the second book comes out in October!
a few of the romance crumbs I ate up to not spoil the fantasy aspect of it
“I was already imagining how I might press my finger against your wet lips again, like I had in my room. He took in a breath, his mouth dropping to my ear. “And that was nothing compared to the wicked things I was imagining after we argued in the garden.” THIS. more of this is what I wanted 🤌🏼
“It is not they who bring the reckoning, Ravyn. It is you. It is us.”
“When he looked at me, I felt seen, known. There was a line between us, drawn by fate and magic, that stretched out over space and time. Ravyn and I had walked that line our entire lives, unaware we were headed straight for each other.”
“And I realized at equinox that the closer I let myself get to you, the less I want to be the King's Captain- the less I'd want to pretend. And it's dangerous for me, for my family, to stop pretending”
4 stars
“To the quiet girls with stories in their heads. To their dreams—and their nightmares.”—the author
The premise of this, the magic system, the gothic haunting fairytale vibes, the romance and the magical cards?! I was entranced by it all wanting more of it. Grim, fascinating, enchanting, and sharp claws would be the perfect words to describe this
“Be wary the green, be wary the trees,”
In the dark kingdom of blunder, magic is feared upon and considered dangerous as it “infects” causing illness to those it touches. The price to be paid even at no fault? Death. The magic to be feared is known as the mist and has kept the people of blunder confined with no way of out bc of it. But that’s not all, 12 magical cards are also worth mentioning as each serves a different purpose in their use and they ultimately determine the fate of the town and all of its people.
At a young age, Elspeth spindle became infected with magic and the result? Being haunted by the nightmare—a monster whose voice suddenly appeared in her mind. She’s unaware who she can trust for good reason, leaving the nightmare to be the only one.
“I'm just the wind in the trees, the shadow, and the fright. The echo in the leaves...the nightmare in the night.”
As the price to be paid for being infected is death, elspeth has had to hide her infection for so many years and keep hidden mostly.
the key to finding a cure? *Inserts Ravyn* a captain and highwayman (we love those) 🫠 who she strangely meets and teams up with him in a secretive mission to save those infected including herself—even if it means committing treason. Aside from the nightmare who she has to coexist with. At times I didn’t know if I disliked him or liked him given his back story. He never failed to insert himself with his unwanted opinions and his riddles—they held great meaning and I reveled in them. I found him so apathetic, dark, snarky and mysterious yet humorous?! as he says so many puzzling things that left me intrigued and agreeing with him. I don’t want to compare but during some points he reminded me of tairn iykyk.
“The two were together, so the two were the same: “The girl, the King… and the monster they became.”
Final thoughts on this:
I was definitely interested in the secondary characters to this in particular elm and jespyr and saw the potential for found family given the interactions with them. I hope to see more of them and I do have to mention the breakfast scene 🤭 absolutely disliked hauth for what he did and best believe he deserved what came to him (hopefully worse in book 2). I have my doubts on Ione but I hope a few things happen with her and a particular character
**this wasn’t the romantasy I wanted it to be (high expectations over here) but the elements of romance were there ofc—it just wasn’t the sole driving force to it—only the subplot. the build up towards it could’ve been better as well yet the slow burn vibes were there and I did find myself grinning and swooning when the romance was apparent so there’s that.
the rhyme and lore the nightmare spoke in every chapter hinting at certain things had me so immersed. One min elspeth hated and wanted the nightmare to go away and the next wanted his help lmao I couldn’t keep up with her but understood. This is YA btw for those who didn’t know which I was surprised given one particular scene iykyk.
Highly recommend but don’t go into it expecting more romance like I did. overall, I very much enjoyed this and the writing pulled me in. The world building felt easy to get into and almost immediately (for me) you’re able to understand what’s going on. it ended on a satisfying cliffhanger that’s left me anticipating everything to come and I need the next book IMMEDIATELY.
This definitely gives off fall vibes and feels perfect for spooky season even more so that the second book comes out in October!
a few of the romance crumbs I ate up to not spoil the fantasy aspect of it
“I was already imagining how I might press my finger against your wet lips again, like I had in my room. He took in a breath, his mouth dropping to my ear. “And that was nothing compared to the wicked things I was imagining after we argued in the garden.” THIS. more of this is what I wanted 🤌🏼
“It is not they who bring the reckoning, Ravyn. It is you. It is us.”
“When he looked at me, I felt seen, known. There was a line between us, drawn by fate and magic, that stretched out over space and time. Ravyn and I had walked that line our entire lives, unaware we were headed straight for each other.”
“And I realized at equinox that the closer I let myself get to you, the less I want to be the King's Captain- the less I'd want to pretend. And it's dangerous for me, for my family, to stop pretending”
May 1, 2023
Regrettably, One Dark Window wasn't it for me.
I have 2 reviews: a constructive one and a silly one. Here is my more sensible take (silly review at the end) ~~
Why One Dark Window didn't work for me
Worldbuilding (+ naming conventions):
The world of Blunder is very textureless. We learn that there's a Wood and a Mist, but little else. The upper classes all have tree-related surnames (Hawthorn, Yew, Rowan, Willow, Laburnum), presumably from the Wood's place in their culture, but the genesis of this tradition isn't explored. Why this fantasy world has the same trees as we do on our Earth isn't explained, either.
Author Rachel Gillig didn't go out of her way to create wholesale her own unique fantasy world, but so little gets described about Blunder's environment, time period, aesthetics (architecture, fashions), and culture (food, music, values) that I can't say she drew particular inspiration from anyone in our history, either. She did, however, use a variety of names from multiple real-world cultures - Elspeth (Scottish), Ione (Greek), Hauth (Anglo-Saxon), Jespyr (Dutch), Dimia (Russian), Nya (Norse), Emory (English). While these names are all equally uncommon, the lack of consistency renders Blunder's naming conventions arbitrary, further diminishing the worldbuilding.
So at least the world being named "Blunder" was appropriate...
The name 'Ravyn':
I'm sorry; I just can't get over this. This name is just too silly.
In keeping with Blunder's naming conventions of just being whatever, the love interest's name is Ravyn. With a Y. Mind you, there are other characters with inexplicable Ys in their names - Jespyr, Alyx, Tyrn - but it was Ravyn that did me in. I said before it's like an AIM username: ~*~Ravyn666~*~ or something edgelord like that. And just hearing it tells you all you need to know about him. Dark, broody, taciturn, hawt boi.
Too many moving parts (but they got rusted over from disuse so they weren't really moving...):
Creepy magical forest. Creepy magical mist. Creepy magical illness. Creepy magical playing cards. Creepy magical monster in head. Creepy magical undead king. There is also court intrigue, heists, and fake dating in the mix. While all of these plot points are more or less related, there are simply too many of them. This surfeit ensures none get explored fully, resulting in scenes like this:
Jespyr: We think this lord might have a super special trading card we need. Elspeth, see if he has it.
*Elspeth has lunch with that lord's daughter*
Elspeth: Say, your dad doesn't have any cool trading cards, does he?
Lord's Daughter: Nah, just a boring [EXACT CARD THEY NEED]
Elspeth: Lit
*Team proceeds to rob Lord of super special trading card*
Furthermore, many plots get sacrificed for one Gillig was clearly more invested in... that being~~
The Romance:
In theory, I do like forced proximity as a trope; I mean, propinquity was why Zelda Gilroy thought she and Dobie Gillis were meant to be 💕 But all intrigue gets lost when it's too obvious, and in One Dark Window, there is no ambiguity that Elspeth and Ravyn will get together. She thinks he's hot from the jump, and immediately gets butthurt when he resists fake courting her. When he holds her hand or helps her with her horse, she completely melts. And every situation in the book requires them to be together, like two animals caged together in a zoo in hopes they'll mate. No other love interests are introduced to threaten their being together. Sadly, they don't even have chemistry; the extent of their attraction is physical and trauma bonding.
The Reveal:
The Nightmare in Elspeth's head is This, unfortunately, comes as no surprise, as no other lore, history, or magic backstory is provided for it to be anyone but who it is.
I saw Gillig make a TikTok poking fun at how dense Elspeth is for not putting two-and-two together about the Nightmare's identity...but isn't that just a self-own? She chose to craft a mystery with only one possible suspect by virtue of the sparseness of her fantasy world.
Here's what I was hoping, though I knew it wouldn't come true:
The Ending:
Recently, I read Tracy Deonn's Bloodmarked, the sequel to the superlative Legendborn. Interestingly, One Dark Window comes to a very similar conclusion to Bloodmarked: In Bloodmarked, this event carries so much more weight. Being a book that challenges the oppression and perceived disposability of women of color, this is yet another attack on the autonomy of a black body by a white person with power. It's an injustice and rightfully horrifying.
What Gillig does with this similar situation is to...just use it as a spooky ooky ending? Perhaps if I cared more about Elspeth this would have been shocking, but, really, the Nightmare was already running that whole show. Everything interesting about her came from the Nightmare, so...maybe this is actually an improvement?
