Rachel Gillig| 2022 | 399 Pages | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Gothic, Romance, YA
SUMMARY
Elspeth needs a monster. The monster might be her.
Elspeth Spindle needs more than luck to stay safe in the eerie, mist-locked kingdom of Blunder—she needs a monster. She calls him the Nightmare, an ancient, mercurial spirit trapped in her head. He protects her. He keeps her secrets.
But nothing comes for free, especially magic.
When Elspeth meets a mysterious highwayman on the forest road, her life takes a drastic turn. Thrust into a world of shadow and deception, she joins a dangerous quest to cure Blunder from the dark magic infecting it. And the highwayman? He just so happens to be the King’s nephew, Captain of the most dangerous men in Blunder…and guilty of high treason.
Together they must gather twelve Providence Cards—the keys to the cure. But as the stakes heighten and their undeniable attraction intensifies, Elspeth is forced to face her darkest secret yet: the Nightmare is slowly taking over her mind. And she might not be able to stop him.
MY THOUGHTS
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig is a captivating start to The Shepherd King series. The unique writing style, filled with riddles and puzzles, drew me in instantly. The world-building is both accessible and immersive, drawing me into a dark, gothic fantasy rich with secrets, magic, tension, banter, and a found family dynamic that left me wanting more.
Set in the kingdom of Blunder, where a dangerous mist infects those it touches, magic is both feared and deadly. Elspeth Spindle, infected with magic at a young age, has hidden her secret for eleven years. Haunted by a creature known as the Nightmare, she trusts no one until she meets Ravyn Yew, a captain and highwayman on a quest for the 12 Providence Cards that could save the town. Together, they embark on a treacherous journey, risking treason and their lives. The question of trust and the race against time to find the cards kept me on the edge of my seat.
Elspeth is a strong, intelligent, and mysterious protagonist. Watching her gradually reveal parts of herself, especially her interactions with the Nightmare, was compelling. Her character growth and struggle to keep her secret safe added depth to her journey.
Ravyn Yew is dark, broody, and protective, yet has a soft side for those he cares about. His willingness to risk everything for others made him a swoon-worthy character. Though sparse, the slow-burn romance between Elspeth and Ravyn was sweet and left me wanting more.
The Nightmare was a standout character—snarky, sarcastic, and oddly humorous. His riddles and dark lore added layers to the story, and his banter with Elspeth often had me laughing. Their love-hate relationship was a highlight.
The side characters also enriched the story, particularly the strong-found family element. Elm and Jespyr were intriguing, though I am still determining Ione. On the other hand, Hauth was a character I loved to loathe.
While I enjoyed the book immensely, I hope for more romance in the next installment. The cliffhanger ending was unexpected and left me eagerly anticipating the sequel. One Dark Window is a beautifully written, dark gothic fantasy that doesn't feel like YA in the best possible way.
Overall, Rachel Gillig has crafted a lush, immersive world with engaging characters and a plot that keeps you hooked from start to finish. I can't wait to dive into the next book and see where Elspeth and Ravyn's journey takes them.
DETAILED CHARACTER OVERVIEW
Elspeth Spindle is the novel's intriguing protagonist, described as "a pretty maiden with long black hair and charcoal eyes". She is the daughter of Iris Whitebeam and Erik Spindle—the former Captain of the Rowan King's 13 Destriers—and the stepdaughter of Nerium, with half-sisters Nya and Dimia. Elspeth was infected by the Spirit of the Wood's mist at nine. Her father hid her with her maternal relatives, the Hawthorns, to protect her instead of surrendering her to the Physicians. At her aunt Opal and Uncle Tyrn's estate, she encounters the Nightmare Card and absorbs the soul of its creator, the Shepherd King, also known as the Nightmare. For eleven years, she conceals the Nightmare's presence in her mind.
Initially, Elspeth is portrayed as a passive character, forced to stay hidden on the fringes of Blunder society to keep her infection and powers a secret. Her involvement with Ravyn Yew and his team marks a turning point, helping her gain confidence. Despite this growth, she frequently relies on the Nightmare's deteriorating power, a power that is both protective and destructive, for protection. By the novel's end, Elspeth's fate hangs in the balance as the Nightmare seems to gain complete control over her.
The Nightmare, or the Shepherd King, is both an ally and antagonist to Elspeth. The Nightmare, a monstrous soul with a coarse, fur-covered body, long gray fingers tipped with claws, and yellow eyes with slit-like pupils, is described as both formidable and eerie. His relationship with Elspeth is complex: he grows stronger as she uses his magic while she weakens. Despite his ambitions and vengefulness toward the Rowans, the Nightmare genuinely cares for Elspeth and has protected her for years. By the novel's end, he has taken full control of Elspeth and offers to aid the Yews in forming a Deck of Providence Cards.
The Rowan Family serves as the primary antagonists. Though rarely seen, the Rowan King exerts a strong influence over Blunder. He is the father of Hauth and Elm and commands the Physicians and Destriers to capture the infected. Despite his hatred for the infected, he hypocritically employs individuals with practical magic, like Ravyn Yew and Orithe Willow. His ultimate goal is to complete a Deck of Providence Cards, a powerful set of cards that, when complete, can lift the Spirit's mist.
High Prince Hauth Rowan is a key antagonist who abuses his position and the Scythe Card to manipulate emotions, even harming Elspeth's cousin, his fiancée Ione Hawthorn. He harbors jealousy towards his cousin Ravyn, undermining him and targeting Elspeth, whom he suspects of being involved with Ravyn's team.
