The Knave and the Moon

I went into The Knave and the Moon with a lot of excitement, because Rachel Gillig has such a distinctive way of writing fantasy that I always want to follow wherever she takes me. Her worlds feel so richly magical, and this sequel pulled me back in immediately, especially because I was already attached to these characters.

Sybil Delling remains such a strong center for the story. I loved her intelligence, her fierceness, and the way her determination feels earned rather than forced. She is the kind of heroine I can root for without hesitation. Rory was just as compelling in a different way, since he keeps so much of himself hidden, but those small glimpses of his sweetness and daring made him even more interesting to me. And honestly, Bartholomew completely stole my heart. Never in my life did I expect to fall in love with a gargoyle, but here we are, because he is just so lovable and I wanted the best for him every step of the way.

What held me most was the character work. That was the true strength of this book for me, and it is what kept me turning pages even when the pacing slowed down. The middle of the story did feel repetitive at times, and I found myself wishing for more momentum. Some parts felt like we were retracing familiar ground, which dulled the impact a little for me. Still, Gillig’s storytelling has such an immersive quality that I never fully disconnected, even during the slower stretches.

Even with those reservations, this was still a satisfying read. I loved returning to this world, and I cared deeply about where these characters were headed. The ending landed well for me, and it made the patience required by the middle feel worthwhile. I would not call this my favorite pace wise, but I absolutely appreciated the emotional payoff and the strength of the characters carrying the whole thing.

📦 What to Expect

✨ Epic Fantasy
💖 Slow Burn Romance
🔥 Grumpy, Sunshine Dynamic
🤯 Complex Politics & Power Struggles
💔 Deep Emotional Growth
🦴 Magical Beasts or Sentient Magic
⚔️ A Lead Who Fights for More Than Survival

📚 Book Tags

Keywords: Dark Fantasy, Magic, Romance, Political Intrigue, Found Family, Survival, War
Tropes: Grumpy, Sunshine, Enemies to Reluctant Allies, Found Family, Mentor, Protegé, Slow Burn, Power Couple

🎯 Final Thoughts

If you love fantasy with unforgettable characters and a world that feels alive with magic, this is still absolutely worth the journey. It may linger in the middle more than I wanted, but Sybil, Rory, and Bartholomew make it easy to stay invested.

If you're hungry for fantasy with teeth and tenderness, this belongs on your shelf. Read it, feel it, let it ruin you a little.

Written in the reader's own words and published by the reader.