I devoured this over 3 days and LOVED the whole thing. The magic system was interesting and Rune working to free her fellow witches while avoiding her own capture made for an interesting story. The attraction between Witch and Witch Hunter here delivered where other books have fallen flat for me. Gideon and Rune each working to get something from the other while knowing/suspecting what the other was added to the tension and I didn't feel like they were clueless and overlooking things due to how hot the other is.

I was picking up on a few of the plot twists and hints at what was coming but not all of them and how they would truly play out. They did all make sense though and nothing felt like a complete blindside from out of nowhere.

Read over a year ago and while I don't remember much, I did really enjoy it. Planning on rereading once I get back into the reading groove.

Book Summary:

Rune is the last surviving member of her family. She’s also a witch - a secret that could result in her death if she isn’t careful. The intelligent thing would be for Rune to stay low, avoid using her magic, and stay safe. But she can’t stand the thought of other witches suffering, so, at night, she masquerades as the Crimson Moth.

Enter Gideon. He’s the famous witch hunter of the city, known for catching all those in his path. He’s determined to capture the Crimson Moth, no matter what it takes, even if that means going undercover.

My Review:

When I say that I’ve been hearing nothing but praise for Heartless Hunter, I mean it. So, naturally, I went into this book with pretty high expectations. Having finished it, I’d say it’s a decent fantasy novel. Somewhere solidly in the middle - still worth reading, but perhaps I would have enjoyed it more had it not been overhyped.

Ironically, my biggest problem with Heartless Hunter is the romance. If this was simply a story about one witch trying to save the rest from a bunch of witch hunters, I would have loved it. But the romance felt forced and predictable, so that was a disappointing element for me.

While I didn’t love Heartless Hunter as much as I had hoped, I’m hoping the second novel will fix my biggest complaint, so I’m willing to continue the series. I’m curious about more of the world and the magical system as a whole, which will hopefully be fleshed out even more in Rebel Witch (expected Feb. 2025).

Highlights:
Romantasy
Enemies & Lovers
Duology
Magic & Witchcraft

Trigger Warnings:
Witch Hunting
Betrayal

Witches and witch hunters and enemies to lovers. What could go wrong? Overall, this story was entertaining and tense and fast-paced. The only thing I didn't care for were some of the predictable twists. Definitely can not wait til the 2nd book is out!

Thank you, NetGalley, and the publishers for this Arc for an honest review.
Im giving this book a 4.5 star rating!

Heartless Hunter incorporated most of the really popular tropes in the romance genre currently, enemies to lovers and an intense love triangle. Saying this, the book definitely did these tropes well and enraptured the very reason that they are so popular. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the "Romantasy Genre" since the story was well developed and fast paces, but the world building may not be up to the standard of someone looking for a heavy fantasy novel

This book was so good. I loved our multi-faceted heroin so much & our love interest was so well rounded. I really enjoyed the whole book and I am so excited to read the second book & see how our characters continue to evolve!

This was so good!! I love enemies to lovers. And loved how ditzy Rune was just playing the part of a vapid socialite to hide that she was helping free witches. She did so good in drawing suspicion from herself even when her best friends brother Captain of the blood guard started suspecting her of being the Crimson moth. This new society is anti witch and the former monarchy was very dangerous.

Gideon has many reasons that we find out why he helps to purge the witches. But in his attempt to find out if Rune is witch he falls for her. I could tell something bad was going to happen but I couldn’t tell which character it would be. So many were very suspicious I was going it was few others before we found out.

I loved everything about this book! Great characters and twists. Very well written. I was totally captivated.

This was a great read, I enjoyed the premise and the characters were well developed and interesting, even the side characters were great. The world building was well done and did not detract from the progression of the storyline, it was more woven into the story so it wasn’t all thrown at you at once causing a lull in the actual plot. I loved the enemies-to-lovers forbidden romance, it is one of the tropes that will automatically draw my attention. I also loved the banter between the characters. The tension surrounding the subterfuge and games between the witch and the witch hunter is exquisite and you are fully invested to the end. I pre-ordered the second book immediately because the ending was that good that I wanted to continue right away. Good news is we only have to wait a few months to pick up where we left off.

