One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig: Review, Series Order & What to Know
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig: Review, Series Order & What to Know Before Reading
If misty forests, forbidden magic, mysterious monsters and gothic romance sound like your ideal fall read, One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig belongs on your list.
The first book in The Shepherd King series follows Elspeth Spindle, a young woman living in the kingdom of Blunder who has spent years hiding a dangerous secret.
There’s a monster living inside her mind.
She calls him the Nightmare.
And although he has helped protect her, the longer he remains inside her, the less certain Elspeth becomes about where she ends and he begins.
What Is One Dark Window About?
Magic in Blunder comes at a price.
Elspeth has survived an infection that left her with unusual abilities—and the Nightmare trapped within her.
When she crosses paths with Ravyn Yew, captain of the king’s Destriers and the king’s nephew, she becomes involved in a dangerous effort to collect twelve magical Providence Cards.
Those cards may hold the key to curing the kingdom of the dark magic surrounding it.
Unfortunately, gathering them is treason.
And while Elspeth and Ravyn become closer, the Nightmare is becoming more powerful.
My Review of One Dark Window
The atmosphere is one of the biggest reasons this book works.
Everything feels dark, damp, dangerous and slightly enchanted.
There are mist-covered forests, old legends, forbidden magic and the constant sense that the characters are dealing with forces they don’t completely understand.
But the element that really distinguishes the story is the Providence Card magic system.
Rather than relying on a familiar collection of elemental magical powers, the cards give the world its own mythology and rules.
The Nightmare Is the Most Interesting Part
Elspeth’s relationship with the Nightmare adds another layer to the book because he isn’t simply a magical ability she controls.
He’s a presence.
He talks to her, protects her, bargains with her—and becomes increasingly difficult to separate from Elspeth herself.
That creates tension even when nothing is happening externally because there’s always another conflict taking place inside her head.
Is There Romance in One Dark Window?
Yes.
The relationship between Elspeth and Ravyn develops alongside the main fantasy plot.
I would still classify the book as a gothic fantasy/romantasy, rather than a romance novel with fantasy decorating the background.
The magic, political conflict, Providence Cards and Nightmare storyline are all essential to the book. Hachette’s own materials describe the Elspeth-Ravyn romance as part of the novel while positioning it primarily as dark gothic fantasy.
Is One Dark Window Part of a Series?
Yes—and this is important before you start.
One Dark Window is Book 1 of The Shepherd King duology.
The reading order is:
1. One Dark Window
2. Two Twisted Crowns
Two Twisted Crowns continues Elspeth and Ravyn’s story directly, so this is not a series where you should read the books out of order. Hachette officially lists the two books as The Shepherd King series.
That also means you should be prepared for One Dark Window to leave you wanting Book 2.
Who Should Read One Dark Window?
Try it if you like:
- Gothic fantasy
- Romantasy
- Dark fairy-tale atmosphere
- Unique magic systems
- Enemies and uneasy alliances
- Haunted forests
- Monsters
- Slow-building romance
- Fall reading
This would also make an especially good October read if you want something spooky and atmospheric without moving fully into horror.
Is One Dark Window Worth Reading?
If atmosphere and imaginative magic systems are major selling points for you, yes.
The world feels distinctive, the Nightmare gives the story an unusual central relationship, and having only two books in the series makes it much less intimidating than beginning another six- or seven-book fantasy saga.
And once you’ve finished it, there’s a very obvious next read waiting.
Final Thoughts
One Dark Window feels made for cold evenings, blankets, tea and reading far later than you intended.
It’s dark without becoming relentlessly grim, romantic without letting the romance consume the fantasy plot, and familiar enough to feel comforting while still introducing a magic system that feels fresh.
Most importantly, it ends with plenty of reason to immediately reach for Two Twisted Crowns.
