(4.75 stars)
I absolutely loved Heartless Hunter and was so excited to read the second book in this duology, Rebel Witch! This is marketed as Young Adult, but I’m far from that age and I loved it. It’s got witches with an interesting magic system (there’s blood involved, but not in a gory way for the most part)), romance between enemies, action scenes, and more. In fact, the tag line is “Love has never been so deadly.”

Rune and Gideon are wonderful characters with interesting (and heartbreaking) backstories. They have real chemistry but their life purposes are diametrically opposed: she’s a witch and he’s a witch hunter! It’s the ultimate enemies-to-lovers scenario.

I would not recommend reading this book without having read Heartless Hunter first; you would be confused and miss a LOT of backstory. That being said, the author does provide bits and pieces of their history along the way to help readers remember the important things from the first book.

I felt it got bogged down just a tad in the middle, but that didn’t stop me from wanting to keep turning the pages to see how everything would resolve. There are tons of action scenes throughout, with either Rune or Gideon or both of them trying to outrun or outsmart their pursuers.

A huge thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Fast paced and entertaining I loved finding out more of the mcs romance and growth together. This book did not disappoint but the storyline was predictable

Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

Words fail me right now trying to start this review like … 🙃. Holy cow. HOLY COW! This was so freaking good!!! Kristen, girl, you put some crack into this one because 🥵. Kicking my feet, screaming, foaming at the mouth, just wow. I enjoyed Heartless Hunter. It was good, but Rebel Witch was just … a whole other level! Like top-tier romantasy, going on my all-time greats list, going to recommend to every single person I know type of good. I do not have enough words of praise to say about Rebel Witch and Kristen Ciccarelli, but I will do my best.

Rebel Witch is the second book in a fantasy duology by Kristen Ciccarelli. It follows Rune Winters, witch, and Gideon Sharpe, witch hunter 😏. I won’t give away any spoilers for Heartless Hunter, but let’s just say they find themselves in a bit of a predicament at the start of Rebel Witch, on opposite sides of a rather large conflict (aka trying to kill each other) but still very much obsessed with each other. WHAT. A. VIBE. They eventually strike a tentative truce and what follows is a cat and mouse game in which both Rune and Gideon think that they are the cat.

This book has literally all my favorite things: banter, pining, enemies to lovers, slow burn, tension, only one bed, fake marriage, “who did this to you?”, witches, cat and mouse game, and so, so, so much more. If there were a blueprint on how to write the perfect fantasy novel, this book followed it to a tee and executed it perfectly.

Let’s start with characters. Rune Winters, our Crimson Moth, what a gal. Rune’s character growth in this book was just fascinating. She’s already a strong, brave, fearless badass, but I loved watching her soften for Gideon, finally letting him in, letting herself love him. It was beautiful. Same for Gideon. They work so well because they’re essentially the same character. They both care for other people to a fault, they’ll do anything for those they love, they’re fiercely loyal, they love so hard, they won’t back down from a challenge, and they only want what’s best for their country. Seeing them realize that they actually want the same thing and are on the same side was just brilliant. How it all came together in the end was brilliant. Watching them let their guards down and stop fighting their love for each other was brilliant. I would happily read it again and again and again. ICYMI, brilliant ✨.

Ciccarelli’s writing shines in this book. She wove together a stunning world, with a well-built magic system, intriguing politics, and well-rounded characters. This is how you write a fantasy novel, people. The writing was never clunky or boring. The story never lags. I was thoroughly invested in the entire thing. While somewhat predictable, the plotting was so clever that it didn’t matter. The predictability didn’t make it any less enjoyable because I still didn’t know exactly how it was going to play out. It was such a good ending that I didn’t even care I had called it. I even shed some tears. That is the mark of a fantastic storyteller.

Rune and Gideon’s romance was electric! I literally cannot remember the last time I was so invested in two characters finally getting together. The powder room scene? Hit. Fake marriage on the boat? Hit. Shooting lessons? Hit. On the train? HIT! My girl, Kristen, kept us fed with little crumbs throughout. I loved seeing them both jealous. I was giggling like a child. When Gideon hit her with the “who did this to you?”, I audibly squealed! I know it sounds kind of trope-y, but it was done so well that it doesn’t feel like it AT ALL. It is 100% authentic to the story and isn’t just crammed in to tick off some arbitrary list of tropes that people want to read. Again, well done, Ms. Kristen 👏🏼.

I simply do not have enough fantastic things to say about this book. This will be one of my all-time favorites for sure, and I will be re-reading it many times. I cannot recommend this enough to my romantasy girlies. Come get it, while it’s hot! 😉🔥

Thank you to NetGalley, Kristen Ciccarellli, and St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review and for gifting me my favorite read of the year so far (will be hard to top)! All opinions stated are my own.

So thankful for an early edition! I couldn’t put this one down. It picked up right where Heartless Hunter left off… with a witch and a witch hunter trying to figure out their alliances. This was action packed and led to twists I didn’t see coming. And I loved the resolve at the ending! What a great duology! I am a huge fan!

