One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
⭐ One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig — Book Review with Spoilers
Rating: ⭐ (1 out of 5 — I deserve a medal for finishing this one.)
Genre: Fantasy, Romantic Fantasy, Gothic Fantasy
👉 Buy One Dark Window on Amazon
⚠️ Spoiler Alert!
I’m about to break down this book in full, so if you haven’t read One Dark Window and don’t want the twists ruined (though… you might thank me for saving you the time), turn back now!
📌 One Dark Window — The Setup
Alright. One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig is the kind of fantasy novel that sounds cool in theory, but for me, was a slog in practice.
The story is set in the kingdom of Blunder (yes, that’s really what it’s called — I should’ve taken the hint). Blunder is cursed, and the people rely on these magical cards called Providence Cards to protect themselves. Each card has a power — and you really don’t want to get caught without one, or risk catching this magical plague called the Rot.
Our main character is Elspeth Spindle, a girl who’s been infected with the Rot. But instead of wasting away, she’s got a creepy voice in her head — a monster that lives inside her, whispering in the dark. Spooky, right?
Elspeth crosses paths with Ravyn Yew, a brooding type (because of course) who’s on a mission to collect all the Providence Cards so they can break the curse on Blunder. Because obviously magical trading cards will save the world.
🃏 One Dark Window — The Plot That Spirals
At first, this setup had potential: mystery, cursed kingdom, dark magic. But soon the whole thing starts to feel like playing a confusing game of Uno where nobody knows the rules.
Here’s what happens:
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Elspeth and Ravyn team up. She’s trying to keep her monster secret hidden; he’s trying to save the kingdom.
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There’s a whole lot of sneaking around, plotting, and romance (if you can call it that — it’s more like broody staring and whispered conversations).
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The plan? Collect all the Providence Cards to break the curse! But, of course, everyone else wants the cards too — cue political drama, betrayals, and endless arguments that had me rolling my eyes.
The big twist? Elspeth’s monster is actually the Nightmare card personified. (I know, shocking.) And Elspeth starts losing herself to him.
There’s fighting. There’s death. There’s so much card drama I felt like I was watching a really dark episode of Pokémon.
⚡ One Dark Window — The Big Ending
Ready for the grand finale?
Elspeth and Ravyn manage to get most of the Providence Cards together, but it’s too late — the monster fully takes over Elspeth. In the final scenes, she’s gone full Nightmare mode, and Ravyn has no choice but to bind her magic and lock her away to protect everyone else.
So basically:
✅ The kingdom is still cursed.
✅ The cards didn’t save the day.
✅ Elspeth is imprisoned, possessed by the monster she tried to control.
It ends on a cliffhanger, because this is a series. But honestly? I couldn’t be paid to read the next one.
💬 Final Thoughts on One Dark Window
Look, if you’re into moody atmospheres, magical card decks, and dark fantasy romance, maybe this will be your thing. But for me?
👉 The pacing dragged.
👉 The plot felt chaotic.
👉 The card system felt… kinda dumb.
It started as a 3-star read, but by the end? 1 star — and that’s generous.
📚 If you liked One Dark Window (or want better alternatives), try these:
✅ The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern — Atmospheric fantasy done right.
✅ The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden — Rich, magical, and beautifully written.
✅ Uprooted by Naomi Novik — Dark magic with heart and brains.
📝 Final Verdict
One Dark Window wanted to be moody, gothic, and magical — but for me, it ended up being a confusing card game I didn’t want to play. If you must read it, go in with patience. Or just pick up one of the books above instead.
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