I don’t even know where to begin. There were so many parts that just worked so well together. I live a book that can carry both a strong plot and strong character development and this book gave both.

This book was everything! It drew me in from the first page and it was such a great ride. This was a story about a witch and witch hunter and was done right. The main characters had great chemistry and it was a true enemies to lovers romantasy. The plot was great and it had a really cool magic system. This book was action packed, suspenseful, and mysterious. It kept me guessing the whole time and had some reveals along the way that I didn’t see coming. It was my first five star read of the year and I will definitely be recommending it. I am already needing book 2 and can’t wait to see what comes next!

Well....crap I have feelings about this book. I've read everything by this author and she's always an auto read for me. I was SO excited about this book since it was announced. I love the Scarlet Pimpernel musical and the 80's movie so I was curious about this one.

Honestly, this wasn't quite what I hoped it would be. I understand that this is a fantasy romance but there are a couple glaring things that honestly should've been addressed to flesh out the story more. I feel like the Blood Guard were just humans who hunted down witches? They have special shackles sure and they can smell the magic on a witch. But there's no other special training or weapons to help these humans fight witches who have magic? That was never fully fleshed out enough.

The other thing was Rune herself. I felt like I was such at an arm's length away from her that I couldn't care enough about her. It felt like she was forced to obsess over Gideon so much that she hardly EVER thought about Alex until it was convenient for the drama of the plot. Sure they're trying to get info out of each other but it did feel a little toxic and it wasn't fully addressed. I did appreciate the complexity of Gideon; both male characters to me were much more relatable and believable than Rune. Their past was tragic and made who they are.

The last thing is a spoiler so I won't put it here but it made me angry. Rune's mindset did not feel genuine at all after events go down at the end. It feels like the publisher really pushed this fantasy romance idea but don't leave any room for thinking about other things. The weight of the ending did not fully settle into Rune and I didn't agree with that at all. Let's just say that the ending should have had much more devastation aimed in a certain direction but all the emotional reactions from both Rune and Gideon were aimed the wrong way.

I will read book two to see what will happen. But honestly, I would recommend her standalone "Edgewood" more than this one. Edgewood had much more complex emotion, heart and an overall more balanced story. I have big issues with these fantasy romance books; you need to flesh out all the players in the story and then deliver on all your promises and it wasn't for me. I still like this author a lot but I'm bummed on how this one turned out.

I thought I would love this book. I didn’t. Mind you it had everything going for it. Intrigue, romance and witches. Others obviously loved the story. I just failed to relate.

A St. Martin’s Press ARC via NetGalley.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC of Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli in exchange for my honest review. I really enjoyed this one. This is about Rune who is a witch and has done the unthinkable to hide who she really is.
It doesn’t make things better that her best friend’s brother is a witch hunter who wants nothing more than to see the crimson moth dead. His greatest mission is to find out who she really is to get rid of her once and for all.

So both Gideon and Rune need something from one another to learn the truth that they’re each trying to unveil. They both lie to deceive each other until real feelings are involved..
I really liked this story. It surprised with how emotional some moments were for me but when a book does that, that when you know it’s good. Each ending of a chapter had me needing to read the next right away. I wish there was a little more time for the romance to be developed but I’m still curious to see how the duology will continue.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

THIS WAS SO GOOD!!!!!!
I have a really hard time getting into a new book, especially one with a fantasy element. That was NOT the case with the one! I was hooked from the start and couldn't stop thinking about it. The dual POV is always a plus for me, and with the dichotomy of this storyline, it added so much richness to the storytelling and plot progression. I absolutely loved that there were twists and turns throughout - it kept me constantly guessing and fully shocked!!!!
This is an easy 5 star read for me, which is NOT common. I cannot wait to scream about this book to everyone and I will be the first in line to purchase the next installments of the series!!

Witches and magic books are my absolute favourite! This book was fantastic! I loved how the spells were placed in the book giving us a taste of them before the chapter. I loved the chemistry between the witch and which hunter. The cliffhanger left me wanting so much more.

I received this book via NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books in exchange for an honest review.

I just starting getting back into Fantasy and I absolutely devoured this read.

Reading about a witch vs witch hunter was just a fun read.

Since this book had to deal with witches and magic, I thought it was a nice touch that the spells and definition was put at the beginning of some chapters to get a better grasp on what was being used and what was it meant for. Gideon and Rune's complicated relationship was interesting to see it blossom and how difficult it was to navigate between their evil plans. Also I loved reading Alex and Rune's friendship and how he was everything she needed, but wouldn't let herself have what she thinks she doesn't deserve. I wish this was a why choose book because I loved both of these men for her. One was dangerous and the other was more like home.

The one thing I didn't really like was the insta-love in the story. I think there should of been more character building and angst. They were enemies for a long time and should of acted like it for a little longer. Also I don't like ending on a cliffhanger when I don't have the next book to read right after lol. I can't wait to read the second book in the series. I will be anxiously waiting.

