✨Witch vs. Witch Hunter! This cat vs mouse epic fantasy is filled with absolutely everything I adore in a book, enemies, lovers, magic and a whole lot of surprises along the way!!!

I can not WAIT to continue this series. This book made me feel like I wasn’t even reading. It left me engrossed in this fantasy world, I couldn’t stop reading.

Highly recommend!

I flew through this book. It was a quick, easy read that I really enjoyed. It is romantasy, but I liked the fantasy part of this more than the romance part. The magic system is super easy to understand, so you were never lost trying to figure out how anything worked. I could've used some more back story on why there was a sudden uprising against the witches. Especially since it seemed this uprising only happened where they lived. They spoke about neighboring areas where witches were not hunted. So what is the story there?

The story revolved around Rune and Gideon and it was a true enemies to lovers story. At the end of the day their relationship is why the book is 4 stars and not 5 stars for me. Mainly because I never ever got behind the MMC as the love interest. I didn't like him or understand how they went from enemies to 'I love you'. It made no sense. They hung out like twice and were in love. I'm sorry what? How? Gideon was definitely understandably traumatized, however to jump to genocide from his experience was a big red flag for me. His thinking is so black and white and it never changes, so I just couldn't root for him. His brother Alex was Rune's best friend, and I was so invested in him just wishing him and Rune would end up together. He was a much more fleshed out character, and it was so easy to root for him because he was just good. Unfortunately I was let down. I still can't believe Kristen did us dirty like that. I DO NOT forgive her for what she did to Alex.

Another thing I wish is that we got to experience more of Rune as the Crimson Moth. We got one scene of this when she just took Gideons word at face value (which at this point of the story, was the stupidest decision ever and made ZERO sense). But this was probably the best scene in the book. Show me how bad ass she is instead of just talking about how it happened. I want to be in these moments with Rune!

I will definitely be reading the next novel when it comes out, because I need to know how this finishes. Will Gideon be redeemed? Right now I don't see how. But please change my mind!

Thanks to NetGalley and SMP for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is a great start to a new YA fantasy series! I read so many books claiming to be enemies to lovers with no tension and turmoil. This was truly an enemies to lovers. I felt that tension and I am looking forward to where the story goes.

🦋Enemies to lovers
🦋Brief love triangle
🦋Plot Twist
🦋Romantasy
🦋Witchy

AGHH that ending!!?!?!
Ok, but we can’t start there!! Better start at the beginning – Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of the eARC to read.

I was so excited for this one, having previously loved Kristen Ciccarelli’s books (HOOK). It was mentioned as being scarlet pimpernel inspired (LINE) & consisted of witches & witch hunters (SINKER!!). I couldn’t sign up fast enough!!

I enjoyed almost (I’ll get to that in a sec) every moment of this book!! The danger, the intrigue, the flirting, the magic – I was oohing and ahhing and gasping at every turn. Gideon might say he doesn’t know how to dance, but he and Rune were entangled from day one – leading one another along with intricate steps, coming together for heart pounding dips, and circling each other till I was dizzy!! As for enjoying almost every moment – well didn’t this story just have to go and break my heart! Missteps and miscommunications abound toward the later parts of the story & I am not sure if I will ever recover from that ending.

Love, Magic and Heartbreak. I knew I’d love this book as soon as I got it, I just didn’t know how much.

I will never trust this author with my heart again. I am completely shattered after this book.

I was living for every second of this book. The cat and mouse, enemies to lovers and back to enemies. I loved the characters and my heart grew so attached to even the smaller characters. The plot had you continuing to read, the romance had you gasping needing more.

I desperately need book two to happen because the ending of this book left me broken.

Witches, yes! This was a fun and fast read for me, I enjoyed my time with it and was so invested in it that I had a hard time putting it down. I though the cat and mouse between Rune and Gideon was really well done and all the twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat.

Why a four and not a five star? Without attempting to ruin anything for readers, I thought some of the encouragement from characters was REALLY toxic and would have preferred that be handled differently. I also felt like the world building wasn't quite what I needed, I would have preferred more detail about the three queens.

Without a doubt I will be reading the second in the series. I can't wait to read the conclusion of this story.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book.

