The Knight and the Moth Series: Books, Plot, and Release Dates

Few fantasy openings hook you like a prophetess who can’t glimpse her own future. That’s the setup of Rachel Gillig’s The Knight and the Moth, a gothic romantic fantasy that landed on shelves May 20, 2025. This guide lays out everything readers are asking — how many books are planned, what happens in Book 1, and when the next installment arrives.

Author: Rachel Gillig ·
Series name: The Stonewater Kingdom ·
Book 1 title: The Knight and the Moth ·
Book 1 publication date: May 20, 2025 ·
Publisher: Orbit Books ·
Genre: Gothic romantic fantasy

Six facts capture the essentials of the series so far, at a glance.

The pattern: a tight two-book arc typical of commercial fantasy debut contracts.

How many books will be in The Knight and the Moth series?

According to Wikipedia – user-edited encyclopedia, the series is described as the “Stonewater Kingdom duology,” suggesting two books. However, Orbit Books has not officially announced a final count. The only confirmed entries are Book 1 and a sequel due in October 2026.

The implication: readers should treat the series as a planned duology until the publisher states otherwise. Any speculation about a trilogy or longer remains unconfirmed.

How is the series confirmed by the publisher?

• The Knight and the Moth is listed as Book 1 of The Stonewater Kingdom on Goodreads – reader community.
• Orbit Books, an imprint of Hachette Book Group – parent publisher, released the first book and has scheduled a second.
• No official statement confirms a third book or beyond.

What is The Knight and the Moth about?

Set in the kingdom of Benedict Castor III, the story follows Sybil Delling — a Diviner who has spent nine years dreaming of prophecies from six Omens. She is confined to Aisling Cathedral, where she interprets visions through dreams and water rituals (Wikipedia – user-edited encyclopedia). Her life changes when she meets Sir Rodrick “Rory” Myndacious, a knight whose future she cannot read.

Who is the main character?

• Sybil (also called Six) is the protagonist — a Diviner with clairvoyant abilities (Wikipedia – user-edited encyclopedia).
• She is forced onto a quest with Rory, a knight of King Benedict Castor III (Wikipedia – user-edited encyclopedia).
• The romance is a central component, described as “gothic romantic fantasy” (Goodreads – reader community).

What is the central conflict?

• Sybil must navigate the outside world for the first time while using her visions to aid the kingdom.
• Rory’s mission from the king collides with Sybil’s growing agency.
• Themes of faith, fate, and self-discovery run through the story (Goodreads – reader community).

Will The Knight and the Moth have a book 2?

Yes. Orbit Books has confirmed a sequel scheduled for October 2026 (Wikipedia – user-edited encyclopedia). The continuation is part of the Stonewater Kingdom series, though the official title of Book 2 has not been announced. The catch: without a title or cover reveal, readers have only the release window. Pre-orders for the indie bookstore edition of the first book are already open, but the sequel itself isn’t yet listed for pre-order.

What is the confirmed title of book 2?

• No title has been officially confirmed by Orbit Books as of this writing.
• Wikipedia lists the sequel under the working title “The Knave and the Moon,” but that has not been verified by the publisher.

What is the release date for book 2?

• October 2026 is the publisher’s announced release window.
• This date appears in multiple sources including Wikipedia – user-edited encyclopedia and the content plan from Orbit.

Is The Knight and the Moth a series or standalone?

It is the opening book of The Stonewater Kingdom duology, not a standalone. The story continues into Book 2 (Goodreads – reader community). Readers who pick up Book 1 should expect an unfinished arc — though Rachel Gillig writes self-contained installments within a larger narrative, typical of romantic fantasy duologies.

The implication: if you buy only Book 1, you’ll want Book 2. Plan for the two-book commitment.

The specifications of the first edition give a concrete sense of the book’s physical presence — one fact stands out: at 400 pages, it’s a substantial but not intimidating length for the genre.

The implication: at 400 pages, the book fits squarely in the standard length for romantic fantasy debuts.

The Knight and the Moth: pros and cons for readers

Deciding whether to start a new series involves trade-offs. Here’s what supporters and critics have noted, drawn from early reviews and community discussions.

Timeline: key dates for The Stonewater Kingdom series

Three events anchor the release schedule so far, with a fourth on the horizon.

• May 20, 2025 — Publication of The Knight and the Moth (Book 1).
• May 2026 — Trade paperback edition of Book 1 (Hachette Book Group – publisher’s parent).
• May 19, 2026 — Indie Bookstore Edition release (Novel Grounds – independent retailer).
• October 2026 — Planned publication of Book 2 (Wikipedia – user-edited encyclopedia).

The pattern: Orbit Books is spacing the hardcover and trade paperback editions a year apart, which is standard for commercial fantasy debuts.

What’s confirmed and what’s still unknown

What the publisher and author say

“Sybil Delling has spent nine years dreaming of visions from six Omens, confined to Aisling Cathedral.” — Orbit Books official synopsis via Goodreads

“The Knight and the Moth is a gothic romantic fantasy about a Diviner who cannot see her own future and a knight she must trust.” — Wikipedia summary

“I wanted to tell a story about faith and the fear of not knowing your own path.” — Rachel Gillig, author (paraphrased from interviews, source not cited).

Why this matters for readers

The Knight and the Moth series presents a complete two-book story in a market saturated with open-ended trilogies. For fantasy romance fans, the choice is clear: start now and wait for October 2026, or wait until Book 2 releases and binge both. For readers in the US, the indie bookstore edition offers an early paperback alternative. The trade-off is patience — or buying the hardcover today.

Related reading: **The God of Small Things – Plot Summary and Analysis**

Frequently asked questions