The Knight and the Moth

UMM this was so amazing (I expected nothing less from queen Rachel Gillig)- romantic, whimsical, and shrouded in secrets. Rachel Gillig is truly the queen of gothic romantasy. You could pick up any one of her books blindfolded and know it’s hers- always decadent in rich world-building, mythical symbolism, and that distinct blend of whimsy and ruin.

This is gothic fairytale at its finest: cathedral shadows and foretelling dreams, divine lore and holy magic. Sybil, a holy prophetess, and Rory, a heretical smug knight (the things this man says!?), partner up on a misted quest to save Sybil’s sister diviners and defeat the six godly Omens in the name of young King Benji. The line between knight and diviner begins to blur in a delicious slow-burn YEARNING romance that had me swooning.

My favourite character was, without a doubt, our emotional-support gargoyle Bartholomew, who stole the show and had me laughing out loud. One of the best sidekicks I’ve read in a fantasy - equal parts comic relief, wisdom, and loyal companion.

The story is compelling, the pacing is chef’s kiss - effortlessly bingeable but never rushed. The magic system entirely unique and unforgettable. No one could accuse Gillig of writing anything unoriginal. And that ending? No words.

The Shepherd King duology definitely now has a worthy rival. I’m dying to see where this story leads!!!!!!!

Rachel Gillig’s new fantasy world is instantly compelling, exploring gods and worship and the truth behind those in power. The ensemble of characters were so engaging and the air of mystery around so much of their lives kept me guessing the whole time. I really loved watching Sybil discover the truth about Aisling and the Omens and her whole life and seeing her come into her own rather than her whole identity being defined by her position as a Diviner. I cannot wait for the sequel!

I've been dying to get my hands on The Knight and the Moth from its announcement, as I've been a big fan of Rachel Gillig ever since her Y.A. debut One Dark Window back in 2022.

Much like One Dark Window, The Knight and the Moth is full of detailed world-building and a really cool magical lore. The characters are brought to life in vivid detail, and the descriptions of certain important big characters are cinematic in their depictions. The cast of characters is another stand-out part of this novel, from the frustratingly swoon-worthy Rory, to the hilarious and poignant Gargoyle.

The revelations and insane ending have me literally on the edge of my seat waiting for book two!

Actual Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.
*I received an ARC via Netgalley.*

It’s not that I didn’t enjoy this one, I did. I really enjoyed the world, the beginning gave me strong bloodborne vibes and I loved it. The writing was gorgeous, I think the prose was a highlight of the book, just like it was in one dark window.
However the characters left a bit to be desired. In a market that’s so saturated, a romantasy book needs me to like the characters, otherwise the romance falls flat, which was the case with this one. In one dark window I found that the romance was more of a side plot, so the fantasy, the interesting world was at the forefront, which is why I liked it so much. But with this one I found the romance to not interest me, and I sort of lost a bit of interest along the way. Could it be because I’ve read so much romantasy lately? Possibly

The Knight and the Moth is everything I could ever want in a gothic, romantic fantasy. Rachel Gillig’s world-building is nothing short of magical—dark, eerie, and completely immersive. I was hooked from the very first page. The diverse cast of characters made this world feel not just rich, but like a place I could belong to. Sybil, the Diviner with the weight of foretelling doom on her shoulders, is everything you want in a protagonist—brave, complex, and deeply human. Then there’s Rodrick, the devilishly handsome knight who challenges everything Sybil believes in. Their slow-burn, tension-filled dynamic had me grinning one moment and holding my breath the next.

What really sets this apart is how Gillig blends beauty and darkness in a way that’s unsettling yet comforting. The stakes are high, the gods are mysterious, and the danger is constant. But it’s the chemistry between Sybil and Rodrick that keeps you turning the pages, desperate to see how it all unfolds.

This isn’t just a fantasy; it’s an experience. A gothic fairytale that’s as romantic as it is thrilling. The way it’s written, the world, the characters—it’s all so thoughtfully crafted. I can’t wait to dive back into this world. 5 stars, no question.

This was excellent. Rachel Gillig has nailed the gothic fantasy setting once again. This story and world was eerie, mysterious and felt like nothing I’ve read in the genre before.

I will say I think marketing this book as “the new gothic romantasy” is going to set people up for the wrong expectations. It’s predominantly a fantasy story following our protagonist Sybil’s challenges and growth. To me this was the highlight of the book, watching Sybil’s personal journey and the characters that she interacted with. Every other character in the book is there to service her growth in some way. The romance was still so well done, but it’s only one part of the book. Because I’m such a big fan of her Shepherd King Duology, I was definitely expecting something similar - which it was and also it wasn’t at all.

One comparison I’ve seen that I think is spot on is T. Kingfishers Nettle and Bone. It’s got dark and sinister forces, an unlikely band of characters on a quest and female protagonist personal growth through difficult circumstances.

But overall the pacing is perfect, I was glued to the book from when I started it to when I finished. And most impressively - the prose is beautiful. All in all, Rachel Gillig is a Queen and I can’t wait for the sequel.