The Knight and the Moth (The Stonewater Kingdom, 1)

Rachel Gillig proves every time she is truly in a league of her own. I am in awe of the unique stories her mind is able to create. They are always one of a kind and such an enjoyable and enthralling experience. This is Romantasy at its core. This was unputdownable, impeccable, beautiful, painful & poetic. I loved every single moment. I am so happy I get to dive right into book 2. This was everything! The easiest five stars. I needed this distraction from life and it 100% delivered. Thank you, Rachel, for allowing me to escape into this world and characters I now care so much about. Rachel is an auto buy author for me. So much talent. I’ll read anything she writes and I know I’m basically guaranteed to love it at this point.

Oh that ending! That was crazy.😮 I kind of saw something like that coming but then the author leveled up! This book was good. I mean I wasn't blown away but I wasn't bored either. This is my first time reading something considered "gothic" so I'm not sure if that's why I found the plot a little corkey. I'm not exactly sure what gothic romance entails. Is it because it was a little dark and had gargoyles? It did come off as a classic romance set in a fantastical world. It definitely gave me Bronte sister vibes. 🤷🏽‍♀️ I feel like the plot was okay. If you thought about it too deeply it probably won't make a bit of sense. But surface level it was interesting. I like the gargoyle character. He was witty but also clueless. The humor made this story flow. It was kind of sad too. And very dark. Especially when you figure out what's really going on, it gets very dark. 😩 I found the romance to be lovely. I love me a good "come here" trope. I don't even know if that's a real trope or not but it's real in my head. I like Rory and Number six. 😉 It grew into something cute. I also like the found family feeling at different points in the book. I was a little wary to trust it. It's the curse of reading too much romantasy where betrayal runs deep but I was here for it. Honestly, I didn't know what was going on half the time. I kept waiting for higher stakes to appear. It was a middle of the road right up until the last 10 pages. This book gets a lot of praise on Book Tok and I mean is it good? Yes! Is it the best thing ever written? Nah! I feel bad comparing books but that's how I do my reviews. Like I said, this is middle of the road. Good writing, a likable FMC, a great cast of characters, some good quotes, and a believable romance. I think the pacing was consistent. But the magic system and world building was a little shaky. I will not try to dismantle every detail cause then I will be lost. The humor and the ending is what gets this rating to 4 ⭐! I'm glad I decided to read this. Even better, the next book is already released.

I got through this book in two days. I loved it that much. There's humor that made me cackle out loud, mainly because of a specific gargoyle. Sybil is an incredible FMC. She's strong, determined, and brave, yet her vulnerability is what makes her real. And when the MMC helps her put on her armor? Whew! The character-driven plot moves steadily. Not a single part was boring. The characters are nuanced, and their motivations are believable. I was SUPER invested in this story and am so eager to dive into the second book. So, if you've seen the hype behind this series but haven't picked it up yet, consider this a sign. Read it. You won't regret it.

While many are labeling the dynamic between Sybil (Six) and Rory Myndacious as "enemies to lovers," that tag simply does not fit. There is no grand opposition between them, no deep seated malice or genuine reason for hatred. Instead, Gillig gives us a beautifully orchestrated grumpy meets sunshine, allies to lovers slow burn. The romance breathes because it is entirely unforced. Rory’s devotion is a quiet, protective ruin. he stands as a shield, drowning in a puddle of respectful, agonizing adoration while Sybil navigates her fracturing visions. The sharp tongued banter and simmering emotional intimacy flow entirely from the characters themselves, never manipulated just to move the plot. The yearning is top notch, proving that true romantic tension is built in the natural, aching space between two people who belong on the same side. The other common misnomer surrounding this book is "worldbuilding." This is not Tolkien level, sprawling architectural world crafting. It does it need to be for Gillig’s audience. The world of Traum is deeply fascinating. There is a staggering amount of complex lore regarding the Omens that the reader must understand for the story to function. What makes the book successful is that Gillig executes this massive delivery of data in a way that feels seamless, engaging, and artfully woven into the prose. Even when a sentient limestone gargoyle is used to relay centuries of history, it feels less like a dry textbook and more like a darkly atmospheric bedtime story. It is dense with exposition, yes, but it is delivered with a lyrical sleight of hand. The Knight and the Moth is an addictive, beautifully flawed spell of a book. By ignoring the mismatched tropes of its marketing and appreciating it for what it actually excels at, exquisite, unforced pining and a highly engaging delivery of dark lore, you find a story that holds you captive. It leaves you balanced on a sharp cliffhanger, entirely desperate for the sequel.

⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ 4.5 Stars Rachel Gillig has officially done it again. The Knight and the Moth is haunting, lyrical, and completely unlike anything else I've read this year. From the very first pages, I was pulled into a world wrapped in mystery, faith, prophecy, and ancient magic. Gillig has a way of making every scene feel dreamlike while still keeping the tension high enough that I never wanted to put the book down. The atmosphere is the true star of this novel. Every cathedral, every whispered prophecy, every moth's wing, and every shadow felt intentional, creating a world that was both beautiful and unsettling. The romance was a slow burn filled with longing, sharp banter, and emotional depth that made every interaction worth savoring. I won't pretend I understood every piece of the mythology right away, but as the story unfolded, everything came together in a way that felt rewarding rather than confusing. And that ending? It left me equal parts satisfied and desperately wanting the next book. If you love gothic romantasy with rich prose, unforgettable worldbuilding, compelling characters, and a romance that simmers instead of rushing, this one absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR. Rachel Gillig continues to prove why she's one of my favorite fantasy authors, and I'll be counting down the days until I can return to this world.

Rachel Gillig is the master of gothic romantasy. I am in love with this book and its vibes - the cathedral, the shrouds, the knights, and of course, the gargoyles. I loved travelling through the kingdom and learning about each hamlet and their omens. They were unique and their magic different, but each fit the story so well. I thoroughly enjoyed the pace of the story. I wanted for nothing. The slow-burning, hate-to-love romance was wonderfully done, and I can't wait to read the sequel to find out what happens after that cliffhanger!! Six was such a brave and beautiful character and one of my favorite FMC's I've read in a while. Also, I now completely understand the obsession everyone has with Bartholemew - that little bugger broke my heart and now has it fully. I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to any reader who enjoys an atmospheric read with well-written characters and immaculate gothic romance vibes. I would also recommend it to any reader who loved Ms. Gillig's other duology, One Dark Window & Two Twisted Crowns...this is a must-read!

This book had such a good idea, but I fear I did not love the execution. The plot itself was genuinely interesting and had so much potential, but for whatever reason, it just never fully did it for me. I’ve read a lot of fantasy at this point, and I felt like this relied on quite a few familiar fantasy tropes, especially toward the ending. There were definitely reveals and concepts that I thought were really cool, but the overall story never became as memorable as I wanted it to be. It was one of those books where I could appreciate what the author was trying to do without ever feeling completely invested in it. The characters were probably my biggest disconnect. Bartholomew was genuinely the only character I really loved. Sybil felt lost for most of the book and, admittedly, I found her quite annoying at times. Rory wasn’t anything particularly special to me, and Benji’s storyline didn’t surprise me. I just never formed that attachment to the characters that usually makes a fantasy world come alive for me. More than anything, this book dragged. It took me much longer to finish than a fantasy normally does because I never had that feeling of needing to know what happened next. By the end, I was honestly just ready to finish it. That being said, I don’t think this was a bad book at all. It was mildly entertaining, the concept was creative, and there were some genuinely good ideas throughout. This is a very solid 3 stars for me because it’s not the kind of book where I finish and question how it was ever published lol. I’ve just read enough fantasy now to know the difference between a story that will stick with me and one that will eventually blend in with everything else I’ve read. Unfortunately, I think this one will blend.

First off- the cover art of this book is so refreshing!! Love a unique cover with a picture that ties into the book!! The texture of the actual book is so nice too, almost like sand paper? It’s nice to see so much thought put into the cover. The atmosphere of this book is very gothic and cozy. Perfect for reading in the fall. The characters are all enjoyable to read about and the story is unique! I read this book soo fast after being in a bit of a slump. I already purchased book 2. Definitely recommend.

