One Dark Window (The Shepherd King, 1)

One of the best YA books I’ve read in a long time! Although this book does not read like a young adult novel because her writing style is so lyrical and haunting it makes the tone and feel of her characters extremely unique. It’s still YA because it’s suitable for younger readers and I personally appreciate that the spice level is low which allows for a real story to unfold (I despise when authors use spice as a crutch to sell a book that doesn’t have much of a plot). The actual concept of the book feels very unique and interesting (think tarot cards with a twist along with dark ancient magic). I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it! Hopefully the second book will be just as good!

m going to finish this review after i sleep on it for a while because I think, after reading knight and the moth, i had such different expectations and im honestly not totally sure how i felt about the book. I LIKED it, but the entire time i just kept waiting for there to be.. something more? like it was good but it felt like something was missing and i can't put my finger on it. --- okay, at this point it's been a few months and I'm still not sure how I felt. I still haven't read book two but these are my thoughts—the underlying story was really, really good. I guessed the plot twist almost immediately and im not sure if it was really meant to be secret or not, but it didn't affect my enjoyment any. I absolutely loved the nightmare, I loved the way, as a reader, we are constantly questioning motives and whether or not someone can be trusted because it kept me on my toes. I loved the MMC and his yearning devotion and I loved the FMC, though I sometimes felt she was a little wishy washy and weak—and after thinking about it, I think that was on purpose, because she does get her moment of "holy, okay, heck yeah" eventually and I loved that for her. the world was really interesting, and I loved the magic system though it wasn't what I was expecting it to be. this isn't a magic system where there are tons of cards to hand out, there are only a handful and the king gives them to his most trusted. the people who protect him, his closest nobles etc. I was expecting the magic to be more prevalent in the world and it's really just about ten or so people. again, this didn't make me not enjoy the book, but it did vastly narrow down the world from what I had thought it was. anyway i did very much enjoy it. I have every intention of reading book two.

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig was a five star read for me. This book feels like a dark fairy tale, rich in atmosphere and tension. The world building is immersive without being overwhelming, and the story draws you in from the start. Elspeth is a compelling main character. She is intelligent, cautious, and quietly brave, making her easy to connect with as the story unfolds. As the first book in a duology, this sets the stage beautifully. I enjoyed it so much that I began the second book the same day. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy moody fantasy with strong characters. And this Deluxe Edition is gorgeous

One Dark Window is a phenomenal, atmospheric gothic fantasy that had me hooked from the first page. The world of Blunder is eerie and mysterious, and Rachel Gillig’s poetic writing style full of rhymes, riddles, and whispered warnings creates the perfect dark fairytale mood. I loved the dynamic between Elspeth and the Nightmare. Their connection is unsettling in all the best ways, growing more intense as he takes over more of her mind. And Elspeth and Ravyn? Their chemistry is undeniable. Their magic brings them closer together long before they’re ready to admit how deeply they feel for each other, and I adored their slow-burn connection. The pacing worked beautifully for me. It moves with a haunting steadiness, slowly tightening its grip as the story unfolds. Even when I could anticipate certain twists, the way they were revealed made them incredibly satisfying. If you love gothic atmosphere, eerie magic, slow-burn romance, and poetic writing, this book is a must-read. I can’t wait to dive into book two of the duology.

This book had a slow start to it, so slow that I almost gave up on it, however when things took off they really took off. This is one of those books I wouldn’t mind seeing on the big screen. I enjoyed the tone the author took with this book, it was dark and poetic and it helped the reader really get in the mindset of what was going on. The riddles also did the same thing, it added so much mystery to everything that happened it made it that unveiling the truth of what was happening was such a pleasant surprise. I enjoyed the idea of the magic cards in contrast to the magic born. There is so much symbolism in that, It highlighted a lot about the society they were living in. Truth vs manufactured lies. True king vs usurper. Freedom vs domestic cages. The shepherd king vs the Rowan king. I enjoyed the elements of the prophecy ( I love a good prophecy), the myth around the shepherd king and the cards, I enjoyed the battles, the highway men and the underground resistance, the feud between family and the new found family being created. It’s truly refreshing to read a well thought out fantasy. This was a great read.

Okay I absolutely love this book. This is so different from your usual vampires dragons or fae. The magic system is so unique and fascinating. The riddles made me laugh and smile every single time, it keeps things fresh and interesting. Gothic fantasy for sure but not too dark, it’s light-dark, twilight if you will- for the new to gothic romance readers it’s perfect. This was my palate cleanser between throne of glass and 4th wing. It was a quick easy read. I love that the spice was minimal so younger people can read it without it feeling too exposing- I have a younger sister I love to share book recs with and some books are a little too spicy for her, but this was okay! This has a nice romance to it. I enjoyed it so much.

I’ve seen so many good things about this book, so when I finally got to it recently, I completely understood the hype. This was also my first read by the author, and I can confidently say that it definitely won’t be the last. The atmosphere and the writing pulled me in from the very start. The story is set in the kingdom of Blunder, which is shrouded in a dangerous mist, delivering a dark and atmospheric fantasy filled with danger and secrets. The magic system in this kingdom is powerful, unpredictable, and always comes with a price. The fog-filled forests along with its long hidden secrets also added the right amount of eeriness to the story. The worldbuilding is so vivid, and the magic system built around the Providence Cards felt mysterious and unsettling in the best way. The entire atmosphere of the book gives off such a rich and dark vibe that it had me completely hooked. The FMC’s connection with the Nightmare was the highlight for me. Their dynamic is full of tension and it kept me on the edge of my seat. I found myself rooting for the Nightmare at times, yet also despising him for all the things he’s done and how he continues to do so. The slow-burn romance between the MCs added so much warmth and comfort to the story, and I loved that it never overshadowed the main plot. Overall, I had an amazing time reading this, and it’s definitely become one of my all-time favourite reads. If you’re looking for a book filled with dark, gothic vibes, a magic system that feels both enigmatic and dangerous, and a slow-burn tension between the MCs, then this one is absolutely worth diving into.

It came in very good condition and I'm excited to read it since it's a popular book on booktok so I need to see what's the hype .

One Dark Window follows Elspeth, a maiden with a secret nightmare and her exposure to the royal courts and the secret rebellion within. This book is part of a duology which is finished known as The Shepard King. I have read this book twice. It’s punchy, it’s fast paced, the magic system (to me) is original and well developed, I loved the tarot card theme throughout, the plot line was fantastic, and I loved that Gillig made the world moody and dull which fit in so well with the atmosphere and was maintained throughout the book. Elspeth and Raven were phenomenally written characters. I adored reading about their interactions with one another and how they gradually got more and more comfortable with sharing their secrets, their fears and their hopes with one another. Elspeth is easily one of my favourite characters purely because she is so interesting. I don’t have anything bad to say about this book because I enjoyed it so much. I loved every aspect of it. I liked that the majority of the side characters you were introduced to played an integral part to the plot line and set everything up for book 2, I liked the writing style of Gillig as it was descriptive but very easy to follow. Overall, I think this would be a phenomenal read for those who like a slow-burn romance, a dangerous quest, an original magic system and a moody atmosphere. One of the best re- reads I’ve had.

Llego súper rápido, bien protegidos y buena calidad son para una sobrina.

I really enjoyed the world: simple but very efficient. i thought that the magic system is very nice and actually original. The characters have clear goals and personnalities. The plot is also very nice. I would recommand :)