Today’s review is about THE KNIGHT AND THE MOTH by Rachel Gillig. It’s the first book in a romantic fantasy trilogy featuring divine visions, knights, a talking gargoyle, and a search for the truth.
Author: Rachel Gillig
Series: The Stonewater Kingdom, #1
Age Category: Adult
Publisher: Orbit
Publish Date: May 20, 2025
Print Length: 400
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The Knight and the Moth Synopsis
Synopsis
From New York Times bestselling author Rachel Gillig comes the next big romantasy sensation, a gothic, mist-cloaked tale of a young prophetess forced on an impossible quest with the one knight whose future is beyond her sight. Perfect for fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout and Leigh Bardugo.
Sybil Delling has spent nine years dreaming of having no dreams at all. Like the other foundling girls who traded a decade of service for a home in the great cathedral, Sybil is a Diviner. In her dreams she receives visions from six unearthly figures known as Omens. From them, she can predict terrible things before they occur, and lords and common folk alike travel across the kingdom of Traum’s windswept moors to learn their futures by her dreams.
Just as she and her sister Diviners near the end of their service, a mysterious knight arrives at the cathedral. Rude, heretical, and devilishly handsome, the knight Rodrick has no respect for Sybil’s visions. But when Sybil’s fellow Diviners begin to vanish one by one, she has no choice but to seek his help in finding them. For the world outside the cathedral’s cloister is wrought with peril. Only the gods have the answers she is seeking, and as much as she’d rather avoid Rodrick’s dark eyes and sharp tongue, only a heretic can defeat a god.
The Knight and the Moth Review
THE KNIGHT AND THE MOTH is a romantic fantasy set amidst a gothic backdrop and ready acceptance of religious lore. Sybil and her fellow Diviners reside at a grand cathedral where they drown and dream of their patrons’ fates. One day the new young king arrives with his knightly entourage and requests a divination. But one knight makes his disdain known for the Diviners’ practice, marching out to leave the king to face his fate. Soon afterward Sybil’s sisters start to disappear. The only one who Sybil can think to turn to for help is none other than the heretical knight, Rodrick. And so they embark on an eye-opening quest for the truth.
Advertised as a romance, THE KNIGHT AND THE MOTH prioritizes plot over romance. There is an organic evolution of a relationship. But Gillig spends a good amount of time setting the tone and introducing the reader to the creation myth of the Omens. These six Omens provide the Diviners with their visions during each drowning. Gillig skillfully guides the reader through each new adventure, which allows one to learn about the folklore without the text feeling too much like an information dump. The world of Traum and the fantasy elements feel less nebulous than those of ONE DARK WINDOW, which is great for those who prefer something more solid into which to sink their metaphorical teeth.
There is, of course, romance, which is well paced and unfolds naturally with events. Despite Rodrick’s outward prickliness, he is a respectful person, as a knight should be. The banter between him and Sybil was entertaining. But what I appreciated more was his respect for and encouragement of her while she ascertains autonomy after leaving the cathedral. As events unfold, Sybil also faces a rude reckoning of everything she thought she knew. And Rodrick gives her the emotional support she needs to face the truth.
The most delightful aspect of this book, however, is the walking, talking, flying bat gargoyle. The snark, attitude, and commentary he provides are excellent comic relief. But underneath his rocky nature is a fierce loyalty for Sybil and a sense of adventure. The magic system of the Omens is fascinating, but the gargoyle adds some welcome levity.
At its core, THE KNIGHT AND THE MOTH is about faith, autonomy, loyalty, and power. This book is a solid first installment in The Stonewater Kingdom series. The ending leaves open an opportunity for a lot of conflict and growth.
Rating: 4
Content warnings: drowning, blood, violence, sexual content, death
Reading format: Hardcover
If you liked this book, you may also enjoy ONE DARK WINDOW and TWO TWISTED CROWNS by Rachel Gillig.
This sounds so good! I’m having some regrets that I didn’t request it, but I want to meet that bat gargoyle so maybe I’ll have to read it at some point!
I would’ve requested it, but I saw that it’d be in my Fairyloot sub, so I just decided to wait for it instead. I’m glad I did so I could read it without feeling like I “had” to review it. I think you’ll enjoy it when you get to it!
Awesome review! I just finished Gillig’s duology and I enjoyed it a lot and after reading your review, I’m even more excited to pick her latest release up asap. 😃 So glad to see you enjoyed this one more!
Thanks, Dini! I’m glad you liked Gillig’s duology so much. I think you’ll like this one, too!
The Gargoyle was my favorite too. I ate it up on audiobook. The story ran pretty smooth. I am interested in seeing how book 2 plays out.
The gargoyle was delightful! I always love secondary characters that add such a unique dynamic to the story. I’m also looking forward to book 2…I hope we don’t have to wait too long!