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The Moonlit Knight
The Lady of Ruby was a beautiful dream from which Sir Gawain never wanted to wake.
King Arthur's famous nephew, Sir Gawain of Orkney, Knight of the Round Table, is known by many names: Hawk of May, Dawnbreaker, Maiden's Knight. With great acclaim comes even greater expectation. When a challenge from Persian knight Sir Gromer Somer Joure draws Gawain east of the Mediterranean Sea, a new confrontation arises from Gromer's outspoken sister. The Knight of Maidens' reputation could be his undoing.
Zoroastrian widow Osti Mahtab, granddaughter of Iran's revolutionary Mobed Mazdak, detests violence. And the men who make names for themselves through it. While long resigned to her devout life within the Old City's walls, she would sooner die than admit her little brother's challenger to the inner sanctum uncontested. Yet by forestalling this game of blows betwixt paladins, has Mahtab inadvertently entered the fray herself?
In this retelling of The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle, Persian mythology clashes and mingles with Arthurian to create a new and exciting tale of romance, self-discovery, and fantasy. The Moonlit Knight marks the first installment of the Elegy of An Empire epic that promises to entice old and new fans of the legends for years to come.
King Arthur's famous nephew, Sir Gawain of Orkney, Knight of the Round Table, is known by many names: Hawk of May, Dawnbreaker, Maiden's Knight. With great acclaim comes even greater expectation. When a challenge from Persian knight Sir Gromer Somer Joure draws Gawain east of the Mediterranean Sea, a new confrontation arises from Gromer's outspoken sister. The Knight of Maidens' reputation could be his undoing.
Zoroastrian widow Osti Mahtab, granddaughter of Iran's revolutionary Mobed Mazdak, detests violence. And the men who make names for themselves through it. While long resigned to her devout life within the Old City's walls, she would sooner die than admit her little brother's challenger to the inner sanctum uncontested. Yet by forestalling this game of blows betwixt paladins, has Mahtab inadvertently entered the fray herself?
In this retelling of The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle, Persian mythology clashes and mingles with Arthurian to create a new and exciting tale of romance, self-discovery, and fantasy. The Moonlit Knight marks the first installment of the Elegy of An Empire epic that promises to entice old and new fans of the legends for years to come.
- GenresArthurianRetellings
330 pages, Paperback
Published July 1, 2025
3 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 4, 2025
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy)!
To read The Moonlit Knight is truly to experience every emotion under the sun. It's a story to make you laugh, to make you cry, to make you shake your fist at the page and curse the characters for not understanding the type of story they're in. It's an absolutely wild ride from start to finish. It's a masterclass in taking stories that are hundreds of years old and making them feel fresh, making them feel unpredictable even when you know exactly how the source material unfolds.
And, on the topic of source material: one of my favorite things about this book is that it feels truly respectful of its sources. And not just respectful, but appreciative. This book emanates a love for its source material that some adaptations and retellings lack. This is an Arthurian retelling that isn't afraid to embrace the stories that inspired it and I can't begin to describe how much that elevates the experience of reading The Moonlit Knight. But it isn't just the clear love for the old Arthurian stories that makes this book great; it's the inclusion of new elements, of a new (to Arthuriana, at least) culture that truly makes this book stand out. The descriptions of medieval Persian architecture, culture, and beliefs are breathtaking. Zoroastrian beliefs and stories are woven into the text masterfully. Not to sound redundant, but L.R. Tourmaline has such a clear love for the various sources used, Arthurian and otherwise, that it rubs off on the reader and inspires a love for The Moonlit Knight itself even before we get into the plot and characters. I just love a book that clearly demonstrates when an author truly loves the thing they're writing about.
