Wow wow wow!!!!

I have an inkling this is going to be a top Fantasy book of 2024!!!!

Did I only request this book from NetGalley because it said Rebecca Ross recommended it? Yes.

Did it disappoint? Absolutely not!!

It definitely gave my Divine Rivals vibes but make it witchy. I loved it!!!

And the end 😟 I need more!

Enemies to lovers ✔️
Romantasy ✔️
Witches ✔️

It has it all and I am already excited for what’s to come with this duology!!

Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for giving me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

4.5/5

Thank you, NetGalley, for this ARC.
What a beautifully written story! Filled with socialites, witches, witch hunters, magic, romance, intrigue, and wonderful characters. It will bewitch readers as soon as they begin reading it. I’m really looking forward to the next book!

I enjoyed this novel. It was a good read, with some plot twists, romance, and adventure. The author weaved an interesting tale about witches and the people without magical abilities. Rune has been hiding the last 2 years, having remorse and regret for what she did. To try and ease the guilt, she saves witches from death, but cannot save them all. With her friends Alexander and Verity, they devise plans to save the witches. Both know Rune's secret, but someone suspects Rune and they task Gideon to find out. Gideon is Alexander's brother, who played a role is removing the witches who were in power. Rune and Gideon decide to play each other, trying to find out information from other, forming a pretend courtship. What happens when those pretending become real? What happens when they learn things about the other that could change their perspective? Ends on a cliffhanger and looking forward to the next novel. I received this novel from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received a Netgalley ARC of this novel for review, with thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press.

This novel, very much in the Teen/YA category, is the first of a duology. All the important ingredients to intrigue young readers are there from the start. There is a clever, courageous and beautiful female protagonist, Rune Winters; a devoted friend, Alex Sharpe, who would like to be more than that; and his dashing brother, Gideon, a bad boy who is sensitive, good at heart, but rigid and prone to misunderstanding and being misunderstood. This is a love triangle in the classic sense: both young men are besotted with Rune, both hold in their true feelings about Rune and bigger matters. They are suspicious of each other but never open up a frank discussion. In the end, their inability to communicate causes much pain for all three. In this, Rune is complicit. By going back and forth with each of them, she is never really honest with either. If this is basically a cat-and-mouse game, the mouse torments as much as the cat. This also inspires something of a love-hate with each character on the part of the reader.
The story contains enough witchcraft of both good and evil varieties to fulfill the promise of its title. Under the centuries-long reign of three wicked Sister Witches, Gideon became known as “the witch’s whore” because he was “taken” by the youngest and cruellest of them, Cressida Roseblood, who essentially enslaved him, branded him with her rose and thorn insignia, inflicted such pain on him that he became a laudanum addict, and all-in-all forced him to serve her every whim on penalty of having his little sister and his parents die painful deaths. He was eventually saved by Nicholas Creed, the leader of a band of rebels plotting to overthrow their rule by murdering the Sisters.

The primary conflict is between the witches and those who despise all witchcraft. After overthrowing the sisters, Creed becomes the Good Commander and makes Gideon the Commander of the Blood Guard mandated to “purge” the land of all witches. These are the “Heartless Hunters” of the title. There is a lot of blood and blood imagery in this book, both red and black, associated with the conquerors (humans) and the conquered. Things are much more complicated than good versus evil, however, because the winning side is as despotic and cruel as the side that was vanquished so that the Republic of the Red Peace could rise. To begin with, Rune Winters was the adopted grand daughter of Kestrel Winters, who was herself a rich and powerful witch. When the Good Commander issues an edict in which he declares the streets will run with witches’ blood, all witches must either give themselves up for purging or their entire families will be purged; “Nan” persuades a devastated Rune to denounce her. She urges Rune to find her “oldest friend,” Seraphine Oakes, who had fallen out of favour with the Sister Witches and had been expelled.

So Rune goes on as a wealthy, charming and deliberately silly heiress who is really a double-agent of sorts: she plays stupid and “normal” while picking up “intel” about who is on the Blood Guards’ list. By night, she becomes Crimson Moth, who shepherds witches in hiding to safety, usually a few minutes before the Blood Guards pounce. She manages to keep the love of Alex, who is her best friend and foremost helper, alongside another mortal, Verity De Wilde, and also entices Gideon, who seems hell-bent on making her expose herself and purging her too. But is she really seducing him for the information the Crimson Moth needs? And is he playing his own game?