I enjoyed the Heartless Hunter so much and was eagerly awaiting the sequel, Rebel Witch, which did not disappoint! The story picks up shortly after the events in book one and the action hits immediately. The tension and desire between Rune and Gideon is evident throughout, but of course there's plenty of obstacles in the way of their love. The book is unputdownable and if you found yourself addicted to Heartless Hunter, you'll find yourself in the same place again!

Read this book if you enjoy:
✨ Enemies to lovers romance
✨ Slowburn romance
✨ Fake marriage trope
✨ Love triangles/Competing love interests
✨ Interesting magic system

What a breathtaking conclusion to such a phenomenal series. The imagery, the character complexity, and development, everything about this second installment was as good if not even better than the first. Ciccarelli has a way of writing that leaves you on the edge of your seat, as she dangles every word in front of you. I feel like both characters were so real and understandable, that I never questioned why they did the things that they did, even when they conflicted with one another. What a beautiful duology, I will be in a book slump for a bit of time after this - as this is one of my most favorite series of all time.

Rebel Witch picks up a few months later after Heartless Hunter. It is about Rune, a witch on the run, who is forced to team up with a cruel witch to survive. Gideon, a witch hunter, is targeting Rune and determined to protect the Republic. But when Rune makes Gideon an offer he can't refuse, they're thrown together once more, rekindling old flames and forcing him to choose: the girl he loves, or the world he fought for.

Rebel Witch delivered on the emotional punch I was craving after The Heartless Hunter. I was initially hesitant, given the changed dynamic between Rune and Gideon, but Ciccarelli immediately recaptured the agonizing (in the best way!) push and pull that made their relationship so compelling in the first book.

Rune's journey of self-discovery was well done. Watching her rise from the previous book, battling her inner demons and reclaiming her strength amidst the chaos was inspiring. And Gideon? Swoon. I NEEDED MORE GIDEON. While the emotional core of the book shone brightly, the plot occasionally felt bogged down by repetitive cycles of running, hiding, and planning. There were moments where my attention wavered. However, I felt the ending made up for lulls.

Rebel Witch delivers a satisfying and emotional end to Rune and Gideon's story. Ciccarelli's captivating writing and well-developed characters elevate this duology.

Thank you, NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Fantastic duology! I loved The Heartless Hunter and book two seamlessly picked up where book one left off. Both are quick reads so I recommend reading book one before Rebel Witch.

*I received an arc of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest review.

Albiet a bit repetitive, this was an incredible completion to The Crimson Moth duology! Rune and Gideon have become two of my favorite book characters, I love the cat and mouse intensity from book one, while in Rebel Witch I loved the will they wont they pull within this story. A true slow born executed well, with enemies to lovers and forced proximity. Kristen knows how to perfectly blend the romance into the plot, without the romance taking over completely.

An incredible YA fantasy duology that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the best in the genre. Anyone who likes 'Divine Rivals' or 'Serpent & Dove' will adore this one; I have no doubt. After the events of the first book, the tension is palpable as Rune finds herself struggling to survive and play a part she wasn't prepared to play. The chemistry between Rune and Gideon Sharpe is still electric. Their cat-and-mouse dynamic—brimming with witty banter, palpable longing, and the thrill of forbidden love—had me utterly absorbed. Every interaction between these imperfect, realistic characters feels genuine, and their emotional journey is as satisfying as it is intense.

The duology is not only a tale of danger and magic but also a story of growth and redemption. Rune and Gideon’s evolving relationship captures the heart of the story and delivers moments that made me sigh with relief and squeal aloud when they finally found common ground. The intricate character work and the richly imagined world leave a lasting impression, making this a standout addition to the romantasy genre.

That said, I did have a couple of veeery minor quibbles. I found it frustrating that the 'future hopes' for the characters are reduced to a narrow focus on children—a trope that felt like an easy reach and limited their individual goals. It made me roll my eyes. Additionally, the twist at the end didn’t quite land for me; I didn't believe it for a second. Despite these minor issues, Rebel Witch remains one of the most incredible YA romantasy duologies I've read.

Thanks to TBR and Beyond Tours and the lovely author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley for granting my wish for an ARC! 🫶🏻

My babies 😭🥹 Rune and Gideon overcoming all the obstacles 🤍

Not gonna lie, the one spicy scene surprised me in the best way possible. Kristen, you have my utmost respect for keeping me on this journey with virtually no spice! The tension is so delicious and well written that I didn’t even miss it.

I love these two characters with my whole heart. And their whole band of misfits.

Also, can we get a spinoff of Bart? What about Harrow? 🥺

I absolutely loved this duology of the Crimson Moth. Rebel Witch was the perfect ending to this story. Sadly I wish it wasn’t because I would love to have more Gideon and Rune. This book was the perfect mix of dislike of one another, angst and fiery chemistry. How could Gideon and Rune not be end game?! I ate it all up and I’m so grateful for the early copy. I had pre ordered my hardcover months ago and she is beautiful. My only complaint is that I want more. I will forever be in love with these characters.