Final Thoughts:
Have you ever played Final Fantasy VIII? Do you remember Triple Triad, its extremely frustrating playing card minigame? One Dark Window is the Triple Triad experience. A bunch of cool cards, but vague rules, aggravating inconsistency, and an unnecessary experience (for me, at least).
~~~
~~~
And now here's my short, dum-dum review: Reading One Dark Window made me feel like One Dumb Bimbo for picking it up lol
I have 2 reviews: a constructive one and a silly one. Here is my more sensible take (silly review at the end) ~~
Why One Dark Window didn't work for me
Worldbuilding (+ naming conventions):
The world of Blunder is very textureless. We learn that there's a Wood and a Mist, but little else. The upper classes all have tree-related surnames (Hawthorn, Yew, Rowan, Willow, Laburnum), presumably from the Wood's place in their culture, but the genesis of this tradition isn't explored. Why this fantasy world has the same trees as we do on our Earth isn't explained, either.
Author Rachel Gillig didn't go out of her way to create wholesale her own unique fantasy world, but so little gets described about Blunder's environment, time period, aesthetics (architecture, fashions), and culture (food, music, values) that I can't say she drew particular inspiration from anyone in our history, either. She did, however, use a variety of names from multiple real-world cultures - Elspeth (Scottish), Ione (Greek), Hauth (Anglo-Saxon), Jespyr (Dutch), Dimia (Russian), Nya (Norse), Emory (English). While these names are all equally uncommon, the lack of consistency renders Blunder's naming conventions arbitrary, further diminishing the worldbuilding.
So at least the world being named "Blunder" was appropriate...
The name 'Ravyn':
I'm sorry; I just can't get over this. This name is just too silly.
In keeping with Blunder's naming conventions of just being whatever, the love interest's name is Ravyn. With a Y. Mind you, there are other characters with inexplicable Ys in their names - Jespyr, Alyx, Tyrn - but it was Ravyn that did me in. I said before it's like an AIM username: ~*~Ravyn666~*~ or something edgelord like that. And just hearing it tells you all you need to know about him. Dark, broody, taciturn, hawt boi.
Too many moving parts (but they got rusted over from disuse so they weren't really moving...):
Creepy magical forest. Creepy magical mist. Creepy magical illness. Creepy magical playing cards. Creepy magical monster in head. Creepy magical undead king. There is also court intrigue, heists, and fake dating in the mix. While all of these plot points are more or less related, there are simply too many of them. This surfeit ensures none get explored fully, resulting in scenes like this:
Jespyr: We think this lord might have a super special trading card we need. Elspeth, see if he has it.
*Elspeth has lunch with that lord's daughter*
Elspeth: Say, your dad doesn't have any cool trading cards, does he?
Lord's Daughter: Nah, just a boring [EXACT CARD THEY NEED]
Elspeth: Lit
*Team proceeds to rob Lord of super special trading card*
Furthermore, many plots get sacrificed for one Gillig was clearly more invested in... that being~~
The Romance:
In theory, I do like forced proximity as a trope; I mean, propinquity was why Zelda Gilroy thought she and Dobie Gillis were meant to be 💕 But all intrigue gets lost when it's too obvious, and in One Dark Window, there is no ambiguity that Elspeth and Ravyn will get together. She thinks he's hot from the jump, and immediately gets butthurt when he resists fake courting her. When he holds her hand or helps her with her horse, she completely melts. And every situation in the book requires them to be together, like two animals caged together in a zoo in hopes they'll mate. No other love interests are introduced to threaten their being together. Sadly, they don't even have chemistry; the extent of their attraction is physical and trauma bonding.
The Reveal:
The Nightmare in Elspeth's head is This, unfortunately, comes as no surprise, as no other lore, history, or magic backstory is provided for it to be anyone but who it is.
I saw Gillig make a TikTok poking fun at how dense Elspeth is for not putting two-and-two together about the Nightmare's identity...but isn't that just a self-own? She chose to craft a mystery with only one possible suspect by virtue of the sparseness of her fantasy world.
Here's what I was hoping, though I knew it wouldn't come true:
The Ending:
Recently, I read Tracy Deonn's Bloodmarked, the sequel to the superlative Legendborn. Interestingly, One Dark Window comes to a very similar conclusion to Bloodmarked: In Bloodmarked, this event carries so much more weight. Being a book that challenges the oppression and perceived disposability of women of color, this is yet another attack on the autonomy of a black body by a white person with power. It's an injustice and rightfully horrifying.
What Gillig does with this similar situation is to...just use it as a spooky ooky ending? Perhaps if I cared more about Elspeth this would have been shocking, but, really, the Nightmare was already running that whole show. Everything interesting about her came from the Nightmare, so...maybe this is actually an improvement?
Final Thoughts:
Have you ever played Final Fantasy VIII? Do you remember Triple Triad, its extremely frustrating playing card minigame? One Dark Window is the Triple Triad experience. A bunch of cool cards, but vague rules, aggravating inconsistency, and an unnecessary experience (for me, at least).
~~~
~~~
And now here's my short, dum-dum review: Reading One Dark Window made me feel like One Dumb Bimbo for picking it up lol
August 3, 2023
4.25 stars, this was fantastic!
The gothic atmosphere, the dark forest vibes, the incredibly unique magic system, the world building, the characters, the romance, the pacing...I ate this book UP and I can't wait for the next one. That ending?????
I'm really glad I ended up waiting so long to read this so I only have a few months to wait until the next one, but even so...Orbit I am begging for an ARC
The gothic atmosphere, the dark forest vibes, the incredibly unique magic system, the world building, the characters, the romance, the pacing...I ate this book UP and I can't wait for the next one. That ending?????
I'm really glad I ended up waiting so long to read this so I only have a few months to wait until the next one, but even so...Orbit I am begging for an ARC
November 20, 2023
♾️ ⭐️!!!
OH MY GOD I THINK THIS IS THE BEST BOOK IVE READ ALL YEAR I can't wait to make this my whole personality 🤭
"The girl, the King...and the monster they became."
THE PLOT
The town of Blunder is isolated from the rest of society due to a magical mist that drives those who enter insane and infected. Elspeth entered the mist as a young child, but was hidden by her aunt and uncle to keep her alive. Those who are infected are sentenced to death. During this infection, Elspeth touches a magical card that housed a 500 year old monster named Nightmare, who for 11 years lived inside Elspeth's mind and soul. In order to rid her mind of Nightmare and lift the mist surrounding Blunder, 12 Providence cards must be collected. However, magic is not used without consequences...and spares no life.
MY THOUGHTS
Words have just all of a sudden left my body. How can I physically explain in words how much I loved this book? Everything from the world building, the characters, the plot, it was all written and explained so well. The magic system in this book? UNREAL! I was hooked from the very first page and never put this down unless I had to. However, I will say that it is very confusing at the beginning of the book. Like I was genuinely very confused for the first like 100 pages. I stuck it out tho and I'm SO glad I did!! I will be recommending this book to anyone and everyone. Ravyn is my new book husband and I am obsessed with him. His relationship with Elspeth just blossomed so well and other than the magic aspect of the book, they were my favorite part of plot. I could write all the words in the world and it still wouldn't accurately display my love for this book and its characters. I'm glad that those in the book who I hated got what they deserved. Death to them all if I have a say in anything 🫡
FAVORITE QUOTES AND SCENES
There was darkness in Ravyn's quiet. I could see it in his expression--the cool control of his features. He, like me, had learned to still his face--to obscure his thoughts under a mask of control and austerity. Which meant he, like me, had things to hide.
I wanted to shout, to break the glass of his control. But I could not find the words. The day had stolen them. And the night had buried them. Weakness was King, and I his servant.
The berry of Rowans is red, always red. The earth at its trunk is dark with blood shed. But a Prince is a man, and a man may be bled. He came for the girl...and got the monster instead.
My aunt had told me once that my strange charcoal eyes were special, beautiful even--a dark window to the soul beneath. But as I glanced back into the looking glass, the reflection of my black eyes flickering to that bright, eerie yellow, I had to wonder...whose soul was it?
The Nightmares? Or mine?
His words moved something in me. The same calling from before--the same ache. I wanted him to run his hand over my mouth again--to feel the texture of his rough, hardened skin. My body was screaming, a mindless, impatient call for touch.
His touch.
"I resisted, Elspeth, because I was already imagining how I might press my finger against your wet lips again."
"Can I kiss you?"
"A bit late to ask, isn't it?"
"Not on your mouth, Elspeth."
"Are you still pretending?"
Ravyn gave a surprised laugh and, in front of everyone, leaned in and kissed me.
"I never was," he whispered into my lips.
"Do you trust me, Elspeth?"
"Do I have a choice?"
"My darling, you've always had a choice."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
i am SO excited i wanna see what the hype is about 🤭
OH MY GOD I THINK THIS IS THE BEST BOOK IVE READ ALL YEAR I can't wait to make this my whole personality 🤭
"The girl, the King...and the monster they became."
THE PLOT
The town of Blunder is isolated from the rest of society due to a magical mist that drives those who enter insane and infected. Elspeth entered the mist as a young child, but was hidden by her aunt and uncle to keep her alive. Those who are infected are sentenced to death. During this infection, Elspeth touches a magical card that housed a 500 year old monster named Nightmare, who for 11 years lived inside Elspeth's mind and soul. In order to rid her mind of Nightmare and lift the mist surrounding Blunder, 12 Providence cards must be collected. However, magic is not used without consequences...and spares no life.
