A fast, fun read that is a solid example of the "romantasy" everyone is wild for right now. Heavy on romance with straightforward worldbuilding that come quickly and completely early on, you're instantly immersed in a society that's gone from ruled by witches to reviling them. Rune's heartbreaking backstory makes her immediately appealing even though she puts on a vapid mask for society.

The writing in the first quarter is compelling and makes it hard to put this down. The craft suffers a little bit as the book goes on, with the romance taking on a bigger part of the plot and some scenes feeling closer to middle grade than YA. Still, there's a love triangle here and an unexpected resolution of it that kept me going despite the writing not being especially sophisticated.

There is no happily ever after or even happy for now here. Just an end to one phase and the promise of a reprise of the main conflict between Rune and Gideon in the next book.

Read as an ARC via NetGalley. Book publishes February 20, 2024

Two years ago, the evil witch queens were overthrown; all witches and their sympathizers were slaughtered. Rune Winters, darling of the revolutionaries, lost her grandmother to the purging. Little do they know that Rune is the Crimson Moth, witch savior and vigilante, saving all she can from the standing order to slaughter all witches. Gideon Sharpe, commander of the Blood Guard, hates witches, and will stop at nothing to ensure they never again rise to power. When the two decide to court each other as a means of gaining information, witch and hunter become embroiled in a lethal game of cat and mouse that leaves no room for any growing feelings they may have.

In an unique setting that I can only describe as ‘witchy steampunk meets victorian-adjacent folktale’, Ciccarelli has created an immensely entertaining tale of two people falling for each other despite their best efforts and against their better judgement. There’s drama, there’s tension, there’s ‘wait I’m supposed to hate you when did that change?’ It’s amazing.

Courtesy of the book’s dual POV, we get to see both Gideon and Rune as they try to navigate their respective lives and all the complicated details therein. It’s one of my favorite ways to read books like this because it means we get to see all of the feelings and thoughts that we’d otherwise miss out on with the traditional style. And boy are there are lot of thoughts and feelings for these two.

If I had to give a critique, and if I didn’t want to give anything away, it would simply be that I prefer my characters a little bit more morally flexible. To be clear, this isn’t actually a negative against the writing or the story itself. It’s just a personal preference that should probably concern me at least a little bit (it does not).

So if you, too, want lots of complicated feelings about two really fun characters, this might be the book for you! “Heartless Hunter” drops February 20, 2024.

Thank you to NetGalley and St.Martins Press for this opportunity to read rate and review this arc which will be available February 20,2024!

This is a romantasy YA and it shows. It felt juvenile at times. The action was great but the romance part of it was eye rolling and felt forced. I read it. I enjoyed it kinda but I don’t think I will read it again.

All I have to say is…
What a freaking ride that I cannot wait to jump on again. This book dug its hook in deep early on and just when I thought I knew what was going to happen the entire plot flipped on me and EVERYTHING changed.

For my SJM fans out there, you will probably LOVE the writing style of this book. I will 100% say it had me screaming more than once when revelations were revealed. Honestly at points I felt stupid for not picking up the subtle hints she left us.

Enemies to lovers? Yeah, this isn’t the novel that you expect to pick up and them be besties by book two. No babes this is true ENEMIES TO LOVERS and they repeatedly made me giggle dance WHILE simultaneously ripping my heart out.

This is one you’re definitely gonna want to preorder and read as soon as it comes out. (Not going to lie here, to think I have to wait till Feb to get the physical book, and EVEN LONGER for the second? I don’t know if I can.)

Edgewood by Ciccarelli was one of my favorite books last year, so I was excited to pick this one up!

Heartless Hunter was such a fun read. I loved how complex Rune and Gideon’s characters are; you both love them and hate some of their actions and decisions. They are constantly battling it out while trying to continue their ruses. I really appreciated the attention Ciccarelli pays to their backstories and how it influences them in the present story. It adds a lot of tension and depth to the story, especially between Rune and Gideon.

There’s a very dark undercurrent in this book. Witches use blood magic, and Rune herself uses her menstrual blood in order to avoid casting scars that would condemn her. So if you’re queasy, I don’t recommend picking this up. However, I liked how Ciccarelli didn’t shy away from writing about hard themes and topics. It adds an extra layer of tension that really worked for me.

This was very close to being a 5-star read for me. However, there is a bit of a love triangle, and without going into any spoilers, the ending was not for me.

Thanks so much to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for my arc!

TW: Self mutilation, blood, mentions of sexual assault/abuse, abusive relationships, death, murder

“Heartless Hunter” captured my attention from the very beginning! This story has everything I love in a fantasy novel (shown below). I could have read this book in one sitting; there were no slow points. I cannot wait for the sequel!

🕸️Romantasy
🕸️Dual POV
🕸️Enemies-to-Lovers
🕸️Best Friend’s Brother
🕸️Fake Dating
🕸️Vigilante
🕸️Suitors
🕸️Witch & Witch Hunter
🕸️Regency Aesthetics
🕸️”How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” themes

I am so grateful for the opportunity to read this ARC. Thank you Alexis, from Wednesday Books, and NetGalley.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishing company for giving me an advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

Did someone say cat and mouse game with a witch and witch hunter? I’m in! The slow burn was amazing! Characterization was on point! The magic system was fabulous! Just read this book already.

