“You know this story, Bartholomew, though you do not remember it. I'll tell it to you as best I can and promise to be honest in my talebearing. If I'm not, that's hardly my fault. To tell a story is in part to tell a lie, isn't it?”

I have always been fascinated by books that explore the power of stories and how words can both give and take away power over any living or non-living thing, even if they hold no relationship with truth. Rachel Gillig is a master at pulling back the layers of a story while commenting on storytelling as a craft, it was a theme I loved in The Shepherd King duology, but also believe really comes into its own in The Knight and the Moth. And Gillig demonstrates that a profound and provoking fantasy doesn’t need to be 800 pages to hit the mark exactly. This is a book that I expect to live rent-free in my head from now on.

In a cathedral on a tor, Diviners dream of Omens and from them divine the future. Six girls for six Omens, foundling girls with no memory of their lives before their first drowning, who spend ten years in service, drowning and drowning again so they can dream. Until, one by one, they disappear. Only Sybil, who was stripped of her name and given only a number, Six, remains. Determined to save her sisters, she must partner with a boy-king, a heretic and a veteran knight, and with only her loyal gargoyle beside her, she must leave the only home she has ever known.

The world-building is beautiful, atmospheric, and rich without suffering from info-dumping or coming across as dense, it’s easy to read. With sometimes crude language juxtaposed against such lyrical writing. The characters were heart-wrenching, and I have never fallen in love with a gargoyle so quickly in my life. All of the characters were raw and real, and it feels as though you are on this journey with them, flawed and coming to terms with the baggage each character faces.

Seeing Sybil, a foundling who found her family in her fellow Diviners (with on-point, well-written sisterly/family bonds) reclaim her story, discover who she is outside her role as a Diviner and number was so powerful.

“If you only ever look up at something, can you ever see it clearly?”

Similarly, Rodrick (Rory), our MMC, our knight with heretical leanings and with his amour lying between him and the world, is quite honestly a sweetheart. And, like Sybil, he finds his views and assumptions challenged from the moment he meets our FMC. Crass and stubborn, with witty banter and a sweet, slow burn. This is what Romantasy is for me. It’s not about needing to be full of spice or one genre holding the other hostage. It’s the perfect blend of heart-filling romance and epic fantasy.

In conclusion, it was an intimate and wonderous experience (think Alice falling down a rabbit hole) to fall into this story, to follow our characters as they broke and remade themselves, again and again. At the end, feeling like I had too, and I need Book 2 to remake me because the cliffhanger in The Knight and the Moth has well and truly broken me.

“To the child in each of us, yearning to be special. Take my hand, you strange little creature, and together we shall walk beyond the wall.”

Many thanks to NetGalley Brown Book Group UK and Orbit Books for sharing this book's digital reviewer copy in exchange an honest reviews.

Gillig does it again! How does she come up with so unique worlds and magic, so complex characters and plots that make me gasp and scream at times? I didn’t think this book would be as good as two twisted crowns, but IT IS! I loved reading about Six and her journey, about the little group of them and the scary omens, her finding herself and the little romance that was going on. My fav character was easily BARTHOLOMEW <3 endlessly grateful for the arc, thank you so much!

Oh, to be a gargoyle. And oh, to have a glimpse inside Rachel Gillig’s mind.
Once again, she has completely enchanted me with her creativity and her ability to write such unique stories. I’m in love with her storytelling and the pictures she paints in my mind - every atmosphere she creates is dark and haunting, yet dreamy and beautiful.
The Knight and the Moth is a story about devotion - the kind that destroys you, and the kind that rebuilds you. It’s about what it means to be loved without having to earn it, about faith, and what happens when everything you’ve built your life around turns out to be a lie.
Sybil is the kind of character who buries herself in your heart and refuses to leave. She’s faithful, loyal, aching for love she was taught she had to earn. Watching her unravel everything she believed - shedding lies, breaking devotion and discovering that love and faith do not demand suffering in return - was both devastating and empowering.
Rory is her opposite in every way: guarded, irreverent and without faith. And yet, he looks at Sybil like she’s divine. His admiration for her strength, his devotion and the way he breaks through her walls with patience honestly made me cry. Their romance is full of tension and yearning and I couldn’t get enough.
And the gargoyle! Never in my life did I think I’d sob over a gargoyle, but here we are. Petty, funny, dramatic, emotional and absolutely unforgettable. He was truly the heart of the story and I loved him so much.
Every time I think of gothic fantasy now, I’ll think of Rachel Gillig. This book isn’t even out yet and I’m already losing my mind over the sequel! I really can't wait to see how this story continues.
～Thank you so much to Orbit Books UK for the ARC!

