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!!!

So many people on Booktok and Bookstagram were obsessed with The Crimson Moth aka Heartless Hunter when it came out. I, however, was not one of them. Don’t get me wrong, there was a lot to love about the first book in this now completed duology, but a couple things really gave me the ick and are seemingly NEVER talked about when people give their reviews. But you know I like to be brutally honest here. For me, the biggest ick was the use of period blood in the magic system. Excuse me, what?! No. Just no. I was completely mortified. And it just kept getting brought up over and over again. Now, I know what you’re thinking, why on earth would you read book two then?! But honestly, with the cliffhanger ending, I had to know what happened! And like I said, there were a lot of things to enjoy about the enemies to lovers storyline and the world Ciccarelli created. I’m pleased to report, no monthly fluids are used in Rebel Witch, and I actually thoroughly enjoyed this conclusion!

It was super fast paced and never really let up the entire time, so much so, I was questioning if there was going to be a third book because I had no idea if everything was going to get resolved by the end. Is it beyond predictable? Yes. But that didn’t really bother me. I honestly adore the two main characters, and their dynamic. If you love a true enemies to lovers story, a fake marriage, extremely high stakes, and a villain you truly loathe, you might also love this series.

Things to Know:
Duology conclusion
Enemies to lovers
Fake Marriage
TW: torture, SA
Great banter
Some political intrigue

***MINOR SPOILERS FROM HERE ON OUT—YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!***

We pick up shortly after where The Crimson Moth (aka Heartless Hunter) left off, and once again, our boy Gideon is on a mission to kill our now escaped FMC, Rune, who has fled to the Continent and is apparently now engaged to a Prince (who’s absolutely horrendous), in order to secure his army for Cressida, the Witch Queen we all love to hate. I definitely don’t want to give major spoilers, but I love how high stakes this story is. Everything truly is life and death, and the impossible choices people must make. It also shows how quickly people attach themselves to power, and will turn on each other to save their own skins.

As readers, we can see how perfect Rune and Gideon are for each other, but they just won’t listen to their hearts. Although by their actions, you can see they do care about each other, even if they’re planning double crosses and betrayals at every turn.

And all I’m gonna say is if you love the dance party scene below deck from Titanic, there are a few chapters you’ll LOVE. I got major Rose and Jack vibes. There is a lot of traveling in this book, and those sequences can sometimes get a little boring or bogged down in books, but Ciccarelli did an amazing job of making these sections super fast paced still, and also high stakes.

Rune is such a great FMC. She’s strong, but still soft sometimes. I love her complexity, her feistiness. At times she can be super selfish, but I love that she’s not a perfect character. It makes her more real. Gideon, I’m frankly obsessed with. There are definitely some lack of communication moments where you just want to shake them both, but they eventually find their way. There are so many moments in this book that felt like a great payoff. We even get a “Who did this to you?!” moment and I was eating that up!

There is a fair bit of torture and attempted SA, so keep that mind for triggers. And as I mentioned before, the “twists” were all incredibly obvious—so much so—that I was yelling at Rune to not be so dense at moments. Like girl, come on! But it was still a fun read. I did have one tiny instance of modern slang that snuck in there, and if you’ve read any of my reviews before, you KNOW that’s a huge pet peeve of mine. “Rune Winters is bad news,” just completely pulled me out of the fantasy setting. It felt super out of character for how everyone speaks. We’re not watching a high school CW show.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and pretty much binged it in a couple sittings. All the props to the narrator of the audiobook—the accents and voices are so amazing and truly helped the story come to life in my mind while I also read on my Kindle. Many thanks to Wednesday Books for an eArc. All opinions are my own.

Fave Quotes:

“The problem with love is the more you try to destroy it, the stronger it becomes. It might look like weakness on the surface. But in truth, it’s tougher than steel. Love can’t be controlled. Love can’t obey unjust laws. Love will always oppose tyrants.”

—

“She was like a magnet sending the arrows on his moral compass spinning.”

—

“You don’t want her dead because she’s a witch…You want her dead because she didn’t want you.”

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books for the ARC of Rebel Witch!

Rebel Witch picks up a couple months after Crimson Moth/Heartless Hunter ends and Rune and Gideon are back to hunting each other. But they must work together for better or worse, both planning to stab each other in the back once they return to The New Republic. But will either be able to kill the other?

