“The Book Witch” by Meg Shaffer

Rainy March is a proud, third-generation Book Witch, sworn to defend works of fiction from all foes real and imaginary. With her magical umbrella and feline familiar, she jumps in and out of novels to fix malicious alterations and rogue heroes like a modern-day magical Nancy Drew.

Book Witches live by a strict code: Real people belong in the real world; fictional characters belong in works of fiction. Do not eat, drink, or sleep inside a fictional world, lest you become part of the story. Falling in love with a fictional character? Don’t even think about it.

Which is why Rainy has been forbidden from seeing the Duke of Chicago, the dashing British detective who stars in her favorite mystery series. If she’s ever caught with him again, she’ll be expelled from her book coven—and forced to give up the magical gifts that are as much a part of her as her own name.

But when her beloved grandfather disappears and a priceless book is stolen, there’s only one person she trusts to help her solve the case: the Duke. Their quest takes them through the worlds of Alice in Wonderland, King Arthur, and other classics that will reveal hidden enemies and long-buried family secrets.

– From Penguin Random House

My Thoughts After Reading:

How funny! In my last blog, I wrote “I’ll think of this real unnamed hare introduced to us by Dalton whenever I meet its fictional counterparts: Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland (March Hare)…” and my next read’s mystery is centered around the March Hare! Coincidence aside, let me tell you about The Book Witch! 

One word I would use to describe The Book Witch? Delightful! Truly, it was just a good book: charming, amusing, surprising. 

This is going to be my go-to recommendation for anyone looking for a light, whimsical read.  Sometimes, life is heavy enough – we need something to ease that weight, not add to it.

The book blends:

  • Cozy fantasy
  • Literary mystery
  • Romance with a swoony detective
  • and includes a cat familiar (a Russian Blue – my childhood cat was a Blue, too!)

If you’ve ever wished you could visit a fictional world—or wondered what happens to characters when the book closes—this novel leans fully into that magic. The Book Witch is imaginative, clever, and deeply heartfelt. 

At it’s core, it is a love letter to readers, writers and the characters both bring to life. Shaffer understands readers—how we connect to characters, how stories help us process our own lives, and how sometimes the line between fiction and reality feels thinner than it should.  Being a book witch is not just about saving stories; it’s about understanding why they’re worth saving in the first place. With that mindset, we are all book witches. 🙂

– Michelle 

P.s. Usually books with “witch” in the title are reserved for the October blog but nothing about this book felt like Halloween.  Spring IS the perfect time to read this one! 

Children’s Book Blog: May 2026

Happy Mother's Day!

This Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 10, 2026), we’re celebrating the many ways maternal love shows up with a collection of picture books that are funny, heartfelt, and deeply relatable for kids and grown-ups.

On paper, the primary audience of picture books is roughly children aged 3-8 years old (preschool to early elementary). I have always argued, though, that picture books are for EVERY AGE.  In this blogs case, these picture books are for MOMS. These books made me feel seen, validated and filled with love/pride. I hope they have the same affect on you, momma! 

 


Grumpy Monkey Mom for a Day by Suzanne Land & Max Lang

Jim Panzee thinks being a mom looks easy—until he tries it. Taking care of a whole group of babies quickly becomes overwhelming, showing just how much effort motherhood really takes.

Unexpectantly, Joanna and Connor really took the message to heart here. I received big hugs after we finished reading.  If that’s not a good picture book, I don’t know what is! 

Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins

Bruce is a grumpy bear who just wants to cook eggs—but when they hatch, the goslings decide he’s their mother. What follows is a hilarious and surprisingly tender look at parenthood. 

If you’re looking for laughs, this one delivers. The kids and I giggle every time we read it. The attention to detail in the illustrations and story really ramp up the humor. 

Higgins does continue Bruce’s series but, in my humble opinion, Mother Bruce (being the first) is the best. 

Owl Babies by Martin Waddell & Patrick Benson

A classic for a reason!

Three baby owls wake to find their mother gone and worry until she returns. This reassuring story captures a universal childhood fear (for humans and owls) of mother leaving and the relief of her return.

Owl Babies, even as my kids get older, remains a favorite in our household.  They reach for it for the same reason they reach for me – comfort.  

Shaped by Love: An Ode to Mom Bods by Nikki Powers & Amanda Calatzis

While I do think the body positivity message is wonderful for children, too – this one is really for the moms. 

Any mom who has stared at a body she doesn’t recognize…and maybe even dislikes. 