None of the main, or even the secondary, characters, is purely good or evil, which is far more interesting than otherwise. Many of them play multiple intersecting roles. Sometimes this is confusing, but for the most part, it adds to the suspense. The world-building is also well-done, with the characteristic ambiguity about where and when the story takes place. There are hints suggesting Victorian England, but also suggestions of both medieval and modern times. Likewise, age is a vague concept: Rune is entirely believable as a teenager, and at times her age is alluded to (I put her at 18). The brothers are often referred to as “boys,” but are better defined as young adults, perhaps early twenties. On the whole, this works, but it can be confusing too. Nan calls Seraphine her “oldest friend,” yet she is later described by Rune as a “young girl”. The ending effectively sets up the conflict that will take centre stage in the second book.

Who ends a book that way?? I almost gave this 4 stars because that ending made me so angry but the rest was just so good (protect Gideon at all costs I’m begging). The pacing was quick and the stakes were so high I was constantly on edge. Enemies to lovers where they both try to manipulate the other? Sign me up. This is great for fans of Serpent and Dove!

It's been a while since I've had this much fun reading a book.
The enemies-to-lovers trope is a favorite of mine, and in this book, it takes a fascinating twist. Just when I thought the characters might find common ground, the story throws them back into enmity, keeping the tension high.

The plot twists and reveals are both enjoyable to see unravel.
The characters in this novel were enjoyable to read as they tried to outsmart each other.
While the worldbuilding and magic system initially took some time to fully grasp, the effort was well worth it. The intricacies of the world and its various magical elements required patience, but once everything clicked in my brain, that was it for me.
I will be looking forward for the next installment of this series!

Thank you, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a honest review!

Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC. This is my honest review.
Heartless Hunter was a fine romantasy - but was very, very YA, and at times it felt a bit too juvenile.
It’s been a long time since I read full-on YA, and perhaps I have outgrown the genre a little (gasp, no!), and, while this one was very well written, I was a bit bored. I think it really takes something “just a bit more” in the YA genre to catch my attention at this point and this one just wasn’t it.
I love anything witch related and the characters are well done, but the emphasis on the brooding, cat and mouse romance between the enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies somewhat exhausted me. Everyone was a bit broken in some way or another, but the most interesting backstory, the one surrounding our male MC wasn’t fleshed out enough for me. I think there was a lot of missed potential in the initial book, although I hope things pick up in the next installment.
And to be very honest, nothing really happens, all the while everything is happening. If that makes any sense.
I don’t think this series is for me. Although I am sure it will become an obsession for those fully into pure YA.

This book was a lot of fun. I was immediately grabbed by the world and the characters. I loved the dynamics at play and the relationship between Rune and Gideon and how it evolved over the course of the book. The ending was really exciting, and I cannot wait for the next book in the series to see how it will all play out!

I have the absolute pleasure of being able to read the ARC of Heartless Hunter. I have not been this excited and enthralled by a book since the Fourth Wing.

This is the ultimate game of cat and mouse but it’s not just their lives at stake, it’s their hearts. This story was phenomenal from start to finish, I was captivated by the characters and the magic that Kristen Ciccarelli was able to create.

Rune was forced to make a horrible choice and has spent the last two years making up for it. She is trying to make amends and no matter how many lives she is capable of saving, the one life that mattered the most, she was forced to turn over to the witch hunters. Rune spends her days playing the part of a vain and silly girl, who only cares about money and fashion. In reality, she uses her position to gain insight and knowledge to help fellow witches escape.

Gideon is captain of the blood guards. He was once held victim to a witch, who made him fall in love. He became nothing more than a laughing stock and was forced to stay to save others from his fate or worse death. He believes all witches are evil and they need to be put down. He is hunting the Crimson Moth, a foe who is witty, capable and intelligent to avoid capture for the last two years.

As these two opponents play their parts, they fall into the biggest trap of all…love. Will they be able to find a life together or will the betrayal turn the once enemies back to the ultimate game of cat and mouse?

Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin's Press for this ARC of Heartless Hunter in exchange for an honest review! I know "romantasy" is popular for a lot of people right now, and I think this book will be exactly what they're looking for! I was hooked right away. Kristen Ciccarelli is a very talented author and I think she's done a great job with Heartless Hunter. I believe this is the first book in a duology, and I'll be eagerly awaiting that sequel. I read the entire book in one sitting because it was quite the page turner, and I was left wanting more. I loved Rune & Gideon and I really appreciated seeing both of their points of view. It helped me connect to both characters. I enjoyed this hunter/hunted, cat-and-mouse dynamic in the romance a lot. I will say though, I know this is a Teen/YA book, but I think it's more so on the line of what counts as Young Adult and what counts as New Adult, just in my opinion. I do strongly recommend this book to fans of fantasy romance or for people who just want to try out the genre.