I absolutely adored the Shepherd King duology so The Knight and the Moth was one of my most anticipated reads of the year.

Rachel Gillig is a master of storytelling and I adored every moment of this gothic fantasy. I adored Sybil and her journey and how she slowly comes to terms with everything she learns. She suffered from so much religious trauma and it made my heart swell that she had so much support from her found family.

The romance was absolutely beautiful and Rory was such a patient and kind character, who complimented Sybil perfectly. I adored how his belief in her remained unfaltering throughout the book.

The Gargoyle, that sweet Gargoyle, is quite possibly one of my favourite characters of all time. He was such a sweetheart and his kindness and loyalty to Sybil brought tears to my eyes. When his backstory is revealed, I was full on sobbing and wanted to wrap my arms around him.

By the end of the book, I had already predicted the ending, but it was no less impactful. I am beyond excited for the sequel and to see how Sybil and Rory face the challenges brought by the events of the last chapter.

Rating: 3.5/5

Rachel Gillig has proven to be a master author of atmospheric books. I find her work unparalleled both in her previous works and in this one.

Starting with the good points of this book I must mention the world building which was very interesting just like the mystery surrounding her Omens and Diviners. The plot around them unfolds in just the right pace, giving us clues and little answers all throughout the book without spoiling how the whole story will conclude. And the final revelations were oh so fascinating and touching.

Another favourite part about “The Knight and the Moth” was… the gargoyle. Everything about it. The interactions, the lines, the banter, the entirety of this character was just perfection.

However. I must say I didn’t enjoy the romance part as much as I expected to. There were very nice scenes between Sybil and Rory and their animosity in the beginning was entertaining but their chemistry felt a bit hollow to me. Same goes for those two characters separately. They just didn’t make me feel deeper feelings.

This story ends in a cliffhanger so I have high hopes that the next instalment of this duology will fascinate me more both in terms of general plot and character development.

— 5 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Would you like me to tell you a story? The one with the tragic beginning and the desolate, interminable middle?"

📖 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 396 pages
👤 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Rachel Gillig
🏢 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: Orbit Books, UK
📅 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 20 May 2025

What you can expect:
— Adult Gothic Fantasy Romance
— First Person X Single POV
— Prophetess X Knight
— Omens & Prophecies
— Girls In Armor
— Found Family
— Romantic Sub-Plot
— Elaborate World Building
— Hilarious Gargoyle Companion
— Unique Magical System
— Mystery & Political Intrigue

𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲:
The Knight and the Moth is the first instalment in The Stonewater Kingdom duology by author Rachel Gillig. All I can think to start this review with is: SPECTACULAR GIVE ME FOURTEEN OF THEM RIGHT NOW. My jaw? On the floor. My heart? In pieces. My mind? SCATTERED because oh my god this book? I had absolutely zero doubt or lack of faith in queen Rachel Gillig who continues to cement herself as an auto-buy author of mine and I’m beyond thrilled to have been proven right yet again. This book is a masterpiece and there is no ‘if’ or ‘but’ about it. I need everybody to run to their nearest bookshop to grab their own copy so that I can find even more likeminded people to spend hours yapping away with about this book. The richly atmospheric and innovative setting had me instantly swept away as Gillig seamlessly guides her readers through the immersive world-building that takes place from the very first page. I was immediately fascinated by the lore of the world surrounding the Omens and the impact that they hold over the political climate of this world. The way their influence stretches far and wide whilst remaining largely unknown had me eager to discover the truth alongside our main cast of characters as we join them on a tumultuous journey in their bid for answers. The Knight and the Moth perfectly balanced the romantic sub-plot in support of the main purpose of the story which offered a soft and romantic reprieve from the otherwise heavy themes being explored. I loved the pacing of the overall story as I found myself able to anticipate some of the answers to my questions through patience and paying close attention to details being laid out by the author, whilst equally being left in shock with my jaw on the floor and a desperation to find out what happens next. There is truly not a single negative thing that I could say about this book other than it will break my heart having to wait for book two.