It’s an ode to mom bods but also to the physical and emotional connection between a mom and her child(ren). I smiled triumphantly after reading it. 

Because of a Shoe by Julie Fogliano & Marla Frazee

All moms have been there. The seemingly unwarranted tantrum of a toddler followed by the explosion of frustration from mom proceeded by the guilt, repair and unwavering love.  

This book is so relatable – for both mother and child who have undoubtedly experienced this exact scenario.  

I just love it. Of all the mother’s day books – this is my favorite. 

 

A note on this blog: Michelle Milford is the Office & Marketing Manager at Town Hall Library.  She has two young children – Joanna (8) and Connor (6).  All three have a deep love of books and voracious appetites for reading.  Here they’ll share their monthly book recommendations.

“Raising Hare” by Chloe Dalton

About This Book: 

Imagine you could hold a baby hare and bottle-feed it. Imagine that it lived under your roof and bounded around your bedroom at night, drumming on the duvet cover when it wanted your attention. Imagine that, more than two years later, it still ran in from the fields when you called it and slept in your house for hours on end. For political advisor and speechwriter Chloe Dalton, who spent lockdown deep in the English countryside, far away from her usual busy London life, this became her unexpected reality.

In February 2021, Dalton stumbles upon a newborn hare—a leveret—that had been chased by a dog. Fearing for its life, she brings it home, only to discover how difficult it is to rear a wild hare, most of whom perish in captivity from either shock or starvation. Through trial and error, she learns to feed and care for the leveret with every intention of returning it to the wilderness. Instead, it becomes her constant companion, wandering the fields and woods at night and returning to Dalton’s house by day. Though Dalton feared that the hare would be preyed upon by foxes, weasels, feral cats, raptors, or even people, she never tried to restrict it to the house. Each time the hare leaves, Chloe knows she may never see it again. Yet she also understands that to confine it would be its own kind of death.

Raising Hare chronicles their journey together while also taking a deep dive into the lives and nature of hares, and the way they have been viewed historically in art, literature, and folklore. We witness firsthand the joy at this extraordinary relationship between human and animal, which serves as a reminder that the best things, and most beautiful experiences, arise when we least expect them.

– From Penguin Random House 

My Thoughts After Reading:

Last month, I wrote “It’s only March but I think I’ve found my favorite read of 2026; the easiest 5 stars I have ever given” referring to Before I Forget.  This month, I can write “It’s only April and I’ve found my second favorite read of 2026; another 5 stars easily given” referring to Raising Hare. 

Unlike a typical pet story, Raising Hare resists the urge to domesticate its subject. Instead, it honors the hare’s wildness, reminding readers that not everything is meant to be tamed or fully understood. I learned so much about this species—a hare’s nature & needs, historical interactions with humans, their ecological impact, the difference between rabbits, hare depictions in folklore & art, and much more. 

While the story is about Dalton raising a hare, she also reflects on her journey from a fast-paced life to a slower, more observant one. Through changing seasons and subtle behavioral shifts, she reveals how much there is to learn simply by watching and waiting. In a world with constant stimulation (hello, smartphones), slowing down is crucial. 

That message resonates as we celebrate Earth Day (April 22). In a world often focused on big, urgent environmental challenges, Raising Hare brings us back to something more intimate: the importance of noticing, valuing, and protecting the everyday wonders around us. Humans are not separate from nature—we are part of it. Caring for the planet doesn’t always begin with grand gestures; it can start in your own backyard with curiosity, empathy, and a willingness to coexist.

Raising Hare is a book that lingers—quietly prompting us to look a little closer and care a little more. A perfect read for spring. 

I’ll think of this real unnamed hare introduced to us by Dalton whenever I meet its fictional counterparts (Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland (March Hare), Guess How Much I Love You (the nutbrown hares), Aesop’s The Hare and The Tortoise, etc.) and notice where those authors got it right or wrong. 

– Michelle 

Children’s Book Blog: April 2026

Earth Day!

Earth Day is April 22, 2026. 

“Environmental progress is built through everyday action—from communities protecting ecosystems to innovators advancing solutions. Clean air, safe water, and climate resilience aren’t optional—they’re essential. For Earth Day 2026, we’re mobilizing at scale. Every action counts. Every voice matters.” -from earthday.org 

Here are a few standout titles that encourage kids to appreciate—and protect—our one and only home. Titles that prove every action counts and every voice matters.

Bonus: Three of these titles are brand new to our shelves (as of April 2026). 


Black Beach by Shaunna & John Smith and Maribel Lechuga

For a blog on Earth Day, we had to start with an origin story! Black Beach tells the story of the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, which prompted the creation of Earth Day. 

