Take a photo of a barcode or cover
themarginaliawriter's reviews
38 reviews
Ghost Wood Song by Erica Waters
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.5
While this book is beautifully written and well worth the read, it just didn't grip me as much as I'd like. There are many twists and turns, some very very light romance. I'm not sure if there was just a LOT going on or if that it seemed very "young adult" with some adult references (such as spirits, hidden family history, and death) that made me less intrigued or something else. I think if I was younger, I would have like this much more.
Bountiful Magic by Iris Beaglehole
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Fireborn by Aisling Fowler
adventurous
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Ship Wrecked by Olivia Dade
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I went into One Dark Window cautious, wary of the hype. I didn’t want to be disappointed. But let me tell you, it’s not overhyped. It’s a beautiful book and I’m having trouble figuring out why I love it so much—because there’s just so many reasons.
At first the lyrical writing style threw me off. Gillig’s prose is unique, intricate and poetic and it took me a minute to adjust. But once I did I was hooked. The writing style and the concept of the book created an immersive experience unlike anything else. It’s rare to find a book where both the story and the prose feel like art in motion and One Dark Window does that seamlessly.
Elspeth Spindle is a beautifully crafted protagonist. I’ve read many characters with internal struggles but Elspeth’s feels different. Her emotional depth and vulnerability are a breath of fresh air. You don’t just read about her inner demons you feel them. Her struggle to find herself, the weight of her secrets and her ability to find joy in small moments despite her burdens makes her story resonate on a deeper level. Her ultimate sacrifice—choosing love not through possession but through selflessness—left a mark. The ending far from a tidy resolution lingers with its emotional weight and I’m eager to see how Ravyn copes with his loss in the next book.
And speaking of Ravyn, the dynamic between him and Elspeth is electric. Their banter adds humor to the darkness and their relationship feels real and relatable. One of the scenes that stood out to me was when Ravyn takes Elspeth to his room at Yew Castle and says “I’d be a liar if I said it wasn’t always like this” surrounded by piles of clothes and books. That simple genuine moment made me love him instantly, it spoke straight to my messy creative heart.
The pacing mirrors the journey I had with the writing style—a slow start as I adjusted, then a smooth flow that had me turning pages. The dialogue is sharp and evocative and grounds the fantasy in raw human emotion.
Do I recommend One Dark Window? Yes. I can’t quite put my finger on why but the book has too many special things and the combination of mystery, romance and dark fantasy is just irresistible. It’s one of those books where you don’t just want to tell people to read it you want to shout “Just do it!” Trust me you won’t regret it.
Do I recommend One Dark Window? Yes. I can’t quite put my finger on why but the book has too many special things and the combination of mystery, romance and dark fantasy is just irresistible. It’s one of those books where you don’t just want to tell people to read it you want to shout “Just do it!” Trust me you won’t regret it.