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬:
There’s no denying much of the strengths in this book can be found in its main cast of characters. Sybil 'Six' Denning was such a delight to uncover as we get to follow the journey that we find her on through her own point of view. Her growth from beginning-to-end is so apparent as Sybil begins to unravel the truth and comes to the realisation that nothing about her life is what she was taught to believe. I really resonated with her journey as she suddenly finds herself in an unfamiliar world that carries an expectation she's no longer willing to fulfil with a lack of recognition in her self-worth and overall sense-of-self. The way she fights to discover herself and the role she wishes to play within the world was really powerful, and I truly cannot wait to see what comes next from such a multi-purposeful and extraordinarily layered character. Sybil is such a strong-willed character who is loyal to her core with an unwavering keenness to see what the world has to offer outside of the stone walls she’s only ever known as home. The way she continues to get out of bed to push forward on their task amidst the emotional heartache and turmoil that’s flung her way really earned my respect and admiration towards her character. Sybil endures so much and my heart broke in tandem with hers during several jaw-dropping events throughout the book… but I’m very excited to see the woman that emerges in the end after that shocking ending. I suspect the beginning of her ‘revenge girl era’ is only just beginning, and I cannot wait to explore her character and overall potential further in the second instalment in the duology.

Rodrick ‘Rory’ Myndacious was such a delightful character and love interest in all of his unexpectedness and complexities that shaped him into the character that I can’t help but love. He's broody and snarky upon first introduction which admittedly I love in a character anyway... but I was honestly sold from the moment his ear piercing and guyliner was mentioned. Sometimes I'm simply a woman who's easily won over by her preferences. Rory's loyalty and belief in the mission that we follow him on is absolute which offered a clear insight into his unspoken aspirations that he often shies away from voicing. I loved his witty nature and snarky remarks which slowly unravelled to reveal the soft and tender-hearted man underneath who has so much love and devotion to offer to the right person that can see him for who he is without judgement. It’s completely understandable why his close circle of friends is small, but I loved how this in no way reduces Rory’s loyalty and devotion to those that he loves. I had a great time getting to explore the emotional intimates of his friendships as this gradually introduced an eccentric gargoyle and a Diviner into the mix. Rory’s yearning was written to perfection and I cannot wait to see what comes next for his character after the most unlikely betrayal has left him reeling and (I hope) a willingness to fight for the life that he deserves.

Don’t even get me started on the sweet bat-like gargoyle whose name shall not be mentioned. He’s easily my favourite side character of Gillig’s to date and I cannot even begin to articulate just how much I have fallen in love with this quirky and eccentric creature that left me wheezing from laughter and then crying from the sweet actions and intentions of his character. His dialogue constantly left me grinning from ear to ear with his matter-of-fact delivery and the underlying humour that can be found at all times... in which was usually during the more inappropriate moments which made it all the more fun. The way he cries at everything whilst swiftly recovering with a swift tongue and witty comeback had me laughing so hard I nearly cried because, well... relatable. Learning his backstory truly gutted me as it was something that I found entirely unexpected and completely emotionally unprepared for. I'm not kidding or understating my words when I proclaim that I seriously need his character to be a survivor by the very end. I would happily sacrifice everybody if it makes keeping this wonderful character alive ‘final girl’ style… sorry not sorry.

𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭:
I absolutely adored that the romance between Sybil and Rory was written as a sub-plot which was granted the perfect amount of attention without deriving from the main purpose of the story. The slow burn approach to their relationship was masterfully crafted with perfection as it offered a compelling and emotionally-driven development built on genuine love and acceptance that is earned over time as opposed to being demanded or expected. Both characters enter into the dynamic with their own premeditated prejudices and expectations from the other which made the break-down of their characters feel all the more refreshing the more they got to know one another. Rory and Sybil's chemistry was instantaneous with the sparks flying off of the page and yet at no point did I find their relationship to feel overshadowing or rushed to meet an end point. Every inch of their development is earned until an overwhelmingly tender companionship is formed through trust and soul deep, unwavering belief. The way both characters learn to instinctively understand the other on an intimate emotional level was so pure and innocent in its honesty. The way they come to lean upon each other in a carefully crafted safe space was everything I had hoped to see and more... and I truly don't think I'll ever tire when it comes to discussing the hard-earned love story between this Diviner and her stoic Knight.

𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
The Knight and the Moth was everything that I expected it to be and even more with its richly innovative setting that left me captivated and vying for more. The political intrigue and religious themes felt very well fleshed out and explored to better enable readership understanding. I was completely immersed into the story and the quest that we follow our main cast of characters on, and I cannot wait to see what comes next after that jaw-dropping ending. I’m going to be clawing at my walls in anticipation of the release of book two. Bravo Rachel Gillig… bravo indeed.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰.

A delightfully dark tale, with Gods and Diviners, kings and knights. I was absorbed into Six's story, her life as a spectacle alongside her sisters in a place where drowning is a thing that happens several times a day. Where everything is not as it seems. As these six sisters approach the end of their ten years service at the cathedral, they start to go missing but Six won't let them go so easily. She's determined to find them, and all with the help of reluctant knight to the king, Rory. I don't want to say too much about this book and give anything away, but I will say it was a fascinating tale, and watching Six's experiences throughout, as well as her thoughts and feelings, was interesting. Her character has been very isolated since a young age, raised in a Cathedral with only her sisters and the Abbess, a mother figure to these women, for companionship. She looks towards the future and her freedom, without knowing what the world is like. I was completely routing for her, and all of the other Diviners - each with their own distinct personalities and all treasured by Six. I really enjoyed seeing how Six and Rory's relationship changed through the story, as they better understood one another. It was also great to see Six building other friendships but my favourite of all has to be her relationship with the gargoyle, who brings a lot of humour into what is otherwise a dark and twisty story. Six has a lot of grit and determination and has a fantastic story to tell. I did have a sense of foreboding for a good chunk of the book and so the vibe of the ending wasn't a huge surprise but some of the details were. It's left me thoroughly stressed out and I'm ready to pick up with the next book as soon as it's released!

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

[3.5]

This was my first eARC ever offered by a publisher and it made me so extremely happy -- I loved The Shepherd King duology so I couldn't wait to start this one up. (As in you see though, due to my massive slump it took me awhile to get to it but I finally did it, hooray).

Sadly though, while The Knight and The Moth is a solid romantasy that I did enjoy, it did not match up to my feelings of her other books. It just felt like it was lacking in many departments in comparison.

Let me start with the positives, as always, I just really enjoy Gillig's prose, it sets the atmosphere really well and the imaginary is beautiful. Her ideas are generally great, I loved the concept of the stories for both of her series, they're atmospheric, mysterious, gothic, what's not to love?

Secondary, the gargoyle is absolutely the highlight of the book, he even surpasses all the characters from The Shepherd King books, and I could never get enough of him. The author nailed the humor here, and created a truly unforgettable sidekick that will make you ready to throw your life away for him. He's blunt, unaware, emotional, silly, sensitive... an absolute darling any way you look at it.

So what didn't work for me here? first and foremost, the characters, with the exception of the gargoyle and Six, all fell very flat to me. I feel like all of the characters had such potential with their roles (we even have a 40 yo female knight, a rarity!) yet they all felt so... one-dimensional. In One Dark Window, even in just book 1, you don't spend as much time with the side characters yet they were so much more memorable. Here you have a road trip, almost the entirety of the book with all of the characters traveling together, yet 3 of them (yes, that includes Rory), lack personality, they all could be described with 3 words. Rory was promising early on with his sass, but once 40% hit, his only personality trait becomes his protectiveness over Six, all of his previous charm just flew out of the window -- even during important scenes it felt as if he was barely ever there.

There's was also barely any plot, which would have been fine if I felt anything for all the characters. It's mostly just romantic tropes throughout the book with a bit of plot sprinkled in, and what we do get was very simplistic, rushed and very predictable after around 30% of the book. I understand that this is a romantasy book so perhaps this is not a great point to make as romance IS the focus but as I did not feel much chemistry between the 2 main characters (which I mainly blame on Rory and his personality of a wet blanket), it was mostly my trust in Gillig that kept pushing me through. Personally, I think that this book could've used 100 more pages just to build the bonds between the characters for scenes to hit harder, and add a bit more lore/scenes about the omens.

That being said, if you love the romantasy genre, you can't really miss with Gillig -- i barely reach for romantasy personally but her books are a no brainer for me, I simply expected more. Also, I finished the book in 2 days while in a massive (5 month long) slump so do with that information what you will. I also tandem read it with the audiobook which is absolutely superb and i cannot recommend it enough.