I love when nonfiction children’s literature is presented in a storytelling format – it makes it really accessible.  Black Beach is engaging and educational for kids and adults alike.

Joanna and Connor liked the end page about how to become environmental activists – proud of what they are already doing and excited to take additional actions on the list. 

Bothered By Bugs by Emily Gravett

Introducing a new favorite in our house! I hadn’t even started reading and Connor exclaimed, “I like this book!”; that’s how amazing the illustrations are! Colorful, detailed and whimsical. 

While the art initially steals the show, the rhyming story is beautifully done, too. A group of animals, once bothered by bugs, quickly learns how important they are. 

A great reminder that all life is connected and deserves a place on Earth!

What A Waste by Jess French

This book is not a waste – it’s a gem! 

This is a nonfiction book even adults should read.  Packed with eye-opening facts and bold visuals, What A Waste breaks down the global problems of waste, pollution, and more. From plastic in our oceans to overflowing landfills, it explains what’s happening—and, more importantly, what we can do to help. 

I will note that I personally get dispirited when I read about this topic; it feels so out of control and daunting. But, this is a great pick for empowering kids (and adults!) with real-world knowledge and practical solutions.  

If This Were The World by Stephen Barr and AG Ford

With fairness and stewardship at the forefront, this thought-provoking book helps kids understand big concepts by scaling the world down into relatable comparisons. 

‘With every world they dismiss, the kids figure out more about what kind of world they want. Maybe there really is only one world that gives us everything we need – but it needs a few things from us, too.’ 

However, even if the important message goes right over your child’s head, it is a FUN book with ‘kids experimenting, clashing and chasing their imaginations.’ 

The Great Bear by Annie Booker

Since the dawn of time, the Great Bear has patrolled the oceans, protecting the Earth and her animals and overseeing the delicate balance of life. But now, one creature is changing everything.  Spoiler alert: the creature is us – humans. 

Written like a classic folklore, The Great Bear gently explores environmental responsibility and conservation themes. 

 

 

A note on this blog: Michelle Milford is the Office & Marketing Manager at Town Hall Library.  She has two young children – Joanna (8) and Connor (6).  All three have a deep love of books and voracious appetites for reading.  Here they’ll share their monthly book recommendations.

“Before I Forget” by Tory Henwood Hoen

About This Book: 

A funny, heartfelt, late coming-of-age story that examines the role of memory in holding us back—and in moving us forward—for fans of The Collected Regrets of Clover and Maame.

Call it inertia. Call it a quarter-life crisis. Whatever you call it, Cricket Campbell is stuck. Despite working at a zeitgeisty wellness company, the 26-year-old feels anything but well. Still adrift after a tragedy that upended her world a decade ago, she has entered early adulthood under the weight of a new burden: her father’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

When Cricket’s older sister Nina announces it is time to move Arthur from his beloved Adirondack lake house into a memory-care facility, Cricket has a better idea. In returning home to become her father’s caretaker, she hopes to repair their strained relationship and shake herself out of her perma-funk. But even deeply familiar places can hold surprises.

As Cricket settles back into the family house at Catwood Pond—a place she once loved, but hasn’t visited since she was a teenager—she discovers that her father possesses a rare gift: as he loses his grasp of the past, he is increasingly able to predict the future. Before long, Arthur cements his reputation as an unlikely oracle, but for Cricket, believing in her father’s prophecies might also mean facing the most painful parts of her history. As she begins to remember who she once was, she uncovers a vital truth: the path forward often starts by going back.

With laugh-out-loud humor and profound grace, Before I Forget explores the nuances of family, the complexities of memory, and how sometimes, the people we know the best are the ones who surprise us the most.

– From MacMillan Publishers Website

My Thoughts After Reading:

It’s only March but I think I’ve found my favorite read of 2026; the easiest 5 stars I have ever given. 

I picked up Heart the Lover by Lily King after Before I Forget.  A quote from Heart the Lover sums up how I felt about Before I Forget: “You know how you can remember exactly when and where you read certain books? A great novel, a truly great one, not only captures a particular fictional experience, it alters and intensifies the way you experience your own life while you’re reading it. And it preserves it, like a time capsule.”  Having just lost my own father to cancer, Before I Forget was that book for me. It’s difficult to write a blog post on a book that was so deeply personal. But, I feel, regardless of related experiences, this is absolutely book worth reading.  

