The Knight and the Moth
A gothic romantic fantasy novel by American author Rachel Gillig.
The Knight and the Moth is a gothic romantic fantasy novel by American author Rachel Gillig, released by Orbit Books on May 20, 2025. The story centers on Six, a Diviner confined with five others in Aisling Cathedral, where they are revered in Traum for their ability to predict the future through dreams and water rituals. After reading the fortune of the newly crowned King Benedict Castor III, Six meets his knights, including Sir Rodrick "Rory" Myndacious, who scoffs at her faith in the gods. Soon, the Diviners begin vanishing until only Six remains. She escapes the cathedral and, aided by Rory and a gargoyle, sets out to find her missing companions. Along the way, she questions everything she was taught about Aisling and grows close to Rory.
The novel was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award in the Romantasy category. In Library Journal, Eve Stano praised its "eerie" worldbuilding. Publishers Weekly commended the "fresh" premise and "inventive" worldbuilding but noted pacing issues in the middle and a late-developing romance. Lacy Baugher Milas gave it a 9.0 rating in Paste, highlighting its "fresh" premise, "vivid" worldbuilding, and "uniquely Gothic" atmosphere.
An unabridged audiobook edition, released by Hachette Audio alongside the hardcover and ebook, was narrated by Samantha Hydeson. Kirkus Reviews called her narration "immersive." The two books in the Stonewater Kingdom duology are *The Knight and the Moth* and an as-yet-unannounced sequel.
Quick Facts
- Cover Artist
- Lisa Marie Pompilio
- Publisher
- Orbit Books
- Isbn
- 9780316582704
- Pages
- 400
- Release Date
- May 20, 2025
- Genre
- Romantic fantasy, gothic fiction
- Language
- English
- Country
- United States
- Author
- Rachel Gillig
- Followed By
- The Knave and the Moon
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Knight and the Moth was inspired by the folk tale The Outlandish Knight, though it is not a direct retelling. Author Rachel Gillig used the tale to explore what knights are and what they are not. The novel is set in the fictional land of Traum, where Diviners—people who can foretell futures through dreams and water rituals—are revered. The story begins with Six, a Diviner confined to Aisling Cathedral with five others. When the newly crowned King Benedict Castor III has his fortune divined, Six meets his knights, including Sir Rodrick 'Rory' Myndacious, who mocks her belief in the gods. Soon after, the Diviners begin disappearing until only Six remains. She flees the cathedral and searches for her fellow Diviners with the help of Rory and a gargoyle. During her journey, she questions everything she learned about Aisling and develops feelings for Rory.
Reader's Guide
The Knight and the Moth received significant critical and commercial attention. It debuted at number one on the New York Times Hardcover Fiction Best Seller List and spent eight weeks on the list. The novel was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award for Romantasy and an Audie Award for Fantasy. Reviews highlighted its worldbuilding: Eve Stano in Library Journal praised its 'eerie' worldbuilding; Publishers Weekly praised the 'fresh' premise and 'inventive' worldbuilding but criticized the pacing in the middle and the late arrival of the romance; Lacy Baugher Milas in Paste gave it a 9.0 rating, praising its 'fresh' premise, 'vivid' worldbuilding, and 'uniquely Gothic' atmosphere. An unabridged audiobook narrated by Samantha Hydeson was released by Hachette Audio; Kirkus Reviews praised Hydeson's narration as 'immersive'. A sequel, The Knave and the Moon, is set to release on September 1, 2026, and together they form the Stonewater Kingdom duology.
Did You Know?
- The protagonist is a Diviner named Six who can foretell futures through dreams and water rituals.
- The audiobook, narrated by Samantha Hydeson, has received critical praise for its immersive narration.
- The Stonewater Kingdom duology consists of The Knight and the Moth and a sequel yet to be announced.
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