First off let me start by saying that this book destroyed me. Slow burn with my favorite trope enemies to lovers with the enticing cat and mouse game!
A witch and witch hunter...what could go wrong?
The plot and pacing was superb, the magic system was easy to understand. The chemistry between the main characters was perfect! And the plot twists were plotting!
I can't wait for book 2!

Kristen Ciccarelli’s HEARTLESS HUNTER has the most deliciously ridiculous plot twists, forbidden love angst and gorgeously broody love interests that make a gripping, fast-paced romance. In it, a fearless witch and fearsome witch hunter get entangled in a fake courtship. Both are driven by their individual desire for justice—and wholly unprepared for the ensuing turmoil of falling for your sworn enemy.

Although there are a few notable big reveals and character arcs that soar past any semblance of logic, HEARTLESS HUNTER is structured well, introduces readers to a host of intriguing characters and is, most importantly, a wildly entertaining read. I will definitely be back for the sequel.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions my own.

Heartless Hunter was such a fantastic book. This is a tough one to review without giving away some major spoilers, so I won't really get into it too much. Let's just say that there are at least 2 major reveals in the latter parts of the book. I honestly did not really see either coming, although I had suspicions about one right before it was revealed. The plot is so good, it really has it all with fantastic characters, a witchy theme, frustrating enemies to lovers romance, and great villains. I just loved this one and look forward to reading the next.

This book was SO good. Heartless Hunter has everything I want in a book: compelling and well-developed characters, witchy blood magic, enemies to lovers romance (with the perfect amount of spice), dual POV, literally everything. This book was literal perfection with amazing plot twists that kept me hooked until the last page. I cannot wait for the next book and to see what happens with our FMC and MMC after the ending. 10000% would recommend.

Ahh I need the sequel and I need it now!! Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin Press for the ARC. I loved this book! Heartless Hunter is an exciting cat-and-mouse romantasy between a witch and the captain that’s hunting her.

The story takes place two years after an uprising against a trio of cruel and corrupt witch queens. In the time since the fall of the witch empire, witches have been hunted and “purged” in public executions. Even witch sympathizers are put to death. Witches are vilified and feared.

Rune kind of gives me Aelin Galathynius vibes. She’s lost everything and is hiding who she truly is from the world. She has a strong sense of justice but she feels that she doesn’t deserve anything good.

Gideon’s character broke my heart. I have to say that while it’s sad and difficult to read no matter who it happens to, I appreciate when the gender roles are reversed when is comes to trauma. So often it’s the FMC who is violated and manipulated by someone in power but in the real world it happens to men and it doesn’t get talked about enough. Gideon’s story left me feeling a bit raw, I really ache for him. I can’t wait to see what the next book holds for him.

My only complaint (and the reason it’s not 5 stars) is that the chemistry between Gideon and Rune was a little flat at times. In certain chapters I felt like it was heading in that electric connection sort of direction but then it fell short. I still like them together, I just needed more, a deeper bond I guess.

The story was exciting and I ended up so invested it was hard to put it down. I can’t wait for this series to continue.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book!

Summary of this plot:
In this book, we follow Rune aka the Crimson Moth, a notorious witch-saver in a world where witches were hunted and murderer. Previously, witches ruled the area, but after rebels took over the palace, the three sister queens were wiped out along with other witches. Now, any witch or witch sympathizer is killed. Because witches need blood for magic and because they often use their own, their silver scars are obvious signs of being witches. Rune doesn’t have any, making it seem like she’s a perfectly normal person.

Years ago, she turned her grandmother in as a witch (per the grandma’s request), leading to her death. Ever since then, she’s been searching for Seraphina, her grandma’s friend. But she finds out that Seraphine has been captured, so she courts the winter hunter Gideon for information. But Gideon has his own plan to court Rune because he suspects that she is the Crimson Moth.

Thoughts on the book:

I very much enjoyed this book, which is saying a lot because I haven’t enjoyed too many books this year. Yes, it’s a little tropey, but I thought it was really fun and exciting to read! If you’ve read Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin and liked it, you might want to pick this one up. It has the same vibes of witch hunter and witch fall in love, as well as a similar (but not the same!) magic system where blood is used for magic.

There are different levels of spells that you can use depending on what kind of blood you have: old blood for weak spells, fresh blood for normal spells, large amounts of blood willingly given to you for even bigger spells, and large amounts of blood NOT willingly given to you for the most dangerous and malicious spells. Rune doesn’t have scars because she uses blood from her menstrual cycle, but because that’s only once a month, she often is left with old blood that can only be used for small spells. This magic system is fairly easy to understand and isn’t complex at all.

If you didn’t like S&D, this book doesn’t have the same plot as it, so it’d still be a good one to try to read. The characters have different personalities in this book, so that also differs from S&D. There are also fancy party scenes because Rune pretends to be a socialite, so if you enjoy that, this book could be for you.

There isn’t anything I didn’t like about this book, meaning I will definitely be picking up book 2 whenever it is released.