Readers who enjoy character-driven fiction with a touch of magical realism, strong family relationships, light romance, and thoughtful reflections on grief and growth will find a lot to love here. It’s the kind of book that will leave you teary-eyed (in my case sobbing) and also smiling and hopeful.

The characters are charming.  The topics are heavy. The humor is witty. The plot is restorative. The book is magical. 

– Michelle 

Children’s Book Blog: March 2026

Seeing Things Differently

Perspective is a powerful concept for kids to explore (and adults to revisit!) — it builds empathy, curiosity, and critical thinking. Books help young readers discover that there’s often more than one way to see a situation – an important life skill at any age.

The following picture books play with point of view in clever, funny, and thought-provoking ways. Whether it’s a misunderstood character, a physical point of view shift, or multiple interpretations of the same object, each story invites readers to look again… and see something different. 

After reading, ask:

  • Who saw things differently in this story?

  • Why did they see it that way?

  • Have you ever experienced something like that?

You might be surprised by the thoughtful conversations that follow.


Ursula Upside Down by Corey R. Tabor

What a clever book!

Ursula is based on a real species of catfish that swims upside down – the appropriately named upside-down catfish. 

Children will love turning the book upside down and back again as they follow Ursula’s humorous journey to self-discovery.

It’s funny, engaging (physically!), and perfect for introducing the idea that what we experience may not match someone else’s reality.

If you like this style, I highly recommend Tabor’s other book Mel Fell, too.

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! by Jon Scieszka & Lane Smith

What if the Big Bad Wolf wasn’t as bad as we were led to believe? Is a predator bad for following its natural diet? 😂  Told from the wolf’s point of view, this familiar classic is turned on its head. 

This book is a fantastic intro into unreliable narrators (one of my favorite tropes!), bias, and how stories change depending on who tells them.

I have always disliked how wolves are continually depicted as villains so naturally I prefer this version – I hope you love it, too!

The Wall in the Middle of the Book of Jon Agee

Another very clever book! 

A knight confidently declares that the wall in the middle of the book keeps him safe from danger on the other side. But as the story unfolds, readers begin to notice things the knight doesn’t. Like Ursula Upside Down, the physical layout of the book becomes part of the storytelling, reinforcing the theme that assumptions don’t always match reality. It encourages kids to notice details and recognize that perspectives can be incomplete.

A Stone Sat Still by Brendan Wenzel

“Michelle, what’s your favorite picture book of all time?” 
“Easy: A Stone Sat Still by Brendan Wenzel” 

That’s the truth. Every illustration is a beautiful wonder. It is quiet and contemplative yet whimsical and rhythmic too.

It can be interrupted from so many different philosophical lenses. For this blog, it’s all about perspective. Is the stone a pebble or a mountain? A danger or safe haven? A resting place or a kitchen? It depends entirely on the animal’s perspective.

Inside Cat by Brendan Wenzel

Brendan Wenzel is one of my favorite children’s book authors and illustrators so he earned two spots in this blog! It could have easily been three because They All Saw A Cat is a classic on perspective. 

I picked Inside Cat though because inside cat is just so charming. Filled with imagination and wonder, readers of all ages will love discovering what inside cat “knows”. 

Other perspective-related favorites include: 

 

A note on this blog: Michelle Milford is the Office & Marketing Manager at Town Hall Library.  She has two young children – Joanna (7) and Connor (5).  All three have a deep love of books and voracious appetites for reading.  Here they’ll share their monthly book recommendations.

Children’s Book Blog: February 2026

National Library Lovers' Month

February isn’t just a month for chocolate hearts and valentines – it’s for libraries, too!

National Library Lovers’ Month is celebrated throughout February, a time dedicated to showing appreciation for libraries, librarians, library patrons and books.  Libraries provide vital community resources, going beyond just borrowing books to include digital access, educational programs, and community gathering spaces. 

We’re recommending books that highlight the wonder of libraries and the characters (just like you!) who can’t resist their charm.

Bats at the Library by Brian Lies

Libraries are for everyone – even nocturnal patrons! 

When a window is left open, the bats seize the opportunity to enjoy all the the library has to offer. 

Bats are a really misunderstood creature – often feared unnecessarily. I love that this book showcases them in a playful (and well-read) light.   

Joanna and Connor enjoyed the rhyming text and detailed illustrations – searching for all the fun things the bats were up to in the library. 

The Loud Librarian by Jenna Beatrice and Erika Lynne Jones

This joyful story reminds readers that libraries are places for curiosity, creativity, and being yourself. Penelope, our empowered and loud main character, doesn’t need to sacrifice who she is to solve her problem. 

