This book was so good at capturing and holding my attention; I think I finished in 2-3 sittings!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

The first aspect that I really loved was the witches magical being tied to blood (their own, others giving willingly, or others taken without permission). It was unique and straightforward enough that I was intrigued without being overwhelmed. Secondly, I *love* the hunted/hunter trope, and this one is crafted perfectly with extreme forced proximity, hidden identities, and fake dating. Both Gideon (captain of Bloodguard/hunter) and Rune (secret witch/Crimson Moth who helps witches escape captivity) circulate in the same circles (Rune’s best friend is Alex, Gideon’s brother) and are both on missions that require them to cozy up to the other. Neither expected to catch ‘real’ feelings, but alas, here we are, LOL (wink, wink). Can a connection founded on secrets, lies, and betrayal last? The last 30% of this book was so fast with non-stop action, reveals, and twists. It absolutely ends on a cliffhanger that sets up a perfect duology. I can’t wait to read the next book!

*True Enemies to Lovers
*Fake Dating/Courting for a Mission
*Love Triangle (Forbidden as Brother’s Best Friend)
*Revolution
*Political Posturing within High Social Society Balls/Events
*Fashion Focus (Dressmaking/Tailoring background, and one incredibly hot measurement taking scene)

-Good story overall.

-I know Rune and Gideon are supposed to be enemies and there’s supposed to be angst. Show us how the characters feel more with actions and less with the same words and thoughts being repeated.

-Chapter 45 and Gideon’s “near death” experience that makes Rune and Gideon suddenly admit their feelings is anticlimactic.

-Favorite parts: Chapter 11-Rune drinking her own enchanted wine. Chapter 18 & 19-Gideon fitting Rune for the dress. Chapter 22- scene where Rune is almost caught by Gideon's set up to catch the crimson moth.

-LOVED the ending. Can’t wait for the next book.

This was fantastic. Finished in two days and got me out of a huge reading slump. Definitely looking forward to the second book!

This was a really fun read!

For the most part I really enjoyed every aspect of this book. The witchy vibes were there, the true enemies to lovers vibes were there, the hunter/hunted vibes were there. I loved our two MCs and getting to learn about thier stories/motivations as to who they were and why they do what they do. I think I would have liked to see more of Rune doing more Crimson Moth activities to really sell that aspect of who she was, as well as more depth two her two best friends as they come to play pivotal roles in the story. Other than that, I had a great time watching the plot and Rune and Gideon’s relationship unfold. They felt like true enemies to lovers and I’m eager to see what happens with their relationship in the next book!

Thank you St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books, Kristen Ciccarelli, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A very predictable story with not enough fantasy and too much YA romance. I wasn't sold on their attraction to one another as the story progressed and none of the characters made a lasting impression. Despite my issues, it was a very fast and enjoyable read.

Who is the Crimson Moth? Gideon Sharpe has been hunting the witch for two years; she's been freeing captured witches and murdering others for their blood to cast spells.
Rune Winters is a vapid socialite more interested in fashion and parties than anything else. Or at least that's the perception Gideon has of her. Rune plays the role well, since she is the witch he's hunting. What happens if he discovers the truth?

I really enjoyed this book, good world building and enjoyable characters. Can't wait.to read the next and find out what happens with Rune and Gideon.

Thanks to NETGALLEY and Wednesday Books / St. Martin’s Publishing Group / Macmillan for eARC

Plot: 4
Characters: 3
Writing Style: 4
Cover: 5
Enjoyment: 3

▶ Told in third person POV by Rune and Gideon; Gideon chapters contain vulgarity.
▶ Warnings: Violent. Male rape. Branding. Torture. Suicide.
▶ Talks of menstrual blood FTW! Clever too, in that Rune uses it instead of cutting self, since blood is a requirement for this world's magic system.
▶ YA teens but seem like they're in their 20s. However, this book is one of those YAs that's hand-hold with the repetitiveness.
▶ We're told the romance is a slow burn but it's not? Seemed to move fairly quickly, IMO.
▶ There is sort of a love-ish triangle-ish?
▶ Good not great, fun, enough so to continue the series. Admittedly, for some reason, I kept accidentally confusing this with the show "Blue Eye Samurai", LoL

Thanks to @stmartinspress and @netgalley for the chance to read an ARC of this upcoming release in exchange for an honest review! This book was 4.5 stars for me! This is the story of Rune, a young witch, forced to hide who she is due to the hunting of her kind. This book has wonderful fantasy aspects, a nice magic system, forbidden love, adventure, and some plot twists I didn't see coming. Hopefully there will be more of this series to come so I can find out what happens in this world next!

