Title:

One Dark Window

Author:

Rachel Gillig

Category:

Science Fiction / Fantasy

Rating:

Date Reviewed:

July 7, 2024
ne Dark Window could be classified as a romantasy since it is a combination of romance and fantasy novel. The heroine and the hero find that they must work closely together in the hopes of gathering a deck of magic cards. So they agree to pretend to be courting, as this will allay suspicions about their true intentions. But of course, the pretend courtship develops into something more. Nevertheless, despite the inevitable romance, the story is well told, with interesting world building and some well drawn characters (though it mentions about a dozen times too many that Ravyn, the hero, has grey eyes).

Elspeth Spindle is the daughter of a powerful man in the kingdom of Blunder. When she was a child, she caught a fever which left her with infected blood. Infected blood leads to magic, but Elspeth has never displayed any magical abilities, so perhaps she avoided permanent effects, though she must wear long sleeves so that her dark veins will not reveal her affliction. In the kingdom of Blunder, anyone with infected blood is not tolerated, so if her condition is discovered, Elspeth will be executed. To hide her, her father has sent Elspeth to live with his brother at a remote estate.

The only magic that is permitted in Blunder comes from a set of magic Providence cards. 500 years ago, the Shepherd King of Blunder negotiated with the Spirit of the Woods, sacrificing abilities and resources in exchange for magical Providence Cards. When the exchange was complete, there were 12 types of cards of varying abilities. For example, there were twelve Destrier cards, which confer the power of Strength on the card holder. Eleven Golden Egg cards, which confer Wealth. Ten Prophet cards, which allow the user glimpses of the future. Nine White Eagles (Courage), eight Maidens (Beauty), seven Chalices (forces Truth Telling), six Wells (allows the holder to spot their enemies), five Iron Gates (Serenity), four Scythe cards (compels others to obey your commands), three Mirrors (makes you Invisible) and two Nightmares which allow the wielder to hear the thoughts of others. There is just one Twin Alders card, presumably the most powerful card of all, but no one knows what its power is, because it hasn't been seen in 500 years; not since the Shepherd King hid it.

Unbeknownst to anyone else, Elspeth magic has manifested itself. Her uncle once left a Nightmare Providence Card on his table, and when a curious Elspeth touched it, a powerful spirit entered her mind and has resided there ever since. This demonic creature gives advice (though it is often obscure and in rhymes) and makes evil suggestions to Elspeth, which she tries to ignore. But sometimes circumstances place Elspeth in perilous situations, and she must call on the creature to aid her. But this a dangerous course, because magic is never free - every usage weakens the magic user. The being inside Elspeth gets stronger each time - and of course the plot constantly places Elspeth in dire peril.

Ravyn is the enigmatic captain of the Destriers. Among his other duties, he is responsible for finding infected people and bringing them to justice. He carries a Destrier card (and secretly has accumulated a number of the other cards, something that Elspeth can see because the demon in her head can spot the Providence cards anywhere, and knows them by their different colored auras that only she can see). Ravyn is aided by the terrifying Physicians, who also seek the infected citizens. Clearly, the smartest decision is for Elspeth to remain as far as she possibly can from the King's court and his agents. But one night, walking back through the forest to the remote manor, Elspeth is accosted by two highwaymen. Trapped, she calls upon the power of the interior beast and surprises her two assailants. Elspeth escapes, but has set in motion a series of events which will threaten the order of the kingdom.

When the Shepherd King bargained with the Spirit of the Wood, he angered the mighty spirit and now the kingdom is enswathed in a dangerous mist that grows more with each passing year. Ravyn Yew is the captain of the Destriers, the best military fighters in the kingdom, who report directly to the King. His goal is collect the set of 12 cards first, so that he can be the one to break the power of the Spirit of the Woods and dispels the deadly mists. I didn't understand why Ravyn needed subterfuge to collect the complete deck - presumably the King of Blunder wanted to own the set of 12 cards for the same reason, to free Blunder from the mist? Yes, breaking the spell will require drawing blood from a magically infected person, but there appear to be no shortage of infected people to choose from. Ravyn's brother, Emory Yew is infected, but the King has not had Emory executed. Ravyn knows that Emory is being held until the King needs his blood for the final spell when all twelve cards are collected.

I liked that using magic always had a cost. Even wielding a Providence card has a penalty. Whenever Elspeth calls upon the Beast that hides within her, it will come to her aid and rescue her, but Elspeth grows weaker and the Nightmare Beast grows stronger. If the trend continues, the Beast in her head will eventually overwhelm Elspeth entirely, and it will be she who lives in the head of the Beast. Sometimes Elspeth's eyes turn yellow, the color of frightening monster painted on the Nightmare card.

One Dark Window is just half of one big tale, I now must read the second book of the duology, Two Twisted Crowns to find out how Elspeth and Ravyn survive (if they do).