Think libraries are too quiet? Think, again! Libraries have evolved over the years. There’s a lot less “shhhh!”. Sure, there’s still quiet spaces but Town Hall Library has spaces to be loud, too.  

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce

Quoting Adam Kampe of the National Endowment for the Arts: “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore is something of a publishing miracle. What began as a book evolved into an animated short film (that won an Oscar in 2012, mind you), then morphed into a state-of-the-art app, and only then, after all that complicated technical magic, did the original concept—the book—enter the world as a physical object.” 

With a journey like that, you know this book is, as the cover implies, FANTASTIC. 

The Not So Quiet Library by Zachariah Ohora

The Not So Quiet Library is a crowd pleaser. It’s bursting with color and humor – perfect for all ages. 

The monster making noise in the library has 5 heads – each with their own personalities and funny commentary.  

Everyone, even monsters, can enjoy reading. 

 

A Library Book for Bear by Bonny Becker and Kady MacDonald Denton

In A Library Book for Bear, a determined mouse works hard to convince a ‘stuck in his ways’ bear to become a library user. 

This story might be familiar to you! Some of the most important people in my life are still reluctant to use library systems (gasp!). So, this one is for all the library lovers diligently working to introduce more folks to the wonder of libraries! 

 

A note on this blog: Michelle Milford is the Office & Marketing Manager at Town Hall Library.  She has two young children – Joanna (7) and Connor (5).  All three have a deep love of books and voracious appetites for reading.  Here they’ll share their monthly book recommendations.

“The Correspondent” by Virginia Evans

About This Book:

“Imagine, the letters one has sent out into the world, the letters received back in turn, are like the pieces of a magnificent puzzle. . . . Isn’t there something wonderful in that, to think that a story of one’s life is preserved in some way, that this very letter may one day mean something, even if it is a very small thing, to someone?”

Filled with knowledge that only comes from a life fully lived, The Correspondent is a gem of a novel about the power of finding solace in literature and connection with people we might never meet in person. It is about the hubris of youth and the wisdom of old age, and the mistakes and acts of kindness that occur during a lifetime.

Sybil Van Antwerp has throughout her life used letters to make sense of the world and her place in it. Most mornings, around half past ten, Sybil sits down to write letters—to her brother, to her best friend, to the president of the university who will not allow her to audit a class she desperately wants to take, to Joan Didion and Larry McMurtry to tell them what she thinks of their latest books, and to one person to whom she writes often yet never sends the letter.

Sybil expects her world to go on as it always has—a mother, grandmother, wife, divorcee, distinguished lawyer, she has lived a very full life. But when letters from someone in her past force her to examine one of the most painful periods of her life, she realizes that the letter she has been writing over the years needs to be read and that she cannot move forward until she finds it in her heart to offer forgiveness.

Sybil Van Antwerp’s life of letters might be “a very small thing,” but she also might be one of the most memorable characters you will ever read.

– From Penguin Random House website

My Thoughts After Reading:

The hype is real on this one! The Correspondent was one of the most buzzed about books in 2025. In my opinion, its all well-deserved.  I still can’t believe this is Evans first novel. 

I am a big fan of ‘snail mail’. In today’s world, I crave the intimacy of putting pen to paper and the delayed gratification of receival. So picking up an epistolary novel was a no brainer. However, imagine my surprise when I discovered I prefer the audio version – choosing to listen to the letters, instead of reading them. The audiobook is performed by a full cast (my favorite!) who bring added emotional depth to the story.  

And what an engaging story it is! Spanning years, we fully connect to Sybil and the people who receive her letters. For a 300 page book, Evans expertly packed in multiple story arcs: a coming-of-age tale, a love triangle, a beautiful female friendship, a complicated mother-daughter relationship, a thrilling mystery and the stages of grief. 

In the same way I wished for a letter from Hogwarts, I now wish for a letter from Sybil Van Antwerp. 

– Michelle 

Children’s Book Blog: January 2026

Foxes!

Why foxes? Unlike many animals that hunker down, foxes are active all winter long. 

Foxes have inspired countless stories and fables. They appear across cultures as symbols of adaptability and intuition. Some mythologies see them as guides. I thought these sentiments were helpful as many of us struggle to thrive during the winter months. 

Plus, they are cute critters – and cute critters are always popular with kids. 😉 

– Michelle 

A Warm Winter Tail by Carrie Pearson & Christina Wald

Of the fox featuring books listed, this is Joanna and Connor’s favorite. 

