One Dark Window Summary

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig follows Elspeth Spindle, a young woman in a realm where magic is feared and mostly illegal. The only exception comes from 78 unique Providence Cards, left by the lost Shepherd King. This land suffers under a cursed mist spread by the Spirit of the Wood, causing a dangerous illness called the fever. Elspeth has her own struggles; she is infected and houses a dangerous being known as the Nightmare within her mind, wrapped up within the Nightmare Card.

To avoid capture and certain death at the hands of the Rowan King's forces, Elspeth hides her condition. Estranged from her family, the Spindles, she lives with her aunt Opal and uncle Tyrn at their estate called the Hawthorns. She navigates her days in secret, knowing that any mistake could expose her and expose her to deadly consequences, as those with illegal magic are relentlessly hunted.

The trouble for Elspeth begins one dark night on a journey when she faces a sudden attack by two highwaymen. During her escape, she takes a fateful fall through a window at her aunt's estate. Surrounded by the intoxicating mist as she loses consciousness, she finds an unlikely savior: a mysterious man in the woods. Though he protects her, there’s an unsettling feeling around this stranger and the volatile magic in the environment.

Elspeth quickly sinks back into the dangerous politics of Blunder’s high society, where the Rowan King’s Physicians and elite soldiers called Destriers aggressively pursue infected individuals. The King's obsession to complete a full deck of Providence Cards seals her fate: with the Nightmare Card in her possession, she becomes a prime target for his forces, eyeing her for their plans against the mist.

Soon, she meets Emory Yew, the nephew of the Rowan King. Like Elspeth, he is infected and can see the lurking Nightmare. In a stroke of luck, Ravyn Yew—Emory’s older brother and the captain of the Destriers—steps in to help her instead of harming her. His support becomes vital as she maneuvers through the political labyrinth, battling enemies while wrestling with her shadowy powers.

Working alongside Ravyn, Elspeth uses her intelligence and knowledge of the Providence Cards to stay one step ahead. Yet, dependence on the Nightmare offers certain power at a high personal cost, forcing Elspeth into a psychological struggle over her identity and control. The deeper she sinks into this dark magic, the closer she comes to losing herself completely.

As Elspeth strives for survival, she also seeks to find a cure for the fever affecting Blunder. With Ravyn, she embarks on a dangerous journey through enchanted forests and forgotten kingdoms. They encounter infected souls and magical creatures, all the while revealing truths about Elspeth that challenge her understanding of her family and the magic itself.

Confronted with a dire decision, Elspeth must contemplate surrendering to the alluring Nightmare, risking her very essence, or fight to retain her identity while facing the mounting threat caused by the spreading mist. The climax reveals the depth of her internal battle as well as the dangers lurking outside.

Ending on an intense and suspense-filled note, the story hints at more adventures ahead for Elspeth. Her path in this gothic and magical world is fraught with growing power alongside the Nightmare. It leaves readers anticipating more from Elspeth's ongoing confrontation with her fears and the enchantments that

One Dark Window wraps up with Elspeth facing the reality of her worsening infection and growing connection to a dark force. She reaches out to Emery, who warns her that she doesn't have much time left before the power within her completely takes control. The tension peaks during a game of Providence Cards, leading to confessions—Hauth admits to past wrongs, Ravyn shares his feelings, and Elspeth reveals her love.

The stakes rise when Ravyn attempts to aid Elspeth with the Nightmare card, but the plan fails, resulting in her collapsing and revealing her dangerous condition to her friends. As Elspeth transforms into a vessel for the ancient Shepherd King’s power, her identity begins to blur with the dark magic she harbors. This shift hints at a new chapter for the kingdom of Blunder, filled with mystery regarding the magic and power struggles that lie ahead.

The ending leaves many conflicts unresolved, particularly about Elspeth’s future. There are lingering questions on how her role will evolve as the story progresses. The book concludes on a tension-filled note, paving the way for future developments in this captivating series.

• Elspeth Spindle: The strong heroine and narrator, who lives with a monster called the Nightmare inside her. She fights to stay safe in the misty kingdom of Blunder while hiding her secret.

• Ravyn Yew: The dark and mysterious love interest, known for his selfless, kind nature and his fierce protection of family.

• The Nightmare: An ancient spirit residing in Elspeth’s mind for 11 years, capable of taking control of her body and significantly influencing the story.

Supporting characters include Ravyn’s siblings Jespyr and Emory, King Rowan and his family, along with Elspeth’s relatives Ione and Iris.