Well, that was a great read. I had been so excited to get my hands on this book, and I'm so glad I read it. This is definitely my kind of book.
It's got everything I could need. It has a slow burn, enemies to lover romance, an interesting world of witches and witch hunters, and an interesting twist at the end that left me dying for the next book.
It was really interesting to see both Rune and Gideon's point of views, to see them both get into this to try to manipulate the others, only for them to fall for each other. Both characters have their own past that explains where they are, which I think makes it even more addicting and heart breaking at the same times. It shows how both of them, came to be who they are.
Overall, it was a really great book that I ended up devouring in an afternoon. I'm already dying for the sequel, and I can't believe I have to wait until 2025.

I picked this book up and did not want to put it down! Between the fake dating plot and the mystery of the Crimson Moth, I just had to know how it was going to play out especially for Rune. The magic system in this book was interesting. I found the world building detailed and immersive. This was my first book by Kristen Ciccarelli and I will definitely be checking out others while I eagerly wait for the next book in this duology! Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

Heartless Hunter was a fun dual-POV story between a witch and a witch hunter on opposite sides of a politically charged history. The world building with clear and intriguing, and it made for a great backdrop of cat-and-mouse played out between the main characters. It continued to pick up steam and ends with a cliff hanger that really leaves you wanting the next book immediately.

After over a month of not having the best reading luck I FINALLY got a five star read!

I’m over the moon about The Heartless Hunter. It captured me from page one and made me forget that I was reading.

I’ve read this authors books before and I’ve loved them all, so I was not surprised to love this either. She has done such an amazing job creating two introspective characters who are caught in their own traps but have solid motives for why they behave and believe as they do. I loved the push and pull and wholly believed in their chemistry.

The magic system was fantastic. There were limitations to what witches were capable of and side effects to the uses of their magic. The blood aspects were smart and effective and I really enjoyed how it played out.

The plot was great. So many moments of action alongside slower moments where the characters got to interact and make deeper connections to eachother. Those quiet moments I crave were spot on.

All in all a fantastic new adult fantasy with a firecracker finish! Gahhh I love a good cliffhanger and will be itching to get my hands on the next book.

Bloody Fantastic.

This book was amazing. It is a new favorite of the year. It had so many great moments in it. There were great romantic moments and great action moments. I love how we got two POVs so we could see the witch and the witch hunter. It was so cool getting to see each of them fight their feelings for each other but still falling in love anyway. I loved this book so much and I can't wait for the next one!

3.5 ⭐️
Spice: 🌶️ (one open door, non-explicit scene)

Gideon and Rune were the absolute, stand-out, best parts to this book. I loved them individually as characters —their insecurities, struggles, feelings, hopes and dreams —and TOGETHER they were so fun to read about. I loved the enemies to lovers, witch/witch-hunter, cat and mouse games, between them. They were funny and cute and brought out so much character development in each other.

But everything else….was really meh. The world was interesting but I don’t think we got enough background and world building to really understand and connect with the magic and political system. Some of the details and plot lines were a bit weird and confusing (again lacking some sound explanations), not to mention that she uses her period blood to do spells???? (I will never get over that). The ending made sense but was also SO QUICK.

I would definitely read the next one, but mainly because I need more Gideon and Rune please and thank you.

Thank you to St.Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the eGalley!!

Oh my gosh this was AMAZING! I couldn’t stop! This was just a fantastic read, and it hooked me in from the very first page!

why did i eat this up. to be fair, this was a 4 star in my head til 70-75% then it was equal to a train wreck, everything moving at super speed and crashing. i was dismayed like... how did we get here? the last quarter kinda ruined the book for me. insta feelings and Fate Of Alex. meh

the faking and tension was definitely the best part. while being overly predictable, the witch plot was boring. we need to variety!

I was very impressed with this book, and never wanted to put it down. Thank you so much netgalley for an arc of this book. It was easy for me to get so invested with the characters and the story. I loved it.

This was the first book I have read by Kristen Ciccarelli and I really enjoyed this book. I don't read many fantasy books but I'm so glad I got to try this one. This book is a slow burn, with enemies to lovers, witches and witch hunters. The characters were relatable and had many challenges in their past. Rune and Alex's friendship is so sweet. I loved all the sweet things Gideon did for Rune. The ending was so heartbreaking and shocking and leaves you with a cliffhanger. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book. I would definitely recommend this book!!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.

