I will be withholding all reviews and promotion for St. Martin's Press titles and their imprints until the publisher addresses the concerns of BIPOC and Muslim creators who are being stalked, harassed and feel unsafe due to the actions of a racist employee.

I am going to start off by saying I screamed when I was approved for an early copy of this book and I was not disappointed! I absolutely loved this book! I stayed up all night reading this one. The cat and mouse - witch and witch hunter aspect delivered. The characters were amazing and everyone was so fleshed out, everyone had their own voice, motive, and personality. I have a feeling I just read my favorite fantasy book of 2024 and the year just started. If you like enemies to lovers and lovers to enemies this one is for you!

I greatly enjoying this! It reminded me a lot of Serpent and Dove at first but it quickly changes and you can see the differences in the story. I fell in love with Gideon very quickly and just loved his dedication to his cause, even if I didn't agree with it. He was a convincing character and I liked how he really resented Rune at first but then you can slowly see his feelings start to turn. I do wish there was a little bit more plot going on as the whole time Rune is just trying to find the other witch, but there are a few other things going on that kind of make up for it. The scenes where you get to seen Rune in her element were some of my favorite and I wanted to know more about the witch queens, but I am hoping there will be more information about them in the next book. Overall, I really enjoyed it!

5 stars!!

Heartless Hunter IMMEDIATELY sucked me in. It is superbly paced. Even with the world and magic system building, I didn’t feel like I was getting information overload at any point. Speaking of the magic system, I love the magic system. I love that it is limited and there are consequences. I hate when authors take the “easy way out” and at the final battle scene, a character saves the day with a random unknown power. Yes, it’s fantasy, but somehow it makes it more realistic!
I also love that it’s a REAL slow burn and that we don’t get any real Rune/Gideon scenes until 80%.
One thing I wish wouldn’t have been apart of the story, was Harrow pushing Gideon to see Rune naked so often. I get the point of the casting scars, but the way she was pushing him to sleep with her was just really creepy. Gideon found other ways to see her body without clothing, which I enjoyed, but still… I gave this 5 stars because I loved it, but I do have a problem with that.

Thank you for the ARC, full review will be posted to Goodreads upon release.

In a society where witches are hunted, Rune (the FMC) is a witch in hiding. Along with her bff, Alex (MMC #1), they strive to save others from the Captain of the witch-hunters, Gideon (MMC #2).

Rune realizes that seducing Gideon might be the best way to gather intel on his witch hunting escapades. Gideon suspects Rune may be the elusive witch-saver (not a word), the Crimson Moth. So, uh-oh! He's gonna have to seduce her right back. I was rubbing my hands with anticipation, because we're about to get 👏 in 👏 to 👏 it 👏.

However, I found the romance a little too "fade to black" for my liking, but the spicy embers are there and I did like Gideon and Rune's romantic interactions. But also, my heartstrings were pulled every time Alex tried to pour his heart out to Rune, as well.

🌶️/ 5

✨ Witches 🔮
✨ Enemies to lovers 💞
✨ Slow burn romance ❤️‍🔥
✨ Fake dating 👰
✨ Love triangle 🔺

I didn't catch onto the twist until it was pretty much staring me right in the face 🤷‍♀️. The end of the book moves really fast, as pieces of the puzzle start to fall into place. The book ends in a cliffhanger and I'll definitely be reading book 2.

* Thank you to St Martin's press and. NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for my honest review *

Enemies to lovers fans unite. The Heartless Hunter was a fast-paced, great romance that not only focused on the romantic aspects of the story, but the world its set in. Ciccarelli did a great job building the world out and providing the reader with understanding of just how the magic world is set up.

I quite enjoyed this book. I found the pacing to be well done, and the romantic chemistry was definitely there. The magic system was interesting if not terribly unique. The idea of witches creating artistic scars with their magic use was quite a lovely visual for such a grim task. I found myself compulsively turning pages, but the book did have some issues. Still, I tend to rate books based on how much I enjoyed them, so I'm still giving it 5 stars.

