The underground, the waiting room or work: some books go everywhere with you. My copy of The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig didn’t even get to come on holiday. After paying extra for this gorgeous edition, I wasn’t about to risk dented corners. You can take your love of books a little too far. I know. But I can’t help it.
The Knight and the Moth had been on my reading list for ages, and then September finally brought the second and final book in the Stonewater Kingdom duology, The Knave and the Moon. Since I can’t stand cliffhangers when I can’t immediately carry on reading, my moment had finally arrived. I preordered the sequel and managed to get the beautiful edition with decorated edges. Obviously, I couldn’t put book one on the shelf beside it without matching edges. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find that edition in bookshops or online anymore, so off I went to browse Vinted and similar sites. The problem? People were asking ridiculous prices for it. Eventually, I found a copy for roughly its original retail price. Add fees and postage, though, and I still ended up paying quite a bit extra. But now both books are sitting on my shelf with their lovely decorated edges. 😉 Anyway, enough about how the book found its way to me. Let’s talk about what’s inside.
Please note: the photos in this post show the German editions. Editions published in other countries may have different cover designs and finishes.
I’ve now finished it, and I can say this: the story was exactly my kind of thing. A unique magic system, atmospheric Gothic vibes and a refreshingly mature romance – that’s quite a few of the things I love about fantasy right there.
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What Is The Knight and the Moth About? Prophecies and Missing Sisters
Sybil Delling has been a Diviner for nine years, serving alongside her sister Diviners at Aisling Cathedral. One day, the king arrives in Aisling with the mysterious knight Rodrick “Rory” Myndacious, and her life suddenly changes. Rory doesn’t believe in Sybil’s visions and makes sure she knows it. When she reads his future anyway, she encounters a mysterious Omen she cannot interpret.
Then her sisters begin disappearing, one after another. Of all people, Rory becomes the one she has to turn to for help. Together, they uncover dark secrets, while a refreshingly mature love story develops along the way. Oh, and I’ve nearly forgotten the most important part: there’s also Bartholomew, a wonderfully entertaining gargoyle. 😉
Plenty of Fantasy, a Quiet Romance and a Brilliant Gargoyle
I particularly loved the magic system. Finally, something that felt genuinely different to me! I don’t want to give too much away, as you gradually discover where the Omens’ power comes from and how magic is distributed throughout the kingdom. But it felt like a change, and it worked so well for this story.
Then there’s that slightly dark Gothic atmosphere, which appealed to me straight away without making the whole story too bleak for my taste. There are no enormous battles or wars to win here, either. It’s more about how much power we should really give faith and the gods. There’s still some fighting, though.
And then, of course, there’s the gargoyle. I could probably write an entire paragraph just gushing about him. Definitely one of my favourite supporting characters ever. Let’s just say I completely understand why everyone is talking about him, but you’ll have to experience that for yourself. There’s even a little Bartholomew figurine on Amazon*, although I can’t say anything about the quality as it’s still on my wish list. 🤣
Despite the lovely romance, The Knight and the Moth feels like more fantasy than romantasy to me. The love story takes up relatively little space, and above all, it takes its time. A lot of time. If you like slow burn, this is proper slow burn: for quite a while, very little happens on the relationship front. The romance also feels refreshingly mature, without any manufactured drama.
That worked well for me because I found both main characters really interesting in their own right. They’ve both been through a lot and have their own histories. Sybil, especially, has to learn that not everything she’s been taught is true, and I loved watching her grow.
The spice stays moderate, too. One scene gets a little more explicit, but even that felt fairly restrained to me. The love story works wonderfully without constant lusting after each other or lots of steamy scenes.
And Then Came That Ending …
I thought I was prepared. For quite a lot, actually. But Rachel Gillig still managed to knock me sideways.
While the story slows down a little in places during the middle, a lot happens towards the end: secrets come to light, revelations change how you see the entire story – and then the book ends on a truly cruel cliffhanger. I just sat there for a moment, speechless and with my mouth hanging open.
Luckily, book two in the Stonewater Kingdom duology is already waiting for me. Having to wait for the sequel after that ending would have been considerably less fun. 😅
If you enjoy unusual magic, Gothic atmosphere and a slowly developing love story, The Knight and the Moth might be just your thing. It was certainly one of my reading highlights this year, and I can’t wait to get to the sequel.
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You can find plenty more book recommendations in my reading category. I’ve also recently started a bookish Instagram account, @retrocat_reads, where I’ll be sharing my latest reads and old favourites. Of course, I’d love it if you followed me there. 😉
