I will not be publicly reviewing this book until St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books addresses reader concerns.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⚡️3.75 stars
I heard good things about this book so I was excited to read it.

I mostly enjoyed the story although there were some things I had issues with (mainly how she obtained blood for her spells).

There were some things that were obvious and there were some plot holes that didn’t make any sense. And the amount of stupid mistakes she made drove me crazy.

But ultimately I was entertained and enjoyed the overall story and I will probably read the next book when it is released.
🩸
This felt like a mix of the high society and balls of Bridgerton mixed with the Witch/Witch Hunters of Serpent & Dove series.

I was not expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did, and I would like to blame the Tragic Backstory trope for that.

Heartless Hunter is one of the select few romantasy books that I enjoyed. Maybe it was the spying and the subterfuge, or maybe it was my curiosity as to Gideon's backstory, but I read 75% of it in one day. I thought the worldbuilding was cool (I'm always a fan of blood magic) and I also loved the "post-revolution" type story.
The story follows two POVs - a witch's and a witchunter's. Rune is a witch trying to smuggle other illegal witches out of the country and Gideon is a witchhunting soldier bent on catching the Crimson Moth (who is Rune). There's a lot of politics and fake courting with ulterior motives. I did manage to call one of the plot twists immediately (my first annotation for one character is "either they're not trustworthy or they're going to die"...and both were right). I called the other one right before it happened, but both of them were extremely well done.
I don't know that either of the main characters really stood out to me personality-wise. They reminded me a bit of Nina and Matthias from Six of Crows. Surprisingly enough, I preferred Gideon over Alex, I think mainly because of Gideon's Tragic Backstory. None of the other side characters really stood out to me because they were all relatively shallow.
Romantasy fans will not want to miss out on the fast-paced, enemies-to-lovers story that is Heartless Hunter.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!
4/5

Yess!!
This book was so good!
I can't wait for more Gideon and Rune being enemies.
Witches, enemies to lovers back to enemies

Thank you Netgalley and Wednesday for the digital arc!

I loved this story so much!

The characters, the premise, magic, all of it! The ending had me on the edge of my seat and oh my heart! I will posting a full review on Instagram page soon.

A must read!!!

Overall, this was a really fun and engaging read that I would absolutely recommend. It’s not a heavy fantasy and its world and characters are understandable and pretty easy to follow.

The world was interesting and pretty light on the building. It gave a lot of Bridgerton vibes, with socials and balls and mansion houses. I liked that aspect of it.

The magic system was actually quite well fleshed out and described and I feel like I understood it really well right from the start. Witches use blood for their magic, and it leaves silvery scars that they decorate their bodies with. The blood is drawn in patterns for various types of spells, depending on what you want to do. Very easy to follow and it stays consistent throughout the book.

But on the note of consistency…..some of these characters do not quite keep to their personalities. I’ll remain spoiler free but one makes a decision that I find completely unfathomable considering the information they had. And several of them just seem to not stick quite with the personality traits they had at the beginning and it was a bit weird considering some of the plot hinged on those traits.

There’s also a bit of reliance on deliberate obtuseness and being pigheaded for the plot to move forward…but if you don’t let that bother you then it’s a good read.

I know there’s criticism in here but honestly I had a really great time reading this and will absolutely be picking up the second the moment it comes out. The tension of the final scenes was great and the cliffhanger has me begging for me.

I recommend picking this up for an easy to read and fun new fantasy!

Thank you Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC!

This book ended up being so much more than I thought upon initially picking it up. The skillful writing absolutely brought to life the strategic rivalry and tension between the stubborn witch and even more stubborn witch hunter. Gideon and Rune kept me on the edge of my seat and sanity as this story took twists and turns I never quite anticipated. I absolutely cannot wait for the next book!

Oh be still my heart!! I simply loved this book so much!

The storyline is inventive and so well done. Several years before, there was an uprising against the ruthless Witch Queens. All known witches were killed and those who survived are trying to hide what they are in order to survive. The Blood Guard was formed which is a dedicated group of witch hunters.

