Thanks @netgalley for the ARC! I almost didn’t request this one, knowing it would be the beginning of at least a duology and I’ll be waiting ages for it to conclude. I’m glad I went for it though. The world that was built and the magic rules were impeccable and well thought out. The characters were deeper and more nuanced that I originally expected. A couple of minor plot holes that were tidied up a bit but nothing that overly distracted me from the rest of the book.

“During the Sister Queens’ rule, witches wore their casting scars with pride, putting their power on display like jeweled rings and silk garments. Scars signaled wealth and rank, and most of all, magic. Now they marked the hunted.” — Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli

I absolutely loved this story! The whole witch/witcher hunter concept in this story was done so incredibly well and the number of secrets throughout kept me on my toes. I feel like I was on edge so often trying to figure out who could be trusted and I’m still unsure on some!

I really enjoyed how witches have to use blood to cast a spell so they create cuts on their skin to do this which are called “casting scars”. Those scars, once revered are now a beacon to hunters so the witches are in hiding, being saved from purging (death) by a vigilante witch called the Crimson Moth.

Such a great story! I love the way Kristen brings the characters and the story to life, it truly pulls a reader in. The ending of this book was epic and I am already dying for more of this story!

I am a huge fan of Kristen Ciccarelli and have loved every book I’ve read by her. I knew HH would be the same but dang was it ever good! Please go preorder this book! You will not want to miss it!

I requested this solely off of the (BEAUTIFUL) cover and was pleasantly surprised!

I'm a sucker for enemies to lovers and this book definitely delivered. Witch vs witch hunter?! PHENOMENAL. I could've done without the love triangle, however.

I almost wish I hadn't read this early because now I'm dying for the next book!

With witches, tension, enemies-to-lovers, witty dialogue, and enough secrets to fill a city, Heartless Hunter has the makings of the next big YA hit. The story follows Rune, a witch from the fallen regime who pretends to be a guileless socialite to protect other women as she flirts and fights with Gideon, the witch hunter sworn to find and destroy the Crimson Moth---Rune's alter ego. Filled with danger and tension, the novel had everything I look for in a YA fantasy.

First and foremost, this book was fun. It was easy to read, easy to follow, and easy to escape into. I could see each scene the author depicted and found myself swept away by the story. I'd sit down to read, look up, and hours had passed. The dynamics between the characters were well-crafted and I adored the suto-Napoelionc French setting. Rune toed the line between competent and realistic very well, and I adored the fact that her main skill was her cunning. Though she was a fighter, she also used her more traditionally feminine attributes to her advantage. As for Gideon, I appreciated that he had a reason for being a witch hunter and that he didn't blindly follow an ideology. The tension between these two is off the charts and I am so excited to watch other readers get to meet them.

In regards to the greater storyline, the pacing was perfect. I wasn't bored but I also didn't get whiplash trying to follow rapid-pace scenes. I felt grounded in the world without being weighed down by unnecessary details and worldbuilding. Ciccarelli is clearly a master of her craft and uses language accordingly. The dialogue might as well have been an actual spoken conversation and the romantic scenes had me swooning. The one thing that prevented Heartless Hunter from being a five-star book is its predictability. Now I'm a veteran of the upper YA enemies-to-lovers fantasy genre, but I predicted how the story would end about 200 pages before the characters did. This novel follows the popular YA formula and it executes that formula very well. Nevertheless, I would've loved the story even more if I hadn't felt as if I'd read a version of it before.

Regardless, if you like witches, enemies-to-lovers, suto-historical settings, magic, danger, flirting mixed with threats, and TENSION that is off the chart then I highly recommend Heartless Hunter.

Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press / Wednesday Books for this eARC! This title may just top your 2024 Romantasy list. Filled to the brim with enemies-to-lovers and cat-and-mouse angst, I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I loved the dual POV and how this added to the progression of the story. While our main characters tend to be on opposing sides, you can’t help but feel and empathize with their own experiences and how it shaped them into the complex, and at times flawed, characters. Ciccarelli did a fabulous job drawing the reader into this period drama and seamlessly introducing and integrating the magic system. I not only cannot wait to hold this title in my physical hands, but I am also eagerly awaiting the sequel. I will continue to pine for Rune and Gideon until then! Lovers of Rebecca Ross and Shelby Mahurin, do yourself a favor and pick up this new bewitching series!!

The Crimson Moth was so good! I loved the characters as individuals and the twist and turns toward the end of the story! I however didn’t feel a connection between any of the love interests and hope that in the future books there’s a spark that gets me intrigued in the main love interest. Overall, a great read and most definitely got me out of a legit reading slump! 4 stars!

