10 Books Like The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig

Rachel Gillig's The Knight and the Moth has captivated readers with its gothic romantasy atmosphere, dreamy prose, and unforgettable characters. Following Sybil Delling, a young prophetess known as Six, who must team up with the heretical knight Rodrick to find her missing sisters and confront the gods themselves, this dark fantasy romance has quickly become one of the most talked-about releases of 2025.

If you've devoured this mist-cloaked tale and find yourself desperate for more books with similar vibes; think atmospheric settings, slow-burn romance, morally complex characters, and magic with devastating costs; then this list is for you. Whether you're searching for gothic fantasy romance, enemies-to-lovers romantasy, or dark fantasy books with unique magic systems, these ten recommendations will satisfy your craving for more hauntingly beautiful stories.

1. One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

If you loved The Knight and the Moth, the natural next step is Rachel Gillig's debut novel that started it all. One Dark Window follows Elspeth Spindle, who survived a mysterious fever that left her with dangerous magical abilities and an ancient, mercurial spirit trapped inside her mind; the Nightmare. Living in fear of persecution, Elspeth's world is turned upside down when she meets a mysterious highwayman who is secretly the King's nephew and Captain of the Destriers. Together, they must gather twelve Providence Cards to cure the kingdom from the dark magic infecting it, all while Elspeth battles for control of her own mind.

Why You'll Love It:

• Same gorgeous, poetic writing style that made The Knight and the Moth so immersive

• Dark, atmospheric gothic fantasy with fairytale vibes

• Unique card-based magic system with deadly consequences

• Slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance

• A morally grey love interest who will make you swoon

One Dark Window

by Rachel Gillig

4.5

'Thick fog, shifting alliances and clever magic make the perfect backdrop for a sweeping romance - One Dark Window is enthralling from beginning to shocking end' Hannah Whitten, bestselling author of For the Wolf ELSPETH NEEDS A MONSTER. THE MONSTER MIGHT BE HER. An ancient, mercurial spirit is trapped inside Elspeth Spindle's head - she calls him the Nightmare. He protects her. He keeps her secrets. But nothing comes for free, especially magic. When Elspeth meets a mysterious highwayman on the forest road, she is thrust into a world of shadow and deception. Together, they embark on a dangerous quest to cure the town of Blunder from the dark magic infecting it. As the stakes heighten and their undeniable attraction intensifies, Elspeth is forced to face her darkest secret yet: the Nightmare is slowly, darkly, taking over her mind. And she might not be able to stop him. For fans of Uprooted and For the Wolf comes a gothic fantasy romance about a maiden who must unleash the monster within to save her kingdom. Praise for One Dark Window: 'An enchanting tale with sharp claws and teeth - Gillig's prose will pull you in and won't let you sleep. Pulse-pounding, darkly whimsical and aglow with treacherous magic, One Dark Window is everything I love in fantasy and more' Allison Saft, author of A Far Wilder Magic 'An evocative tale of romance, mystery and alluring monsters, told in beautifully lush prose' Lyndall Clipstone, author of Lakesedge 'The steamy romance that emerges between Elspeth and Ravyn delights' Publishers Weekly 'A beautifully dark fairy tale of blood, rage and bitter choice, that whisked me away to mist-wreathed woods ripe with romance and menace' Davinia Evans, author of Notorious Sorcerer

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2. A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid

For readers who adored the gothic atmosphere and themes of identity in The Knight and the Moth, A Study in Drowning delivers a hauntingly atmospheric dark academia fantasy. Effy Sayre has always believed in fairy tales, particularly the epic poem written by the famous author Emrys Myrddin. When she wins a design competition to build his estate, she discovers nothing is as it seems. Teaming up with a sceptical literature student, Effy uncovers dark secrets about the author, his work, and the dangerous magic that permeates their world.

Why You'll Love It:

• Gorgeously gothic Welsh-inspired setting drenched in atmosphere

• Dark academia meets romantasy with enemies-to-lovers tension

• Exploration of trauma, gaslighting, and finding your own voice

• Perfect for fans of atmospheric fantasy with literary elements

• A mystery that will keep you guessing until the final pages

A Study in Drowning

by Ava Reid

An instant Indie and #1 New York Times bestseller! "Achingly atmospheric and beautifully sharp, A Study in Drowning will draw you in from the first page." --Rory Power, New York Times bestselling author of Wilder Girls Bestselling author Ava Reid makes her YA debut in this dark academic fantasy perfect for fans of Melissa Albert and Elana K. Arnold. Effy Sayre has always believed in fairy tales. Haunted by visions of the Fairy King since childhood, she's had no choice. Her tattered copy of Angharad--Emrys Myrddin's epic about a mortal girl who falls in love with the Fairy King, then destroys him--is the only thing keeping her afloat. So when Myrddin's family announces a contest to redesign the late author's estate, Effy feels certain it's her destiny. But musty, decrepit Hiraeth Manor is an impossible task, and its residents are far from welcoming. Including Preston Héloury, a stodgy young literature scholar determined to expose Myrddin as a fraud. As the two rivals piece together clues about Myrddin's legacy, dark forces, both mortal and magical, conspire against them--and the truth may bring them both to ruin. Part historical fantasy, part rivals-to-lovers romance, part Gothic mystery, and all haunting, dreamlike atmosphere, Ava Reid's powerful YA debut will lure in readers who loved The Atlas Six, House of Salt and Sorrows, or Girl, Serpent, Thorn.

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3. The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent

If you loved the deadly tournament elements and the forbidden romance in The Knight and the Moth, The Serpent and the Wings of Night will sweep you away. Oraya is the only human in a kingdom of vampires, adopted daughter of the ruthless Nightborn vampire king. When she enters the Kejari; a legendary tournament where vampires compete for the favour of the goddess of death; she forms an unlikely alliance with a mysterious stranger. Their fragile partnership becomes something more dangerous as they fight to survive trials designed to kill them both.

Why You'll Love It:

• Enemies-to-lovers romance with high stakes and forbidden attraction

• Dark vampire fantasy with tournament-style competition

• Strong female protagonist who refuses to be underestimated

• Atmospheric worldbuilding with rich mythology

• Perfect for readers who want action alongside their romance

The Serpent and the Wings of Night

by Carissa Broadbent

4.0

"Human or vampire, the rules of survival are the same: never trust; never yield. And always-- always-- guard your heart. As the adopted human daughter of the Nightborn vampire king, Oraya carved her place in a world designed to kill her. Her only chance to become something more than prey is entering the Kejari: a legendary tournament held by the goddess of death herself. But winning won't be easy against the most vicious warriors from all three vampire houses. To survive, Oraya is forced to make an alliance with a mysterious rival. Everything about Raihn is dangerous. He is a ruthless vampire, an efficient killer, an enemy to her father's crown... and Oraya's greatest competition. Yet, what terrifies Oraya most of all is that she finds herself oddly drawn to him. But there's no room for compassion in the Kejari. War for the throne of House of Night brews, shattering everything that Oraya thought she knew about her home. And Raihn may understand her more than anyone -- but their blossoming attraction could be her downfall, in a kingdom where nothing is more deadly than love" --

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4. Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

For fans of The Knight and the Moth's beautiful prose and the tension between characters who shouldn't fall for each other, Divine Rivals offers a stunning wartime romantasy. In a world where two gods are at war, rival journalists Iris and Roman exchange letters through magical wardrobe portals, falling for each other without knowing their true identities. When Iris travels to the front lines as a war correspondent, their worlds collide with devastating consequences.

Why You'll Love It:

• Exquisite, lyrical writing that rivals Rachel Gillig's prose

• Enemies-to-lovers romance built through anonymous letters

• Emotionally devastating wartime fantasy setting

• Themes of fate, duty, and choosing love against all odds

• A BookTok favourite that lives up to the hype

Divine Rivals

by Rebecca Ross

✨A LOVE STORY TO DEFY THE GODS✨ Begin the no. 1 Sunday Times bestselling international sensation from Rebecca Ross A LOVE THAT CONQUERS ALL Eighteen-year-old Iris dreams that one day her writing will make a difference. A war between gods is raging, and she's landed a prestigious job at the Oath Gazette. But at home, she's barely holding it together. Her brother is missing on the frontline. Her mother is lost in a haze of addiction. And each night Iris pours her heart out in letters to her brother. Letters that will never be answered. Or so she thinks... RIVALS DRAWN TOGETHER BY INK AND MAGIC Her letters have made their way into the hands of the last person Iris trusts: Roman Kitt, her cold, unforgiving rival at the paper. When he anonymously writes back, they forge a magical connection that will seal their fate forever. NO GOD. NO CREATURE. NO WAR CAN COME BETWEEN THEM. 'Rich and romantic' Shelby Mahurin, New York Times bestselling author of Serpent & Dove 'I adored this book' Adalyn Grace, New York Times bestselling author of Belladonna Reader reviews: ✩✩✩✩✩ 'The most tender rivals to lovers romance I've ever read' ✩✩✩✩✩ 'My heart by the end couldn't take anymore!' ✩✩✩✩✩ 'Easily a top read for me and definitely a new favourite. I will never stop recommending this book' ✩✩✩✩✩ 'A truly moving story and very unlike anything I've read lately'