Thank you to Orbit for an eARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4.75⭐️ This was a beautifully gothic, dark and haunting read with twists and turns that had me completely hooked. At first it took me some time to settle in to this one, which is why this doesn't get the full 5 stars but once I did I couldn't put it down and the last 20% or so? On ANOTHER LEVEL- I NEED BOOK 2 NOW!

I found the magic system, much like in Gillig's Shepherd King Duology, to be dark and twisted but also exceptionally interesting and unique. I was really interested by some aspects of the lore ad belief system because I was reminded at times of the stories behind Mother Shipton and her cave, a place fairly local to me. There was something unsettling about this, in the best way, and the more I began to try and unravel and piece together the more of a disturbed sinking feeling I got. While some things I had started to figure out, others had my jaw on the floor when the reveals happened and I finally understood. (I genuinely needed a moment of silence to process 😂

I enjoyed the banter and romance dynamic between the FMC and MMC but, while the romance elements were good and enjoyable, I was more interested in the FMC's journey of self-discovery, strength and determination in the face of everything she thought she knew crumbling around her so I'm glad this was a fantasy with romantic elements rather than a full blown romantasy. My favourite character though? The Gargoyle. He is hilarious, sassy and an absolute sweetheart-it's impossible not to love him and he must be protected at all costs!!

The Knight and The Moth is one of the smoothest reads I’ve read. Rachel Gillig’s immersive prose delivered a beautiful yet dark gothic atmosphere. The whole book has a dreamlike quality, it’s vivid and unearthly. I honestly can’t tell you if I read or dreamed this book. The setting is pure gothic - cathedrals, cloisters and caves!
I loved the whole premise - prophets, unique magic systems, rakish knights and most importantly a quest (with found family vibes).
The FMC and MMC were very much opposites and I loved the push and pull between them. Overall the romance is very well balanced and almost a subplot to everything else.
The side characters absolutely shone, if you want a quirky character that’s a stand out then definitely check out this read. I would read a whole book on them alone. I’ve always had a soft spot for gargoyles since the Disney version of The Hunchback of Norte Dame and now they are just the most precious!
The book is more than just romance and vibes though, there’s an exploration of faith, truth and self-discovery was a joy to read.
If you want a gothic fantasy with added charm and a very good ending then do pick this up.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

"To tell a story is in some part to tell a lie, isn’t it?"

As per Rachel Gillig's words in her acknowledgments, we have followed her into the mist, and now we walk with her through moonlight, into hamlets and over stones and past gowan flowers.

We were promised the next big romantasy phenomenon from the author of The Shepherd King duology, and we've received exactly that.

"The Knight and the Moth" is a dark mysterious Gothic tale with a unique magic system and rich worldbuilding.
I already loved Gillig’s previous books, but her writing here feels even more refined

Sybil, a dream-prophet trained in a cathedral, has spent years interpreting visions from ancient gods. As her time of service nears its end, her fellow Diviners begin to vanish. Forced to seek help from Rory, a cynical and heretical knight (YES PLEASE), Sybil is drawn into a dangerous mystery that challenges her faith, and the truths she thought she knew about the gods.

First of all: The Gargoyle is my favourite character. I loved him from the moment he was introduced. Sure, Sybil is our main protagonist, but so is he. He’s hilarious, wise (more or less 🤭), and incredibly lovable.

Second: The romance? PEAK. It’s a delicious slow burn, and the chemistry between Sybil and Rory is impeccable. I need more.

“I have disdain in me, yes.” Rory’s brows drew together, lips parted slightly enough for me to hear the shaky sound of his exhale. “But none for you.”

This book hooked me right away, and I couldn't put it down.
I am desperate to know what happens next.
An easy 5-star read for me and I will forever recommend this book.

Thank you SO much to Netgalley and orbitbooks for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely incredible, one of the best books I have read in a long time.

Rachel gillig smashes it out of the park again bringing gothic abbeys, gargoyles, omens, knights and sucks you into the world and doesn't let you go.

I'll be heading out and getting every edition of this I can as it's just sky rocketed to one of my favourite books of all time!

