The world building in this book was super different and I very much appreciated that since the witchy book world is so over saturated. Rune is a strong FMC that does what she hasn’t to to stay alive and to protect those she loves. Parts of the book dragged a bit and I feel like there was big build up in the end but the ending felt rushed. Like I read the whole bunch and they waited till the very last hand full if chapters to end the book. Just left like it could’ve been shorter. But I do like the characters and the character development.

3.5 ⭐️

Overall, I was entertained throughout the book, but I did find myself getting bored at times. I had to suspend my disbelief quite a bit with this one. I also had to keep from shouting at the MMC and FMC in the middle of the night when they inevitably did something not in character for them.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to review this book. All opinions are my own.

Readers who enjoy historical fantasy, period romance, and dark mysteries might enjoy The Heartless Hunter (also published as The Crimson Moth). According to the author, this genre-bending Young Adult fantasy is inspired by The Scarlet Pimpernel except the aristocrats have been swapped with witches who perform blood magic. Our main character is Rune, the beautiful, shallow belle of the ball who is secretly the Crimson Moth, the vigilante helping witches escape. Gideon is the surly but handsome officer assigned to find the Crimson Moth and bring her to justice, and his hate for witches comes from his dark past. When her grandmother’s old friend, Seraphine, is presumably arrested and imprisoned, Rune is determined to find and free her. Through her friendship with his brother Alex, Rune tries to get close to Gideon to get information from him. When Gideon discovers that Rune is connected to a case of escaped witches, she becomes the top suspect in his investigation. This cat-and-mouse romance feels familiar but not stale, and the dual perspective point of view was convincingly crafted, with distinct voices and enough intrigue to keep me turning pages. The pacing was balanced, with enough plot twists to keep the pages turning and emotional, reflective beats to engage the reader. I also enjoyed the cast of characters, each distinct with individual backstories and motivations. I think it’s worth discussing some of the content that might be disturbing for young readers or those sensitive to certain topics. These topics include self-harm, scarring, violence, sexual assault, and PTSD. The book takes a darker turn in the later chapters and sensitive readers should be aware. The blood magic, backstories and antagonists are darker than the beginning chapters and the book ends on a cliffhanger. I think this is part of the charm of the book and I am looking forward to the next installation!

This book was amazing. I was sucked in at the very beginning and it still has not let its hold on me go. Don't wonder if you should read it, you should!

Heartless Hunter was such a fun book that captivated me from start to finish. I saw so many raving reviews for this one and it did not disappoint me at all. It was a great mix of suspense, romance, and fantasy in such an interesting way. The world drew me in immediately, Ciccarelli created such a vivid picture of this world and these characters I really did feel transported into this book.

One of my absolute favourite moments in this story was when Gideon sews Rune a dress. It was such an unexpected moment, but it was so sweet and tender it really made me swoon and giggle.

The plot is fast-paced with plenty of twists that kept me on the edge of my seat, and the character development is both nuanced and compelling. If you love immersive fantasy with real emotional depth, this could be the book for you!

Loved this book, and cant wait for the next one. I was lucky enough to get the special edition from Fairyloot and it looks amazing on my shelf.

I really enjoyed this book. I can’t wait to read more by this author. Thank you to the publisher for allowing me the chance to read.

Heartless Hunter by Kristin Ciccarelli is an enthralling tale set in a world where witches have lost their power and are now being hunted down and purged. The main protagonist, Rune, finds herself entangled in a dangerous mission to rescue arrested witches before they meet their fate. As she navigates this perilous task, she must also grapple with the looming threat posed by Gideon Sharpe, an unyielding witch hunter who also happens to be the brother of her best friend.

The book is a riveting journey through a fast-paced drama that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. Gideon, despite his role as a formidable witch hunter, exudes a swoon-worthy charm that added depth to the story. His character is a delightful blend of sweetness and complexity, making him a compelling MMC that had me both giggling and blushing along the way.

What amazed me the most was the unexpected twist in the ending that left me eagerly anticipating the sequel, Rebel Witch. For anyone who loves a captivating blend of romance and fantasy, I highly recommend delving into the enchanting world of Heartless Hunter.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

WOW this book was amazing. It's classified as YA but doesn't read as such. The tension between Rune and Gideon is so good and once the secrets start being revealed you will require book 2 immediately.

Mark this one as next on your TBR if you love books about witches with twists and secrets on every page.

Cannot recommend this one enough and am so glad I waited to read until I had book 2 in my hands!

thanks to NetGalley for the eARC

⭐️=1.25 | 😘=4 | 🤬=1 | ⚔️=4 | 15/16+

summary: witch hunter (love interest) is tracking down our main character (a witch who goes saving other witches from the witch hunter) but then they fake date to like investigate?? idk

thoughts: this was a rough ride.

so. things I liked.

- it’s inspired by The Scarlet Pimpernel! love that story. I’ve always thought it would be a great fantasy novel. (note: I do not think this is a great fantasy novel)
- the FMC uses her menstrual blood for magic and it also hides that she is using magic so it’s very clever and resourceful. idk I think that’s cool.


things I didn’t like

- basically… everything else??