Heartless Hunter takes elements and tropes that I genuinely enjoy and made them so...boring. Literally everything that happens is soooooo convenient. The love story, which is basically the A plot here, was rushed and underdeveloped and just seemed like a Serpent and Dove rip off but with less developed characters.

The world building was a terrible. The world seemed vaguely European (everyone is white). Can you please tell me what time period this is supposed to look like? There are guns in this world. Okay, what kind of guns? What do they look like? Are they old timey or are they glocks? What are people dressed like? We are given vague descriptions but I have no idea what I'm supposed to be picturing here.
I understand this is a fantasy with no time period based in reality but a reference would be great.

The B plot was interesting. There is this Human/witch revolution where the humans revolted against the witches who were in power and now witches are being executed everywhere. A theme I liked here was the exploration of good vs. evil in the context of defeating an oppressor. The author did a good job juxtaposing both sides as equally vicious and equally wronged. I really hope the author explores that in depth in the upcoming books because that could turn this series around.

I have a lot of complaints but thats only because I see a lot of potential in this series. I really enjoyed reading it despite rolling my eyes a few times.

Rune made a heartbreaking tough decision with the blessing of her grandmother to betray her kind but save her life. Society turned on the witches, hunting down and burning those that remain. Rune uses her money and wits to hide her true-self but also to save and ferry witches to a safer place. To do so, she uses a secret identity but she isn’t afraid to leaving a calling card, letting her enemies know the Crimson Moth has foiled their plot yet again.

When a witch in need slips through her grasp, Rune needs information. So she turns to the elder brother of her best friend, Gideon.A high ranking member of the Republic tasked with seeking out the destruction of witches. He has a conscience and a heart of gold but he has his own reasons for wanting to see the witches dead. When Rune seeks out his attention he uses her interest as an advantage to find information on the Crimson Moth and the two begin to weave a tangled web of secrets, destruction and betrayal.

Witch v. Witchhunter or better yet known as the ultimate kind of enemies-to-lovers story. Give me the right amount of tension and I am putty in an author’s hands. The betrayals were coming from all sides and from all characters. There was absolutely no one left unscathed. The book was beautifully plotted and perfectly executed because I did not see a lot of what happened in the second half of the novel. This book will take you through an emotional rollercoaster but somehow leave you back on the initial hill you started, without any way of knowing when you’re going to come flying back down.

If you’re going to read one young adult romance in 2024, let it be this one. It’s definitely Ciccarelli’s best one yet.

Thank you to Wednesday Books for providing an ARC through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I devoured this book! The slow-burn romance, the dual POV, the believable painful past of both characters, the banter—all so, so good! If you like high stakes, romantasy, and a fast pace, this book will not disappoint. Rune’s internal thought process helps carry the story, and her motives are very clear; all of this makes it easy to root for her. Highly recommend!

initially, i was intrigued by the mysterious premise of heartless hunter with the fmc being one of the only witches left. but the plot and chemistry of the characters seemed to get flatter the farther i read. the story just got less interesting due to the lack of development. i think rune & her backstory deserved much more attention because, atleast for me, she lacked personality. also, the magic system, which was what i anticipated most, told more than it showed. still, i was entertained while reading the story despite the minimal development.

if ur into reading a fast-paced romantasy with witches and witch hunters, this is for u!

many thanks to st. martin's press and netgalley for the arc.

4.5

Ok wow that was quite enjoyable read, the book is definitely a guaranteed page turned with the plot laced in tension and cat & mouse chase. The Witch/witch hunter books don't often work for me because I find that the tension collapses as soon as they fall in love with each other but this aspect is absolutely handled well in Heartless Hunter, two characters from two completely different worlds and perceptions that result in their moral ambiguity because of their separate experiences from what each other consider to be evil. It is so hard for a reader to take a side because both of their pain seem valid and you are just there witnessing everything that is happening with anxious nerves not knowing which way the story is going to turn

I loved the magic system, it was quite fascination even though at times I wasn't sure I was understanding it correctly, it makes sense as you keep reading. I enjoyed the friendships that stood the test of times and the angsty forbidden romance, I seriously flew through the book and I am sure so many people are going to enjoy this book. I did see the twists coming and yet I thought they were executed really well, the ending was kind of jarring like you know it needs to happen yet you can't believe it really did. I am really excited to see how the series develop, if my inkling is correct next book is going to be even more fun. I definitely recommend the book if you enjoy fast paced witchy fantasies with betrayals and double identities

Rating: 3.5 stars

This book has such an interesting premise and I was addicted right from the start.