Arrived on time however it is a very poor copy. There are ink stains and markings on a lot of the pages

I don't understand why I waited so long to read this book. I should also mention that this is the first book of hers for me, and I'm now an obsessed fan! I love this exciting and gripping fantasy story. It's also simply delightful, full of hilarious banter and sarcastic humor. A very unusual, dark fantasy romance that reveals a lot about people's beliefs regarding myths and legends. An extraordinary, badass heroine. A dark and disturbing atmosphere. A world filled with hatred and violence. And right in the middle of it, a small group trying to save and change this unforgiving world. I love the characters, and I mean ALL of them. I enjoyed every second spent with these characters. They aren't just badass and incredibly tough. They’re also loyal and hilarious, and everything I'd expect of best friends. The one thing I didn't like at all was that mean cliffhanger :-( What on earth was that about? I was already looking forward to the HEA and had come up with an ideal solution for the couple and the "stone baby," and, bam! Everything ends completely differently than I imagined :-) Typical! I'm lately so bad at guessing how things will turn out ;-)) Now I have to wait until September for the second book!?! So mean!

— 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Would you like me to tell you a story? The one with the tragic beginning and the desolate, interminable middle?" 📖 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 396 pages 👤 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Rachel Gillig 🏢 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: Orbit Books, UK 📅 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 20 May 2025 What you can expect: — Adult Gothic Fantasy Romance — First Person X Single POV — Prophetess X Knight — Omens & Prophecies — Girls In Armor — Found Family — Romantic Sub-Plot — Elaborate World Building — Hilarious Gargoyle Companion — Unique Magical System — Mystery & Political Intrigue 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: The Knight and the Moth is the first instalment in The Stonewater Kingdom duology by author Rachel Gillig. All I can think to start this review with is: SPECTACULAR GIVE ME FOURTEEN OF THEM RIGHT NOW. My jaw? On the floor. My heart? In pieces. My mind? SCATTERED because oh my god this book? I had absolutely zero doubt or lack of faith in queen Rachel Gillig who continues to cement herself as an auto-buy author of mine and I’m beyond thrilled to have been proven right yet again. This book is a masterpiece and there is no ‘if’ or ‘but’ about it. I need everybody to run to their nearest bookshop to grab their own copy so that I can find even more likeminded people to spend hours yapping away with about this book. The richly atmospheric and innovative setting had me instantly swept away as Gillig seamlessly guides her readers through the immersive world-building that takes place from the very first page. I was immediately fascinated by the lore of the world surrounding the Omens and the impact that they hold over the political climate of this world. The way their influence stretches far and wide whilst remaining largely unknown had me eager to discover the truth alongside our main cast of characters as we join them on a tumultuous journey in their bid for answers. The Knight and the Moth perfectly balanced the romantic sub-plot in support of the main purpose of the story which offered a soft and romantic reprieve from the otherwise heavy themes being explored. I loved the pacing of the overall story as I found myself able to anticipate some of the answers to my questions through patience and paying close attention to details being laid out by the author, whilst equally being left in shock with my jaw on the floor and a desperation to find out what happens next. There is truly not a single negative thing that I could say about this book other than it will break my heart having to wait for book two. 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: There’s no denying much of the strengths in this book can be found in its main cast of characters. Sybil 'Six' Denning was such a delight to uncover as we get to follow the journey that we find her on through her own point of view. Her growth from beginning-to-end is so apparent as Sybil begins to unravel the truth and comes to the realisation that nothing about her life is what she was taught to believe. I really resonated with her journey as she suddenly finds herself in an unfamiliar world that carries an expectation she's no longer willing to fulfil with a lack of recognition in her self-worth and overall sense-of-self. The way she fights to discover herself and the role she wishes to play within the world was really powerful, and I truly cannot wait to see what comes next from such a multi-purposeful and extraordinarily layered character. Sybil is such a strong-willed character who is loyal to her core with an unwavering keenness to see what the world has to offer outside of the stone walls she’s only ever known as home. The way she continues to get out of bed to push forward on their task amidst the emotional heartache and turmoil that’s flung her way really earned my respect and