- I don’t love the love interest at all for several reasons—he is super super traumatized and has some reasons for hunting down witches, but in the grand scheme of things they are not justifiable! he is killing women. that’s his thing. that’s why he and the FMC are “enemies” like he’s literally trying to kill her and that’s not?? hot?? he’s too unstable to be considering romance right now? like go to therapy first so that you have a chance of establishing a healthy relationship!! and then maybe fall in love with someone u haven’t tried to MURDER!! thanks!!

- also the fake dating each other thing was just 😭 truly infuriating to read. like he’s so embarrassingly attracted to her and can’t stop staring at her legs and also it’s constantly mentioning their size difference and how he’s gigantic and she’s tiny and I find that funny in Ali Hazelwood books but here I just wanted to throw up??

- also: THE BROTHER. for the entire book the love interest’s brother is totally on our FMC’s side and supports her and is gentle and kind and also strong and oh yeah he’s also MADLY IN LOVE WITH HER so I ask you all today why why WHY he is not a viable love interest and/or THE love interest?? “Alex was constant and safe. Gentle and kind” so fall in love with HIM you DUMMY!!!!!!!!!!! girl!!!!!!!!! he treats you well and is super sweet???? hello ?

- so I called the “big twist” a little over halfway through the book. I was not gasping and screaming at the 93% mark, I was rolling my eyes at the 56%. just so annoying. like of COURSE the girl best friend is the witch who traumatized the love interest in disguise dndjwkamd

anyway. I did not like this. in case it is unclear.

YA fantasy romance is always a hit at my library. I will definitely be purchasing this and adding to recommendations.

One of my top reads of this year! A super easy 5 stars. I could not put this one down. I somehow was rooting for every single character and was so captivated by the plot. I loved the way the MFC had to make an incredibly hard choice between what’s safe and right and what her heart wants to do. I cannot wait for the sequel to release — I need to know what happens next right now!!!!!!

3.5 ⭐️

This was mostly fun. I was enjoying myself but then got bored as the characters just seemed to only have one dimension to them but the story can be intriguing. I may continue the series just to see what happens but I’m not really invested in Rune or Gideon - I don’t think they’re bad or anything, just meh in general.

Disclaimer: I received this book at no cost from the publisher/author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. I am leaving a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.

I truly loved this! The premise of a witch and a witch hunter falling in love was exactly my kind of kryptonite. I fell hopelessly into this story and loved every second of the plunge.

Kristen Ciccarelli crafts a masterful story. I immediately felt a kinship with her writing style. Her storytelling drew me in and held me hostage. I adore all the concepts and ideas the author used to craft her story and how she molded them. The tropes used in the story were executed beautifully. The plot was so compelling and kept me enthralled the entire time.

This book has a relatively small cast of recurring characters, but they are all significant and have a huge impact on the story's unfolding. Each character had a spark of originality that made them distinct from other characters. I loved both lead characters and their development. The author did an excellent job of letting the reader step into their shoes, and I easily connected with the characters.

There was a bit of a low-key love triangle in this book that was executed perfectly. I am not going to go into specifics because of spoilers but I really can't complain about a thing when it comes to the love story. Parts of it are so bittersweet. Apart from the pseudo-love triangle, I adored the romance in this book. The main characters burned hot for each other in all the ways that mattered. I loved how they gave pieces of themselves to each other that they didn't give to others. They got to know each other before the feelings set in. Plus, the enemies-to-lovers vibes had me reaching for a fan to cool my traitorous heart.

Overall, if you are a fan of morally grey characters, forbidden magic, enemies-to-lovers, and messy forbidden love then this book is right up your alley. I mean, this book has an outlaw witch and a witch hunter who fall in love. Could you want anything more tempting than that? (The answer is no.) With fantastic world-building, an intriguing storyline, and characters that you can't get out of your head, Heartless Hunter is sure to become your next top read. I'm smitten.

To some, Rune is a vapid socialite, a frivolous young woman focused on gossip and parties. To others, she’s the staunch patriot who turned in her own grandmother for witchcraft during the early days of the revolution that sought to purge witches from the land. But to Rune’s closest inner circle, she is the Crimson Moth, a daring vigilante smuggling witches out of the country before they can be executed for existing. To rescue a high profile prisoner, however, Rune will need access to closely guarded secrets. Thankfully, one of the country’s most celebrated witch hunters, Gideon Sharpe, suddenly seems interested in courting her. But as Rune’s plot to seduce and steal the information she needs goes on, Rune realizes two horrifying things: Gideon suspects her of being the Crimson Moth – and she might be falling in love with him.

HEARTLESS HUNTER is a promising romantic YA fantasy that flounders a bit with its lack of solid foundational worldbuilding. The core romance between Gideon and Rune is the strongest part of the story. I adored their banter and bickering, the realization that they could (mostly) be honest with each other about the most vulnerable parts of themselves. I enjoyed watching both of them trying to catch the other in a lie, each having the upper hand at one point or another as Gideon tries to determine once and for all if the woman he loves is also the person he’s vowed to destroy.

