In a mist-shrouded kingdom, a girl bound to a sinister spirit joins a rebel captain to steal forbidden magic, risking her soul to save her people.
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig had potential, but it just didn’t do it for me. The premise was intriguing, with a mix of dark fantasy and an eerie atmosphere, but the execution fell flat. The pacing dragged, and I found myself skimming through parts hoping it would pick up. The characters, while interesting, felt underdeveloped and didn’t leave a lasting impression. I was expecting a deeper dive into the world and its magic system, but it remained surface-level, which was disappointing.
I kept hoping for that moment where I’d get hooked, but it never came. The writing style was atmospheric, but sometimes it felt like it was trying too hard to be poetic rather than pushing the story forward. If you’re looking for a quick, moody read, it might be worth a try, but for those of us who like our fantasy with more depth and substance, this one might not be the best fit.
A much better read is the Shades of Magic series by V.E. Schwab. This series features a richly crafted world with parallel Londons, each with its own level of magic. The story follows Kell, a traveler who can move between these worlds, and Delilah Bard, a pickpocket with dreams of adventure. With dark magic, complex characters, and high-stakes adventure, it offers a blend of fantasy and intrigue with substantially better writing.