“Like the moon and the tide, the closer he got to her, the closer he wanted her.”

A witch and the man who hunts her falling for one another…
Out of this world tension and angst…
Banter that will have you kicking your feet and giggling like a little school girl…
Secrets that when revealed, will absolutely blow your mind…

Heartless Hunter has it all and truly was phenomenal from beginning to end. I’m already contemplating reading this one all over again even though the ending left me a sobbing mess.

I went into this book pretty blind and I’m so glad I did! If you are looking for a true enemies to lovers, this is the one! It was done so well. I read this so incredibly fast. I couldn’t put it down because I had to know what was going to happen. The world was enchanting and not overly complex, but still definitely kept me intrigued! I loved the characters, the storyline, and that ending! Wow.

I had two small things that brought it down a touch for me… there wasn’t much action at all and without giving anything away, I think for the plot of this one, I would like to have seen more… and there was one thing mentioned several times that gave me the ick.

I’m excited for book 2 to see where this story goes! Thank you for the advanced copy!

Absolutely perfect 5 stars!!! I had a pause at the beginning of February due of work errands, but nearly the due date I had to binge read this book! I am in love Kristen's writing and her unique of a witch x witch hunter romance! It was pretty intense at the end. I need book 2 now!! 😭😭😭

[ DNF @ 36% ] Unfortunately, this wasn't a witch x witch hunter book I could finish. The premise and cover drew me in and made me interested in reading this story. I wasn't enjoying it at all.

That first line? Wow, a great and effective hook to capture the reader's attention even as it gave me a sense of foreboding.

I don't see how a more than physical relationship could be possible given where both main characters are coming from and the trauma they carry. Gideon vehemently despises everything Rune is (a witch). His killing of the sister witch queens led to a bloody and violent revolution against witches and the death of the most important person in Rune's life (at the time) and countless others. Rune is also secretly trying to rescue any witches who haven't been purged while maintaining the persona of a typical wealthy girl and loyal citizen of the new republic. Their respective plans under the guise of a fake courtship just seem doomed to fail.

Based on the writing, world-building, fast pace and tension, I do see why "Heartless Hunter" has been so highly rated and raved about. Sadly, some things I couldn't get past, which made for a gloomy reading experience.

Maybe I'll pick up where I left off at a later date? Not sure. I'm kind of curious about what more there could be beneath the surface that has the potential to shake things up again. I'm sure if I kept reading I'd learn the answers to my questions and doubts. But for now, it's a DNF for me.

Rune is a witch who lives in fear of revealing her identity at the risk of being hunted and killed. so because of this she keeps her secrets as best she can, while also doubling as the “Crimson Moth” a vigilante witch who helps free and save witches who are being sent to their deaths. now onto Gideon, he’s a witch hunter who’s job as the captain of the bloodguard is to do just that— hunt witches. Gideon is hellbent on finding this Crimson Moth’s true identity without realizing she’s closer than he thinks.. he’s doesn’t want to believe that Rune is this vigilante despite his suspicions and because of this he and Rune fall into a intense game of cat and mouse while they continue to circle and corner each other at every turn. I really enjoyed this book and after that cliffhanger ending I'm more than willing to read it’s sequel

I really enjoyed this book. It was a super easy and entertaining read that managed to pull me into the world and keep me engaged. This book didn't reinvent the wheel, but it did what it was meant to do quite well.

Perhaps it could be criticized for it's simplicity and predicability, but I found it to be just right for what it is. Easy to breeze through and read in a few hours. Pure entertainment. That being said if you're looking for intense world building, complex magic systems, or deep character development, this isn't that.

That being said, I liked the characters and I understood their motivations. Everyone was easy to root for despite often being on opposite sides of the main conflict. No one read as annoying, obtuse, or irrational/erratic; which I find happens often in books to propel story lines.

I look forward to reading the sequel!

Heartless Hunter is a fast-paced and addicting fantasy novel that catapults you into a high-stakes cat-and-mouse chase between a vigilante witch hiding her true identity and the witch hunter determined to capture her.

