The Knight and the Moth
Hardback Published on: 20/05/2025
Price: £19.99
Bookseller Reviews
View all
A state of metamorphoses in so many fragments and figments
No no no… You don’t understand… This book is engraved into my heart, its poetry lines the chambers of my body, it echoes off my internal walls. This. Is a ... READ MORE
Five stars for the gargoyle alone
The Knight and the Moth is a brilliantly plotted, cleverly written, and compellingly readable fantasy that follows Sybil Delling, a Diviner who sees the fu... READ MORE
Her finest work yet! FULL REVIEW!
First of all, a huge thank you to Orbit Books for sending me a gorgeous proof, I will treasure it always!
I read this masterpiece of gothic fantasy in the ... READ MORE
The queen of gothic fantasy delivers a powerhouse of a story
From page one i was mesmerised. Rachel Gillig just knows how to write gothic fantasy, she should be hailed queen of the genre! The writing was atmospheric,... READ MORE
Gothic, Romantic and Brilliant!
I'm so glad I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of this book! Something I loved about Gillig's previous novels was her ability to balance the fo... READ MORE
The gothic romantasy of the year!
Thank you so much to the publisher for sending me a proof copy of this book!
The new boy-king travels to the abbey at Aisling to have his future Divined... READ MORE
Heartfelt, gothic, and beautiful!
I’m so glad I got to read this early. I’ve been seriously looking forward to Gillig’s next book after falling in love with the One Dark Window duology. Thi... READ MORE
Gothic Fantasy-Romance at its Best!
The Knight and the Moth sees a return from the brilliant Rachel Gillig, whose Shepherd King duology captured my (and most of BookTok’s) entire being. To sa... READ MORE
A gorgeously gothic and atmospheric fantasy romance!
The Knight and the Moth is a stunning gothic feast that has everything from an imposing cathedral setting, an endearing batlike gargoyle, knights and mysti... READ MORE
From the tragic beginning and the desolate, interminable middle
Rachel Giling has an incredible ability to weave together a fairytale worthy of legend, that is complex and unique. From the tragic beginning to the interm... READ MORE
✨Divine✨
In a world where dreams bleed into reality and monsters wear many faces, Knight and the Moth follows a fiercely determined heroine navigating the eerie rea... READ MORE
A unique voice in the fantasy world !
Thank you to Orbit for my proof copy. Wow ! Rachel has done it again, this was a beautiful and heartfelt story with such a creative world and characters (i... READ MORE
Such a well-written gothic romantasy!
Reading this book was such an interesting experience. It flowed really well and I loved the gothic vibes. It was everything I wanted in the follow on from ... READ MORE
Medieval fantasy is returning with a bang!
This was so close to a 5 star if the start had been stronger; it felt like the author was finding her feet within the plot as she went along as it did get ... READ MORE
I can't stop thinking about this book!!
I just read this book as part of the romantasy book club in our shop, and it was unbelievable! I haven't felt so consumed by a book in a good while, I imme... READ MORE
Stunning, beautiful. I devoured this book
Where to start, well I was hooked from page one. I loved the world building, the amazing magical system, the characters, just everything was perfect.
As a... READ MORE
The best book I’ve read so far this year by FAR
Where to begin? This blew me away. I liked the Shepherd King duology but wasn’t as enamoured with it as a lot of readers, but The Knight and the Moth was i... READ MORE
When is it acceptable to read it again?
It’s official, Rachel Gillig is my favourite author. Her writing is so effortless to read while still being so poetic. I loved Sybil, Rory and especially t... READ MORE
Living in my mind rent free, forever
Wow wow wow. This is living in my mind rent free forever.
This was so rich and atmospheric, it captivated me from the very first chapter. The characters... READ MORE
Gothic and gorgeous with gargoyles
I was completely drawn into to this gothic stone world and slow burn romance.
Enchanting, yet eerie. Novel and mysterious.
I absolutely LOVE the gargoyle.
