The Knight & The Moth By Rachel Gillig
Genre: High Fantasy, Romantic Fantasy, Dark Fantasy
Release: May 2025
Part of a Series: The Stonewater Kingdom Series #1
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Why I Picked This Up - I am a huge fan of Rachel’s The Shepherd King duology (One Dark Window and Two Twisted Crowns)! I would venture to say that I’m slightly obsessed with that series so as soon as Rachel announced this title I knew it would be an instant buy for me. After its release everyone was raving about it and I couldn’t scroll anywhere without seeing this cover. So in other words, this book basically begged me to read it. I waited for a little bit so I could read it during one of the fall months, and I’m so glad I did.
What This Book is About - Sybil Delling has spent almost a decade as a diviner. She routinely drowns in the spring water of her cathedral to predict the fate of patrons rich enough to have their futures read. While in the waters, Sybil visits with the Omens, who gift her with visions of the future for her to interpret. One afternoon, the newly appointed boy-king arrives on their doorstep with his knights, wishing for the diviners to predict his fate. Among the knights is Rodrick. Rodrick doesn’t hold the diviners as sacred like most others, and he is not afraid to make that clear to Sybil, and to the other diviners. Following Sybil’s reading of the king’s future, the diviners start disappearing one by one. She knows it's related to the unlucky predictions she made for the king. She knows she must find her friends, and makes the decision to leave the cathedral in search of them. The only problem is that she’s all alone, except for the unyielding company of her gargoyle protector, and the unwilling company of Rodrick Myndacious. Can this unlikely group figure out what happened to Sybil’s friends, or will she face untold truths she can’t even imagine?
What to Expect (Tropes But Better) -
1st person, single POV
History that can’t be trusted
Gothic setting/atmosphere
Quest involving magical objects
No one can be trusted
Comedic relief gargoyle best friend
Reluctant allies turned found family
Spice - Chapters 25, 26
Fantasy Elements - First things first - world building. This novel was not heavy on the world building, and what was there wasn’t complex. A lot of the elements felt very familiar - think medieval setting. There is a bit of world history given but it’s done so nicely. Second, the magic system - this one was pretty unique. Sybil is a diviner who can see how blessed or cursed someone’s future will be. The only other magic is that which is given to the wielder of certain magical objects. I don’t want to give too much away but I will say that it is fairly unique but not complex. Lastly, the creatures and beings. There are quite a bit of unique creatures in this story - god-like beings, gargoyles, sprites, and more. Once again, very well done while not being too complex or overwhelming to the reader.
Characters -
Sybil Delling (Six) - Sybil was a refreshing FMC. She is headstrong, and intelligent, but also not in-your-face rude or sarcastic. She absolutely can wield some witty banter but she’s incredibly soft in a lot of other areas. She has a hard time figuring out where she belongs in the world, and figuring out who she is without the demands of those around her. Many of the characters try to use her for her talents and she must balance the urge to be her own person but stay loyal to the ones shes sworn loyalty to.
Rodrick Myndacious - Also known as “Myndacious” or “Rory.” Rodrick is a knight for King Benedict, and he is grumpy. He has no use for diviners like Sybil, and doesn’t believe in gods or the divine. He starts out very mysterious, and somewhat rude, but right from the beginning the reader can tell there's something different about him. As the story progresses his personality starts to show, and it was so fun to watch him come out of his shell.
King Benedict Castor the 3rd - The newly appointed “boy-king” aging just 17 years old. Benedict really struggles between being a boy and being a man. He often feels wise, but in the next moment he will seem very boyish. He has his own thoughts about things, but also has to meet the expectations of the older leaders around him. He is determined to redeem his family name, and this ambition leads him to make some questionable decisions throughout the story.
Gargoyle - From the start Gargoyle was my favorite character. He is funny, witty, wise, and extremely protective of Sybil. He follows her through her journeys and stands by her side the whole time. He is an extremely loyal companion to her. Gargoyle plays an essential role in the story, and I loved him so much.
My Thoughts - I truly enjoyed this read. I am a sucker for a dark, gothic atmosphere and was entranced from the very first chapter. I loved the unique magic, the unique characters, and the unique plot. Nothing could have prepared me for the path this novel took, and I don’t think I could even begin to guess as to where the next one will go. The characters were a huge part of why I enjoyed this one, but I think the plot really sold it for me. I was surprised several times, and felt like I was watching an action movie at other times. The only reason I didn’t rate it 5 stars was because I felt it moved a little slow at times. It was beautifully written, and I am once again amazed at the talent of Rachel Gillig.
Quotes -
“You don’t have to be good, or useful, for someone to care about you.”
“To tell a story is in part to tell a lie, isn’t it?”
“It is easier, swearing ourselves to someone else’s cause than to sit with who we are without one.”
The Playlist -
🎵 Infinite Baths by Sleep Token
🎵 Sun Bleached Flies by Ethel Cain
🎵 Storm by Ruelle
🎵 Carry You by Ruelle, Fleurie
🎵 Emergence by Sleep Token
The Final Verdict - I really enjoyed this one and I will absolutely be picking up book 2 - The Knave and The Moon - next September. This one was atmospheric, mysterious, and romantic, and I can’t wait to see where Rachel Gillig takes this story. I would recommend this one to readers who like dark atmospheric settings, mysteries to figure out, witty banter, slow burns, and epic plot twists.
Have you read this one yet? If so, let me know your thoughts in the comments below - Please keep this section spoiler free as much as possible.
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