To tell a story is in some part to tell a lie, isn’t it?

The Knight and The Moth – Synopsis and Background

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.

In the kingdom of Traum, Sybil Delling is one of six Diviners – foundling girls chosen to serve at Aisling Cathedral, each bound to one of six spectral Omens. For nine years, she’s lived behind cloistered walls, dreaming prophecy and offering counsel to lords and commoners alike. Sybil longs for the end of her service. But when her fellow Diviners begin to vanish without explanation, the only person who will help her is a heretical knight named Rodrick – who openly scorns her visions.

Together, they must leave the safety of the cathedral and uncover the truth behind the disappearances. What follows is a journey of faith, ruin, and quiet revolution – a story of what it means to choose your fate, even when it burns.

The Knight and The Moth Review

I went into this book with high expectations. If you’ve read my One Dark Window review, you will know that I am possibly Rachel Gillig’s biggest fan, so this was one of my most anticipated reads of the year.

From the first page, I was reminded exactly why I am Gillig’s number one supporter, her lyrical prose and writing style just sing to me. Seriously, I would read this woman’s shopping list.

In terms of the actual storyline, I have to say that I didn’t feel as connected to this world as I did in One Dark Window. I certainly enjoyed it, but I felt a distance from the characters.

Having said that, I totally lost my mind in the last 50 pages of The Knight and The Moth. It reminded me of a Sarah J Maas ending, where everything happens all at once and your heart is racing and you forget to breathe for prolonged periods of time. I will not put any particular plot spoilers in here, but I really didn’t see the ending (more than one aspect of it too) coming and that is always a positive, especially coming from someone who reads so many fantasy books.

Writing Style

As I wrote in my previous review ‘this book is a recipe for Anna Stacey’s dream writing style: deliciously descriptive, lyrical prose, Gillig doesn’t falter once in her style, tone or execution.’ All of this is still extremely relevant to The Knight and The Moth, Rachel Gillig is, without doubt, my favourite author in terms of writing style alone.

This book is gothic, immersive, and thick with emotional undercurrents. Every sentence feels like it’s been carefully carved in candlelight. The tone leans melancholy and mysterious with dreams that feel more like warnings than visions. If you love moody, textured writing, you’ll be hooked.

Length and Grip (😏)

This is a relatively short book for me, I’m used to 500+ pages of epic fantasy, but I’m loathed to admit that it actually took me a couple of weeks to read it.

This is partly due to a busy day-to-day life, but also because I didn’t feel as emotionally invested in the characters as I have in other books that consumed my every waking moment. Equally though, when I did pick this up, I enjoyed every word – there was no point in which I thought it would DNF, I just didn’t have the desire to finish it immediately.

This is a slow-burn narrative in every sense – emotionally, romantically, and in terms of plot. The tension builds gradually and peaks in the final act, where secrets unravel and everything finally cracks open. While it’s not a pulse-pounder from the start, the emotional payoff makes the journey more than worthwhile.

World/Magic System

In keeping with my comments about her previous duology, Gillig’s world and magic system in The Knight and The Moth feels incredibly fresh and nuanced, ensuring the romantasy genre does not become repetitive and predictable.

The magic is understated but deeply atmospheric – rooted in dreams, symbols, and the cryptic guidance of Omens. There’s no flashy elemental sorcery here -this is prophecy as burden, not power. The cathedral feels like a character in itself: ancient, decaying, and hiding more than just secrets. It’s a rich setting, beautifully rendered and brimming with dread.

Smut

There isn’t much to comment on here, but the story is no worse-off for it. The one intimate moment is soft, brief, and tastefully done – suggestive more than explicit. It feels earned rather than gratuitous, and never overshadows the story’s emotional arc.

Side Characters

The side characters in this story are interesting in their own way. The main one being that gargoyle, who provided some much-needed comedic relief from the dark nature of the storyline. I found myself laughing out loud as his commentary throughout the book, particular in very serious situations, which was extremely fun.

The omens – ‘gods’ in this instance – are very interesting and fresh for the genre, adding complexity and danger to the narrative.

Checklist:

• ✅ Gothic setting
• ✅ Mysterious prophecies
• ✅ Slow-burn
• ✅ Enemies-to-lovers romance
• ✅ Religious tension
• ✅ Found family (quietly, achingly done)

Favourite Quotes:

“To the child in each of us, yearning to be special. Take my hand, you strange little creature, and together we shall walk beyond the wall.”

“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 right and wrong depends entirely on the story you’re living in. And no one says they need recognition or praise or love, but we all hunger for it. We all want to be special.”

“You want to throw me down. And I, prideful, disdainful, godless, want to drag you into the dirt with me.”

“I cannot decide which I like best. The sunrise, or the sunset. They are like life, and her quiet companion, death.”

Overall Rating and Conclusion

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🌶️.5

The Knight and the Moth is a gorgeously grim tale of vision and defiance. Rachel Gillig has crafted another moody, immersive world steeped in shadow and longing. With haunting magic, lyrical prose, and a romance that aches before it burns, this novel is as emotionally potent as it is beautifully written.

Perfect for readers who want more feeling in their fantasy – more yearning, more quiet rage, more questions without easy answers. If you liked One Dark Window but wanted something even more slowburn and gothic, this one will sing to you.