The Knight and the Moth

Bestseller Gillig (the Shepherd King series) launches a new series with this uneven romantic fantasy. The Six Diviners confined to Aisling Cathedral, where they foretell futures through dreams and water rituals, are finally nearing the end of their 10-year service. Before they retire, the newly crowned king of Traum, Benedict Castor III, pays them a visit under the pretense of inquiring about his future, but really so he and his court can steal Aisling’s sacred spring water. Diviner Six, once called Sybil Delling, catches them but agrees not to report the crime to the gargoyles that guard the cathedral if king’s knight Rodrick “Rory” Myndacious will help her and her fellow Diviners sneak out for a night of fun. Upon returning to Aisling, however, the Diviners start to vanish one by one. Six, suspecting foul play, flees the cathedral with Rory’s help. As she reintegrates into the wider world and searches for her missing friends, she learns that everything she thought she knew about Aisling is a lie and develops feelings for Rory. The premise feels fresh and the worldbuilding is inventive, but the pace flags in the talky middle section and the relatively chaste romance arrives too late. Still, there’s plenty of promise to be explored in future installments. (May)