This series is amazing and this was a fantastic conclusion! It was fast paced, action packed and held all the same pining and heartbreak that the first book held. My only complaint is that it was slightly predictable, but it really didn’t take anything away from the story itself! I enjoyed the anticipation of how the characters would get to where they were going and their journeys.

After the ending of Heartless Hunter I'd been waiting to find out what would happen next - and I ended up enjoying it even more than HH! I liked the fact that this duology has two MCs who are enemies - quite literally. They've tried to kill each other multiple times and still do that in this one(QAQ) and are on the opposite sides of everything! It's easy to understand their motivations considering their pasts - I truly felt like neither Rune nor Gideon were on the right/wrong side at first. They were just doing what they could do after everything that had happened to them - especially in a world where witches were brutal to those that didn't possess magic and the witch hunters were just as nefarious in their retaliation

Rebel Witch picks up right after Heartless Hunter with Gideon and Rune back to trying to kill each other again haha(half-heartedly might I add 😂). But, I'm glad that there was more development on the emotional front. There were a few missteps at first but when they finally learn to trust each other they do make a good team - though it takes a while for them to be honest to each other. But, I also enjoyed the cat and mouse dynamic where they constantly tried to outsmart each other.
There was lots of tension and action in this one - I was surprised by how quickly I flew through this book as I was eager to know what would happen next. I guessed some of the twists but I was surprised by the character development here. Gideon seemed more in touch with his emotions in this one, while Rune was strong and had to build up her faltering confidence after everything. They had to work through their issues - while trying their best to stay alive lol. The ending was pretty satisfactory and realistic too and I hope we get to see more books set in the same world!

Really enjoyable book! It is very plot based and so fast paced. It was hard to put down because it was just event after event after event. It's a very bingable book.

The plot alone was great, but the character arcs, in my opinion, lacked a bit. I don't like when in a series the main female character is so strong and badass in the first book and then in the second she just seems to lose all of her self confidence, personality and badassness and instead spends the majority of her time worrying that the guy might not really want her. That happened in this book. Although the romance in this book was very sweet, which I love, both main characters basically had one track minds. It did get a bit old. There was a part where the main female character got hurt, and all she was worried about was that now, with scars, her body was ruined, and she was hideous. Nobody would want her now. The was actually mentioned twice. Biggest eye roll ever. Could have done without that part.

Overall, if you enjoyed the first book, you are going to love this one! Very similar style, very fast paced and a satisfying ending.

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

I think a review of a book sequel inherently will have some spoilers, so be warned, you probably should read Crimson Moth before embarking on Rebel Witch and this review.

My concern with sequels that end with the two main characters separating, is that it will take a prolonged set up in book two for them to reunite. But not this time. Kristen Ciccarelli said I know you all want Rune and Gideon back together again as much as I do so BANG first thing, they’re in each other’s orbit. Gideon has once again fooled himself into believing he is capable of killing the love of his life and Rune has gotten herself embroiled with Cressida’s evil witch queen plans. How will they ever recover from this!?

Don’t worry, they do, and while the twists and turns of this story at times felt a little more obvious compared to the breath of fresh air that was Crimson Moth, it was still entertaining and fun to read. I almost wish it had been longer to explore certain characters’ backstories, but it was good nonetheless. Overall, a fast paced and adventure packed book. There are essentially zero scenes that drag, every part advanced the plot and kept me flipping to the next page. I’m a big fan of the author’s writing style and story telling ability because even when I was able to predict the twist at the end (which I never do correctly), I really enjoyed how she orchestrated things. Once again, the stakes in Rebel Witch are real, bad things happen to our main characters and their traumatic pasts are not swept under the rug, which makes for a gritty and compelling tale. This duology is a pretty impressive feat, and I look forward to whatever Kristen Ciccarelli does next.

"Rebel Witch" by Kristen Ciccarelli is the second novel in the Crimson Moth series. We continue to follow Rue as she fights against the oppression of the regime. Super said that this series is over. It was a beautiful story with very well developed characters.

This was really good! I appreciated we jumped right into it. Non stop action. Love Kristen’s writing style. So many surprises in the story! I literally was so shook by a twist I didn’t see coming. It was almost a five stars but thought some story developments were repetitive. Like oh this is happening again?! And I didn’t like the miscommunication between Gideon and Rune. Their tension was so good! I’m yelling about them most the book to tell each other how they really feel! But the ending was great. Rated it 4.5 stars. I did a Bookstagram review post have have it linked down below.

I thoroughly enjoyed returning to the world of witches and witch hunters! This one was as much fun to read as the first one--I had no trouble falling right back into the story. The pace was quick with a good bit of suspense built in, and the chemistry between Rune and Gideon was electric. Although predictable in places, there were still some excellent surprises along the way, and for me, a very satisfying ending. I look forward to reading whatever she writes next!