Second Prince Renelm "Elm" Rowan is a character who evokes sympathy and understanding. He is a reluctant ally to Elspeth, torn between his loyalty to his family and his growing understanding of the plight of the infected. He struggles with his father's disdain and his brother Hauth's cruelty, a conflict that adds depth to his character. Elm, who is close to the Yews through his aunt Morette Yew, is Ravyn's cousin and right-hand man. A Scythe Card-wielder, he can slow an infected Emory Yew's degeneration. Elm is wary of Elspeth, prioritizing the Yews' safety while recognizing her hidden secrets.
Ravyn Yew is Elspeth's love interest and a central figure in her journey. As the son of Fenir Yew and Morette Rowan and brother to Jespyr and Emory, he leads a rebellion to form a Deck before the Rowan King. Ravyn, described as having striking gray eyes and smooth copper skin, is also infected, which grants him near-immunity to the Providence Cards but causes him to lose one Card per year. Despite his uncle's control, Ravyn fights to save Emory from sacrifice.
Jespyr Yew is Ravyn's sister and the only female Destrier. She faces prejudice due to her gender but is a crucial member of Ravyn's team. Jespyr and Elspeth form a strong bond of friendship through their missions, supporting each other along the way. Their camaraderie and mutual support add a heartwarming element to the narrative.
Emory Yew is Ravyn and Jespyr's infected brother. Chosen by the Rowan King for sacrifice, he is secluded in Stone due to his erratic behavior. Emory's magic allows him to sense the Nightmare's presence in Elspeth's mind.
The Hawthorn Family includes Elspeth's aunt and uncle, Tyrn and Opal Hawthorn. Tyrn's motivations for taking in Elspeth were driven by greed, and he later betrays her by arranging her marriage to Hauth. Opal, however, accepts out of love and has a more complex relationship with Elspeth.
Ione Hawthorn, Elspeth's cousin, is betrothed to High Prince Hauth in exchange for Tyrn's Nightmare Card. Initially kind-hearted, Ione uses the Maiden Card, a powerful card that enhances beauty but at the cost of emotions, to enhance her beauty and loses her emotions in the process, becoming more power-driven. Despite this, she tries to protect Elspeth from Hauth's suspicions.
The Spindle Family features Erik Spindle, Elspeth's father, who, despite his role in hunting the infected, loves Elspeth and regrets his past actions. His separation from her was driven by the need to protect her, but he later wishes he could change the past.
The Willow Family comprises Orithe, Filick Willow, cousins, and Physicians. Orithe, the head of the Physicians, follows the Rowan King's decree to hunt the infected—Filick, who supports Ravyn and Elspeth, advocates for treating the infected as patients rather than pariahs.
THEMES
Family and (Dis)Loyalty
In One Dark Window, family and hierarchy play crucial roles. Although of noble descent, Elspeth Spindle is forced to hide her infection and act submissively to avoid attention. Living with her maternal relatives, the Hawthorns, she navigates her position as a noble and an outcast. Her loyalty to both her families is tested when she joins Ravyn's team, risking their safety to help Blunder.
Ravyn Yew faces similar challenges. His love for Elspeth threatens his role as Captain of the Destriers, as he fears that his growing closeness to her could jeopardize his position and his family's safety. Ravyn struggles to balance his desire for change with the dangerous expectations of the Rowan King.
Second Prince Elm Rowan remains tied to their power despite his dislike for his father and brother's oppressive rule. His role helps the Yews but also keeps him under the Rowans' control. Unlike Ravyn, Elm finds acceptance and freedom with his chosen family, the Yews, but still faces pressure from the Rowans.
Falsifying History and "Otherness"
The Rowans use fear and manipulation to control Blunder. They distort spiritual beliefs and historical records to frame the infected as dangerous. By corrupting The Old Book of Alders, they create fear of the Spirit of the Wood and justify violence against the infected. This manipulation upsets the natural balance of magic in Blunder.
The true nature of the Nightmare and the Shepherd King reveals how the Rowans have rewritten History. Elspeth's connection to the Shepherd King through the Nightmare challenges the Rowans' version of events and exposes the truth. Her journey shows the complexity of the Shepherd King's legacy and counters the Rowans' myths.
Elspeth's transformation and merging with the Nightmare challenge the Rowans' attempts to isolate and fear the infected. Her story reclaims the humanity of those labeled as "other" and confronts the Rowans' oppressive tactics.
Dominance Through Fear
The Rowans maintain control through fear. Although the exact details of how Brutus Rowan overthrew the Shepherd King are unclear, the Nightmare's title as "usurper" suggests violence. The Rowans use fear to enforce their rule, punishing those who show compassion towards the infected.
The Physicians, once healers, have been repurposed by the Rowans to hunt the infected. Filick Willow, a former healer and ally to Ravyn and Elspeth, criticizes this change: "We did not fear [the mist]. We venerated the Spirit of the Wood". Given his noble background, Orithe Willow's role in enforcing Rowan's violence is ironic.
The Rowans also use Scythe Cards to control others' emotions. Hauth Rowan's use of the Card to enforce his authority highlights the Rowans' reliance on fear and cruelty to maintain their power. Public punishments and personal vendettas against Ravyn, Elspeth, and others illustrate how the Rowans keep their rule unchallenged through terror.
WHERE TO READ / BUY
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