I finished Heartless Hunter in one sitting.

I've been reading snippets of the Heartless Hunter in Ciccarelli's newsletter for the past couple months. I've been excited for this book ever since she announced a loose The Scarlett Pimpernel retelling. I loved The Last Namsara and I was really looking forward to returning to Ciccarelli's fascinating characters and intriguing world building.

Heartless Hunter is told from both Rune and Gideon's POV. It's a duelling romance and both POVs are really well done. The shifts in perspective as they tell different parts of events along the timeline are beautifully done. Gideon and Rune are both reeling from intense personal trauma from events precipitating and surrounding the revolution. Politically, they're at two opposite extremes, but personally, they're working towards the same goal. I can't wait to see how they both continue to grow in the sequel.

The romance was really well done. Both Rune and Gideon have desires and goals outside of their attraction, which maintains them both as well-fleshed characters. They both enter their courtship hoping to get closer to the other for information, guarding secrets, motivations, and their late night activities. Neither of them lose sight of their original goals as their bond deepens and the lines between right and wrong continue to become blurred. It's beautiful to watch the relationship progress between these two incredible self-aware and motivated characters.

The foreshadowing in this is absolutely brilliant and I can't wait to see how those threads are resolved in the sequel.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 stars

I was really excited for this book, I mean...it's witch x witch hunter enemies to lovers what's not to like about that premise? Ultimately this book fell really flat for me. The fantasy plot had a lot of potential, but wasn't built out enough. Meanwhile too much time was spent on the romance, but I didn't feel a true connection between the main characters.

The FMC I really vibed with, her story was compelling and I thought her character was at a good development stage. I'm excited to see how she grows in book 2. The MMC was kind of okay? I didn't think a lot of his decisions made sense but he wasn't...bad?

And without spoiling anything there is a subplot of SA happening to one of the main characters, who then is basically goaded into sleeping with the other main character for messed up reasons. And that is never discussed or analyzed. Just a bit off. The ending felt extremely rushed and thrown together.

Overall I enjoyed parts of this book and think it could be a good start to a series. I'd like to see more plot development and world building in the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review

Heartless Hunter is a fantasy/paranormal romance where witches once again fall victim to hunters. The witches were once on top but the people overthrew them and now the witches are hunted. Rune is an empty-headed, gossipy socialite by day but by night she rescues witches from death under the guise of the Crimson Moth. Needing inside information, Rune behind a pursuit of the captain of the witch hunters, Gideon. Gideon is in pursuit of the Crimson Moth and clues lead to Rune. Deception leads to real feelings and Rune and Gideons story screams heartbreak and no happily ever after. Action filled and a little dark, the story breaks your heart but eaves you wanting the next chapter in Rune and Gideon’s story for a unique and addictive new fantasy series. My voluntary, unbiased and non mandatory review is based upon a free review copy from NetGalley.

4.5!
I needed this book after reading Serpent & Dove. I really enjoyed the plot and the story, but was weary to continue the series since there were soo many negative reviews on it.
Heartless Hunter follows Rune who poses as a rich socialite during the day while becoming the infamous Crimson Moth at night. After a revolution witches were deemed as the New Republics new enemy and all wtichkind who are found are 'purged'. Rune finds herself in a precarious situation when she attempts to save a witch and she has already been arrested by the most famous and most successful witch hunter in the New Republic. Gideon Sharpe not only is the most famous witch hunter but he also happens to be Rune's best friends brother. Rune's only option becomes to get close to Gideon and get as much information as she can to save someone important to her and her past all while attempting to be more clever than Gideon.

The world building was easy, great, and well explained. I didn't find myself disliking any one character an exceptional amount. Definitely excited for the second book!!

Heartless Hunter is enemies-to-lovers done well! I enjoyed how both the FMC and MMC had legitimate reasons for being on opposing sides. Gideon has a lot of trauma related to witches in power, and he’s not just a witch hater for no reason. Rune hates seeing others of her kind who are innocent being punished for the sins of a few, so she becomes a witch vigilante called the Crimson Moth. I really got immersed into the story and could not stop reading. The magic system is really unique as well. I kind of want Rune to develop casting scars now, and I’m interested in what kind of designs she would choose. I’m really excited for book two! It’s going to be one of those books that I am anxiously anticipating! I will definitely be purchasing this book for my own collection. The cover is stunning!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Kristen Ciccarelli for an eARC of Heartless Hunter!

