3.5🌟

This was a good read!! I enjoyed the magic system and the subterfuge. Reads YA - definitely a fantasy/paranormal genre. There’s some enemies to lovers going on and some very gentle fade to black.

Blood witch idea was neat and I really liked the idea of silver scaring and the design elements - the witches owned it.

Definitely a cat and mouse going on, but the relationship building feels rushed at times and I didn't feel that the characters were flushed out as well as they could have been.

Tropes: enemies to lovers, secret identities

First book in a series. I will read the second!!
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[I knew Verity was suspect the whole damn time. She definitely gave off shady vibes. Alex fell a little flat tho as a love interest, but he redeemed himself.

Heartless Hunter
A young witch is forced to hide in plain sight as she uses her socialite status to save other witches from being purged. To keep herself safe she will require more information from the Guard, and she strikes up a courtship with the young captain as her target. He soon realizes she might be important to his investigation for vigilante plaguing the city and decides to play his own courting game.

Read if you like: romantasy, witch/hunter, fake dating, a historical feel, cool magic systems, save our people vibes, lavish courtly intrigue, kinda love triangle but not really, slow burn is this real romance.

Rune’s life is a lie. Everything changed when the witches lost power and the purge began. When she came into her power, she knew she had to use her status and resources to help the remaining witches escape their country. Rune knows she’s being hunted for her secret work, but nothing will stop her not, even crossing wits with the young captain of the guard who also happens to be her best friend’s brother.
Gideon thinks almost nothing of his little brother’s vapid friend, until her ships are tied to an escape route for witches. When she strangely begins showing interest in him, he decides that it is the perfect opportunity to see what she’s really hiding behind all the smiles and lace.

Heartless Hunter is a delightfully twisty romantasy. Witch and hunter is one of my favorite enemies-to-lovers pairings, and of course he’s a straightlaced rule follower and she’s a reckless vigilante. Squee! This alone would have made me delightfully happy but we get so much more with this story. The world building around the witches and the uprising has you feeling the tension in their country without dumping a lot of information on us or trying to commit to a specific historical time period. They use blood magic and this adds another layer to the mystery and volatility. So, if you don’t like reading about blood or witch trials, maybe skip this one, because there’s a lot.

Rune and Gideon also have their own depth. They aren’t just plugged into the trope; their personal histories flavor their character building and add to their courtship rife with ulterior motives. Fake dating! Like ‘How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days’ but with much, much more cloak and actual daggers. And oh, did you notice that Gideon’s little brother is Rune’s bestie? Hehehehe. The tension is delightful. I could eat it with a spoon. I’m squeeing while writing this. We are left with quite a dilemma for our couple and I have no idea what’s coming next. I am so excited to get the second part of this duology!

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an electronic copy of this book for review.

Okay, I'm calling it. This is going to be the next big fantasy duology. I absolutely loved our main characters, the pacing and plot were completely on point, and the ending had me gasping. Cannot recommend this highly enough.

I want to start out by saying thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me access to an ARC of this book!
This book is *chef’s kiss*! This enemies to lovers, witch x witch hunter plot has me by the throat! It has the perfect mix of magic, intrigue and tension that kept my eyes glued to the page. This book is dual POV and both of the characters are extremely well written with complex (and tragic) backstories that really make you root for them. I finished this gem within 48 hours and I highly suggest you do the same. I need the second book immediately!

Kristen Ciccarelli nailed it. Heartless Hunter has perfect emotional tension and explores the enemies-to-lovers trope in the most magnificent way. This amazing book is perfect for fans of YA fantasy, forbidden romance, witches & magic, cat and mouse games, dual POVs, and cliffhanger endings that leave you wanting more!
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy to review.

I actually have no words. This book was everything I could have hoped for and more, and I truly have no idea how I’m meant to wait for the next one. The story was incredible, and the game of cat and mouse between witch and witch hunter had me on my toes the entire book. The plot twists gave me whiplash (in the best way), and the cliff hanger actually has me begging for more. This has easily become one of my favourite books and I can’t wait to see what Kristen has in store for book 2!

A witch hiding in plain sight, and a hunter searching for her desperately. Rune has been risking her life to save witches ever since she was forced to turn in her own Nan for witchcraft. With her closest friends, Alex and Verity, she does her best to learn and protect as many as she can.