Rune is an aristocrat who came into her witch powers after the reign of the Witch Queens ended violently, with the queens’ death and all known witches rounded up to be “purged”. Although her public image is one of a wealthy and shallow socialite, her secret life as the elusive Crimson Moth involves rescuing witches before they are sent to their deaths. Gideon is the witch hunter in charge of capturing the remaining witches in hiding, ensuring that their powers can never be unleashed on society again. His nemesis is the Crimson Moth, and he will stop at nothing to find and eliminate her threat once and for all. When one of Rune’s attempts involving a witch close to her family goes awry, she realizes that she needs information from Gideon in order to complete her mission. In the meantime, Gideon discovers that Rune may be the Crimson Moth and enters into her social circle to get closer to her. As they begin to court, lines become blurred and feelings begin to surface… and both must figure out what is the truth and who is winning this deadly game after all.

This is the first book in a young/new adult duology and let me tell you…I am hooked. The world-building is absolutely fantastic. I enjoyed all of the details about the levels of spells and the intricacies of casting performed by the witches, and how their powers can be used for good or evil. There is hatred, conflict, and tension between the witches and humans, with both sides grieving those they’ve lost and acting to protect the ones who remain. I absolutely loved the relationship and tension between Gideon and Rune. The scenes that they have together are so good! Both of their backstories reveal hurt and trauma from their pasts, as well as the reasons behind why both are so determined that their missions succeed. There’s so much chemistry between the two of them throughout the book, and I enjoyed the whole enemies to lovers development.

There’s action throughout the novel, and I found myself flying through the book. There’s definitely a cliffhanger of an ending, and I’m not sure about some of the choices that both characters make towards the end. But I am completely invested and I can't wait to read the second book!

Rating 4.5/5

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an advanced copy, in exchange for my honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and had a great time reading it! It's a fun, true enemies-to-lovers story with deceptive games and tons of angst. Rune is a witch, and Gideon is the witch hunter that's been on her tail for 2 years but he's not certain it's her. They play a sort of cat and mouse game with each other in order to gain information. Both pretending to court the other. What they didn't expect was for it to become more than just pretend.

This story was so easy to read and had such an intriguing magical system. The world building and magic explanations were simple enough, and overall, it made for a fun reading experience. The only thing I can say is that some of the plot twists are a bit predictable, but that doesn't make it any less entertaining. It does leave on a cliffhanger, and I'm very excited to find out what's to come. This is a solid 4.5☆ for me.

There is a LOT to love about this book. There are witches in hiding, an enemies to lovers (to enemies?) trope, a bit of a love triangle, and oh so much more! I was absolutely taken by the Crimson Moth, and absolutely loved Gideon's obsession in uncovering the identity. And when we got to the romancing? Ooof! Gideon, be still my heart! He's endgame material.

"But a girl who could outwit him thrilled Gideon too much to deny."
Yes, please! Give into that chase!

There are a few things I did not like about this book. The first is a mixed-feelings statement. I loved the unconventional method of spell casting; however, I am utterly repulsed by my OWN. So I really wanted to be sick just thinking about somebody using it to cast. (I don't want to say what I'm referring to... If you know, you know.)

The second is actually a big ole issue that I have with the book. As I read an uncorrected copy, I sincerely hope this is edited out. A main character ADMITS something to another main character, and it's treated like nothing was said at all. Is this an editing issue? Also, is it Annalise or Analise? It's spelled two different ways in this book. (My fingers are crossed that both of these things are corrected in the final copy!)

Verity admits to Rune, in Chapter 35, that her sisters are Elowyn and Annalise. But there's zero reaction out of Rune. It's like the author didn't mean to name-drop. I waited until the end, wondering if Verity was going to admit that she spelled Rune to forget... But nothing. So dear editors, author, anybody- please fix that. It's this paragraph- "My stepfather used her fragile state against her, convincing her that Annalise and Elowyn were jealous. That they had struck the baby dead... She sided with him over her own daughters." This entire section makes it obvious that Verity's sisters are the former queens. And Rune's reaction? "No wonder Verity hated her parents." Not- OMG You're related to them?