At the center of this story is Rune, whose own grandmother was slaughtered as a witch. Rune works hard to continue to ruse that she is a silly socialite with no magical abilities. But in fact, her abilities showed up shortly after her grandmother died, leaving her with no-one to train her to use them other than the spell books left behind. She has made it her goal to try to help other witches to escape the clutches of the Blood Guard and the notorious Gideon Sharpe - - a well known witch hunter. It has earned her the nickname of Crimson Moth as that is the signature left behind when she uses her magic.

Gideon happens to be the brother of Rune's best friend Alex who knows she's a witch and helps her. Yet, as much as Alex helps her, he'll never put himself directly between her and Gideon as he tries to maintain a sense of loyalty to both of them. When Gideon and Rune both get the idea that getting close to one another may be advantageous, Alex knows it's a bad idea and he also may be a bit jealous. Gideon wants to rule Rune out as having connections to the Crimson Moth and Rune wants to use Gideon for information. What the two of them actually find is an intense attraction that they struggle to deny. After all, they are opposite sides of a battle that has very definitive lines drawn. How could things between them ever work. The sad thing is that eventually they share their histories with one another and the other person learns a bit about walking in their shoes. Rune learns what Gideon went through at the hands of one of the Witch Queens and he gains a bit more of an understanding of how horrible it was for her to lose her grandmother in the way she did. Yet, will it be enough for them to bridge the chasm is Gideon ever finds out she truly is a witch? There's just so much to this story and so much push and pull between these characters. I was HOOKED. I loved this book so much that the wait for the next one will be excruciating....but I'll manage.

Thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for the ARC. I voluntarily chose to read and review this book and the opinions contained within are my own.

This is book grabs you and pulls you right into a rich world of intrigue and danger! It's a true cat and mouse game between the two main characters. Rune is secretly a witch in a society that is rounding them up. To add to this, she is also smuggling witches to safety. Gideon has a tragic backstory which leads him to become the most skilled witch hunter around, and is determined to uncover the identity of the Crimson Moth, AKA Rune. Adding to this, Gideon's brother, Alex, knows the truth about Rune... Fantastic novel! Your YA readers will love it!

A witch who poses as a faithful socialite by day but traverses the night as a vigilante rescuing other witches. The crimson moth eludes the witch hunters with the help of friends.

The cat and mouse game between Rune and Gideon is spectacular. Alex is a great friend even though it is unexpected. The magic system was unique. Not to mention the way Rune goes around the original ways of using magic. The plot twist I didn't guess completely. The romance was steamy. The ending wasn't expected either. I can't wait for the next book to see how this story plays out.

•enemies to lovers
•fake dating
•love triangle
•betrayal


Triggers
•death
•murder
•r*pe


Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for sending me an arc to read and review.

This was such an interesting witchy read! I enjoyed how it was almost in regency times so there were balls and suitors but in this world...witches. Witches once ruled and now they are hunted. Our main character Rune is a witch but keeps it hidden so she can keep her life.
Gideon is a prominent witch hunter and is hunting the crimson moth (rune)
This book is a slow burn, cat and mouse game.
I enjoyed it & will def. be reading the next one.

This is easily going to be one of my top books of 2024. It ended on a huge cliffhanger, and my heart is shattered into a million pieces. I can’t wait for book 2!

In this book, we have a slow burn enemies to lovers story between a witch and a witch hunter. The slow burn tension had me gripped from the beginning. The FMC, Rune, is so likable. She puts on a persona of aloof and shallow….in reality she is anything but those things. She’s a witch that is trying to save other witches from “the purge.” Gideon is her sworn enemy as a witch hunter. He does not think very highly of Rune. He is convinced she is the crimson moth and will do anything to prove it.

Along the way, lines are blurred. What is real and what is a game? Will Gideon catch the witch he’s been hunting for 2 years or will she outsmart him?

I laughed, I cried, I giggled, I kicked my feet. I felt all of the emotions. I’m so in love with these characters and I am so sad that the book is over!

This was a great story from start to finish!

Thank you to netgalley and st. martins press for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

This review will be posted on February 26, 2024 on Goodreads!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this e-arc--this was a book that I was highly anticipating, and I can confirm that it definitely lived up to my expectations.

