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A review by luluwoohoo
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
☀️☀️☀️☀️⛅
A sharp, atmospheric and tense fantasy that paints a vivid picture of darkness and deceit in a magical world.
This gothic story is skillfully crafted with an interesting magic system that has a few holes but is ultimately solid and easy to follow. The weight and cost of magic is especially well explored, and those consequences create a great pace and driving force for the plot.
Elspeth is a strong protagonist with a very unique conflict hidden within her. She is a good balance of confident and vulnerable. As for the supporting characters - some are underdeveloped for their part in the plot but I can see they will get better service in book two. I appreciate the balance of romance and fantasy (though it is marketed to be a higher ratio of romance) with a higher priority on the fantasy elements which were significantly stronger.
Gillig's writing isn't outstanding but the poetical repetition of the Cards and the Book gives a strong impression that stands out against other YA writers in the space.
I really enjoyed the experience of reading this and didn't want to put it down. The cliffhanger ending has me excited to jump straight into the next book.
☀️☀️☀️☀️⛅
A sharp, atmospheric and tense fantasy that paints a vivid picture of darkness and deceit in a magical world.
This gothic story is skillfully crafted with an interesting magic system that has a few holes but is ultimately solid and easy to follow. The weight and cost of magic is especially well explored, and those consequences create a great pace and driving force for the plot.
Elspeth is a strong protagonist with a very unique conflict hidden within her. She is a good balance of confident and vulnerable. As for the supporting characters - some are underdeveloped for their part in the plot but I can see they will get better service in book two. I appreciate the balance of romance and fantasy (though it is marketed to be a higher ratio of romance) with a higher priority on the fantasy elements which were significantly stronger.
Gillig's writing isn't outstanding but the poetical repetition of the Cards and the Book gives a strong impression that stands out against other YA writers in the space.
I really enjoyed the experience of reading this and didn't want to put it down. The cliffhanger ending has me excited to jump straight into the next book.
"Practice restraint, and know it by touch.
Use Cards when they’re needed, and never too much.
For too much of fire, our swords would all break. Too much of wine a poison doth make.
Excess is grievous, be knave, maid, or crown.
Too much of water, how easy we drown."