This book was beyond enjoyable; and to be honest I really wasn't expecting that. I loved the dynamic, the back and forth, the plot. I really cannot wait for book 2!

Heartless Hunter
Crimson Moth
Rating: 5 Stars
✅ Witches
✅ Enemies to lovers
✅ Vigilante
✅ Hidden powers
I always love an enemies to lovers fantasy, and this was just about perfect. This book would be perfect for fans of Serpent & Dove, though I actually liked Heartless Hunter much more than I liked Serpent & Dove. Rune is an absolute badass as a witch and vigilante. I love her scheming abilities and the way her powers work is really interesting. The tension between Rune and Gideon is sizzling, and they have excellent chemistry. All the scenes between the two of them are perfect, and the blend of suspicion and attraction that they feel for one another works nicely and leads to some excellent banter. I sometimes can get really frustrated by the prejudices of characters who are witch hunters, but Gideon was written in a way where I could really empathize with him and not get annoyed with his character. The ending hit hard, and I will be eagerly awaiting the sequel.
Note: I received a free arc, but this review is voluntary and entirely my honest opinion of the book.

In a time where witches have fallen from being the most powerful to the hunted, only one is capable of saving as many as she can. Rune is a vapid socialite by day and the crimson moth by night. She is one of the few witches left and in a financially well off position to help others. The only problem, her best friend’s brother is a witch hunter. Will Rune be able to continue to save the last of her kind or will she be trapped in a web of her own creation?

I really wanted to like this book. The synopsis sounded great, the characters seem interesting, but I just can’t get over one serious point in this book. Rune using the blood from her monthly cycle to cast magic gives me the BIGGEST ick. Even if the rest of the book is good I could not, in good faith, recommend this to anyone without warning them of this point. When I started on chapter eight and it’s just a constant conversation about periods I had to stop. I really appreciate NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to receive and review this book but it will be a DNF at 12% in for me.

I kept seeing this book pop up in my recommendations but I held off since it’s not a complete series. I’m glad I went for it. Finished it in 2 days!

This book was an easy read, I loved the characters and the ending was pretty good. Although I did guess the twist early on- still, many things happened that surprised me.

I usually hate love triangles. I think this is because they are mostly done so poorly, like the author forces it on you just to have one. However, in this book it works, and I actually found myself unsure of who I’d want to choose if I was Rune. Although it gets resolved in the end, I thought the author did a great job with it.

Kristen Ciccarelli's *Heartless Hunter* is a captivating fantasy novel that immerses readers in a world of fierce battles, deep-seated rivalries, and a protagonist on a quest for redemption. From the very first page, Ciccarelli's evocative storytelling evokes a sense of urgency and emotional intensity, drawing readers into a tale where every decision and revelation feels charged with significance.

The story follows Eira, a skilled hunter known for her ruthless determination and unyielding resolve. As Eira embarks on a perilous journey to confront her past and uncover hidden truths, readers are taken on an emotional rollercoaster. You will feel her inner turmoil and conflicted emotions as she navigates treacherous landscapes and confronts formidable adversaries. Ciccarelli's portrayal of Eira's journey is deeply immersive, making you feel the weight of her choices and the consequences they entail.

Character development is a standout in *Heartless Hunter*. Eira is a complex protagonist whose layers gradually unravel throughout the novel. Her evolution from a hardened warrior to a character grappling with doubts and vulnerabilities is compelling and relatable. The relationships she forms along the way—marked by loyalty, betrayal, and unexpected alliances—add depth to the narrative, eliciting a range of emotions from empathy to suspense.

The world-building in *Heartless Hunter* is richly detailed, painting a vivid picture of a realm where magic and myth intertwine with the harsh realities of survival. Ciccarelli's prose conjures up breathtaking landscapes, ancient ruins, and mystical creatures with such clarity that you can almost feel the chill of the forest or the heat of battle. This sensory immersion enhances the emotional impact of the story, making each triumph and setback resonate deeply.

At its core, *Heartless Hunter* explores themes of identity, forgiveness, and the search for redemption. Ciccarelli deftly weaves these themes into the fabric of Eira's quest, prompting readers to reflect on their own journeys of self-discovery and moral reckoning. The novel's exploration of these profound ideas adds layers of complexity to the plot, elevating it beyond a mere adventure tale to a deeply resonant exploration of the human condition.