The magic itself is the kind of limited resource type system that I enjoy, as it forces characters to be clever and calculating in its usage. Magic in this world is powered by blood (yours or another person’s). If a witch cuts herself to fuel magic, she leaves a silver scar on her body, a tell-tale sign that witch hunters look for. Since Rune is trying to avoid detection, she relies on her monthly bleeding to provide a supply of blood for her magic, but that gives her a finite fuel source. She has to weigh her need to cast a spell against how much blood she has remaining, and leading her to sometimes find alternate paths without magic to accomplish her goals.

Unfortunately, the world-building itself was not well laid out, which led to later confusion about character motivations. This story is very roughly inspired by the classic story THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL (a favorite of mine), which is about a vigilante helping nobles escape France and the guillotine during the French Revolution. In this version, the common people overthrew the witch queens, as well as killing any witches they could get their hands on. Which led to my first question: were all witches part of the nobility? Were there any commoner witches that were executed simply for being witches? I couldn’t quite get a sense of the status quo before the revolution, which made it harder to track what the revolution was trying to accomplish.

Which further complicated my feelings about Rune. Rune is a good person who is seemingly shocked to discover the horrible things some witches were up (I also mistakenly thought she was a common person masquerading as a noble into I realized she lived on an honest-to-god estate). Was she so sheltered that she never heard about what was happening in other households (even though the common people clearly all knew about the brutality and treatment)? I’m not discounting the possibility, but if the problems were wide spread enough to cause a revolution, surely she would have heard something?

As it is, we see a seemingly sheltered, rich young woman helping witches to escape, some of whom are young children, undeserving of persecution, and others who it turns out are not so good – and she still sides with them even knowing they have done truly despicable things. There is still a second book in the duology to see how things play out, but I got increasingly uncomfortable with Rune’s stance as the tale went on…but perhaps that was the point.

There was also some typical YA misunderstanding of emotions and actions on both side of this love story. Sometimes the misread was understandable, and sometimes it came off as simply to be there for angsty brooding and pining and “why doesn’t he write me back, he must not be into me” inner monologue moments. Some of you won’t be bothered by this at all, while I just found myself getting frustrated by the end of the book.

HEARTLESS HUNTER is one of those books where I am genuinely wrestling with if I want to finish the duology. On the one hand, I largely enjoyed the central premise; on the other hand, the ending of the book left me a bit baffled as to character motivations. While I might cut my losses and run, there’s certainly enough here to entertain those who are perhaps more forgiving of YA tropes than I am.

Note: I was provided a free ARC by the publisher in exchange for my fair and honest review.

This book was absolutely fantastic. It was a surprise to me because sometimes you can have a lot of hype around a book, but then it doesn’t live up to your expectations. This book absolutely exceeded mine. We have a true enemies to lovers trip here.. and we end it with enemies?! Best friend’s brother.. and then also best friend :O. Secret identities. Power struggles. Revolution and uprising. There’s a lot of great elements to this book. I have to applaud the author’s choice and vision in the magic system and how to have our FMC work around the tell tale spell giveaway. I think it was so resourceful and kind of ingenious. I honestly can not wait for the second book and am excited to see where this leads.

A thrilling enemies to lovers with surprise twists throughout. The story and characters are lush and bold, with a savage need to salvage their future. This story captivated me from the first page. Gideon is so lost in what's happened in his past (for good reason) that he absolutely cannot see clearly. I loved the magic system and the hidden clues spread throughout that lead the reader on a wild, witchy adventure. Stunning world building and a varied cast of characters sure to have you attached in no time.

3.5 stars. I liked the concept and the writing style but I found the plot to be very predictable which takes away some of the love. Still looking forward to the sequel though

I devoured this book. My sister, who hates reading, devoured this book. I loved the magic, enemies to lovers, bonds of friendship, the betrayals, the forged relationships, the battle of good vs evil and the gray area that clouds what evil really is. This adventure had me at the edge of my seat the entire time. We are set in a world where witches, and their magic, are forbidden, and the witch hunters are rooting out every last one of them. Rune hides behind her position in society, as she conceals her magic. Her best friends are the only ones who know what she is, and have been tugged along on her missions to save as many witches as she can. Cue the morally grey, attractive, witch hunter, Gideon, who hates her. He's on a mission to discover if she's a witch or not, and in order to that needs to get VERY close.

And that ending!? Still recovering... thankfully, there's a book 2 to be excited for. Until then... read this, let it fill you up and then leave you destroyed and then come back for more.

2.5 stars

I was so excited to read this one and ultimately it let me down in so many areas.

The quality of writing is just not there. The characters are one dimensional and the magic system and world building could use some work.

I couldn't connect with any of the characters and felt myself wishing something would happen to make me enjoy them and it never did. Gideon was fine, he is all about loyalty and duty and will not stray from that. Rune is doing anything she can to stay hidden while also saving witches. Alex was fine but again all of the characters are lacking depth.

Gideon and Rune falling in love was so rushed and forced. The characters have no chemistry and I kept waiting for there to be something for me to love about them.

The ending was good and sets the stage for the next book. I'm hoping it'll fix the characters and pacing issues and move the plot forward.