I’m honestly impressed at how engaging this book was. I kept wanting to pick it up to find out what happens next and I ended up finishing the book in less than two days. The highlight for me was seeing Gideon and Rune trying to deceive each other. They were both very clever and I was eager to find out which one of them would end up outwitting the other. They had excellent banter and chemistry.

There were also so many twists and turns throughout the story. I can’t believe this a duology because I have no idea how the author will wrap up this story. There is so much potential for the next book. I mean that ending sets up so many exciting things.

However, the biggest downside for me is that there is a love triangle, which I wasn’t expecting. I absolutely dislike that trope and it’s made even worse that the two men vying for the female lead’s heart are brothers. Both of the love interests were great which made it even more difficult for me to figure out who to root for. Both of them brought out different sides to Rune and I honestly could have seen her with either of them.

Overall, if you love slow-burn enemies to lovers, I would highly recommend giving this a try.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, the author Kristen Ciccarelli, and Netgalley for providing me the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Release Date: 20 February 2024

BRIEF SUMMARY: Witches have been dethroned, stripped of their wealth and power, and hunted down for execution. Rune Winters lives as a good citizen in plain sight while hiding her identity as not only a witch but also the Crimson Moth, an infamous individual who helps remaining witches escape to safety. With the help of friends, Rune continues evading capture while searching for a woman her deceased grandmother told her to find. In the meantime, witch hunter Gideon is on the Crimson Moth’s trail. When these enemies’ paths collide, we get lots of sparks and betrayal.

Heartless Hunter is a solid romantasy read. The pacing and prose are both smooth. The romance delivers the angst. Both main characters have conflicted hearts and mixed loyalties. There's even a little spice (as well as other mature themes and content), which made me think the book falls more into New Adult than the YA category.

I found the story fun and intriguing, if a bit tropey and predictable. Rune lives as a popular aristocratic socialite, taking us to glitzy Bridgerton/Regency balls, but also has her daring alter-ego. If you’re an epic fantasy reader, this is not one you should read for deep worldbuilding or inventive magic. However, I did enjoy the world-building elements that borrow small details/vibes from the French Revolution.

My only caveat to recommending and/or a negative criticism is the witch/witch hunter romance dynamic. The romance puts together the mmc who murders/brutalizes people of the group (i.e. witches) of which the fmc is a part. I did feel a little uncomfortable and did not root for them to be together because of this. On the other hand, the real world does not contain magic, witches, and witch hunters, so I could still appreciate the drama and greater plot of the story. Please be aware in case this relationship dynamic triggers/disturbs/angers you. I'd also like to note that the mmc does not change, widen his worldview, or redeem himself over the course of the book. The book indicates that this conflict will remain at the forefront of the series--or at least the next book.

From the moment I started reading this book, I was instantly transported into a world of captivating storytelling. The author's ability to grab my attention from the very beginning was truly impressive. The characters were so well-developed and relatable, each with their own unique personalities and motivations. The plot was filled with unexpected twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat, eagerly devouring each chapter. The writing style was engaging and descriptive, allowing me to vividly imagine the scenes and settings. I found myself completely immersed in the story, unable to put the book down. It left a lasting impression on me long after I turned the final page.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the chance to read and review this e-ARC!

The story of Heartless Hunter has a Machiavellian feel to it. It’s reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes vs Moriarty: the game of cat and mouse, but with a darker fantasy twist.

Rune Winters is a young socialite with a secret that could get her killed. She’s a witch who spends her days attending luncheons and opulent parties with wealthy aristocrats but spends her nights moonlighting as a vigilante, known as The Crimson Moth, who rescues witches from the purge. Until one botched rescue leaves her in desperate need of intel. Information she surmises she can only get from one prominent source: Gideon Sharpe. The Captain of the Blood Guard whose sole purpose is to hunt down witches. And also happens to be the older brother of her best friend. Gideon has been trailing after The Crimson Moth for two years and had made it his life’s mission to capture the person who continued to thwart him. And after information comes to light that several escaped witches have potentially been smuggled aboard merchant ships belonging to Rune Winters, he believes he may have finally cracked his case and inserts himself into her social circles amongst the vapid aristocratic society. But as the two rivals go toe to toe, feeding off of one another while trying to outwit the other, the lines become blurred.