That said, the plot and the characters are fantastic. To avoid spoilers, I won't discuss the plot. If you know The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle, you know the general shape of the plot. It's fantastic, it's silly, it's fun. In L.R. Tourmaline's hands it's also heart wrenching and suspenseful. But if I get too much into it, I'll start getting worked up about the details and that's just something readers should experience for themselves. As for characters, Mahtab and Gromer are my favorites by a landslide. A pair of siblings that love each other dearly but can't quite reach meet each other where they're at? Sign me up. It's a delicious dynamic every time. What more to say? The characters all feel real. They have substance. You'll want to throttle half the characters as much as you want to give them a hug and I think that's beautiful. I wanted to throw rocks at Owain almost every time he was on the page and I wouldn't want him any other way. There's so much I feel like I could say about these characters and none of what I would say does justice to the actual book. Mahtab's grief and love and joy are some of the most compelling things I've read in a while. Gawain's determination and passion are palpable.
All I can really say is that everyone needs to read this book!! It's incredible and I love it. This is a book for old and new fans of Arthurian literature and I swear it won't disappoint.
To read The Moonlit Knight is truly to experience every emotion under the sun. It's a story to make you laugh, to make you cry, to make you shake your fist at the page and curse the characters for not understanding the type of story they're in. It's an absolutely wild ride from start to finish. It's a masterclass in taking stories that are hundreds of years old and making them feel fresh, making them feel unpredictable even when you know exactly how the source material unfolds.
And, on the topic of source material: one of my favorite things about this book is that it feels truly respectful of its sources. And not just respectful, but appreciative. This book emanates a love for its source material that some adaptations and retellings lack. This is an Arthurian retelling that isn't afraid to embrace the stories that inspired it and I can't begin to describe how much that elevates the experience of reading The Moonlit Knight. But it isn't just the clear love for the old Arthurian stories that makes this book great; it's the inclusion of new elements, of a new (to Arthuriana, at least) culture that truly makes this book stand out. The descriptions of medieval Persian architecture, culture, and beliefs are breathtaking. Zoroastrian beliefs and stories are woven into the text masterfully. Not to sound redundant, but L.R. Tourmaline has such a clear love for the various sources used, Arthurian and otherwise, that it rubs off on the reader and inspires a love for The Moonlit Knight itself even before we get into the plot and characters. I just love a book that clearly demonstrates when an author truly loves the thing they're writing about.
That said, the plot and the characters are fantastic. To avoid spoilers, I won't discuss the plot. If you know The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle, you know the general shape of the plot. It's fantastic, it's silly, it's fun. In L.R. Tourmaline's hands it's also heart wrenching and suspenseful. But if I get too much into it, I'll start getting worked up about the details and that's just something readers should experience for themselves. As for characters, Mahtab and Gromer are my favorites by a landslide. A pair of siblings that love each other dearly but can't quite reach meet each other where they're at? Sign me up. It's a delicious dynamic every time. What more to say? The characters all feel real. They have substance. You'll want to throttle half the characters as much as you want to give them a hug and I think that's beautiful. I wanted to throw rocks at Owain almost every time he was on the page and I wouldn't want him any other way. There's so much I feel like I could say about these characters and none of what I would say does justice to the actual book. Mahtab's grief and love and joy are some of the most compelling things I've read in a while. Gawain's determination and passion are palpable.
All I can really say is that everyone needs to read this book!! It's incredible and I love it. This is a book for old and new fans of Arthurian literature and I swear it won't disappoint.
July 6, 2025
In this retelling, you are swept into a gorgeous tapestry where Arthurian legends entwine with the rich complexities of Persian mythology, it is a timeless tale for those who believe in the legends of old.
The characters are written in great depth and complexity, Sir Gawain of Orkney, is written with multidimensional grace. The story follows him as a challenge from Sir Gromer Somer Joure, a Persian knight, draws him far beyond the familiar mists of Camelot. However, it is Gromer’s formidable sister, Osti Mahtab, who emerges as the novel’s true revelation. Mahtab, a Zoroastrian widow is extremely intelligent and morally resolute, she despises violence and the men who seek glory through it.
The dynamic between Gawain and Mahtab is nuanced and compelling—what begins as an adversarial soon becomes a dance of intellect, faith, and reluctant admiration.
The melding of Persian and Arthurian folklore creates a dazzling mosaic of cultures and philosophies. The familiar motifs of courtly love, quest, and sacrifice are imbued with new meaning as Zoroastrian ethics and Arthurian honor come into dialogue. This is a story that is both familiar to lovers of the Round Table and thrillingly inventive, expanding the mythos in unexpected directions.