To be honest, though, I knew what the reveal was before this mistake in writing. The real reason I gave it four stars actually has to do with the blood source. Please tell me it's not used in book two! It's really creative - big kudos for that - but it repulses me.

With that said, I really encourage everybody who loves romantasy, enemies to lovers, witches versus witch hunters, and brooding male leads to give this book a go! Gideon is amazing, and we all deserve a partner like him!

I absolutely loved this book! It was fresh and different, and not a carbon copy of every other Enemies to Lovers Romantasy.
That being said, each of the twists was well-foreshadowed, and were not unexpected. I'm not a reader who demands to be surprised, so this didn't bother me. In fact, I thought it was well done that each twist felt natural, and made sense within the worlds and characters. But for readers who desperately want twists that surprise them, this might miss the mark.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Coming up on its release date (tomorrow, 2/20!), I urge you to rush out and grab this as soon as the stores open!! This was also a February 2024 BOTM pick, and well-deserving of it!

That was a wild ride. I had a couple of hang ups with some plot choices that made me hold back on my rating a little bit but the story had me wanting to find out what happens next and I will most certainly be reading the next book. Overall it was very entertaining! I loved the enemies to lovers situation and all of the dramatic moments definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. I also cried so that’s always a win for me.

Side Note: I personally do not think this book should be marketed as teen/YA. Please check content warnings.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for this ARC.

I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What a mesmerizing tale of courage, love, and sacrifice set in a richly imagined fantasy world. It was dark and gothic and just beautifully written! The world-building was simple yet the characters had such depth.

Ciccarelli weaves a spellbinding narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. Rune’s journey from a reluctant hero to a fearless leader is both poignant and inspiring, making this a must-read if you are a fantasy lover. The witch hunter hunting the witch made for an epic enemies to lovers cat and mouse game! Ooh, the betrayal! The hunter fell in love with the hunted.

Ciccarelli’s lyrical prose and masterful storytelling make “Heartless Hunter” a fantasy gem! That ending….WHAT?! Absolutely epic. I can’t wait for Crimson Moth #2!

Heartless Hunter is a fun take on witches, banned magic and forbidden romance. I liked that there was a dual POV and that each POV was entertaining in its own way. Rune was an interesting protagonist who is quite skilled at donning masks to fool people into thinking she’s something she’s not. I really love it when two characters are using each other for their own gain and make horrible assumptions about the other. Then watching as things get complicated when they begin to realize that those assumptions are wrong. Add to that a slow burn, witch/witch hunter dynamic and I’m hooked. The plot was fast paced but the romance could have had more depth. There was a lot of good action, and I liked how the magic system was incorporated. The cat and mouse aspect had me on the edge of my seat at times. Lots of scheming and deception was constantly happening. The twist was so good. I did not see it coming and it left me wanting even more. I’m definitely looking forward to book 2.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for providing an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.25 stars

She was a witch. He was a witch hunter. Can I make it any more obvious?

After magic has been outlawed & any known witch killed, Rune Winters has no choice but to practice magic in secret. Over the past two years she's dedicated her life to saving witches from the Blood Guard's clutches under the moniker Crimson Moth.
Gideon, captain of the Blood Guard, has spent his time trying to capture the Crimson Moth, and he's closing in. Suspecting Rune might know the Moth (or might even be her), Gideon begins courting Rune in an effort to try to find out if she is a witch or not.

This was a great start to a series and was much more fast-paced than I was thinking it would be! It definitely leans heavily towards the romance aspect of romantasy, and I really did enjoy the romance. I think the magic system is intriguing and honestly wish it could have been explored a little more. Dare I say the book could have been longer?

I had such a fun time reading this book and am highly anticipating the sequel!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I devoured this book. It had some of my favorite tropes: enemies to lovers and fake dating (although it was a twist on that, since the other didn’t know if they were actually in it for real or not). I loved Gideon Sharpe and the complicated character that he was. I adored Rune and thought she was absolutely the best- had such a wonderful heart and was incredibly smart and brave. And my heart felt for Alex, who was the typical friend-zoned final side of this love triangle.