Thank you Netgalley, Kristen Ciccarelli, and Publisher for letting me read an early arc, in exchange for leaving an honest review.

HEARTLESS HUNTER was a wild ride of a novel that got me out of my reading slump. This book is like Mr. and Mrs. Smith but written for a young adult audience and instead of spies, you have a witch and a witch hunter who equally need to use one another to achieve their goals. The novel was fun, angsty, and an absolutely great story.

I really enjoyed every part of this novel. I found myself invested in the story almost immediately. It started with action right away and hooked me. The characters were complex and multifaceted and the magic system that the author utilized was pretty fleshed out and made sense. There was a balance to the narrative and no part dragged. I think the author did an incredible job.

I will say that I felt some parts of the story to be predictable, but I think you have to keep in mind that it’s a YA novel. I saw some things coming a mile away, but it didn’t dampen my enjoyment of the story. I think it’s just something to keep in mind if YA isn’t 100% your thing.

I loved this story and I am itching to read the second book, even though it’s not even out yet. I think this is a book that’s going to be talked about and the hype it’s sure to get is worth it.

Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I choose this because of its’ recent popularity and hype. This isn’t the genre I’m attracted to, but, thought I’d give it a try. It captured my curiosity and I found some of it uniquely entertaining. I probably won’t continue with the series, yet I am thankful for the ARC for my honest review.

I am writing this review from my desk at work, trying my hardest not to fall asleep because I stayed up all night reading this book. You too should read this book so you too can have lower work productively the next day.

I'm often somewhat disappointed by The Next Big Thing. Very occasionally, I'll find That Next Big Thing that delivers. Heartless Hunter by Kristin Ciccarelli is just such a book.

We follow along with Rune as she leads her double life. By day, she's the rich socialite that turned on her own grandmother two years ago during the uprising. By night, she's saving as many witches as she can as the Crimson Moth. She's been working with her friends Alex and Verity to help save those who are being killed simply for being born witches. The Blood Guard hunts witches and is led by Gideon Sharp, Alex's brother. He suspects Rune is involved in who he's hunting, and she knows he's a source of information on the witch hunters.

What follows is a twisted tail of lies, deceit, love, second chances, and hate.

The magic system in the book is very interesting as it's blood based. This results in cutting references and therefore could be triggering to some.

I was transported into this story and cannot wait for the ending to this duology!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy!

I think witch/witch hunter may be one of my new favorite fantasy tropes!
Heartless Hunter was completely captivating from start to finish. It was dark, fast-paced and has a unique magic system that I loved and am excited to learn more about.

Rune was a TERRIFIC main character. She’s clever, deceptive, and compassionate.
Gideon is a complex, morally grey character and I loved him. He has good reasons to hate witches but his inner turmoil as he gets closer to Rune is SO GOOD.

This right here is a true enemies-to-lovers story. I loved the game of cat and mouse they had going on as they both pretended to pursue the other for their own agendas. The push and pull of the romance was executed wonderfully.

The ending has me so excited for whatever comes next. Give me more vengeance and betrayal but Rune and Gideon better be endgame!

Heartless Hunter releases on February 20th and is a must read if you’re a romantasy lover ♥️

Kristen Ciccarelli's Heartless Hunter is the first installment in the authors' The Crimson Moth duology. Heartless Hunter is loosely based on Baroness Orczy's The Scarlet Pimpernel. The book alternates between Rune Winter, the witch known as The Crimson Moth, and Gideon Sharpe, the most dangerous witch hunter around. Rune lives in a world where witches are hunted and purged. It has been 2 years since the streets ran red with the blood of witches.

It has been that long since Rune made the fateful decision to listen to her grandmother and betray her to save her own life. As the story opens, Rune is searching for the witch called Seraphine who her grandmother wanted her to find so she could learn about her magical abilities. Unfortunately, Rune discovers Seraphine's hiding place too late and learns that the Blood Guard has captured her. Rune spends her days pretending to be a vapid young socialite.

After all, she inherited all of her grandmother's wealth. By night, she spends her nights as the Crimson Moth, a vigilante witch who rescues other witches when they are caught by the Blood Guard. When Seraphine's rescue goes wrong, she decides to throw the witch hunters off her scent and gain the intel she desperately needs by courting the handsome Gideon Sharpe - a notorious and unforgiving witch hunter loyal to the revolution - who she can't help but find herself falling for.

Gideon loathes the decadence and superficiality Rune represents, but when he learns the Crimson Moth has been using Rune’s merchant ships to smuggle renegade witches out of the republic, he inserts himself into her social circles by pretending to court her right back. He soon realizes that beneath her beauty and shallow façade, is someone fiercely intelligent and tender who feels like his perfect match. Except, what if she’s the very villain he’s been hunting?