MY THOUGHTS
Words have just all of a sudden left my body. How can I physically explain in words how much I loved this book? Everything from the world building, the characters, the plot, it was all written and explained so well. The magic system in this book? UNREAL! I was hooked from the very first page and never put this down unless I had to. However, I will say that it is very confusing at the beginning of the book. Like I was genuinely very confused for the first like 100 pages. I stuck it out tho and I'm SO glad I did!! I will be recommending this book to anyone and everyone. Ravyn is my new book husband and I am obsessed with him. His relationship with Elspeth just blossomed so well and other than the magic aspect of the book, they were my favorite part of plot. I could write all the words in the world and it still wouldn't accurately display my love for this book and its characters. I'm glad that those in the book who I hated got what they deserved. Death to them all if I have a say in anything 🫡
FAVORITE QUOTES AND SCENES
There was darkness in Ravyn's quiet. I could see it in his expression--the cool control of his features. He, like me, had learned to still his face--to obscure his thoughts under a mask of control and austerity. Which meant he, like me, had things to hide.
I wanted to shout, to break the glass of his control. But I could not find the words. The day had stolen them. And the night had buried them. Weakness was King, and I his servant.
The berry of Rowans is red, always red. The earth at its trunk is dark with blood shed. But a Prince is a man, and a man may be bled. He came for the girl...and got the monster instead.
My aunt had told me once that my strange charcoal eyes were special, beautiful even--a dark window to the soul beneath. But as I glanced back into the looking glass, the reflection of my black eyes flickering to that bright, eerie yellow, I had to wonder...whose soul was it?
The Nightmares? Or mine?
His words moved something in me. The same calling from before--the same ache. I wanted him to run his hand over my mouth again--to feel the texture of his rough, hardened skin. My body was screaming, a mindless, impatient call for touch.
His touch.
"I resisted, Elspeth, because I was already imagining how I might press my finger against your wet lips again."
"Can I kiss you?"
"A bit late to ask, isn't it?"
"Not on your mouth, Elspeth."
"Are you still pretending?"
Ravyn gave a surprised laugh and, in front of everyone, leaned in and kissed me.
"I never was," he whispered into my lips.
"Do you trust me, Elspeth?"
"Do I have a choice?"
"My darling, you've always had a choice."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
i am SO excited i wanna see what the hype is about 🤭
Currently reading
April 6, 2024pre-read
I have HIGHHHH hopes for this one!!
I have HIGHHHH hopes for this one!!
March 1, 2024
“To the quiet girls with stories in their heads. To their dreams—and their nightmares.”
say hello to my first review of the year....in February
So I've been in this super long book slump since like July and I think it's partly because I'm getting lazy, but we're not gonna get into that here, so I'll just talk about this book, you're welcome 😘
✦ ─ ˗ˋ ୨୧ ˊ˗ ─ ✦
The Plot
This is definitely an...interesting book. This took me over a month to read because I read it in one place and one place only, I never read it anywhere else, but surprisingly enough, I knew what was happening each time I came back to it.
The beginning is pretty confusing, and I kept flipping back pages to reread information over and over again, specifically about the cards and their abilities. The magic system of the cards in general confused me at first, but I was thankfully able to grasp it as the story went on.
I LOVED the gothic and dark vibes in this book, it felt so gloomy with all the details, and I really liked the writing style. Though it did weird me out seeing modern swear words and stuff in a book I thought of as being like medieval, but I didn't really care that much.
I also loved the concept of Elspeth having a monster living inside her head. Again, I got confused a bit with how she could see colors of cards, but I think I was just having a dull moment because it was fairly simple. It was just so interesting to see the Nightmare's thoughts and all that.
Overall, the plot was pretty entertaining!
“I'm just the wind in the trees, the shadow, and the fright. The echo in the leaves...the nightmare in the night.”
✦ ─ ˗ˋ ୨୧ ˊ˗ ─ ✦
The Characters
I know for a fact I had certain thoughts on Elspeth, but it's been fifteen days since I read this book so I'm sorry if this is a bit dry 😭 but I really enjoyed her character. She was definitely strong overcoming her differences from everyone else, and I really did like her brooding personality. Was she a bit pick me-ish? Maybe. But I can excuse it because she was super badass at some points.
Now as for Ravyn, I can't lie, I didn't really care for him. Yeah he was nice and dark and gloomy and protective and all that stuff, but I've seen that a million times. Though I've gotta say, he was definitely hot in some scenes.
Nightmare stole my heart, I'm not gonna lie. I'm also not gonna lie that I originally kinda hoped that she would fall in love with the monster in her head like if he came to life or something🧍♀I don't know why, I just thought it was one of those stories because I didn't read much of the description before I got this book 😭
Elm I think his name was was one of my faves too he was just so funny and his personality was so fun.
I didn't care about anyone else, though I didn't really like Ione that much.
“Be wary. Be clever. Be good.”
✦ ─ ˗ˋ ୨୧ ˊ˗ ─ ✦
The Romance
As usual here's my least favorite/favorite part of books! The romance in this one kinda irked me only because it just happened kinda fast. Their was insta-attraction, and then it just evolved into some other stuff, but if you looked past that, they were super cute together. A certain scene I had to skip over because I was in public but when I read it later it was very interesting to read in a YA book but I didn't care, it was so good.
I love how Ravyn accepted everything about Elspeth, for good or for better.
these book men make me so lonely that it's honestly sad that I even have to say that
“He came for the girl... And got the monster instead.”
tehe 😘
✦ ─ ˗ˋ ୨୧ ˊ˗ ─ ✦
Overall, I really liked this book, and based off the ending I can't WAIT to get to the next book.
4 stars
“Except, in this fairy tale, the maiden has blood on her hands.”
ate
<><><><><><>
IM JUST GLAD I FINALLY READ A BOOK
rtc
say hello to my first review of the year....in February
So I've been in this super long book slump since like July and I think it's partly because I'm getting lazy, but we're not gonna get into that here, so I'll just talk about this book, you're welcome 😘
✦ ─ ˗ˋ ୨୧ ˊ˗ ─ ✦
The Plot
This is definitely an...interesting book. This took me over a month to read because I read it in one place and one place only, I never read it anywhere else, but surprisingly enough, I knew what was happening each time I came back to it.
The beginning is pretty confusing, and I kept flipping back pages to reread information over and over again, specifically about the cards and their abilities. The magic system of the cards in general confused me at first, but I was thankfully able to grasp it as the story went on.
I LOVED the gothic and dark vibes in this book, it felt so gloomy with all the details, and I really liked the writing style. Though it did weird me out seeing modern swear words and stuff in a book I thought of as being like medieval, but I didn't really care that much.
I also loved the concept of Elspeth having a monster living inside her head. Again, I got confused a bit with how she could see colors of cards, but I think I was just having a dull moment because it was fairly simple. It was just so interesting to see the Nightmare's thoughts and all that.
Overall, the plot was pretty entertaining!
“I'm just the wind in the trees, the shadow, and the fright. The echo in the leaves...the nightmare in the night.”
✦ ─ ˗ˋ ୨୧ ˊ˗ ─ ✦
The Characters
I know for a fact I had certain thoughts on Elspeth, but it's been fifteen days since I read this book so I'm sorry if this is a bit dry 😭 but I really enjoyed her character. She was definitely strong overcoming her differences from everyone else, and I really did like her brooding personality. Was she a bit pick me-ish? Maybe. But I can excuse it because she was super badass at some points.
Now as for Ravyn, I can't lie, I didn't really care for him. Yeah he was nice and dark and gloomy and protective and all that stuff, but I've seen that a million times. Though I've gotta say, he was definitely hot in some scenes.
Nightmare stole my heart, I'm not gonna lie. I'm also not gonna lie that I originally kinda hoped that she would fall in love with the monster in her head like if he came to life or something🧍♀I don't know why, I just thought it was one of those stories because I didn't read much of the description before I got this book 😭
Elm I think his name was was one of my faves too he was just so funny and his personality was so fun.
I didn't care about anyone else, though I didn't really like Ione that much.
“Be wary. Be clever. Be good.”
✦ ─ ˗ˋ ୨୧ ˊ˗ ─ ✦
The Romance
As usual here's my least favorite/favorite part of books! The romance in this one kinda irked me only because it just happened kinda fast. Their was insta-attraction, and then it just evolved into some other stuff, but if you looked past that, they were super cute together. A certain scene I had to skip over because I was in public but when I read it later it was very interesting to read in a YA book but I didn't care, it was so good.
I love how Ravyn accepted everything about Elspeth, for good or for better.
these book men make me so lonely that it's honestly sad that I even have to say that
“He came for the girl... And got the monster instead.”
tehe 😘
✦ ─ ˗ˋ ୨୧ ˊ˗ ─ ✦
Overall, I really liked this book, and based off the ending I can't WAIT to get to the next book.