... READ MORE
An absolutely beautiful, heart-wrenching, gothic read
I was enthralled with this book from the very beginning and couldn’t put it down even if I tried. Gillig’s characters and settings are so detailed they pra... READ MORE
Amazing!!
This is the first of her books that I have read and I have been so excited to get into her books.
I absolutely loved the journeys to the gods and the r... READ MORE
Gothic Romantasy meets Tangled
Sybil Delling, known as "Six" (known as Bartholomew by her Gargoyle), has given up her name, her dreams, her eyes, and her life outside the Cathedral. She ... READ MORE
Call me Bartholomew because I wanna be the gargoyle's best friend!
Oh my days, this book has it all - a swoon-worthy romance, the cutest yet feral sidekick, the nurturing mother figure, the cosiest of found families and a ... READ MORE
SO GOOD!
If you are after a unique and complex dark fantasy this has to be the one you pick up. I had so much fun reading this and cannot wait for book two!
One of my top books of the year!
This book has CONSUMED me. I haven't felt like this about a book in a while, and I've been pouring over fan art and playlists ever since finishing it. Gill... READ MORE
Sword and Steel is Nothing Against Stone
This book is engraved with such poetry, love and loss that it leaves an eternal mark on its readers. Aisling's Spring brought divinity to the land of Traum... READ MORE
An utterly captivating read
I need every page of this book to be tattooed on my skin because… wow. From start to finish I was in a trance and barely stopped to breathe!
The entire... READ MORE
Believe the hype - immediate 5 star read!
I was slightly cautions starting this as I had heard so many amazing things from other arc readers that I was worried it wouldn't live up to the hype, but ... READ MORE
Book of the year
This is without doubt the best book I’ve read this year. I absolutely adore Gillig’s writing and the gothic atmosphere she creates. Whether you start with ... READ MORE
Misty, thoughtful and beautifully unsettling
The Knight and the Moth is a moody, atmospheric fantasy that really leans into vibes. Rachel Gillig’s use of subtle, atmospheric horror is one of my favori... READ MORE
Gothic Goodness
My first Gillig book that I've read and I was not disappointed! It had the gloomy gothic atmosphere that I was looking for, and oh my, the characters! Sybi... READ MORE
A Tapestry of Rich Gothic Atmosphere
Unfolding with a dreamlike quality, this story is both so grounded in raw emotion whilst also making you feel like you’re floating through a lavender soake... READ MORE
Stunning, gothic romantasy
I really enjoyed Gillig’s One Dark Window duology, so I was excited to throw myself into The Knight and The Moth. It did not disappoint.
Sybil, the nov... READ MORE
Wonderful
Having been in a book slump lately I was a little nervous picking up this book.
I needn’t have worried as it was an absolute winner for me.
So well writ... READ MORE
Rachel Gillig does it again
Rachel Gillig is one of the most imaginative fantasy writers around at the moment. Every single magic system she writes has me gripped from the start! Sybi... READ MORE
The new Queen of Fairytale Fantasy
Gillig truly knows how to write fantasy that speaks to you, lives with you, nurtures you and destroys you. I cannot wait for a continuation.
The Knight and the Moth
Be still my heart, Rachel Gillig has done it again. The atmospheric writing and the descriptions of characters and settings are always top tier when it com... READ MORE
Synopsis
From BookTok sensation and NYT bestselling author Rachel Gillig, comes the next big romantasy phenomenon: a gothic, mist-cloaked tale of a prophetess who is forced beyond the safety of her cloister on an impossible quest to defeat the gods with the one knight whose future is beyond her sight.
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.
Publisher information
- Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
- ISBN: 9780356522968
- Number of pages: 400
- Dimensions: 238 x 160 x 42 mm
- Weight: 618g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
View allIncredible
I'm probably one of the most nitpicky readers going, but Holy heck did I love this book! It's been so long since I found something with an original plot/pr... READ MORE
Loved it!