On the night Rune’s life changed forever, blood ran in the streets. Now, in the aftermath of a devastating revolution, witches have been diminished from powerful rulers to outcasts ruthlessly hunted due to their waning magic, and Rune must hide what she is.

THis was steamy and suspenseful. I'm not a huge romance reader, but I ate this up.

I don’t even know where to start with this one. I was hooked within the first chapter. I don’t think my thoughts have fully formed yet, so bear with me on this one. Wow…what a book with that ending!

Rune Winters is a witch, who turned her grandmother into the Republic…therefore, she stands with them. So that’s the rumor anyways. But does she? Enter Gideon Shrape, the Blood Gaurd commander, who is her enemy. He also happens to be her best friend’s, Alex, brother. Gideon has been on the hunt for Crimson Month for 2 years when he gets a hint at who it is. He will do almost anything to find out.

When I say enemies to lovers, this is it! Oh my! How that trope was strong in this book. This one just hit hard. At his vow at the end 🤯
There was times I wanted to scream, “THE WRONG BROTHER!” like girl wake up! Look at who is in front of you! Ughhhh!!!

Ok so, the world building wasn’t that great. Which honestly I didn’t even care, sometimes that can get me all tripped up with too much detail with everything. This does have magic in it but I liked how it was written to where there are consequences with using it and certain spells have more requirements but also more dangerous consequences. There was one part, I had to read a few times before I could accept it lol and when you get there, you’ll know! 🥴 but after you learn out why, you understand.

It is a YA book but it does have some spice to it. The ending was shocking and I was also say had a twist I wasn’t expecting. Overall, I enjoyed it.
I think fantasy lovers are gonna like this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for sharing an arc with me. This is my honest and voluntary opinion.

Thank you so much Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the Arc!
This book starts off really well and has an easy world build. I love Rune so much. Rune is a very understandable character, especially when you take into account her backstory. Her dedication to her grandmas last wish and helping other witches is so admirable.
And the romance between Rune and Gideon was so soft! I found Gideon so tender and romantic despite his hard edges. He is the kind of man that sets my expectations just a little bit higher.
But I did struggle a little bit with the love triangle between Rune, Gideon and Alex. It’s really not a trope I can get behind. But overall, this was a very fast and engaging read. I cannot wait for the second book and to find out what the next steps in their path will be.

Heartless Hunter is the first book in the The Crimson Moth #1. Witches are illegal after a disastrous revolution, one that has caused witches from all over to be killed, including Rune’s own grandmother. She was all Rune had. Rune is walking a fine line by becoming the Crimson Moth, she protects other witches. It’s hard for Rune to stay out of the Blood Guards' sight, especially with the handsome Gideon Sharpe, a cutthroat loyal member of the Blood Guards. But Rune starts to realize Gideon just might not be so heartless after all.

This book was such a fast read for me, even though it is 400 pages I flew through it. I liked the action and the characters. I love t enemies to lovers. I enjoyed the romance. That ending! I am so looking forward to the next books in this series. Reminds me of Serpent & Dove.

A thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

2.5/5

I thoroughly enjoyed reading A Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli. The world-building is straightforward, the prose is descriptive and direct, and the first quarter of the story is compelling to read.

I couldn't rate it higher for several reasons. I felt like the main characters lacked characterization. They didn't do too much in the present other than trying to achieve their goals, which conflicted with one another, and that's where you get enemies to lovers, which I didn't care for. It felt too convenient and an excuse to write those nude/sex scenes, which I also didn't care for. Rune and Gideon were fine as characters, but they were bogged down with backstory, which made the story kind of hard to get through after a certain point.

The last 30% of the book was good, though. Big spoiler below. You've been warned.

(view spoiler)

Overall, it was a fast, engaging, and straightforward read with some good twists. The world building was good, too. In the next book, I hope to see more character development and stronger characterization.

I will purchase this book when it is released for sure. Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.

✨ Heartless Hunter was so addicting! I couldn’t put it down. Filled with enemies too lovers back to enemies trope and a cat-and-mouse game between the two main characters. It definitely gave me Serpent & Dove vibes because of the witch and hunter storyline but the magic system was very intriguing. I liked that there were two POVs and all the characters had some grey morals. I thought the magic system was interesting; how they used their magic, when it gave consequences /balances when a witch made a powerful spell, and how guards/hunters identified a witch vs. a non-witch. Definitely recommend it for any fantasy reader. I’m excited for Book 2 to come out!

Thank you Wednesday Books for an e-arc copy.

very few things will make me sacrifice my sleep. this book was one of them.