The prose is evocative and lyrical, evoking the nights of ancient cities and the stark beauty of the open desert. L.R. Tourmaline/s command of atmosphere is matched by an empathetic treatment of character, grounding legendary figures in recognizable, deeply human struggles.
The characters are written in great depth and complexity, Sir Gawain of Orkney, is written with multidimensional grace. The story follows him as a challenge from Sir Gromer Somer Joure, a Persian knight, draws him far beyond the familiar mists of Camelot. However, it is Gromer’s formidable sister, Osti Mahtab, who emerges as the novel’s true revelation. Mahtab, a Zoroastrian widow is extremely intelligent and morally resolute, she despises violence and the men who seek glory through it.
The dynamic between Gawain and Mahtab is nuanced and compelling—what begins as an adversarial soon becomes a dance of intellect, faith, and reluctant admiration.
The melding of Persian and Arthurian folklore creates a dazzling mosaic of cultures and philosophies. The familiar motifs of courtly love, quest, and sacrifice are imbued with new meaning as Zoroastrian ethics and Arthurian honor come into dialogue. This is a story that is both familiar to lovers of the Round Table and thrillingly inventive, expanding the mythos in unexpected directions.
The prose is evocative and lyrical, evoking the nights of ancient cities and the stark beauty of the open desert. L.R. Tourmaline/s command of atmosphere is matched by an empathetic treatment of character, grounding legendary figures in recognizable, deeply human struggles.
Want to read
May 29, 2025this is going to be the retelling ever <3
Want to read
May 30, 2025Can't wait to read what promises to be a beautiful, queer celebration of arthurian literary tradition!
June 1, 2025
Many thanks to the author for sending me an ARC copy to review!
First off; a true roller coaster of emotions, it's funny and witty, tooth-achingly sweet and heartfelt, and devastating all at the same time. Destroyed me 11/10. Actually the hardest I ever cried reading a book, which is something considering this is the first installment of L.R Tourmaline's Elegy of the Empire series.
I'm a longtime Arthuriana fan, so I'm precisely the target audience for this. I loooove love the characterizations. I always liked Gawain, but he wasn't a favorite for the longest time UNTIL I've read this book. He has so much personality and his POV is a delight to read, he's charming, witty, and funny, and I adore his relationship with his kinsmen, Gaheris and Owain. Some of the funniest scenes in this book are from those three! One of the things I really appreciate is just how incredibly in depth the characters are, both in their personality, or rather, their personhood and their ideals, alongside their various interpersonal relationships
Gawain and Mahtab's character voice is also incredibly strong, if there's one thing L.R Tourmaline is good at, it's puttiing the reader into their shoes. I feel Mahtab's frustration yet endless love for her little brother, Vishtapa/Gromer, and I feel the butterflies Gawain gets whenever he's entranced by Mahtab's cunning and beauty. There's so much detail in the book, but it always has meaning no matter how small it is. If there's something mentioned, it always has purpose. It's the kind of book that warrants a reread just to pick up on other things I may have missed.
I'm trying to keep this as spoiler free as much as possible, but another thing that I deeply appreciate is just Mahtab's character in general. She's got to be my favorite character in this book. All other books that claim to be a feminist retelling pales in comparison, Mahtab's struggles, emotions, her insecurities, her love for her family and those around her, her hopes and dreams, her pride, etc, It all feels so incredibly real and raw. It's hard for me to describe how utterly emotional I felt reading her POVs, like I said it's truly something you have to experience for yourself.
All in all, I love it. Easily one of my top favorite reads of 2025. Never have been crushed so utterly but also so uplifted by a book. As a queer person I honestly felt so seen and touched by it. I look forward to see how Gawain and Mahtab's journey unfolds and the rest of the Elegy of the Empire series!
First off; a true roller coaster of emotions, it's funny and witty, tooth-achingly sweet and heartfelt, and devastating all at the same time. Destroyed me 11/10. Actually the hardest I ever cried reading a book, which is something considering this is the first installment of L.R Tourmaline's Elegy of the Empire series.
