The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig is a fantastic tale of romance, disillusionment, and revenge that draws the reader so deeply into its fantasy world, you won’t even realize you are reading. However, be warned: it ends in a cliffhanger, which is sure to make you angry and guarantee that you will read the sequel.

Number Six (Sybill) has spent her entire life as a Diviner, one of a group of young girls who were pulled from their lives of squalor by the abbess and given a chance to work as soothsayers within Aisling Cathedral. Both Kings and commoners come to the cathedral to consult them, as their close connection to the Omens allows them to see portents of their future. The process is painful and frightening, but each is dedicated to their craft and does not question the methods.

The Cathedral welcomes the new young king, Benedict Castor, and his retinue, including a peculiar heretical knight, Rodrick, whom she immediately dislikes. Six is called upon to be the diviner for the new king, and much to her surprise, all the portents of his reign are negative and foreboding, but it does not appear to worry the new King. Catching the king and his knights in a compromising situation, Six trades her silence for a night of freedom for her and her sisters, escorted by Rodrick and company.

Six is relieved when the king and his knights finally leave the cathedral, but that comfort is short-lived when her sisters start disappearing one by one, leaving only Six to remain. Frustrated by the abbess’s seeming lack of concern over her missing sisters, she decides to turn to the only person who might be able to help, the exasperating Rodrick.

This book follows the standard tropes found in most romantic fantasies (again, I refuse to use “romantasy”) of the ‘enemies-to-lovers’, ‘woman is stronger than she appears’, and ‘infuriating man is not as terrible as he seems’ variety. While those are pretty standard, there are a few things that do stand out. The magic system is unique, with each special ability tied to one of the Omens, and it is thankfully not overused. I also enjoyed the characters themselves, especially the gargoyle (you’ll have to read it to understand) and Maude, one of King Castor’s most trusted knights.

However, the book felt a bit rushed in two key areas. First, although the romance was sweet and the spice was spot-on, it unfolded too quickly, not giving the emotional depth between Rory and Six that it deserved. Second, the pace of the plot pushed the reader to the grand finale too quickly, missing an opportunity to give the reader richer world-building elements like the Omens, the villages they visited, and the complicated relationships of the side characters.

Still, despite its minor shortcomings, The Knight and the Moth is a compelling start to what promises to be an engaging series. You’ll fall for the characters, savor the tension, and yes, curse the ending. But you’ll also be first in line when the sequel drops.