Captivating cat and mouse enemies to lovers tale. Witches are being ruthlessly hunted and Rune has been forced to hide her true self to protect as many as she can. Gideon is a witch hunter determined to find her and bring her to justice. But both of them carry an immense heartache that pulls them together. Amazing start to a series that I look forward to continuing.

I'm not sure how I felt about Heartless Hunter😂 There were some elements of the story that I really enjoyed! I liked the cat and mouse game between Gideon and Rune. I also liked the plot and witch storyline. I thought the author had a distinct voice and the pacing was accurate. On the other hand, there were some things that I did not like. I wanted more depth to the characters, especially the side characters. Some of the side characters' actions confused me. I personally found Harrow's character odd and confusing. I also struggled understanding some of Rune's decisions. I was not a fan of the two brothers' love triangle and Rune's choice at the end. Although the ending was rushed, readers will be eager to see what happens next. I'm not sure if I want to continue the next book. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

I received a copy through NetGalley for review.

I have to say I really enjoyed this one.
It's got revolution, a love triangle, witches, rebels, love, magic.

Rune Winters is a witch. Living in a place where being a witch will wind up with you purged and dead.
Having had to turn in her grandmother who raised her, Kestrel Winters over to the witch hunters in order to survive. Rune lives under the guise of a vapid, wealthy socialite, while she moonlights as an assassin, rebel and rescuer of captive witches- The Crimson Moth.
Rune lives with survivors guilt, turning her grandmother in so she could live, on her orders- she hates the person she has to pretend to be. Saving one witch at a time is the only way she can atone. So she uses her friends who are willing to keep her secrets and her considerable wealth and resources to rescue witches before they can be publicly purged and ferry them across the sea.

But Rune is too late to save her latest target, taking years to track her down, Seraphine Oakes- the last person her grandmother told her to find. The witch hunters have captured her mere hours before she could get to her.
In order to save Seraphine, Rune takes a chance by courting the most ruthless witch hunter, hoping to get close to him- in order to locate Seraphine's whereabouts. All while he decides to court her back, suspecting her to be the Crimson Moth. Cat and mouse romance ensues.

I can't wait to read the next installment.

Okay so I went into this completely blind and I think that's the best possible way to go into it. It's definitely a puzzler and it was very fun to guess along with! I did guess the entire ending around halfway, but I have a weird brain that likes details and puzzles so take that with a grain of salt.

Rune, I quite enjoyed, though she felt very young at points, and it took me a minute to remember she's only 18. I mentally age up teenage mcs, and I think because she's so intelligent, it was easier to forget.

I do want to note for rating purposes that there is an on-page, but non-descriptive sex scene (open door lights off, if you will). I know this book is tagged YA and do with that information what you will, but I think it's important to know what you're walking into. Was I reading worse as a kid? Yes. Does that work for all kids? No. You do you, boo-boo.

Ultimately, this was a fun read and I only wanted to strangle every single character a few times for their prejudices. I will be picking up the next in the series when it's written, and I'm rooting for the Hunter to catch the Hunted! IYKYK.

A witch and witch hunter, what’s not to love? I went it thinking it would be another Serpent and Dove, I like this one much more! Rune was by far the best character I wish we got more of her as Crimson Moth. Can’t wait for the next one!

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

First off, thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Publishing for providing an ARC for an honest review. Heartless Hunter (The Crimson Moth) is to be published in Feb. 2024 and follows the story of Rune and Gideon. Rune is a shallow socialite with a secret to hide....she is a witch and the Crimson Moth. Gideon a witch hunter who has spent the last two years hunting the New Republic's number one enemy: the crimson moth.

This book...just wow. WOW. I was enveloped in this story. I absolutely adored all of the characters and relationships. The relationship between Rune and Alex (Gideon's younger brother) felt like a steady warm hearth fire. The relationship with Gideon and Rune had me on the edge of my seat. This book ends on a cliffhanger and I am already STARVING for the second novel.

HUGE thank you to Alexis Neuville of St. Martin's Press & Wednesday Books who sent me this NetGalley ARC on behalf of Kristen Ciccarelli!!!

There are so many emotions going through my mind after reading this!!! This book was exactly up my alley; it has:

• Enemies to Lovers
• Dual POVs (!!!!!!!!)
• Cat and Mouse - Hunt and Chase
• An intriguing magical system
• Twists

Oh my goodness, it was ALL. SO. GOOD. !!!!

The dual POVs added so much depth to the characters and made the emotions and interactions much more believable and easily felt; you could really connect with the characters. You also could really understand the tensions on both sides in regards to the hunter and hunted element. The dual POVs also made the enemies to lovers so much more exquisite!!

The worldbuilding and magic system of blood magic was unique and I was surprised in a good way to see the author not shy away and utilise period blood as an option for casting because hell yeah - that does make sense, it's smart of the character, and why not make that time of the month useful when it's usually so miserable!