admiration towards her character. Sybil endures so much and my heart broke in tandem with hers during several jaw-dropping events throughout the book… but I’m very excited to see the woman that emerges in the end after that shocking ending. I suspect the beginning of her ‘revenge girl era’ is only just beginning, and I cannot wait to explore her character and overall potential further in the second instalment in the duology. Rodrick ‘Rory’ Myndacious was such a delightful character and love interest in all of his unexpectedness and complexities that shaped him into the character that I can’t help but love. He's broody and snarky upon first introduction which admittedly I love in a character anyway... but I was honestly sold from the moment his ear piercing and guyliner was mentioned. Sometimes I'm simply a woman who's easily won over by her preferences. Rory's loyalty and belief in the mission that we follow him on is absolute which offered a clear insight into his unspoken aspirations that he often shies away from voicing. I loved his witty nature and snarky remarks which slowly unravelled to reveal the soft and tender-hearted man underneath who has so much love and devotion to offer to the right person that can see him for who he is without judgement. It’s completely understandable why his close circle of friends is small, but I loved how this in no way reduces Rory’s loyalty and devotion to those that he loves. I had a great time getting to explore the emotional intimates of his friendships as this gradually introduced an eccentric gargoyle and a Diviner into the mix. Rory’s yearning was written to perfection and I cannot wait to see what comes next for his character after the most unlikely betrayal has left him reeling and (I hope) a willingness to fight for the life that he deserves. Don’t even get me started on the sweet bat-like gargoyle whose name shall not be mentioned. He’s easily my favourite side character of Gillig’s to date and I cannot even begin to articulate just how much I have fallen in love with this quirky and eccentric creature that left me wheezing from laughter and then crying from the sweet actions and intentions of his character. His dialogue constantly left me grinning from ear to ear with his matter-of-fact delivery and the underlying humour that can be found at all times... in which was usually during the more inappropriate moments which made it all the more fun. The way he cries at everything whilst swiftly recovering with a swift tongue and witty comeback had me laughing so hard I nearly cried because, well... relatable. Learning his backstory truly gutted me as it was something that I found entirely unexpected and completely emotionally unprepared for. I'm not kidding or understating my words when I proclaim that I seriously need his character to be a survivor by the very end. I would happily sacrifice everybody if it makes keeping this wonderful character alive ‘final girl’ style… sorry not sorry. 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: I absolutely adored that the romance between Sybil and Rory was written as a sub-plot which was granted the perfect amount of attention without deriving from the main purpose of the story. The slow burn approach to their relationship was masterfully crafted with perfection as it offered a compelling and emotionally-driven development built on genuine love and acceptance that is earned over time as opposed to being demanded or expected. Both characters enter into the dynamic with their own premeditated prejudices and expectations from the other which made the break-down of their characters feel all the more refreshing the more they got to know one another. Rory and Sybil's chemistry was instantaneous with the sparks flying off of the page and yet at no point did I find their relationship to feel overshadowing or rushed to meet an end point. Every inch of their development is earned until an overwhelmingly tender companionship is formed through trust and soul deep, unwavering belief. The way both characters learn to instinctively understand the other on an intimate emotional level was so pure and innocent in its honesty. The way they come to lean upon each other in a carefully crafted safe space was everything I had hoped to see and more... and I truly don't think I'll ever tire when it comes to discussing the hard-earned love story between this Diviner and her stoic Knight. 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: The Knight and the Moth was everything that I expected it to be and even more with its richly innovative setting that left me captivated and vying for more. The political intrigue and religious themes felt very well fleshed out and explored to better enable readership understanding. I was completely immersed into the story and the quest that we follow our main cast of characters on, and I cannot wait to see what comes next after that jaw-dropping ending. I’m going to be clawing at my walls in anticipation of the release of book two. Bravo Rachel Gillig… bravo indeed.

Book came with the paper jacket damaged. It’s so bad !!! It looks folded at the top and bottom.

That was one heck of a book finale. Really didn't see it coming, loved it!!! The beginning is a little slow but it gets amazing through the Middle!