This was one of my most anticipated fantasy reads of the year and it did not disappoint. Rachel Gillig knows how to write a very atmospheric story and a good romance. The world this story is set in feels so unique. The only thing that bothered me a little bit regarding the worldbulding was the use of German words - the world this is set in is called Traum (dream) and then there are sprites in beech trees that are called birke which again, is just the German word for beech tree. And in one of the hamlets the characters had last names that werde again, just German words - which yes, can be last names but it just didn’t made sense to me because everything else in this world was very non-German sounding. But I also think that’s just one of my personal pet peeves, so. You probably won’t care and that’s fine too but I felt the need to talk about it.
Otherwise I really really enjoyed the book, Sybil was a great main character and I loved her relationship with Rory, how they were a bit antagonistic at first but then slowly fell in love. And Bartholomew was also a highlight, I loved the gargoyle he was such a comedic relief.
This was also such a quick read and I liked that it felt like a standalone for most of the book until like 95%. I’m not saying I saw the ending coming exactly but I also wasn’t surprised - but now I’m really curious about the second part of this duology whenever that will come out.

Wow, darkly enchanting and totally addictive!

The Knight and the Moth is a mesmerizing blend of gothic allure and romantic fantasy that captivated me from the very first page. The story follows Sybil Delling, a Diviner who receives visions from six enigmatic Omens. Her life, dedicated to interpreting these dreams, is turned upside down when her fellow Diviners begin to vanish, forcing her to team up with Rodrick, a knight who doesn't believe in what she does or think much of her skills.

The world building is rich and immersive, filled with unique creatures like gargoyle Bartholomew, who adds both humor and heart to the narrative. I loved him!

The chemistry between Sybil and Rodrick really stands out, growing from arguments and tension into a slow burn romance that had me hooked.

The storytelling itself is just as compelling, every chapter pulls you deeper, mixing mystery, emotion, and just the right amount of darkness.

"Histories are forged by those who benefit from them, and seldom those who live them."

I can't wait to see where Sybil and Rodrick's journey leads next.

Breathtaking!

I will read anything Rachel Gillig writes, her writing is so immersive, one of my absolute favourites

The knight and the moth⚔️🌚🦋
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Where to begin how about where all story begins , from the very first page i was hooked to know more about this world these characters and their story .

i very quickly fell in love with the diviners especially sybil, the close relationship these girls held with one another felt like a sisterhood , the gargoyle a character who made me weep and absolutely stole the show and i love the dynamic he brought to the book, he was hilarious and often relatable at times ,
i was a big fan of the way religion / religion trauma was unpacked in the book , felt very fitting to real life how often these churches are not potrayed honestly and like sybil we come to understand to tell a story is in some part to tell a lie especially when it comes to people profiting and taking advantage in the name of holiness and challenging these gods is no easy venture .

rory omg is that man a yearner i absolutely ate up his character and him and sybil are bow one of my favourite book couples , the way their dynamic shifts from annoyance and misunderstanding one another to actual finiding out there far more similar and suited for each other than they first believed to be and i his gruff outside intimating no bullshit outside hides a caring , loyal and loving true self that i loved getting to see unfold.

maude was the most wonderful motherly caring figure in this book who also happens to be a very tough lady knight and truly is the glue of the quest and absolute adore her shes very much a contrast to the abbess who feels a lot like mother gothel in this story and her dynamic with the diverners

benji the boy king , is a character i wont say much on but he is very alike to sybill on the ways they both have had to preorm their whole lives for the people and the kingdom and therefore share a understanding with one another and i found him to a fascinating and rather ambitious

the action and tasks of dismantling the church and omen provided a reading experience that kept me on my toes that was woven with mystery and twists which i throughly enjoyed piecing together and my god was it worth sticking around for and while i saw the end coming it did not take anything away from it

This is truly an one of the best books i have ever read and i urge you all to pick it up

I loved Rachel Gillig’s The Shepherd King duology so I was really looking forward to The Knight and the Moth.

It absolutely lived up to my expectations. I wasn’t instantly hooked and I loved every character. The plot is quest based and gradually uncovers more and more of the world the book is set in. The romance is pitch perfect and blends perfectly with the ongoing plot rather than taking focus away from it.

I am now absolutely desperate for the next book!

