First of all, I am in love with this cover! I loved the description of this book and it had me intrigued!
However, i struggled with this book. First off, i know it is labeled as YA but it felt very YA for me. I felt disconnected from most of the main characters. The FMC felt very immature and the MMC was kind of a jerk. I loved Alex, but for that reason I probably won’t continue with the series.
My other big problem was the constant talk of menstrual blood. There is no way you could harvest any kind of blood and keep it for a month without it congealing and being unusable for the spells the FMC wanted to use it for.
For these reasons the book didn’t work for me, but I think it’s more of a “me problem,” considering how many amazing reviews there are!

Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

The ending of this! I was not expecting things to get so twisted and sad, and I loved it.

This book is a YA (NA?) witch vs. witch hunter, cat and mouse romance—loosely based on The Scarlet Pimpernel.

I saw another review describe this as Bridgerton meets The Craft, and I think that sums it up well. I thought it would be similar to Serpent & Dove, but apart from the books sharing a similar premise, I found them to be rather different. This was definitely darker.

The prose was pretty basic and the plot itself a bit expected for most of the book, but it was still a real page-turner.

The first 1/4 of the book was...not so great. So I suggest folks not be deterred by how uninspired the book starts out. Things start to get good once the character introductions and clunky opening gambits have passed. By the end, I was genuinely surprised by some of the plot twists.

It seems the publisher has got a big marketing push behind this one; and I can see why they'd anticipate this becoming a hit. It's a romantasy with genuinely morally grey, nuanced characters.

The hero of this one, Gideon, is a true believer. This isn't a conflicted guy who is changed by loving the heroine; he genuinely hates witches for the entire book.

The heroine, Rune, has gotten away with her ruse as a spy for so long, she has a really overinflated opinion of herself which leads her to make some stupid af decisions at times. She is constantly lying, manipulating, and using people. Even those she claims to love.

I kind of despised them both for doing Alex, Gideon's brother, so dirty. Still, I ate the romance between Rune and Gideon up. They had great chemistry.

I'll definitely be picking up the sequel.

This book has so many things about it that made me mad, but it also had some things that I thought were really good. The romance was both of these things.
This is a "true" enemies to lovers, and it has forced me to make a rule about whether or not I can tolerate this trope;
If the FMC and MMC are actually genuinely enemies, their desire to kill each other has to be <b>equal</b>.
Which feels like a weird thing to have to specify, but trust me; it's necessary here.
The romance was really well written, and if the circumstances had been different, I would have LOVED them together. They had good tension, banter, and I could really see their fake desire for each other turning into real desire as they spent more time together.
The problem is this: Gideon wants to brutally and efficiently murder Rune.
And I know what you're thinking. This is witch and witch hunter. Obviously he wants to kill her. But Rune has <b>no</b> desire to do the same. All she wants is to protect innocent people. She doesn't hate him with the same violence or bloodlust. It is completely unequal in a way that makes the romance unconscionable to me. Why would Rune, who by all accounts is a cunning and kind badass, be falling in love with someone who not only wants to kill her, but wants to kill everyone she's trying to protect? I don't believe in the "power of love" overcoming all when the issue is that one half of the couple is participating in GENOCIDE. Because that's what it is. They are indiscriminately and violently slaughtering an entire group of people based on something they were born as.
And Gideon fully supports this.
He is fully behind the genocide of an entire (race? species? whatever witches are) for like 70% of this book. I HATE the trope of "big murderous man only decides murder bad because a woman cares about him". It shouldn't take Rune showing him a witch can have humanity for him to believe the people he is killing are human. Some of the witches he's killed are CHILDREN. It's giving very much "woman has to fix the man". <b>Rune deserved to fall in love with someone who didn't need to be taught to see her as human.</b>
And I fully understand the reason he is the way he is. But having his character basically say "one witch evil = all witch evil" as a response to being sexually assaulted is gross. This book fully uses his trauma as a justification for why he is so violent and murderous. It wants you to sympathize with him because he has been abused, and therefore sympathize with his actions. It is an INSANE take. It's like if a woman was assaulted by a white man and decided that she had to participate in the government sanctioned murder of every single white man. It is a ridiculous idea.
Speaking of Gideon being a victim of SA. The way he talks about himself and what happened to him is just so bad. He constantly refers to himself as broken and unworthy and genuinely hates himself for what happened to him. Which is a thing people do actually feel, but the narrative almost never challenges this. Rune says one time that he is not responsible for the things that happened to him, and it comes up like two more times, but that's it. I wanted something more.
AND the last like, 40% of this book involve Gideon basically being forced into sleeping with Rune (not by Rune herself) in order to see her scars. This man is like 18, and was sexually abused for YEARS. The weird focus on having him sleep with Rune made me so uncomfortable. And after they do have sex, he literally thinks about the last time he slept with someone and it was assault!! And he just tells himself to ignore it and move on!! It's weird!!
There was so much interesting and good things going on in this book, but it was completely overshadowed by how much I couldn't stand Gideon "My Mission is to Murder Innocent People" Sharpe. The friendships were solid, the twists were good, the romance <b>could've</b> been great. The setting was cool, the Bridgeton-esque world of balls and gowns and tea parties was so fun. The actual plot was really good! I loved the idea of Rune leading a double life to save innocent people. I loved the Crimson Moth plot line. I thought it was so interesting. And I really liked Rune! She was smart and complex and kind. She was interesting and determined and scheming. I genuinely liked her as a character when she wasn't forsaking her entire cause for a mediocre man.
I'm honestly more mad than if this book was just outright bad. It could have been SO GOOD and I'm almost offended it wasn't.