Rachel Gillig is becoming one of my favourite authors. I absolutely loved the shepherd king duology so I couldn’t wait to read this also the sprayed edges ... READ MORE
Loved it more than The Shepherd King Duology! I didn't think that was possible!
♾️
A gothic romantasy
The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig is a gothic romantasy and the first book in The Stonewater Kingdom series.
It is a dark, gothic fantasy about ... READ MORE
Spellbinding!
Gorgeously eerie, gothic dreamscape of a book. I absolutely loved it!
From the hauntingly lush, atmospheric prose to the endearing cast of characters—and one chaotically sassy gargoyle who’s completely stolen my heart! Rachel... READ MORE
Masterpiece.
This was a thrilling read. A little dark. A gothic fairytale. Secrets to uncover. Hidden agendas. It was utterly captivating and I couldn't turn the pages ... READ MORE
Phenomenal
The Knight and The Moth is one of the most beautiful hauntingly told stories I have read in a very long time, with it's gothic and eerie atmospheric settin... READ MORE
TKATM is haunting, it’s heartfelt & it is just blimmen brilliant!!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I had no doubt Rachel Gillig would deliver but when you’ve fallen head over heels for the Shepherd King duology, it’s hard not to compare everything to tha... READ MORE
Verified Purchase
A haunting new gothic romantasy
The Knight and the Moth is a haunting gothic romantasy that spins a story of fate, faith, and forbidden love. At its centre is Sybil, a Diviner trained to ... READ MORE
Magical and mysterious
My new favourite read of the year so far!
Wow. What an incredible story!
I've stayed up way past my bedtime to finish this and my mind and my emotion... READ MORE
STUNNING - 5 STAR READ
I’m still reeling from the ending—I need time to recover before I can fully process it, but wow, what a gorgeous book. Rachel’s writing is truly in a leagu... READ MORE
Absolutely delivered!
4.25-4.5
I have been excited for this book ever since Rachel started teasing it, which might have been around the release of Two Twisted Crowns back in la... READ MORE
A must read for all
Favourite read of 2025!
I finished this book a couple of days ago and I still cannot stop thinking about it and talking about it to anyone and everyone who will listen. (I'm prett... READ MORE
A new highlight for lyrical romatasy. READ IT!
After finishing the Shepherd Duology, I knew Rachel Gillig was an author I’d follow anywhere. So when she announced The Knight and the Moth, I didn’t even ... READ MORE
Protect Bartholomew at all costs
Jeeeeez Rachel Gillig is good. I loved her first duology so I was looking forward to picking this up, and it did not disappoint.
Her writing and storie... READ MORE
Beautifully atmospheric with wonderfully nuanced characters
"
We have gothic romantic fantasy! We have a grand quest! We have a rich and interesting world! We! Have! Gargoyles!
I received an eARC from the publisher, this review is a completely honest reflection of my thoughts
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gillig has yet again woven a ... READ MORE
Absolutely incredible!!
The last 10% of this book had me sat ramrod straight. All the revelations and twists were INSANE.
I am never missing a meal time when it comes to Rachel ... READ MORE
Prophets, piercings, and one unholy knight
Rachel Gillig did not come to play!!!
She came to eviscerate, to enchant, and to serve holy girlboss fantasy on a silver, bloodstained platter. I devour... READ MORE
I just love it.
I loved the book from the beginning. The mood, the gothic vibes, the setting ,the characters, the map... love love love.
So it goes without saying it is a... READ MORE
The best book I read this year
Loved the book from the beginning. The mood, the vibes, the setting ,the characters, the map, everything made this book a unique experience.
Rachel Gillig... READ MORE
beautiful book
The physical edition is beautifully done!
This book is about an adorable gargoyle with his sidekick a diviner turned knight because the gargoyle stole t... READ MORE
Absolutely stunning in every way!
Absolutely blessed to have been sent an advanced proof copy of this book to read by Orbit UK!