I'm a longtime Arthuriana fan, so I'm precisely the target audience for this. I loooove love the characterizations. I always liked Gawain, but he wasn't a favorite for the longest time UNTIL I've read this book. He has so much personality and his POV is a delight to read, he's charming, witty, and funny, and I adore his relationship with his kinsmen, Gaheris and Owain. Some of the funniest scenes in this book are from those three! One of the things I really appreciate is just how incredibly in depth the characters are, both in their personality, or rather, their personhood and their ideals, alongside their various interpersonal relationships
Gawain and Mahtab's character voice is also incredibly strong, if there's one thing L.R Tourmaline is good at, it's puttiing the reader into their shoes. I feel Mahtab's frustration yet endless love for her little brother, Vishtapa/Gromer, and I feel the butterflies Gawain gets whenever he's entranced by Mahtab's cunning and beauty. There's so much detail in the book, but it always has meaning no matter how small it is. If there's something mentioned, it always has purpose. It's the kind of book that warrants a reread just to pick up on other things I may have missed.
I'm trying to keep this as spoiler free as much as possible, but another thing that I deeply appreciate is just Mahtab's character in general. She's got to be my favorite character in this book. All other books that claim to be a feminist retelling pales in comparison, Mahtab's struggles, emotions, her insecurities, her love for her family and those around her, her hopes and dreams, her pride, etc, It all feels so incredibly real and raw. It's hard for me to describe how utterly emotional I felt reading her POVs, like I said it's truly something you have to experience for yourself.
All in all, I love it. Easily one of my top favorite reads of 2025. Never have been crushed so utterly but also so uplifted by a book. As a queer person I honestly felt so seen and touched by it. I look forward to see how Gawain and Mahtab's journey unfolds and the rest of the Elegy of the Empire series!
May 29, 2025
With the proviso that I received an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) ‘The Moonlit Knight’ promises to be a story that will stick with you forever. Inspired by Chaucer's ‘The Wife of Bath' as well as The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle’ L.R. Tourmaline's fresh take on Arthur legend is sure to keep you gripped.
Gawain, after accepting a dangerous challenge from a mysterious Knight, Gromer Somer Joure travels to Persian with his brother, Gaheris, and cousin, Owain, in order to take it up. Placed in direct opposition with him is Osti Mahtab, Gromer's older sister, who finds herself in turns both captivated and intrigued by the Orcadian Knight. An intricately plotted slow-burn commences between the two, leading to a climax that's as thrilling as it is heartbreaking.
Both Gawain and Mahtab's POVS are vividly rendered, highlighting their respective cultures and how they see the world around them. I particularly enjoyed how cultural differences are shown through the differences of their POV's in regards to various fruits and animals (peahens, for example), as well as how vivid their voices are. Mahtab, to me, is a particular stand-out. Vivid and rich, the way she sees her world is gloriously articulate, and she truly is a force of nature. At once both tender and forthright, her whole arc examines a woman's place within Persian society, as well as love and how she sees herself. Her whole relationship with Gawain is a joy. The Shantraj scene is a particular stand-out as it lays bare their respective ideas, as well as the beginnings of their relationship. Equally, I’d say Owain's cattiness is another highlight, and seeing how his relationship with Gawain shifts over the course of the novel is a delight. Also, Anahid. Just Anahid. Any woman who threatens to drown a man is an instant win for me. She's a joy. I promise you, no character is wasted here.
Written with beautiful clarity, gorgeous prose emulating the works that so inspired it, and interrogating various topics such as PTSD, sexuality, religion, and familial ties, I cannot recommend this book enough.
Gawain, after accepting a dangerous challenge from a mysterious Knight, Gromer Somer Joure travels to Persian with his brother, Gaheris, and cousin, Owain, in order to take it up. Placed in direct opposition with him is Osti Mahtab, Gromer's older sister, who finds herself in turns both captivated and intrigued by the Orcadian Knight. An intricately plotted slow-burn commences between the two, leading to a climax that's as thrilling as it is heartbreaking.