I wasn't sure I would be a good fit for a witch/witch hunter romantasy, but I've really loved the author's books in the past, so I was cautiously optimistic going into Heartless Hunter. And I will say, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this book!

That said, I think the witch/witch hunter romance trope will draw in a lot of readers, which is good, because this book was fantastic. I found the magic system very interesting, the characters were compelling, and the romance was *chef's kiss*. Definitely pick this book up if you like any of these tropes: enemies to lovers, morally gray characters, witch x witch hunter, cat and mouse.

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for granting me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was a little hesitant about this book because another witch hunter/witch star-crossed lovers book came out recently, so I was hoping the two would not be very similar. Thankfully, this book is very much its own story, and it was a great book! I loved the plot and I really enjoyed the characters. I think the two main characters are developed in their own ways and the female character is not lovesick to the point of reliance on her counterpart. The twist at the end was built up beautifully and really threw the plot for a loop, setting up nicely for the sequel! I'm ready for the next book now to see where this all goes!

Thank you Netgalley for this early copy of Heartless Hunter. I loved the cat and mouse between Rune and Gideon and I loved their slow burn enemies to lovers tension! I felt the storyline of how he was to succeed in finding out if Rune was a witch was forced and a bit unimaginative but other than that I really enjoyed this novel! 3.75 stars. I will share a more in depth review on my podcast, Southern Girls Guide to Books.

This was a solid, unique fantasy! I haven't read many witch fantasies, so this was new and devourable from the very start.

I thought the relationship, while somewhat slow, developed well and in a way that made sense given their circumstances. The one s*x scene was so mediocre, so I'm taking a star away. I didn't feel any sparks between Gideon and Rune. It wasn't what I was expecting in that department. But it was sweet that he handmade her dresses, even if he tried to kill her afterwards.

Rune was pretty selfish, so selfish that she didn't even notice her best friend was one of the witch queens who shattered the lives of her best friend, Alex (and Gideon). But that was a nice twist! I certainly wasn't expecting that. What I sadly would have loved to know but never will is what Alex thought of her being Cressida. (But I can't because he's dead). Not to mention how selfish she was towards Alex, always putting her needs above his. She never deserved Alex and agreed to marry him off of the fresh heartbreak from Gideon. Truth was, she never saw Alex in that light when as she explained herself, was the "safe" choice.

I loathe what happened to Alex. He just felt like a punching bag for everybody. Like all he wanted was for Rune to go with him to Caelis but of course, she needs to do this thing for this witch!!!! And then he DIES!!!!!!!!!! Dies trying to secure a better life for the both of them, but mainly for her. Rune and Alex's relationship was the one I was honestly rooting for since the beginning of the book. He was so much more interesting than Gideon in every single way. But I also felt bad for Gideon. I liked him too, not quite over Alex, but in his own way. It's impossible not to feel bad for him: the witch queen's whore, who was not only accompanying her bed, but being abused, manipulated, and played while she killed his whole family. But Alex, that son of a bitch is the reason she wasn't even dead like she was supposed to be!!!! He would have been ALIVE if he killed her that night he was supposed to. I just!!! WHY

All of these twists and turns were PAINFUL (I was crying over alex I'm NOT LYING) but it was so good. I really love how the next book was set up, but honestly, I'm not *dying* to read it, mostly because I think their chemistry was kind of lacking. But this book was still a rollercoaster and I did enjoy it!

Rune Winters lives in a world that witches are hunted down by The Blood Guard. Rune is celebrated as a famous informer of witches. She hates that part of her life but she's The Crimson Moth protects witches. Gideon Sharpe is Captain of The Blood Guard and hates witches. He wants to know if Rune Winters is The Crimson Moth. Gideon Sharpe needs to get close to Rune. Will Gideon learn the truth? Can Rune protect her secret? Find out in Heartless Hunter.

