One Dark Window & Two Twisted Crowns – A Gothic, Dark Fantasy Duology That Stole My Heart
A Dark, Poetic Fantasy Worthy of Your TBR (Spoiler-Free)
It’s rare for a fantasy series to claw into your soul like a shadowy vine and refuse to let go—but Rachel Gillig’s One Dark Window and Two Twisted Crowns do exactly that. Picture this: you’re curled under a blanket, rain tapping at your window, as you fall headfirst into a world where magic is as perilous as it is alluring. If you’re craving a fantasy duology that’s equal parts haunting, heart-wrenching, and hypnotic, consider this your sign to bump these books to the top of your TBR. Trust me, your inner book gremlin will thank you. This duology has officially landed a spot in my Top 4 fantasy series of all time, and here’s why:
A Magic System Built on Cost and Consequence
Let’s talk magic systems. We’ve all read stories where wizards flick their wrists and poof—problems vanish. But in Gillig’s world, magic is less a superpower and more a Faustian bargain. Enter the Providence Cards: 12 mystical cards, each granting a unique ability… for a price. Want superhuman strength? Say hello to bone-crushing pain. Need invisibility? Prepare to lose your sense of self, literally.
What makes this system so gripping isn’t just its creativity—it’s the relentlessness of its consequences. Magic here isn’t a plot device; it’s a character in its own right, whispering temptations and then collecting its dues with interest. Gillig forces her characters (and readers) to ask: How much would you sacrifice for power? Spoiler: The answer is never simple, and the emotional toll will leave you clutching your Kindle like a stress ball.
A Dark and Lyrical World You Can Get Lost In
Close your eyes. Imagine a kingdom shrouded in mist, where ancient trees hum with secrets and shadows have teeth. Welcome to Blunder—a place so richly atmospheric, you’ll half-expect fog to roll out of the pages. Gillig’s prose is like a siren’s song: poetic, eerie, and impossible to resist. Every description feels deliberate, every line dripping with tension.
And then there’s the Nightmare. No, not your ex—this is a cursed spirit living rent-free in protagonist Elspeth’s mind, trading cryptic rhymes for control. Speaking of which, the magical entities here literally speak in verse, which adds a haunting, folkloric rhythm to the whole book. It gives the world its own personality and poetic soul.
Complex Characters and Emotional Depth
Elspeth Spindle isn’t your typical Chosen On. She’s a girl fraying at the edges, wrestling with a monster in her mind and a secret that could get her killed. Her quiet resilience and dry wit make her impossible not to root for—especially as her bond with the brooding, enigmatic Ravyn evolves from wary alliance to something far more electric. (Yes, the romance here is chef’s kiss—slow-burn, angsty, and layered with unspoken truths.)
But the side characters? Oh, they’re not just garnish. Take Elm, the sarcastic prince with a heart buried under layers of self-loathing, or Ione, whose grace masks a spine of steel. Their arcs aren’t subplots; they’re gut-punches that explore trauma, redemption, and the messy beauty of human connection. And let’s not forget the Nightmare—a morally grey entity who’s equal parts terrifying and weirdly charming.
If you’re drawn to dark fantasy with poetic writing, emotional stakes, and rich atmosphere, this duology is for you.
A Deeper Look: Spoiler-Filled Review
One Dark Window: Where Secrets Bloom in the Dark
Elspeth’s journey begins in a kingdom where magic is outlawed, and she’s hiding a terrifying secret—she’s sharing her mind with the Nightmare. Gillig masterfully weaves tension through every chapter—whether it’s the claustrophobic fear of discovery or the visceral cost of using Providence Cards. The magic isn’t just dangerous; it’s addictive. The worldbuilding is immersive, but what really stood out to me was the tension between magic and madness, and how the cost of power shapes character.
The Providence Cards are such a fresh magical concept, and I was fascinated by how their effects slowly twist the people who use them. Gillig doesn’t shy away from consequences.
The ending was a gut-punch. I turned the last page completely breathless.
Elspeth
Two Twisted Crowns: When the Woods Whisper Back
The sequel brings more intensity, more heartbreak, and more magic. The tone is darker, the stakes higher, and the emotional depth runs even deeper.
Amid the chaos, Gillig carves out moments of breathtaking tenderness - the love scene between Elm and Ione—a quiet moment of peace and beauty amid so much pain and sacrifice. It was a much-needed emotional anchor before the chaos returned.
The scene with the Spirit of the Wood was also handled with care. Describing something as immense and metaphysical as a god or ancient spirit is incredibly hard to do well, but Gillig made it work. It wasn’t flashy—it was grounded and subtle, which made it feel real.
There are so many moments in this book that were painfully beautiful—lines and scenes that stunned me with their elegance, even as they broke my heart. One that particularly stayed with me was near the end, when we learn that the Shepherd King’s sister had gone into the Mist, and Gillig describes how her sun, which had always shone, went out. That imagery was so gentle and devastating—and later, when we understand that she died there, it hit even harder.
And then there’s that final metaphor: the Shepherd King tending the trees, guiding not only the forest but the lives within it. That full-circle moment was deeply moving.
The ending had me in tears—especially this line:
"But Aemmory Percyval Taxus had bled into me for so long that, somewhere in the dark, listless shore of my mind, he remained with me. For it was we who had drawn the circles. We, who had shepherded the others toward their destinies. We, who had rearranged the kingdom like trees in our very own wood. And though it had taken slow, painful time, I knew who I was without him. I was more than the girl, the King, and the monster of Blunder’s dark, twisted tale. I was its author."
It perfectly captures the entire emotional journey and the reward at the end of the series.
Ione
Final Thoughts: A Masterwork of Modern Fantasy
Rachel Gillig hasn’t just written a fantasy series—she’s created something rare, she’s crafted a spell. These books are a masterclass in balancing brutality with beauty, weaving folklore into every sentence, and making readers care deeply about characters who are gloriously flawed.
One Dark Window and Two Twisted Crowns are more than stories; they’re experiences. They’re the kind of books that linger in your mind like the echo of a dream—unsettling, luminous, and impossible to forget. So, if you’re ready to trade sleep for “just one more chapter,” grab these books, a strong cup of tea, and maybe a nightlight. You’ll need it. If you love stories that are dark but tender, lyrical but brutal, and rooted in both character and myth—don’t miss these books.
One Dark Window and Two Twisted Crowns are not just good—they are unforgettable.
And if you’re craving the perfect soundtrack to accompany your journey through the mist-shrouded woods of Blunder, don’t forget to check out Cosmic Reads on Spotify. The playlist “Dark Academia – Mysterious & Moody Reads” captures the eerie, lyrical atmosphere of Gillig’s duology beautifully—with haunting instrumentals and shadowy soundscapes that echo the magic of the Providence Cards. Let the music wrap around you like fog through the trees—mysterious, melancholic, and utterly spellbinding.
