Romantasy
One Dark Window
A young woman shares her mind with a monster known as the Nightmare, which helps and threatens her in equal measure. She sets out with a dangerous captain to find the cards that might save their blighted kingdom.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 2022
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Medium
- Pages
- 421
- Format
- Book 1 of 2 in The Shepherd King
Read this if you want dark, fairy-tale fantasy romance with moody atmosphere and a magic system built on cards.
Skip this if you want a bright or cosy fantasy, as this one is shadowy and often grim.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about One Dark Window
- What is One Dark Window about?
- A young woman shares her mind with a monster known as the Nightmare, which helps and threatens her in equal measure. She sets out with a dangerous captain to find the cards that might save their blighted kingdom.
- Who should read One Dark Window?
- Read it if you want dark, fairy-tale fantasy romance with moody atmosphere and a magic system built on cards. Skip it if you want a bright or cosy fantasy, as this one is shadowy and often grim.
- How long and how fast is One Dark Window?
- It is a medium-paced, medium read of about 421 pages, first published in 2022.
- Does One Dark Window have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, Death.
- Can I borrow One Dark Window for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends One Dark Window; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after One Dark Window?
- Readers who liked it often move on to Uprooted, The Bear and the Nightingale, A Court of Thorns and Roses.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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Because you might love it
If you loved One Dark Window
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Uprooted Another dark fairy-tale fantasy about a magical corruption and a heroine learning her power.
-
The Bear and the Nightingale A moody folklore-based fantasy with a haunting atmosphere and a young woman at its core.
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A Court of Thorns and Roses
Another dark fantasy romance with a fairy-tale base and a deadly threat to the land.
Romantasy
