** spoiler alert ** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

If you’ve ever longed for a story that wraps you in mist, drips with gothic beauty, and tangles you up in fate, The Knight and the Moth might just be the book your bookshelf has been whispering about.

Rachel Gillig returns with another mesmerizing tale, and this time she’s given us Sybil, a prophetess haunted by dreams she doesn’t want and visions she never asked for. For nine years, Sybil has lived in the cathedral, serving the Omens and interpreting their warnings. But just when the end of her cloistered service is in sight, girls start vanishing, and a devil-may-care knight named Rodrick storms in, all swagger and sacrilege. From that moment on, nothing is safe, not the cathedral, not Sybil’s dreams, and definitely not her heart.

One thing I really appreciated about this novel is that it doesn’t rush. Gillig builds her world like a cathedral itself: slow, deliberate, and awe-inducing. The moody setting of Traum feels like it’s soaked in candlewax and old hymns, every corner brimming with myth and melancholy. You don’t just read this book; you dream it.

Sybil is a standout protagonist. Her struggle with duty versus desire, belief versus doubt, is deeply human. And Rodrick? He’s that frustratingly charming character who makes you want to shake him and maybe kiss him a little. Their dynamic crackles with tension, emotional, spiritual, and everything in between.

If you're the kind of reader who loves prophecy-laced quests, prickly banter, and stories that toe the line between sacred and heretical, you'll likely find yourself just as hooked as I was. And honestly? As someone who adored One Dark Window, I went into this with high hopes. Gillig not only met them, she exceeded them.

I devoured this book and was genuinely sad when it ended. There’s a quiet sort of devastation to it, the kind that lingers like fog long after you’ve turned the final page.

So if you're asking yourself whether this book is for you: do you crave morally complex characters, a slow-burn romance that doesn’t overshadow the plot, and prose that feels like a dark lullaby? Then yes, The Knight and the Moth is absolutely for you.

I’m already counting down the days to the next in the series. Until then, I’ll be rereading my favorite lines and dreaming of misty moors and heretical knights.

In a world where dreams whisper warnings from the divine, Sybil Delling has spent nine years carrying the weight of prophecy. As a Diviner, her visions guide kings and commoners alike—until the sacred silence of her cathedral is broken by a charmingly heretical knight and the sudden disappearance of her fellow seers. What follows is a haunting unraveling of secrets, faith, and fate, set against moody moors and ancient powers.

With sharp tension, atmospheric worldbuilding, and a reluctant partnership that crackles with chemistry, this story blends dark fantasy and mystery with just the right touch of slow-burn intrigue. A beautifully crafted tale of belief, betrayal, and the cost of seeing too much.

I was a huge fan of Rachel Gillig’s The Shepherd King duology, so I was really looking forward to this new book. It was one of my most anticipated reads, and thankfully, it didn’t let me down. Rachel Gillig has a way of making me crave more gothic fantasy, and this one delivered. From the premise and the title to that gorgeous cover, everything about it drew me in.

This story follows Sybil Delling, also known as Six, as she searches for her fellow Diviners, who have mysteriously begun vanishing one by one. Right from the start, the dark, immersive world-building pulled me in. The atmosphere is eerie in the best way, the magic system is unique, and the pacing felt just right. I especially liked how the Diviners and the sisterhood were portrayed. Their bond felt genuine and meaningful. I found the whole drowning and dream aspect of the plot really fascinating. The shroud Sybil wears over her eyes added an extra layer of mystery that kept me curious all the way through. That mystery paid off well when the truth came out. And as always, Rachel Gillig’s prose kept me locked in. She has a way of writing that just flows.

Sybil herself is a standout. She's complex, relatable, and easy to root for. Now, I have to say, the real scene-stealer here is Bartholomew, the bat-like gargoyle companion. He’s funny, charming, and honestly, I’d read a whole spin-off just about him. Total highlight.

As much as I enjoyed it, there were a couple of things that held it back from being a full 5 stars for me. I saw the plot twist coming, so the reveal didn’t hit as hard. And while there was some good tension and banter between Sybil and Rory, their relationship felt a bit flat overall. Compared to Elspeth and Ravyn’s dynamic in Rachel Gillig’s previous series, this one didn’t quite have the same spark. Also, while the found family theme was nice, I felt like Rory and some of the side characters could’ve used more depth.

Still, this was a strong start to a new series. I had a great time with this book and will definitely be picking up the sequel. It’s a great read about freedom, identity, and belonging, all wrapped in a beautifully gothic, mysterious world. If you’re into fantasy with an immersive setting and a dash of mystery, this one’s definitely worth checking out.

This novel has been one of my most anticipated reads for a while. Unfortunately, I was disappointed.

The opening scenes from the Aisling Cathedral were my favourite part of the book. The gothic setting, the mystery of divination, and the descriptions of the dreams were fascinating. Despite the great beginning, the story lost my interest a few chapters in and had me struggling to finish.

This story seems perfect to read in one day and forget the next. It becomes blurry in my mind already, and I just finished a few hours ago. The short sentences and paragraphs make it a quick read, but this writing style made me feel like reading a draft that still has to be fleshed out rather than the finished novel. The world-building and descriptions are minimal, and there is hardly any interior monologue. The main character seems to make life-changing decisions on a whim, as there is no hesitation or thought process to follow. She also joined knights on a quest without questioning their motives or the final result. Also, the romantic subplot could work well, but I found some dialogue scenes odd.

The worst thing is, the initial idea is excellent. This could be a brilliant novel, looking at religion, royalty, and identity, if the author could spend more time adding detail and complexity and creating the gothic atmosphere I loved in her previous books. As it is, I only enjoyed reading about the gargoyle.

oh i loved this!! i find rachel gillig's writing so easy to follow, and i always get so quickly invested in her story. i loved all of the characters in this, from steadfast sybil to taciturn rory to the GARGOYLE who arguably stole the whole show. i read basically the whole thing in one sitting, because once i started i was loath to put it down. i do wish we'd had a little bit more time with the other diviners, but appreciate that we needed to move the story along...

i'm super intrigued to find out where this world and hope book two isn't too far away!!

Loved this book from start to finish. As someone who loved the Shepard king duology I was worried Rachel wouldn’t be able to do it again - but she DELIVERED. The writing was very atmospheric and it really worked with the gothic setting. Another super unique magic system!!! And I love love loved the banter in this book, I didn’t expect it to be so good but it was. So excited for the next one 😍

Ps I want my own gargoyle bestie….

mrs rachael gillig knows how to write a sexy, tension-filled fantasy. she did it with one dark window and now she's DONE IT AGAIN and i absolutely love her for it. she's definitely becoming one of my fave fantasy authors ever, her writing is so poetic but not too overdone where you can't understand whats ACTUALLY being said, it's just so beautiful.
the book begins off fairly lighthearted and jovial, which oh my god, i loved the most. then it takes a more serious turn, with 6 battling within to find her true self and uncover the mystery of the Omens.
shoutout to the gargoyle for being the MVP, he was a great comic relief for all the dark and twisty feelings being felt throughout the whole adventure.
i've said it before in my review of ODW but i'll say it again, I LOVE ME A GRUMPY KNIGHT/SOLDIER WHO IS WILLING TO RISK IT ALL FOR HIS GIRL.

thank you to Orbit & Rachel Gillig for the ARC 🫶🏽

Rory “I’ll do anything you ask of me” Myndacious!!!! The man that you are! I tore through this one. His dynamic with Sybil is deliciously tense, filled with biting banter and a healthy dose of yearning. It’s also more of a simmering side plot, so if you’re not the biggest romance fan, you might still enjoy this one.

Sybil’s arc is one of quiet transformation. Most of the story lives inside her head, and that introspective, almost fairytale-like tone gives space for the deconstruction of her beliefs. There’s an exploration of faith at the core of her journey (both physical and personal) and watching her begin to untangle what she’s been taught from what she truly believes was one of the most compelling parts of the book. My one gripe is that I could’ve done with a littleee more character depth from Rory and Sybil.

Of course, I’d be remiss not to mention our beloved gargoyle companion, who completely stole the show. He brought just the right amount of levity and sass. One of those rare characters that makes you laugh and tear up. 🥹

Plot-wise, this follows a familiar rhythm if you’ve read One Dark Window. The magic system slightly echos ODW, but it's still easy to grasp and unique! I will say the plot got a bit repetitive halfway through, and I definitely felt like my hand was being held at times. The twists, although predictable, are well-foreshadowed and absolutely made me tear up. Without that ending, this could’ve made for a strong standalone imo, but I’ll definitely be picking up the sequel!

As always, Rachel Gillig’s writing is beautiful and evocative. Her prose breathes such an atmospheric world into being: a place of hamlets and magical relics, gowan flowers and cathedrals. I adore the way she uses metaphors! There are several sentences I had to reread, just to sit in them a little longer and wonder how her brain came up with this.

Can’t wait to see if this duology sticks the landing!

4.25-4.5 (the end of my review says why)

This was a gorgeous, magical fantasy with grief, intriguing magic system and lustful romance. It truly is an incredible read that you don’t want to put down! Eerily dark with hints of folklore and gothic fairytales added to the atmosphere and of course the divine plot. Through Rachel’s lyrical and visual writing, you’re transported into this whimsical kingdom from page one.

The balance of giggling & kicking my feet at the quick wit and romance, the chuckles for our beloved gargoyle and the complex emotions and rich fantasy is nothing short of exquisite.

The characters hold so much weight to the story and I truly loved each one (*ahem spoiler* except one, I saw you*). I need a novella based on our beloved Bartholomew. Sybil is cool and hell, I loved that whilst yes she’s depicted as beautiful, she’s also strong and emotional and smart and caring. Rory has been added to the list of men from fantasy books that made me feel hot and bothered. Blushing ?! Devotion ?! On his knees ?!

I would have loved to have learnt more about each of the characters backstory, motivation and nuisances and teeny bit more just to add to their complexities especially when it’s so much about the characters.

An incredible fantasy and as someone who’s yet to read One Dark Window, it’s crept it’s way higher up the TBR after this.

*Spoiler for why only 4.25 stars*
That bastard ending is what. That ending is why I’m a standalone girly through and through. I will 100% be pining at Orbit and Rachel Gillig’s door for the second book. I’m going to be thinking about that ending for WEEKS.

Thank you Orbit / Netgalley for the digital arc in exchange for my honest review!

4.5🌟 1.5🌶️

If you enjoyed the uniqueness of One Dark Window and Two Twisted Crowns, you will gobble up The Knight and the Moth.

I don't want to give away any spoilers and I think the story is best debribed in the acknowledgements where Rachel Gillig described TKATM as a story <i> "...about a woman who tries her best, an errant knight who falls in love with her, and a precious limestone gargoyle. It’s about what we lose and what we gain, the arduous journey of self-discovery—the painful, beautiful burden of living."</i>

Sybil (also known as 'Six') is one of 6 Diviners who receives visions (or 'dreams') from the Omens by being drowned (repeatedly!) in the magical spring of the Aishling Cathedral. Sybil has been a Diviner for nearly 10 years and has dreamt of not receiving visions anymore and as she approaches the end of her tenure, her sisters start mysteriously dissapearing. A Knight and his young King, sets out to help Sybil find the Omens to try and find her missing sisters. As part of this quest, they need to find 5 magical objects. Sybil embarks on a journey of finding herself and falling in love (?) with the errant Knight, Rory.

Add a unique magic system, a cute gargoyle, a betrayal and you have yourself a terrific start to The Stonewater Kingdom series.

WHAT was that ending! The absolute betrayal! I can't wait for the next book....

Read this book if you like:
💜 Unique magic system 🪄
💜 Epic quests 🗺️
💜 Slow burn ⌛🔥
💜 A girl in armour 🦾
💜 Mystery 🔮
💜 Gothic fantasy 🖤💀
💜 Banter & tension 🗣️🫦

Favourite side character? Definitely Gargoyle 🫶🏼 He needs to be protected at all costs!

Would I recommend this book to a friend? YESSSS ✅✅✅

Big thank you to Little Brown Book Group UK - Orbit for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

Rachel Gilligs writing is truly beautiful and I confess it took me a couple of chapter to adapt to it after a few very easy fast paced reads prior to starting this.

