Book Release Calendar » One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig Book Review

Author: Rachel Gillig
Publisher: Orbit
Genre: Fantasy, Gothic Fantasy, Dark Fantasy
Year of Publication: 2022
Date of Publication: September 27, 2022
Pages: 432
ISBN-10: 0316312487
ISBN-13: 978-0316312486
Audiobook Narrator: Lisa Cordileone

Summary of One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

One Dark Window follows a young woman named Elspeth who lives in a kingdom named Blunder. Many years ago, way before Elspeth was born, people in Blunder worshiped a god known as the Spirit of the Wood. They would go to the wood with gifts seeking the smell of salt and ask for her blessing. They honored the wood and trees. At that time, a man known as the Shepherd King ruled Blunder and because of his reverence to the Spirit of the Wood, he was granted strange, powerful magic.

The Shepherd King seeking to share his magic with his people made twelve Providence Cards but for each card he created, he gave up a part of his soul to the Spirit of the Wood. Once his people had free access to magic, they stopped going to the wood to seek her blessing and the Spirit grew vengeful, creating a mist to lure people back to the wood. Those who found themselves in the mist became sick with fever that gave them dark veins but if they survived, then they carried magical gifts like what the Spirit previously use to grant but a much more dangerous version. Often times, only a few people survived after such an encounter.

After the mist was created, the Shepherd King returned to wood to negotiate once more and when he returned, he wrote a book called The Old Book of Alders, where he shared the dangers of magic and how to protect yourself against the mist using charms. But even more interestingly, he wrote about how to destroy the mist on the final page.

All of these happened before Elspeth’s time. In current Blunder, Providence Cards are one of their greatest treasures and are the only legal way of performing magic. The cards can be used by anyone and all it takes is a touch and intention. They are exceptionally rare. It takes 12 different cards to make up a deck. The punishment for stealing Providence Cards is death and cards cannot be destroyed.

When Elspeth was younger, she touched one of her uncle’s Providence Cards and after a single touch, she developed a fever and a creature known as the nightmare began to live inside her. No one else knows of this creature but the creature talks to Elspeth. Because those altered by the mist are feared, imprisoned, or executed, Elspeth hides her condition and her abilities to survive.

Years later, Elspeth’s carefully controlled life changes when she encounters Ravyn Yew, a member of one of Blunder’s most powerful families and a man secretly searching for missing Providence Cards. Ravyn and his family recognize that Elspeth knows more about magic than she should, and circumstances force her to join their quest. Her connection to the Nightmare, the knowledge it holds, and her unique ability to see the lights of Providence Cards make her uniquely valuable in locating the missing cards, even as revealing her powers could mean her death

A lot of the story follows Elspeth as she works with the Yews to locate the missing Providence Cards. As she uncovers secrets about her family and her powers, Elspeth finds herself entangled in a plot that could change everything.

“…so mind how you use them, and keep up your guard. Twelve blessings— twelve curses. Twelve Providence Cards.”

Main Plot & Characters

• Elspeth Spindle: The protagonist of the story. She is infected by a magical mist as a child and now shares her mind with a spirit called the Nightmare. She is hidden away by her family to avoid execution for her forbidden magic.
• Ravyn Yew: He is the King’s eldest nephew and the Captain of the elite soldiers known as the Destriers in the kingdom of Blunder. He becomes Elspeth’s ally and love interest as they work together to find the Providence Cards that can lift the mist curse.
• The Nightmare: A powerful spirit living inside Elspeth’s mind. It grants her abilities but constantly threatens to take control. The Nightmare is both her protector and her greatest danger.
• Elm Rowan (Renelm Rowan): Ravyn’s younger cousin and a loyal Destrier. He is initially wary of Elspeth but grows to trust her as their journey unfolds.
• Ione Hawthorn: Elspeth’s cousin and close friend. She plays a key role in connecting Elspeth to her family and becomes entangled in the kingdom’s political struggles.
• High Prince Hauth (Hauth Rowan): The heir to the throne of Blunder. He is ambitious, manipulative, and determined to seize control of the Providence Cards for his own gain.
• Jespyr Yew: Ravyn’s sister and the only female Destrier. Jespyr is very skilled, strong, loyal, and devoted to her family’s cause.
• Erik Spindle: He is Elspeth’s father and a former Destrier captain. As the captain, he had once being in a role where his duty was to lead men to hunt down the type of magic Elspeth carries. His past actions deeply influence Elspeth’s life and the secrets surrounding her infection.
• Nerium Spindle: She is Elspeth’s stepmother.
• Dimia and Nya Spindle: Elspeth’s younger half-sisters.
• The Shepherd King: A legendary figure tied to the origin of the Providence Cards and the magic that cursed the kingdom of Blunder. He wrote The Old Book of Alders.
• Sir Hawthorn: He is Elspeth’s uncle who at the start of the book holds a providence card.
• Emory Yew: He is Ravyn’s younger brother.
• Fenir and Morette Yew: They are Ravyn, Jespyr, and Emory’s parents.
• Iris Whitebeam: She was Elspeth’s mother.
• Aunt Opal (Opal Whitebeam): She is Elspeth’s aunty and Iris’s sister.
• Jon Thistle: He is the steward at Castle Yew.
• Alyx Laburnum: He had romantic interest in Elspeth.
• Orithe Willow: They King’s Physician. Orithe’s magic allows him to spot the infection in others.
• Royce Linden: He is a Destrier who has allegiance to Hauth.
• Wik Ivy and Petyr: They are brothers who work with Ravyn on his missions.

Writing Style

Gillig tells the story from Elspeth’s perspective. As a reader you really get a sense of what life in Blunder is and what Elspeth life feels like. Gillig creates a world that enhances the story’s mystical elements. Her writing style paints a very clear picture of the haunting world where magic exists and sometimes drives people motivations to act.

We really appreciated multiple elements of the book including the characters, the banter, the chemistry between the characters, and the world in which the story is told.

Memorable Quotes

• “It comes at a cost.”
• “Nothing is safe.”
• “Nothing comes for free.” or “Nothing comes free.”
• “The girl, the king… and the monster they became.”— The Nightmare
• “I know what I know. My secrets are deep. But long have I kept them, and long will they keep.”— The Nightmare
• “Be wary. Be clever. Be good.”

Impact of One Dark Window

One Dark Window is the first book in theShepherd King duology. Book 2, Two Twisted Crowns, was released on October 17, 2023. The books appeal to fantasy fans who enjoy storytelling and complex character dynamics.

Book Rating

Have you read One Dark Window or the Sequel Two Twisted Crowns? What did you think about the story and the characters?

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