This had a moderately fast pace, as there was a bit of a background mystery developing, and the love story between Gideon and Rune kept me hooked. I loved the creativity of Rune’s plans to help save witches and how she got out of plans gone wrong, as well.

Overall a GREAT book if you like fantasy, witchiness, and enemies to lovers!

Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC of this book! All opinions are my own.

Heartless Hunter is a young adult fantasy about a witch hiding in plain sight on an island that has purged them and dethroned their queens. Her days pretending to be a vapid aristocrat by day while she rescues imprisoned witches at night are numbered when a hunter zeroes in on her as a suspect.

Rune Winters has lived alone as a wealthy heiress since her adopted grandmother was sentenced to death as a witch two years earlier. She has allowed the new government and their army the “Blood Guard” to believe she is a patriot with nothing more than frivolity on her mind while she secretly operates to rescue witches from prison as the “Crimson Moth”. But when her best friend’s older brother and Blood Guard captain (Gideon Sharpe) adds Rune’s name to the top of his suspect list the two will play a game of cat-and-mouse game trying to pull each other in for information without giving in to their increasing attraction. Gideon has no love for witches after one of their queens destroyed his family and enslaved him. And Rune can’t give up on rescuing more witches after she let her grandmother sacrifice herself to save her.

Heartless Hunter is an exciting and romantic fantasy with a strong enemies to lovers plot. Rune is trapped in her role as the savior of witches even if it means eventually she could lose her own life. Only her best friends Alex Sharpe and Verity de Wilde know her true identity and playing the different roles of socialite and the Crimson Moth has left her not knowing who the real Rune is. Gideon had everything taken from him by the witch queen Cressida and he is determined to keep his people out from under their rule again even if it means seducing the girl his brother loves. The chemistry and tension between Rune and Gideon make the book a page turning read. There is never a dull moment in the plot as the story leads to a devastating conclusion and sets up the next book. I can’t wait to see where the story takes us next!

5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli is the most anticipated book of this year. The cover of this book is just gorgeous!!! A romantasy, this book has a lot of elements that will capture a lot of readers. Expected Publication of this book is February 20th, 2024.

Rune is an aristocrat and a celebrity or so she wants everyone to think. The synopsis of the book kind of tells the reader a major part of the book, but the thrill of the book is to find out why Rune has to pretend. Gideon is a witch hunter, but why does he hunt witches?

Rune and Gideon are well developed characters. My favorite fantasy series is The Black Jewel series, and Gideon had shades of Daemon, which fascinated me to know more. I hope that in the next book, we know more about the magic system of this world. Though there is enough backstory, I want to know more about this world. This book is said to be YA, but I feel some of the story is a little more mature for that age bracket. It's more of NA than YA. Nonetheless, paying heed to all the content warnings would be good. Overall, I enjoyed the book and look forward to the next one in the series.

Thank you St.Martin's Press @stmartinspress and Wednesday Books @wednesdaybooks , for this book.

CW: Violence, killing of women, blood, SA, hunting, self-harm

First book in a romantasy duology and it’s a good one. A kingdom that has overthrown the rule of witches and a cunning game between a witch(Rune) and a witch hunter(Gideon). Feelings get in the way of these two emotionally scarred people while they try to outmaneuver each other. There are many twists and turns and not everyone is who they appear to be. Add in a heartbreaking cliff hanger that makes you want to read more right now! Looking forward to book 2. Thank you very much Netgalley, St Martins Press and Kristen Ciccarelli.

Alex protects her.
Gideon hunts her.
Both love her.

This fantasy has all the great markers for a great read and no clear resolution to the predicament Rune has gotten herself into.

In this world, if you’re a witch you’re marked for death no matter if you are evil or not. Rune hides in plain sight as a rich socialite but is the Crimson Moth who helps free other witches.

There’s angst, betrayal, action, and a fun enemies-to-lovers vibe.

I enjoyed this book and I will be looking forward to more …