Immediately voicey and intriguing, with descriptive worldbuilding and an engaging protagonist. Not sure how I feel about the love triangle with two brothers, but that's an issue of personal preference. Will definitely be picking up book 2.

I absolutely loved this novel, so much I ran out and purchased this and the second one. The story of love, friendship and good\evil was so very well written. I enjoy the build of tension between the love triangle, the description of the setting and the development of characters was excellent.

This was disappointing to me. I had hyped it up and seen tons of great reviews but it just fell flat. Nothing in the plot was new or intriguing. The plot twist was predictable. But all that to say it was enjoyable. I didn’t struggle to finish it. But I didn’t feel that urge to want to know what was going to happen next.

A predictable but very fun read! If you like witch x witch hunter books then this will be right down your alley. It is marketed as YA but there is a brief, mildly descriptive scene of intimacy so it kind of toes the line with new adult. Overall, I enjoyed this far more than I anticipated and do get the hype for once. Super excited for the next book!

Full review and links to social will be posted as soon as possible.

I'd like to thank the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Maybe this was a case of the right book at the right time or it was simply just a good book, but I loved this book! I don't think I have read a romantasy I loved this much in a very long time. I literally binged this book in one day and lately finishing books has been a struggle, so that felt momentous to me. Rune is a witch who hides who she is from her oppressors by masquerading as a socialite during the day and by night works as The Crimson Moth to save witches. Gideon loathes witches and is the captain of the group of guards assigned to hunt witches. Right from the beginning on this book, I was hooked, it was fast paced and the pacing stayed that way throughout. I liked how the world building was done and I felt like I was fully immersed in this story because of it.

I loved Rune, she really toes the line between wanting to save witches like herself and not exposing her own powers so that she can continue to help others. I felt her grief and devastation over losing her grandmother. I loved all her layers and how she chose how to present herself depending on who was around her in order to keep herself and others safe. Gideon is the angsty, brooding MMC and his backstory is just as tragic. He wants to ensure that his remaining family does not come to harm. I loved Gideon and Rune together, and I thought it was so interesting how both their characters were developed as they learn more about each other.

This book ends in a major cliffhanger, so naturally I am anxious to get to read the sequel! There were a couple twists in this book that even I didn't see coming (and I like to think I'm good at calling out twists in books). I'm interested in seeing where Rune and Gideon's journey goes next and to get to read the conclusion to this duology. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a quick and atmospheric romantic fantasy read.

Wow I loved this so much! The tension, the twists! I will immediately be getting a physical copy of this and preordering book 2!

OMG! I can’t honestly say that this is one of the best fantasy books I have read this year and is so far my best read of 2024. The concept, storyline, character building etc was *chefs kiss*. I couldn’t ask for a better written book. I CAN NOT WAIT til Feb. 2025 for book to I’m living for this book right and have been recommending it to everyone I know. I’m in my witch era now cause of this book!

This was incredible. A witch and a witch hunter, each secretly using the other to find out vital information for their respective causes...it doesn't get any better than that! I love a good enemies to lovers. The world building is fantastic and the characters are my favorite type--morally gray. I wish there were more scenes of Rune being a badass and hopefully she will get to shine more in book 2. Gideon, honey, you're perfect and I love you.

Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli is a total ride! It’s one of those books that pulls you in from the first page and doesn’t let go. With fierce, layered characters and a world brimming with intrigue, every chapter just made me want more. The chemistry between the leads is electric, and their banter is perfectly matched by intense, high-stakes action that kept my heart racing.

Kristen Ciccarelli crafts a story that’s as ruthless as it is romantic, where no one can be trusted and every alliance feels fragile. And that ending! It left me desperate for the sequel—I need to know what happens next! If you love dark fantasy with epic romance and impossible choices, this book is a must-read.

This was a phenomenal start to this series. I literally could not get enough of this book. I am salivating waiting for the second one!! That ending omg