The Girl, the King and the Monster they became: “One Dark Window” Review

“There once was a girl,” he murmured, “clever and good, who tarried in shadow in the depths of the wood. There also was a King—a shepherd by his crook, who reigned over magic and wrote the old book. The two were together, so the two were the same: “The girl, the King… and the monster they became.”

– Rachel Gillig “One Dark Window”

Enter a realm of gothic fantasy and magic as we delve into this review of “One Dark Window” by Rachel Gillig. This is the first book in “The Shepherd King” duology.

This debut novel follows our main character Elspeth as she tries to survive in a world where her secret will get her killed. Elspeth was infected by a mysterious illness as a child, something that would’ve gotten her killed by the King, if it wasn’t for her family hiding the infection. Years later, stuck with the voice of a monster in her head and a unique ability, Elspeth finds herself thrust into a quest to save her kingdom.

What stood out to me the most in the book is the magic system. The supernatural elements are so intriguing; in fact, people gain magical abilities through special cards that grant their wielder specific powers. There is a limited amount of cards, creating a power imbalance in the population, and each card has a side effect if used too long.

Moreover, the writing and descriptions in the story make it easy to follow as well as enjoyable to read, the author has this ability to transport you into the gothic atmosphere of the novel, picturing the actions and the setting clearly. The pacing of the book is also well thought after, as readers transition smoothly into every part of the story, taking appropriate time between each event and plot point.

In fantasy, understanding the magical elements and societal structure is crucial, and the author nails both aspects. This is a high stake story and with every small detail into the worldbuilding and magic system we get an insight and better understanding of each action taken by the characters and more sense to the plot and its urgency.

Most importantly, the characters in the story are not only interesting but also enjoyable to discover and follow along. The story is told from the protagonist’s point of view, Elspeth, which I think was a good choice, especially since Elspeth’s point of view is not entirely her own, as we also get to discover this monster and nightmare living in her head. This duo was scary, funny, and powerful at the same time. The side characters, good and bad, are also well developed, and add depth into the story and plot. Ravyn, Elm and Jespyr, all provide an insight into the inner circle of the Kingdom, and also a revelation that the King is not as well liked as expected. But the character I’m most intrigued about is Ione, while I don’t fully understand her importance yet, I have a feeling she will be significant for the rest of the story.

A last point I want to discuss is the romance, as it is a valuable part of this book. I liked the connection between the two lovers, I felt like it was well developed and didn’t feel rushed. There was a smooth transition from being strangers, to allies, to friends, to lovers. I would categorise this book as a romantic fantasy, but it is important to note that the romance doesn’t take away from the plot, I would even say that even without the romantic aspect this book would still stand on only the quest and plot.

“Except, in this fairy tale, the maiden has blood on her hands.”

– Rachel Gillig “One Dark Window”

On a ending note, I like that this is only a duology and the story doesn’t linger on too much, which is why I recommend this book to people who are new to fantasy. I’m not yet finished with the second installment of this series but I’m really enjoying it so far, especially since one difference between the two books is that we get the point of view of more characters and not just Elspeth in “Two Twisted Crows”. This difference gives us the ability to follow along different characters as they each deal with various issues at the same time, adding another edge to the story.

In conclusion, “One Dark Window” is a captivating introduction to fantasy, with its rich world-building, dynamic characters, and spellbinding plot. As a duology, it offers a satisfying narrative arc without overstaying its welcome. Whether you’re a seasoned fantasy reader or new to the genre, this book promises an enchanting escape into a world of magic and intrigue.