In just two days, I devoured "Heartless Hunters" – a captivating cat and mouse game that unfolds the enthralling journey of Rune, a witch hidden in plain sight, and Gideon, a relentless member of the Red Guard hunting witches. The true enemies-to-lovers dynamic kept me hooked, as they danced on a fine line, unraveling secrets about each other.

The impeccable pacing and skillful shifts in point of view made it a standout fantasy read for me in 2024. The unique magic system for witches added an extra layer of intrigue, and the author's vivid descriptors effortlessly painted the setting in my mind. I found myself fully immersed in the story, and the ending left me craving the next installment.

Kudos to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for providing an ARC, and I must say, adding "Heartless Hunters" to your TBR is a must!

Whether you read the Heartless Hunter or The Crimson Moth (it's the same book), this book will wreck and complete you. There are secrets, enemies to lovers, and steamy worth it scenes! This takes me back to a very well written Serpent & Dove and this one is just as *Chef's Kiss* Rune and Gideon have amazing banter and I'm so ready for this to continue! this also oddly enough gives me regency vibes like Bridgerton and I'm here for the acoustic playlist playing! Thank you so much to Kirsten Ciccarelli, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for this opportunity! I am so excited to get the edition from Fairyloot!

First, Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an E-ARC of this novel.

"The hunted fell for the hunter." WOW. Rune Winters lives in a New Republic where witches have been overthrown. However, Rune herself is also a witch lying low. Rune is also the Crimson Moth, #1 enemy to the New Republic on saving witches from being purged. Gideon Sharpe is Captain of the Blood Guard who now leads the New Republic. Gideon's sole focus is to catch the Crimson Moth. In this enemy to lovers trope, we see Rune and Gideon falling for one another while also trying to complete their own missions at hand. I absolutely loved this book. I was shocked, cried, heartbroken at times. And I can't wait to read the 2nd Crimson Moth novel.

This was such a fun and twisty read that I absolutely devoured. As others have said, this is a cat and mouse plot, witch and witch-hunter style.

Rune Winters is a witch living amongst those who want her dead…that is, they would if they <I>knew</i> she was a witch, anyway.

Gideon Sharpe is a witch-hunter among the Blood Guard, with a cloudy past that fuels his hatred for all of witch-kind.

The witch-hunter has a hunch that Rune may be the elusive Crimson Moth that has been a thorn in his side for the last two years, but he needs more proof.

Rune needs intel on where the Blood Guard are harboring the witches on death row so she can rescue as many as she can; all while maintaining her outwardly appearance as a ditzy socialite.

But when the witch and witch-hunter decide to use the other to get what they want, things become even more complicated as the lines between friend and foe become muddled, and stronger feelings take root. 🧙🏼‍♀️

This kept me on my toes and swooning all the while..who doesn’t love a good forbidden romance? Huge thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC!

Holy cow now this is what I've been begging for when I say I want enemies to lovers. Literally two people on complete other sides who hate and despise the other but end up falling in love anyway. This book gives me hope for the future of this trope because I've read some really mediocre stuff. This was really well fleshed out and I felt like I could really be in this world. And that twist in the end was bonkers. Can't wait for the 2nd book. I need to know what happens next.

4.5/5 Stars!
A dangerous game of cat and mouse between a witch and a witch hunter.
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Rune Winters is a witch who has been extremely careful to keep that part of herself hidden. Being a witch will get you killed and so will the fact that she is helping captured witches escape.
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Gideon Sharpe is a Captain of The Blood Guard. A skilled witch hunter and a man who despises witches. He has spent years trying to discover who the person is that has been helping witches escape capture.
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I really enjoyed this book! The plot was fantastic. The plot twists toward the end were shocking and sad. I can't wait to see what comes next for this series!
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My only criticism would be that when it came to the scene where Gideon and Rune are intimate for the first time, it wasn't exactly clear what happened. I am still confused as to if they actually had sex. I am assuming this is a YA because this scene was not descriptive which is fine but I really don't know what actually happened during that scene. Even without being overly descriptive I shouldn't have been left confused as to what happened.

Book Name: Heartless Hunter
Author: Kristen Ciccarelli

ARC
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books for an ARC Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli

Stars: 4.5
Spice: 3

Start to The Crimson Moth duology
Cliffhanger
Fast Paced
Dual POV
High Fantasy

- Thoughts.
- Witch and witch hunter
- Enemies to …
- Fake Dating
- Assumptions and Miscommunication
- Brothers 😉
- Is it real
- Banter

Serpent and Dove? In a different font … but I 100% prefer this font!!

