Captivating cat and mouse enemies to lovers tale. Witches are being ruthlessly hunted and Rune has been forced to hide her true self to protect as many as she can. Gideon is a witch hunter determined to find her and bring her to justice. But both of them carry an immense heartache that pulls them together. Amazing start to a series that I look forward to continuing.

I'm not sure how I felt about Heartless Hunter😂 There were some elements of the story that I really enjoyed! I liked the cat and mouse game between Gideon and Rune. I also liked the plot and witch storyline. I thought the author had a distinct voice and the pacing was accurate. On the other hand, there were some things that I did not like. I wanted more depth to the characters, especially the side characters. Some of the side characters' actions confused me. I personally found Harrow's character odd and confusing. I also struggled understanding some of Rune's decisions. I was not a fan of the two brothers' love triangle and Rune's choice at the end. Although the ending was rushed, readers will be eager to see what happens next. I'm not sure if I want to continue the next book. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

I received a copy through NetGalley for review.

I have to say I really enjoyed this one.
It's got revolution, a love triangle, witches, rebels, love, magic.

Rune Winters is a witch. Living in a place where being a witch will wind up with you purged and dead.
Having had to turn in her grandmother who raised her, Kestrel Winters over to the witch hunters in order to survive. Rune lives under the guise of a vapid, wealthy socialite, while she moonlights as an assassin, rebel and rescuer of captive witches- The Crimson Moth.
Rune lives with survivors guilt, turning her grandmother in so she could live, on her orders- she hates the person she has to pretend to be. Saving one witch at a time is the only way she can atone. So she uses her friends who are willing to keep her secrets and her considerable wealth and resources to rescue witches before they can be publicly purged and ferry them across the sea.

But Rune is too late to save her latest target, taking years to track her down, Seraphine Oakes- the last person her grandmother told her to find. The witch hunters have captured her mere hours before she could get to her.
In order to save Seraphine, Rune takes a chance by courting the most ruthless witch hunter, hoping to get close to him- in order to locate Seraphine's whereabouts. All while he decides to court her back, suspecting her to be the Crimson Moth. Cat and mouse romance ensues.

I can't wait to read the next installment.

Okay so I went into this completely blind and I think that's the best possible way to go into it. It's definitely a puzzler and it was very fun to guess along with! I did guess the entire ending around halfway, but I have a weird brain that likes details and puzzles so take that with a grain of salt.

Rune, I quite enjoyed, though she felt very young at points, and it took me a minute to remember she's only 18. I mentally age up teenage mcs, and I think because she's so intelligent, it was easier to forget.

I do want to note for rating purposes that there is an on-page, but non-descriptive sex scene (open door lights off, if you will). I know this book is tagged YA and do with that information what you will, but I think it's important to know what you're walking into. Was I reading worse as a kid? Yes. Does that work for all kids? No. You do you, boo-boo.

Ultimately, this was a fun read and I only wanted to strangle every single character a few times for their prejudices. I will be picking up the next in the series when it's written, and I'm rooting for the Hunter to catch the Hunted! IYKYK.

A witch and witch hunter, what’s not to love? I went it thinking it would be another Serpent and Dove, I like this one much more! Rune was by far the best character I wish we got more of her as Crimson Moth. Can’t wait for the next one!

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

First off, thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Publishing for providing an ARC for an honest review. Heartless Hunter (The Crimson Moth) is to be published in Feb. 2024 and follows the story of Rune and Gideon. Rune is a shallow socialite with a secret to hide....she is a witch and the Crimson Moth. Gideon a witch hunter who has spent the last two years hunting the New Republic's number one enemy: the crimson moth.

This book...just wow. WOW. I was enveloped in this story. I absolutely adored all of the characters and relationships. The relationship between Rune and Alex (Gideon's younger brother) felt like a steady warm hearth fire. The relationship with Gideon and Rune had me on the edge of my seat. This book ends on a cliffhanger and I am already STARVING for the second novel.

HUGE thank you to Alexis Neuville of St. Martin's Press & Wednesday Books who sent me this NetGalley ARC on behalf of Kristen Ciccarelli!!!

There are so many emotions going through my mind after reading this!!! This book was exactly up my alley; it has:

• Enemies to Lovers
• Dual POVs (!!!!!!!!)
• Cat and Mouse - Hunt and Chase
• An intriguing magical system
• Twists

Oh my goodness, it was ALL. SO. GOOD. !!!!

The dual POVs added so much depth to the characters and made the emotions and interactions much more believable and easily felt; you could really connect with the characters. You also could really understand the tensions on both sides in regards to the hunter and hunted element. The dual POVs also made the enemies to lovers so much more exquisite!!

The worldbuilding and magic system of blood magic was unique and I was surprised in a good way to see the author not shy away and utilise period blood as an option for casting because hell yeah - that does make sense, it's smart of the character, and why not make that time of the month useful when it's usually so miserable!

Personally I guessed the twists early on, but they were so SATISFYING with how the story unravelled and I LOVE when authors utilise twists for satisfying plot elements vs just for shock factor. Thank you, Kristen Ciccarelli!

