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Moth and the Gloaming Lance
Moth was doing just fine in the Sunder, happy to forget his days topside, until a figure from his past appears with a puzzling message.
He realises how murky his memories have gotten. How restless he feels. Perhaps he wasn't content after all...it was simply easier to forget the pain of the past, and start anew. Now that fate has come calling, he feels the pull in him grow stronger than ever, dragging him back to the surface to face a terrifying reality.
Moth and the Gloaming Lance is the first in a series that follows runaway knight "Moth". Together with his lover, a meek blacksmith named Shy, and his long-lost, illustrious friend, Godlef, Moth travels to the Wake, and seeks to find out what has become of his parents, their kingdom, and the world at large.
He realises how murky his memories have gotten. How restless he feels. Perhaps he wasn't content after all...it was simply easier to forget the pain of the past, and start anew. Now that fate has come calling, he feels the pull in him grow stronger than ever, dragging him back to the surface to face a terrifying reality.
Moth and the Gloaming Lance is the first in a series that follows runaway knight "Moth". Together with his lover, a meek blacksmith named Shy, and his long-lost, illustrious friend, Godlef, Moth travels to the Wake, and seeks to find out what has become of his parents, their kingdom, and the world at large.
364 pages, Paperback
Published May 17, 2024
3 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 22, 2024
The biggest main thing I could say is this book is begging for a multiple read through. Just reading it once almost feels like a crime because of how many little hints, pieces of lore, and inferred info are incredibly, lovingly splattered about everywhere. Your second read through will almost feel like you’re reading an entirely different book with how many extra things you can find. Moth is an absolute must read!! Please don’t skip on it!!
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This book felt like a love letter to dark fantasy and I’ve been wanting something like it for a long time. The world building is affectionately unapologetic and throws you in from page 1. The Wake feels dark and vast and The Sunder feels perfectly tight-knit. The weapon, armory, and mounts are described so intensely it feels like you’re looking at your own inventory in a game. The smallest horse or bird movement descriptions, weapon auras, even minute armor mentions feel so lovingly researched and carefully added.
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Moth himself is such a fresh take on the trope of feeling like an outsider and somehow gaining an insane amount of responsibility. He explores neurodivergency in a, I feel, much needed ugly kind of way. Being neurodivergent can be extremely frustrating, heart breaking, and maddening. Like you’re being tossed around with nothing forward to grab onto and no one to understand and I think Moth expresses that in a very cathartic way. But also there’s such a beautiful way the people he respects in his life treat him. From Godlef pushing him to be more than what he thinks he is, but still staying close enough so he won’t get lost on his way. To Shy respecting what he needs, but not so much that it feels belittling. Or Sybilla challenging the more damaging ways of coping, without anger and a sense of understanding, familiarity, and compassion. My favorite is that all of the mature people he mutually respects call him affectionately with words he's used against himself. And after rereading I’ve realized a lot of the times it's after he’s talked himself down or made fun of some integral part of himself. Many neurodivergent people have seen ourselves as others and have been told we’re different in negative ways and it’s easy to make fun of yourself for the sake of saying it before anyone else does. In that way, it’s so nice to see people seeing him as endearing through the snarling and seemingly normal banter. He says he’s awful, but the elders he values make the awful words endearments right after instead. “Little cave rat” is one of my favorites that Anatoli says.
-
It’s such a beautifully human world of making mistakes, feeling failure and loss, learning to grow and not only finding acceptance but also allowing it for yourself. The character arcs and growths are intriguing and satisfying, so much so that I ended up really liking and rooting for a character I never thought I would, which is Tharros. Tharros, in theory, is the perfect description of many prince/royal characters I don’t enjoy, but it’s handled in a way I always wished would happen. In the spirit of trying to stay mainly spoiler free in this, I’ll say he knows of a lot of his family’s misdeeds. And a lot of times characters like him would get a sympathy card, a “does one good thing and now he’s fine” card, a “but he’s a pretty prince let him be” card, and I’m so happy that never happens. Instead, he became such a good interaction and relationship between neurotypicals and neurodivergents. Not only that, but also a good representation of wanting to learn and accept your family’s shameful history so that you can try to mend what was lost. Tharros and Moth’s campfire chat in chapter 44 is easily one of my favorite character interactions and development in the book. Not only for Tharros, but for Moth too. I think neurodivergents tend to have an opinion on someone or something and hold it steadfast. It’s very hard to get us to change our mind, but not everything is set in stone. People have the ability to reflect and change and it’s really wonderful to see Moth realize and accept that. For Tharros, neurotypical ways of thinking are so vastly different from ours. They speak in riddles and are stepping on eggshells a lot, but I’d like to think we’re more free. If we don’t like something that’s happening, we move away. If we don’t like someone, we just won’t engage with them. If we’re tired, we’ll leave. And we’ll do these things that many people say are rude, but it’s just living your own way. Why keep doing these things you don’t like just to suffer all the time? And that isn’t a question Moth pointedly asks Tharros, but I think it’s one Tharros ends up reflecting on organically. If Tharros has seen things he doesn’t like, why try to continue them because others told you that you should? I’d like to believe it’s one of, if not, the first time anyone has told him to follow what he believes is true and just and it makes you root for him. It’s so profoundly tender that Tharros listens to what Moth has to say and not disregard it because he’s royalty with a different set of views and thinking. That there’s proof later of him taking it positively and taking action. It’s a positive response that leaves you hoping the best for him.
