Scan barcode
A review by alilbitofmonica
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
4.5
I have gone back and forth on how to rate this but here's where I've landed. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
The majority of this book felt like a solid 4 stars - the world building took me a little to fully comprehend but it was all fascinating and I found myself really intrigued and excited to keep going. Then the ending is what launched this book up to 5 stars. I genuinely loved the ending so much and it is the perfect type of ending to pull someone in to pick up the sequel.
As I always do, here are some potentially unhinged comments of my strongest opinions:
- The gothic undertones are immaculate. It's dark and spooky (the monster in her mind is so unhinged and I love it) and magical in some super unique ways.
- The magic imbued in the cards is so freaking cool, I loved learning about how they worked and the increasing rarity of some of them.
- Elspeth and Ravyn are SO CUTE! I loved them and the way their relationship develops from very conflicting interactions to a deep and genuine trust and concern. They really grew on me through the second half of the book when secrets begin to be revealed (to themselves and to each other).
- ELSPETH SPINDLE is the most annoying full name and I couldn't say it once fast much less five times fast.
- THE ENDING OH MY GOSH!!!! (see below for spoilers)
- The familial relationships explored here are so interesting - the brothers and cousins and father/daughter/stepfamily dynamics lend so much to the decisions made and the way the characters carry themselves.
- The "infection" and the way we get to see the effects of such a claim. It becomes a great indicator of the political issues at the foundation of the conflicts.
My spoiler thoughts on the ending:
- I am obsessed with the idea of Elspeth becoming the monster and letting the monster take control. Usually, the mc would find a way to overcome the monster and at the last minute defeat it and take control again, but this was not like that and I LOVED seeing her become the nightmare. Truly makes me want to drop everything and pick up the sequel.
The majority of this book felt like a solid 4 stars - the world building took me a little to fully comprehend but it was all fascinating and I found myself really intrigued and excited to keep going. Then the ending is what launched this book up to 5 stars. I genuinely loved the ending so much and it is the perfect type of ending to pull someone in to pick up the sequel.
As I always do, here are some potentially unhinged comments of my strongest opinions:
- The gothic undertones are immaculate. It's dark and spooky (the monster in her mind is so unhinged and I love it) and magical in some super unique ways.
- The magic imbued in the cards is so freaking cool, I loved learning about how they worked and the increasing rarity of some of them.
- Elspeth and Ravyn are SO CUTE! I loved them and the way their relationship develops from very conflicting interactions to a deep and genuine trust and concern. They really grew on me through the second half of the book when secrets begin to be revealed (to themselves and to each other).
- ELSPETH SPINDLE is the most annoying full name and I couldn't say it once fast much less five times fast.
- THE ENDING OH MY GOSH!!!! (see below for spoilers)
- The familial relationships explored here are so interesting - the brothers and cousins and father/daughter/stepfamily dynamics lend so much to the decisions made and the way the characters carry themselves.
- The "infection" and the way we get to see the effects of such a claim. It becomes a great indicator of the political issues at the foundation of the conflicts.
My spoiler thoughts on the ending: