When I got an email offering me an ARC copy of this book, I may have done a rather large squeal and a little happy dance.

The Shepherd King duology sits pretty high on my all time favourites list so I went into this book with pretty high expectations. Let me tell you… this book is absolutely stunning! I loved every minute and it really was a struggle to put it down.

Once again, a unique magic system with the same beautiful yet gloomy, gothic feel we got in the Shepherd King duology. The characters are complex and interesting. The story is gripping. It’s just a fantastic book!

This has definitely taken first place in my favourite reads of 2025. If you only buy one book this month, let it be this one!

HI MS RACHEL GILLIG, UM, ARE YOU KINDA ALLERGIC TO HAPPY ENDINGS??????

So, you all remember the Shepherd King duology right? The story where we all thought Elspeth was lost forever because of Nightmare and that there wouldn't be any reunion between her and Ravyn?

WELL! MS RACHEL CAME BACK AGAIN WITH THAT KIND OF ENDING!

Honestly, I would eat everything Ms Rachel writes because damn, the magic she creates is so unique and distinct and so is her plot and plot twists. I'LL TELL YOU ONE THING, I DID NOT SEE THE PLOT TWIST IN THIS BOOK??!!!

But before we get into that, let's talk the details.

So this book is narrated by Six, a Diviner, living in the Aisling Cathedral, who dreams of signs for people who wishes to know what lay ahead in their future. Now these signs are given by the Five Omens — Artful Brigand, Harried Scribe, Ardent Oarsman, Faithful Forrester, and Heartsore Weaver. Each Omen have a craft of their own, magical objects that reflects their crafts — one side smooth, one side rough. The other's transportive, the other's destructive.

Now, when Six was taunted by Rory, a knight, that she knows nothing of the world outside of Aisling's Cathedral, she and the other Diviners snuck out for a one night of fun. A fun turned to a nightmare.

When the other Diviners disappeared, Six took it upon her hands to find them. But at what cost? Her truth? Her freedom? Her life? Everything she thought that was true was all a lie. A deceit to mask the rotting truth of her identity.

She did find herself, but got lost along the way. She was lost in her sense of euphoria and anger and exhaustion and sadness that she missed the very evil that stood before her. Was that evil human or inhuman? But she did free herself only to find herself in another prison. Will she ever escape?

I DON'T KNOW RACHEL, WILL SHE???????!

Just when I thought that everything's fine, everything's going well, and oh look, I'm 305 pages in, and THERE ARE STILL FEW PAGES LEFT???? THEY GOT DEFEATED, BUT WHY ARE THERE STILL FEW PAGES LEFT, RACHEL??????

SO, WHILE I'M HERE, ASTOUNDED BY HOW IT ENDED, I'M MORE BAFFLED AND AMAZED AT THE PLOT TWIST. NOT ONLY ONE PLOT TWIST, BUT TWO?????

AND THE BETRAYAL AND THE POLITICAL INTRIGUE AND RACHEL, I THOUGHT IT'S A FOUND FAMILY BUT WHY DID YOU DO THAT?????

Honest, when I was reading the last few pages, I couldn't keep my mouth closed because of how baffled I am. What do you mean that this character would turn out to be evil???? AND RACHEL, IF YOU DO SOMETHING BAD TO BARTHOLOMEW, I SWEAR!!! (But please don't do that, I beg you).

So, to anyone who's reading this, just know you're in for a ride. The way you did when you read her Shepherd King Duology. And I know, it's more like me ranting rather than reviewing, BUT IT'S STILL A FEEDBACK BECAUSE OF HOW SHE PLAYED MY EMOTIONS?????

Anyways, Rachel, I just know you will always deliver and you did, only more painful. I know the moment I finished the Shephered King duology that you'll be one of my fave authors, BUT COME ON YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THAT!

And to Ms Nazia Khatun, Publicity Manager of Orbit Books, you don't know how happy I am when you gave me this ARC. I freaking celebrated while we're having an online class. So thank you thank you thank you.

And to you reader, you will never regret reading this book.

And to you again Rachel, one last time, maybe be a bit gentle to Six, Rory, Maude, and Bartholomew in the next book, OKAY?????

Wow! Rachel Gillig has done it again! What a book. I completely adored this book. I couldn’t put it down. I adored the characters especially the gargoyle, he has my heart😭 I have an unhealthy attachment to him.
The romance between Sybil and Rory was so satisfying to read. The slow burn *chef’s kiss*
I genuinely cannot stop thinking about this book and I’m already wanting to read the next book.
Thank you so much Orbit and Rachel Gillig for the opportunity to read this book! I cannot wait for it to be published to word and everyone gets to read it

I loved one dark window so my expectations for this was sky hight!! and let me tell you, I was NOT dissapointed

at first sight I did not think this book would be funny, but god I laughed so many times in this.

I absolutely loved this book, the characters, the setting, the story and the romance.

There are only a few authors who manage to capture my heart from the very first word—Rachel Gillig is one of them. So, whenever she announces a new book—or even more terrifying, a new series—I can’t help but worry: Will I still love it? Will the magic still be there? The characters, the plot, the emotion?
Well, I can safely say: The Knight and the Moth exceeded every expectation.

This is an entirely new world, with new rules, a new magic system, and fresh characters, but it still holds that signature gothic, lyrical atmosphere Gillig does so well—just like in The Shepherd King series. And yes, it works beautifully.

We follow Sybil (aka Six), a Diviner who has spent nearly a decade reading the will of the Omens inside the rigid, ritualistic walls of the Cathedral. Alongside her “sisters,” One through Five, she’s counting the days until her ten-year term ends—until suddenly, one by one, they begin to vanish. And no one seems to care. Determined to uncover the truth, Sybil turns to Rory, a faithless knight serving a young, idealistic king. And that’s when the story really begins.

Together, Sybil and Rory step beyond the stone walls of the Cathedral into a world of shifting loyalties, ancient magic, hidden agendas… and a delightfully unhinged gargoyle who steals the show. (Truly, he calls everyone Bartholomew. Iconic.)

The plot is tightly woven, the characters complex and full of secrets, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish. Every thread of backstory and motivation adds something to the overarching mystery, and I was especially impressed by how gracefully Gillig introduces and deepens the lore without ever slowing the narrative.

And while I saw the final twist coming around 75%, it still hit hard. It felt necessary to move the story forward, even though some characters absolutely did not deserve what happened. (My heart? Broken. Still not over it.)

This book has it all: romance, angst, betrayal, loyalty, battles, banter, and that sweeping gothic atmosphere that makes every scene feel like it's lit by candlelight in a haunted cathedral.

🖤 5 STARS.
And now we wait (not so) patiently for book two.

This might be this author’s best book yet! It’s the third I’ve read from them and I couldn’t put this one down. I read an eARC of this book on Net Galley so thank you to the author and the publisher.

The lore and world building in this book is so richly imagined. It’s not a hugely long book but the author manages to create such an incredible sense of the world so quickly. The atmosphere in this book is phenomenal. There’s such a continuously dark and looming sense throughout the book, as though there is an ominous fog hanging over everything. I thought the author did this brilliantly, I was so drawn in right away and the atmosphere never let up for a second. It was oppressive, never letting us forget the jeopardy the main character was in and how much has been hidden from her.

I loved the gargoyle in this book. He’s funny, he brings levity and hope at times where it’s needed. He starts off with a pricklier relationship with the main character but we learn that his feelings are actually quite affectionate and it’s heart warming to watch their bond grow. He made this book really special and was the perfect foil to some of the grumpier or more sinister characters.

I found the story totally gripping. I really could not put this book down. The pacing of it was excellent, with the right balance of world building and progressing the narrative.

A fantastic read! Highly recommend!

Sometimes I like to trick myself into believing I could one day write a book, and then I read a book by someone who can really and truly WRITE and it quickly cures me of all these notions :)


Rachel Gillig has firmly been established as one of my favourite authors. I will read anything this woman writes. There’s just something about the way she structures her words, her characterisation, her world building - that just sings to my little soul. They are completely immersive - I feel like I’m IN her stories.

Gillig has proven she’s a master of unique magic systems, which feel like nothing you’ve read before. I was impressed with the Shepard King world, and honestly didn’t think she could replicate something that felt so different, but I was happily proven wrong. The magic and world feel very well fleshed out and evolved. It’s gothic, mysterious and atmospheric.

The characters and love story is chefs kiss . Our FMC Sybil is not a weak character by any means. She’s got grit and substance to her. And Rory is our bad knight. He appreciates her strength and encourages it. Their chemistry and banter is exactly how it should be done - there’s push and pull, yearning and longing - enough to make you kick your feet and swoon, but also tear up.

A special mention has to be made for Gargoyle, I don’t know how Gillig has made a stone gargoyle so funny and adorable, but here we are.

The wait for book two is going to be excruciating - but I’ll wait for it if Rachel Gillig will write it.

Thank you to Little Brown / Orbit and Netgalley for the early reader copy.

This was insanely good. I didn’t really think Rachel G could top One dark window but she did. Not only did this have an insanely unique magic system, but hands down the BEST animal companion ever. (Sort of) I would sacrifice myself for the Gargoyle, he had me laughing out loud multiple times and then had me crying.

The Knight and the Moth is a good, gothic fantasy about a sheltered woman trying to find the women that she has been raised with after they all disappear just before they are released from their service to the Gods and allowed to return to a normal life. The magic system in this book is interesting, but the plot wasn't my favourite - right up until that final twist. I was certain I was only giving 3 stars until the last few chapters, where things got really good. I'm now eagerly awaiting the sequel!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

This new series from the author of the Shepherd King duology has quite literally stolen my breath. Gillig is an absolute master of gothic romantasy, her prose is raw, ethereal and perfect. If you were a fan of one dark window, I can promise you, you'll devour this one.
Six is a Diviner, living in the cathedral of Aishling with the five other diviners and the gargoyles. Her duty is to tell those who visit the Tor about their omens, the signs. When the new boy king arrives with his knights and hears his future, life changes for six in more ways than she could ever understand.
This book is stunning. The characters are all so beautifully drawn out and fleshed to perfection. Six is so unique, a protagonist who is strong, determined and we're rooting for her from the start. The gargoyle is simply one of the most endearing characters I've come across and as for Rory? Yep, I'm a little bit in love! The twists and turns had me gasping out loud and sobbing in turn. The world building is beyond magical. I've read some stunning fantasies this year, but I already know nothing will beat this to be my favourite of the read. I'd genuinely sell my soul to an omen to read the next instalment right now.
This is going to be your favourite of the year too. I've pre-ordered a pretty version of this and cannot wait to give it space on my shelf. Thank you so much to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in return for an honest review.

I wish I enjoyed this book more than I did. Because The Knight and the Moth was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, since I loved the authors The Shepherd King duology. But it ended up being a bit of a disappointment. It had the potential to be so good, but due to uneven pacing and establishment of characters - I had a hard time getting into it.

Some parts are really interesting and exciting, and then other parts just left me confused. The main character Six is alright, but the problem is that everyone else is pretty underdeveloped. Something that affected the enjoyment of the romance. Even the big bad doesn’t have much substance to them, and some of the quest obstacles got more space and development. The only side character that I came to care for was the stone gargoyle.

I will give the sequel a try, as hopefully it will be more consistent as it doesn’t have to spend half of the book to establish the lore and world-building.

This is undoubtedly my favorite book of the year so far.
I loved the One Dark Window duology and was very excited for the author's new book. I knew it would live up to my high expectations, but I didn't expect that it would exceed them.

I loved everything about this. The setting, the writing, the plot, the characters, all of it was executed so incredibly well.
I'm always a sucker for gothic vibes and the author has already established with her first series that she excels at creating these beautiful dark worlds. The writing also perfectly fits the vibes and really helped me immerse myself in this world.

The plot was a bit slower-paced, which in my opinion also added to the atmosphere and helped keep things mysterious.
A lot of time was devoted to establishing the world and to getting to know the main character which made me establish a strong emotional attachment to her very quickly.
The pacing with which the mystery was unraveled was great; some parts of it were obvious, but the explanation behind it all slowly unfolded throughout the whole book, with a big emotional revelation coming towards the end. I was sucked into the story the entire time and couldn't wait to discover the truth behind Aisling's secrets.

But to me, the true highlight of the book were the characters. I loved the found family aspect, and how these seemingly detached personality types all cared for one another so deeply.
The FMC is great and her story arc was so satisfying, and I can't wait to see how she develops in the sequel.
The MMC, despite being a broody knight, never felt stereotypical or tropey, and the romance was done so well, I absolutely loved it.
And of course, the gargoyle. I never thought I'd grow attached to a gargoyle, so much so that at times in the story I felt like I would die for him. He brought so much comedic relief, yet he's so sweet and brought me to tears multiple times. I'm not exaggerating when I say he's my favorite character of the year so far.

Overall, this book is a masterpiece and I can't wait until it's out in the world so that I can talk to my friends about it. I also cannot wait for the sequel after that ending.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Rachel Gillig has an incredible mind, and the way she creates such unique magic systems and rich, immersive worlds is truly awe-inspiring. I was completely absorbed in this story, and by the time I reached the end, I found myself wishing it was longer.

I’m not ready to leave this world yet! The plot and characters left me wanting so much more, and I honestly can’t wait for the next book. If you’re a fan of inventive fantasy and intricate world-building, this one is definitely worth reading.

I made sure I knew nothing about going into this before reading. I ADORED the Shepherd King duology and knew that I would read Gillig’s shopping list if I had the chance. I wants to be sucked in and I DEVOURED this.

This is a story of self made gods and an unlikely group wanting to take them down to restore the balance and banish the lies of the omens. We meet the diviner, Sybil who was got to be one of the most badass FMCs I’ve read in a long time, Rory, our swoony knight who will do anything for his lady and Maude, the best a woman can be. But we also meet the new boy king, Benji.

I fell in love with the FMC and MMC and ate up the tension between the two. How they just bounced off each other throughout. This was enemies to lovers at its finest.

The whole book was just brilliant. With another complex magic system created. How Rachel does it I don’t know. The love that was obviously poured into this whilst being written is evident.

Also can we talk about the ending. God I need the second book more than I need my next breath.

I really enjoyed this read enormously. The world building didn't feel as complex as one dark window but the main romance was stronger. I absolutely loved the gargoyle character, who offered lots of humour and adorableness. The plot is really strong and clever - and is set up well for the next installment. This is definitely a book I will reread and recommend.

A solid 4.5. Rachel Gillig is the queen of original fantasy ideas that have never been done before and giving you a shock ending. I’m ready for book 2 pls. The world building in this was great, and the plot moved at such a good pace that I was intrigued the whole time. Also, Rory>>>>

Thank you to Little Brown and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

There are many things to love about this book...
🩶 The gothic vibes
🤔 The ongoing mystery
✨ The interesting magic and dark setting
And my favourite thing...the funniest, likeable gargoyle. ❤️

For me I loved the fantasy plot and how intriguing the layered story was.

I really enjoyed One Dark Window and was super excited for a new book by Rachel Gillig. The beginning was already very captivating. The author always creates a wonderful atmosphere with interesting characters.

Sybil is a Diviner who drowns herself to receive visions from the Omens, mysterious, godlike beings. But when her five fellow Diviners begin to disappear, she’s forced to turn to the last person she wants help from: Rodrick, the arrogant, blasphemous, and annoyingly charming favorite knight of the young King. Together, they leave the cathedral behind and step into a world Sybil has only seen in fragments, one full of danger, mystery, and truths she’s not ready for.

The author surely did a great job at explaining the characters and their relationships. I was devastated for Sybil to loose her sisters. She embarks on a dangerous journey. My favorite part was definitely the humor, brought to us by Bartholomew, a gargoyle. He stole pretty much every scene when he appeared. I loved the dry humor and banter between them all.

Regarding the love story, I was a bit disappointed. It just felt flat. There was nothing outstanding. He is the typical broody MMC, she is the strong and sassy FMC. I’d really yearned for some tension and actual development.
The plot was good at the beginning but had some lengths along the way. I personally guessed pretty much every plot twist. It sometimes felt like the author didn’t know exactly where she wanted to go. She included so many parts, but they didn’t feel organically connected. The characters are interesting and likeable, but in the end stay superficial. The entire book is from Six's POV, which definitely limited the possibilities of character development.

To conclude: I liked it! I really did, but I didn’t love it, not like I loved One Dark Window. Everything’s interesting, the pieces are there, but I wanted more emotional depth. I didn’t really feel it. It was more like I was observing it happen instead of being pulled into it. There are some great lines and characters overall, but somehow it was just missing the spark to really draw me in and make this another highlight such as One Dark Window.

The Shepherd King’s duology is one of my favourite series due to its unique magic systems, rich character development, and haunting Gothic atmosphere. I was thrilled to dive into Rachel’s latest book, and I must say, it exceeded my expectations!

Without spoiling it too much away, this story centres on Sybil as she unravels a mystery and discovers the darkest secrets of the kingdom of Traum.

It’s a narrative filled with themes of self-discovery, love, found family, adventure, faith, and struggle, while also exploring the intricate relationship between the church and the ruling powers.

Though this book is challenging, it is beautifully melancholic and skilfully written, leaving you eager for more by the end. If you appreciate complex themes like religion framed within a gothic fantasy setting, this book is a must-read!

I am thankful to Rachel Gillig and Orbit Books for the opportunity to review this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

AMAZING! I loved it! The end.

No not the end, but seriously what a genuinely fun, loveable ride that was. Gillig is just a genius. I was apprehensive going into The Knight and The Moth as I loved The Shepard King duology and it was such a new refreshing read that I was worried that I wouldn’t love this one as much. Well I owe Rachel an apology, I was completely wrong to underestimate her. This was superb. These characters are so loving, funny, brooding, sexy, genuine and tender, they need protecting at all costs, I love them. I have a fierce fondness for a certain little stone gargoyle which I never thought possible.

But I do have one rather large problem with this novel …. THAT ENDING, WHAT?! You’re just going to end it like that and make me wait who knows how long? Really Rachel? Really? You’re cruel. Maybe just a peak? Please?


My point is, if you loved Rachel’s first duology, you’ll love this.

Thank you to the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.