Would I recommend this book? Yes!

i adored this book! it was so fast paced and the world building was gorgeous and easy to follow. rune was such a great FMC and it was a refreshing take on the witch/witch hunter trope!!

Heartless Hunter is the first book in a series (duology?) about a young woman, Rune Winters, who is the granddaughter of a witch. The country she lives in used to be ruled by a trio of witch sisters who went bad and were overthrown by the military. Witches have become illegal and a hunted by the military. To save Rune from scandal and death she informed on her grandmother as a witch and is now considered a darling of society. Little does the country know that Rune herself is a witch and that her two best friends, Alex and Verity, help her save fellow witches from imprisonment and death. The main issue is that Alex's older brother, Gideon, is one of the main witch hunters and he becomes extremely suspicious of Rune. This leads them to a complicated slow burn romantic game of cat and mouse.
I enjoyed this book for the most part and am giving it 3.5 stars. I enjoyed how fast paced it was and I liked the writing style. The main issue I have with this book is that the foreshadowing became so heavy handed that it was extremely easy to guess what the main twist was at the end. I enjoyed it and the characters and will post a review on my social media accounts closer to the release date in February. Even though it was ultimately predictable at the end I am still interested in the rest of the story and will look for the release of book 2.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the opportunity to read and review this book in exchange for my honest review..

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 stars)

"Heartless Hunter" by Kristen Ciccarelli is a mesmerizing start to "The Crimson Moth" series that left me utterly enchanted from the very first page. This book is a true masterpiece of fantasy storytelling, blending rich world-building, complex characters, and a gripping plot that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.

Ciccarelli's writing is nothing short of exquisite. Her vivid descriptions painted a vivid picture of the world of the Crimson Moth, making it come alive in my mind. I felt fully immersed in this enchanting realm, where magic and mystery intertwine seamlessly. The author's attention to detail and lyrical prose are a testament to her storytelling prowess.

The protagonist, Rune, is a character who immediately captured my heart. Her journey from a seemingly ordinary life to discovering her extraordinary destiny is both relatable and inspiring. Watching her grow and evolve, facing challenges with courage and determination, was a true pleasure.

The supporting characters are equally compelling, each with their own unique quirks and motivations. The relationships and bonds that form between them are beautifully portrayed, adding depth and emotional resonance to the narrative.

What sets "Heartless Hunter" apart is its intricate plot, filled with unexpected twists and turns. The mysteries and secrets that unravel as the story progresses kept me guessing until the very end. This book is a perfect blend of action, intrigue, and magic, making it impossible to put down.

Overall, "Heartless Hunter" is a stunning debut to "The Crimson Moth" series, and I eagerly await the next installment. Kristen Ciccarelli has crafted a masterpiece of fantasy fiction that will leave readers captivated and craving for more. If you're a fan of fantasy novels that transport you to new worlds and leave you breathless with wonder, then "Heartless Hunter" is an absolute must-read. Highly recommended!

3.5 stars..

The romance in this book was so sweet. Gideon(MMC) is both the dangerous and soft lover, and Rune melted for him in every way.

He sowed her flowers and dresses, and said the sweetest most heart melting words.

Rune said once: “ I am now more ache than girl.” In the way she aches for Gideon. ***SWOON***

The longing, hurt, and betrayal cuts the reader to the core. There is no happy ending in this book.

This is a witchy read, with blood magic, runes, and heartache. I enjoyed it very much.

The only reason it didn’t get five stars? I felt like the love triangle was a little much, it felt a little ‘insta love’, and some situations were a bit too convenient.

Otherwise, an enjoyable read I couldn’t put down! 🖤

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via Netgalley)

4.5 stars but in a rare twist of events, I'm rounding up lol. THIS WAS SO GOOD. The pacing, the world building, the characters, the magic system, and the slow burn romance.

I read the whole thing in one sitting and need the next one now please!!

This was SO GOOD. I couldn't stop reading. The relationship between Gideon and Rune was perfection and I'm honestly so sad that I'm going to have to wait so long for the sequel. The world building lacked depth, but that really wasn't the main focus of the story - it was the romance and that romance was done so perfectly. Enemies to lovers isn't always done well, but the author nailed it. I can't wait to see how this story wraps up with the sequel!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

5/5 stars

This book had me hooked! I was very intrigued with the magic system. I think the author did a great job keeping the suspense and the thrill. I couldn’t put this down once I started.

I loved Rune’s whole personality. She was cunning and witty and I loved seeing her banter with everyone. It was interesting learning her witch background and her crimson moth involvement. I enjoyed seeing how her mind worked through things. This book had me on edge with the character decisions!

Gideon, my poor troubled soul. I am so sorry you feel betrayed but I can’t wait to see you redeem yourself. Gideon felt like a true enemy and I enjoyed watching that play out. The author really didn’t give us a break with Gideon. I enjoyed learning about his past and look forward to see what happens in book 2.

Overall I really enjoyed the world the author built. The plot was intriguing and kept me invested. I loved the relationship between Gideon and Rune. I am excited to see where it goes and what book 2 brings!