Rebel Witch begins shortly after the events that concluded book 1 with Rune and Gideon once again in a game of cat and mouse, trying to outwit the other.

To start with what. I liked. I really enjoyed how Rune was always 3 steps ahead. I felt the fire that was the Crimson Moth in the first installment of this duology. Though, I felt that this was lost about a third of the way of the story. I also enjoyed expanding on the world of witches and learning more of their lore. I also enjoyed watching Rune and Gideon's relationship evolve, but the constant "I want him/her, I can't have him/her" and the "we can't be together, they don't want me" wore on me.

What I didn't like. The first half of this book felt like a completely different book than the second. There were a lot of plot points and it caused pacing issues in the middle of the story. I don't know how so much could happen but it still feel like nothing was happening. The ending also felt incredibly rushed and anticlimactic for all the build up that this book brings. With the amount of back and forth, I expected an epic battle, but was left going oh okay. I also felt like there were too many new characters introduced who were nothing more than a way to conveniently move the plot along.

Ultimately, I thought the series was fine and it ended in a way that made sense. However, I was left wanting more. Those who like romantasy books will more than likely eat this up, but that I'm coming to realize just isn't me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I felt pretty mid about The Crimson Moth, but felt intrigued enough to continue the series, and the way this one started had me sure I was going to enjoy it even more than The Crimson Moth. But ultimately, this one was a complete miss for me.

Let’s start with the plot. Not only is the plot incredible predictable, but the author makes it so by repeating events that happened in the last book, and even events happening in this book. There are times when our characters are in a setting, leave that setting, only to circle back and do the original plan in that setting. Why did we need a direction shift only to come back? This happened a few times, and got incredible frustrating as this wasn’t furthering the plot, only prolonging.

The characters. A downfall of having an enemies to lovers book is that a lot of time the author wants the couple to still be enemies at the start of the second book, but a lot of time that results in a rushed transition to lovers, which was the exact cause for this book. Our mmc went from wanting to kill the fmc to being in love with her out of nowhere. I didn’t feel any gradual change, and it felt like the mc’s thoughts, mic’s actions, and mc’s words weren’t the same character at all, they were so different.

Though this is not for me, I can see how someone just getting into Romantasy would enjoy it, and I would recommend it to that audience.

What a wonderful time!
I plowed through this book on my kindle.

The romance came out in full force but didn’t feel lusty or overdone. I’ve read some unsatisfying romantacy lately, but this hit my sweet spot and I need more books in this genre to take notes. It was equal parts plot and romance. Both worked together and enhanced each other. Yes, I would have liked a bit more fantasy elements, but that’s just because I’m a fantasy nut.

The main characters grew, changed and had a good level of depth. The side characters also had some decent depth to them, but this is mostly focused on Rune and Gideon.

A book is weakened if the conflict and villain isn’t done well, but this was just how I like it to be. We see more of Cressida and her despicable nature which raises the stakes and created desperation and a great pay off in the end.

The pace was perfect. I don’t say that lightly. It felt like watching a movie that kept you on the edge of your seat, but also gave softer moments to let you breathe.

My thoughts below are here to help set your expectations but didn’t influence my rating. (obviously its 5 stars)

THOUGHTS:
The ending can feel rushed. I can’t decide if it really did move too fast or if I just wanted more because I was having such a good time. In the end, I would have loved for the last climactic scene to be longer or maybe give an epilogue farther into the future. But that’s just my personal preference.

Normally cliché phrases and situations would drive me nuts, but somehow, It all worked here.

90% of the twists were obvious, but I didn’t mind it. The first book had an ending that shocked most people, so this could feel a bit deflating for some, if they are expecting another crazy twist.

This is focused more on the romance and defeating Cressida than world expansion. If you’re someone who wants more of the fantasy and less romance, you may need to set your expectations. Personally, I was living for the romantic tension.

OVERALL:
This is exactly what it’s supposed to be. A New adult romantic fantasy. Its exciting, fast paced, FILLED with romantic tension and anticipation. It is a wonderful finale to this duology.

After loving Crimson Moth I was so excited to pick up this sequel to see where Rhune and Gideon would end up after the crazy ending to book 1. This book was full of adventure, longing, and action. But unfortunately there were some things from the first book that I loved, that were missing from this one. I really enjoyed all the balls, and high society aspects of book 1, as well as Gideon making Rhune the dress and flower and suprising her with them, I missed that softer side of Gideon in this one. As well as this book just dragged on a bit too much for my liking. Overall I had a fun time reading it, but the first book is the standout of the series for me!

ABSOLUTELY YES.

I have been begging for some of these sequels to hold up and blessed be, REBEL WITCH did just that. I loved the audiobook narration and was smitten from the get-go between Rune and Gideon. This is why I love enemies to lovers. Hot dang these two BROUGHT IT. The sense of impending doom and I must betray you and everything in between.

