unique magic and female main character work

*MILD SPOILERS AHEAD!*


This one's been on my list for a while (the cover has definitely caught my eye in the past on B&N shelves and BookTok videos). I can understand why it's popular and receiving love from the fantasy genre---this is one of the most gripping and followable magic systems I've read in a long time! Emphasis on followable; I don't have to pretend like I grasp the most important fundamentals cause I actually do. I appreciate the amount of times the general legend of the Shepherd King and eventual Rowan royal family are mentioned, whether it be through flashbacks from the main character of bedtime stories, the literal chapter title cards, or the rhymes the Nightmare sings in Elspeth's head. The concept of this world's magic being guided by and tied to the cards people wield is fascinating, and the Nightmare's ability to see the colors of the card's magic through Elspeth's eyes made the writing all the more atmospheric for me. I'd be remiss not to mention the smell of salt every time magic or the mist is near, too, and the politics of this kingdom's decision to eradicate any sign of their mysterious illness in children rather than care for and attempt to heal them.
Let's talk about Elspeth---I think she stands out as a really great FMC, not just because she's pretty much got a split personality, but because she proves herself capable of wielding and resisting the darkness within her. I don't necessarily think all of Elspeth's interest as a character comes from the fact that she has the 500 year old spirit of the king of her realm living as a half monster, half man trapped in her mind (though that's certainly unique). I think a lot of my interest stemmed from wanting to see if she'd succumb to her degeneration, find a way around it, or decide to fully embrace it. Her romance with the somber Captain of the Destriers of course works to make her massive secret increasingly treacherous, but there's so much introspective work going on with her motives and fear and self-identity. Not to mention her attempts to figure out how her relationship with her cousin Ione had such a quick and total switch. I want a book told from Ione's perspective to figure out just what she's up to, cause I know she's using that Maiden card beauty for much more than meets the eye. Perhaps the second book in the duology will grant this wish of mine (I really really hope so). 
Elspeth's love interest, Ravyn Yew, reminds me of many other MMC types in the realm of fantasy series and duologies, but I'm not necessarily mad about it. Sure, he's literally tall, dark, and handsome, with a splash of danger, but for this novel's Medieval-esque setting, I think it works. I didn't expect a fake dating (or courting, I should say) trope to be thrown in the mix of this plot either, but I was pleasantly surprised at how much tension it created. Obviously the larger plot is centered on finding and collecting the Providence Cards to save the kingdom, but we've gotta have romance in there. I'm glad the ruse wasn't kept up for too long, that the yearning came to a head and resulted in a swoonworthy kiss (among other things). 
I'm very intrigued to read the next book and therefore finish this duology's interesting story, as I thought the way the first book ended left me with no choice but to keep reading.




Some of my favorite quotes from One Dark Window:

"Nothing is free. Nothing is safe. Magic is love, but also, it’s hate. It comes at a cost. You’re found, and you’re lost. Magic is love, but also, it’s hate."

"'You’re smiling.' Elm looked over the table. 'Does no one else find that incredibly unnerving?'"

"Children are strongest when their eyes are clear."

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