I actually have no words. This book was everything I could have hoped for and more, and I truly have no idea how I’m meant to wait for the next one. The story was incredible, and the game of cat and mouse between witch and witch hunter had me on my toes the entire book. The plot twists gave me whiplash (in the best way), and the cliff hanger actually has me begging for more. This has easily become one of my favourite books and I can’t wait to see what Kristen has in store for book 2!

A witch hiding in plain sight, and a hunter searching for her desperately. Rune has been risking her life to save witches ever since she was forced to turn in her own Nan for witchcraft. With her closest friends, Alex and Verity, she does her best to learn and protect as many as she can.

But Gideon is determined to stop her. His search for the Crimson Moth has consumed him, and while he suspects that she and Rune may be one and the same, he has no solid proof. As he gets closer to Rune, he questions his own motives, and where the line between fiction and reality lies.

This was so good. It was emotional and exciting, and had some twists that I never expected!

(4/5 stars) The way I devoured this book in two sittings (that would have been one if I started it early enough in the day)!! The twists and turns in this book had me trying to guess how it would end, and the (enemies to lovers)^2 potential has me begging for the next book in the series to come out. I want more character development, more intrigue, more world-building, more magic, more romance, more everything in the next book!

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy.

Heartless Hunter is the first book in a new duology about a secret witch and a witch hunter. Rune is a socialite, living a life of gossip and fancy parties by day and sneaking witches off their island as the Crimson Moth by night. Gideon is a young but successful witch hunter with a tragic past and is determined to bring the Crimson Moth down. When he suspects that Rune is involved with/is the Crimson Moth he decides to court her to get close to her and she chases him back to get insider info on captured witches. Instead feelings get involved.

Everything about this set up is great. I liked the world building. The magic system was unique although at times it felt sidelined. There isn't a lot of magic use in this book but I expect that to change in the second. The good thing is the system well bounded with limitations, rules and plenty of ways things can go wrong.

Rune was a fun main character. I liked her probably more than anyone else. I thought she was tough but sometimes her characterization fell a little when she didn't come across as smart as the story wanted her to be. Gideon was well established. I didn't always like him but I understood him. Alex and Verity were okay. I had some difficulty with the side characters.

Things I didn't exactly love (or hate):
The romance, while tense and angsty, was rushed a bit. A couple more (vulnerable/cute) scenes between Gideon and Rune would have sold their connection more.

This is marketed as YA and it just doesn't feel YA. I don't know how to explain it.

Harrow??? Why was this person pushing a sexual assault survivor to sleep with someone for information. Gross, gross, gross. Did not like that character at all.

3.5 stars probably. Would read the sequel. In fact I need to know what happens next now even though this book was just published.

Heartless Hunter absolutely stole my heart, my emotions, and my awe. I could not put this book down for a second once I started. This book deserves SO much more hype because it gripped me with emotions the entire time.

Rune, our little witch. Everything she does is purely for those she loves and the cause she truly believes in. I could not help but stand behind her and fight with her. On the other side, Gideon, oh Gideon… you brute you. I love everything he stands for. He’s so conflicted, yet always sticks to his morals and I have to admire him for that.

Also.... witch and which hunter who "pretend" to date, try to play each other, but then love bests both of them. Hellllooooo.... I eat this stuff for breakfast and wanted eighteen bowls of it. Also, the last 20% of this book is a doozy. My heart was all over the place. However, Heartless Hunter was just everything. I cannot wait for book two. I need all the damage that Kristen created fixed… I hope.

Captivating from the very first page, this is a thrilling tale of seduction and suspense between a witch and witch hunter. With its richly drawn characters and pulse-pounding plot, Heartless Hunter is a must-read for anyone craving an intoxicating blend of passion and danger.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an ARC of "Heartless Hunter" by Kristen Ciccarelli. This book is utterly addictive. Once I picked it up, I literally couldn't put it down until it was over. The greatest strength of this book lies in its compelling characters. Each one is distinct and memorable, and the dynamics between them keep you hooked. Rune herself is an incredible main character. She's clever and strong, but what truly shines is her compassionate motivation that drives her to put herself in perilous situations for others.