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5. The Crimson Moth by Kristen Ciccarelli

The Knight and the Moth readers who loved the religious themes and forbidden romance will find much to adore in The Crimson Moth. In a world where witches are hunted, Rune Winters hides her deadly blood magic behind a perfect façade. When she sets out to destroy the witch hunter responsible for her parents' deaths, she doesn't expect to fall for him. Gideon Sharpe has his own secrets, and their dangerous game of deception threatens to consume them both.

Why You'll Love It:

• Witch and witch hunter enemies-to-lovers with deadly stakes

• Cat-and-mouse tension that will keep you on edge

• Dark romantic fantasy with morally complex characters

• Exploration of persecution, power, and revolutionary change

• Perfect for readers who love tension and forbidden attraction

The Crimson Moth

by Kristen Ciccarelli

4.5

FALL IN LOVE WITH THE ULTIMATE ENEMIES-TO-LOVERS ROMANTASY 'Enchanting and deeply romantic' REBECCA ROSS CRIMSON MOTH is published as HEARTLESS HUNTER in North America. The only thing more treacherous than being a witch is falling in love... A HUNTED WITCH The revolution reigns. The witches who once ruled are hidden, hunted. Rune is one of them. A socialite by day, she is the Crimson Moth by night. A vigilante bent on saving her own, her next rescue demands she court Gideon Sharpe - a notorious witch hunter and unforgiving revolutionary. A WITCH HUNTER Gideon will pursue the Crimson Moth to the ends of the earth, and her trail leads him to Rune. But beneath her façade might be his match. Except what if she's the very villain he's been hunting? The dangerously romantic start to Kristen Ciccarelli's New York Times bestselling fantasy duology Spice 🥵: 🌶️ Tropes ✨: Witch x Witch Hunter 👩👨 Enemies to Lovers ❤️‍🔥 Heroine Vigilante 🥷 Outlawed Magic 🪄❌ Brother's Best Friend 👩‍❤️‍👨 High Stakes ⚠️ Slow Burn Romance 🔥❤️ Forbidden Desires 🚫❤️ Epic Tension 🥵 Published in the US as Heartless Hunter

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6. The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten

For those who enjoyed The Knight and the Moth's exploration of religion, gods, and a heroine caught between powerful forces, The Foxglove King delivers a decadent gothic fantasy. Lore has the forbidden ability to raise the dead; a power that catches the attention of the Sainted King. Conscripted to spy on the dissolute nobility, she finds herself entangled with a pious monk and a debauched prince, uncovering secrets that could destroy everything she thought she knew about life, death, and the gods themselves.

Why You'll Love It:

• Dark fantasy with necromancy and complex religious themes

• Love triangle with a morally grey prince and a conflicted monk

• Gothic court intrigue with poison, secrets, and betrayal

• A magic system that comes with a devastating cost

• Perfect for readers who love dark romantasy with political intrigue

The Foxglove King

by Hannah Whitten

In this lush, romantic epic fantasy series from a New York Times bestselling author, a young woman's secret power to raise the dead plunges her into the dangerous and glamorous world of the Sainted King's royal court. When Lore was thirteen, she escaped a cult in the catacombs beneath the city of Dellaire. And in the ten years since, she's lived by one rule: don't let them find you. Easier said than done, when her death magic ties her to the city. Mortem, the magic born from death, is a high-priced and illicit commodity in Dellaire, and Lore's job running poisons keeps her in food, shelter, and relative security. But when a run goes wrong and Lore's power is revealed, she's taken by the Presque Mort, a group of warrior-monks sanctioned to use Mortem working for the Sainted King. Lore fully expects a pyre, but King August has a different plan. Entire villages on the outskirts of the country have been dying overnight, seemingly at random. Lore can either use her magic to find out what's happening and who in the King's court is responsible, or die. Lore is thrust into the Sainted King's glittering court, where no one can be believed and even fewer can be trusted. Guarded by Gabriel, a duke-turned-monk, and continually running up against Bastian, August's ne'er-do-well heir, Lore tangles in politics, religion, and forbidden romance as she attempts to navigate a debauched and opulent society. But the life she left behind in the catacombs is catching up with her. And even as Lore makes her way through the Sainted court above, they might be drawing closer than she thinks.

