Heartless Hunter was one of my favorite books I read in 2024 so I was beyond excited to get a second installment in this series!

While the pacing was a bit slow at times and the yearning a bit repetitive, I thoroughly enjoyed just being with these characters for every moment. Kristen knows how to write a true enemies to lovers and Rebel Witch just confirmed that for me. Rune and Gideon's banter is everything and I ate this story up! I also really enjoyed the atmosphere she created while we followed these characters out to sea on a ship!

Rebel Witch was a very solid conclusion to the duology and I would definitely recommend it to any fantasy reader!

while I didn’t love this one AS MUCH as the first book, I’m fully obsessed with rune and gideon and their quest to rebuild their world 🥹 will fully never be over this duology!!

picking up almost immediately where HEARTLESS HUNTER left off, rune is on the run with her fellow witches after being outed to the public by gideon, her once lover and notorious witch hunter… but they clearly are still in love with each other so cue the pining and hatred for about half the book 😤

for a sequel, I wanted far more action than what was delivered - especially after the cliffhangers and plot twists of the first book! however, I loved delving deeper into the lives of the side characters like harrow, lalia, seraphine, and all the other witches!

and y’all know I love to hate a good baddie and boy was cressida it! she gives all of the amarantha vibes (if she survived past one book and actually did some damage) & I was here for her ruthless quest to retake the world!

this was truly a political book at its core, and the conversations about wanting democracy and peace was SO relevant in today’s society 🖤 I just love when fantasy books are more relatable than anything else

for a slow burn plot, the ending was SUPER rushed - I kept checking to see how many pages were left in the book because I kept thinking there’s no way everything can get wrapped up in this short of time…

I’m so glad the author chose a duology as this format because rune and gideon’s story deserved to have a HEA and a full circle moment (without removing any characterization)

thank you wednesday and st martin’s press for the gifted copy!!

rating: 4.5 stars
wine pairing: new zealand pinot noir

4.9 stars LET ME EXPLAIN

so it is 4:20 in the morning and i was supposed to sleep but this book had other plans. that first 65% had me GRIPPED. i’m pretty sure i have never devoured a plot so delicious and rewarding and tragic i was giggling and kicking my feet and im pretty sure i cried for the whole 50-65% section. i love rune and gideon so so so much it’s physically painful. if the book was this first more-than-half section alone this would be the best book i’ve ever read 6/5 stars but alas i fear this was an incredibly character and emotionally driven book (which lowkey are my favs) but as a result, the plot ran away a little in the last 35%. it was still phenomenal and i ferociously continued reading but the level was more at a 4/5 star rating hence the overall 4.9 stars. somehow the stakes were lower in this latter bit? that also could have been my delusion and lack of sleep catching up to me but this is quite possibly my new favorite duology (im so sorry six of crows but i fear you do not have a gideon sharpe)

ps gideon EASILY made my top three book bfs of 2024

thank you so much to Wednesday for an ARC of this book! all thoughts and comments are my own. more comprehensive review to come :)

"Rebel Witch" was such a highly anticipated sequel and for good reason.

The enemies-to-lovers trope continues in full force and I could not get enough. Although some time has passed between the two books, it doesn't feel that way as the story starts off strong and captivates readers immediately once again.

I felt that this was a great addition to the duology but I wish their was more to this world.

Thank you to Wednesday Books for selecting me for this ARC. I really enjoyed it and can't wait to see what is next from Kristen Ciccarelli.

After reading the phenomenal first book to this series, I went into reading this one with gusto. I devoured the first chapters as if I were a newbie running a marathon and like every first time marathon runner, I soon began to slow.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, & Wednesday Books for the eARC in return for an honest review.

I will not say that I thought the first book superior to this very well written and thought out sequel, but I will say that I quite frequently had to PUSH myself to read on and get through some of the points that irritated me. Rune is not longer this confident vigilante that was playing both sides; embracing her socialite role in a broken regime while also being a superhero at night saving witches and evading the corrupt witch hunters around every turn. This time we are introduced to a much more tame and frail Rune who is being used by people she doesn't agree with, but can only see them as a means to an end. She is defeated and heart sore, and a contrast to the character we last saw sailing away in book 1. This is her character growth and I realize this as an author, but it changed the feel and scope of the story for me as a reader. I thought Gideon was much more tolerable as a character in this one, which is a contrast to how I felt about him in book 1. His growth or arch was far more relatable and believable. That said, I still went on this journey with my heart on my sleeve and ready to break down barriers alongside Rune and Gideon once they were both on the same page. That is where the book picked up for me and brought it to a close in the most perfect way.
I do hope the author choose to write either a prequal with some of the characters we heard about in this series (for example Gideon's parents), or a series based on other characters from this series but maybe years later. This is an amazing world Ciccarelli has built and I think it deserves more stories.

