One Dark Window: A Disappointment in Disguise
When I first stumbled upon One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig, the buzz was impossible to ignore. With so many readers raving about its beautiful writing and enthralling characters, I was eager to dive into what I hoped would be a rich and immersive fantasy experience. Based on the premise and cover, I envisioned a thrilling adventure filled with magic, romance, and heart-stopping stakes. Fast forward to the final page, and all I could think was, "Why are all y’all out here LYING???"
From the outset, the hype felt misplaced. This is less an adult fantasy and more an awkward blend of YA tropes we’ve seen a thousand times before. Our protagonist, Elspeth, is supposed to be 20, yet her decisions and emotional depth often felt reminiscent of a high school freshman. Her character design is teetering dangerously on the edge of judgmental petulance, replete with melodrama and a habit of throwing tantrums that left me rolling my eyes. The galling overuse of clichés and repetitive phrases—like the incessant references to the Captain of the Destriers—felt more like an editing oversight than a stylistic choice. Seriously, if I read “Captain of the Destriers” one more time, I might have thrown my Kindle across the room.
The writing style itself left much to be desired. Clunky sentences, awkward phrases, and a decidedly juvenile poetry component from the antagonistic monster made me chuckle when I probably shouldn’t have. Lines like “Yellow girl, soft and clean. Yellow girl, plain—unseen,” struck me as more nursery rhyme than profound revelation. Perhaps this approach resonates with a younger audience, but for those in search of nuanced exploration—both in terms of language and character—this falls flat.
To be fair, I did find the magic system intriguing. The premise around it held promise, even if it felt underutilized within the larger narrative. Yet, a captivating magic system alone can’t save a story when the world-building is as flimsy as it is here. The sheer overemphasis on trees—characters exclaiming “Trees!” at every turn—did nothing to enhance my understanding of the characters’ reverence for their surroundings.
While some readers might relish the dramatic tension and romantic undertones typical of YA series, if you’re seeking rich adult fantasy or something genuinely fresh, you may want to skim this one. The plot twists were painfully obvious from page two, and the abrupt cliffhanger felt like a cheap trick to ensure readers would flock to the next installment. Spoiler alert: I’m not interested in continuing this series.
In conclusion, One Dark Window might appeal to fans of the Sarah J. Maas style or those who are fresh to the fantasy realm and enjoy overstuffed tropes. But for seasoned readers looking for something with substance, this book is a hard pass. I left the experience feeling frustrated rather than fulfilled, and I genuinely wish I could say otherwise.
If you’re curious to hear more about my rants and raves, check out my latest reading vlog where I delve into how this book let me down. Until next time, happy reading (hopefully of something far better)!
Discover more about One Dark Window (The Shepherd King, #1) on GoodReads >>