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7. Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent

If the slow-burn romance and magical academy elements of The Knight and the Moth captured your heart, Daughter of No Worlds offers a similarly compelling dynamic. Aefe is a magicless slave in a world where magic determines everything. When she's purchased by Maxantarius, a reclusive and powerful mage, she expects cruelty but finds an unexpected partnership instead. As they work together to solve a series of magical murders, their relationship evolves from distrust to something far more complicated.

Why You'll Love It:

• Delicious slow-burn romance that builds naturally

• Grumpy-sunshine dynamic with excellent banter

• Mystery elements woven throughout the fantasy

• Found family themes and character growth

• An underdog heroine you'll root for from page one

Daughter of No Worlds

by Carissa Broadbent

Her life for freedom. Her blood for love. Her soul for vengeance. Ripped from a forgotten homeland as a child, Tisaanah learned how to survive with nothing but a sharp wit and a touch of magic. But the night she tries to buy her freedom, she barely escapes with her life. Desperate to save the best friend she left behind, Tisaanah journeys to the Orders, the most powerful organizations of magic Wielders in the world. But to join their ranks, she must complete an apprenticeship with Maxantarius Farlione, a handsome and reclusive fire wielder who despises the Orders. The Orders' intentions are cryptic, and Tisaanah must prove herself under the threat of looming war. But even more dangerous are her growing feelings for Maxantarius. The bloody past he wants to forget may be the key to her future...or the downfall of them both. But Tisaanah will stop at nothing to save those she abandoned. Even if it means gambling in the Orders' deadly games. Even if it means sacrificing her heart. Even if it means wielding death itself. Fans of romantic high fantasy like Sarah J. Maas and Miranda Honfleur will devour this tale of dark magic, passionate romance, and a powerful heroine fighting for justice.(Note: This book contains adult material.)

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8. House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig

For readers who loved the eerie, gothic atmosphere and mystery elements of The Knight and the Moth, House of Salt and Sorrows delivers a haunting retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses. Annaleigh lives in a manor by the sea with her eleven sisters. When a series of deaths plagues the family, Annaleigh suspects something sinister lurks behind the accidents. As she investigates, she discovers a world of masked balls, enchantment, and a dark secret that threatens to consume them all.

Why You'll Love It:

• Gothic mystery with a dark, atmospheric seaside setting

• Sister bonds reminiscent of Sybil and her fellow Diviners

• Fairy tale retelling with a sinister twist

• Spine-tingling mystery that will keep you guessing

• Perfect for fans of gothic romance with supernatural elements

House of Salt and Sorrows

by Erin A. Craig

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Get swept away by this “haunting” (Bustle) YA novel about twelve beautiful sisters living on an isolated island estate who begin to mysteriously die one by one. This dark and atmospheric fairy tale inspired story is perfect for fans of Yellowjackets."Step inside a fairy tale." —Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Caraval In a manor by the sea, twelve sisters are cursed.Annaleigh lives a sheltered life at Highmoor with her sisters and their father and stepmother. Once there were twelve, but loneliness fills the grand halls now that four of the girls' lives have been cut short. Each death was more tragic than the last--the plague, a plummeting fall, a drowning, a slippery plunge--and there are whispers throughout the surrounding villages that the family is cursed by the gods.Disturbed by a series of ghostly visions, Annaleigh becomes increasingly suspicious that her sister's deaths were no accidents. The girls have been sneaking out every night to attend glittering balls, dancing until dawn in silk gowns and shimmering slippers, and Annaleigh isn't sure whether to try to stop them or to join their forbidden trysts. Because who--or what--are they really dancing with?When Annaleigh's involvement with a mysterious stranger who has secrets of his own intensifies, it's a race to unravel the darkness that has fallen over her family--before it claims her next. House of Salt and Sorrows is a spellbinding novel filled with magic and the rustle of gossamer skirts down long, dark hallways. Be careful who you dance with... And don't miss Erin Craig's Small Favors, a mesmerizing and chilling novel about dark wishes and even darker dreams.

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9. A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen

If you loved the knight-and-prophetess dynamic in The Knight and the Moth, A Fate Inked in Blood offers a similarly compelling pairing with Norse-inspired fantasy. Freya is a shield maiden bound by a blood oath to a ruthless jarl. When her magical abilities are discovered, she's thrust into a prophecy that could unite the warring Viking clans; or destroy them. Caught between duty and desire, Freya must navigate treacherous politics and an undeniable attraction to the one man she cannot trust.