I'm not sure I have ever highlighted so many quotes in a book as this one. There was an underlying theme of not having to be useful to be loved that really resonated with me especially as someone with chronic health conditions. Seeing in the acknowledgements that the author wrote this after struggling with fatigue and brain fog after covid makes so much sense to me.

I was not expecting this book to be funny as well as beautiful but there were several occasions when I was giggling and most of these involved the gargoyle and his misphrased sayings.

I am excited to see how this story continues.

Thank you so much Orbit for the chance to read this book in advance.

The Knight and the Moth was one of the new releases I was most curious about this year, so I was impatient to enter this new world. It was also my first time reading this author and I couldn't wait to find out whether I would end up falling in love with her work.

So, was it love? I really hoped it would be, unfortunately it wasn't. That said, I still found the book enjoyable.

I am known for not being a fast reader, but this book I finished in three days, and that is always a plus in my book.

I honestly liked all the characters, the setting, the atmosphere, the romance, the world created by the author.

My problem with this book is that I kept thinking that I didn't feel completely into the story, apart from some moments here and there, and I think one of the root causes is that it all felt a bit rushed.
That's a problem I've been having with other books too: there's no time to digest what you've read, for the characters and the world-building to be more delved into, for the events to breathe and settle, for the love story to develop properly (the love story in this book has been marketed as slow burn, let me tell you, It is nice in its own way, but a slow burn it is not).

The twist at the end was predictable given all the hints the author left in the course of the story, but it left me curious enough to find out how the protagonists will get out of their predicament.

Speaking of, while you might like the leads, the sidekick gargoyle is probably the one who will steal your heart.

In conclusion, did I enjoy it? Yes. Did I expect more from it? Also yes, but I think many people will love it.

3.5

Easiest 5 stars of the year so far. I LOVED this. It’s so fresh yet familiar at the same time. I don’t know how to move on, I’m obsessed with everything. The world, characters, magic, writing. Screaming internally, I need more. What a phenomenal book, Rachel Gillig is truly a master of her craft. I will read anything she writes.

Firstly, a big thank you to orbit books for sending me an ARC of The Knight and the Moth.

I absolutely ADORED Gillig's Shepherd King duology... but I loved this even more.

I honestly don't know where to start. I loved the setting and the vibes, dark and gothic, laced with mystery. The premise right from the off had me hooked. These six young women used to prophesise for the profit of a religion in the most horrific way. The chafing it caused and their desire and excitement to be free was palpable. Even our stoic and loyal Six.

The characters were wonderful. The gargoyle instantly took root in my heart (there is something about gargoyles I've always loved, whenever they crop up in a story my heart sings). He was precious in every single way, and I challenge anyone not to love him.

The storyline was a little copy and paste of Shepherd King in areas, but only in the sense of utilising a typical formulaic fantasy route. The actual story in itself was different enough that it didn't take any of the enjoyment out of it for me.

I wasn't at all surprised by the events that unfolded towards the end, but again, I don't dislike that. I know some readers don't enjoy "predictability," but I get a sense of satisfaction when something plays out the way I'm thinking it will.

I cried, and that instantly made it a 5 star for me!

I feel like I've started to struggle with fantasy books in recent months, because they all get very samey, and I think that's why I love Gillig so much - she brings a whole different kind of magic into play that feels deeply entrenched in the story and the way it actually impacts the characters.

Easily one of my favourite reads of 2025, and will absolutely be purchasing a physical copy upon its release whilst I impatiently await the sequel!

WTF WAS THAT ENDING, RACHEL????

once again, rachel gillig manages to deliver yet another unique magic system and i LOVE it!!!! sybil “six” delling, i fucking love you. the way she never backed down from rory’s asshole-ishness. my heart truly broke for her with that diviner plot, those girls were her SISTERS!!! rory, despite being a dick in the beginning, really did redeem himself and my god did i love the banter between him and sybil. i am simply not prepared for the heartbreak that will be the next book </3 let’s not even mention bartholomew— his story itself was HEARTBREAKING and that ending when he cried out for sybil because he could not understand why they were abandoning her im- </3 </3

