A Haunting Tale of Magic and Shadows

Sometimes a book just clicks—like it crawled out of your brain, whispered “trust me,” and then dragged you into its gloomy little forest. That was One Dark Window for me. I wasn’t just into it—I was obsessed.

You’ve got cursed magic, a creepy mist-covered kingdom, and a heroine, Elspeth, who’s not trying to be quirky or cute—she’s haunted, secretive, and layered in all the right ways. And the magic system? Tarot-like cards that grant powers but at a cost. Yes, please. It’s clever, dangerous, and weirdly addictive, like shuffling your fate every time you use one.

Gillig’s writing is moody without being melodramatic—like she knows how to paint with shadows but doesn’t waste time describing every single leaf. The vibe is gothic fantasy done right: eerie forests, unsettling magic, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to light a candle and question your morals.

There’s romance, yeah—but it doesn’t hijack the plot or make the characters lose brain cells. It’s there, it simmers, it works. And the tension? It builds like a slow-burn spell. I tore through it and immediately wanted more (thank the book gods there’s a sequel).

If you like your fantasy dark, foggy, and full of secrets, One Dark Window is 100% worth getting lost in. Just don’t blame me when you finish it in one sitting and stare at the wall for an hour after.