Why You'll Love It:

• Viking-inspired romantasy with fierce female protagonist

• Enemies-to-lovers with sizzling tension

• Prophecy and fate themes similar to The Knight and the Moth

• Action-packed with excellent battle sequences

• Norse mythology woven beautifully into the worldbuilding

A Fate Inked in Blood

by Danielle L. Jensen

A shield maiden blessed by the gods battles to unite a nation under a power-hungry king - while also fighting her growing desire for his fiery son - in this Norse-inspired fantasy romance from the bestselling author of The Bridge Kingdom series. Bound in an unwanted marriage, Freya spends her days gutting fish, but dreams of becoming a warrior. And of putting an axe in her boorish husband's back. Freya's dreams abruptly become reality when her husband betrays her to the region's jarl, landing her in a fight to the death against his son. To survive, Freya is forced to reveal her deepest secret- she possesses a drop of a goddess's blood, which gives her magic capable of repelling any attack. A magic that was foretold would unite the fractured nation of Skaland beneath a king-the one who controls the shield maiden's fate. Believing he's destined to rule Skaland, the fanatical jarl binds Freya with a blood oath and orders his son, Bjorn, to protect Freya from their enemies. Desperate to prove her strength, Freya must train to fight and learn to control her magic, all while facing perilous tests set by the gods. Except the greatest test of all may be resisting her forbidden attraction to Bjorn. If Freya succumbs to her lust for the charming and fierce warrior, she risks not only her own destiny but the fate of all the people she swore to protect.

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10. Phantasma by Kaylie Smith

For readers who adored Bartholomew the gargoyle and want more dark fantasy with unique magical companions, Phantasma delivers gothic romance with a twist. Ophelia has been trapped for fifteen years by a bargain struck by her family. When the chance for freedom arrives, she must survive seven trials in a deadly game orchestrated by Death himself. Along the way, she encounters a mysterious stranger whose dark secrets rival her own, and discovers that escaping death might cost her everything; including her heart.

Why You'll Love It:

• Dark gothic romantasy with deadly trials

• Atmospheric setting that drips with eerie beauty

• Slow-burn romance with a mysterious love interest

• Themes of bargains, death, and redemption

• Perfect for readers who love dark whimsical fantasy

Phantasma

by Kaylie Smith

AN INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER & BOOKTOK SENSATION Welcome to Phantasma. There are only two rules to the game: Stay alive. And don't fall in love. When Ophelia's sister disappears, there is only one way to save her. Ophelia must enter Phantasma, a deadly contest inside a haunted mansion, and claim its prize--a single wish. Phantasma is a maze of twisting corridors and lavish ballrooms, of demons and temptations. Ophelia will face nine challenges, each more dangerous than the last. There can only be one winner, and the other contestants will stop at nothing to eliminate their rivals. Every day the house creates new monsters. But just as Ophelia's fears threaten to overwhelm her, a mysterious stranger offers her a bargain. Charming, arrogant and infuriatingly attractive, Blackwell claims he can guide her through the lethal trials ahead. All he asks in return is ten years of her life. Ophelia knows she shouldn't trust him. Blackwell doesn't seem dangerous, but appearances can be deceptive. Worse still, she feels a dark and irresistible attraction drawing them closer and closer. Her life is on the line. But in Phantasma, the only thing deadlier than losing the game is losing your heart . . . A Court of Thorns and Roses meets Caraval in this seductive fantasy adventure from #1 New York Times bestselling author of Enchantra. With steamy romance, a sexy morally gray love interest, OCD rep and jaw-dropping twists, Phantasma is perfect for fans of Rebecca Yarros, Nisha J. Tuli and Carissa Broadbent. The print edition includes custom gold foiling on the cover!

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Find Your Next Gothic Romantasy Obsession

Whether you're searching for more books with atmospheric gothic settings, slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance, unique magic systems, or dark fantasy with morally complex characters, these ten books like The Knight and the Moth will transport you to worlds just as captivating as Traum's windswept moors.

While you wait for the sequel, The Knave and the Moon, these romantasy recommendations will keep you immersed in stories of prophetesses and knights, witches and hunters, and love that defies the gods themselves. Each book on this list shares that special something that made Rachel Gillig's work so unforgettable; beautiful prose, heart-stopping romance, and fantasy worlds you'll never want to leave.

Happy reading, and may your TBR pile grow ever longer!