Publishers Weekly
07/04/2022
Gillig’s spooky, unpolished gothic fantasy debut and series launch introduces Elspeth Spindle, who has spent her life hiding how a magical fever known as the “infection” gave her the ability to absorb the power from Providence Cards, 12 playing cards used to perform specific kinds of legal magic. Touching just one card led to a monster, Nightmare, taking residence in Elspeth’s head and frequently commandeering her body. Nightmare helps Elspeth fight off a highwayman searching for her uncle’s Providence Cards—only for the highwayman to be revealed as the king’s nephew, Ravyn Yew. Now Elspeth is drawn into a desperate conspiracy to collect all 12 card types by the solstice to cure the infection before the King kills Ravyn’s infected younger brother and Nightmare completely takes over Elspeth body. There are some hiccups here: Nightmare’s penchant for speaking in oddly metered rhyming couplets feels inappropriately twee in such a blood-drenched book, and the twist reveal of Nightmare’s true identity is entirely obvious. Still, the steamy romance that emerges between Elspeth and Ravyn delights. Fans of Sarah J. Maas, Naomi Novak, and Hannah Whitten will want to check this out. Agent: Whitney Ross, Irene Goodman Literary. (Oct.)
From the Publisher
"Thick fog, shifting alliances, and clever magic make the perfect backdrop for a sweeping romance—One Dark Window is enthralling from beginning to shocking end."—Hannah Whitten, NYT bestselling author of For the Wolf
"An enchanting tale with sharp claws and teeth—Gillig’s prose will pull you in and won’t let you sleep. Pulse-pounding, darkly whimsical, and aglow with treacherous magic, One Dark Window is everything I love in fantasy and more"—Allison Saft, author of A Far Wilder Magic
"One Dark Window is an evocative tale of romance, mystery and alluring monsters, told in beautifully lush prose. Rachel Gillig has created a story which left me entranced."—Lyndall Clipstone, author of Lakesedge
“[T]he steamy romance that emerges between Elspeth and Ravyn delights. Fans of Sarah J. Maas, Naomi Novik, and Hannah Whitten will want to check this out.”—Publishers Weekly
"A beautifully dark fairy tale of blood, rage and bitter choice, that whisked me away to mist-wreathed woods ripe with romance and menace"—Davinia Evans, author of Notorious Sorcerer
"Elspeth’s slow-burn romance with a mysterious highwayman adds depth to the story ... A finely detailed magical system enriches Gillig’s debut; fantasy readers will enjoy."—Library Journal
"Readers will be enthralled with Elspeth’s—and Nightmare’s—riveting adventure."—Booklist
"Spooky, lush...Gillig executes familiar fantasy romance tropes with flair."—Paste Magazine
"One Dark Window is a page-turner. Gillig’s lush language is somewhat reminiscent of Alix E. Harrow’s excellent portal fantasy, The Ten Thousand Doors of January, as well as Robin McKinley’s redolent fairytale retellings such as Spindle’s End, Beauty, and Deerskin ... a richly detailed and decadent world that at once feels familiar, distinctive, and wistful to the reader."—Chicago Review of Books
Library Journal
08/01/2022
DEBUT The kingdom of Blunder lies shrouded in mist, governed by the magic of the Providence Cards. There are twelve face cards, each with their own power, allowing their owners to wield the power of the specific card. Few people in Blunder actually have intrinsic magic. In fact, when a child is "infected" with full-blown magic, the Destriers come with the Physician to kill the infected patient. A former Captain of the Destriers hides his daughter Elspeth from this fate, sending her away to an aunt. Years later, Elspeth is the embodiment of the Nightmare Providence Card, with a monster in her brain. When she celebrates Equinox at the King's castle, she can no longer hide her abilities and joins a quest to reunite the far-flung deck of Providence Cards, hoping to finally lift the killing mist from her country. Elspeth's slow-burn romance with a mysterious highwayman adds depth to the story. VERDICT A finely detailed magical system enriches Gillig's debut; fantasy readers will enjoy.—Jennie Mills