The world building and the character motivations were rich and immaculate okay 😭 there's a lot of depth to both MCs, any I loved the slow burn exploration of that over the course of the book

I loved it. I did not see any of the twists and turns at the end coming. This is loosely based on the Scarlet Pimpernel which I have been wanting to read so maybe I will pick it up soon. So Gideon is a witch hunter. The witches used to rule but there was an uprising and now the witches are in hiding. He is trying to find the Crimson Moth. Rune is the Crimson Moth and she has been helping witches flee to safety. Rune's best friend is Gideon's brother, Alex, who helps her help witches. Rune decides she needs to get close to Gideon so she can get intel from him. Gideon thinks Rune might be a witch so he decides to get close to her to figure out if she is a witch or not. They start to fall in love but Gideon knows that his brother has loved Rune for a long time and it will crush him if Gideon gets close to Rune. Obviously chaos ensues. I could not put this book down. I loved the love story part with Gideon and Rune. I loved them together. I saw it is a duology so at least it is just one more book to finish the story. I hope the second book comes soon.

-"You are not the things that happened to you, Gideon."
He wished that were true. "None of us can escape our pasts."

-If I didn't have to hide myself, she thought, who would I be? Who was the real Rune Winters? Not the socialite. Not the Crimson Moth. But the person deep down inside her. Rune had been playing a part for so long, she couldn't remember.

Oh my word! I DEVOURED this book in one day it was so good. Kristen Ciccarelli does a fantastic job weaving intrigue and tension between the characters. It is not often that a reader gets a full view of the reason a character is morally grey or villainous, but with Gideon there is vivid accounts of his backstory. The cat-and-mouse game between him and Rune is perfectly executed. It is the right amount of friction and desire--I could not get enough. Ciccarelli does a great job explaining the magic system, using numerous characters to provide the necessary knowledge to the reader. It can be difficult to write duel POVs and ensure that the voice of each character is brought through, but Rune and Gideon's POVs were distinctive and showcased their strengths and weaknesses.

My only draw back is that I was often confused at the setting of the story, it felt like a very Victorian setting but then certain things, like the choice of dress and undergarments, didn't quite fit that mold. I know that this is built more in a world of it's own, but it still threw me off sometimes.

The fact that this story is loosely based on another called The Scarlet Pimpernel has alas added yet another book to my TBR as I love comparing and contrasting works that brought inspiration.

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

A book inspired by The Scarlet Pimpernel? Umm, yes, please sign me up!

A new regime is in charge. Having overthrown the once-revered witches that were in charge, the people of republic now hunt witches and view even witch sympathizers worthy of death. The Book Guard patrols the streets searching for any witch in hiding and for the elusive Crimson Moth who rescues witches on the brink of execution. No one wants to find the Moth more than Gideon. When a hint of an idea is suggested to him, he hatches a plan to court Rune--a vapid socialite--in order to find out her secrets.

Meanwhile Rune--the Crimson Moth who masquerades as a vapid socialite--decides to court the most dangerous member of the Blood Guard--Gideon--in order to find out where they're hiding a witch with very important connections to her. What follows is an oh so fun game of cat and mouse filled with scheming and unseen twists and turns.

The characters are wonderfully built out and the world intriguing. And the magic system is a lot of fun. A lot of the enjoyment came when these three elements collided into heart stopping moments. This book is perfect for fans of books like Serpent & Dove. I, for one, cannot wait to get my hands on the next installment!

They seek her here, they seek her there,
Those Blood Guards seek her everywhere.

Many thanks to the publisher for an arc. All thoughts are my own. (Full disclosure: I will be buying my own hard copy the moment this hits the shelves!)

A deadly game of cat and mouse is played in a world where witches are hunted and no one is who they seem.

Heartless Hunter was one of the perfect books to start my reading year of with. I absolutely fell in love with the female main character, Rune, from the first page. If you like courtly type romances with a fake dating troupe set in a lush a vibrant world, this book is for you.

One of the things I really enjoyed about this book is that the pacing felt absolutely perfect to me. I didn't find myself getting bored, but I also didn't feel like I was getting whiplash.

I already can't wait for the sequel!!!!

Rating 4.5, rounded up to 5.