4 stars
“Except, in this fairy tale, the maiden has blood on her hands.”
ate
<><><><><><>
IM JUST GLAD I FINALLY READ A BOOK
rtc
May 11, 2023
“I’m just the wind in the trees, the shadow, and the fright. The echo in the leaves...the nightmare in the night.”
This is the easiest 5 stars I’ve given a book in a while. One Dark Window is a gothic fantasy that gripped me from the start and didn’t let me out of its claws until the very end.
This was a totally immersive book for me. The dark, eerie atmosphere and the action scenes made me gasp and gave me chills. The description of magic and its origins were easy to follow. The plot and reveals were tied in smoothly throughout the book.
The characters were flawed, a bit mysterious, and I absolutely adored them! Elspeth hasn’t had an easy life, trusts few people, and stays away from crowds because of her dark secret. That is, until she meets a handsome and mysterious highwayman who convinces her to help him on his quest. I love Elspeth, Ravyn, Elm, and Jespyr. This group of characters are witty, loyal, and so courageous. Last, but not least, The Nightmare. His character was intriguing, frightening, and surprisingly funny at times. Even when I wanted to dislike him, something inside me was just so attached to him and his story.
There’s a little bit of romance in this book that had me swooning, screaming, smiling (listen, there was even a too-hot-for-YA scene that I was very here for). I know the romance isn’t the main point of this story, but I love them so much together that I need more of them in the sequel!
The ending hurt—this cliffhanger almost made me cry. I’ll forgive it, because it’s meant to lead us into the next book, but I won't be able to forget it.
I loved every moment of buddy reading One Dark Window with my gorgeous queen Rebecca! 💖 Now we can wait impatiently for the sequel to publish.
January 21, 2024
╰⊰✿ “To the quiet girls with stories in their heads. To their dreams- and their nightmare” ✿⊱╮
RTC.....
Okay Sabrina & Paige & Krysta I’m trusting y’all 🤺
RTC.....
Currently reading
March 30, 2024Poetically enough, I was looking outside my window today and thought of this book, then brought it. A little too obsessed with my fantasy era 🤌
I’m about to find out what all the hype is all about 👀
I’m about to find out what all the hype is all about 👀
March 8, 2024
I don't see the appeal.
January 11, 2024
5/5 ★'s
This book was an unexpectedly astonishing read for me! I went into this one blind and I am thrilled that I did. The magic system and ways of the world were completely unique.
I felt I was putting together pieces of a vast puzzle from the start. Every time I was confused, the answers awaited in just a few chapters!
The magic system goes off of "cards" — I was imagining a sort of tarot card . The comparison is very similar as you tap three times to activate the magic!
I can't say much (I know, I know, I say this all of the time), but this one really is a treat to go into blind. The world is eerie, dark, and captivating.
Now for the main love interest...my god. Their particular kind of tension was just perfection. They made small moments feel deeply intimate. I found myself holding my breath waiting for their next words.
You might notice I'm not mentioning names...well, when I started the tale I was INCREDIBLY wrong about who the main love interest would actually be, haha.
So, in case you also decide to go in blind, I'm leaving it out of my review.
I loved the side characters too! Elm was one of my favorites, though his need to interject between the romance was funny at first — but it did get a little overbearing/childish throughout the book.
I was shocked at only 45 pages in as I explained it to my husband. I had SO much to tell him! I felt it kept my mind working, the story was fascinating, the pacing was flawless, and the romance was fantastic too.
The end?! Well. I can't even think about it. I'm on the edge of my seat waiting to hear what happens next for Elspeth Spindle.
I will undoubtedly be continuing the series in the future. I'm crossing my fingers that there will be more than two books because I am invested!
-----------------------------------
Kicking off the New Year with ALLURE's group read !!
It has started off SO promising ♡🤞🏻
March 9, 2024
4.5⭐️
mar 5: finally!!!!👀👀👀👀👀👀
“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.”
omg this book!!! The only reason why I gave it 4.5 stars and not 5 stars, is that it took me a couple of chapters to get into the story, but then I was fully immersed in the narration that I even forgot about the romance part… me. I forgot about romance. It’s absurd right????? Well this is what happened to me. But let’s talk about the plot!!
SPOILER FREE REVIEW
About the plot:
In the kingdom of Blunder, magic is feared and considered an infection, and since the price to be paid is death, Elspeth Spindle has been hiding her infection for 11 years, while being haunted by the Nightmare—a monster who lives in her head. Her safety is put at risk when she meets a mysterious highwayman in the forest. Together, they seek a cure for this infection, while Elspeth is starting to pay the highest price.
“Nothing is free. Nothing is safe. Magic is love, but also, it’s hate. It comes at a cost. You’re found, and you’re lost. Magic is love, but also, it’s hate.”
My thoughts:
I loved this book, the magic system, and the world building. The little poems before every chapter were cute at first, but then they were just confusing and kinda repetitive? For me, at least. I adored the mystery and the many revelations throughout the book.
As I said earlier, the first few chapters are kind of slow, so is the pace. Thankfully, the story picks up and keeps you glued to the pages til the end. It was so intriguing that I forgot about the romance… ofc, I can’t say anything, but iykyk…….
“Be wary. Be clever. Be good.”
➳𝑬𝒍𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒕𝒉 𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒆
”My name was a token on his lips, a barter, as if he was giving all of himself to me just to say it. “Elspeth.”
I loved her, truly! I don’t have anything bad to say about her. Even tho she has no physical strength, she’s so brave and definitely knows how to fight her own battles. And since she’s spent her whole life hiding her secret and magic, she doesn’t trust anyone, but during the book she’ll have to learn to trust others if she wants to live.
“Make no mistake, she’s beautiful.”
“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.”
➳𝑹𝒂𝒗𝒚𝒏 𝒀𝒆𝒘
”Ravyn Yew watched me with gray eyes, his head tilted to the side. He looked like his namesake, the raven: sharp, intelligent, striking.”
Again—nothing bad to say about him. He was perfect as much as Elspeth. Caring, thoughtful, selfless, trustworthy, mysterious, charming... ✨In a world of boys, he’s a gentleman✨.
“Can I kiss you?” My voice shook. “A bit late to ask, isn’t it?” “Not on your mouth, Elspeth.” His eyes turned wicked as he lowered himself to his knees,”
“Which perhaps was why Ravyn Yew enraged me so deeply. It was easier to hate him for being secretive and dishonest than admitting I hated myself for the same reasons.”
➳𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑵𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒆
“I'm just the wind in the trees, the shadow, and the fright. The echo in the leaves...the nightmare in the night.”
Nightmare was unintentionally funny and I’ve never seen him as a villain. He has dark vibes and he’s creepy and mysterious. He’s so intriguing and I want to know more about him.
“He came for the girl... And got the monster instead.”
“What did you do?"
"We did it together. Just as we always do.”
Quotes:
“He held me, resting his cheek against the crown of my head, his heart drumming against my ear. I inhaled him, leather and smoke and cedar, settling into his arms like a rabbit in its warm, safe den. I had not fit into anyone’s arms like that since childhood. And even then, no one had ever held me so tightly—as if they needed me in their arms as much as I needed to be held. As if nothing else mattered but to hold one another. As if we had all the time in the world.”
“I love when they argue,” Emory said into his soup. “Keeps my weak little heart beating.”
“And with every kiss, every flick of his tongue, Ravyn was... pushing me toward an inevitable, ruinous fall. He did not let me fall right away. By his sighs, the muffled, contented growls, he was taking his time with me. Laying waste to me”
“Tell them. Tell them the truth. When your children ask, do not lie- do not hide the risk of magic. Children are strongest when their eyes are clear. Only then can they make their own choices. Only then are they truly free. Tell them. Tell them the truth.”
“You’re smiling.” Elm looked over the table. “Does no one else find that incredibly unnerving?”
“I don’t want rest, Elspeth,” he murmured into my lips. “I want you.”
“It felt better than it should, hearing my father stick up for me. But stronger than the tug at the corner of my lips was a dull, aged pain, knotted deep in my chest, reminding me of the truth, ever present, between us. He hadn’t always stuck up for me.”
“To the quiet girls with stories in their heads. To their dreams—and their nightmares.”
mar 5: finally!!!!👀👀👀👀👀👀
February 3, 2024
this book is more meaningful than reneissance
March 14, 2024
Nothing is free. Nothing is safe. Magic is love, but also, it’s hate.
i'm so lucky to have dodged any and all spoilers since this book has blown up and went into it almost completely blind. i was enthralled from the beginning and enchanted by rachel gillig's phenomenal story.
That’s how the best lies are told—with just enough truth to be convincing.
firstly, the poems and magic system. i love the creative use of the stanzas to reveal information throughout the story as well as the lore within the book while explaining the magic system. i've always loved when magic comes with a cost in fantasy, and this system does so in poetically creative ways counterpointing the gifts the magic gives. there is little more satisfying than when an author gives me a few stanzas of rhyme and the tempo is obvious and consistent. it just itches a scratch in my brain. it was very intriguing to have the nightmare almost only speak in his riddle-esque rhymes. he also surprisingly provided some excellent comedic relief.
