A review by kayshiddenshelf
The Knight of the Moon by Gregory Kontaxis

dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

4/5 Stars 

I received an eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Honour, romance, cruelty, and high stakes. This is the kind of novella that will leave you wanting more. 

The Knight of the Moon is a prequel novella to The Dance of the Light series by Gregory Kontaxis. Taking readers back seventeen years to the beginnings of Walter’s insurrection and giving background to John the Long Arm from The Return of the Knights. 

John is a famous bounty hunter in the north and has been tasked with tracking down a Knight who has forsaken their vows to the kingdom and ruler. 

Something I had mentioned in my review of The Return of the Knights was how the story was more plot driven and relied on telling rather than showing. With the novella, it was a delight to see how the author’s writing has grown. From balancing character and plot driven storytelling to depth with the character work, Gregory Kontaxis demonstrates exactly why he is an author to watch. 

Throughout the story we follow two POV’s from John and Nemesis. I enjoyed learning more about John’s past and what led him to the kind of man he is in The Return of the Knight. Seeing John’s journey, relationships, and the choices he’s faced with was captivating and I loved the complexity we see with his character. 

We’re also introduced to a new character named Nemesis. An angry young woman who is faced with a terrible choice. While I both enjoyed and struggled with her character at times, she remains memorable.  

Despite the brevity of a novella there was exploration of deeper themes including self-discovery, oppression, and the meaning of honour alongside travel, some action, and even impactful dark moments. 

Overall, this was an enjoyable read and left me excited for more stories from the author.