Wow, I devoured this book! This novel transported me into a world reminiscent of regency romance with a twist of witchery, creating a captivating slow-burn enemies-to-lovers narrative that hooked me from start to finish. Set in a society where witches are ruthlessly hunted after a revolution that overthrew their queens, Rune, operating under the guise of the Crimson Moth, becomes a vigilante rescuing fellow witches from purges.

A twist in one of her rescues forces Rune to divert attention by entering a complicated courtship with Gideon Sharpe, a notorious and ruthless witch hunter. The dynamic between Rune and Gideon is the epitome of a well-executed slow-burn romance, though I craved a bit more banter and spark between them. The story avoids the trap of insta-love and maintains an element of unpredictability, keeping the tension alive with a constant hint of danger and excitement.

The plot strikes a commendable balance between romance and fantasy, with a particularly intriguing element being the exploration of blood magic. I appreciated the inclusion of blurbs at the beginning of some chapters, detailing different spells, their properties, and usage. The magic system is well-defined, featuring limitations and costs that add depth to the narrative. The choice of dual 3rd person perspective, grew on me, offering unique insights into the complex characters of Rune and Gideon. The characters in this tale are far from perfect, existing in a morally grey space filled with secrets. The entire cast contributes to the story's dark and fast-paced nature, navigating through numerous twists and turns.

I cannot wait to read the sequel to this book!

I didn't think I would love this book as much as I did. I was hooked from the beginning and couldn't put it down. Rune and Gideon were well developed characters. I loved both POV's in the chapters. Usually I'm bored with one POV but they were both well done. And that plot twist...I had no idea. This book had everything action, adventure. romance, politics, magic and betrayal. Excellent book and I cannot wait for the next in the series!!!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Likes:
-magic system
-enemies to lovers
-witches
-time period setting
-female main character

Nitpicks:
-should’ve been labeled as adult and leaned more into those adult themes
-a lot of the plot set ups were obvious
-a couple minor plot holes

Overall I loved this book and couldn’t read it fast enough. I can’t wait to receive it in a certain book subscription box

Rune Winters is one of the social elite on the island where the Sister Queens (Witch queens) were killed.and a new order and took control. All witches were hunted down to be purged by the Blood Council.

What they don't know is that Rune is searching for an old friend of her Nan's who is a witch. She is treading in dangerous waters as she navigates her life as a social elite in the new regime and her quest to find the witch. Only her best friends, Verity and Alex, know her secret. She decides that she needs to get close to someone in the know when it comes the the Blood Guard and their Witch hunts. Enter Gideon, Alex's brother, who has a reputation as one of the most ruthless witch hunters on the island. Is he the one Rune needs to get close to in order to get the answers she desires?

This book is beautifully written and starts off slow. However, a few chapters in the face picks up and doesn't stop. The suspense of Rune's quest and if she will succeed is as captivating as her love life. There is a bit of world building which is well done and adds to the depth of the story. It is in itself a love story and yet so so much more.

This first installment in The Crimson Moth Series certainly has an interesting premise- Witch vs Witch-hunter where both seek to outsmart each other in order to get information- things go not as either expect.

I enjoyed the plotting of this book- it kept me guessing to a good degree and it seeks to problematize who are the good guys and the bad guys, as of course we find both on either side. The magic in this world is interesting, but underdeveloped for me as witches need fresh blood to do their magic, it is hard to see how the main character is on the one hand "so strong" and yet so weak b/c she will not use blood from others. Some of the plotting is also inconsistent and the characterization fell quite flat as neither character should be as naive as they act at times. Let's stop using SA as a trope for "really bad guy" please. IF that bothers you, you will likely have issues with this story. I was leaning towards not wanting to finish the series, but the ending raises a lot of questions that makes me want to know more, so in the end I may pick up the next one.

In short- I see why a lot of people will love this concept and the series but for me it fell a little flat. I'd like to see more character development than there was here. Maybe we will get that in the next volume?

Who doesn't love an enemies-to-lovers story with a witch and witch hunter? It was such a fun book concept with a great execution. It's slow burn and excellent for those of us who like a dark-haired broody love interest.

If you like Enemies to loves/ Witch and Witch Hunter, This story is for you! Both the MMC and FMC have great personalities and voice, not to mention they are both morally grey.

Things I liked in this book are:
Enemies to lovers
witch and Witch hunter
twist in the end
great plot
good pace- didn't want to put it down
slowish burn romace


The magic system is different in away that I have never seen before. No one has unlimited power they all have to give something in order to use the magic.