Twisting perspective, animals question how humans stay warm in the winter. Do they use the same adaptation strategies that they do? 

The rhyming text and clever illustrations of children with turtle shells and fox tails are cute and humorous. And it’s educational! What more could you ask for? 

Winter Dance by Marion Dane Bauer and Richard Jones

Similar to A Warm Winter Tail, Winter Dance explores animal adaptions in surviving cold winters.  

This one is a bit more whimsical while still being educational. However, the ending might confuse some readers so I’ll clarify here: Foxes do “dance”! Their winter dance is referring to their hunting technique and mating displays. Read this book and then look up videos of foxes ‘dancing’! 

Little Fox by Edward Van De Vendel & Marije Tolman 

In 2020, Kirkus Reviews awarded Little Fox Best Picture Book, praising its ‘beautiful, fully realized dreamscape” and tender story of a young fox’s adventures and dreams. 

Marije Tolman’s unique mixed-media illustrations are incredible. Using photos she took of Dutch dunes and woods, she created risograph prints (similar to screen printing). Then, she drew on them in gouache, watercolor, acrylic, colored pencil, pen, ink and chalk. Cool, huh? 

Fox versus Fox by Corey R. Tabor

Have an emerging reader in your house? Corey Tabor’s “Fox” books are a must! 

From the publisher’s website: “Carefully crafted using basic language, word repetition, sight words, and whimsical illustrations, Fox versus Fox is ideal for sharing with your emergent reader. The active, engaging My First I Can Read stories have appealing plots and lovable characters, encouraging children to continue their reading journey.” 

^^ I wholeheartedly agree with their marketing! 

Shibu’s Tail by Tess Thomas & Kamwei Fong

I know, I know. Shibu is NOT a fox; Shibu is a cat.  But, Shibu has a fox-like tail and I simply couldn’t wait to share Shibu’s Tail with you. I predict this newly published (2025) book will become a beloved classic in no time.

Shibu has BIG feelings.  Shibu’s tail expresses those big feelings. Shibu helps readers (young and old!) learn that feelings – “good” and “bad” – are best when shared. 

 

A note on this blog: Michelle Milford is the Office & Marketing Manager at Town Hall Library.  She has two young children – Joanna (7) and Connor (5).  All three have a deep love of books and voracious appetites for reading.  Here they’ll share their monthly book recommendations.

“The Knight and The Moth” by Rachel Gillig

About This Book:

From New York Times bestselling author Rachel Gillig comes the next big romantasy sensation, a gothic, mist-cloaked tale of a young prophetess forced on an impossible quest with the one knight whose future is beyond her sight. Perfect for fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout and Leigh Bardugo.

Sybil Delling has spent nine years dreaming of having no dreams at all. Like the other foundling girls who traded a decade of service for a home in the great cathedral, Sybil is a Diviner. In her dreams she receives visions from six unearthly figures known as Omens. From them, she can predict terrible things before they occur, and lords and common folk alike travel across the kingdom of Traum’s windswept moors to learn their futures by her dreams.

Just as she and her sister Diviners near the end of their service, a mysterious knight arrives at the cathedral. Rude, heretical, and devilishly handsome, the knight Rodrick has no respect for Sybil’s visions. But when Sybil’s fellow Diviners begin to vanish one by one, she has no choice but to seek his help in finding them. For the world outside the cathedral’s cloister is wrought with peril. Only the gods have the answers she is seeking, and as much as she’d rather avoid Rodrick’s dark eyes and sharp tongue, only a heretic can defeat a god. 

– From Hachette Book Group

My Thoughts After Reading:

You might not know it from my previously posted book blogs but my preferred genre is romantasy! The genre recently exploded in popularity. Given the new demand, romantasy books are being published at an unprecedented pace. While I’m happy to see so many readers flock to their local libraries for these stories, the stories themselves can begin to feel…repetitive. Don’t get me wrong – when you find what you like, repetition is a-OK.

But, if you are looking for something unique – Rachel Gillig is your author! I devoured her debut duology, One Dark Window and Two Twisted Crowns, so it’s no surprise I did the same with The Knight and The Moth. 

The Knight and The Moth is romantasy done right! Endearing characters, unique world building, engaging quest-focused plot and slow-burn romance: it checked all my boxes.

Sybil’s gargoyle sidekick is my favorite character of all time. I will take no criticism on him – he was perfection. 

And that twist! I had honestly thought: ‘Why is there a second book in the works? It seems Gillig has wrapped everything up.” WRONG. 

– Michelle