The plot had some tiny things that made me quirk my head to the side but not enough for me to knock off any star power. I think this book did a great job on expounding where it needed to in order to build the world and magic system better while also bringing the storylines to a successful close. Things wrapped up where they should and I loved the little epilogue too.

Overall audience notes:

NA Fantasy Romance
Language: mild
Romance: 1 briefly vague open door
Violence: moderate

I couldnt imagine a better book than Heartless Hunter and then here comes Rebel Witch! I loved continuing with the story and hearing what happened next! Thank you for the ARC!

A long awaited sequel, okay not actually that long but one I have been looking forward to for quite a while. For the most part, I feel let down by this book. So much of what I enjoyed from the first book was lacking in this one. I enjoyed the step up in action, for the most part, but the continuous back and forth between Gideon and Rune made me start to lose interest. I love when a fantasy series makes the main characters journey to love complex, and I really enjoy when enemies to lovers have multiple hiccups, but this one was too drawn out. Their constant need to deceive the other again and again just made the story bog down and it kept me from feeling any sort of yearning for one another until closer to the end. I ended up listening to this on audio (which was very well done) and even found myself having to push through that, so I think I would have had an even harder time had I read this with my eyeballs. There were parts to this I really enjoyed but overall a let down for me.

I LOVED this sequel. Like 4.75 stars.
We pick up 2 months after Heartless Hunter ends. Rune has (kind of) made a life for herself on the continent. She is engaged to Prince Soren, but only because Cressida needs his army to attack the New Republic island. Gideon has continued his life in the Blood Guard and volunteers to travel to the continent to capture Rune after their engagement is announced. After Cressida ends up capturing Gideon, she tells him she plans to resurrect her sisters who's bodies she has kept and hidden. To do this, she needs to find the secret and missing Roseblood heir as a sacrifice in order for the spell to work. Rune and Gideon end up making a truce - if Gideon helps Rune get back to the island so she can find and hide the secret heir, she will break off her engagement to Soren so Cressida will no longer have the help of his army. As in the first book, Rune and Gideon don't know if they can trust each other and if what they are saying to each other is true or just a way to get farther in their own plans. Will they continue to betray each other, or will they find a way to work together?
I loved Rune. I loved her independence and determination. I loved her cunning and wits. I also loved that she wasn't perfect. There were times when she did lose faith in herself. Gideon irked me a little bit, but he came around. I also really love all the side characters in this one. People who maybe didn't play a huge part in the first one, came back strong in this one, and people who I maybe disliked in the first one redeemed themselves. Every side character played a part and didn't seem to just be there to be forgotten.
The first probably more than half the book, I was just mad at Gideon for not being able to see that the New Republic's way of doing things was not right. Rune was able to see that neither side of this war was good. The New Republic hunting and killing witches was just horrible, but having Cressida back on the throne would also be horrible, but the tiniest bit less horrible because witches wouldn't be hunted and killed. But Gideon just seemed to not care at all and thought witches should die even though they couldn't control the fact that they were witches even though it was obvious he had feelings for Rune and knew she wasn't a bad person. I understand that his life with Cressida was traumatic, but no matter how much Rune tried to explain it, he refused to get it through his head that the way things were now was just as traumatic to other innocent people and no one deserved that trauma. I also understand that this way of thinking was leading up to *things* but it just irritated me.
The plot was so packed full of action. So many things happened. I just was always excited to see where we were being taken next. Someone was always being captured, or broken out, or we are finding out secrets and every chapter seemed to drag me in deeper. Several things were quite predictable, I guessed one twist the first time it was mentioned at 7% in and another the first time it was mentioned close to the end as well. It didn't really take away from the story though, I was still really excited to see how the things would unfold.
The ending was really great. I cried even though I knew the way things were happening wouldn't be how they ended up. The way it was written was so powerful and it really felt like all the pieces were sliding into place perfectly.
Though this is a duology, I would love to read more about these characters and this world in the future!

i said it about heartless hunter, and i’ll say it again. THESE BOOKS WERE MADE for me!!! i am completely obsessed with pretty much every single aspect of this story. it gave me ALLLL the best enemies to lovers vibes and it was even better because we had their past in heartless hunter to draw from and expand upon. the tension was SO GOOD.
i love that they keep having to save each other multiple times throughout the book, even when they’re claiming to hate each other.. it was so cutieeeee and fun.
i cant do a review on this with light mentioning the fact that has WHO DID THIS TO YOU in it!?!!! also.. fake marriage?? and only one bed??? you could also say this is a second chance romance which means that this book quite literally has ALL my favorite tropes in it.
gideon. the man that you are. his character development throughout these two books is EVERYTHING to me. he’s strong-willed and tough, but is so down bad for rune it’s not even funny.
the visions of the kids 🥹🥹🥹 I CRIED (you’ll get it when you read)
the end was a little bit rushed, but i can’t complain because sometimes i actually hate when the conflict takes forever haha that’s just a me thing though.
such a fun read and so many OH MY GOSH NO WAY moments in here!!
i can’t wait for this to come out so y’all can experience it.
also, i thought these were supposed to be YA, but there’s one spice scene in both heartless hunter and this one ? so i’m not sure why it’s marketed as YA.
the spice scenes aren’t super detailed or long, but still.
🔥SPICE🔥 one open door scene that’s like 3 pages long in chapter 71 (i’ll get exact page numbers when the book comes out). a couple references throughout.
🤐LANGUAGE🤐 about 5 uses of the f word

I am wholly and utterly smitten with this series and immediately want to reread this story again to fall effortlessly back into this thrilling, addictive, and adrenaline-filled adventure.