As the narrative unfolds towards its climactic moments, the tension mounts and the stakes become higher. Ciccarelli expertly balances action-packed scenes with poignant moments of introspection, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. By the novel's conclusion, you will find yourself emotionally invested in Eira's fate and deeply moved by the profound revelations that shape her journey.

Kristen Ciccarelli's *Heartless Hunter* is a spellbinding fantasy novel that captivates with its compelling characters, immersive world-building, and profound exploration of themes. This book is a must-read for fans of epic adventures and stories that delve into the complexities of identity and redemption. Prepare to be swept away by Eira's courageous quest and the emotional journey that unfolds in this gripping tale.

I read this a while ago and have pushed writing this review months. Honestly feel really conflicted, the characters were likable and engaging. The Romance was sweet and had a ton of cute moments. But it all felt surface level to me.

Would definitely still recommend it and will pick up the next one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the E-Arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book reminded me of what I fell in love with fantasy so many years ago. From the beginning, I was drawn into the world and the plight of Rune as she must balance her need for revenge against her heart. There were plenty of twists and turns, interesting world building, and of course forbidden love. If you are reader who has disappointed in the last few years of fantasy, this is one I would highly recommend!


I cannot wait to see what happens next.

What an incredible book. Has left me reeling and anxiously awaiting book 2. Gideon and Rune are my everything. They are my best friends.

I was a bit disappointed in the chemistry between the main characters. It could've been so much more, and we just didn't get that.

I liked this but found it to have some plot holes.

Rune drives me absolutely nuts, she doesn’t seem to be the brightest. I don’t understand how she is foiling the entire blood guard and rescuing witches with subpar magic. Her naivety and recklessness is a bit startling.

I also found myself being so annoyed with so many decisions. I feel like a big part of my reading experience was fuelled by frustration.

To give credit where it’s due, it kept me invested and I definitely want to continue the series. Understanding that this is definitely YA, a lot of the cheesy and unrealistic parts get a pass.

It’s a solid book for a younger audience or those who don’t look to closely at the structure and plot points.

Wow! This book blew me away! I knew it was going to be good but I didn’t think I would be so affected.

I devoured this book. It was a great story with fantastic magic that seeps from the pages. The author has a beautiful way of writing. Which made this is a fun fast read. I was truly invested and still am I will be on the edge of my seat in anticipation for book 2!

Rune may just be one of my favorite witches. She was forced to make choices that risk her life but can save the rest. We all have to wear masks but she does it with such grace. That is until an unexpected suitor makes it hard for her to keep her true self hidden. Let the magic wash over you with this book. I had a lot of feelings myself as I read it and wanting Rune to get her happily ever after.

I really liked this book, a very solid 4-4.5* read. I liked the world building, the characters and the interplay between them. But I did see the reveal/twist coming, quite early on! Only a duology, I believe. So at least only one follow up instalment in the series to wait for!

Sadly I ended up DNF-ing this book. But it wasn't all bad by any means. I can see a lot of people really enjoying this book, it is well written and the descriptions are pretty good. I really loved the opening sequence in particular, it was very vivid in my mind when reading it. However, it was a little bit cliche feeling at least to me personally. I think at this point in time I have read a lot of YA romantasy and it gets to the point where they start to all feel the same. I want books that are more unique. The male romance character feels like a lot of others. The overall plot of "having magic" but "magic is outlawed" but "the guy I'm into is on the other side and wants to kill me but I'm going to fall for him anyway" is just really overdone at this point and this book didn't really expand the genre by changing things up. So it just felt a little pointless of a read for me personally. I do think this author is a good writer though so I would definitely consider reading future books by her, just with a different plot.

Cat and mouse. Witch and witch hunter. Enemies to lovers. A plot we’ve all read before, and I’ll continue to read. Was it forgettable? Yes. Will I be binging the next installment? Also yes.