This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2025 and it ... READ MORE
A sweeping yet heartbreaking novel about love and power
Warning: This review contains spoilers for the entire book
I’ve been a huge fan of Rachel’s writing since I read the first few pages of One Dark Window ... READ MORE
Magic, Maidens & a Flying Gargoyle
What an enjoyable book this was! Definitely more on the fantasy side, with a touch of romance, though it never felt like the love story was overshadowing t... READ MORE
Amazing!
Possibly my most anticipated this year and it absolutely did not disappoint!
Adored this so so much! Everything was amazing, beautifully written, characte... READ MORE
The Knight and The Moth is one of the smoothest reads I’ve read.
Rachel Gillig’s immersive prose delivered a beautiful yet dark gothic atmosphere. The whole book has a dreamlike quality, it’s vivid and unearthly. I hones... READ MORE
One line review – all the stars for this gothic masterpiece, also where can I get a pet gargoyle?
It’s official! I will read anything Rachel Gillig writes. After loving The Shepherd King duology, I wasn’t sure she could top it, but she has. This book is... READ MORE
Brilliant
This book has broken me
I read this book in less than 24 hours and it has broken me. In the few hours post finishing all I can think about it that book 2’s release date to too far... READ MORE
Intricate world-building and beautifully nuanced characters
"
Came for the Gothic Romantasy stayed for the Snarky Gargoyle
I'm always looking for that next book that carves a place in my heart and lingers there, and that is where this book delivers and so much more. Beautifully... READ MORE
Verified Purchase
A Mixed Bag
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 j... READ MORE
"And no one says they need recognition or praise or love, but we all hunger for it. We all want to be special"
Rachel Gillig's writing is pure poetry for the soul. This has left such an imprint on my heart and my mind that I am honestly a little lost for words. This... READ MORE
Verified Purchase
Rachel Gillig does it again
She takes you into the gothic setting abd immerses you into a magical realm unlike anything you have read before.The characters are well thought out and su... READ MORE
Good, but not great
3.5 stars
I'm not much of a romantasy reader - I love a well done romance in any genre, but don't typically want the romance to be the focus when I'm pi... READ MORE
Verified Purchase
Here for the Gargoyle
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I love how descriptive Rachel is with her writing, I enjoyed the Shepherd King duology, so I have been looking forward to reading this.
It... READ MORE
Adventurously Unique!
Rachel Gillig is the master of narrative imagery!
In my opinion this is a well written and fleshed out adventure, and I was genuinely shocked by the endin... READ MORE
Deliciously gothic, romantic, and hilarious!
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 wit... READ MORE
Unique, atmospheric and haunting!
The Knight and the Moth was beautifully written, perfectly atmospheric and one of the most unique fantasy books I’ve ever read!
It has the same gothic f... READ MORE
Fantasy story telling at its best
Superb dark twisty gothic romantasy, Rachel Gillig is a true story teller, I can imagine her as a intinerant story teller by the fire on a dark evening gat... READ MORE
A true masterpiece!
A big thank you to the publisher for sending me an arc of this via Netgalley!
It’s safe to say that my jaw is well and truly on the floor…I honestly kn... READ MORE
The Knight and The Moth is one of the smoothest reads I’ve read.
Rachel Gillig’s immersive prose delivered a beautiful yet dark gothic atmosphere. The whole book has a dreamlike quality, it’s vivid and unearthly. I hones... READ MORE
Fantastic
This isn't normally my type of genre but I was totally surprised I stayed up until 2am to finish it loved everything about this book
Loved it!
I really loved this book. Finished it in a few days and haven’t stopped thinking about it since.
Can’t wait until the next book in the series is released.
When your visions predict doom, but the real danger is a broody heretic with cheekbones and attitude
This book was everything I hoped it would be, moody, magical, and just a little bit unhinged in the best way. Rachel Gillig continues to prove that she doe... READ MORE
I need more now
This book has completely and permanently altered my brain chemistry. I loved every single second of it. I think my favorite part of Gillig’s writing is she... READ MORE
Made me fall in love with reading again.
