A fantastic witch story. It is full of great twists and turns. Loved the characters of Rune, Gideon and Alex. Can’t wait for book 2!

Anything this author writes is magic every time. I just loved this book. It was written so beautifully. I would recommend this book in a heart beat.
10/10

I'm so angry. Angry that I have to wait for the second book until who knows how long! In all honesty, I loved this book. Its cliched but I really could NOT put it down. I want to know more about Rune and Gideon. I want to know more about the Reign of Witches and what's going to happen now. Kristen Ciccarelli, PLEASE hurry with the sequel!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

SCREAMING. CRYING. THROWING UP. 2024 hasn’t even happened yet, but I already know this is going to be one of the hottest reads of the year.

Shamelessly and much to the dismay of my family, I spent all of Christmas following Rune and Gideon (whose namesake I hated till this book) in this TRUE enemies-to-lovers saga. These characters are actual enemies, and the hatred plays such a large role in their histories and lived experiences that it’s definitely something that can’t be ignored or solved with simple puppy love. And make no mistake, their chemistry was F L Y I N G off the pages. I love the complexity and depth of their relationship—'Heartless Hunter' made me feel like I was reading about enemies who just happened to have a dash of romance (which I absolutely LOVE); the plot wasn’t strictly driven by their blooming romance.

Full of twists and turns that I truly didn’t expect, along with a REALLY good helping of angst, the plot was well-paced and kept you in your seat from start to finish. And can I just say that the build-up to the height of the plot was CRAZY, so intricately crafted and unexpected that it felt like I got the breath knocked out of me. I also wasn’t expecting the regency/Bridgerton-esque background to have such a big impact on the plot, but it was so important for the angsty ambiance and elegant atmosphere.

And man, can we just talk about the creativity and genius that went into the magic system??? Kristen Ciccarelli really went in and crafted a unique universe of witches and witch hunters in which no side had true power over the other, but there were still powerful, supernatural characters. I also think what makes this story so special is that I truly feel like no character is morally superior. They are all unique with separate principles and integrity, making the actions of certain characters unexpected but so fun to follow along with. The wit and banter of the characters really elevated the story and made it so enjoyable, despite the very intense topics and, at times, history.

Now, *takes deep breath*, THAT FREAKING ENDING!!! I was destroyed—absolutely destroyed—by that ending. I have no words and no clue what to say because MY HEART IS BROKEN AND I AM FOREVER IN PAIN. I fear that I may be in a literary coma until Book 2 comes out—I still have no clue what to do with my hands because I JUST CAN’T STOP THINKING ABOUT GIDEON’S PROMISE AHHHHHHH. It may just be my Roman Empire because of how many times I recite it in the mirror.

This was such a spectacular start for the duology and I honestly don’t even know where the story goes from here, but I AM SO EXCITED. If you’re even questioning reading this book, you 1000% NEED TO—there’s nothing like it, and you most definitely don’t want to miss out.

3.5 rating. This was a wonderful story of witches, magic, enemies to lovers, friends, forbidden love, betrayal, and just an enjoyable ride. This is set in a world where witches were once royalty and are now outcasts and hung for being born, as well as anyone who sympathises with them. Our main character, Rune, is hiding in plain sight as a dull socialite who despises witches and even turned in her own grandmother, but what they don't know is that she's one as well. She attends the social parties, but also helps other witches to escape imprisonment in the dark of night with the help of friends. One of those friend's brother, Gideon, is on the hunt for this witch they call the Crimson Moth, not realizing how close she is. This was a fun read and I look forward to seeing what happens in the next book. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

My first thoughts after finishing this book are: this book is going to be a huge hit AND when does the next one come out because I want to read it right now! This book was sooo good! Gideon and Rune are a great enemies to lovers to ? I won’t ruin it for you but this book has some twists and it is fantastic! I loved the Salem witch vibes and the magic aspects. Overall wonderful book that had me engrossed from beginning to end! Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read an early release, I can’t wait for the next one to come out.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for an ARC of Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli

Let me start by saying I really was hoping to love this story but it was lacking in a lot of places.
I didn’t feel like the story or characters are very well developed. Also really dislike when two characters have this unrealistic “Instant Love” for each other. Nothing as to why or what attracts them to each other they just are.
This story had potential but fell way short for me!

loved the premise of this one but wish the execution had been stronger. it sometimes felt like pieces of the story were half developed, which made me wanting more throughout the book. the enemies to lovers trope was fun if that’s your thing and the ending sets it up nicely for a second book. overall it was a fun read but not earth shattering for me. thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc of this on.