The pacing of the book was a little slow at first, with a steady middle, and a quick end that leaves you at the precipice of a cliff, looking out into the distance wanting more. But when the book begins, it feels like being inserted into a story that’s been running for an hour and you missed the intro. Eventually we find out that Rune/The Crimson Moth and Gideon Sharpe have been playing their game of cat and mouse for nearly two years but don’t quite get the luxury of establishing all that tension beforehand. We arrive in the middle, having to deduce it ourselves. However, once the story and characters begin to flesh out, it continues to gain traction rather steadily. The side characters contribute much to the story, each brimming with their own voice and distinct complexities. The world is fairly immersive with quite a few dark undertones lingering at the surface.

Once Rune and Gideon begin their dance, each wondering who the other really is under the facade, do we begin the very slow burn romance. I didn’t quite feel their connection until later on, when their moments together became more vulnerable. Gideon’s backstory is incredibly emotional and it was nice to see that the MMC had so many layers to be peeled back. Both Rune and Gideon’s connection evolved as the story progressed so when the shoe finally dropped, it really stung.

The ending is a whole whirlwind. So much happened in a short span of time that leaves you gawking like a fool wondering if that could possibly be all there is when you hit that last page. And because of that, and my interest being peaked for the second book, do I round up to 4 stars. I would’ve liked to have seen a bit more of the cat and mouse game between The Crimson Moth and Gideon, before they began to play the new courtship game. To really see the lengths they’d gone to outwit the other and how high stake the journey had been for Rune. But that’s just my preference. And aside from that, the story has an incredible amount of intrigue, especially the established magic system. And the fact that all the characters have such a distinct voice and familiarity to them as the story continues and you can’t help but grow to love them. All of that makes me look forward to the next installment.

The cover is gorgeous. I found the writing heavily narrative, which I don’t enjoy. The amount of exposition was extremely high and I didn’t find myself caring about any of it. I stopped after chapter 2 (5%). For those who enjoy/don’t mind heavy exposition, it will probably fall somewhere in the 3 to 4 star (liked it) range for audiences.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publishers for providing an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.

1.5/5 stars.


The premise of the book intrigued me and I was really looking forward to reading a tension-filled enemies-to-lovers romance. The book proved to be very disappointing. Up until the halfway point of the book, it seems like all the FMC’S “fondness” for the MMC comes from her being physically attracted to him. I get that the romance can’t start occurring too quickly but it almost feels like the author was so focused on created sexual tension that they forgot about romantic tension, or that it even exists. There were also some surprisingly dark themes in this book that made it feel more NA rather than YA and they kinda of came out of nowhere. I thought the SA storyline was unnecessary and it was even worse since people would try to force the victim into sleeping with someone else “for their job”. It was uncomfortable and got glossed over too easily.

I also really hated the love triangle (just a personal hatred of mine) especially since it was between brothers because the book wasn’t really advertised as having one. On the other hand, I enjoyed the way that the dialogue and banter was written between the characters.

With all that being said, I can’t say a small part of me isn’t curious to see what happens to the characters in the following book.

Crush my heart and soul why don’t you? I received an ARC of Heartless Hunter via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review... This book was a beautiful and emotion filled roller coaster. I am so ready for book 2. Rune is a girl who struggles to hide her true self but wants to discover who she is when she’d not hiding. Rune and Gideon have fabulous chemistry, but I couldn’t help rooting for Alex. I love them both! Not to mention a love triangle that will leave you in pieces. The tension and suspense of Rune and Gideon’s relationship is gut twisting in the best way. I just need them to trust each other fully and my heart will finally find peace! The dual perspective is perfectly balanced. Ciccarelli is a master of creating full characters, each with a vibrant personality. I would have loved to see more clashing of the guards and Rune’s comrades in a social setting to up the stakes. In a small way the ending is a let down because their goal at the beginning of the book sets you up for the heist of the century that never comes to fruition. But that’s another Ciccarelli trait, you never know how things will play out! World-building could have been a bit more clear. Overall an excellent read! I can't wait to read the final version. Book two is going to be a must read!

Thank you NetGalley and to the publishers for this ARC!

Heartless Hunter started off promising: a slight Robin Hood vibe, witch-hunters, and the classic enemies to lovers trope. The story progressed and there were many plot holes. The characters were flat. I would have loved to have seen Alex have more of a main role rather than the "best friend who is in love with the main character and likes to play the piano." I had many problems with this book.

I ate this up, literally. It took me about a day to finish but i read it SO fast. I do think the first two chapters were slow and I did not really get what was happening but after the fourth chapter i loved it I LIVED for the dual POV, my FAV thing ab this book. The ending killed me, am so excited for the second book bc i need to know what happens now.