No Regrets!!!!
4 outta 5 stars

I love this! Such a great conclusion to this duology, I was eating it up and couldn’t stop reading! Rune’s banter with Gideon never got old and i absolutely loooooved the way it ended and how everything wrapped up.

Again, though as a huge believer of no spice in ya, I was so disappointed at the spice in this even as subtle as it was. It just felt so out of place in the story and it’s icky to read. 🫠

Idk what else to say after that lol solid story haha

I know a lot of readers are obsessed with Heartless Hunter but for me, Rebel Witch is the stronger book out of the two. The story just felt much more connected and developed in this final installment.

Fast-paced with plenty of action, yearning and twists, Rune and Gideon were quite the busy bees in Rebel Witch. As sworn enemies, they formed a tentative partnership- each looking to benefit themselves. Harsh words were exchanged and schemes were devised. Ironically, this fragile alliance of theirs ended up saving a whole lot of lives.

Rune and Gideon’s complicated relationship led to some real angsty moments. Confrontations between them were tense and full of unspoken feelings and naked lust. So much longing! However, as much as I loved seeing Rune and Gideon together, I disliked the various nicknames he called her. They were extremely cheesy and just kind of unnecessary?

If there was any foreshadowing to Rune’s identity, I missed it. But I wasn’t all that surprised when the big reveal came. It felt organic, almost meant to be. Also, Rune was brutal but good riddance! She didn’t need any help although Gideon aided her quietly. His self-sacrificing way annoyed me a little but I’m glad he came through for her when it counted.

While things were far from perfect at the end of Rebel Witch, the world was left in a more ideal place than it was at the beginning of Heartless Hunter. Rebel Witch is a brilliant sequel and the perfect end to The Crimson Moth duology!

I couldn’t wait to continue this adventure. There was many twists I did not see coming. It was exciting, romantic, beautiful, hopeful, and such a fun read. We met new characters and continued with others. I highly recommend Rebel Witch!

This was a good sequel. I was really rooting for the characters and loved how the story unfolded. I would recommend this book.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Kristen Ciccarelli for this eArc!

I am a huge fan of the first installment of this duology (Heartless Hunter) and was very excited to read the concluding book. Rebel Witch takes place immediately after the events of Heartless Hunter, and as readers, we are thrust back into the pro-witch versus anti-witch world. Rune and Gideon must deal with the aftermath of their actions in the first book while trying to figure out how to save themselves and their beloved home. Much like the first book, Rune and Gideon continued to have impeccable chemistry, but unfortunately, that was the best part of this book. Beyond this, the book lacked cohesiveness as the different situations and problems they found themselves in lacked continuity and build-up. There were no tensions that continued to build. Additionally, too many new characters were introduced, and many characters reintroduced from the first book were not important to the plot. Additionally, the big twist and ending were predictable. I understand where Ciccarelli wanted this book to go, but it lacked the exciting, tension-filled world they meticulously built in the first book. (2.5 stars rounded up)

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

I loved this series and this ending! This has everything great in a romantasy series: romance so hot and messy, court politics, a big bad, and a cool magic system. I liked how we got to see more depth in Rune's magic and character this time around, watching her grow into a powerful witch. I also appreciated the way in which the story navigates the complex relationship between Rune and Gideon. The side characters get more page time too, with their motivations and stories getting mixed into the narrative.

My only complaint was falling into "Rune is the chosen one" trope, as it was so clear to me who she was going to be. I wish it had been hidden a bit more, but that is just a tiny complaint in the grand scheme of things.

So sad to report that this was disappointing 😭 Heartless Hunter was one of my favorite books I read last year and I had such high hopes for this book. The characters felt different and more immature, and the storyline felt repetitive and predictable. It wasn’t a bad book by any means, but it just fell flat for me 😕

Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli
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The second book is the Crimson Moth duology picks up shortly after the events in Heartless Hunter. We again follow both Rune and Gideon as they each are on a quest for a better life in their home. Can they trust each other or are they each still lying?
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Ok. Ok. This book was better than the first one. No, seriously. It was straight 🔥🔥🔥
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I listened to the audio to this one as well as the first and absolutely loved it. The whole last 10% of the book I was anxiously walking because this ending had me STRESSED. There was action, and lies, and secrets, and danger, and passion, and love, and I was completely enraptured by this half of the story.
Loved, loved, loved how it ended.
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5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ IMO one of the better duologies in recent years.