Heartless Hunter is a quick read that delivers an adventurous and thrilling love story between Rune, a secret witch in hiding. using the Crimson Moth pseudonym to save witches being persecuted following the revolution, and Gideon, a witch hunter who has dedicated his life to hunting and stopping the mysterious vigilante known as the Crimson Moth. Both characters are very strong-willed and dedicated to their respective causes, and honestly, it was very refreshing to read a romance where both characters are strongly driven by outside forces. This was my work transit book and holy cow, Rune and Gideon...actually made me <i>excited</i> to go to work? The story was so fast paced and the characters were so interesting that I could not wait to pick it back up again.

One thing this book really succeeded at was taking me on an emotional rollercoasters with great highs and lows. <b>WOW</b>! So much of the book is contingent on the fact that the relationship and feelings that both characters feel are taboo and not allowed. The tension was CRAZY! Rune and Gideon had me stressing time and time again, and yet I still wanted it to work out. A lot of times, too much tension can really put me off, but the execution of their circumstances and introspective thoughts was so good that I never felt annoyed or off-put by the constant stress.

This book did not get 5 stars from me simply because the book felt very tropey--let me explain. I thought this book was wonderful--it was captivating and full of adventure alongside an ample amount of tension and forbidden longing. The problem I have is not at all with the story itself and more with the writing. Sometimes, the execution of the tropes felt very unnatural--like the trope was simply there to increase reader appeal rather than occurring organically. Now, I will say that this did not take away a ton of enjoyment, in fact I even found myself embracing it at some points, but it is a major pet peeve of mine when this is present in a story and therefore, in order to remain consistent, I've taken off a star.

This book is perfect for lovers of true enemies to lovers, forbidden romance, fake dating, witches and an overall fast-paced story full of mystery (albeit a predictable one), romance, and magic.

I DNF’d this novel. I wanted to enjoy but it was a bit too dark for me. I can see the appeal of this book for those interested in dark, horror YA with a hint of romance. Unfortunately, it was not cup of tea. I thank NetGalley for the opportunity to review.

I loved the concept of this book!!! I will be looking out for this author whenever she releases more work!

3.5 STARS
The synopsis of Kristen Ciccarelli’s Heartless Hunter promises high-stakes adventures and plenty of opportunities for sweet, sweet betrayal. I’ve been craving a witchy read for a long while now. However, I did have a few issues with this novel. First, the entire plot wouldn’t exist if the main characters just weren’t stupid. In fact, the writing often assumes the reader, too, is stupid. The author often over-explains, states the obvious, and repeats information too frequently. As for the characters, one in particular disappointed more than others. Gideon is not our typical beloved morally grey boy. He’s extremely prejudiced, dense, and has missed every potential redemption arc to the point where the plot has moved far enough along, and certain events would have to be reversed, in order for any future redemption arc to be feasible. Also, Rune and Gideon lack chemistry. However, a character I thoroughly enjoyed learning about was Cressida. She’s so intriguing and honestly, I’m on her team. Alex is the perfect character and deserves so much better! Moving on to the plot, while I’m all for exploring the limits of powers, Rune’s powers were so limited, it was hard to remember she was even a witch at times. If the main conflict in this society revolves around witches, the witchery should actually be of consequence. The plot twist had a lot of potential, but I’m glad I guessed it slightly before the reveal because it was poorly executed, and waiting for the reveal ended up being more thrilling. Overall, Heartless Hunter was a fast-paced, fun, addicting journey and it kept me entertained throughout which, ultimately, is all I’m looking for. Thank you to NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review <3

Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli: ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
Format: ARC from St. Martin’s Press

If you are snoozing on this book, stop what you’re doing and bump Heartless Hunter up on your TBR! You don’t want to miss this thrilling new adult fantasy series from Kristen Ciccarelli.

It’s witch vs witch hunter in the Crimson Moth series that hooks you from the very first chapter and won’t let you go, even at the last page. Rune lives on a dangerous edge, playing society girlie during the day but acting as a witch vigilante at night, dubbed the Crimson Moth by the witch hunters she leaves foiled in her wake, none more so than Gideon Sharpe. When Gideon suspects Rune of being the identity behind the Crimson Moth, he infiltrates her social circle. Neither of them are able to resist the opportunity to pursue each other for their trade secrets; Gideon is after the Moth, while Rune is determined to find a way to free a witch in Gideon’s custody. The more time these two enemies spend together, they less they can deny their feelings for each other despite their differences. But while their relationship is unfolding, there is something sinister afoot in the New Republic that could put everything they are each working for in jeopardy.