What a fantastic book! Such a stunning conclusion to the story! The characters stay with you long after you finish the book. Highly recommend!

I loved the Crimson Moth so much, so its no surprise that I devoured and adored Rebel Witch. Rune is such a refreshing character. She is girly & feminine & not a fighter, but yet a total bad ass who will throw down for what she believes in. I think so often in fantasy the main characters get "not like other girl syndrome" but not Rune. She is perfectly who she is and amazing.

Love this duology! I love enemies to lovers and the action was jam packed! I loved it! The perfect ending to that banger of a cliffhanger in book one.

Fast paced for a good 60% of the book, then we had some useless 20% with miscommunication between every character you could think of and a terribly bad back and forth that truly ruined the book for me.
I couldn’t appreciate the last 10% because of that and bc of how fast it felt after all this, like….. that’s it ? I loved the ideas of the book but I would’ve paced them differently all along the book.

I truly wanted to strangle every character.

The book was predictable and the only plot twist that surprised me was brushed out in two lines so….

I expected way more from Gideon’s character development. Like Rune’s character development in the first book happened all along the book and you realized at the end her growth while in this one….. Gideon was an asshole for majority of the book and then poof, Magic, he’s not anymore ???? I mean ok… ?

So I’m disappointed with this book, especially since I really really liked the first one.

Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an advanced copy!

I was very excited for Rebel Witch after loving Heartless Hunter! Overall, it was a fun read. I flew through the first half, and the second half felt a little slower until the last few chapters. I do think the climax at the end was too fast--the big ending happened all within 30 pages. And I don't usually predict big reveals in books, but I predicted one of the big reveals very early on because it was a little too obvious. I mostly liked Gideon and Rune's relationship, though it was a little too much back and forth for me. But despite these few problems I had with the book, it was a great ending to the series!

I AM SO SAD! My favorite duology of all time has come to an end. 😭

If you have not read these books yet, do yourself a favor and pick them up! I’m seriously so obsessed with Rune and Gideon. I think this duology ended perfectly and now I need this to be made into a movie or a series so I can binge watch it over and over. I listened to the audiobook of “The Rebel Witch” and it was amazing, no notes.

I’m sad this adventure is over but I’m so excited to see what @kristenciccarelli comes up with next

The perfect ending to this masterful duology. I was hooked once again in this world Ciccarelli created, and didn’t want to leave. The enemies-to-livers trope between Rune and Gideon was adorable, and just the overall concept of how Rune’s magic worked was so fun to read. Can’t wait to bring this book into my classroom library.

4.5 I'm so glad I requested the first book in this series as an ARC. I didn't know anything about this author and the synopsis sounded interesting, so I decided to give it a chance. I was entertained and delighted with how the story flowed and how invested I became with the characters. The same is true with the sequel Rebel Witch. I wondered how the second book would progress from the events that happened at the end of the first book, and I'm glad to say that it did not disappoint. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC.

OMG, I loved this so much! A perfect conclusion to this duology. I have no complaints! I will definitely be rereading this one!!

At one point in this book, Rune says she feels like “her heart is made of clay, and someone smashed it into a thousand pieces.” Well if her heart is clay, my heart is play-dough, and Kristen Ciccarelli is just toying with it like a kid in kindergarten.

If we put these books side by side: Heartless Hunter is the train heading up the hill, and Rebel Witch is coming off the tracks on the way down. 🆘😮‍💨 Within the first 3 chapters I needed a full 10 minutes to stop reading and calm the heck down. Expect a lot of back and forth between these two, no chapter ending where you can set this book down, and even more beautiful aching words from Gideon.

P.S It should be acknowledged Cressida is essentially Bellatrix and no one can tell me otherwise. Get yourself a pillow to scream into.

The Rebel Witch takes everything to the next level. The story picks up with our heroine navigating the dangers of magic, betrayal, and fate, all while dealing with the most infuriating (yet irresistible) enemy. As tensions rise and the stakes grow higher, she’s forced to make choices that could change everything.

One of my absolute favorite things? The enemies-to-lovers romance that carries over from book one—it’s executed so well in this sequel, keeping the tension sharp but incredibly satisfying. The pacing is spot-on, never dragging or rushing, and the magic system continues to feel fresh and intriguing. On top of that, the writing great, fun and immersive; I flew through this book, completely obsessed with the characters.

I’m honestly so sad that this is a duology because I never wanted it to end. I’ll be thinking about this book all the time!! If you love gripping fantasy, sizzling romance, and a world you can lose yourself in, The Rebel Witch is a must-read!

An absolute home run of a story. I really wanted to savor this book. I did! But the minute I started reading I was hooked. The characters grab you from the very beginning. For anyone wanting a fast paced and magical read, this is it!

I loved these books and will be sad to say goodbye to these characters. This was a great duology and would highly recommend!!!