Personally I guessed the twists early on, but they were so SATISFYING with how the story unravelled and I LOVE when authors utilise twists for satisfying plot elements vs just for shock factor. Thank you, Kristen Ciccarelli!

I thought the pacing was great and each chapter kept me wanting to read more! I wanted to savour this story but also really wanted to know what happened next. I ended up staying up well into the early hours of the morning finishing this book and OH MY GOD all that happens at the end!!

I also loved the "calm before the [next] storm [after a huge storm just happened] " vibes of the epilogue that really felt satisfying as a cliffhanger!

I cannot wait for the world to read this book!! And I cannot wait to read the next book myself!! One of my best reads of 2023!!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I loved Heartless Hunter. I liked the pace of the book, the cat and mouse troupe, and the love troupe, The book kept me guessing. The characters were well developed and interesting. I recommend this book.

5/5⭐️ this will be one of your favourite fantasies of 2024

Tropes:
Slowburn
Enemies to lovers
Fake dating
Courting
Hunter/hunted



Some of the scenes in this book had me giggling and others had me on the edge of my seat.

We follow Gideon and Rune. Gideon is a witch hunter. Rune is a witch. They both decide to court the other with the intention of discovering the other’s secrets. Gideon wants to catch the crimson month, aka Rune, and Rune wants Gideon to trust her enough to give her inside information.

My poor Gideon. He has been through so much and the character he is now is because of his dark past, he is so secretly hopeful and such a sweet heart. He sews her a damn dress.
“Rune was just as beautiful then. Like those marble sculptures adorning the lavish mansions of the aristocracy, existing solely to impress the guests.”

And Rune, I love her. She is strong and independent. She’s funny and cunning. She plays to her strengths and is so aware of her actions.

The romance between the two of them was perfect. They are both trying so hard to make the other fall for them that they don’t realise they’re falling themselves. The wittiness of their chats and the cunning moves had me loving every moment they had together

The witch magic system is very straightforward and easy to understand. The politics are easy to understand. There is underlying mystery that keeps you intrigued. I was able to fully picture the world and imagine it all in my head.

Set against a backdrop of opulence, secrets, and a haunting history, "Heartless Hunter" explores the aftermath of a devastating revolution that has turned witches from powerful rulers to hunted outcasts. The plot unfolds with a perfect balance of suspense and romance, creating a steamy game of cat and mouse that will captivate you from the very first page. The pacing is impeccable, ensuring that the tension never wavers, and the stakes continue to rise. One of the novel's standout strengths is its complex and dynamic characters. Rune, the protagonist, is a multifaceted heroine who navigates the treacherous world of witch-hunting with cunning bravery. The chemistry between Rune and Gideon is palpable, and their evolving relationship is--of course!--a highlight of the story. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy romance and I can't wait for the next installment!

Fantastic.

The premise of this one was so promising and it absolutely delivered.

There's action, angst, romance, and witches! Also great clothes!

Parties, witch hunting, a game of cat and mouse and will he discover her secrets and she his. I read this one while on the very edge of my seat while on a long transatlantic flight. Absolutely lushly written, with excellent pacing, it's romantic, the world building is on point and I am already looking forward to the next book.

Heartless Hunter could easily be a top 2024 fantasy read for many.
I just about ran to my Kindle when I saw I got an arc for this highly anticipated release and devoured it over the weekend.

Rune is a rich socialite, on the surface she appears superficial, attending parties and gossiping around town but underneath the facade is a vigilante witch in hiding. After the purge of her grandmother, she has made it her mission to rescue other witches from the same fate with the help of her best friend Alex.
Gideon is Alex's older brother, he's a witch hunter who has a tragic past and reason to hate witches. He's been tracking down the Crimson Moth for years and is determined now more than ever to finally make a capture.
When Rune needs information that Gideon would know, she starts courting him but unbeknownst to her he's also playing the game when he suspects Rune to be the Crimson Moth.

This book has it all, enemies to lovers, slow burn, fake courting, cat and mouse game, betrayal, heartbreak, politics, revolution, and a balanced magic system. There's a twist I didn't see coming and the end left me wanting more.

While I enjoyed this story and will be picking up the next, I had a slight issue with the world-building. I know this is book one, and a lot of the plot, world, and characters needed to be fleshed out but some ideas weren't fully developed and I'm still left with questions. The pacing was a bit slow, with the action picking up towards the end. I would have liked to see more of Rune being the Crimson Moth and exploring this good vs evil side of witches. I think this book had too much going on so the plot suffered and got lost a bit. I hope the romance can be explored more between Gideon and Rune, they weren't able to fully trust one another (understandably so) but due to this their chemistry and attraction lacked depth.

Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, and Kristen Ciccarelli for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
You can pick up Heartless Hunter on February 20th!