My biggest beef with this book is the timeline. The revolution only happened 2 years prior. They morphed from a monarchy to a republic seemingly overnight. It just didn't make sense to me, and it kept drawing me out of the story. New governments aren't exactly smooth sailing, so I feel like things should have been a bit more chaotic. It isn't really well explained what the current government looks like/how it functions aside from hunting and killing witches. It also isn't really explained what the witches were doing that was so abhorrent that the people would be cool with carving letters into the foreheads of children who were mere descendants of witch sympathizers. Gideon is 18 at the time of the revolution, then 2 years later he's the captain of the guard. He was a tailor. It is described that he learns to box but that's it. Eh. It just didn't add up for me. It gave me this negative vibe the whole time I was reading it, like something was not quite right.

I also felt that Alex and Verity's storylines were a bit contrived and convenient at times.

Also, why is it that Rune enchants a cup of wine, holds that cup of wine and experiences nothing until she drinks it, causing the spell to activate, yet she can use that same spell on (ARC so subject to change) "A coat. A shoe. A watch. I could enchant a thimble and slip it into his pocket." She ends up enchanting a jacket with the same spell, a jacket which is subsequently worn, but IIRP there wasn't anything mentioned about an effect from that. It was just confusing.

There's a point when Rune is asked to slit the throat of a witch. She fears that if she refuses she will essentially out herself, but she's been masking herself as a vapid rich aristocrat, so I would argue that it's much more likely that she would actually have refused if she stayed in character. Plus, it's taking place at a fancy dinner, and she's in a fancy dress, expected to slit the throat of a witch with a knife. I assume knives cease to be knives when they're big enough to avoid getting blood splatter on your gown when you use them. If it were big enough, why would anyone expect that a slight young woman would be able to wield it? The logistics don't pan out for me.

Still, I devoured it. I found it entertaining. I would absolutely recommend it. I definitely want to read the next one.

To quote David from Schitt’s Creek, I’m OBSESSED with this. Huge thanks to Netgalley and Wednesday Books/St. Martin’s for letting me read this e-arc! This is the first book I’ve ever read by Kristen Ciccarelli and I have no notes, this was perfect and exhilarating and wonderful and heartbreaking all at once. I fully intend to buy both the US AND the UK copies because they’re both gorgeous and I have no self-control. I’ve also heard rumors that some special edition book boxes (plural!) will be featuring this as well and I’m breathlessly awaiting them. There is no way to overstate how excited I am for the second half of this duology, and if that sequel does get put up on Netgalley please please please approve me for that one too, I’m trying not to foam at the mouth, I want it so badly.

4.5 Stars! This is going to be one of the best Romantasy books of 2024.

”She was drowning, and he was air. She hadn’t even realized how much she needed him until he was gone.”

I absolutely DEVOURED this book! Prepare to be bewitched by this beautiful and heartbreaking romantasy between a witch and a witch hunter. Rune, the FMC, spends her days helping to rescue other witches like her who are hunted in the new regime. Known as the Crimson Moth, she discovers that perhaps there is a reason behind the overthrow of the witch queens. Meanwhile, Gideon, the MMC, struggles with his hatred of the witches, desire to find the Crimson Moth, and role in the blood guard. These two collide in a new romantasy that will literally steal your breath and leave you wanting for more.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!

Heartless Hunter

"You can't renounce your own heart."

OH. MY. ROMANTASY. HEART.

This one was it. A true enemies to lovers plot, the chemistry, the spice, the adventure, the missions, the twists and turns. I need more immediately.

Rune is a witch, in hiding in a time where witches are hunted and bled to death when discovered. She secretly acts as the Crimson Moth, rescuing captured witches and helping them escape the island to a new life. All she has to do is remain undetected from the Blood Guard and their heartless captain, Gideon, who happens to be the brother of her best friend and co-conspirator, Alex. In an attempt to secure information, Rune decides to cozy up to Gideon as he is attempting to court her to uncover the identity of the Crimson Moth who has outplayed him for 2 years now. Despite their intentions, the attraction between them is undeniable, made slightly awkward by Alex's undeclared love for Rune.

