Minnie's Fiction Addiction

👀 First impressions:
I don’t normally gravitate toward romantasy, or fantasy and romance separately, for that matter , but something about The Knight and the Moth intrigued me enough to dip a toe into the genre. The cover was ethereal and mysterious, and the title alone hinted at a fairytale darkness I couldn’t resist. I went in with cautious curiosity, expecting to feel a little out of my depth.

✅ What I Liked:
What immediately struck me was Rachel Gillig’s writing, lyrical without being overwrought, and deeply atmospheric. The world she’s built is strange and haunting, full of quiet sorrow and beauty. I appreciated that the fantasy elements weren’t overwhelming for a reader not steeped in the genre; they were intuitive and emotionally driven, rather than buried under heavy lore.

The dynamic between the titular knight and the “moth” (a cursed woman bound by shadows and secrets) had genuine tension and emotional stakes. It wasn’t instalove or fluffy, it was a slow burn that built on trust, betrayal, and shared grief. I also liked that both characters had agency and wounds that felt earned rather than troped.

❎ What I didn’t Like:
While I found the prose beautiful, there were moments it leaned into the kind of poetic abstraction that made me reread paragraphs just to catch the meaning. A little too “vibes over clarity” at times. The pacing also dipped in the middle, where it felt like a lot of brooding but not much momentum.

Because I’m not a regular fantasy reader, I occasionally felt like I was missing deeper symbolism or genre nods. Nothing that ruined the experience, just a sense that more seasoned fantasy readers might get even more out of it than I did.

📚 Why You Should Read This Book:
If you’re hesitant about romantasy but want to try something moody, lyrical, and character-driven, this is a great gateway. It doesn’t rely heavily on worldbuilding dumps or cheesy tropes. Instead, it leans into emotional intimacy, elegant language, and a fairy tale sensibility that’s both dark and hopeful.

💭 Final Thoughts:
This was an unexpected surprise. I went in unsure and came out quietly affected. The Knight and the Moth is less about flashy fantasy or steamy romance and more about two broken people navigating a cursed world with tenderness and courage. It’s melancholy, a little strange, and rather beautiful.

🛍️ Where to buy
To buy your own copy click HERE

Final Rating ★★★★ – A lovely, dreamlike story that gently won me over.