Picking up right where the first one left off, Rune is betrothed to Prince Soren to guarantee Witch Queen Cressida gets her army to take down the New Republic. Gideon is still hunting Rune. Shocking to no one, they can’t seem to keep their hands off each other. Yearning and witch battles galore.

Thoughts: The yearning be YEARNING. For being YA, the tension between Gideon and Rune is immaculate and done better than a lot of adult romances. Highly recommend reading this duology for the romance alone.

Although the sexual tension was excellent, the pacing was a bit off for me. The first half felt like not enough was happening besides some lovely tension. Since this is only a duology, I was worried the wrapping up of the plot would be rushed or unfulfilling. The plot did resolve in a satisfying way but everything happened so quick it felt like the stakes weren’t that high.

Even though I really did love it, I feel like there needed to be ~100 more pages to build out the tension of the fantasy plot. The romance was impeccable but everything else felt thrown in and wrapped up way too quickly.

Such a wonderfully written duology. The character development was expertly written.
I enjoyed this book and will miss continuing with the series. Wonderful and thank you for the ARC

I started Rebel Witch right after I finished Heartless Hunter, hoping the second book would be better. Alas, I disliked Rune right from the start. I found her still lacking, and I hated her lack of compassion for Gideon. Sure, they were supposed to be enemies but her supposedly having fallen in love with him made that hard to digest. I found her feelings lacking in depth. Sure, she redeemed herself shortly after but I still found her weak.
I found Gideon’s feelings for her also lacking in depth as the story progressed. All the hatred and hurtful words between the two of them got old real fast. I spent three-quarters of the book feeling frustrated. The word-building was still sadly lacking.
That said, the plot twists were slightly better in this second book, though some of the scenes felt unnecessary. However, I did like the last couple of chapters and the ending.

4.5 stars.

I love, love this duology. The execution from book 1 to book 2 was so well done. I love the character growth and how the plot moved along, never dragging.

The tension and chemistry between Rune and Gideon was so good in this book. The only reason book 2 didn’t get a full 5 stars was that I guessed one of the “twists” pretty early on and I thought the random Laila POV chapter at the end was a little odd.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

This sequel was incredible! I loved the first book and had high hopes for the sequel and it did not disappoint. This book took off immediately and I was hooked from the very beginning. The plot was fun and compelling, the character development was so good and I just had an amazing time reading this book. I have already recommended this series to friends and I will absolutely keep doing that. I cannot wait to see what else this author writes!

I was honored to have received an ARC edition of "Rebel Witch" from NetGalley. Here is my truthful and whole hearted review of the novel.

"Rebel Witch" by Kristen Ciccarelli is a stunning sequel that absolutely lives up to the magic and intensity of its predecessor, "Heartless Hunter." As the highly anticipated continuation of the story between the witch and the witch hunter, this book delivers everything I could have hoped for and more. From the very first page, Ciccarelli pulls you back into her beautifully crafted world, where tension, romance, and magic collide. I loved seeing the evolution of the characters, especially the relationship between the two main leads. The way their love story develops, from enemies to allies to something far more powerful, is written with such depth and nuance that I found myself cheering for them every step of the way. The plot itself was a perfect balance of action, romance, and character development. The twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat, and I found myself constantly craving more of this world and its rich lore. Ciccarelli has a way of weaving complex emotions into every scene, making it impossible to put the book down.

What really stood out to me, though, was how well "Rebel Witch" tied up the threads from the first book while setting up a satisfying and fulfilling conclusion. It was the perfect sequel and a fitting end to a story I’ve come to love. The pacing was spot-on, and the emotional payoff was absolutely worth it.

I gave "Rebel Witch" 4 stars—it's a truly fantastic book that left me feeling satisfied. If you loved "Heartless Hunter", this sequel is not to be missed!

I liked this a lot better than the first book, because it felt like Gideon and Rune were more equals in this one. Honestly my biggest problem with it was that the ending felt totally out of left field. I liked the characters we were given in the last like 100 pages a lot, but we barely get to know any of them. The fact that it took maybe a hundred pages for Rune and Gideon and the lot to basically solve racism was so ridiculous. What this book needed in my opinion was to actually be a second book in a trilogy. It would've been such a strong third book if we stopped this one on the way back to the island with Rune, and then the third book is all about saving Gideon and Rune overcoming her fear and the two of them forging this alliance with everyone.
I do still think this was a fun time and i did enjoy reading it. I just wish we were given more time to have a fully fleshed out series. I do still love Rune though. A Rune girlie forever.

Wow this book was amazing. What an epic conclusion to this phenomenal duology.

The most steamy game of cat and mouse. I was hooked and glued to my book every night. This book was like a symphony in a continuous high. The stakes were so high that I felt I couldn't breath or I would implode. There were so many times I felt like we were barely dodging a bullet, just for a new twist to come up.

Rune & Gideon were so perfect. So fierce but at the same time so gentle and precious. Their romance, banter, tension and chemistry was just marvelous. Oh Gideon, you truly saved the day.

My favorite phrase: <i>"You are far worse than a thorn in my side. You are a knife in my heart"<i>

Thank you so much St. Martin's Press and Net Galley for granting me early access to this amazing book!