One Dark Window (The Shepherd King Book 1)

This was one of those situations where I kept putting off the book because it was sooo hyped. I'm notoriously fearful about trying overly popular or talked about books. I guess I've been burned one too many times that way 😅

But this book gripped me from page one and I couldn't put it down.

I loved the world building...the danger filled atmosphere and the fear of the physicians disturbing the sleep of wayward children, like monsters under the bed.

And a never ending Nightmare, "the voice in my head, the creature with strange yellow eyes and an eerie smooth voice"

The magic system was utterly amazing. I feel like it's a difficult thing to do ....to weave a complex tale involving the rules, the give and take, and just the overall existence of an, oftentimes, intangible force. But, in this particular book, the reader is given EVERYTHING. Even the taste and smell of magic. At times I felt myself drowning in it alongside the FMC.

And let's not forget the most important elements to any good story, at least for me, the character development.

This was told in first person POV and only by the FMC, Elspeth. She was such an intriguing young girl and completely likable, if not relatable. Her fears and insecurities basically kept her sealed off from any true social interactions and romantic relationships.

The MMC, Ravyn, was the perfect dynamic. He came in with unknown motives, giving their "relationship" instant enemies to lovers vibes. I loved how his actions weren't always innocent but his intentions...his reasoning and drive were pure and often unselfish.

The plotline was perfectly executed. Their endgame was set with laser focus and the steps to achieving their goals are obviously hard earned.

I know I'm extremely late to this party but I'm excited to dive into book 2. I'm just glad that I've managed to avoid any and all spoilers up until this point.

I've quite enjoyed the little twists in the storyline and secrets revealed.

• Engagement of convenience/ forced proximity *Enemies to lovers *Slow burn 🌶️🌶️ *Found family *Gothic setting (old castles, ruins and dark woods)
• Magic system *World building

"Nothing is free. Nothing is safe. Magic is love, but also, it’s hate."

i'm so lucky to have dodged any and all spoilers since this book has blown up and went into it almost completely blind. i was completely enthralled from the beginning and enchanted by rachel gillig's phenomenal story.

"That’s how the best lies are told—with just enough truth to be convincing."

firstly, the poems and magic system. very unique, the use of the stanzas to reveal information throughout the story as well as the lore within the book and to explain the magic system. i've always loved when magic comes with a cost in fantasy, and this system does so in poetically creative ways counterpointing the gifts the magic gives. there is little more satisfying than when an author gives me a few stanzas of rhyme and the tempo is obvious and consistent. it just itches a scratch in my brain. it was very intriguing to have the nightmare basically only speak in his riddle-esque rhyme. he also surprisingly provided some excellent comedic relief.

"Now we must play at tea with Blunder’s bottom-feeders? You said joining these fools would be dangerous. You said nothing of torture."

"I could have died! Don’t be dramatic, the Nightmare said. People fall off horses every day."

the cast of characters is distinct and layered. ione was very intriguing to me with her journey, i never quite knew where to stand 100% with elm or ravyn. the precariousness of trust heightens the tension throughout the story and keeps the stakes raised. i've probably read too many betrayal tropes LOL so i won't go on too much about it BUT the chemistry between elspeth and ravyn was organic, well-developed, and simmering.

“What about you, Captain? Are you too nice for your own good?” He watched me, something I could not read flashing in his gray eyes. “No, Miss Spindle,” he said. “I’m not nice at all.”

it's quite a unique premise and the gothic setting with its fairy tale lore creates a creepy vibe that wonderfully helps drive the story and paint a vivid picture. the motifs of the mist, the trees, the salt, ravens, and crowns incorporate your senses as a reader to help immerse you into the book. the providence cards are easy to liken to a deck of tarot cards, which further encourage both mystical and medieval tones and imagery.

"The Hawthorn tree carries few seeds. Its branches are weary, it’s lost all its leaves. Be wary the man who bargains and thieves. He’ll offer your soul to get what he needs."

"The stone chamber—enveloped by moss and vines—stood tall at the edge of the mist. How strange it looked, alone in the ruins, unmarked but for one dark window situated on its southernmost wall."

overall, i was very impressed (and enraptured) with elspeth and the nightmare's story. i can't wait to see where book two takes me.

“The girl, the King… and the monster they became.”

First book and the story was luring, the characters easy to remember and the rhyming fun yet twisted. I love the different plot of this story. It's beautiful in a slightly twisted kind of way. I was worried when I first started the story. I thought that I would get lost in the whole Providence Cards concept, but no. It was easy to understand the story concepts and the powers at hand. It was even more easy due to the rhyming passages that explains powers. I swear, rhyming makes context and concepts stick so much better.😂 This book was like opening a storybook from my childhood, with all the rhyming. I smiled and teared up a bit throughout my reading. Enchanting. Thank you, Mrs. Rachel Gillig, for a wonderful read and for giving me a piece of my childhood back.