I'd like to thank Wednesday Books for the ARC of Heartless Hunters vis Netgalley.

So I wasn't sure if I would love this book. I loved the idea of witch vs witch hunter but the romance aspect honestly almost scared me way as I'm not a major romance reader. Ciccarelli swept me off my feet and I'm in love with these characters and cannot wait for the second book! I'm going to have such a massive hangover after this one! <3

I can't wait for the sequel! Kristen Ciccarelli is masterful at spinning this tale of a young woman who is forced to take matters into her own hands. "Heartless Hunter" is a fast paced story of intrigue and love made even more intense by betrayal set in a world where witches once ruled but are now hunted. Move over Scarlet Pimpernel, there's a new heroine in town!

Thanks to St. Martin Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Before starting this review I just want to say I truly do appreciate getting an ARC for this and thank the publisher/ Netgalley for providing it.

Onto the critique:

🌸this critique has spoilers lots of spoilers, so please do not read if you do not want to be spoiled🌸

I have a lot of feelings about this book. The premise is very promising and reels the reader in. I like that it was a very quick read. I finished it in a couple hours. It’s very addicting to read. The plot is easy to understand and high stakes enough to keep the reader engaged. Unfortunately I don’t think it was quite what I thought it would be.

I found the main couple lacked chemistry together, but also, they seem to have an extremely toxic relationship. This is classified as young adult there is no way that this relationship should be catered to a young adult audience unless there is significant discussion surrounding the issues in the relationship and how it can become healthy, there is no healthy here. Please be aware that there are trigger warnings for this story.

There is a trigger in this book for sexual assault. If that is something that makes you uncomfortable, I would steer clear of this because after the first half of the book it becomes a more prominent plot device.


Spoiler: I did not enjoy the fact that Gideon, the main male love interest was almost coerced into sleeping with Rune (main character) by his friend and confidant. Afterwards he boasts and degrades Rune as nothing “more than a pretty face” which made me really upset to read. immediately Rune goes and accepts an engagement from the brother like no thoughts no conversation about what was said no apologies just like whatever I’m gonna marry your brother screw you it gave me whiplash it happens in like five pages all this build up for the relationship to die so easily.

I feel like Gideon was very one-dimensional in his reasoning for disliking witches just because you were wronged by one witch doesn’t mean all witches are terrible. I do not find him redeemable since he mentions having to capture children ( where it is implied they go off to die).

I don’t understand how Rune fell in love with Gideon when she has a perfectly good love interest in her best friend, who would do anything for her, but she falls in love with the man who kills her people (witches). At the beginning of the relationship, both of them are lying to each other, and they continue to lie to each other, until the very last page of the book.

Also, if you hate the miscommunication trope this book is miscommunication trope the entire time.

Frankly I don’t usually like to post extremely negative critiques but I was so dissatisfied and left with an icky feeling that i felt it necessary to warn others just in case they have the same triggers.

I understand that many people may enjoy this book at face value but I found the rhetoric dangerous. It’s basically discussing a genocide against witches ( who if we can think of current historical context what does this story kind of refers back too?) and the toxicity of a male in a powerful position (who yes also has trauma but his acts of violence does not reprieve him from his role in actively murdering other people). It boggles my mind that it’s swept under the rug by saying “ oh but he was hurt so bad” okay but to actively participate in hurting people especially kids? Nah.

Also I get it’s a witch hunter and witch romance so there is some tension there— but make it believable! It seems like she loves him because he’s hot. But what redeems him from murdering people or does Rune just not care because he is way to attractive? And speaking of Rune she’s really dumb. Her best friend has saved her constantly and she didn’t realize that he loved her like he has been putting his life at risk for years he could’ve been caught saving witches, but he did it for you and you didn’t think that maybe he had feelings for you?

Look. This would be a different story if Gideon started to accept witches and see that not all witches are bad people and change his ways and help Rune from the inside but that isn’t the story he tries to sabotage her at every corner and even when he suspects her he still sleeps with her AND when he does find out she’s a witch the Power of Love doesn’t even save her because he arrest her anyway so like did they even love each other? and that begs the question, how are they supposed to have a relationship in the next book? More miscommunication, more toxic behaviour? more hating each other?

No thank you. It’s not enemies to lovers when they just stay enemies.

Heartless hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli caught my attention with its stunning cover, drew me in with its enticing premise, and proceeded to capture me for hours with its brilliant plot.

What I loved
-Dual POV masterfully utilized
-Hunter X Hunted Trope (one of my favorites)
-Morally Grey characters abound
- The ending left me craving book 2 so intensely that I had to tell people about this

What didn't work for me quite as well
-I"m always nervous about worlds where magic is presenting as only being possible through working with blood due to concerns that it may tread to close to some stereotypes that have been wielded against real life oppressed groups.
-The miscommunication trope is applied in a really clumsy way

Who Would I recommend this book for
This Title is ideal for readers who liked the premise of Serpent and Dove but left reading it craving a more darkly realized witch and witch hunter story.