Rebel Witch was a solid finish to the series. It pulls you in immediately and is a quick read. The "will they/won't they" tension was done so perfectly in the first book but then it felt like she tried to replicate that dynamic again in the second and it was not as successful. Rune was much more insecure in this book and I felt her character suffered for it. But overall the book was really enjoyable and it is a great duology!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
4.5/5 STARS

Genre: YA Fantasy Romance

Book 2 in the Crimson Moth Duology. I enjoyed this series! This one had a little more enemies to lovers and on the run vibes than the first book. It’s set on a ship for the first half of it. The pace was fast and it’s easy to read.
If you enjoy witch + witch hunter books you will like it.

The stakes are higher than ever in Rebel Witch, the thrilling and romantic conclusion to Kristen Ciccarelli’s Crimson Moth duology. In this epic finale, Rune Winters, the witch who’s been on the run ever since the boy she loved, Gideon Sharpe, betrayed her to their enemies, finds herself in a desperate alliance with the dangerous Cressida Roseblood. Cressida’s plan to reinstate a Reign of Witches is the only chance Rune has to survive. But allying herself with a woman as ruthless as Cressida comes at a price — one that could change everything.

Meanwhile, Gideon, the witch hunter who once loved Rune, is now determined to stop the witches at any cost, even if that means killing her. As the two are forced into a tense partnership, their old feelings resurface, and they are faced with an impossible choice: does Gideon sacrifice Rune to protect the world he fought for, or does he let her live and risk everything he’s worked for?

The plot is an intense mix of action, magic, and romance, with a focus on high emotional stakes and a gripping will-they-or-won’t-they tension between Rune and Gideon. The constant back-and-forth between these two characters, the betrayals, and the impossible choices they must make keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

As a huge fan of the first book in the Crimson Moth series, I was eagerly anticipating the release of Rebel Witch, and it did not disappoint. The chemistry between Rune and Gideon is just as electric as in the first book, and I loved how the narrative picks up right where we left off, diving straight into the action and the complex emotions between our main characters. The banter, the tension, and the evolving romance between them were some of my favorite aspects of the story, keeping me hooked throughout.

What I really appreciated about this duology is its pacing. The world-building isn’t overly complex or overwhelming, and the story doesn’t drag on like many fantasy series tend to do. It strikes a perfect balance between depth and accessibility, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the story without feeling bogged down by unnecessary details. This makes it a perfect fit for readers who love a fast-paced, action-packed fantasy without the heavy world-building that sometimes makes other series feel tedious.

The conclusion is satisfying and emotional, with plenty of twists to keep things exciting. I was on the edge of my seat, anxiously awaiting how Rune and Gideon’s story would resolve, and I wasn’t let down. Ciccarelli does an excellent job of wrapping up all the character arcs while leaving the reader feeling fulfilled.

Overall, Rebel Witch is a fantastic conclusion to the Crimson Moth duology. If you enjoyed the first book, you’re sure to love this one as well. It’s a quick, engaging read with a perfect blend of romance, magic, and high-stakes drama. I’d highly recommend this two-book series to anyone who loves character-driven fantasy with heart, and especially for those who appreciate a good enemies-to-lovers dynamic.

For fans of the first book, you won’t be disappointed in how this series wraps up — and if you haven’t read the Crimson Moth duology yet, now is the time to dive in!

Rune is all set to marry a man she does not love for the good of helping her people fight back. Picking up months after the end of Crimson Moth, things appear to be going in the witch's favor as Cressida is on track to get an army, through Rune's fiancé, to take back their island home. Gideon, however, is eager to keep the evil that Cressida caused in the past from rising again. But is he strong enough to overcome the irresistible force that is Rune Winters? I almost wish this had been a trilogy so I could stay with Gideon and Rune a bit longer, but the pacing on this was perfect. Would I have put up with a man that on some level was willing to see me hanged and murdered? Absolutely not, but I think the way Ciccarelli wrote Gideon and Rune, it still worked. I liked seeing more of the world building in this and a fun reprisal of characters from the first book. Overall a very compelling read!

Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli is a captivating and atmospheric fantasy that plunges readers into a world of magic, rebellion, and self-discovery. Ciccarelli masterfully blends themes of personal growth, power, and identity with rich world-building and a gripping narrative. The protagonist’s journey to understand her magic and carve her own path is both relatable and inspiring, making for an empowering read.

Ciccarelli’s writing style is lush and immersive, with moments of tension and heart, while the secondary characters add depth and intrigue to the plot. Rebel Witch is a perfect choice for fans of character-driven fantasy with a strong, flawed heroine who faces not just external battles, but also her internal struggles.

I was so grateful to receive an ARC. thank you @kristenciccarelli, @netgalley, and @penguinrandomhouse