One Dark Window

This book was not even enjoyable, it reads and feels like young adult and not in a good way. The dialogue and story is incredibly cringe and the romance was also badly done. I really can't with the prose. Usually I don't read romance, but it can be done very well. This was not that. I didn't like any of the characters and I really didn't give a fuck the entire book. Sorry

Every chapter is so purposely poetic it clenched more in my head than anything else. The words were so colorful it's like a string quartet willing you to ask for more. I love it.

All of the stars!!! I borrowed this from Libby and my library doesn't yet have book 2 so I am immediately purchasing to jump right into it. I ADORE this book. It definitely was a slow burn for me (not referencing romance here). I was intrigued in the beginning but it just get pulling me in more and more and I NEED to know what happens. Off to read book 2!

This book is one that I know I will be talking about this book for many years to come. It felt special. It was dark, suspenseful, beautiful, and sweet. There are some books that you read in your life where you know that you are going to think about the first time you read it. This is one of them for me.

The plot was something that was unique. I really loved the world building. It felt old, yet familiar. It didn’t take a lot to get into it, but it was complex enough where it was memorable. A lot of the magic is concentrated in these playing cards, each with a power that gives and takes if you take too much. At first, I will be honest… I thought the cards were lame. All I could think of was some sort of nerdy solitaire game, and I struggled to take it seriously. However, as the story unfolded, I got more into it. By the end, I wished I could have the chance to hold one of the cards. The way it is written is truly masterful and addictive.

The characters in this book are probably one of the biggest selling points. They all have their flaws and that is what makes them so magnetic. You end up rooting for them despite it all. You also get multiple points of view, and that always makes my heart happy. The romance is also one that starts slow but by the end has you rooting for them like no other. I ate it up!

Overall, I will DEFINITELY be recommending this book to everyone, and buying several copies for myself to drool over. I cannot wait for the second book!

SIDE NOTE: I will say, this book was recommended to me via Booktok as a follow up to Fourth Wing. Having now read both… I will say that is an INSANE connection to make. These books are in no way alike other than the fact they are good books (just in very different ways). This book has gothic magic, creepy monsters, and a story that grips your stomach and won’t let you go. Other than it is a “fantasy” book and it has a hundreds year-old character that telepathically talks to the main character in their mind, the books are NOT similar at all. I guess this is all to say… not all the recommendations you get online make sense so be aware.

♾️⭐️'s
—-> Be wary. Be clever. Be good.

EXCUSE THE FUCK OUT OF ME !!
This was just WOW WOW WOW WOW

An interesting premise with a typical overly handsome and broody male romance interest who hasn't been interested in anyone else apart from the main character (hence the half point knock off).

The plot and the writing is very well done though, keeping interest and providing characters with their own little oddities.

Looking forward to reading the sequel.

The beginning really caught me, but then about halfway through it lagged. When Part Three starts it really picks up again and I found myself sucked in again. I like the whole premise of the story, though I'm not sure if I really care for the setting or the characters too much if that makes sense.

This, just this. So fucking good. I can't even get over the ending, like I can't wait to start the next book but I am so incredibly scared because huh what how? How do we get back from this?

This story follows such a unique magic system based around these cards engrained with magic. We follow the story slowly getting bread crumbs of their emergence and consequent demise. We follow Elspbeth, a women infected with the sickness that plagues their kingdom. Being infected is outlawed due to the infected gaining magically powers through their sickness. Her sickness comes in the form of being who only belongs in her mind. In an unfortunate way, we met our MMC, Ravyn, a traitor to his kingdom and captain of the kingdom's fighters. The story of reversing this curse and slow fall into insanity all starts from there.

I mean so good. I adored the characters and their unique personalities. The hatred I felt for those who were wronged and the tears I may have shed towards the end were the cherry on top. The ONLY reason this is not a 5 star is because at times it was incredibly confusing for me which had me feeling a little dumb and hurt my pride. I am predicting the second book will be a 5 stars but I can't get my hopes up yet!

Sooooo good!!! I honestly have no words.

it's between 3.75 and 4 stars but rounding up. Im really glad I got to read this. It seemed like every time I picked this up I just wanted to keep reading and wanted to know what would happen. It did read slightly YA to me at times and some of the things that happened toward the end seemed to happen just out of convenience instead of with any substance/conflict/depth (if that makes sense). Overall a really cool story, nothing like I've read before (Im not a really big fantasy reader anyway), so, I think it's a great beginner fantasy read.

3.5

The world and background were well done for a YA novel, and the plot and characters were just my type. It was fun to feel the same way about the Shepard King that our heroine Elspeth feels - this weird mix of affection and hate, connection and resentment. I have a soft spot for morally grey characters, and he is that. Elspeth is one of my most liked heroines in recent reads. I thought she had a strong mind to coexist with a 500-year-old nightmare king who thought himself a monster and was ravenous for revenge.

Be wary, be clever, be good

One Dark Window” emerges as a deliciously dark and enthralling romantic fantasy, a true gem in its genre. The story weaves a tapestry of intrigue, mystery, and romance, set in a beautifully crafted, shadowy world. The narrative is gripping, with well-developed characters and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

The romantic elements of the story are deeply engaging, offering a slow burn that builds with intensity and emotion. However, readers looking for more explicit or ‘spicy' content might find it a bit tame. The romance is more about emotional depth and connection, less about physical intensity.