I thought the pacing was great and each chapter kept me wanting to read more! I wanted to savour this story but also really wanted to know what happened next. I ended up staying up well into the early hours of the morning finishing this book and OH MY GOD all that happens at the end!!

I also loved the "calm before the [next] storm [after a huge storm just happened] " vibes of the epilogue that really felt satisfying as a cliffhanger!

I cannot wait for the world to read this book!! And I cannot wait to read the next book myself!! One of my best reads of 2023!!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I loved Heartless Hunter. I liked the pace of the book, the cat and mouse troupe, and the love troupe, The book kept me guessing. The characters were well developed and interesting. I recommend this book.

5/5⭐️ this will be one of your favourite fantasies of 2024

Tropes:
Slowburn
Enemies to lovers
Fake dating
Courting
Hunter/hunted



Some of the scenes in this book had me giggling and others had me on the edge of my seat.

We follow Gideon and Rune. Gideon is a witch hunter. Rune is a witch. They both decide to court the other with the intention of discovering the other’s secrets. Gideon wants to catch the crimson month, aka Rune, and Rune wants Gideon to trust her enough to give her inside information.

My poor Gideon. He has been through so much and the character he is now is because of his dark past, he is so secretly hopeful and such a sweet heart. He sews her a damn dress.
“Rune was just as beautiful then. Like those marble sculptures adorning the lavish mansions of the aristocracy, existing solely to impress the guests.”

And Rune, I love her. She is strong and independent. She’s funny and cunning. She plays to her strengths and is so aware of her actions.

The romance between the two of them was perfect. They are both trying so hard to make the other fall for them that they don’t realise they’re falling themselves. The wittiness of their chats and the cunning moves had me loving every moment they had together

The witch magic system is very straightforward and easy to understand. The politics are easy to understand. There is underlying mystery that keeps you intrigued. I was able to fully picture the world and imagine it all in my head.

Set against a backdrop of opulence, secrets, and a haunting history, "Heartless Hunter" explores the aftermath of a devastating revolution that has turned witches from powerful rulers to hunted outcasts. The plot unfolds with a perfect balance of suspense and romance, creating a steamy game of cat and mouse that will captivate you from the very first page. The pacing is impeccable, ensuring that the tension never wavers, and the stakes continue to rise. One of the novel's standout strengths is its complex and dynamic characters. Rune, the protagonist, is a multifaceted heroine who navigates the treacherous world of witch-hunting with cunning bravery. The chemistry between Rune and Gideon is palpable, and their evolving relationship is--of course!--a highlight of the story. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy romance and I can't wait for the next installment!

Fantastic.

The premise of this one was so promising and it absolutely delivered.

There's action, angst, romance, and witches! Also great clothes!

Parties, witch hunting, a game of cat and mouse and will he discover her secrets and she his. I read this one while on the very edge of my seat while on a long transatlantic flight. Absolutely lushly written, with excellent pacing, it's romantic, the world building is on point and I am already looking forward to the next book.

Heartless Hunter could easily be a top 2024 fantasy read for many.
I just about ran to my Kindle when I saw I got an arc for this highly anticipated release and devoured it over the weekend.

Rune is a rich socialite, on the surface she appears superficial, attending parties and gossiping around town but underneath the facade is a vigilante witch in hiding. After the purge of her grandmother, she has made it her mission to rescue other witches from the same fate with the help of her best friend Alex.
Gideon is Alex's older brother, he's a witch hunter who has a tragic past and reason to hate witches. He's been tracking down the Crimson Moth for years and is determined now more than ever to finally make a capture.
When Rune needs information that Gideon would know, she starts courting him but unbeknownst to her he's also playing the game when he suspects Rune to be the Crimson Moth.

This book has it all, enemies to lovers, slow burn, fake courting, cat and mouse game, betrayal, heartbreak, politics, revolution, and a balanced magic system. There's a twist I didn't see coming and the end left me wanting more.

While I enjoyed this story and will be picking up the next, I had a slight issue with the world-building. I know this is book one, and a lot of the plot, world, and characters needed to be fleshed out but some ideas weren't fully developed and I'm still left with questions. The pacing was a bit slow, with the action picking up towards the end. I would have liked to see more of Rune being the Crimson Moth and exploring this good vs evil side of witches. I think this book had too much going on so the plot suffered and got lost a bit. I hope the romance can be explored more between Gideon and Rune, they weren't able to fully trust one another (understandably so) but due to this their chemistry and attraction lacked depth.

Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, and Kristen Ciccarelli for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
You can pick up Heartless Hunter on February 20th!

I devoured this book! A bit of a roller-coaster, edge of your seat read that is unique, quick, and perfect for teens. The cast of characters makes me want to get to know all of them more. Well…. Almost all of them 😉 Curious to see where the next one will go.

Socialite by day, Vigilante by night, Rune fights to protect her fellow witches from witch hunters. When a mission goes wrong Rune must court the witch hunter Gideon to try to throw him off the trail of her alter ego, the Crimson Moth.