The fact that both Rune and Gideon are lying to the other, but are also suspicious of the other’s true intention means that there are a lot of lies, scheming, and pretending to be what they think the other wants them to be. To add even more intrigue, the author throws Gideon's brother Alex Sharpe into the mix. Alex has been helping Rune for the past several years. And, if he is found out, he will be purged just like the witches Gideon hunts. Except, there is yet another mystery that you better pay close attention to, otherwise you won't see the end coming.

This story is a cat vs mouse game of intrigue with some romance kicked in to make the story more entertaining. Sadly though, we don’t see much of her doing actual Crimson Moth work. It’s mostly about her planning, and trying to ensnare Gideon to gain intel on the witch she is trying to save. Giden is a character who has had a very traumatic past when it comes to witches. His experience spurred him to take part in the revolution which allegedly killed the Witch Queens, and created the Republic.

The book also ends on a heartbreaking cliffhanger ending. It's a good thing this is only a duology so that we don't have to wait several years to see how the game between Rune and Gideon plays out.

Heartless Hunter is a magical game of a cat and mouse chase between a witch and a witch hunter and I am absolutely here for ittttt!!!

This is my first Kristen Ciccarelli novel and it has far exceeded any expectations I had, I am utterly obsessed with our Love Interest characters, their chemistry and the way they can’t help being vulnerable and open with each other as they develop feelings despite the fact they are trying with all their might to play one another in a tense game of hide and seek.

In the past books about witchy romance have been very much a miss for me as I find them to modern and cheesy giving me the ick, but this book is absolutely perfection. It has a historic timeless vibe to it, but everything is easy to follow, dialogue included and it feels fun and fresh, a new voice that we have been missing in this genre until now.

I have nothing but high praise for this book. I love all the characters, the games of misdirection had me on the edge of my seat just waiting for somebody to get caught out.

The pacing of the chapters flowed perfectly, I loved the swap between his and hers POV, getting more information into the history of each LI whilst watching their clever plots play out in real time.

This is an easy 5⭐️ for me, an absolute must read, I cannot wait for the rest of the books to come in the series!!

Thank you to the author, st martins press and NetGalley for an advanced copy. This book is available for purchase now on BOTM website; or is released on Feb 20th 2024! You absolutely must get your hands on this one, don’t miss out!

YOU GUYS i did expect this to be that good. now, is it the greatest piece of american literature? no, but it served a delicious lil enemies to lovers moment and was exactly what serpent & dove was trying to accomplish (but much, MUCH better). it also had the tiniest sprinkles of acotar in there but what fantasy these days doesn’t- it doesn’t effect the plot or reading experience whatsoever so don’t getcha panties in a twist and get them in this book instead 😌 (i heard it too and i’m proceeding with it)

february 20th y’all!!! i better see this flooding my page!!!!

Language: R (18+ swears, 7+ "f" + British swears); Mature Content: R; Violence: PG13+
Basically, the story is that the main characters are attempting to seduce each other in order to further their own purposes. I wanted more of their magic and solving the mystery, but no. So I stopped reading.
The mature content rating is for alcohol use, innuendo, mentions of drugs and menstruation, nudity, groping, and sex. The violence rating is for blood, assault, gun use, suicide, and mentions of torture and murder.

Honestly I really struggled getting into this book. I felt like a lot of the plot was a stretch and the characters weren't very likable. I found myself hoping both of them would fail. The magic system seemed a bit confusing for me, it seemed inconsistent and I feel like there were a lot of options for how to obtain the blood needed. I don't know that this book was for me ultimately, so take my review with a grain of salt.

One of my favorite tropes is enemies to lovers, throw a little magic, fantasy, and witches in there and you’ve got me completely hooked. I will admit I was nervous going into this one because it was more on the YA side than the other fantasies I’ve read in the past, but that didn’t deter me at all. I couldn’t stop reading. The pacing was on point, fast and never feeling like it was dragging on or too slow. The world building wasn’t too complicated and I loved the uniqueness of the magic. And the spice & tension was definitely there! I really enjoyed it and can’t wait for the 2nd one.

A huge thank you to the publisher, Netgalley, and Kristen Ciccarelli for this e-arc!

Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli ♥️
The Crimson Moth, Book 1
Duet

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️
NA • Fantasy Romance
ARC Review
411 pages
🗓️ February 20th

🦋 romantasy
♥️ enemies to lovers
🦋 witch/witch hunter
♥️ cat/mouse game
🦋 best friend’s brother
♥️ barely-there love triangle (you know me so you know this had to be exquisite for me to be praising a love triangle 🤌🏼)
🦋 dual POV

📍“I want all of you, Rune. Not just tonight, but every moment from now on.”

Please, read this book.

Please, read this book.

Please, read this book.

📍“What if we fight all the time?”
“I’d rather fight with you than do most other things.”

Please, read this book.

Please, read this book.

Please, read this book.

📍“I’m afraid you’ll be the end of me, Gideon. Maybe you already are.”

Please, read this book.

Please, read this book.

Please, read this book.

*That’s the review.

P.S.: He played her. She played him. Love played them both.