If you are a fan of romantasy, do not sleep on this one! The first in the Crimson Moth duology, check this one out if you are looking for:
- Enemies to lovers fantasy
- Best friends brother
- Fake dating without calling it fake dating
- Heart racing adventure

Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday books for this ARC! My opinions are my own. Heartless Hunter is on shelves February 20, 2024.

Enemies to lovers book fans commence! Also, who doesn't love a forbidden romance?
The story is about a witch and witch hunter that end up needing to work together in a world where they shouldn't. The author does a great job voicing each character's personality/voice. The main character's love story grabs you by the heart with exciting danger and twists galore.

Its a fun read that I'll probably read again when the next book comes out. I think this will be hit.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book to read and review. All thoughts are my own.

I love everything witchy, so when I seen this; I had to request it and I’m so glad I did.

This book was FANTASTIC. I stayed up til 1:30 in the morning because I could not put this down. I absolutely loved everything about this book. The characters, the slow burning romance, and the twist at the end!!!! I did not see that coming at all and was so surprised.

I praying the second book comes out soon because I need it like yesterday!

Read this if you love:
-witches and witch hunters
-slow burning romance
-best friend’s brother
-twists
-forbidden love

5 stars!!!

Omg! Loved this story. The chemistry between Rune and Gideon was off the charts, and the ending was not what I was expecting. Verity's character was a suprise and definitely a clincher for the ending. I have already spread the love for this book for when it is published in February among all readers I am acquainted with.

I was lucky enough to get an ARC read of Heartless Hunter (The Crimson Moth) and it was so enthralling I finished it in one day! Witches and witch hunters!! Yesss!!!! I need the next book now!! I loved the characters Rune and Gideon they were ultimate enemies! I definitely recommend this book!!!

What a great first read of 2024! If you enjoy an enemies to lovers/ slow burn romance, and witches, then this is the book for you. I really enjoyed the unique magic system set up in the book, as well as all the morally gray characters. Rune and Gideon (the two mcs) were well developed and I loved their chemistry. I highly recommend this to all ya/na Romantacy lovers! Many thanks to the publishers and netgalley for access to this e-arc

I read this in a singular slow day at work and I am not calm. This made me unhinged. I was giggling and kicking my feet, I was close to crying.

Rune is a witch living in a kingdom that executes them. Two years ago, the New Republic killed her grandmother on charges of witchcraft after Rune honored her dying wish—to turn her in to save herself. Ever since, she’s been hailed as a hero, but no one knows that she’s secretly the Crimson Moth, a witch who has been rescuing others like herself from the Blood Guard under the cover of night. She’s aided by her best friends, Verity and Alex.

But there’s a massive thorn in her side: Gideon Sharpe, the captain of the Blood Guard in charge of capturing and executing witches—and Alex’s older brother. When Gideon begins to suspect that Rune may be the Crimson Moth hiding in plain sight, and Rune realizes that Gideon knows valuable information about the prisoner she’s trying to break free, the two pretend to court each other in order to draw out one another’s secrets. But the more they get to know each other, the more feelings start creeping in.

Chaos ensues. This is YA Romantasy at its finest.

Now, I’m picky about love triangles as a whole and brothers fighting over a girl is one of my most loathed romance tropes, so I was wary as soon as I realized that was going to be a thing. But as you learn more about Gideon and Alex it becomes painfully clear that there are WAY bigger issues driving them apart than a girl, which made me less bothered by them both pining for Rune. Another small issue I had was that the plot twist became a little too obvious a little too early, but that didn’t stop it from still packing some punch.

My main ick/disappointment with this book was that there was a character pressuring another to sleep with someone which is already yucky enough by itself but that person being pressured was also a SA victim. I feel like the author could have gotten to the same end result another way and it left me with a weird feeling especially since this is a YA book. So that’s probably something to be aware of if you’re sensitive to SA-related content and thinking about reading this.

