Many romantasy books coming out in 2025, it's difficult to predict which ones will be viewed the most favorably come December.
In just the last month, there's been much discussion surrounding several books. The debate over whether controversy surrounding Dani Francis' book stemmed from its popularity on the platform. And with both of those titles in the rearview mirror, there's another romantasy sensation sweeping social media: The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig. The buzz surrounding this book is definitely warranted, and it could even be one of the year's best romantasy offerings.
The Knight And The Moth Is BookTok's Latest Obsession & Totally Worth The Hype
It Has Everything You Could Want From A Romantasy Book (Including A Hilarious Gargoyle)
On the heels of Silver Elite and Shield of Sparrows at the beginning of May, The Knight and the Moth is emerging as the internet's latest romantasy obsession — and it's not hard to see why. From the author of The Shepherd King books, The Knight and the Moth kicks off a new duology dubbed The Stonewater Kingdom. With a gothic backdrop in line with Gillig's prior series, the 2025 novel follows a woman named Sybil Delling, who has spent most of her life working as a Diviner for Aisling Cathedral.
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Sybil doesn't know who she is outside of her role, which involves repeatedly drowning and giving prophecies to those who visit Aisling. She and her sisters are eager to start their lives anew once their 10-year tenure at the cathedral is up. However, right after the new king and his knights visit, Sybil's fellow Diviners begin disappearing one by one. This sends her on a journey to find them, forcing her and her reliable gargoyle (who hilariously calls everyone "Bartholomew") to team up with the young king and his knights.
The premise of The Knight and the Moth meshes gothic fantasy, romance, and mystery to brilliant effect.
The premise of The Knight and the Moth meshes gothic fantasy, romance, and mystery to brilliant effect, easily immersing readers in Gillig's new fantasy world. Sybil is a likable and sympathetic heroine, and her sisterhood with the other Diviners makes it impossible to avoid becoming invested in her journey. The bat-like gargoyle who follows and protects her is a highlight of the novel, injecting humor into an otherwise thoughtful exploration of faith and power. And of course, the romance between Sybil and the heretical knight she falls for delivers on the tension.
The Knight And The Moth Is Already Poised To Become One Of 2025's Best Romantasy Books
There's A Lot To Love About Rachel Gillig's Latest
There's a lot to love about The Knight and the Moth, from its endearing characters and their connections to one another to the book's lush atmosphere. Perhaps its most irable quality is how well it blends fantasy and romance, however, perfectly balancing both throughout its run. Gillig fleshes Sybil and Rory out well, and she makes sure to put the proper emphasis on their relationships with the other players rather than focusing solely on them. This makes it feel more natural as they come together, and it gives the novel found-family vibes that add to its charm.
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Additionally, the pacing and stakes of The Knight and the Moth are handled well, with the book never lulling or feeling like it's overlooking important details. The ending twists are all the more satisfying because of that, and they drive home the story's messages about faith, love, and trauma. Although there are many great romantasy novels, The Knight and the Moth stands out as one of 2025's strongest offerings already. It's certainly a contender for the genre's best release of the year, and it has set the stage for an even more gripping sequel.