Heartless Hunter is a fascinating enemies-to-lovers tale full of magic and intrigue, a witchy game of cat-and-mouse where everything is not as it seems, and it's harder and harder for our FMC Rune to know who to trust.
✔️ Witches + witch hunters
✔️ Enemies to lovers
✔️ Love triangle (resolves by the end)
✔️ Forbidden magic
✔️ Morally grey characters
The tension that boils beneath the surface between these two characters makes it a simmering hot cat and mouse engrossing read. What do you do when you want to stay loyal to who you are but are in love with the one who wants to end your life and your kind life? I thought that the way that the witch hunter identified the witches with these condemning scars was quite interesting. I also found it funny that the brother is on the rune side, not his witch-hunting brother. A very intense story that kept me guessing till the end of what was going to happen.

If you like slow burn, enemies to lovers, witches and witch hunters, this story is for you. Beware there is a HUGE cliffhanger!

I read this book in two days, I could't put it down. The cat and mouse game between the main two characters was done so well, I was fully invested from their first interaction. The magic system was interesting and easy enough to follow along right away. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series and find out how it all turns out.

Kristen Ciccarelli is one of my favorite authors, and her newest book, Heartless Hunter has become a new favorite book of mine!

In this story, you will find a witch who masquerades as the Crimson Moth vigilante, and a witch hunter who is after her. You will quickly be captivated and enchanted. What will happen? Well.... you'll just have to read it for yourself to discover all the twists and turns and if these two will find love in each other.

Thank you to the author, publisher and @NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Heartless Hunter surprised me! I got an ARC and saw that it was a BOTM pick so I figured it was finally time to pick it up and it did not disappoint! Can’t wait for Rebel Witch, the second in this series (but we have to wait till 2025?! What gives?).

Instead of cat-and-mouse we get witch-and-witch-hunter in this stunning novel. Rune is a witch in hiding and also a witch vigilante called the Crimson Moth. She hides her identity under the guise of a vapid socialite and tries her best to learn the craft to save other witches.

Her best friends, Alex and Verity know her secret and Alex’s brother Gideon has no idea the very witch he hunts is right under his nose. But as he begins to suspect Rune, their world unravels and relationships and friendships will be tested.

I LOVED THIS! Morally grey characters, enemies to lovers, love triangle, witch and hunters! This was such an amazing book and the ending, im still crying!

Thank you to the publishers for this eARC to review. This book is a 5/5 for me, as Kristen Ciccarelli ALWAYS is for me, which is the only reason why I'm rating it. I will be withholding a full review until St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books addresses the harmful comments an employee made publicly on social media pertaining the genocide in Palestine.

I cannot wait for book two! I loved the dynamic between Gideon and Rune, each trying to deceive and outthink the other. The Magic system is intriguing, and I’m hoping we’ll get to see more if it further into the series.

Heartless Hunter was an entertaining story! I really enjoyed the mystery and the suspense! After a couple of pages I was hooked! Hopefully there will be more books based on the same characters or at least in the same world! That would be great! Happy reading!

Rune is witch, forced to hide her magic, or be purged. By day, she is a beautiful, young heiress who likes to party, gossip, and flirt. By night, she is the Crimson Moth, a vigilante hellbent on rescuing as many witches as she can from a terrible fate. When a rescue mission goes awry, Rune decides to seduce Gideon Sharpe, the Captain of the Blood Guard, in order to discover new, reliable information about the prison. Gideon in turn, decides to court Rune, as clues continue to point in the direction of her being the infamous Crimson Moth.

As the fast paced game of cat and mouse unfolds, both Gideon and Rune grow closer to the truth and the facades they have put up begin to shatter.

Read if you like:
* witches
* romance
* forbidden magic
* betrayal
* enemies to lovers
* morally gray characters

THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD. It was the most fun I’ve had reading anything in a long time.

The world building is well done - there is a stark contrast between the elitists, the underprivileged, and the witch sympathizers. The magic system is well explained and an interesting take on blood magic. I loved both Rune and Gideon’s characters, their banter, and their character development both together and as individuals. The plot twists are twisting, but the clues are there.

Heartless Hunter is an action-packed, enemies-to-lovers, romantasy that you won’t be able to put down. I can’t wait for the sequel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for a free digital copy of this book. This is my honest review. Publication date: February 20, 2024.