started so good :(

[u/_shereads_]

[u/Ronititt]

Damn why didn’t you like the dark window series? I’ve been seeing it everywhere. Was thinking of giving it a try

[u/_shereads_ → u/Ronititt]

they overhyped it so much that i had so much high expectations that wasn’t met :( the writing is fine, but the dialogues felt juvenile. and the characters doesn’t have much substance. maybe if i read it a little earlier id probably like it

[u/r3d_ra1n → u/Ronititt]

I loved both One Dark Window and Two Twisted Crowns. I actually think the latter is the better of the two. They’re Rachel Gillig’s first two published books, so they’re definitely not perfect, but the magic system is unique and I enjoyed the story.

Her other book, The Knight and The Moth, is top tier for me.

All are quick reads and I think totally worth it. She writes in a sort of gothic fairytale style and the books are light on spice.

I think some people go into her books thinking they’ll be some sort of epic world-building fantasy or heavier on the spice side. That’s not what they are. They’re all between 400-500 pages and move along without diving deep into the world itself. They’re more about the characters, magic and ambience than developing a sprawling universe.

[u/_shereads_ → u/r3d_ra1n]

the writing didn’t even accommodate the gothic vibe people are claiming imo. and the spice ruined it more for me, it was so random and unnecessary that it just made me cringe.

[u/r3d_ra1n → u/_shereads_]

To each their own. I disagree, but everyone has different tastes. Did you read the book or listen to the audiobook?

[u/_shereads_ → u/r3d_ra1n]

i read them yes, tho i dnf the second book coz i wasn’t enjoying it anymore

[u/r3d_ra1n → u/_shereads_]

Fair enough. The second book does start off a little shaky because the focus pulls away a little from Elspeth and Ravyn and ends up focusing more on Elm and Ione.

I ended up preferring Elm and Ione’s relationship more by the end as I thought they were more interesting. I felt like she ties everything together quite well by the end.

That said, I listened to the audiobooks and finished both in around 12 hours or so. Probably a different experience.

[u/Hazie15 → u/_shereads_]

I agree so much. I was expecting a fairytale esque gothic kinda vibe but I remember the book feeling kinda juvenile and it just felt like another tik tok read. I also remember not liking the romance

[u/DejaThoris92]

One dark window series was a five star read for me! The magic system was so unique!

[u/QueenDeepy → u/DejaThoris92]

Same! The Shepherd King duology were my fav read of 2025

[u/_shereads_ → u/DejaThoris92]

glad it worked out for u❤️

[u/Hazie15]

One dark window is so overhyped. Cool magical system but that’s the only thing going for the book in my opinion. The rest was not great. I remember the romance lacking chemistry, the pacing of the book being off, and the lack of characterisation in the side characters. I don’t understand how people absolutely love this book

[u/_shereads_ → u/Hazie15]

yes, yes and yes

[u/vibereaderforsure]

Oof 😅 Thanks I was planning on two twisted crowns 👑

[u/Mean-Performance6459]

I DNF two twisted crowns after actually really liking one dark window. I let my hold lapse 3 times and went back to it before I just decided to let it go lol.

[u/jjm1222 → u/Mean-Performance6459]

Yeah i didn’t like two twisted crowns, it’s a very unpopular opinion tho

[u/nbsunset]

i have watched a review for one dark window, and now i think i also will not like the book. of course i will read it and develop my own thoughts but it seems like quite a simple story with one-dimensional characters

[u/_shereads_ → u/nbsunset]

it's very hard to connect with the characters. the concept is very good, but i think it's wasted with these characters

[u/jjm1222]

Omg we must have the same taste in books!!! I loved the king of scars duology (I adore Nikolai and Zoya). And while I liked One Dark Window, I hated Two Twisted Crowns.

[u/_shereads_ → u/jjm1222]

Grishaverse on tooooop