One sentence review:
Everything I could ever want in a fantasy.

This! This is why enemies-to-lovers is so freaking good. A witch and a witch hunter have irreconcilable differences and I'm here for it.
Two years have gone by since Rune gave up her grandmother to be executed for being a witch. Upon discovering that she is one too, Rune does everything in her power to redeem herself by saving other witches from purging. In order to gain intel, she makes romantic advances on the captain of the Blood Guard, Gideon, who also just happens to be brother to her best friend, Alex. Gideon has been on the hunt for the Crimson Moth and will stop at nothing until she's been captured. With everything on the line, Rune and Gideon keep their enemy as close as possible to outwit the other.
Between the banter and the plot twists, this was a perfect beginner to a new adult fantasy series from Kristen Ciccarelli. I will jump on book two as soon as I can get my hot little hands on it.
Thank you to Wednesday Books for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli is witches, enemies to lovers, and a slow burn fantasy romance... what more could a girl ask for. This was SO good! I'm excited for book two in The Crimson Moth series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital copy.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Two years after a mass execution of witches, of which the main female character seems to have helped turn in one of the main witches, who happens to be her grandmother, the main character (rune ) is dealing with the turmoil of turning in her only remaining family member. The slow burn romance starts off right away, as the main mc and the main fc Both completely hate each other and are on opposite sides of the witches/non-witch battle, albeit one is secretly on both sides.

Alex, her best friend, and the main male characters brother, is her confidante, and the beginning of the book seems to hint at more. The twists and turns of this book made me breathless. The ending of this book literally shocked me. This book was so incredible and one of the best books I have read in a while.

This book comes out February 19, 2024. Highly recommend this read.

4.5/5 stars ⭐

An absolutely solid YA start to a series! The world building in this book was my favorite part because the author has such a way with words that made me feel immersed in the story. The magic system was also really well built and fleshed out and I'm excited to see where book 2 leads u!

Thank you so much NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an arc in exchange for my honest review!

This book is phenomenal! I was captivated by the story immediately and couldn’t put it down. I laughed. I cried. I need the next one now. Some spice but it’s not the main event. Wow, just wow, what an incredible author and story!

I enjoyed this so much! It was such a fun enemies to lovers, and the description of it being a game of cat and mouse felt really accurate! The tension was palpable and I really enjoyed the characters and understood their motivations and choices. I cannot WAIT for the sequel!

Thank you to NetGalley for giving this ARC, and this doesn't influence my review.
Disclaimer: slight spoilers!
So you know when you read a great book and don’t know what to do with your life until the sequel comes out? That’s me right now! It’s been a while since I’ve read Kristen’s books (The Caged Queen is one of my top favs) so I knew to expect nothing but the best. This excelled my expectations! I just wish the sequel will only be Rune’s POV and not both of them.
Tropes: enemies to lovers, fake relationship, hate to love, hidden identity, heists/action, predator/prey, cat and mouse chase, tall dark handsome MMC, arrogant MMC, angst. The tropes mentioned took my heart and I didn't know if they would fully deliver, but they did. The romance in the book was everything!!!!!!!!
I loved the “rules of magic” book chapters intro and their involvement with what spells were conjured in the chapter
Spoiler: one of my fav moments was when he had to take her measurements

4.5/5

I really enjoyed this YA romantasy and truly couldn’t put it down. The story is set in a world where witches are being hunted and purged. The story is told in dual POV. One of those POVs is Rune, the FMC, a witch known as the “Crimson Moth” who tries to save captured fellow witches with the help of a couple of her friends. By day, she has to hide that she’s a witch and poses as a socialite to help get intel in order to continue her work as the “Crimson Moth.” The other POV is Gideon, the MMC, who is a captain of witch hunters and is very unrelenting in his quest to get rid of the witches, particularly the Crimson Moth who continues to elude him.
 
I thought the world building was done well and thought the magic system was interesting. The suspense of the hunter and hunted kept me on my toes and I loved the enemies to lovers romance that started to develop. Very complex characters as well and I liked reading more about what drove the two main characters to do what they do. The twist at the end did get me and I can’t wait for the second book in this duology!
 
I think fans of Lauren Roberts’ Powerless will really like Heartless Hunter too—very similar hunter/hunted romance vibes, plus brother vs brother love triangle. But with witches!! I do just want to note that Heartless Hunter does have a little bit of spice—it’s written slightly obscurely but I think does make it more upper YA at the very least.
 
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.