Now we must play at tea with Blunder’s bottom-feeders? You said joining these fools would be dangerous. You said nothing of torture.
I could have died!
Don’t be dramatic, the Nightmare said. People fall off horses every day.
the cast of characters is distinct and layered. ione was very intriguing to me with her journey, i never quite knew where to stand 100% with elm or ravyn. the precariousness of trust heightens the tension throughout the story and keeps the stakes raised. i've probably read too many betrayal tropes LOL so i won't go on too much about how that skewed my reading (inaccurately) BUT the chemistry between elspeth and ravyn was organic, well-developed, and simmering.
“What about you, Captain? Are you too nice for your own good?”
He watched me, something I could not read flashing in his gray eyes.
“No, Miss Spindle,” he said. “I’m not nice at all.”
it's quite a unique premise and the gothic setting with its fairy tale lore creates a creepy vibe that wonderfully helps drive the story and paint a vivid picture. the motifs of the mist, the trees, the salt, ravens, and crowns incorporate your senses as a reader to help immerse you into the book. the providence cards are easy to liken to a deck of tarot cards, which further encourage both mystical and medieval tones and imagery.
The Hawthorn tree carries few seeds. Its branches are weary, it’s lost all its leaves. Be wary the man who bargains and thieves. He’ll offer your soul to get what he needs.
The stone chamber—enveloped by moss and vines—stood tall at the edge of the mist. How strange it looked, alone in the ruins, unmarked but for one dark window situated on its southernmost wall.
overall, i was very impressed (and enraptured) with elspeth and the nightmare's story. i can't wait to see where book two takes me.
“The girl, the King… and the monster they became.”
i'm so lucky to have dodged any and all spoilers since this book has blown up and went into it almost completely blind. i was enthralled from the beginning and enchanted by rachel gillig's phenomenal story.
That’s how the best lies are told—with just enough truth to be convincing.
firstly, the poems and magic system. i love the creative use of the stanzas to reveal information throughout the story as well as the lore within the book while explaining the magic system. i've always loved when magic comes with a cost in fantasy, and this system does so in poetically creative ways counterpointing the gifts the magic gives. there is little more satisfying than when an author gives me a few stanzas of rhyme and the tempo is obvious and consistent. it just itches a scratch in my brain. it was very intriguing to have the nightmare almost only speak in his riddle-esque rhymes. he also surprisingly provided some excellent comedic relief.
Now we must play at tea with Blunder’s bottom-feeders? You said joining these fools would be dangerous. You said nothing of torture.
I could have died!
Don’t be dramatic, the Nightmare said. People fall off horses every day.
the cast of characters is distinct and layered. ione was very intriguing to me with her journey, i never quite knew where to stand 100% with elm or ravyn. the precariousness of trust heightens the tension throughout the story and keeps the stakes raised. i've probably read too many betrayal tropes LOL so i won't go on too much about how that skewed my reading (inaccurately) BUT the chemistry between elspeth and ravyn was organic, well-developed, and simmering.
“What about you, Captain? Are you too nice for your own good?”
He watched me, something I could not read flashing in his gray eyes.
“No, Miss Spindle,” he said. “I’m not nice at all.”
it's quite a unique premise and the gothic setting with its fairy tale lore creates a creepy vibe that wonderfully helps drive the story and paint a vivid picture. the motifs of the mist, the trees, the salt, ravens, and crowns incorporate your senses as a reader to help immerse you into the book. the providence cards are easy to liken to a deck of tarot cards, which further encourage both mystical and medieval tones and imagery.
The Hawthorn tree carries few seeds. Its branches are weary, it’s lost all its leaves. Be wary the man who bargains and thieves. He’ll offer your soul to get what he needs.
The stone chamber—enveloped by moss and vines—stood tall at the edge of the mist. How strange it looked, alone in the ruins, unmarked but for one dark window situated on its southernmost wall.
overall, i was very impressed (and enraptured) with elspeth and the nightmare's story. i can't wait to see where book two takes me.
“The girl, the King… and the monster they became.”
September 22, 2023
“The girl, the King… and the monster they became.”
Tress!! This damn book. This book is the reminder why I love reading fantasy books so much. I had many expectations from this after seeing so many 5 star reviews and they all proved right. I'm surprised that this is Rachel's debut novel because this was a fantastic book. I'll be reading whatever books she decides to write in future.
This is a gothic fantasy set in a dark and gothic town of Blunder that is cut off from the rest of the world because of the mist in its forests. The mist is the magic and a curse and it is dangerous because it gives an illness an infection to those who touches it. But with infection comes the magic and magic has a cost that leads to their degeneration. Their death. To end that curse Elspeth, Ravyn and prince Elm decided to collect the deck of all 12 magical providence cards. Each card has its own power but there are also consequences of overusing them.
I was completely immersed in the story and the gothic and dark vibes of their world. Humans, a nightmare in Elspeth's mind (500 year old monster), magical cards and artifacts, magic in the forest and the mist, a curse and an infection which gives magic but that magic comes at a cost. The world building in this was beautifully done and it wasn't detailed but it still gave me a beautiful insight as to how their world, the magic and providence cards work.
Rachel's writing was beautiful and elusive. The little riddles and poetry in between the chapters made everything more interesting. This was a fast paced story and Rachel perfectly balanced everything—the mystery, the characters' journey to find the remaining cards and Elspeth's relationships with Nightmare and Ravyn. This was written from Elspeth's pov and I loved it because how many times does a girl have a 500 year old hilarious monster in her head? I would also love to see some found family trope with Ravyn's family, Elspeth, Elm and Ione.
This is not a pure romantasy but the romance in this was Chef's kiss the slow burn, the tension between Ravyn and Elspeth, them pretending to court each other, riding on the same horse and all the swoon-worthy moments. I also want to see more of Elm and Ione because there is definitely something going on in Elm's mind. And the way he was stealing glances at her and stoodup against his brother for her!?!? I need them to be together in book 2.
➸ Elspeth Spindle
With a nightmare in her head for 11 years Elspeth started living a very safe and closed life. She is strong, resilient and witty. She wasn't trained in combats or anything like that but know how to fight her own battles and I liked it because how many fantasy books have a FMC who knows how to fight for her life? Almost all. But Elspeth wears gowns and dresses without any hidden daggers in them and she doesn't know anything about fighting but the nightmare in her head does. Which is her power, her magic but also her curse.
➸ Ravyn Yew
The new "Touch her and die" book boyfriend who would protect his girl no matter what. He was dangerously beautiful and interesting from the very beginning. Like his namesake, Ravyn had a dark aura, and he was sharp and intelligent. But he was also kind and selfless for his loved ones. Captain by the day and highwayman by the night? Ravyn had me swooning everytime with his words and actions. It was so sweet to see way he cared for Elspeth and earned her trust.
╰┈➤ Ravyn and Elspeth's relationship
They really went from Ravyn trying to kill Elspeth to fake dating each other to finally admitting that they were never pretending to like each other. It was a slow burn romance and I loved every second of it. The way they bantered and pretended to hate each other, their little glances and him kneeling before her to ask for her help, the way he couldn't help himself but stare at her mouth every damn time, the way they trusted each other with their truths and infection, the way Ravyn broke prince Hauth's wrist because Hauth broke Elspeth's wrist first, the way they fell in love.
Each and every moment of them had me giggling and swooning. I ate up all the crumbs I could get. The blind fold scene!? That was so hot even though it wasn't for anything like that. Also this was not YA and I'm definitely not complaining because that scene was just so good!
➸ Nightmare
A 500 year old scary psycho and a dangerous monster who previously lived in a nightmare card for years but now lives in Elspeth's head. His hilarious sarcasm had me laughing all the time and the dark lores and the riddles he spoke to Elspeth in her mind made me curious to know more about him. Elspeth and the nightmare had a kind of hate and yet a precious relationship. They were together for 11 years and they protected each other in all the dangerous times.
➸ Renelm Rowan (Elm)
Prince turned a highwayman and a traitor to his kingdom? Elm is the good Rowan prince who loves books more than swords or daggers, who is self obsessed with his power and his intelligence. But he was also kind and caring. His banter with Elspeth was the funniest.
➸ Ione
There was something so mysterious about her. One minute she was Elspeth's best friend, her best cousin and the next she was the brute Hauth Rowan's fiancé. I know she is upto something and maybe its bad or maybe its good? Maybe both?
This book ended at a cliffhanger which was satisfying given that this is a duology but that doesn't mean that that cliffhanger didn't ended me. I really wanna kill Hauth right now and for what he did to Elspeth. Thankfully I got approved for the arc of book 2 🤭 which I can't wait to read!!
Tress!! This damn book. This book is the reminder why I love reading fantasy books so much. I had many expectations from this after seeing so many 5 star reviews and they all proved right. I'm surprised that this is Rachel's debut novel because this was a fantastic book. I'll be reading whatever books she decides to write in future.
“To the quiet girls with stories in their heads. To their dreams— and their nightmares.”