Tropes - Enemies to Lovers ⚔️ Best Friend’s Brother 🖤 Cat + Mouse Game 🐈‍⬛ Witch x Witch Hunter 🌙

The Plot.
Rune is looked at as nothing more than a flighty heiress whose biggest concerns are what she’s wearing to the next party and who she’s going with…when in reality she’s actually a vigilante with a powerful secret. She is the Crimson Moth, a witch working to save as many of her fellow witches as she can from being unalived. Alongside her friends, Verity and Alex, Rune works tirelessly to outwit & evade the Blood Guard (witch hunters) who seek to rid her island of all witches. Who, you might ask, leads this Blood Guard’s charge? None other than the older brother of Rune’s childhood best friend: Gideon Sharpe. As Captain of the Blood Guard, Gideon will stop at nothing to capture the Crimson Moth and bring her to justice. and his latest suspect – the woman in question who he is “courting” – might just be his undoing… and he, hers.

This book was genuinely Enemies to Lovers perfection for me. I haven't read many stories that strike such a phenomenal - and I mean phenomenal – balance of tension, drama, intrigue and emotion as this one did. I was so wrapped up in the setting and characters that i hardly wanted to put it down at all. I needed to finish it like needing to breathe. That’s how drawn i was to it, like a moth to a flame 😉

Rune Winters.
Such a complex, fantasy heroine but one I absolutely loved! She really does it all. She’s a society heiress doing the most to paint the picture of a self-absorbed girl, all while she moonlights as a dangerous, vigilante saving witches?? And she’s a witch herself?? Rune is what we refined readers would call a BA. I really loved the way the author Kirsten revealed Rune’s heart and motivations for her actions to us. Rune struggles so much with her grief and regret from the past and it was beautiful to see how certain characters brought out different things that her complex emotions often masked due to her grief. She is clever, strong, and skilled and ultimately finds her match in Gideon who shares those same attributes.

Gideon Sharpe.
Boy did this man grow on me. I truly didn’t like him in the beginning (and we even got his POV and I was still weary because this man is equally as complex as Rune but in very different ways). We don’t learn his motivations super quickly – at least not until his character opens up more – but when you do… dang. He has experienced some trauma for sure that has desperately required him to need to put up walls in order to drag himself out it. That being said: if you’re a fan of misunderstood, morally gray characters in books who are intentional and caring for one person, I think Gideon is going to be right up your alley. He definitely was for me!

Bottom Line.
This was just *peak* Romantasy/Enemies to Lovers. I never wanted it to end. Like, I got to the final page and literally said aloud to an empty room with just me and my dog: “Uhm, WHAT. Excuse me, Kristen? Where's the rest??” Kristen (the author) strangely did not respond to this random outburst from me in my room. So now I’ll just be on my merry way to go stare at a wall and watch paint dry for the next bit as i try to emotionally recover from that cliffhanger. Cannot wait for this read to be out in the world next month! Do yourself a favor & go preorder your copy now 🖤 It’s a must read if there ever was one!

I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did and it will probably be in my top fantasy reads for this year. This book had everything. There was enemies to lovers, great banter between the characters, betrayal, good world building, and a magic system that was easy to follow but fairly unique. I loved the dual POV and getting to see both of their perspectives on how they were going to outsmart each other. This book was fast paced and had a lot of twist and turns that made me not want to put it down. I can’t wait for the next book I need to know what’s going to happen! Thank you so much NetGalley for this ARC.

Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli

I was immediately sucked into this story from page one and didn't come up for air until I finished the last page. This book was face-paced and had many unpredictable twists and turns that kept my attention the entire time.

Here are some of the things I loved about this book:
-Witch and Witch Hunter aka enemies to lovers
-Rune was a fun character. She is a strong FMC but hides behind a shallow exterior. Her heart is in the right place and I am excited to see her character grow into her magic. 
-I liked Gideon as the MMC. I always appreciate a backstory on why a character becomes morally grey. 
-I enjoyed the dialogue between Rune and Gideon. I love when there is a good amount of spoken dialogue between the main characters. -I thought the side characters added a lot to the story. 
-There was a lot of action throughout the book and it kept my interest the entire time. 
-This book ends on a cliffhanger and I am really looking forward to continuing on with the story!