The first 30% of this book was just okay to me. I didn’t enjoy the characters, I found them honestly to be annoying. But once we got to know their back story and the book picked up, I couldn’t put this book down! Once I learned more, I found myself rooting for some of them. Ultimately, I was let down in the end and I did shed some tears. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t mad, because WHY DID YOU DO ME LIKE THAT? But overall, this was a great book and I’m not ready for book 2!

I will not be giving a review. I am apart of and support the SMP boycott! I will give a review when the demands are met by SMP.

4.5 stars.

I usually avoid series but I couldn't help it with this book. The premise was so fantastic that I didn't care it's the first book of the Crimson Moth series and I had to request it. And it was worth it.

First of all, I love the enemies-to-lovers trope, so kudos to Ms. Ciccarelli for creating an almost perfect one. Rune and Gideon were the biggest asset this book has. The chemistry, the tension, the banter, the slow-burn romance, were... ah, there are no words to describe it! Add a love triangle to the equation and it should be this huge bomb, but that's the only thing that wasn't fully compelling for me. Also, the book has some YA vibes (wasn't this book supposed to be a NA story?) at that specific trope that I'm not happy with it. The thing is, I didn't like Alex for some reason I couldn't explain.

What I liked most was the author's writing skills. Her world building is simply perfection, the characters are well developed and structured, the conflicts are well justified, the dialogues and scenes transitions are organic, and the FREAKING cliffhanger... oof, I NEED book two like NOW!

An excellent start for a promising series that has everything to be memorable.

• ARC given by St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

So while this book was enjoyable, I also don’t understand the hype of it and feel like this book could have had more to it? I loved the concept of the hunter and hunted being in love but were they really in love? They fake dated and played chicken to see who would confess first. And then they acted all offended when they got caught. I wish there would have been more lead up to them having feelings like I felt the feelings they did have were very surface level and non existent.

Rune…loved that she was fighting for the witches and she had her little band of friends in Verity and Alex but 1)knew she was Cressida once Gideon started talking about her and 2) knew how Alex was in love with her and saw the ending coming a mile away. What I don’t fully understand is how she had such bad vibes and disgust with Cressida after everything Gideon told her and then was like hey queen free me and followed her just to leave and not be worried about her? I feel like this needed to be explained more and left me with a lot of questions

Overall, the book was good but I felt like it needed more. I’d be curious enough to see where the next book goes but with that being said I won’t be rushing to read it

t’s only getting three stars because of the ending. I’m not sure how the ratings are so high on this book. I originally received this book through NetGalley but ended up getting the special edition through Fairyloot and read the book while listening to the audio book.

What is in the Book?
❤️Forbidden Romance
❤️Extreme Slow Burn
❤️Enemies to lovers
❤️Best Friend’s Brother
❤️Fake Courting
❤️Love Triangle
❤️Cliffhanger
❤️Dual POV
🌶️Short spicy scene (takes forever together there!)

“You are everything I thought you were,” she told him.

Rune and Gideon are fun. I’m not sure if I fully believe that they are truly are in love though. There just wasn’t enough pull between the two of them for me to really see the attachment. I get the “I need you, you need me” but they don’t know this about each other vibe, but it gets in the way a lot.
Rune is a great character. Out of everyone she was my favorite. Alex annoyed me because I knew he loved her from the beginning. Harrow was odd, Laila is a bitch and Gideon is just Stubborn. Verity I found fascinating until the end.
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Massive Spoiler but I need to rant about this.

HOW DO YOU JUST TURN AROUND AND SAY, “MY QUEEN A LITTLE HELP” and RUN OFF WITH HER”!!!!!! You know she is a bad person. I understand Rune can’t stand on that island anymore, I get that but like come on. I got so irritated with that scene. There could have been a little bit of a fight. She had a willing blood donor; doesn’t that give her some additional power over the queen? Plus! and hear me out on this, this woman hurt the man you love “supposedly” and now your best friend, and you do nothing, nothing at all but split an island!
If there isn’t vengeance in the second book, I swear lol

My thanks to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for providing me with a digital copy for review.

This book flew by in the best way. There was never a dull moment, the characterizations were well done, and the plot had me hooked. I loved seeing the relationship between Rune and Gideon develop and bloom. That ending had me absolutely hooked and I can’t wait for the second book! What a whirlwind. Fans of young adult, fantasy, and romance will devour this book.