#five star read

Trans Rights Readathon book 3

Prompt: Nonbinary, Agender, Genderqueer, and other Gender Expansive rep

Arghhhh this was such a good conclusion to this series! Everything felt so perfectly paced and the buildup and resolution were both incredible. No notes.

I love these characters so much. Micah Grey and their beautiful found family just have my entire heart. I wish I could be a part of their wonder and chaos.

I really loved how every thread was resolved, from Anisa to Micah’s mother. I love that there’s still a hint of not knowing the full extent of what’s to come in this world, knowing the world can live on in our minds, but also knowing Micah Grey’s story is finished.

This was my first venture into Gillig’s works and honestly I’m so happy it’s where I started!

The world-building was phenomenally constructed, with a rich sense of history and a clear functional society attached to it. The Knight and the Moth echos the dark fantasy movies and media of the 80s in its storytelling, sending the reader on an epic quest while giving you glimpses into characters lives across the map (and what a beautiful map it is!).

I’m sure that most people will come away from this book utterly obsessed with the standardly tall, brooding Roderick (rightfully so, he's brilliant), but I really think the standout humans in this book are Sybil and Maude. Sybil runs the full gamut from mild-mannered and naive to confident and self-assured, all of it driven by her determination to find her fellow diviners. It’s a beautifully handled coming-of-age story that I can’t help but admire the complexity of.

And Maude, my sweet Maude, this is a character I'd go to war for. Sure, I love a found family, but I love a self-appointed Mum who doesn't even see her own maternal instincts at play. Argh! I could rant about my love for Maude for hours, but I don't want to veer too close to spoiler territory, so just know that I am the president of her fan club and would willingly read hundreds of pages about her doing literally anything.

Notice how I said humans above? Yeah, that's because the gargoyle takes the cake in this story. He's perfect! I have nothing negative to say, only that I'm so incredibly charmed by his quirks and flaws! I'm aware Gillig described his bat-like features thoroughly, but his adorable essence softens the stony exterior in my brain.