Overall, this was a fast-paced page turner that I couldn’t put down! I hope that this will be one of the most popular YA Romantasy books of 2024. (On that note, I think this is being marketed as YA, but it’s definitely on the spicier end of YA…so do what you will with that information)

The ending has me extremely impatient for book two and this one isn’t technically even out yet :,) Massive thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy!

Alexis, dare I say you did not disappoint me, this book was utterly addictive.

"She was drowning, and he was air. She hadn't even realized how much she needed him until he was gone."

Much like the way I needed this book.

Was this it perfect? I wouldn't say so, but i didn't care even one bit, once I started I couldn't put it down.

Heartless Hunter gave me Serpent&Dove vibes with its own spin of the classic forbidden witch x witch hunter romance.
Both MCs, Rune and Gideon, are SO smart they read through each other's lies like it's nothing, playing a very dangerous game of cat and mouse. The tension created by that fact and that they suspect each other is so, soooo delicious, I couldn't read fast enough.
Watching them trying to outwit each other kept me at the edge of my seat.

"Im afraid you'll be the end of me, Gideon." And then, much more quietly: "Maybe you already are."

I have only a few quibbles with this otherwise super addictive and fast-paced fantasy-romance.
The first is the world building was a little lacking, though if I had the map in the arc it'd have been better but nevermind that, I'll be rereading this once I get my special editions. Also I'm still not sure what time period the story is supposed to take place in, it is a fantasy world but a character mentions "dollars" which really threw me off.

Regardless, the characters were well fleshed out and complex and as always loved the dual POV. The romance was top tier, the tension and chemistry - off the charts.

Dangerous, sexy, dripping in opulence, dark tale of forbidden romance and magic with enemies to lovers and morally grey characters — this has everything I love.

Need the sequel yesterday.

Eternal gratitude to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC
All quotes are from an advance copy and may differ in the final publication

This book really grew on me! I would give it 3.5 stars if I could, but I’m rounding up to 4.

The world building is intriguing, the writing is visceral and very sensory. I did want to know more about the broader motivation and history that led to the inversion of the social order and the persecution of the witches,—more of the class dynamics and societal politics the book hinted at. Hopefully we get more backstory in the next book!

I loved the tension between Rune and Gideon, and the way they complemented each other- they don’t even realize how similar they are in their secret and undeserved self loathing, their grit and determination, their earnest, brave hearts. And I thought their connection built very organically. I loved the interiority of it, how they tricked themselves into being vulnerable with each other. I did not love the brother love triangle aspect, however, and I wish Rune had taken Alex less for granted. I really want to know more about Alex’s involvement in the Crimson Moth endeavors and whether he had hidden knowledge of what is revealed at the end of the book.

There’s a twist at the end that I think the author does a great job disguising, and it made me really intrigued for the next book. I hope she can do justice to the complexity of what Rune will now have to deal with- her growing abilities, her history with the untrustworthy new leader of the witch uprising, and her unresolved and deeply complicated relationship with Gideon (and all of his compounded trauma.) I’m definitely riveted and ready for book 2!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

“Heartless Hunter” by Kristen Ciccarelli is the first installment in a new romantic fantasy series centered around witches. This was such a fun start to a series, and ended on an action-packed cliffhanger. I enjoyed reading about the main characters, Rune and Gideon, and their friends and family; they had good chemistry, despite some of the situations they were shoe-horned into. Although some of the twists and plot devices were predictable, the pacing was propulsive and the stakes were high enough to keep me entertained. Hopefully, there will be additional world-building in future installments, since I came away from the story with questions. I’d definitely recommend this for fans of the romantasy genre.

This definitely gave me Serpent and Dove vibes. I usually go more for fantasy with a little romance sprinkled in. This is my first time going with equal parts fantasy and romance and boy am I glad I did. I loved the slow burn romance and the enemy to lover troupes that were done so beautifully! The magic system had me so enthralled in wanting to know everything about it. Overall this book has made me a fan of this genre.