One Dark Window, by Rachel Gillig, is a young adult gothic fantasy set in Blunder, an ancient world cursed by magic. Elspeth Spindle has her own magic, in the form of a spirit trapped in her head whom she calls the Nightmare. However, all magic comes with a cost, and Elsepth must find the twelve Providence Cards to cure Blunder and banish the Nightmare from her mind before it is too late. Luckily, she stumbles upon the Captain of the King’s guard, who just might be able to offer her the help she needs.
The Pros: One Dark Window is such a unique book, and the magic system is unlike any other I have read about. The atmosphere is dark and eerie, but it totally suits the book and creates a thrilling environment that makes reading this book so fun. On top of this, Gillig has a wonderful cast that truly meshes with the writing style and the setting to create the perfect fantasy novel blend.
The Cons: I loved this book so much, and the only con I can think of is that it wasn’t longer!
In conclusion, if you love fantasy, this book is a must read. I rated One Dark Window five stars because it is truly unlike any other fantasy book I’ve ever read in the most perfect way. The magic system is amazing, and the plot is engaging and unique, but not too difficult to follow either. If you haven’t already, please read this book!