But Gideon is determined to stop her. His search for the Crimson Moth has consumed him, and while he suspects that she and Rune may be one and the same, he has no solid proof. As he gets closer to Rune, he questions his own motives, and where the line between fiction and reality lies.

This was so good. It was emotional and exciting, and had some twists that I never expected!

(4/5 stars) The way I devoured this book in two sittings (that would have been one if I started it early enough in the day)!! The twists and turns in this book had me trying to guess how it would end, and the (enemies to lovers)^2 potential has me begging for the next book in the series to come out. I want more character development, more intrigue, more world-building, more magic, more romance, more everything in the next book!

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy.

Heartless Hunter is the first book in a new duology about a secret witch and a witch hunter. Rune is a socialite, living a life of gossip and fancy parties by day and sneaking witches off their island as the Crimson Moth by night. Gideon is a young but successful witch hunter with a tragic past and is determined to bring the Crimson Moth down. When he suspects that Rune is involved with/is the Crimson Moth he decides to court her to get close to her and she chases him back to get insider info on captured witches. Instead feelings get involved.

Everything about this set up is great. I liked the world building. The magic system was unique although at times it felt sidelined. There isn't a lot of magic use in this book but I expect that to change in the second. The good thing is the system well bounded with limitations, rules and plenty of ways things can go wrong.

Rune was a fun main character. I liked her probably more than anyone else. I thought she was tough but sometimes her characterization fell a little when she didn't come across as smart as the story wanted her to be. Gideon was well established. I didn't always like him but I understood him. Alex and Verity were okay. I had some difficulty with the side characters.

Things I didn't exactly love (or hate):
The romance, while tense and angsty, was rushed a bit. A couple more (vulnerable/cute) scenes between Gideon and Rune would have sold their connection more.

This is marketed as YA and it just doesn't feel YA. I don't know how to explain it.

Harrow??? Why was this person pushing a sexual assault survivor to sleep with someone for information. Gross, gross, gross. Did not like that character at all.

3.5 stars probably. Would read the sequel. In fact I need to know what happens next now even though this book was just published.

Heartless Hunter absolutely stole my heart, my emotions, and my awe. I could not put this book down for a second once I started. This book deserves SO much more hype because it gripped me with emotions the entire time.

Rune, our little witch. Everything she does is purely for those she loves and the cause she truly believes in. I could not help but stand behind her and fight with her. On the other side, Gideon, oh Gideon… you brute you. I love everything he stands for. He’s so conflicted, yet always sticks to his morals and I have to admire him for that.

Also.... witch and which hunter who "pretend" to date, try to play each other, but then love bests both of them. Hellllooooo.... I eat this stuff for breakfast and wanted eighteen bowls of it. Also, the last 20% of this book is a doozy. My heart was all over the place. However, Heartless Hunter was just everything. I cannot wait for book two. I need all the damage that Kristen created fixed… I hope.

Captivating from the very first page, this is a thrilling tale of seduction and suspense between a witch and witch hunter. With its richly drawn characters and pulse-pounding plot, Heartless Hunter is a must-read for anyone craving an intoxicating blend of passion and danger.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an ARC of "Heartless Hunter" by Kristen Ciccarelli. This book is utterly addictive. Once I picked it up, I literally couldn't put it down until it was over. The greatest strength of this book lies in its compelling characters. Each one is distinct and memorable, and the dynamics between them keep you hooked. Rune herself is an incredible main character. She's clever and strong, but what truly shines is her compassionate motivation that drives her to put herself in perilous situations for others.

Of course, the romance is the primary draw for many readers (myself included), and boy, does it deliver. There's nothing quite like a dramatic slow burn, spiced up with a healthy dose of enemies-to-lovers tension. The witch/witch-hunter dynamic is always a favorite of mine (shoutout to "Serpent and Dove" for getting me hooked on this trope). The relationship between Rune and Gideon is complete with witty banter and genuine emotion that kept me turning the pages late into the night.

Overall, "Heartless Hunter" stands out among recent YA titles and delivers a powerful and addictive storyline. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone even remotely intrigued by the synopsis.

This was so much fun!! The banter was on point!! I loved the tension, the pining and the "will they won't they" moments that seemed never ending 💀 This was just overall so much fun that I just blasted right thru it.

Two years ago Rune Winters’ life was forever changed. The witch queens were overthrown, witches outlawed and Rune was forced to bear witness to her Nan’s death. She has been living a lie ever since - hiding in plain site pretending to be a shallow anti-witch society girl, while at the same time saving as many witches as she can as the Crimson Moth. After failing in a task, she is forced to get close the witch hunter himself to save everything she cares about. Can she tread the line between what’s real and what’s not?