Once I started reading, I could not put this down. The mystery, the intrigue, the side characters, the plot twists, the romance- it all adds up to a captivating story! Heartless Hunter is told by third person POV from the main characters, with the reader learning about the world through each character’s experiences- no reverse dramatic irony here. The underlying mystery was so well done in this book and kept me wondering who to trust right up until the end. I haven’t come across another story with a magic system like this one, but it was very easy to understand and I didn’t feel lost trying to understand the setting.

A note about the magic system- witches in this book must use blood, their own or otherwise, in order to produce magic, and stronger spells require more/fresher blood. Drawing blood for the purpose of magic leaves behind a silver scar, making most witches easily identifiable. In Heartless Hunter, witches are openly persecuted, with their scars used as evidence against them. Rune, who came into her magic after the revolution, uses… creative means to obtain blood for magic without leaving scars behind. This creativity could be off-putting to some readers. Additionally, I caution readers that there is lots of talk about blood, violence, and self-inflicted cutting in this book, though I wouldn’t describe it as overly gory overall.

You can find me twiddling my thumbs until the next book in this series comes out. Provided that you are not squeamish about blood, I highly recommend Heartless Hunter. I cannot wait to watch this book take off!

I made the foolish mistake of starting this book a little after midnight, telling myself I would only read for a little bit and I could always stop. That was a lie. Once I began, I didn't want to put it down, and I finally forced myself to at around 2 because I had to be somewhere in the morning. I loved this book. This is the type of enemies to lovers, cat-and-mouse game I want to read. The main characters I felt were well written, as was the romance. The way the Scarlet Pimpernel was adapted was genius, and I really enjoyed the world and history the author created. I am in desperate need of the next book and anxiously await my return to this story. (Side note: the US and UK editions have different titles, which is a bit confusing.) I'm sure there were flaws, but I enjoyed this book to much to even try to think of them or address them. This book reminds me why I love reading. It feels different than the fast-fashion-eque books I've seen pushed lately (though I'm sure it will still appeal to the same crowd). There were tropes without the book being catered to tropes. The side characters were good, though I'm excited to see them develop more. Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to go daydream about Gideon and Rune

Rating: 4/5
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.

I won’t lie, it did take me about 3 chapters until I really got into this story, but wow, the moment I did it took off and I could not stop reading it. I do have to say that I am so excited for book 2, I just hope that I do not have to wait too long.

This book has everything I love: witches, witch hunters, enemies to lovers, slow burn and of course a love triangle. I loved the twists and turns and the level of deception that you will come across in the book. It makes it like a mystery but with so much more. I thought the magic system was something new and interesting. I loved that there was a give and take to magic and not just one person that could use all the magic, but all the witches do. I thought the author did a wonderful job with making sure the readers understood the magic system, but also the characters.

I thought the characters were well developed. Some more than others had more character development, but I think we will see even more development from them in the future. I really enjoyed getting to know and understand Rune more, and to see that she isn’t just there to screw with the ruling party, but she wants things to change. Mostly how witches are viewed and that not all witches want to rule with an iron grip but to have a change at freedom like everyone else. I thought, Gideon character was interesting, and in the best way possible. I loved that he was having a hard time with his feelings towards Rune but at the same time giving into them even if it was for “research to find out if she was a witch or not”. I found his story to be so heartbreaking and really helped the reader to understand his character more. I loved the cat and mouse game that those two played while trying to figure out everything they were feeling.

I want to say more but I will spill the beans and I don’t want to. I will warn you that this book does end on a cliffhanger and it’s one that will leave you wanting more and waiting for the next book.

This book is perfect for book lovers that enjoy YA fantasy, enemies to lovers, witches and witch hunters, romance, and heartbreak.

I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to review this book.

I loved this!! The perfect romantasy for anyone, whether you're new to the genre or read it a lot. I also felt like it was a super unique storyline with the witches, blood spells, crimson moth plot, etc. Lately some fantasies seem to all blend together and borrow each other's themes. I also appreciate that it wasn't 700+ pages! Very digestable and really enjoyable. So swoony too which we all love :) Highly recommend!