Of course, the romance is the primary draw for many readers (myself included), and boy, does it deliver. There's nothing quite like a dramatic slow burn, spiced up with a healthy dose of enemies-to-lovers tension. The witch/witch-hunter dynamic is always a favorite of mine (shoutout to "Serpent and Dove" for getting me hooked on this trope). The relationship between Rune and Gideon is complete with witty banter and genuine emotion that kept me turning the pages late into the night.

Overall, "Heartless Hunter" stands out among recent YA titles and delivers a powerful and addictive storyline. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone even remotely intrigued by the synopsis.

This was so much fun!! The banter was on point!! I loved the tension, the pining and the "will they won't they" moments that seemed never ending 💀 This was just overall so much fun that I just blasted right thru it.

Two years ago Rune Winters’ life was forever changed. The witch queens were overthrown, witches outlawed and Rune was forced to bear witness to her Nan’s death. She has been living a lie ever since - hiding in plain site pretending to be a shallow anti-witch society girl, while at the same time saving as many witches as she can as the Crimson Moth. After failing in a task, she is forced to get close the witch hunter himself to save everything she cares about. Can she tread the line between what’s real and what’s not?

This was a great quick read. It kept me turning the pages wondering what next thing was going to turn Rune’s plans askew. The novel does a great job of progressing the story through subtle clues and by switching perspectives between Rune and the witch hunter. The romance thread drives the story as well and provides the heart of the novel - about who we really are inside beyond the tragedies that shape us. 5 stars.

Review based on a digital Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books and NetGalley. Thank you!

Thank you St. Martin's Press and Wednesday Books for the ARC!

What a great start to a new series! This one had me excited all the way through, and left me dying for the next book. I don't want to wait!!

If you're looking for morally questionable characters (my fav) and a thrilling ride with some romance and drama, this is IT. You don't want to miss out on this series!

This book had very similar vibes to Serpent & Dove — which I wanted to love and ended up HATING — and so I gave it a go, hoping for a better outcome. Thankfully it hit the marks that Shelby missed. Thank you so much and I can’t wait for my special editions from Fairyloot and Owlcrate.

Wow, where do I even start with this book? "Heartless Hunter" by Kristen Ciccarelli had me hooked from page one. The tension between the main characters, especially Rune and Gideon, kept me glued to the pages. Their dynamic was electric, filled with conflict and sparks that made every interaction crackle with intensity.

I seriously couldn't put this book down. Every chapter left me wanting more, eager to uncover the next twist or revelation.

I absolutely loved this book. The characters felt so real, the plot was gripping, and the romance was swoon-worthy. I finished it in record time and now I'm dying for the sequel.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kristen Ciccarelli, and St. Martin's Press and Wednesday Books for the opportunity to read this book early.

Heartless Hunter: Book #1-2 The Crimson Moth

By: Kristen Ciccarelli-1st time author for me

Publication date 2-20-24 , read 2-20-24

Page Count: 411 kindle

.Quick Summary: Rune is working undercover as a socialite who smuggles witches like herself away on her ships, to keep them from being purged. The New Republic hunts witches to rid the world of their magic. Rune is the Crimson Moth in the shadows and witch informant in public. Gideon is loyal to the revolution and is apart of the Blood Guard with the highest witch count. He hates them and the so called Crimson Moth. When pretty, entitled, and trivial Rune comes around, he plans to court her. He just doesn't know Rune has the same plan for him.

🤷🏾‍♀️ What to Expect:

⭐YA
⭐historical romance
⭐️ dark fantasy
⭐️ witches/witch hunters/magic
⭐️enemies to lovers
⭐️love triangle
⭐fake dating

🤔 My Thoughts: I loved this romantasy with such likable characters. Rune is fulfilling her grandmother's wishes and Gideon is avenging his past. The angst, the subterfuge, and the action kept me interested. I can't think of a better enemies to lovers trope with a love triangle thrown in. Alex is so protective and devoted to Rune, but he can't forget about his brother. I can't wait for book #2!

Rating: 5/5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books for this ARC 💙! I voluntarily give an honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.