After having read The Shepherd King Duology 2 years ago, I already trusted Rachel to create another amazing story however, I was not prepared for how much I would love it. The magic system and world was so unique and it was such a refreshing story to read but it still weaved in the tropes which we all love but in a different way. I instantly fell in love with the gargoyle , he made me laugh out loud while my heart also broke for him. The romance in this story was also done so well and I really enjoyed the sex scenes too, I didn’t feel like they were rushed at all and I felt like I actually connected to the characters even more as it felt so natural. I have nothing else to say apart from, I NEED THE NEXT BOOK IN THIS SERIES IMMEDIATELY (but also no rush because perfection takes time) thank you so much for letting me read this masterpiece early!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Absolutely amazing and completely soul destroying… my heart feels so healed and so damaged after reading this book.

🗡️ Unique magic system
🖤 Gothic Aesthetic
🗡️ Forced Proximity
🖤 Achingly devastating romance
🗡️ Amazingly hilarious Gargoyle sidekick - Need I say more
🖤 Emotional damage guaranteed

I cannot express my love for this amazing story or world enough. I have never experienced such joy and sadness and desperation to read a book in my life. This book has lived rent free in my mind 24 hours of the day and now that it’s over I just want to dive back in.

Rachel Gillig’s world building is absolutely phenomenal. This book created such an eerie, gothic fantasy in my mind taking me along different adventures with an amazing FMC and devilishly charismatic MMC. With gothic Cathedrals, Omens, kings, diviners, tons and knights this epic fantasy story kept me on my toes and glued to the pages.

I have felt so many different emotions reading The Knight in the Moth. From absolutely screaming with laughter at the gargoyle sidekick to feelings of fear of the unknown and eerie atmosphere and characters created by Rachel.

Watching the FMC, Sybil (AKA Six) grow so much throughout the book had me smiling so much. She appeared so weak and unsure at the start and seeing her strength and determination as time went on was amazing.

I cannot express my love for the gargoyle side kick enough. He provided so much laughter and added fun to this eerie story. His protectiveness and relationship with Sybil throughout made me smile from ear to ear on so many occasions.

THE ENDING THO…. I don’t think I can wait for book 2 in this amazing duology because this book has already given me so much but I’m still here demanding answers!! 🫣🫣

Thank you so so so so so much to Orbit UK and Rachel Gillig for the ARC of this amazing book. I cannot express my love for it enough and I cannot wait to read book 2 🖤🖤🖤

Thank you so much to the incredible team at Orbit Books for giving me an early copy to read on Netgalley!

Rachel Gillig does it again with an incredibly written fantasy. After having loved Rachel’s Shepherd King Duology, I just knew her next book was going to blow me away and boy did it.

There’s something so capturing about Rachel’s writing, her extensive story telling and her way of creating such intricate worlds and magic systems that make me feel so so happy and in some ways have faith that there’s still so much to be explored within the fantasy genre.

Knight and the moth has probably been one of my favourite fantasy reads of this year so far. The FMC was likeable, strong and knew her path without having much self doubt. The MMC was everything you could want in a fantasy novel, dark, broody and completely loveable once you got to know him. Their enemies to lovers relationship was so fun to read and I felt like it developed at such a great pace.

Overall the writing was amazing and the pace of the book was pretty much perfect. I didn’t feel bored or like there was pointless chapters once during reading this which is pretty amazing as it flowed so well.

I recommend reading this to everyone, it’s dark, divine and a must read!

I have just finished this master piece and I can safely say this will be one of my favourites of the year. Its characters are divine. Its magic is etheral. The world is beautiful and deadly. The magic is unlike anything I have read before, and it really hooked me. The story like kept me guessing (wrongly), and I loved it so much. The twists and turns and it ending. I am intrigued by so much, especially the spirtes and how they will come into the story more. I know I will be haunted by this book until I get the next one.

Oh my gosh! For some reason I thought that this was a standalone so I was expecting a happy ending and DAMNN.

Rachel Gillig has done it again, created a fantastic world in which I get sucked into instantly and characters that you just fall in love with, the gargoyle, I love him. I'm SO HYPED for book two now, I can't even imagine what is going to happen next and I will be in anticipation for it until release probably next year 🥺

Totally recommend this fantastic book!