I was so excited to read this one due to surrounding excitement but it just isn't for me. As an adult I should just know at this point that I can no longer connect with some YA titles.

I listened to this book on audio and I enjoyed the story. I was hesitant at first related to how the magic system was used by the main character but I wasn't bothered by it and found that it was actually a smart way to get around the restrictions. There were some of the twist and storyline that I didn't expect. I also enjoyed the dynamic between the main characters and their journey of discovery about themselves and their world.

5/5 stars an amazing read with gripping plot twist. I felt like I was biting nails on some parts. I would recommend this fantasy read to everyone

Good fantasy novel

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this review copy and the opportunity !

I loved this book! The deceptive fake romance with Gideon, the witch hunter in the Blood Guard, so Rune could continue to do what she thought was right. Witches once lived a prosperous life of luxury and power until the Blood Guard took over and started to purge every witch they found, including her Grandmother. Her goal to help her fellow witches from a brutal death, was well planned. At night Rune became the Crimson Moth and dodges danger to help witches escape death. All of the close calls and the constant threat of being caught kept me on the edge of my seat. This was a quick read for me because I could not put it down. I had to know what would happen next....until the end. There were some plot twists and unexpected situations. The addition of Alex, Gideon's brother, further complicates the plot by adding a love triangle. That ending though....I absolutely do not know what I am going to do while I wait for Book 2. I would recommend this book to anyone that loves witches, magic, betrayal, love triangles, dedication, and plot twists!

Thank you Kristen Ciccarelli and St. Martin's Press for providing this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

2.5 - 3 Stars
“You are everything I thought you were,” she told him.
“And you,” said Gideon, voice quiet, “are nothing at all like I imagined you’d be.”

I have to agree with Gideon on this one. Heartless Hunter is a YA fantasy romance that was nothing at all like I imagined it to be. Disappointing.
It's really is a promising story but with some missed opportunities.

World Building and Plot:
*Heartless Hunter offers an intriguing plot premise and is brimming with potential.
*The world building was poor for this being a world with witches and blood magic.
*I wanted more depth in the world building and magic system.
**The cat and mouse dynamic between Rune and Gideon was the only thing that kept the story moving.

MMC & FMC:
*Rune and Gideon were shallow.
*There was no depth for substance to them.
*Rune had little personality and I felt almost zero connection to her. I didn't find her one bit relatable nor captivating.
**However, Gideon had a little more depth compared to Rune, but that's only by a fraction.

The Ending:
The ultimate cliffhanger .......................Nicely played Kristen!

This novel wasn't as great as I expected, and to be honest I think was a bit overhyped.
I don’t see seasoned romance or fantasy readers being enthralled by this.
***HOWEVER I do see Heartless Hunter as a beginning/starting place in fantasy romance books for young adult readers.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Here's hoping Book #2 Rebel Witch is more developed!

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and to netgalley for the copy.

I LOVED THIS BOOK! It hooked me from the first chapter. Some twists I picked up on early and some I had to reread to make sure it was real. So fun!

Although, the constant mention of period blood gave me the ick.

I loved all the things about this story, except that I have to wait to get more! This was action packed and full of heartbreak, magic, betrayal, misdirection, danger, romance... All the things I want from a book wrapped in a very pretty package. While this is listed as YA, keep in mind this is YA like SJM is YA, so there is definitely adult content and I would only recommend it for an older YA reader or adult.

An intriguing story in a richly imagined world with a unique magic system.

I’m not usually a fan of enemies to lovers, but I had heard good things about Heartless Hunter and the concept was so interesting I wanted to give it a shot, and I’m so glad I did.
I loved the concept of the magic system and how it was woven into the world. The recent history is similarly important to the plot of the story, as it impacts every character’s perceptions of those around them.
The relationship felt realistic and developed in a way that I enjoyed. I’m not a fan of the miscommunication trope, but I can understand why it was utilised her, and it was done effectively.

Overall, I really enjoyed The Heartless Hunter, and excited for The Rebel Witch!

This is what I mean when I say I love enemies -to-lovers. This is also the exact flavor of "love triangle" I'm okay with. Add in fake dating and magic and a wonderful plot, and you've got the perfect book for me. Don't give me anything else.
I adore this story and these characters. Gideon Sharpe has my whole heart and can take my soul if he wants it. Dramatic? Maybe. But it's how I feel.
Ciccarelli drew me in from the very first chapter, and despite the craziness of life, I still flew through this, and even sacrificed sleep to devour it. You know the book is good if I sacrifice sleep (because sleep is one of my favorite things)
I need book 2 immediately.
This is as close to a review as I can get at the moment. Maybe I'll come back and add more, or maybe I'll just leave it as this crazy rambling mess.
5/5 stars, I'm broken in the best way.

