The two were together, so the two were the same: The girl, the King… and the monster they became.

One Dark Window – Synopsis and Background

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.

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig is a gothic-inspired fantasy novel set in the mysterious and mist-shrouded kingdom of Blunder. The kingdom is steeped in folklore, where magic is contained in enchanted Providence Cards, each granting unique abilities but carrying great risks when used. The story follows Elspeth Spindle, a young woman who harbours a dangerous secret: she’s infected by the Nightmare, a sentient, sinister spirit living in her mind. This dark presence grants her protection and power but constantly threatens to consume her.

Elspeth’s life takes a dramatic turn when she crosses paths with Captain Ravyn Yew, an enigmatic highwayman and member of the king’s guard. Ravyn is on a desperate mission to collect all twelve Providence Cards, believing they hold the key to breaking the curse that has plagued Blunder for centuries. Drawn into his quest, Elspeth must confront her own fears, harness the Nightmare’s power, and make uneasy alliances to help Ravyn uncover the truth behind the cards and the kingdom’s dark history.

The novel weaves a tense, slow-burning romance between Elspeth and Ravyn as they grapple with their shared goals, conflicting desires, and the secrets they keep from each other. Meanwhile, Elspeth’s struggle with the Nightmare provides a constant internal battle, forcing her to question her morality and sense of self.

One Dark Window Review

Surprisingly, this might be the hardest review I’ve had to write so far. That is, simply, because I have so much to say yet it can all be summed up simply into one short sentence – this is one of the best books I have ever read. Dramatic? Yes. Honest? Absolutely.

I will delve into more detail below, but in summary: the writing style is delicious, the storyline captivating, the magic system so fresh and (as I’m writing this review after reading both books) an absolute masterclass on how to successfully execute a duology. Okay, enough waffle.

Writing Style

I went into this knowing absolutely nothing about Rachel Gillig as an author, and I came out as one of her biggest fans. This book is a recipe for Anna Stacey’s dream writing style: deliciously descriptive, lyrical prose, Gillig doesn’t falter once in her style, tone or execution. This is the style of writing I wish I could replicate myself. I felt drawn into the story by every single word. The style really reflects the lyricism and fantastical nature of the storyline – it felt dark yet whimsical and 100% magic.

Secondly, gothic literature is a particular favourite of mine. My top three favourite literary classics are The Picture of Dorian Gray, Jane Eyre and Frankenstein – all of which just so happen to be gothic, so there is no surprise that One Dark Window has ended up there in my all-time favourite reads. Whilst we’re on the subject of classic gothic literature, this book reflects some of the key themes associated with the gothic genre, such as the ‘battle’ between good and evil, secrets, the fear of the unknown and of course the supernatural which lends itself to the fantasy genre nicely. Perhaps this makes me biased toward the book all together, as I’m genuinely perplexed as to how anyone can dislike the writing style, but I have read plenty of reviews from people who didn’t enjoy it! Alas, the world would be a very boring place if we all liked the same thing.

Length and grip (😏)

It probably comes as no surprise that I inhaled this book in around 24 hours given what I’ve already said in this review up to now. In my opinion, a fantasy duology can be rather difficult to pace; there needs to be enough world building to make sense, yet keep the reader gripped enough for two books. I really feel that Rachel Gillig achieved this, even after making it potentially more difficult for herself given that this is such a unique magic system that does take some getting your head around as a reader. Just imagine if she had used themes that we, as avid fantasy readers, are extremely familiar with by now – fae, fated mates etc. That would cut out some of the need for in-depth description but then you would end up with a large selection of readers and reviews commenting on repetitiveness within the genre.

For me, the pacing was spot on. There were moments where I found my heart racing and times when I simply couldn’t sit still. Not to mention, I immediately downloaded the second book and started Two Twisted Crowns the same day as I finished One Dark Window. I think that says a lot about how I felt in terms of being gripped on the storyline.

World/Magic System

The world of One Dark Window is dripping with atmosphere – dark, eerie, and utterly captivating. The kingdom of Blunder is blanketed in perpetual mist that’s more than just an aesthetic; it’s a curse. Stay in it too long, and it starts to twist you, both physically and mentally. I just love how everything seems to tie together – like the mist is a reflection of what is happening in Elspeth’s mind.

In terms of the magic system, the ‘Providence Cards’ are the heart of it all – beautiful, tarot-like objects that grant incredible powers. To me, this is so interesting and fresh in the fantasy genre. It’s the perfect balance of temptation and danger that keeps the stakes high.

The cards are tightly controlled by the kingdom’s rulers, who are as steeped in secrets as the mist itself. Everything about Blunder feels interconnected – its history, its magic, its curses – like the land has absorbed every mistake and betrayal over the years. The world-building is lush and immersive, full of folklore that gives the magic a sense of weight and inevitability.

Smut

There really isn’t much to write about here, but I don’t think that is necessarily a negative. In my opinion, the style of One Dark Window doesn’t lend itself easily to any spicy scenes, and if I’m being highly pedantic, I probably wouldn’t have included any at all. We did have one ‘spicy’ (I use that term very lightly in this instance) scene, which is neither ‘door open’ or ‘door closed’, but more ‘door slightly ajar’ for want of a better phrase.

Characters

At this point in one of my reviews, I would usually discuss side characters, but on this occasion (and because I have rambled on about writing style and magic systems far more than I have in any other review so far) I am going to save this section for my separate review on the second book in this duology, Two Twisted Crowns.

Checklist:

• ✅ – Unique magic system
• ✅ – Lyrical prose
• ✅ – Monsters
• ✅ – Forced proximity
• ✅ – Found family
• ✅ – Gothic
• ✅ – CLIFFHANGER

Favourite 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.”

“He came for the girl… And got the monster instead.”

“You’re smiling.” Elm looked over the table. “Does no one else find that incredibly unnerving?”

“Had I known they’d be the last words I’d say to him aloud, I might have chosen them differently.”

“Weariness was king, and I his servant.”

Overall rating and conclusion:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🌶️

In conclusion, One Dark Window is an absolute masterpiece that balances a unique and captivating magic system, a dark and atmospheric setting, and beautifully lyrical prose. Rachel Gillig has crafted a tale that feels both timeless and fresh, weaving gothic elements seamlessly into a fantasy framework that is as gripping as it is immersive. From its richly developed world to its morally complex characters, every aspect of this book feels meticulously thought out and perfectly executed.

Whether you’re drawn to the lush, eerie world-building, the slow-burn tension of the romance, or the high stakes of a dangerous quest, there’s something in this story to keep you hooked from beginning to end. And with its masterfully paced duology structure, it’s no wonder I couldn’t resist diving straight into Two Twisted Crowns after finishing this one. If you’re a fan of gothic fantasy, dark secrets, and writing that reads like pure magic, One Dark Window deserves a spot at the top of your reading list.