I wasn't sure where I was going to land on this book initially while I really enjoyed the premise and the characters, there was one aspect that was a little grim for my taste. The treatment and manner of execution of the witches seemed overly heinous in comparison to everything else. I think if there had been more description of the terrible acts they committed to justify such violent ends it would have helped. But the descriptions of Gideon's experiences and what happened with his parents and sisters are minimal and, while everyone else spouts hatred for them there are no other clear examples of what exactly caused so much hatred to the point of a revolution and the purge of witches.

With all that being said the story was completely addictive. Rune is a complex character playing a shallow socialite by day and a vigilante by night. Donning the two masks so well she has kind of lost herself between the two. The story is well-paced and has a few twists I did not see coming or could only guess parts of. The romance was a bit lukewarm and could have used a much bigger dose of chemistry, it is the larger story unfolding around them that is the draw for me. With an ending that clearly sets us up for book two I will eagerly be anticipating it.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

I enjoyed reading this book. The magic system was easy to follow and helped the reader understand the world we are brought into. This story is full of magic, witches, witch hunters, a love triangle and enemies to lovers.

I knew the plot twist was coming but it didn’t go how I expected so that was a pleasant surprise! It’s hard to find a book where you can’t guess the plot twist or surprises that are supposed to happen. I am looking forward to reading the next book and seeing what happens next.

This might just be the fantasy book of 2024.
This story is for you if you enjoy slow burn, foes to lovers, witches, and witch hunters. This book does a fantastic job of executing many of my favourite tropes. It's got fantastic characterization. Every character has a distinct voice, personality, and moral ambiguity. Yes, this book does not contain any characters that are flawless.
There is a hard magic system in this book, which is one intriguing feature. There are safeguards against abuse. Nobody with unrestricted power appears at convenient and suspenseful moments throughout the novel. Hard magic systems are not usually found in YA fantasy, so I really enjoy this concept.

Thank you Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"Heartless Hunter" by Kristen Ciccarelli is a fantasy romance that offers a captivating blend of slow-burn tension, enemies-to-lovers dynamics, and a richly developed world of witches and witch hunters. One of the strongest aspects of the book is the development of the complex magic system in the world that Ciccarelli created. Before getting into this book, I do highly recommend looking through content/trigger warnings for this book as the book does involve SA victims; I would probably say this book is more of a NA than a YA, so I would recommend younger readers should avoid this book. If you’re a fan of NA fantasy, then you will absolutely love this book.

As mentioned earlier, the world-building in this book is excellent. I absolutely loved the fascinating magic system Ciccarelli created where witches must use blood for spells, with consequences for wielding powerful magic. The inclusion of a hard magic system with checks and balances added a layer of realism I’ve rarely seen in YA/NA fantasy. Creating this magic system in the Victorian-era setting made the experience even more immersive and engaging. I also thought the characters were well-developed, and I enjoyed the troupes used throughout the book, though sometimes these troupes and the romance became a bit cliché at time. Ciccarelli is able to create realistic and flawed characters with the presence of gray morality adding depth to the story.

However, I think the book fell a bit short in terms of character dynamics, though that come be remedied in the sequel. I think this character building was put on a back burner a bit, which is often a problem when there are clear ideas for a sequel where this development will be taking place. Specifically, I wanted more development of Gideon because even though he is portrayed with understandable trauma and hatred towards witches, I struggled to sympathize with his actions, particularly his role in mass genocide. On the other hand, I absolutely loved the female protagonist, Rune, due to her complexity and depth. I thought she served as a compelling counterbalance to Gideon.

Overall, "Heartless Hunter" offers an engaging storyline with fantastic worldbuilding. I can’t wait to experience more of the world Ciccarelli created in the sequel and engage more with this development as well as the development of the other characters.

This was everything I needed and more in a forbidden romance novel. I am a huge fan of the witch x witch hunter trope and it reminded me a lot of “Snow White and the Huntsman”. I was captivated by this story the whole time and cannot wait for the sequel!

Wow I have not read anything like this before. I can’t wait to share my thoughts with my friends! Was such a fun book

Both characters are sort of morally gray. Each thinking what they’re doing is for the right cause. Story had some action to keep it going. Enough angst. The twists though! And that ending! Such a cliffhanger.