I absolutely adored TKATM. It's a gorgeously written gothic romantasy with a set of characters who feel so real that I could actually believe they really d... READ MORE
Unique, gothic, magical.
“When you do the right thing for the wrong reason, no one praises you. When you do the wrong thing for the right reason, everyone does, even though what is... READ MORE
Beautiful haunting nostalgic
Thanks so much orbit books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!
Firstly how can you break my heart like this ! The book is full of the c... READ MORE
A Decent Read, But Not As Smooth As I Hoped
The Knight & The Moth had an intriguing premise, but the execution felt a bit uneven for me. The writing, especially around the “religion” elements was a b... READ MORE
The Gargoyle ran the show
Absolutely love this book and cannot wait for the next instalment. Loveable characters especially the gargoyle ?
Verified Purchase
Stunning
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 ... READ MORE
Stop dreaming start living ! Read this book!
Thanks so much orbit books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book! E arc !
Firstly how can you break my heart like this ! The book is full... READ MORE
Chokehold of a book
oh wow where do i start with this book. it had me in a vice grip from the moment I opened it
I am a massive fan of Rachel Gillig and this was 1 of my m... READ MORE
Incredible
Rachel Gillig very quickly became an auto buy author for me after The Shepherd King duology, I completely fell in love with her writing and therefore, The ... READ MORE
"I was losing my faith in everything. But the two of us meeting… it felt almost divine"
"I was losing my faith in everything. But the two of us meeting… it felt almost divine"
One of the easiest 5 stars I’ve ever given. Rachel Gillig has do... READ MORE
Beautifully written romantasy
This was really good and I really enjoyed it. It brings the same fantasy atmosphere that one dark window had while being a totally different plot. It reads... READ MORE
Absolutely stunning book both inside & out!
This was definitely a top read for me in 2025, the plot was unlike anything I’ve read for such a long time so it was nice to & refreshing!! I absolutely ca... READ MORE
Verified Purchase
Amazing
In the beginning I wasn’t quit sure if this book was for me. I liked it but did not vibe with. But i’m so happy I kept reading anyway. Everything around th... READ MORE
Yet another amazing book book from Rachel Gillig
This book is absolutely amazing. Had me laughing and crying. Romance, loss, betrayal, strength and vulnerability all wrapped in a beautiful story with a cl... READ MORE
I want the sequel already!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. After reading her first duology, and being obsessed with it, I had to read the next piece by Rachel.
The artwork is lov... READ MORE
Loved it from start to finish
Loved this book; had me gripped till the last page. Even better that I managed to get hold of one of the one of the limited edition edged version. It’s s... READ MORE
One of the most incredible books of the year
“Which is more intricate? THe design of men, trying to reach gods, or that of gods, trying to reach humans? What is either to the intricacies of women who ... READ MORE
Verified Purchase
If I could give this book 1000 stars I honestly would
Say Bartholomew, how many stars are we giving this book? And the answer is, if I could give this book 1000 stars I honestly would.
It has been a month s... READ MORE
Beautiful book, easy read.
If you love romantasy you will really enjoy this book. Lovely easy read with great characters.
This is everything I want in a NA Romantasy
And even more! Amazingly written with a twist I didn’t see coming and tore my heart out. Rachel Gillig, the author you are!
Verified Purchase
Another incredible gothic romance.
Gillig's storytelling is captivating and eases you into a fantastic world. The characters are endearing and there is humour throughout this book. One of my... READ MORE
Verified Purchase
Lyrical & Spellbinding, a True Gothic
"The Knight and the Moth" delivers evocative, richly atmospheric prose befitting a classic high fantasy, complete with a morally dubious knight and the loo... READ MORE
Absolutely Amazing!
Excuse me… WHAT?! What was that ending?! Please spare me... I am NOT okay. I need the next book right now! ???Let me start by saying that this book is an a... READ MORE
Brilliant book, exclusive edition could be better
y cousin made me read the shepherd king duology and i loved it! We were both in waterstones and bought this new book. It was brilliant and can't wait for t... READ MORE