Book Series Guide
Rachel Gillig

Author guide

Rachel Gillig Books in Order

Rachel Gillig was born and raised on the California coast. She holds a B.A. in Literary Theory and Criticism from the University of California, Davis, and worked as an artist and preschool teacher before becoming a full-time writer. She is the author of The Shepherd King and Stonewater Kingdom series.

gothic fantasyromantic fantasydark fantasy

Catalog record updated .

Rachel Gillig's Newest Book

Cover of The Knave and the Moon

The Knave and the Moon

novel · First published 2026

Aisling Cathedral is in ruins. Rodrick Myndacious, Bartholomew, and Maude Bauer are rumored to be dead—and the king has taken Sybil Delling as his bride. To show off their union and solidify his power over Traum, Benji proposes a series of tournaments throughout the hamlets. Captive and drugged, Sybil remains determined to vanquish him as she once did the Omens, even if she destroys the kingdom’s faith—and herself—in the process. But then a mysterious knave rises to the top of the tournament lists, a man with no name and no memory who may just be Sybil’s ticket to undoing Benji’s power. For in a land where stories repeat themselves, where a king can prove as cruel as a god, the only way to truly destroy the Stonewater Kingdom’s faith is to save it.

Not sure where to begin?

Start with one of these

Cover of One Dark Window

One Dark Window

The opening volume of The Shepherd King duology.

Cover of The Knight and the Moth

The Knight and the Moth

The opening volume of The Stonewater Kingdom duology.

Read in order

Books by series

duology · complete

The Shepherd King

A completed gothic fantasy duology about Elspeth Spindle, the ancient spirit called the Nightmare, and a mist-locked kingdom afflicted by dark magic.

Series guide →
  1. 1
    One Dark Window

    Book 1 · novel · 2022

    Elspeth Spindle needs more than luck to stay safe in the eerie, mist-locked kingdom she calls home—she needs a monster. She calls him the Nightmare, an ancient, mercurial spirit trapped in her head. He protects her. He keeps her secrets.…

  2. 2
    Two Twisted Crowns

    Book 2 · novel · 2023

    In the luscious, dark sequel to One Dark Window, Elspeth must face the consequences of what she’s wrought – perfect for readers of Hannah Whitten’s For the Wolf and Alexis Henderson’s The Year of the Witching Elspeth and Ravyn have…

duology · ongoing

The Stonewater Kingdom

A gothic romantic fantasy duology set in Traum, where diviners, knights, gods, and faith collide amid dangerous mysteries.

Series guide →
  1. 1
    The Knight and the Moth

    Book 1 · novel · 2025

    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…

  2. 2
    The Knave and the Moon

    Book 2 · novel · 2026

    Aisling Cathedral is in ruins. Rodrick Myndacious, Bartholomew, and Maude Bauer are rumored to be dead—and the king has taken Sybil Delling as his bride. To show off their union and solidify his power over Traum, Benji proposes a series…

Frequently asked questions about Rachel Gillig

Who is Rachel Gillig?

Rachel Gillig is an author known for gothic fantasy and romantasy novels, including The Shepherd King series.

Sources: rachelgillig.com (opens in a new tab)hachette.co.uk (opens in a new tab)

Where did Rachel Gillig study?

She earned a B.A. in Literary Theory and Criticism from the University of California, Davis.

Sources: hachettebookgroup.com (opens in a new tab)rachelgillig.com (opens in a new tab)

Was Rachel Gillig a teacher before becoming an author?

Yes. Her official biography identifies her as an artist and retired preschool teacher.

Source: rachelgillig.com (opens in a new tab)

What influences Rachel Gillig’s writing?

Folklore, especially folk ballads, is a major influence. She has said that “The Outlandish Knight” helped inspire The Knight and the Moth, though the novel is not a direct retelling.

Source: barnesandnoble.com (opens in a new tab)

Is Rachel Gillig a bestselling author?

Yes. Her official website identifies her as a number-one New York Times and number-one Sunday Times bestselling author.

Source: rachelgillig.com (opens in a new tab)