I was OVERJOYED that the sequel lived up to the bingeable hype of the first book.

Rebel Witch picks up a short time after the events of Heartless Hunter, grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go.

I was under its spell from the first few chapters and this was just some good old cat and mouse games type of fun. This relationship began on a crumbling foundation and so it only makes sense that it’s going to take time to build that trust back up. And boy do I just love these characters.

The back and forth, love to reluctant loathing was such a good time. While the plot was “tropey”and predictable at times that in no way inhibited the amount of fun I was able to experience along the way. I think this speaks highly to the characters and world that the author has created for me to be able to get go of things that would normally bug me and just have fun.

I cannot wait to see what the author gets up to next, because I will most certainly be there. The audio production was also fantastic for those interested.

Finales to series are typically not great, in my experience. BUT BUT BUT! Kristen Ciccarelli NAILED it with "Rebel Witch"!

I felt like I was on an emotional rollercoaster reading this book with all the feelings I was going through. It was such a stunning book filled with drama, TENSION, and heartbreakingly beautiful moments. I cannot recommend this duology enough!

I missed Rune and Gideon so much!! This was the perfect sequel. Kristen did an excellent job carrying the plot and not just repeating the same plot that sometimes the romantasy sequels fall victim to. I also feel like so much happened in this nonstop action! Rune and Gideon tension and yearning was even better in this!

EXCELLENT! This was a great conclusion to the series and I absolutely loved it. The twists and turns were great, even if I could see some of them coming. Rune was a lovable hero and I'm so happy that she got her HEA.

Kristen Ciccarelli, you’ve done it again! This is an epic fantasy duology, one of my favorites in a while. The first book is Heartless Hunter, which was one of my top reads last year and also a 5 star read for me - and I loved this one even more! Rebel Witch is packed with so much action and excitement that I had trouble putting it down and flew right through it. Rune is such an amazing FMC and I love having the dual POV from both her and Gideon. It’s nice to see what each of them is thinking and feeling the tension build throughout. I wish they would communicate with each other better but also understand why it’s hard for them to trust each other. I found myself rooting for both of them even though they’re technically on opposing sides. There are a few major twists in this book, especially toward the end. And when I’m telling you my jaw dropped at the ending! Such a crazy, emotional, satisfying conclusion to an incredible duology. My only complaint is that it’s over now. HIGHLY recommend this one! Five glowing stars!
Thank you to NetGalley, Kristen Ciccarelli, and St. Martin’s Press for the gifted ARC. This is a voluntary and honest review.

Thank you to Wednesday Books for this e-ARC of the conclusion to one of my favorite series, The Crimson Moth duology. I loved this book, but I think I'm in the minority where I feel like this book was not as good as the first. There was a lot more action, but I felt like the book's plot just dragged on. And I'm sorry, I just cannot keep being introduced to another girl that Gideon has hooked up with. There was only one other one, but the series' man antagonist was also another girl that he loved (and abused him, but still. Major plot point is just something in the romantic sphere for Gideon). I love Kristen Ciccarelli's writing, but my favorite part of the series also proved to be the one that gave me the most grievances, which is Gideon. I know Gideon loves Rune, and it's clear he would do anything for her and it was not just lust for her body that spearheaded his love, but I think everything just got too messy with him with Kristen putting too much of the emotional labor on Rune to carry in the relationship. I know Gideon is the woe is me, dreadfully sad and traumatized hero of our story, but I wish that there was more emotional weight that he was carrying, especially navigating and coming to terms with his love for Rune, since this is a romantic fantasy at the end of the day. I think it didn't help that the plot was just all these mini quests and traveling all over the place. I do love a non-linear plot, but it just felt like we were going in circles and nothing really served a purpose towards our end goal. I did enjoy this book overall, though, and I can't wait to see what Kristen is writing next.

This was the BEST sequel I've read this year! I loved Gideon's perspective even more and Rune's development had me hooked and THE ENDING WAS BEAUTIFUL. The author delivered and left no crumbs and it remains one of the best duologues I've ever read!!