Well, that will teach me to judge a book by its cover. I thought this would be a Mary Sue book through and through. How many enemies to lovers books are actually good? Well this one is. It’s good enough to make me regret requesting it as a Netgalley book because now I have to wait even longer for a sequel. And dear lord I hope there is one.

I like that the word feels full and well built, with a solid well defined blood-magic system (menstrual blood! Hell yeah!) and a believable and understandable history. I like the dynamics between the characters - Gideon, Alex, Rune, and Verity (+ supporting cast) make sense and that each character has their own personalities, weaknesses, and no deus ex machina nonsense. And I love that I can enjoy this as a 30+ year old and also recommend it to my 20-something sister, and potentially even to my 16yo sister in law. A little (loving) sexual descriptions, some implications of past trauma, but that’s pretty much it!

Recommended to all! I loved it! Unexpectedly!

Posted to Goodreads. Thank you Netgalley and Wednesday books in exchange for an unbiased review!

Definitely one of my favorite books that I read this year! This was such an action packed book and I can’t wait for the second book to come out! I really enjoyed how the use of magic had chain reactions/consequences, and how each character showed his or her own flaws throughout the story.

Thank you for the ARC of this book!

This book gave me exactly what I expected from a classic witch/witch-hunter, enemies-to-lovers story. With that being said, it accomplished what it set out to in an exceptional way. The worldbuilding, backstory, and magic system are well described and make a lot of sense. All the characters, including the more minor ones, are fully developed. Because the story is told from Rune's and Gideon's points of view, both of their perspectives are clearly laid out, and it is easy to see that they both have a point in what they stand for. I loved all the morally gray aspects and appreciated the overall maturity level of the major characters, which matched the high stakes nature of their setting. The pacing is pretty quick, and it all builds toward an explosive ending that perfectly sets the scene for Act Two of Rune and Gideon's story. I am excited (and nervous) to see what is next, as there were several twists and turns, and the plot could go literally anywhere from here. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes stories with witches, an enemies-to-lovers trope, and characters who may not be exactly who they say they are.

Thank you for the opportunity to read Heartless Hunter.
the witch and the witch hunter who you wish to put aside their differences. It doesn't seem to work that way for anyone.
It has a good storyline and plot. Very witcher vibes seemingly set in the Victorian period. something she is not.
Rune seems like a brash teenager in her outlook on life, pretending she is something she is not. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

Overall this was a solid romantasy with an interesting magic system and a good romance. I loved how the magic had solid rules & consequences. I liked Rune's character a lot and her relationship with Gideon. However a few things weren't as good: it's very insta-love, there's a bit of a love triangle, and there's really not that much action/ magic use until the end. The relationship is the main focus, which was fine, but I was really hoping for a LOT more of the whole cat & mouse game between Gideon & the Crimson Moth. Overall though this book was good and I definitely think the sequel will be worth reading!

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book!
I LOVED this book!
Rune and Gideon are enemies, who should be lovers, caught in a high- stakes power struggle between witches and witch hunters.
The goth Bridgerton (with guns!) vibe is opulent and interesting, and I found myself deeply invested in the characters. Rune is a refreshingly real heroine, and Kristen Ciccarelli gives Gideon and Rune smokin hot chemistry. Most importantly, Gideon is sexy AF.
At times, I caught myself thinking this book was predictable, but the ending blew me away.
I will totally be reading the sequel!

I think this is my favorite witch x witch hunter fantasy and romance I've ever read?? this was so good and so addictive I loved every character no matter how imperfect they were there were absolutely not perfect characters in this book and I loved it. the magic system is so interesting to me, I easily became obsessed with it as well as Alex and Gideon Sharpe god I loved them so much the pair of brothers were the complete opposites of each other but I grew to love them both the same. I need the next book in my hands already this was so intense I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.

thank you so much Wednesday books for an e-arc of this phenomenal book! all opinions are my own

This was a great fantasy book and I look forward to seeing where this series is going! The ratio of plot to spice was perfect and it was everything I love reading in this genre.

Thank you so much to the publisher and to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Romantasy, while one of my favorite genres, is also a genre that is very hit-or-miss for me, as I'm particular about the quality of writing and balance of romance and plot. "Heartless Hunter" was PERFECT and hit the nail RIGHT on the head for me. Everything about this book was a 'yes' - the high quality writing, the balanced pacing, the angsty enemies-to-lovers romance, and the richly detailed world were all top-tier. 10/10 would recommend!