The Knight and the Moth is a haunting gothic romantasy that spins a story of fate, faith, and forbidden love. At its centre is Sybil, a Diviner trained to channel visions from six divine beings known as the Omens—foretelling calamities before they unfold. As her long service nears its end, a heretical knight named Rodrick arrives at the cathedral, challenging everything Sybil has been taught to believe. When other Diviners begin to disappear, she and Rodrick are forced into an uneasy alliance to uncover a dangerous truth—and face the gods themselves.

The world is steeped in atmosphere: decaying cathedrals, ominous visions, and an ever-present sense of dread create a setting that feels both dreamlike and menacing.

The novel explores themes of belief, autonomy, and identity. Sybil’s arc is one of quiet rebellion and self-discovery as she begins to question the divine system that governs her life. Her inner conflict between duty and freedom is at the heart of the book’s emotional weight, as is the bravery it takes to defy sacred traditions.

At the core of the story is a slow-burning romance between Sybil and Rodrick, marked by sharp tension, mutual respect, and vulnerability. Their evolving relationship adds emotional depth, but a standout element for me was an unexpected source: a gargoyle companion who brings warmth, wit, and surprising poignancy to the narrative. Their presence offers a perfect balance to the story’s darker moments, injecting heart and humour into this richly imagined tale.

Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for this eARC.

I'm always looking for that next book that carves a place in my heart and lingers there, and that is where this book delivers and so much more. Beautifully magical and mysterious, this story will leave you feeling bereft in the best kind of way. With characters that will emotionally yank on your heart strings, an intricate magical system and stunningly described world building all meticulously woven into a story filled with mystery, longing and the desire to feel special, to feel like you belong this is an instant recommendation from me. If this book isn't on your TBR it should be, this might be my favourite read of the year so far but don't ask me to confirm because I'm indecisive and can't possibly choose just one.

We begin our story with Sybil, one of six foundlings traded into the service of the great cathedral as a Diviner, who in their dreams receives visions from six godly figures know as omens. People from all stations travel across the land to have their future and their fortunes divined, based on the signs the omens present to the Diviners. Tired of dreaming, Sybil and her five 'sisters' tell eachother stories of their future at the upcoming end of their service to the cathedral. With their service coming to and end, the arrival of Rodrick, a handsome and somewhat frustrating knight begins to shifts Sybils perspective on what she wants for herself, and when her 'sisters' begin to vanish one by one she breaks free to search for answers. With the help of Rodrick and a gargoyle Sybil must seek out the only individuals that can provide her answers, the gods themselves.

A gargoyle who at first glance makes no sense but when you look deeper and listen harder makes all the sense in the world.
A boy king with everything to prove.
A Knight with honour in her heart.
A brute with walls as hard as stone.
A diviner who has lost her faith and potentially found so much more.

Every single character in this story positively bursts from the pages, so carefully crafted that you can't help falling in love with them instantly. I would like to say that gargoyle is my absolute favourite, the jumbled sayings and snarky comments bring a lightness to an otherwise eerie and tense story, providing a perfect level of balance. You can't help but feel for Sybil, with her identity slowly torn away from her, but with a huge need to feel like she belongs and then the unimaginable loss of her 'sisters', the five other people thay knew her best but still didn't know her at all. Her tale is very much one of rediscovery, I loved reading as she found herself, that absolute feeling of self acceptance and assurance that she eventually achieves. Her story would not have been what it is without Rory, he challenges her perfectly while also believing wholey in her. For a character that begins with being so closed off with his heretical attitude so in contrast to Sybils steadfast beliefs. Reading the story of their romance was one filled with a glorious slow burn, an undeniable connection and sizzling desire and I wouldn't have had it any other way.

This story for me very much felt like one designed to challenge what you see on the surface, especially in Sybil's case, her faith is tested to the absolute limits. With the uncertainty of what was going on around the diviners, the questions left unanswered, the dreams of moths and death. There is so much to unpack when it comes to the mystery of the missing Diviners, all of the information is there from the beginning but Rachel does an incredible job of taking us on this journey and eventually providing us with the dramatic reveals at the most impactful moments. The worldbuilding and lore within this story alongside the object magical system works in such synergy to form an enchanting story.

Having previously enjoyed The Shepherd King duology, I was really looking forward to this one and it did not disappoint.
I found the plot on the whole really intriguing, I liked the gradual nature of the reveals, and it was really nice seeing the MC growing throughout. The romance I felt was very well done and not too over the top, and Bartholomew was a little gem throughout!
Can't wait to see how things go in book two