This was a great quick read. It kept me turning the pages wondering what next thing was going to turn Rune’s plans askew. The novel does a great job of progressing the story through subtle clues and by switching perspectives between Rune and the witch hunter. The romance thread drives the story as well and provides the heart of the novel - about who we really are inside beyond the tragedies that shape us. 5 stars.

Review based on a digital Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books and NetGalley. Thank you!

Thank you St. Martin's Press and Wednesday Books for the ARC!

What a great start to a new series! This one had me excited all the way through, and left me dying for the next book. I don't want to wait!!

If you're looking for morally questionable characters (my fav) and a thrilling ride with some romance and drama, this is IT. You don't want to miss out on this series!

This book had very similar vibes to Serpent & Dove — which I wanted to love and ended up HATING — and so I gave it a go, hoping for a better outcome. Thankfully it hit the marks that Shelby missed. Thank you so much and I can’t wait for my special editions from Fairyloot and Owlcrate.

Wow, where do I even start with this book? "Heartless Hunter" by Kristen Ciccarelli had me hooked from page one. The tension between the main characters, especially Rune and Gideon, kept me glued to the pages. Their dynamic was electric, filled with conflict and sparks that made every interaction crackle with intensity.

I seriously couldn't put this book down. Every chapter left me wanting more, eager to uncover the next twist or revelation.

I absolutely loved this book. The characters felt so real, the plot was gripping, and the romance was swoon-worthy. I finished it in record time and now I'm dying for the sequel.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kristen Ciccarelli, and St. Martin's Press and Wednesday Books for the opportunity to read this book early.

Heartless Hunter: Book #1-2 The Crimson Moth

By: Kristen Ciccarelli-1st time author for me

Publication date 2-20-24 , read 2-20-24

Page Count: 411 kindle

.Quick Summary: Rune is working undercover as a socialite who smuggles witches like herself away on her ships, to keep them from being purged. The New Republic hunts witches to rid the world of their magic. Rune is the Crimson Moth in the shadows and witch informant in public. Gideon is loyal to the revolution and is apart of the Blood Guard with the highest witch count. He hates them and the so called Crimson Moth. When pretty, entitled, and trivial Rune comes around, he plans to court her. He just doesn't know Rune has the same plan for him.

🤷🏾‍♀️ What to Expect:

⭐YA
⭐historical romance
⭐️ dark fantasy
⭐️ witches/witch hunters/magic
⭐️enemies to lovers
⭐️love triangle
⭐fake dating

🤔 My Thoughts: I loved this romantasy with such likable characters. Rune is fulfilling her grandmother's wishes and Gideon is avenging his past. The angst, the subterfuge, and the action kept me interested. I can't think of a better enemies to lovers trope with a love triangle thrown in. Alex is so protective and devoted to Rune, but he can't forget about his brother. I can't wait for book #2!

Rating: 5/5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books for this ARC 💙! I voluntarily give an honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.

“Scars signaled wealth and rank, most of all, magic.”

It took me until 20-25% of the book to get into it, which was a bummer. The first quarter of the book was underwhelming, it set the scene but could have done a better job. Rune and Gideon flirting with each other and using each other to their advantage was beautiful! The slow-burn enemies-to-lover vibe of the book was done perfectly! A witch and a witch-hunter that I need to be forever together. I loved how they called each other out on the stereotypes they both had. The side characters were interesting too. The twist at the end set up the sequel decently.

A note on the magic system in this book, you need blood. The blood is technically supposed to be ‘alive’ to be still active. If you are squeamish about blood, cutting/harming oneself, or cutting/harming others then you might not be able to handle this book. I do hope there will be more explorations of the magic system and maybe an alternative method.

I did have a concern that this book would mirror Serpent and Dove a lot because when I first heard the synopsis there were some similarities, but the books just have the similarities that the FMC is a witch and the MMC is a witch-hunter.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an e-ARC in return for an honest review.

This book was so gripping! I was fully immersed in the story from the first page. The world building in this book was amazing!

I loved Rune! She was so strong and independent! I could really feel the chemistry between her and Gideon. There were moments though when both of their actions frustrated me.

This book ends on a massive cliff hanger so if you read it, make sure you are prepared for it!

Overall this was a fun read and I’m looking forward to book two!