The Knight and the Moth By Rachel Gillig Book Review
“The Knight and the Moth” by Rachel Gillig is a breath of fresh air in the fantasy romance world.
This book is a romantasy, a romantic fantasy, set in a misty, gothic world where Sybil Delling, a young prophetess, serves as a Diviner. For nearly a decade, Sybil and her sister Diviners live in the cathedral, dreaming visions from mysterious beings called the Omens. Their world is both magical and oppressive, as these foundling girls have traded years of their lives for a place to belong. When a rude, heretical knight named Rodrick arrives and Sybil’s fellow Diviners start disappearing, she has no choice but to team up with him to uncover the dark forces at work beyond the cathedral walls. The tone is haunting and atmospheric, combining folklore, faith, and defiance into a spellbinding fairytale.
What really makes this book stand out is Sybil, a strong, complicated heroine who doesn’t fit the fragile “chosen one” mold. She’s tough, skillful, and fiercely independent, people even picture her wielding a hammer and chisel barefoot around the cathedral. The dynamic between Sybil and Rodrick feels refreshingly equal. Unlike some romances where one character clearly drives the growth, here they challenge and support each other in a way that feels genuine. The gothic setting adds a rich, immersive vibe, complete with a surprisingly hilarious gargoyle who lightens up the heavier themes of death, religion, and identity with some well-timed humor. Plus, Rachel Gillig’s prose pulls you right into the world in a beautifully evocative way, and if you like authors like Jennifer L. Armentrout or Leigh Bardugo, you’ll probably enjoy her style.
Reader reactions have been mostly positive, especially from people craving something different in romantasy. Many praised how the book avoids tired clichés and delivers a fresh gothic atmosphere with compelling characters and a slow-building, mysterious plot. The humor from the gargoyle was a highlight for a lot of readers, adding some much-needed levity. However, some critics felt the worldbuilding was a bit sketchy, and the romance sometimes rushed, which made the emotional stakes less convincing. The pacing and character work didn’t land for everyone, with a few finding the plot formulaic and the world lacking depth compared to Gillig’s earlier books. So it’s definitely one that divides opinion depending on what you’re looking for.
From my perspective, “The Knight and the Moth” is perfect for readers who love mood-driven, atmospheric fantasies with strong, complex heroines and a romance that grows alongside the story, not at its expense. If you’re into richly detailed settings and folklore-tinged magic, this one might pull you in. But if you want fast-paced worldbuilding or deeply emotional romance right from the start, it might feel a bit slow or underdeveloped.
At its core, it’s a story about faith versus skepticism, strength in vulnerability, and challenging the gods themselves, a mix that’s as intriguing as it is unique. And if you fall in love with the characters and the misty cathedral world, you’ll be counting down the days for the sequel, just like a lot of readers already are.
So, if you’re looking for a romantasy that breaks from the usual formula and wraps you up in a gothic, magical mystery with a touch of romance and plenty of heart, definitely give “The Knight and the Moth” a try. And if you’ve already read it, let me know what you thought!