Both Gawain and Mahtab's POVS are vividly rendered, highlighting their respective cultures and how they see the world around them. I particularly enjoyed how cultural differences are shown through the differences of their POV's in regards to various fruits and animals (peahens, for example), as well as how vivid their voices are. Mahtab, to me, is a particular stand-out. Vivid and rich, the way she sees her world is gloriously articulate, and she truly is a force of nature. At once both tender and forthright, her whole arc examines a woman's place within Persian society, as well as love and how she sees herself. Her whole relationship with Gawain is a joy. The Shantraj scene is a particular stand-out as it lays bare their respective ideas, as well as the beginnings of their relationship. Equally, I’d say Owain's cattiness is another highlight, and seeing how his relationship with Gawain shifts over the course of the novel is a delight. Also, Anahid. Just Anahid. Any woman who threatens to drown a man is an instant win for me. She's a joy. I promise you, no character is wasted here.
Written with beautiful clarity, gorgeous prose emulating the works that so inspired it, and interrogating various topics such as PTSD, sexuality, religion, and familial ties, I cannot recommend this book enough.
June 1, 2025
The author has provided me with an ARC (advanced reader copy) and this is my honest review.
I am an avid Arthurian legend retelling enjoyer, and this book has cleared my favorites list and has gone straight to the top. Tourmaline does something extraordinary here, taking readers on a mystifying fantasy to faraway lands not typically showcased in modern renditions of Arthurian tales.
There is something for everyone here: if you’re new to Arthurian stories, you’ll be instantly sucked in to the fantasy world of magic, the erotic and ecstatic adventures of Sir Gawain, and an inspiring but flawed female heroine of many names, Mahtab. Tourmaline also contextualizes chapter by chapter her sources from medieval literature, giving readers the opportunity to dive for more if they wish. If you’re like me, and have spent years poring over every modern retelling you can get your hands on, you will find not only Easter eggs from often-neglected texts, but plot-driving items that will have you pointing at the pages and telling anyone who will listen, ‘I can’t believe the author included this!’
This book explores themes of sexuality in such a tactful, nuanced and exhilarating way; it brings fictional and historical figures directly to us, making them more relatable to the modern reader, deepening the connection between reader and subject. On my bookshelf, I often find the same vague, watered-down mentions of mlm with no real impact to plot or real engagement. Not here- sexuality is explicitly there with complex relationships, real-world consequences and love so unique and thick you can feel it.
I can’t wait to read this again and again and again. Every little detail matters, and everything ties together in a fulfilling, emotional and addicting story. I am on the edge of my seat for more. You will not regret this read!
I am an avid Arthurian legend retelling enjoyer, and this book has cleared my favorites list and has gone straight to the top. Tourmaline does something extraordinary here, taking readers on a mystifying fantasy to faraway lands not typically showcased in modern renditions of Arthurian tales.
There is something for everyone here: if you’re new to Arthurian stories, you’ll be instantly sucked in to the fantasy world of magic, the erotic and ecstatic adventures of Sir Gawain, and an inspiring but flawed female heroine of many names, Mahtab. Tourmaline also contextualizes chapter by chapter her sources from medieval literature, giving readers the opportunity to dive for more if they wish. If you’re like me, and have spent years poring over every modern retelling you can get your hands on, you will find not only Easter eggs from often-neglected texts, but plot-driving items that will have you pointing at the pages and telling anyone who will listen, ‘I can’t believe the author included this!’
This book explores themes of sexuality in such a tactful, nuanced and exhilarating way; it brings fictional and historical figures directly to us, making them more relatable to the modern reader, deepening the connection between reader and subject. On my bookshelf, I often find the same vague, watered-down mentions of mlm with no real impact to plot or real engagement. Not here- sexuality is explicitly there with complex relationships, real-world consequences and love so unique and thick you can feel it.
I can’t wait to read this again and again and again. Every little detail matters, and everything ties together in a fulfilling, emotional and addicting story. I am on the edge of my seat for more. You will not regret this read!
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