The writing is atmospheric and vivid, drawing readers into a world that is both eerie and enchanting. The balance of fantasy elements with the romantic storyline is masterfully done, creating a read that is both immersive and emotionally resonant.

In conclusion, “One Dark Window” is a must-read for fans of dark romantic fantasies. It's a book that captivates with its rich storytelling and complex characters, even if it leans more towards the romantic and less towards the spicy side of the spectrum. A solid four-star novel for its compelling narrative and hauntingly beautiful world.

The last quarter or so of the book turned it for me from a 2 star to a 3 star...ish.

I really don't see how the Ravyn romance unfolded. It didn't feel rushed it just felt empty

I'm really only here to see Nightmare take over in the last book lol

It's more of a 4.5.
I think the second one will be a 5****.
That's how you do a cliffy.

4.25 stars.

Un incrocio tra Venom per il concetto e l'atmosfera di Carnival Row.

Il libro è ambientato in quel di Blunder. Purtroppo non sussiste una mappa e non viene nemmeno spiegato cos'è Blunder. Mi sembra di avere capito che sia un regno. Anche se al fine della storia, saperne di più, non avrebbe cambiato molto, mi sarebbe comunque piaciuto avere più informazioni sul setting. Un aspetto a difesa di questa decisione è che contribuisce a gettare un'aura di mistero sull'ambientazione.

E' scritto in prima persona dal punto di vista di Elspeth che, dopo aver contratto un'infezione, convive con un'entità all'interno del suo corpo, con cui dialoga (da qui, il concetto di Venom) ma sa ben poco sul suo conto.

Il sistema magico è basato su delle carte facenti parte di un mazzo (chiamate carte della provvidenza), simile al concetto dei tarocchi. Ogni carta ha un preciso potere magico ma se abusata il potere diventa l'opposto, ad esempio, se la carta fornisce a chi la usa del coraggio, in caso di abuso, fornisce paura. Il sistema magico, descritto nel dettaglio, è il punto forte di questo romanzo.
La trama è di per sé semplice, ma tutto ha un sapore misterioso-gotico, che mi è piaciuto molto, e non manca di suspense. Piccola avvertenza: il libro finisce con un cliffhanger. Nel mio caso, non è stato un grosso problema, in quanto il seguito è già uscito.

Sicuramente consigliato per il periodo di Halloween. Perfetto per una lettura di novembre, hehe :)

Credits for the template below go to Melinda

CHARACTERS

A great read – I couldn't put this book down!

Trees, this book was excellent for someone who has not read much of Fantasy! The writing and pacing was good. I was intrigued by the magical elements. I enjoyed the light humour sprinkled in here and there. There wasn't as much romance as I anticipated, but that's okay (more of a slow-burn/romance as the sub-plot) as it played out better this way. Nonetheless, it was an enjoyable read. I can't wait to start the sequel!

3.75 Stars

I liked it, A dark gothic fantasy. The magic system took awhile to understand but its really unique. Ive yet to read anything like this.

Actual rating; 4,5 stars

This book was actually so good, and I didn't expect it. This magic system is so good and totally different from others.
I can see why people call it their villain origin story.

Also, am I weird for hoping that the nightmare en Elspeth would end up together somehow? Like not him as his original self, but as in death and her? I would have loved to see that

I overall enjoyed the book a lot and easily found myself excited to figure out what was going on. The best part of the book is how it keeps you on edge of what will happen next, worried for the characters. My only complaint is how the main character interacts with others can be a bit wishy-washy. Something will happen and she'll feel a certain way only for it to change rather quickly to the opposite.

i read this in two sittings.
characters were not that memorable,
but 4 stars because the magic system was.

Elspeth has a sinister monster trapped in her head. She is thrust into a mission to save her country from dark magic infecting the people and land while trying to save herself in the process.

I absolutely loved this book! Such a unique and well written story with a great magic system and solid romantic subplot. I also loved all of the core characters in the book. They were well written and added a much needed layer to the story. The relationship between Elspeth and the monster is very symbiotic for the most part and it just works with the story really well.

Cant wait for book 2!

4.5/5 stars

impatiently waits for the second book till October

Recensie 2023:
Deze vond ik echt heel leuk!

Vooral de magie en wereldopbouw trokken mij heel hard aan. Het voelde een beetje als een gothic sprookje, wat echt wel spek naar mijn bek is. Ik heb ook enorm genoten van hoe aspecten van de magie en wereldopbouw aan ons werden onthuld, door de fragmentjes en rijmelarijtjes aan het begin van elk hoofdstuk.

Ik las ook graag vanuit het perspectief van ons hoofdpersonages en kon me goed inleven in haar vertelstem.
Delen van het verhaal waren wel voorspelbaar met typische YA-wendingen en melodrama, maar dit stoorde mij helemaal niet. Integendeel, het voelde voor mij eerder nostalgisch en gezellig aan om bepaalde richtingen van het boek te verwachten of te kunnen voorspellen.

De schrijfstijl dreef het boek ook echt vooruit. Deze was heel meeslepend en voelde weelderig en luxueus aan. Ik had moeite om het boek aan de kant leggen.

Heel erg benieuwd naar het vervolg!