One Dark Window
An ancient, mercurial spirit is trapped inside Elspeth Spindle's head - she calls him the Nightmare. He protects her. He keeps her secrets. But nothing comes for free, especially magic. When Elspeth meets a mysterious highwayman on the forest road, she is thrust into a world of shadow and deception. Together, they embark on a dangerous quest to cure the town of Blunder from the dark magic infecting it. As the stakes heighten and their undeniable attraction intensifies, Elspeth is forced to face her darkest secret yet: the Nightmare is slowly, darkly, taking over her mind. And she might not be able to stop him.
Themes & atmosphere
What you might want to know about One Dark Window
The questions readers send us most often, answered without spoilers.
Cursed kingdom, twelve cards of arcane magic, and a young noblewoman, Elspeth, who hides one inside her, alongside the wry presence of the dead king who lives within it. She and the prince's hooded captain share a problem.
One Dark Window was written by Rachel Gillig and published in 2022. It is the first book in her Shepherd King duology, originally self-published before being picked up by a major publisher.
Rachel Gillig's Shepherd King duology has two books: One Dark Window and Two Twisted Crowns. The duology is complete.
One Dark Window is 400 pages in standard print editions, though page counts vary slightly between hardcover, paperback, and large-print formats.
At an average reading pace of about 250 words per minute, One Dark Window takes most readers 6 to 9 hours to finish.
One Dark Window is a standalone novel by an unknown author, not part of a series.
One Dark Window is available in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats from Amazon, Bookshop.org, ThriftBooks, and most major bookstores.