Heartless Hunter is a slow burn enemies to lovers romantasy inspired by the Scarlet Pimpernel. Fans of Serpent and Dove will love the cat and mouse antics of the witch and witch hunter.
Remedial Magic

While I appreciate the author's exploration of interesting concepts such as witches, aristocracy, revolution, and fascist regimes, I found that the worldbuilding in the book fell short of my expectations. Although the ideas were interesting, they were not fully developed, leaving the world feeling small and not fully fleshed out.
The central focus on the relationship between the two main characters, Rune and Gideon, was the biggest issue for me. Despite the potential for a compelling romance, I didn’t find their attraction to each other believable. The narrative asserted their attraction, but I felt a lack of chemistry and depth in their interactions. Why do they like each other? I found myself thinking page after page. I couldn't understand why they were drawn to each other, making their romance not convincing.

The book is written in dual POV, and I was more engaged reading the chapters that followed Rune, as the elements external to the romance in which she was focused on being the Crimson Moth added substance to the story. Unfortunately, these moments were overshadowed by the predominant focus on the relationship between Rune and Gideon.

While the plot had potential, I felt it was somewhat contrived, and the pacing was very slow. This book was over 400 pages but I felt like not much substance had occurred. If the narrative had allocated more attention to the rich backdrop rather than primarily concentrating on the central romance, I believe the story could have been more compelling.

In summary, the book has promising elements, and I do believe that those who buy the romance between Rune and Gideon may find it more enjoyable. Personally, I believe a more balanced approach to character development and plot focus could have made the overall experience more enjoyable for me.


Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a free advance reader copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

A fantasy Scarlet Pimpernel retelling? Yes, please!! I love The Scarlet Pimpernel, and I love witches, so Heartless Hunter is the perfect mash-up for me. It has all the tropes and elements I love: hidden identity, enemies to lovers romance, slow burn, witch magic, and rebellion. And the story moves so quickly that I didn't ever want to put it down!

What I love most about this book is the romance. The dual POV adds a lot of tension to the relationship, and I love seeing both Gideon's and Rune's thoughts about each other and how those thoughts changed throughout the book. There are some incredibly romantic parts, and I was on the edge of my seat wondering how everything would play out.

I have a couple of reservations, mainly that I found it to be quite predictable, which is saying something coming from me—I rarely pause and make accurate predictions. All of the foreshadowing was a little heavy handed, and it took some fun out of the plot. I also got the ick from recurring conversations about trying to manipulate a character for sex to get answers (as if this behavior is okay and excusable).

Reservations aside, I was overall delighted with this fast-paced witchy fantasy retelling. I can't wait for the sequel!

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 4
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 4
Overall: 4

Thank you, Wednesday Books, for the arc!
Releases Feb 20, 2024

Trigger/Content Warnings: witch hunts/genocide, torture, public murders, death of a child, death of parents/grandparent, fighting violence and wounds, addiction, domestic abuse, physical and sexual abuse (off page), self harm, one open door scene

As I sat in my room to start this, the walls started to disappear and I was in the world of witches & blood guards.

Every moment I wanted to know what would happen next and so I kept reading. 4 am and I cannot believe it ended like that, my emotions are a bunch from sad to anticipation on what happens next.

Gideon and Rune have become my favorite forbidden romance of the year. I absolutely loved the hint of secrecy, plotting, and desire. A witch with a witch hunter, what could go wrong.

I've only read this author once before, but that book didn't blow me away. When I read the description for this book, I knew that I wanted to get my hands on it! This is how I like my new adult genre. I loved the world building to this story, and it was so well done! As much as I love witches, I don't always love how they are portrayed in novels. That was not the case with this book. I honestly can't stop praising how much I loved it, which makes it hard to do a review. I just want to say I loved it! I cannot wait to get my hands on the sequel. I've already told others that this is a must read. I'm hooked! The characters were great and I loved their back and forth. And then don't get me started about the ending. What a cliffhanger!

Gideon, the main love interest, should try therapy instead of joining and leading a group set on committing genocide.

I loved Ciccarelli's other book series when I was younger so I was so excited to read this first part of a new duology. I was not a big fan from the beginning because I don't enjoy tropes of love triangles with brothers. It's weird, but I wasn't going to hold it against the book. But for someone repeatedly said to be "smart," Rune very quickly pushed aside the fact that Gideon wants her, and all people like her dead, because he was pretty. It's hard to support a love triangle where one brother is enacting a genocide and the other brother is part of the resistance. I read the entire book because it was fast paced and I expected Gideon to have a change of heart halfway through or near the end. But no. He's totally cool murdering all witches just because they are witches and he was abused by a witch in his past. Maybe he should try some therapy. And Rune is able to look past this, despite being a witch and spending years trying to rescue other witches, because he's attractive. This book was so enraging.

I recieved an e-arc through NetGalley and this isy honest opinion of the book.

Incredible, intense, keep you on your toes kind of book. If you loved Serpent and Dove this book is for you. The 2 perspectives are amazing it makes you more in the know and you read anxiously trying to figure when the shoe will drop. The tension with the romance is wonderful. The banter between all the characters create a very vivid world. Although the actual physical world outside the place they live isn't fully explained it seems purposely so you are more drawn into character development. Rune and Gideon are amazing. Wonderful read.