This is a gothic fantasy set in a dark and gothic town of Blunder that is cut off from the rest of the world because of the mist in its forests. The mist is the magic and a curse and it is dangerous because it gives an illness an infection to those who touches it. But with infection comes the magic and magic has a cost that leads to their degeneration. Their death. To end that curse Elspeth, Ravyn and prince Elm decided to collect the deck of all 12 magical providence cards. Each card has its own power but there are also consequences of overusing them.
“I’m just the wind in the trees, the shadow, and the fright. The echo in the leaves… the nightmare in the night.”
I was completely immersed in the story and the gothic and dark vibes of their world. Humans, a nightmare in Elspeth's mind (500 year old monster), magical cards and artifacts, magic in the forest and the mist, a curse and an infection which gives magic but that magic comes at a cost. The world building in this was beautifully done and it wasn't detailed but it still gave me a beautiful insight as to how their world, the magic and providence cards work.
“My magic moves, he said. My magic bites. My magic soothes. My magic frights. You are young and not so bold. I am unflinching— five hundred years old.”
Rachel's writing was beautiful and elusive. The little riddles and poetry in between the chapters made everything more interesting. This was a fast paced story and Rachel perfectly balanced everything—the mystery, the characters' journey to find the remaining cards and Elspeth's relationships with Nightmare and Ravyn. This was written from Elspeth's pov and I loved it because how many times does a girl have a 500 year old hilarious monster in her head? I would also love to see some found family trope with Ravyn's family, Elspeth, Elm and Ione.
“It is not they who bring the reckoning, Ravyn. It is you. It is us.”
This is not a pure romantasy but the romance in this was Chef's kiss the slow burn, the tension between Ravyn and Elspeth, them pretending to court each other, riding on the same horse and all the swoon-worthy moments. I also want to see more of Elm and Ione because there is definitely something going on in Elm's mind. And the way he was stealing glances at her and stoodup against his brother for her!?!? I need them to be together in book 2.
“I resisted, Elspeth, because I was already imagining how I might press my finger against your wet lips again, like I had in my room.” He took in a breath, his mouth dropping to my ear. “And that was nothing to the wicked things I was imagining after we argued in the garden.”
➸ Elspeth Spindle
With a nightmare in her head for 11 years Elspeth started living a very safe and closed life. She is strong, resilient and witty. She wasn't trained in combats or anything like that but know how to fight her own battles and I liked it because how many fantasy books have a FMC who knows how to fight for her life? Almost all. But Elspeth wears gowns and dresses without any hidden daggers in them and she doesn't know anything about fighting but the nightmare in her head does. Which is her power, her magic but also her curse.
➸ Ravyn Yew
The new "Touch her and die" book boyfriend who would protect his girl no matter what. He was dangerously beautiful and interesting from the very beginning. Like his namesake, Ravyn had a dark aura, and he was sharp and intelligent. But he was also kind and selfless for his loved ones. Captain by the day and highwayman by the night? Ravyn had me swooning everytime with his words and actions. It was so sweet to see way he cared for Elspeth and earned her trust.
╰┈➤ Ravyn and Elspeth's relationship
They really went from Ravyn trying to kill Elspeth to fake dating each other to finally admitting that they were never pretending to like each other. It was a slow burn romance and I loved every second of it. The way they bantered and pretended to hate each other, their little glances and him kneeling before her to ask for her help, the way he couldn't help himself but stare at her mouth every damn time, the way they trusted each other with their truths and infection, the way Ravyn broke prince Hauth's wrist because Hauth broke Elspeth's wrist first, the way they fell in love.
“When he looked at me, I felt seen, known. There was a line between us, drawn by fate and magic, that stretched out over space and time. Ravyn and I had walked that line our entire lives, unaware we were headed straight for each other.”
Each and every moment of them had me giggling and swooning. I ate up all the crumbs I could get. The blind fold scene!? That was so hot even though it wasn't for anything like that. Also this was not YA and I'm definitely not complaining because that scene was just so good!
“Are you still pretending?” I said, reveling in his gaze. Ravyn gave a surprised laugh and, in front of everyone, leaned in and kissed me.
“I never was,” he whispered into my lips.
“Can I kiss you?”
My voice shook. “A bit late to ask, isn’t it?”
“Not on your mouth, Elspeth.” His eyes turned wicked as he lowered himself to his knees, kissing the inside of my leg, the tips of his teeth edging over my skin.
➸ Nightmare
A 500 year old scary psycho and a dangerous monster who previously lived in a nightmare card for years but now lives in Elspeth's head. His hilarious sarcasm had me laughing all the time and the dark lores and the riddles he spoke to Elspeth in her mind made me curious to know more about him. Elspeth and the nightmare had a kind of hate and yet a precious relationship. They were together for 11 years and they protected each other in all the dangerous times.
“Do you trust me, Elspeth?” I blinked through the blur of tears.
“Do I have a choice?”
“My darling, you’ve always had a choice.”
➸ Renelm Rowan (Elm)
Prince turned a highwayman and a traitor to his kingdom? Elm is the good Rowan prince who loves books more than swords or daggers, who is self obsessed with his power and his intelligence. But he was also kind and caring. His banter with Elspeth was the funniest.
➸ Ione
There was something so mysterious about her. One minute she was Elspeth's best friend, her best cousin and the next she was the brute Hauth Rowan's fiancé. I know she is upto something and maybe its bad or maybe its good? Maybe both?
This book ended at a cliffhanger which was satisfying given that this is a duology but that doesn't mean that that cliffhanger didn't ended me. I really wanna kill Hauth right now and for what he did to Elspeth. Thankfully I got approved for the arc of book 2 🤭 which I can't wait to read!!
June 28, 2023
The Dedication - 𝕿𝖔 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖖𝖚𝖎𝖊𝖙 𝖌𝖎𝖗𝖑𝖘 𝖜𝖎𝖙𝖍 𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖗𝖎𝖊𝖘 𝖎𝖓 𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖎𝖗 𝖍𝖊𝖆𝖉𝖘. 𝕿𝖔 𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖎𝖗 𝖉𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖒𝖘—𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖎𝖗 𝖓𝖎𝖌𝖍𝖙𝖒𝖆𝖗𝖊𝖘.
𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖌𝖎𝖗𝖑, 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕶𝖎𝖓𝖌… 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖒𝖔𝖓𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝕿𝖍𝖊𝖞 𝕭𝖊𝖈𝖆𝖒𝖊
𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙛𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚’𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙙. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣, 𝙣𝙤 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙙 𝙢𝙚 𝙨𝙤 𝙩𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙡𝙮—𝙖𝙨 𝙞𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙨 𝙖𝙨 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙖𝙨 𝙄 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙙. 𝘼𝙨 𝙞𝙛 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧. 𝘼𝙨 𝙞𝙛 𝙬𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙.
I was sucked into their universe. Elspeth, Ravyn, Elm, and Jespyr—I love them. The characters in this book perfectly balance one another, and with their uniqueness, each makes the story so much more interesting.
“𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙄 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣?” 𝙉𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙, 𝙄 𝙨𝙖𝙞𝙙, 𝙘𝙧𝙖𝙬𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨. 𝙄’𝙢 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙨, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙙𝙤𝙬, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙘𝙝𝙤 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙨… 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩.
And of course, I have to mention The Nightmare. He's just the best. So funny, sarcastic, grumpy, and caring (in his very weird way). He will be very welcome in my head lmao
“𝘽𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙣, 𝙗𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙨,” 𝙄 𝙨𝙖𝙞𝙙, 𝙢𝙮 𝙫𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙤𝙬𝙣, 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙. “𝘽𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙤𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙨. 𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙥 𝙤𝙛𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙝—𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙝. 𝘽𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙤𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙨.”
This book is mesmerising; the writing is so magical and magnificent that I just love everything about it. I love the dark, magical, gothic vibe that makes me shiver. And this book is so hot to be a YA and I love it so much. The ending is making me crazy because what's with that cliffhanger? But it's okay. It's okay. With 4 months to go until book 2, it's okay….
𝕭𝖊 𝖜𝖆𝖗𝖞. 𝕭𝖊 𝖈𝖑𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖗. 𝕭𝖊 𝖌𝖔𝖔𝖉.
------
i'm so excited for this book
𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖌𝖎𝖗𝖑, 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕶𝖎𝖓𝖌… 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖒𝖔𝖓𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝕿𝖍𝖊𝖞 𝕭𝖊𝖈𝖆𝖒𝖊
𝖠𝗌 𝖺 𝗋𝖾𝗌𝗎𝗅𝗍 𝗈𝖿 𝖻𝖾𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗂𝗇𝖿𝖾𝖼𝗍𝖾𝖽, 𝖤𝗅𝗌𝗉𝖾𝗍𝗁 𝗀𝖺𝗂𝗇𝗌 𝗆𝖺𝗀𝗂𝖼𝖺𝗅 𝗉𝗈𝗐𝖾𝗋. 𝖡𝗎𝗍 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗅𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗈𝖿 𝖡𝗅𝗎𝗇𝖽𝖾𝗋 𝗐𝖺𝗌 𝖺𝗀𝖺𝗂𝗇𝗌𝗍 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗉𝖾𝗈𝗉𝗅𝖾 𝗐𝗁𝗈 𝗐𝖾𝗋𝖾 𝗂𝗇𝖿𝖾𝖼𝗍𝖾𝖽, 𝗌𝗈 𝖺𝗅𝗅 𝗁𝖾𝗋 𝗅𝗂𝖿𝖾, 𝖤𝗅𝗌𝗉𝖾𝗍𝗁 𝗐𝖺𝗌 𝗁𝗂𝖽𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖿𝗋𝗈𝗆 𝗁𝖾𝗋 𝗍𝗋𝗎𝖾 𝗌𝖾𝗅𝖿 𝗎𝗇𝗍𝗂𝗅 𝗌𝗁𝖾 𝗆𝖾𝗍 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗆𝗒𝗌𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗂𝗈𝗎𝗌 𝗁𝗂𝗀𝗁𝗐𝖺𝗒𝗆𝖺𝗇 𝗈𝗇 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖿𝗈𝗋𝖾𝗌𝗍 𝗋𝗈𝖺𝖽.
