Review ✎ One Dark Window

One Dark Window is a dark fantasy novel written by Rachel Gillig and published in 2022.

My first encounter with One Dark Window was while browsing Barnes and Noble. When I look around at the tables and shelves, my mission is to find a couple specific books, and then I find a few that look promising. This was one of those promising few.

I found the concept set out by the summary on the back intriguing. A main character with a monster in her head? Magic with a price to pay for using it? The potential of treason? Sign me up!

I finished One Dark Window in under three days. I worked two of those three days, and I could not stop thinking about this book while on shift. Even after finishing the book, I think about it constantly. To say I am waiting for Two Twisted Crowns to release on October 17th is a massive understatement.

So far, I think my love for this story is absolutely transparent.

In terms of the world building, history and other pieces of information are constantly being revealed. I’m not one for detailed history in fiction or in the real world (it was my weakest subject), so my enjoyment of the way Gillig presented the information surprised me. I loved constantly learning new things about the way the magic of Blunder worked, too.

The characters Elspeth meets and spends most of her time with are astonishingly relatable. I love getting into a character’s head. I could not get enough of the cast, and I look forward to how everyone continues the story in the second book. Their motives, personalities, and the way they all interacted in calm or tense situations left me feeling like I was looking in on the lives of real people.

I will not give anything away, but I have to say that the ending is the best ending I’ve ever read in a book awaiting a sequel. It gave me all sorts of feelings, and it’s as if I’ve been reliving the first time I read it. Over and over again. Phenomenal. Impeccable. I want everyone I know to read this book, if only to witness the final pages.

I was hooked on this book from the start, and I absolutely love the way Gillig writes. I plan to read Two Twisted Crowns as soon as I can get my hands on it. The anticipation is real, and I’m trying so hard to be patient.

♕ This book earned its crown and placement as one of my favorite reads.

Please read it! It is absolutely worth the time. I honestly wish I could experience the first read again for the rest of my mortal life.