-
The women in this book are something else entirely in the absolute best way possible. None of them feel like a passing thought, a stepping stone for a more important character, or adolescent eye candy. They’re just as full of personality, power, and amusement as any other character. And there’s wonderful wlw!! Sybilla and Olyna’s relationship is SO good. It’s personal preference, but I love it when you can tell how close people are from small acts and their relationship is the perfect example of that. They know each other’s schedule enough to generally know where the other will be, give each other certain looks only they know, guess what the other has said, and have each other first in mind. I think about “Where is my Olyna to go?” too often (very positive). And how could I not talk about my favorite antagonist Ulfilia of Caerthenn. She’s so powerful in a grotesque way that when you read about her your body clenches in? Anticipation? Excitement? Fear? Maybe all of them. I also love the way that the witches of this world (Haruspex) are seen, specifically how I think Sybilla sees things. Because of their culture, there’s a sense of closeness with each other no matter what you’ve decided to do with whatever power you have. Even though Ulfilia is doing something “wrong”, I never felt any hatred or judgment from other haruspex. It felt more like “it’s unfortunate that she chose this path, but it’s hers to choose”. There was no “Ulfilia is evil, so let’s follow her and defeat her” it felt more neutral and something like “Ulfilia is on a path we don’t want to be on so let’s avoid her” and I really enjoyed it.
-
I love that the queerness in this book is never something thrown front and center and made to be something to gawk at. It’s ever-present, but made to be a simple personality trait that’s wholly accepted as part of a person. Neurodivergence is treated in the same way and it’s extremely cathartic. Also relationship problems aren’t a passing one time thought. They’re brought back up organically. A big pet peeve of mine is finally getting to these moments where characters talk and about an issue, but you never see it worked on or brought up again. It’s something small that gives a relationship so much more depth and I think that’s why Moth and Shy feel more tangible and realistic. Shy’s self-worth is talked about and brought up multiple times, but it’s because we as people don’t suddenly change our entire mindset in one instance. It never felt annoying or misplaced to see them rehashing and trying to change repeated behaviors because it feels like they genuinely care for each other by doing it.
-
This book felt like a love letter to dark fantasy and I’ve been wanting something like it for a long time. The world building is affectionately unapologetic and throws you in from page 1. The Wake feels dark and vast and The Sunder feels perfectly tight-knit. The weapon, armory, and mounts are described so intensely it feels like you’re looking at your own inventory in a game. The smallest horse or bird movement descriptions, weapon auras, even minute armor mentions feel so lovingly researched and carefully added.
-
Moth himself is such a fresh take on the trope of feeling like an outsider and somehow gaining an insane amount of responsibility. He explores neurodivergency in a, I feel, much needed ugly kind of way. Being neurodivergent can be extremely frustrating, heart breaking, and maddening. Like you’re being tossed around with nothing forward to grab onto and no one to understand and I think Moth expresses that in a very cathartic way. But also there’s such a beautiful way the people he respects in his life treat him. From Godlef pushing him to be more than what he thinks he is, but still staying close enough so he won’t get lost on his way. To Shy respecting what he needs, but not so much that it feels belittling. Or Sybilla challenging the more damaging ways of coping, without anger and a sense of understanding, familiarity, and compassion. My favorite is that all of the mature people he mutually respects call him affectionately with words he's used against himself. And after rereading I’ve realized a lot of the times it's after he’s talked himself down or made fun of some integral part of himself. Many neurodivergent people have seen ourselves as others and have been told we’re different in negative ways and it’s easy to make fun of yourself for the sake of saying it before anyone else does. In that way, it’s so nice to see people seeing him as endearing through the snarling and seemingly normal banter. He says he’s awful, but the elders he values make the awful words endearments right after instead. “Little cave rat” is one of my favorites that Anatoli says.