𝖡𝗎𝗍 𝗇𝗈𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖼𝗈𝗆𝖾𝗌 𝖿𝗋𝖾𝖾. 𝖭𝗈𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗂𝗌 𝗌𝖺𝖿𝖾. 𝖬𝖺𝗀𝗂𝖼 𝖺𝗅𝗐𝖺𝗒𝗌 𝖼𝗈𝗆𝖾𝗌 𝖺𝗍 𝖺 𝖼𝗈𝗌𝗍.
𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙛𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚’𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙙. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣, 𝙣𝙤 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙙 𝙢𝙚 𝙨𝙤 𝙩𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙡𝙮—𝙖𝙨 𝙞𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙨 𝙖𝙨 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙖𝙨 𝙄 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙙. 𝘼𝙨 𝙞𝙛 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧. 𝘼𝙨 𝙞𝙛 𝙬𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙.
I was sucked into their universe. Elspeth, Ravyn, Elm, and Jespyr—I love them. The characters in this book perfectly balance one another, and with their uniqueness, each makes the story so much more interesting.
“𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙄 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣?” 𝙉𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙, 𝙄 𝙨𝙖𝙞𝙙, 𝙘𝙧𝙖𝙬𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨. 𝙄’𝙢 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙨, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙙𝙤𝙬, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙘𝙝𝙤 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙨… 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩.
And of course, I have to mention The Nightmare. He's just the best. So funny, sarcastic, grumpy, and caring (in his very weird way). He will be very welcome in my head lmao
“𝘽𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙣, 𝙗𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙨,” 𝙄 𝙨𝙖𝙞𝙙, 𝙢𝙮 𝙫𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙤𝙬𝙣, 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙. “𝘽𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙤𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙨. 𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙥 𝙤𝙛𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙝—𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙝. 𝘽𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙤𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙨.”
This book is mesmerising; the writing is so magical and magnificent that I just love everything about it. I love the dark, magical, gothic vibe that makes me shiver. And this book is so hot to be a YA and I love it so much. The ending is making me crazy because what's with that cliffhanger? But it's okay. It's okay. With 4 months to go until book 2, it's okay….
𝕭𝖊 𝖜𝖆𝖗𝖞. 𝕭𝖊 𝖈𝖑𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖗. 𝕭𝖊 𝖌𝖔𝖔𝖉.
------
i'm so excited for this book
October 27, 2023
Elspeth got a fever when she was little and now has a furry Dr. Seuss with a mean right hook in her head. She meets a guy with a dumb name and the cleanliness habits of a frat boy. He brings her to a meeting with his wackadoo family and she finds out they’re trying to get a bunch of Pokémon cards so they can break a fog curse. Ravyn needs Elspeth nearby so they pretend to date; I’m not questioning it and you shouldn’t either. There are three thousand “his smile didn’t touch his eyes”. Everyone is named after a tree, which is pretty obvious and yet I managed to miss until someone pointed it out to me. Trees are also, like, sacred or whatever. Big Botany Energy. Magic smells like salt, a tricky feat since salt doesn’t smell like anything. The letter Y is employed so much it deserves decent medical insurance coverage. There’s a cousin who’s a huge asshole marrying a cousin who’s turned into Soulless Barbie. Will voices stop dripping with oil? Beats me.
March 28, 2024
･:*:･ﾟ⁀➷ 4.5/5 ★
Omggg i ate this up!! 🤭🤭 This was such a strong start to a series and the gothic vibes were absolute perfection. I loved it 🪷✨️
“To the quiet girls with stories in their heads.
To their dreams—and their nightmares.”
Tropes:
🃏Gothic fantasy
🃏Morally grey love interest
🃏Fmc with secret powers
🃏Bit of fake dating
I feel like this series really blew up last year, so I've been wanting to read it for ages and i'm so so glad I finally got to it!! the hype is fully deserved for this one imo bc it was so enjoyable 🫶🫶
⁀➷ Writing & vibes:
Like I said before, this is a gothic fantasy so obviously the whole vibe of the book was one of my fav parts. I've a couple gothic books before (like belladonna) but I really need to pick up more bc this was soo good!! 🤭🤭 the atmosphere of this was absolute perfection & so deliciously dark. It felt like a dark, twisted fairytale and those vibes were everything to me aah 🖤🖤 It's such an atmospheric read and perfect for autumn! 🍂✨️
The writing style wasn't my absolute fav, but it flowed really well and matched the gothic atmosphere so well. It wasn't perfectly polished but actually so impressive for a debut omg 🫢🫢
“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.”
⁀➷ Characters:
I actually really enjoyed all the characters in here! I got a lot more attached to them than I thought I would 🥹🫶
➵ Elspeth: she was a pretty good mc! I really enjoyed reading about her inner turmoil & struggle with the Nightmare, and i feel like her darker personality suited the book really well 🥰🥰
➵ Ravyn: MY MAN 😚 he was honestly a great love interest- i loved how he was definitely morally grey, but still had a sweeter & caring side. he definitely had me giggling and kicking my feet at points 🤭🤭🦋🦋
➵ Elm: OMG I LOVE HIMM 🤭✋️ now i finally understand how everyone is obsessed with him bc me too!! he's so hot, but also hilarious and provided the comedic relief we desperately needed. he feels like the kenji of this series and i am here for it. I actually can't wait to get his pov in book 2! 🫶🫶
⁀➷ Romance:
wait i actually kinda loved the romance?! 👀🤭 i was not expecting to, but it really surprised me. The tension between elspeth and ravyn was done soo well and i loved the little fake dating aspect hehehe 🦋🦋 Plus when I read this part:
"Can I kiss you?"
My voice shook. "A bit late to ask, isn't it?"
"Not on your mouth, Elspeth." His eyes turned wicked as he lowered himself to his knees"
i think my soul left my body. Is it just me or is it hot in here?? 🥵🥵
I think my main issue with the book was that the pacing was a little off and i feel like a lot more could've happened. The plot was really interesting, but i think it moved just a little too slowly.
“Are you still pretending?” I said, reveling in his gaze. Ravyn gave a surprised laugh and, in front of everyone, leaned in and kissed me. “I never was,” he whispered into my lips.”
⁀➷ Playlist:
➵ Daylight- David Kushner
➵ the lakes- Taylor Swift
➵ Young and Beautiful- Lana Del Rey
➵ Angel of Small Death & the Codeine Scene- Hozier
⁀➷ In conclusion:
I thoroughly enjoyed this!! 🥹🫶 I would highly recommend if you're looking for:
✔️ Stunning gothic vibes
✔️ Great characters
✔️ Interesting story
✔️ Romance with lots of tension
I'm super excited to pick up the sequel 💌
《 2024 Challenge: Book 42 of 115 》
･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ
AHHH THIS WAS SO GOOD 🤭🤭 the gothic vibes were immaculate, the story was so interesting and the romance?! Chef's kiss 🥹🫶
Rtc! 🌷
Omggg i ate this up!! 🤭🤭 This was such a strong start to a series and the gothic vibes were absolute perfection. I loved it 🪷✨️
“To the quiet girls with stories in their heads.
To their dreams—and their nightmares.”
Tropes:
🃏Gothic fantasy
🃏Morally grey love interest
🃏Fmc with secret powers
🃏Bit of fake dating
I feel like this series really blew up last year, so I've been wanting to read it for ages and i'm so so glad I finally got to it!! the hype is fully deserved for this one imo bc it was so enjoyable 🫶🫶
⁀➷ Writing & vibes:
Like I said before, this is a gothic fantasy so obviously the whole vibe of the book was one of my fav parts. I've a couple gothic books before (like belladonna) but I really need to pick up more bc this was soo good!! 🤭🤭 the atmosphere of this was absolute perfection & so deliciously dark. It felt like a dark, twisted fairytale and those vibes were everything to me aah 🖤🖤 It's such an atmospheric read and perfect for autumn! 🍂✨️
The writing style wasn't my absolute fav, but it flowed really well and matched the gothic atmosphere so well. It wasn't perfectly polished but actually so impressive for a debut omg 🫢🫢
“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.”
