The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig

★★★★★

Spoiler Free

You’ll Love This Book if You Enjoyed:

Overview:

Rachel Gillig has done it again - of course she did, she’s Rachel Gillig. My initial Goodreads review read:

I am just beyond words - this was utterly stunning and completely beautiful. I am absolutely floored.

And though it may have taken me a few days to find the words to discuss this book, I am still absolutely floored. Rachel Gillig's The Knight and the Moth is a captivating gothic fantasy following Sybil, a skilled diviner, and Rodrick, a heretical knight, as they uncover dark secrets within a world where gods, gargoyles, and elemental hamlets intertwine. My main advice for the Knight and the Moth is to go into it with the view of a Fantasy book with a subplot of romance rather than a ‘Romantasy’. I can certainly say it’s all the better for it.

World Building, Writing and Lore:

The Knight and the Moth was so utterly immersive and all consuming I actually found myself needing breaks in between handfuls of chapters to just digest the world of the Stonewater Kingdom as it almost felt like a character in it’s own right. I may be biased with Rachel Gillig being one of my all-time favourite authors, but what makes her writing so captivating is her ability to craft settings that serve not only as vivid backdrops but also as integral elements of the story itself.

Her writing is so refreshingly lyrical and

The structure and make up of the world of the Stonewater kingdom was so accessible and engaging with clear and descriptive distinctions between the five elemental-like hamlets in the Stonewater kingdom. Though I would’ve loved more background on the sprites and their origins, I have a feeling that will come in abundance in the second book, as I suspect they’ll play a much larger role in the story.

Characters:

One word. The Gargoyle. I have not belly laughed so much reading a book in a very long time indeed. I was absolutely smitten with his wit, comedic timing and utter absurdity which provided much needed warmth and heart to the harsh and unforgiving backdrop of the Stonewater Kingdom. Hands down - one of my top book characters ever.

Though at first I struggled to connect to our main character Sybil, I found myself increasingly admiring her resourcefulness and fortitude in her journey for independence. It was so completely refreshing that her divining ability isn’t a miraculously acquired world changing power, but a skill painfully honed over the years through resilience and sacrifice. And -

she’s

got

muscles.

Our Sybil has been putting pedal to the metal in that Cathedral over the last decade as she more than keeps up with her counterparts throughout their adventures.

And of course those counterparts, our beloved not so ‘rag’ tag gang, I adored them. Maude, Benedict and our rogue knight Rory were an utter delight and the true definition of found family. Their critical flaws made them achingly resonant and essential to the plot, with each character’s development unfolding naturally in line with the story.

Romance:

Oh Rory. Rodrick Myndacious you son of a gun. Described as ‘rude, heretical, and devilishly handsome’ I’d say that’s a pretty spot on introduction to our rogue knight. The relationship between Rory and Sybil developed so beautifully and naturally throughout the book, I found myself totally invested from their first meeting upon the Cathedral walls. Without giving too much away, Rory’s emotional intelligence, resolve and skilful perception of others and the world around him makes him a sound pillar to both the story and our cast of characters.

Final Thoughts:

Rachel Gillig's The Knight and the Moth has got to be my favourite read of this year so far, and I suspect my top read of this year full stop. Gillig's lyrical prose and intricate world-building create a rich tapestry that readers of gothic and romantic fantasy will simply adore. The world building and diverse cast of characters are utterly immersive and engrossing, accompanied by an addictive subplot slow-burn romance.  The Knight and the Moth is a must-read for those seeking a blend of magic, mystery, and heartfelt connections and I simply can’t wait for book 2.

★★★★★

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