HEARTLESS HUNTER had me reading into the night way later than I usually do, and getting up early before work to finish it. I needed to know how it ended before I begun my day. I read it in under 24 hours because the writing and plot was so addictive.

I feel so privileged to have read this book early, as I know it’ll be many people’s favourite fantasy romances of 2024.

Enemies to lovers, a unique magic system, witches and betrayal all wrapped up in an incredibly well-written novel with interesting & complex characters and romance.

Playing a deadly game of Cat & Mouse, I loved Rune and Gideon as characters separately, and together. Their chemistry was so well done.

A witch and a witch hunter? Say no more.

As soon as I finished it, I leapt to pre order it.

A HUGE THANK YOU to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for this eArc in exchange for an honest review.

This is an action-packed, enemies to lovers to enemies about a witch in hiding and a witch-hunter, fake dating each other to get what they want. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves books like "Serpent and Dove" and that feature magic and romance and mystery and a cat-and-mouse game that will have you squealing for days.

The heroine is smart and witty and knows exactly how to play the cards that she has been dealt, making sure that no one, not even the boy she kind-of likes, figures out what she is. The male lead, on the other hand, doesn't actually turn out to be the kind of person that we expect him to be - soft and damaged on the inside (and ready to give the ones he loves the benefit of the doubt). This is perfect for readers who love smart heroines and male love interests who are hard on the outside but soft and mushy on the inside.

Be ready for this book to captivate you from the get-go, you might even find yourself finishing it in a day!

This book is everything I’ve wanted in a Witch Hunter Book (TM). I haven’t read many hunter style books that kept my interest, despite loving the concept, but I gobbled this up in just a few hours.
Note: That’s not a statement about how easy it is to read, I have graduate degrees and reading is what I do professionally. I read quickly with excellent comprehension.

Artwork: You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but I do.

I fell in love with it over the cover. I am a Lepidoptera lover. Moths are my absolute favorite, and I spend my free time studying them. So when I saw such a beautiful moth on the cover I had to know how it fit into the book. It was not quite what I was expecting, but I am okay with that! Because the story itself is so good, and the Crimson Moth is such a good character.


Quality of Writing:

The first paragraph sucked me into the world. It matched the beauty of the cover and then surpassed it. I was in the forest with Rune. I was making my way on her journey, and there was a lump in my throat as I anticipated whatever fight she was going to have to face. (No spoilers). That quality of writing did not let up through the entirety of the book. I think any aspiring young writer should add this work to their library as a reference for how to write description and action effectively.


The Plot:

It’s good. I was clearly routing for a side the entire time. I loved each scene and the way it moved the plot forward. I found myself sympathizing with the Witch Hunter as the plot unfolded.

I will say that the “twist” was not as unexpected as I would have liked, I guessed it within the first couple of chapters, but I have a tendency to do that for almost every book, tv show, and movie that I read or watch. I think for the average person, it will be a little more surprising.

The Characters:

I love the characters. I love them.

Rune: I don’t typically side with spoiled rich socialites. Usually I struggle with those books, and so I was prepared to struggle with her. But I didn’t. Her character is deep enough that it made me sympathetic to her.

I will say, I would have liked more about her backstory. I also would have liked more moments with her as a vulnerable person. I am hoping that book two expands on who she is, what her hopes and dreams are. What her motivations are. I know that she is living life for revenge, but I want to see it turn to justice. I want to see what she does with the crimson moth.

Gideon: Wow. I love him. I love his backstory. I wanted more of it. I wanted more. I still want more. I want to know his grief. I want to see what he does to make things better in his world. I want him to grow. He was exceptional. But just like with Rune, I wanted so much more backstory, I wanted more of those little moments. I want to know more about his friends, Harrow and Laila. I want to understand his role within the Blood Guard. Give me more.

I have to warn you, it ends on a cliffhanger, and there is no HEA or HFN. I do not even know if the love interests will end up together, and normally I would rage about it- but instead I cried my cries and I am stealing myself for book #2. This is going on my top 10 list of favorites, along with Sabaa Tahir, Natasha Ngan, Rebecca Yarros, S.A. Chakraborty, and more.


I *need* book 2. I need it so badly, I can taste it. But, I am going to have to wait for it, because this one doesn’t even publish until 2024! Until then I will reread this book, which I received as an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This book was sooooo good. I just gasped at the ending which rarely ever happens when I read a book. This story is so refreshing and the banter is so deliciously written. It also had all the tropes I adore. What's not to love about a good enemies to lovers story? 5 stars all the way.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced reader copy.