⁀➷ Characters:
I actually really enjoyed all the characters in here! I got a lot more attached to them than I thought I would 🥹🫶
➵ Elspeth: she was a pretty good mc! I really enjoyed reading about her inner turmoil & struggle with the Nightmare, and i feel like her darker personality suited the book really well 🥰🥰
➵ Ravyn: MY MAN 😚 he was honestly a great love interest- i loved how he was definitely morally grey, but still had a sweeter & caring side. he definitely had me giggling and kicking my feet at points 🤭🤭🦋🦋
➵ Elm: OMG I LOVE HIMM 🤭✋️ now i finally understand how everyone is obsessed with him bc me too!! he's so hot, but also hilarious and provided the comedic relief we desperately needed. he feels like the kenji of this series and i am here for it. I actually can't wait to get his pov in book 2! 🫶🫶
⁀➷ Romance:
wait i actually kinda loved the romance?! 👀🤭 i was not expecting to, but it really surprised me. The tension between elspeth and ravyn was done soo well and i loved the little fake dating aspect hehehe 🦋🦋 Plus when I read this part:
"Can I kiss you?"
My voice shook. "A bit late to ask, isn't it?"
"Not on your mouth, Elspeth." His eyes turned wicked as he lowered himself to his knees"
i think my soul left my body. Is it just me or is it hot in here?? 🥵🥵
I think my main issue with the book was that the pacing was a little off and i feel like a lot more could've happened. The plot was really interesting, but i think it moved just a little too slowly.
“Are you still pretending?” I said, reveling in his gaze. Ravyn gave a surprised laugh and, in front of everyone, leaned in and kissed me. “I never was,” he whispered into my lips.”
⁀➷ Playlist:
➵ Daylight- David Kushner
➵ the lakes- Taylor Swift
➵ Young and Beautiful- Lana Del Rey
➵ Angel of Small Death & the Codeine Scene- Hozier
⁀➷ In conclusion:
I thoroughly enjoyed this!! 🥹🫶 I would highly recommend if you're looking for:
✔️ Stunning gothic vibes
✔️ Great characters
✔️ Interesting story
✔️ Romance with lots of tension
I'm super excited to pick up the sequel 💌
《 2024 Challenge: Book 42 of 115 》
･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ
AHHH THIS WAS SO GOOD 🤭🤭 the gothic vibes were immaculate, the story was so interesting and the romance?! Chef's kiss 🥹🫶
Rtc! 🌷
January 8, 2024
this was not at all what i expected, but somehow in a way that was better than i ever could have imagined ♡ the slow burn, tarot card inspired magic system, found family, gothic fantasy was something i never knew i needed, but could not live w/out now. truly, this is unique and is 2:30am an inappropriate time to start the second one ??? cause like, I NEED TO KNOW!! i read this start to finish in a day I COULD NOT PUT DOWN ₊✩‧₊˚౨ৎ˚₊✩‧₊ rachel gillig slayed this mhmmm
February 21, 2024
➵ 2 ✰ 🃏
- will contain minor spoilers
⤿ dnf at page 200 (50%)
first dnf of the month 🥳
this was so incredibly boring. which makes me sad because it's a gothic adult fantasy and i am the target audience . however, this has to have the most interesting premise paired with the most uninteresting plot. i can probably reread all the books in the shadowhunter universe before i encounter a plot point that is actually engaging. this is coming from someone who loves slow-paced books. my favourite book is literally babel. plus this felt very ya. nothing about it felt adult apart from a spicy scene that apparently appears later.
or maybe this had the misfortune of being my next read after the poppy war. who knows 🤷♀️
minor spoilers
not to mention, that the stakes are almost non-existent. what is the point of trying to get rid of the mist if suddenly all the infected are apparently immuned? and what's the point if you team up with royalty? like what are the stakes? especially if they're basically constantly pardoned. i'm just bored.
and the characters. BORING . elspeth is like 50% elspeth and 50% nightmare and i would rather be in nightmare's head. plus it doesn't help that it's in first person. it's like i'm in the head of this incredibly bland and boring girl.
⤿ bottomline. i'm giving this a two because i can see why people would like this. the magic system is really intriguing and unique but it just didn't work for me. also i'm being generous because this is a debut novel and i'm sure that this author will continue to grow from here. i'm not discouraging anyone from reading this because what didn't work for me might work for you. these are just my thoughts while reading and in the 50% mark, i just decided to call it quits. also i'm a serial dnf-er so please don't let this discourage you.
# all reviews are opinions of my own and you should experience a book before giving your own. happy reading! 💌
꒰ 🧷 pre-read ˚. ⊹ ᵎᵎ
⊹ i have high hopes but not really
also i have reading week next week (which is basically like a week break from uni) so i'm trying to read as much before exam season
- will contain minor spoilers
⤿ dnf at page 200 (50%)
first dnf of the month 🥳
this was so incredibly boring. which makes me sad because it's a gothic adult fantasy and i am the target audience . however, this has to have the most interesting premise paired with the most uninteresting plot. i can probably reread all the books in the shadowhunter universe before i encounter a plot point that is actually engaging. this is coming from someone who loves slow-paced books. my favourite book is literally babel. plus this felt very ya. nothing about it felt adult apart from a spicy scene that apparently appears later.
or maybe this had the misfortune of being my next read after the poppy war. who knows 🤷♀️
minor spoilers
not to mention, that the stakes are almost non-existent. what is the point of trying to get rid of the mist if suddenly all the infected are apparently immuned? and what's the point if you team up with royalty? like what are the stakes? especially if they're basically constantly pardoned. i'm just bored.
and the characters. BORING . elspeth is like 50% elspeth and 50% nightmare and i would rather be in nightmare's head. plus it doesn't help that it's in first person. it's like i'm in the head of this incredibly bland and boring girl.
⤿ bottomline. i'm giving this a two because i can see why people would like this. the magic system is really intriguing and unique but it just didn't work for me. also i'm being generous because this is a debut novel and i'm sure that this author will continue to grow from here. i'm not discouraging anyone from reading this because what didn't work for me might work for you. these are just my thoughts while reading and in the 50% mark, i just decided to call it quits. also i'm a serial dnf-er so please don't let this discourage you.
# all reviews are opinions of my own and you should experience a book before giving your own. happy reading! 💌
꒰ 🧷 pre-read ˚. ⊹ ᵎᵎ
⊹ i have high hopes but not really
also i have reading week next week (which is basically like a week break from uni) so i'm trying to read as much before exam season
November 15, 2023
This book was great! This was a gothic and dark fantasy about power, revenge, love and the power of choice. One Dark Window follows Elspeth, a girl with magic and a monster in her head and the quest that she goes on with a group of thieves to save the world from dark magic.
It took me a little while to become immersed in this gothic fantasy, but once I did I fell in love with the world and the characters. The world building was so interesting and unique, I loved the idea of magical cards and a infection that gives children dark magic. The plot was so interesting and the pacing was great, although it was slow in the beginning. The writing was so descriptive and immersive, I felt like I was living in the world of Blunder with the characters. I loved the gothic vibes, it’s a perfect spooky book and reminds me of dark fairytales. The characters were all complex and relatable. They all had unique personalities including Nightmare, the monster loving in Elspeth’s head who is witty and protective of her. I loved Elspeth, she is determined, tenacious, witty, strong and brave. Elspeth has been through so much and I’m so proud of her determination and that she will do whatever she can to help others. I can relate to her because I’m also tenacious and determined. I’m in love with Ravyn, he is strong, brave, smart, tenacious, determined and I loved his soft side that he showed to his brother and Elspeth. Ravyn’s character development was excellent, I enjoyed seeing his vulnerable side. I also loved Elm, and Jespyr, Ravyn’s sister. I really enjoyed the banter between Elm, Ravyn and Jespyr, it made me smile and laugh so much! I loved the romance between Ravyn and Elspeth, they understood each other and had a great deal in common. The chemistry was great too! The ending was so exciting and shocking! I can’t wait to read the next book!
I recommend this book to anyone who loves gothic fantasy, awesome world building and great characters.
It took me a little while to become immersed in this gothic fantasy, but once I did I fell in love with the world and the characters. The world building was so interesting and unique, I loved the idea of magical cards and a infection that gives children dark magic. The plot was so interesting and the pacing was great, although it was slow in the beginning. The writing was so descriptive and immersive, I felt like I was living in the world of Blunder with the characters. I loved the gothic vibes, it’s a perfect spooky book and reminds me of dark fairytales. The characters were all complex and relatable. They all had unique personalities including Nightmare, the monster loving in Elspeth’s head who is witty and protective of her. I loved Elspeth, she is determined, tenacious, witty, strong and brave. Elspeth has been through so much and I’m so proud of her determination and that she will do whatever she can to help others. I can relate to her because I’m also tenacious and determined. I’m in love with Ravyn, he is strong, brave, smart, tenacious, determined and I loved his soft side that he showed to his brother and Elspeth. Ravyn’s character development was excellent, I enjoyed seeing his vulnerable side. I also loved Elm, and Jespyr, Ravyn’s sister. I really enjoyed the banter between Elm, Ravyn and Jespyr, it made me smile and laugh so much! I loved the romance between Ravyn and Elspeth, they understood each other and had a great deal in common. The chemistry was great too! The ending was so exciting and shocking! I can’t wait to read the next book!
I recommend this book to anyone who loves gothic fantasy, awesome world building and great characters.
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