In a society that reviles witches - that had a recent revolution in which the trio of Witch Queens were killed, in which witches are searched out and executed - Rune is a witch, unbeknownst to all but her two closest friends. More than that, Rune has devoted her life to helping other witches escape before the Blood Guard (witch hunters all) can find them and execute them simply for existing. Rune is hiding in plain sight, an undiscovered witch who turned her own grandmother in to the Blood Guard, at her grandmother's behest, so that her grandmother didn't have to watch Rune be executed alongside her.

Witchcraft, in Rune's world, is performed with blood - usually the blood of the practitioner, which leaves the witch with silvery scars everywhere she's cut herself for blood. But Rune, knowing that such scars could reveal her secret, uses only menstrual blood, her own and that of her best friend, Verity. Alex, the third member of their trio, is male, and therefore not a witch - it's never stated directly, but since it is stated that the onset of a witch's powers occurs at first menstruation, it's implied that only women are witches in this world. Still, Alex would never betray Rune, even though his brother is a captain in the Blood Guard, and a notorious witch hunter, one who was instrumental in the revolution two years previously that ousted the Witch Queens.

This is a convoluted story, with a mystery at the heart of it - well written, although the foreshadowing meant that the unveiling of the mystery was less of a shock that it was likely intended to be. I look forward to the sequel. Recommended for teens and adults.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I don't know what it was but I couldn't get into this one. I felt like there were a lot of things that weren't quite cohesive and didn't make sense. I might try to read again in the future.

3.5 Stars

The thing about this book is that it has a good premise, but questionable execution. I like the concept that there were witches and witch hunters in the whole battle of what may be good versus evil (all about perspective). Most of the characters were likable and had their ups and downs. I totally understood why the characters were the way they were. Their motives were super clear. However, as I’m reading the book, I noticed a bunch of things that were questionable or didn’t really make any logical sense. There were things that happen that I couldn’t believe someone was able to get away with or I could see the big reveal early on so the climax wasn’t as shocking as I would have hoped.

Let’s start with Rune. She is supposed to be the Crimson Moth who has been saving witches for years now, helping them escape persecution. The only thing about Rune is that I find it hard to believe that she has been able to get away with being the Crimson Moth and hasn’t been captured yet. I just find it hard to believe that she is as capable as her reputation has promoted her to be. She has really great motivations, but I just didn’t believe she could pull it off. She makes questionable choices and fell for a trap way too easily. Maybe if we saw her help a witch escape at the beginning of the book, it would be more believable. Overall likable character but I’m just questioning her capabilities.

With Gideon, he is very determined to destroy all witches that are left in this world, and I completely understand why. He, along with his family and others, have suffered really greatly at the hands of one of the witch queens. I felt incredibly sorry to hear about what happened to him and his family. It’s absolutely horrible. I find him capable more so than Rune. I do like his character, but just questioning his relationship with Rune.

Rune and Gideon have a very complex and complicated relationship from the start. Their entire relationship is built on lies and deceit. Everyone has mentioned that there is a love triangle, which I don’t consider it to be a love triangle. Rune’s relationship with Alex is definitely one of kindness, care and friendship but I don’t think she loves Alex like that. He is just the safer and easier choice. Alex is a great character beside one incredibly stupid thing he did (trying to avoid spoilers). The thing about Rune and Gideon‘s relationship is that it moved too quickly and was a little unbelievable. I just wished their relationship wasn’t as rushed and I probably could’ve enjoyed it more so but it just seems to be kind of hurried and unbelievable how fast it went from lies to love.

The world building was very minimal. It was a battle versus good versus evil, witches vs witch hunters, but nothing really beyond that. There wasn’t a lot of magic just brief discussions about the different levels of spellcasting and some spellcasting, but was hoping for a little bit more magic. I know Rune’s skills are minimal but was hoping for a little more. Maybe in the next book?


Ending was a little too rushed for me, but I might possibly pick up the next book to see what happens next. Overall, I liked this book but felt there were some issues that I couldn’t ignore. Romance was okay but rushed and poisoned from the start with the lies. I hope to see more magic and some characters get their just desserts. I think I felt for the characters so I enjoyed the book more so but just some things weren’t working for me.

*Received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*