“Scars signaled wealth and rank, most of all, magic.”

It took me until 20-25% of the book to get into it, which was a bummer. The first quarter of the book was underwhelming, it set the scene but could have done a better job. Rune and Gideon flirting with each other and using each other to their advantage was beautiful! The slow-burn enemies-to-lover vibe of the book was done perfectly! A witch and a witch-hunter that I need to be forever together. I loved how they called each other out on the stereotypes they both had. The side characters were interesting too. The twist at the end set up the sequel decently.

A note on the magic system in this book, you need blood. The blood is technically supposed to be ‘alive’ to be still active. If you are squeamish about blood, cutting/harming oneself, or cutting/harming others then you might not be able to handle this book. I do hope there will be more explorations of the magic system and maybe an alternative method.

I did have a concern that this book would mirror Serpent and Dove a lot because when I first heard the synopsis there were some similarities, but the books just have the similarities that the FMC is a witch and the MMC is a witch-hunter.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an e-ARC in return for an honest review.

This book was so gripping! I was fully immersed in the story from the first page. The world building in this book was amazing!

I loved Rune! She was so strong and independent! I could really feel the chemistry between her and Gideon. There were moments though when both of their actions frustrated me.

This book ends on a massive cliff hanger so if you read it, make sure you are prepared for it!

Overall this was a fun read and I’m looking forward to book two!

Oh my goodness!!! This one was quite the ride!!! The premise of this book really call out to me and it ended blowing me away!

Heartless Hunter is a novel where Rune is a witch and Gideon is a witch hunter. In this deliciously paced cat-and-mouse novel, you are at the edge of your seat the entire time! There’s action, political intrigue and a slow-burn romance with tension that sparks off the pages! I can’t wait for the next installment of the Crimson Moth series to be here!

My favorite romantasy of 2024!!

This enthralling kickoff of a fantasy story that masterfully blends romance and intrigue. Set in a world where the once-dominant witches are now persecuted, the story follows Rune, who plays the part of a socialite by day but by night becomes the Crimson Moth, a savior of witches. Her life gets complicated when she starts courting Gideon Sharpe, a notorious witch hunter, to protect her secret. The intricate dance of deception between Rune and Gideon, coupled with their unexpected emotional connection, makes for a riveting story. Ciccarelli's storytelling is captivating, drawing readers into a world of danger, magic, and forbidden love. This book is a must-read for fans of fantasy and romance alike, leaving me eagerly awaiting the sequel.

Thank you to the publisher, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

By day, Rune is a popular young socialite who loves to party and gossip. But by night, she becomes the Crimson Moth, a witch vigilante who rescues others of her king from being captured and killed by the Blood Guard who hunt witches. When she doesn’t make it to one of rescues in time, she decides to get the information on where the witch is being held from the best source possible – by seducing Gideon Sharpe, the Captain of the Blood Guard. Gideon hates the world of high society and wants nothing to do with a shallow socialite like Rune, but when he happens upon a clue in his search for the Crimson Moth that points to Rune, he decides to pretend to court her and find out the truth.

The first book I read by this author was The Last Namsara which was an absolute struggle to get through. But a couple of years ago, I picked up Edgewood, which sort of restored my faith in the author, so when I saw this book, I was less hesitant to try it. Plus, the premise of this book was giving me Serpent and Dove vibes so I absolutely had to check it out!

The plot was an intriguing one – an island that was once ruled by witch queens but where witches are now hunted and executed since a revolution deposed them and outlawed magic. It had its share of plot twists that were quite well done if a little predictable at times.

The world building confused me a bit as it seemed kind of Victorian starting out, but continuously included modern elements, particularly in terms of clothing and conversations, which made it a bit jarring. I guess there are no real rules when it comes to a fantasy setting, but consistency is always nice.

The magic system was an intriguing one but what I liked most about it was how well explained and logical it was. How the magic worked, its pros and cons, and its checks and balances were all clearly described and there were no instances of unexplained powers or convenient deus ex machinas.

