One Dark Window

Nightmare is one of my favorite characters of all time, and if you haven’t met him yet, you’re missing out.

When I first started reading, I didn’t understand Elspeth (the main character) or her motivations, but Gillig has so expertly crafted her world and the story that each twist and turn not only pulled me in deeper but gave me a greater understand of her characters.

Then, just her worldbuilding, in general, was so tied to the characters and the plot that I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the sequel.

My sister has always teased me about my love of men in dark capes (Darth Vader and the Phantom from Phantom of the Opera especially). Combine that—shall we say—preference with my fascination with the tarot, courtly intrigue, and a young woman’s quest to embrace her inner darkness while determining her own destiny and bam! You have Rachel Gillig’s One Dark Window.

One of my favorite things about this novel is that it surprised me, which doesn’t happen easily. From the first embedded fairy tale rhyme, Gillig sweeps her readers away into a mist-cloaked kingdom struggling for its very survival,… show more.

I’ve always enjoyed young adult fantasy romance. For me, the chemistry between the hero and heroine, their tension and banter and longing, is much more important to the story than the spice level, and in those essential terms, Rachel Gillig unequivocally delivers.

In addition to a gripping YA romance, she also creates a magic system involving a deck of cards and folklore unique to her heroine’s world. With high stakes, court intrigue, and unspeakable secrets, One Dark Window is an exquisite page turner that had me biting my nails in suspense, swooning with romance, and breathless for more of both.… show more.

When the brilliant artist Charlie Bowater created fan art for One Dark Window, I immediately purchased a copy. And I can absolutely understand the hype.

With a magic system unlike anything I’ve ever read – think haunted tarot cards – and a steamy enemies-to-lovers romance, I will definitely be picking up the sequel, Two Twisted Crowns, when it comes out in October.