-
It’s such a beautifully human world of making mistakes, feeling failure and loss, learning to grow and not only finding acceptance but also allowing it for yourself. The character arcs and growths are intriguing and satisfying, so much so that I ended up really liking and rooting for a character I never thought I would, which is Tharros. Tharros, in theory, is the perfect description of many prince/royal characters I don’t enjoy, but it’s handled in a way I always wished would happen. In the spirit of trying to stay mainly spoiler free in this, I’ll say he knows of a lot of his family’s misdeeds. And a lot of times characters like him would get a sympathy card, a “does one good thing and now he’s fine” card, a “but he’s a pretty prince let him be” card, and I’m so happy that never happens. Instead, he became such a good interaction and relationship between neurotypicals and neurodivergents. Not only that, but also a good representation of wanting to learn and accept your family’s shameful history so that you can try to mend what was lost. Tharros and Moth’s campfire chat in chapter 44 is easily one of my favorite character interactions and development in the book. Not only for Tharros, but for Moth too. I think neurodivergents tend to have an opinion on someone or something and hold it steadfast. It’s very hard to get us to change our mind, but not everything is set in stone. People have the ability to reflect and change and it’s really wonderful to see Moth realize and accept that. For Tharros, neurotypical ways of thinking are so vastly different from ours. They speak in riddles and are stepping on eggshells a lot, but I’d like to think we’re more free. If we don’t like something that’s happening, we move away. If we don’t like someone, we just won’t engage with them. If we’re tired, we’ll leave. And we’ll do these things that many people say are rude, but it’s just living your own way. Why keep doing these things you don’t like just to suffer all the time? And that isn’t a question Moth pointedly asks Tharros, but I think it’s one Tharros ends up reflecting on organically. If Tharros has seen things he doesn’t like, why try to continue them because others told you that you should? I’d like to believe it’s one of, if not, the first time anyone has told him to follow what he believes is true and just and it makes you root for him. It’s so profoundly tender that Tharros listens to what Moth has to say and not disregard it because he’s royalty with a different set of views and thinking. That there’s proof later of him taking it positively and taking action. It’s a positive response that leaves you hoping the best for him.
-
The women in this book are something else entirely in the absolute best way possible. None of them feel like a passing thought, a stepping stone for a more important character, or adolescent eye candy. They’re just as full of personality, power, and amusement as any other character. And there’s wonderful wlw!! Sybilla and Olyna’s relationship is SO good. It’s personal preference, but I love it when you can tell how close people are from small acts and their relationship is the perfect example of that. They know each other’s schedule enough to generally know where the other will be, give each other certain looks only they know, guess what the other has said, and have each other first in mind. I think about “Where is my Olyna to go?” too often (very positive). And how could I not talk about my favorite antagonist Ulfilia of Caerthenn. She’s so powerful in a grotesque way that when you read about her your body clenches in? Anticipation? Excitement? Fear? Maybe all of them. I also love the way that the witches of this world (Haruspex) are seen, specifically how I think Sybilla sees things. Because of their culture, there’s a sense of closeness with each other no matter what you’ve decided to do with whatever power you have. Even though Ulfilia is doing something “wrong”, I never felt any hatred or judgment from other haruspex. It felt more like “it’s unfortunate that she chose this path, but it’s hers to choose”. There was no “Ulfilia is evil, so let’s follow her and defeat her” it felt more neutral and something like “Ulfilia is on a path we don’t want to be on so let’s avoid her” and I really enjoyed it.
-
I love that the queerness in this book is never something thrown front and center and made to be something to gawk at. It’s ever-present, but made to be a simple personality trait that’s wholly accepted as part of a person. Neurodivergence is treated in the same way and it’s extremely cathartic. Also relationship problems aren’t a passing one time thought. They’re brought back up organically. A big pet peeve of mine is finally getting to these moments where characters talk and about an issue, but you never see it worked on or brought up again. It’s something small that gives a relationship so much more depth and I think that’s why Moth and Shy feel more tangible and realistic. Shy’s self-worth is talked about and brought up multiple times, but it’s because we as people don’t suddenly change our entire mindset in one instance. It never felt annoying or misplaced to see them rehashing and trying to change repeated behaviors because it feels like they genuinely care for each other by doing it.