The pacing of the book was excellent and it was very easy to get drawn into and follow along with the story. The fact that Gideon and Rune are playing the exact same strategy, lying to each other while also suspecting that the other is lying to them, trying to catch each other out in a lie, makes this a really fun cat and mouse game to read.

Rune and Gideon were both interesting well rounded characters and their arcs were fascinating to follow. The romance, while nicely written and a classic enemies to lovers, felt to me a little hasty for this plot. Rune seemed to keep forgetting that Gideon was actively trying to find proof that she was the Crimson Moth.

The ending was a complete rollercoaster with so many shocking twists – a few I saw coming but some definitely took me by surprise. I kind of wish the back and forth between Gideon and Rune could have gone on longer and that we got to see more of Rune’s exploits as the Crimson Moth since all of them took place off page and before the plot of this book began.

Overall, I absolutely loved this book and I’m really looking forward to the sequel – I can’t wait to find out what happens next. Heartless Hunter is definitely going to be one of the stand-out books of 2024 for me! If you enjoyed Serpent and Dove or romantasy novels in general, I would highly recommend this book!

5 -⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"I'm afraid you'll be the end of me, Gideon...Maybe you already are."

Heartless Hunter is the first novel in the new YA Fantasy Romance series, Crimson Moth, following Rune, a witch in hiding, and Gideon, a man determined to find the witch foiling his every attempt at capture. Two years ago a New Republic was born when revolution brought an end to witches in power. Now, witches are hunted with fervor and Rune, a darling of the republic, hides behind a facade. During the day she's a socialite but at night she is a vigilante known as the Crimson Moth, saving witches from the executioner's block.

When a rescue goes wrong, Rune is determined to find answers and she locks eyes on Gideon Sharpe, a notorious witch hunter. He see Rune as this vapid upper class woman but when he finds a tie between the Crimson Moth and Rune's ships he needs to follow the trail.

Two people pretending to pursue each other for their own pursuits are faced with the reality there is so much more to each other and as the lines blurred they must decide what if...what if what they feel is real and what if the rumours are true...

THIS BOOK!

I remember distinctly getting to around the 60% mark and setting it down to squeal with glee. I had such fun.

Rune is this character of duality as she hides behind her facade. She feels a lot of guilt as a person thriving at a time when so many of her witches suffer. I found her intelligent but also naive when things turned personal. She has such layers to her characters and watching them be peeled back was perfection.

Gideon's story and journey stuck with me. From the breadcrumbs leading up to it down to his personality and struggle to move past it. He was a male main character that took the gruffness and rough around the edge vibe we love and provided a background that made everything feel so much more profound. I love getting his POV and watching him face his traumas was a thing of beauty.

This is a YA novel but I would put the spice at 1 spicy pepper out of 5 spicy pepper. There is spice but it isn't very detailed and it is a slow burn romance as these characters don't necessarily get along in the beginning but are trying for various reasons. The banter between them sold this romance as they fought their connection and the spice brought it all the boil.

"Beautiful heiresses might court common soldiers...but they don't marry them."
"Did you just call me beautiful, Gideon?"

In terms of world and story, I was drawn in right from the beginning. The way the lore is revealed is sprinkled throughout and mixed in with the character's back stories, which I felt added to the meaning. I felt it had grit, a dash of dystopian, and magic system blended beautifully. I felt the characters were real and imperfect in all the best ways and the mystery cat and mouse game added to the tension and angst. The romance had me giddy and the ending breathless as the angst hit an all time high. The ending is HIGH tension and while you expect most of the twist they still hit you where it hurts in all the best ways.

This was an absolute lovely read and definitely a favourite of 2024 so far!

Thank you for this arc Wednesday books!

I have found myself deeply invested in this fantasy world of witches and the powerful government who hunts them. So far, this has become my favorite read of 2024. You will find yourself caught up in the enemies to lovers, cat and mouse game being played by the crimson moth and the blood guard officer...its easily a game of wits between the two and its nearly impossible to pick a side. The history and magic woven throughout the novel are not only intricate and unique but also emotional and bloody. The injustice done on both sides is revealed from the very beginning and only gains momentum as the story unwinds. I'm really looking forward to the sequel and hope it debuts this year as well.