Amazing. No notes.
A witch hunter and a rebel witch, both trying to outwit the other.

Spending her days pretending to be nothing more than a vapid young socialite, Rune spends her nights as the Crimson Moth, a witch vigilante who rescues her kind from being purged. When a rescue goes wrong, she decides to throw the witch hunters off her scent and gain the intel she desperately needs by courting the head guard himself.

I love this book! It’s perfect for fans of Serpent and Dove but with a Mr. and Mrs. Smith vibe. The romance was fabulously done. Gideon and Rune were captivating every time they were on the page. I also love how the author trusted the audience to make their own conclusions when it came to the twists in the story. There were enough clues to put stuff together about the betrayal and rise of Cressida, but it was still shocking when we found out she killed Verity. I can’t wait for the next one with that cliffhanger!

Rune- a heroine like no other. A witch masquerading as one who hates witches. A character deceived. A girl falling in love. I can’t wait to read how this story ends!

That ending!??!!
I enjoyed reading this book. The story telling is whimsical and stands out with all the other romantasy books out there. It’s a little slow for me but the connection is still there! I can’t wait for book two!

Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli is a captivating fantasy romance that follows Rune, a young witch, and Gideon, a ruthless witch hunter, as their lives become intertwined. Ciccarelli's vivid world-building and engaging characters make this a truly immersive reading experience. While the romance is central, the novel explores deeper themes of identity, power, and the complexities of good and evil.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

This was an amazing book filled with all the tension and other worldliness that I think of when I think of a Witchy Read. Ciccarelii has written an Enemies to Lovers romance that truly sets the bar for what can be done with this trope, especially when blended in with the Brothers Best Friend subtrope. With World building this vivid and detailed I cannot wait to see how the author will build on this for the nxt book.

Thank you St Martin's Press and Net Galley for sharing this arc with me!

I loved this first installment. I want to know what happens next. The enemies-to-lovers trope is real in this story.

I enjoyed this book! It was a light, engaging story with a classic YA romance that hit all the expected beats and a fantasy setting that, while not groundbreaking, was sufficient to hold my attention.

One standout for me was Gideon, the main male character. His backstory, though harrowing (and worth noting for potential trigger warnings for younger readers), added depth and made him a more intriguing love interest than most. Unfortunately, I couldn’t say the same for Rune, the female protagonist. Her character underwent a drastic shift once the romance took center stage, which left me disappointed.

Rune was introduced as a clever, resourceful heroine fighting to save persecuted witches, but we rarely saw her in action. Her transformation into someone whose personality seemed tailored to suit the romance felt inconsistent, and that lack of coherence in a protagonist is a big drawback for me.

The world-building was fairly minimal but served the story well enough. I wish the magic system—where witches use their own blood to power spells—had been explored further, as it had a lot of potential. Even so, the story prioritized character relationships over world-building, and in this case, it worked. The romance was clearly the focal point.

In short, Heartless Hunter is an enjoyable, breezy read that will appeal to fans of classic romantasy tropes.

This is probably my favorite book I read all year. For some reason it got buried in my kindle and I couldnt find it--but once I diid--OH BOY, I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. This was absoluter *MAGIC*. I loved the premise, the conflict and the emotion behind the witch and the witch hunter falling for each other. There were so many high stakes and I was constatly on the edge of my seat, holding my breath and talking to my book. I CAN NOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE. THIS WAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND WONDERFUL BOOK.

I am a massive fan of Kristen Ciccarelli and was so excited to receive an arc of her new Crimson Moth series! I am so pleased this fast paced romantasy did not disappoint. The worldbuilding was phenomenal, Rune and Gideon's enemies to lovers trope was perfection and although I would like to have seen a bit more into Rune as the Crimson Moth it was perfect.
I love the style of writing and do not feel anything was overcomplicated to follow and did not feel bombarded with too much information as a first book in a series which enabled me to enjoyable read the book!

I can’t believe I waited so long to read this book! It’s such a good one and I really enjoyed. You should definitely make this your next read if it isn’t already!