November 13, 2024
The author of this book, a truly wonderful, inspired person whom I have had the immense privilege of befriending, has bestowed upon the fantasy-horror genre a novel ripe to bursting with consistently clever wordplay, mind-boggling horror inventions, ocean-deep lore, and dynamic, delightfully alive characters. While I thoroughly enjoyed the non-stop excitement, drama, and atmosphere of "Moth and the Gloaming Lance," it was that cast of characters that really left a mark on me. I will not soon forget sharp-tongued Moth, nor sweet, loyal Shy, nor my absolute favorite paragon of awesome, Godlef, and I cannot wait to reunite with them again in future installments. Thank you, Dorian, for gifting me a copy of your exhilarating, vibrant work.
December 10, 2024
As a new reader who is binge watching the Witcher, and just finished Throne of Glass, I was eager to read something new to keep my mind full of that dark fantasy feeling. The vocabulary and imagery takes you back to the works of Tolkien. You're absorbed into the mind of the author, and see how Moth's world around him is almost a symbol of his story and how he breaks free out of his own shackles that he's created and embarks on his journey. Each Character has a vastly different personality and with such depth.
Moth’s personality and growth is a story in itself as you follow him on his journey, not just his encounters with the insane (!!!!!!!and graphically depicted!!!!!IM SCARED) creatures and witches such as Ulfilia, but through his friendships and romance with Shy.
I am so happy to finally read a book that wonderfully includes the Trans and LGBTQIA2S+ community. So so so very proud of this Author who wrote such a spectacular and magical inclusive book for all. I highly recommend this book to all and any who enjoy dungeons and dragons-esq quests and stories.
Moth’s personality and growth is a story in itself as you follow him on his journey, not just his encounters with the insane (!!!!!!!and graphically depicted!!!!!IM SCARED) creatures and witches such as Ulfilia, but through his friendships and romance with Shy.
I am so happy to finally read a book that wonderfully includes the Trans and LGBTQIA2S+ community. So so so very proud of this Author who wrote such a spectacular and magical inclusive book for all. I highly recommend this book to all and any who enjoy dungeons and dragons-esq quests and stories.
January 9, 2025
How beautiful queer high fantasy can be, and this story wholeheartedly exemplifies that fact. I’m not one for long reviews (or really any at all) but it would feel sacrilegious not to publicly compliment this stunning work. Christo beautifully balances the excitatory fight scenes with emotional reliefs and realizations, so much so that I did shed a few tears on multiple occasions. It isn’t very often we see so real and raw of characters in high fantasy. So, I thank you, Dorian, for this masterpiece and I cannot wait to see Moth again as the Knights of the Abyss trilogy continues.
P.S. I’d also like to thank Hoopla and the accessibility of e-libraries for I don’t think I would have discovered Moth’s (mis)adventures without extensively searching their strangely elusive LGBTQ+ tag.
P.S. I’d also like to thank Hoopla and the accessibility of e-libraries for I don’t think I would have discovered Moth’s (mis)adventures without extensively searching their strangely elusive LGBTQ+ tag.
June 9, 2025
I got the opportunity to read Moth and The Gloaming Lance as an arc reader of sorts. I was intrigued by the author's Instagram posts, even more so considering they're an artist. It is in no way an understatement when I say I was blown away!
Right off the bat, I was sucked in by the descriptions, their uniqueness, the clarity, and personality the details always gave a space or character. That is what I will always fall in love with! "His stringy black hair was like erratic strokes of ink, twisted with begrudging life at the sides of his pale face."- Page 10. I almost feel descriptions such as these are becoming less and less in new authors' stories, and to read a new book with said prose is just flat-out refreshing.
I was also very glad, per se, for lack of better words, to finally read an adult book where the characters actually SOUND like adults. Not adult characters acting/sounding like teenagers.
The characters had a depth that we wholly explored throughout the narrative. Emotions were thick and heavy, the changes visceral as we moved through the story. I like how well Dorian balanced the feelings, actions, the world-building and setting, and dialogue; nothing was ever too much at once for me, all of it blending and tying together very well. I think one of my favorite directions they took, was how they added humor to ebb the dire atmosphere, making sure to keep the intensity of certain scenes from being overwhelming. Another thing that took me a moment to accustom myself with, was the way of speech. It's been a while since I've read a fantasy book that truly created a distinction in how the characters speak, even within Moth's universe, there was such a difference. Granted, I'm not too well-read (sadly), I've yet to read something with as strange of narration as this. I say that in the best possible way as it works so well seeing where the characters (Moth and Shy especially) come from.
