The Knight and the Moth

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. As you were reading, what was your response to The Knight and the Moth? What did you find engaging, and when did your interest flag? How did your response change by the end of the novel?

2. If you have read Gillig’s other works, like the Shepherd King series (One Dark Window, Two Twisted Crowns), how does this novel compare? If you haven’t, has this inspired you to look into her other work?

3. Did you see Benji’s betrayal and the twist ending coming? Why or why not?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. The novel features a diverse cast of characters, including Six, Rory, Maude, and Benji, among others. Which characters in the book emotionally resonated with you the most, and why?

2. Six feels a strong obligation to help those she loves avoid pain, even at the cost of her own suffering. Talk about a time when you sacrificed something to help someone you love and how that impacted you.

3. The novel highlights empathy as a key component of the connection between Six and Rory. What role do you think empathy plays in personal relationships? Have you ever formed a strong empathetic connection with someone?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. In The Knight and the Moth, Gillig explores power and social stratification through her fantasy medieval society. How does her examination resonate with contemporary conversation on the topic?

2. Consider Gillig’s exploration of gender issues in the novel. Although the novel is set in a medieval-inspired fantasy setting, how does her examination intersect with contemporary conversation on the topic?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. How does the novel’s first-person narration shape the development of the narrative? How would it have been different if it used third-person omniscient narration?

2. Identify key moments of foreshadowing in the novel, especially foreshadowing that predicts the ending of the novel or the revelation of the abbess’s true nature. How do these moments affect the reading experience? Why do you think Gillig chose to use them?

3. What romantasy tropes does Gillig utilize in The Knight and the Moth? How do they help to illustrate the themes of the novel?

4. What role does religion play in the development of the novel? How do different ideas of religion shape the various characters’ arcs?

5. Discuss the symbolism of the novel, including the Diviner shrouds. What do the symbols of the novel represent, and how do they contribute to the novel’s larger message? 

6. How does Gillig’s world building reflect elements of medieval Europe? What specific historical elements does she borrow, and why?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Gillig has stated in interviews that her ideal cast for Six and Rory would be the singers Aurora and Tamino. If you were to develop a film adaptation, who would you cast in the main roles?

2. Gillig created a playlist that she listened to while writing The Knight and the Moth. Make your own playlist based on the tone, themes, and characters of the novel. What songs did you choose to include, and why?

3. Write the first chapter of the next book in the series. Where will the narrative pick up Sybil’s story? Where do you see the novel going?