There were times I wanted the storyline to slow down, despite understanding the need to cram as much as possible into one book. The breaks between extremes felt rushed in a way, or they just weren't long enough at times to truly feel as though I had taken a breather before shit hit the fan again.
On a similar note, when the action was at its densest, the emotions at their muddiest, and the story at its thickest, I had to reread the scene. No more than once, did I have to reread a scene, but I still had to in order to understand what was happening. I do know, a part of it was that I had to slow down. But, a few times, even when I did purposely slowed down, it took me a moment to truly comprehend the situation. Because of how good the prose, story, details, etc were, however, this didn't necessarily pull me out of the book. It's more like I had to rewind that one moment in a movie because I didn't hear what the actor said, but, you know, in my head.
And finally, a very specific trope that I think could have been played a little differently. Moth losing consciousness during a heightened moment somehow, someway, then waking up either in safety or danger. It was used, I do believe, as a transition, a plot device, in a way. I'm neutral, despite my mentioning it, simply because it was done well enough to not be like "Really? This again?" It was more something I noticed, and then kept noticing and thinking at the moment, "I wonder if this could transition differently?" is all.
Overall, I was surprised at how well this was written! I truly cackled at times and was as frustrated with Moth as the others seemed to be, or right with him in his impulsiveness. I love the inclusivity of the characters, something, as a queer person myself, I can really admire.
If you want hidden details, epic fights, witches, Saint-bloods, strong, unyielding emotions, family drama, blooming love, and more, I highly recommend Moth and Gloaming Lance!
Right off the bat, I was sucked in by the descriptions, their uniqueness, the clarity, and personality the details always gave a space or character. That is what I will always fall in love with! "His stringy black hair was like erratic strokes of ink, twisted with begrudging life at the sides of his pale face."- Page 10. I almost feel descriptions such as these are becoming less and less in new authors' stories, and to read a new book with said prose is just flat-out refreshing.
I was also very glad, per se, for lack of better words, to finally read an adult book where the characters actually SOUND like adults. Not adult characters acting/sounding like teenagers.
The characters had a depth that we wholly explored throughout the narrative. Emotions were thick and heavy, the changes visceral as we moved through the story. I like how well Dorian balanced the feelings, actions, the world-building and setting, and dialogue; nothing was ever too much at once for me, all of it blending and tying together very well. I think one of my favorite directions they took, was how they added humor to ebb the dire atmosphere, making sure to keep the intensity of certain scenes from being overwhelming. Another thing that took me a moment to accustom myself with, was the way of speech. It's been a while since I've read a fantasy book that truly created a distinction in how the characters speak, even within Moth's universe, there was such a difference. Granted, I'm not too well-read (sadly), I've yet to read something with as strange of narration as this. I say that in the best possible way as it works so well seeing where the characters (Moth and Shy especially) come from.
There were times I wanted the storyline to slow down, despite understanding the need to cram as much as possible into one book. The breaks between extremes felt rushed in a way, or they just weren't long enough at times to truly feel as though I had taken a breather before shit hit the fan again.
On a similar note, when the action was at its densest, the emotions at their muddiest, and the story at its thickest, I had to reread the scene. No more than once, did I have to reread a scene, but I still had to in order to understand what was happening. I do know, a part of it was that I had to slow down. But, a few times, even when I did purposely slowed down, it took me a moment to truly comprehend the situation. Because of how good the prose, story, details, etc were, however, this didn't necessarily pull me out of the book. It's more like I had to rewind that one moment in a movie because I didn't hear what the actor said, but, you know, in my head.
And finally, a very specific trope that I think could have been played a little differently. Moth losing consciousness during a heightened moment somehow, someway, then waking up either in safety or danger. It was used, I do believe, as a transition, a plot device, in a way. I'm neutral, despite my mentioning it, simply because it was done well enough to not be like "Really? This again?" It was more something I noticed, and then kept noticing and thinking at the moment, "I wonder if this could transition differently?" is all.
Overall, I was surprised at how well this was written! I truly cackled at times and was as frustrated with Moth as the others seemed to be, or right with him in his impulsiveness. I love the inclusivity of the characters, something, as a queer person myself, I can really admire.
If you want hidden details, epic fights, witches, Saint-bloods, strong, unyielding emotions, family drama, blooming love, and more, I highly recommend Moth and Gloaming Lance!
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