Set after the events of the first book, we see the titles of hunter and prey shift, develop, and collide as powerful forces threaten to overtake each of Rune and Gideon’s worlds.

The amount of meticulously crafted tension in all forms, from the romance to the character dynamics to the high-stakes plot, kept me consumed and glued to this book desperately wanting to find out how this enthralling story will end but at the same time not wanting it to be over.

Rebel Witch takes all the intensity, brewing energy, and harboring emotions from the first book and brings them to a tipping point. Our characters must dive deeper past their social masks and inner demons, and it makes for an empowering and impactful emotional story. This is the type of romance I LOVE, crave, and will devour each time.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.*

Thank you, PRH Audio, Wednesday Books and NetGalley, for my free books.

In this electrifying conclusion to her series, Kristin Ciccarelli weaves a tale so enthralling it leaves readers breathless and yearning for more. "Rebel Witch" is a masterclass in tension, with Rune and Gideon's magnetic pull sizzling off the pages, their snarky banter a delicious prelude to the inferno of their connection.

Ciccarelli's narrative prowess shines as she seamlessly picks up where "Heartless Hunter" left off, plunging readers into a world where causes clash and alliances form on shifting sands. The pulse-pounding action and intricate web of secrets create a literary labyrinth that ensnares the reader, making it impossible to extricate oneself from its pages.

For those who prefer their stories to come alive in their ears, Grace Gray's narration of the audiobook is nothing short of alchemical magic. Her masterful performance, complete with an unexpected yet fitting accent for Rune, transforms the 13 hours and 44 minutes into a symphony of emotions that resonates long after the final note fades.

"Rebel Witch" is not merely a book; it's a literary conflagration that will set your imagination ablaze and leave you smoldering with satisfaction. Ciccarelli has crafted a conclusion that doesn't just meet expectations—it annihilates them.

I was super excited to get an advance copy of this book and it did not disappoint. Kristen Ciccarelli delivers a thrilling and emotional finale with Rebel Witch, the second installment of the Crimson Moth duology. Packed with high stakes, moral dilemmas, and a complex romance, this book is a rollercoaster ride from beginning to end. The tension in Rebel Witch is palpable, both in the worldbuilding and in the emotional arcs of the characters. Rune Winters and Gideon Sharpe are deeply flawed yet compelling protagonists, and their tangled history creates a rich tapestry of mistrust, regret, and undeniable chemistry. Ciccarelli doesn’t shy away from tough choices, forcing the characters to grapple with loyalty, love, and survival in ways that feel authentic.

The dynamic between Rune and Gideon is the highlight of the novel. Their reluctant alliance crackles with intensity as they navigate a dangerous world where the line between friend and foe is blurred. The plot is fast-paced and brimming with twists that kept me guessing. Ciccarelli’s writing is vivid, and her descriptions make it easy to picture the dark, perilous world of witches and witch hunters.

Cressida Roseblood is a standout addition to the story. As a villain with layered motivations, she’s as fascinating as she is terrifying. Her presence amplifies the stakes, making the characters’ choices feel even more fraught with danger.

Loved the conclusion of this duology and cannot wait to recommend this to my friends.

I absolutely loved this. The tension between the leads is really fantastic. A lot of romantasy I've been reading lately aims for that enemies-to-lovers dynamic but doesn't hit the mark in terms of it being genuine ENEMIES. This one delivers here in such a believable way, while still giving a true romance. The politics in this book are really interesting, and it's quite a pageturner. I definitely recommend this to fans of the genre - you won't be disappointed!

I waited to read this because I just didn’t want it to be over. I absolutely loved the world that Kristen built and am mildly gutted to be leaving it.

Rebel Witch picks up shortly after Heartless Hunter ends. Rune is trying to navigate the new world she’s living in after discovering Cressida was still alive. Hurting for the loss of Alex and dealing with the heartbreak of Gideons betrayal, she’s trying to figure out who she is and what she wants to do about the evil witch queen.

Gideon, like a moth to a flame (see what I did there?) is hunting Rune. Dealing with complicated feeling of love and betrayal over the woman he loved who now serves the monster who killed his entire family.

There were so many unexpected and amazing plot twists in this story and what a beautiful journey to get to the ending. Rune and Gideon prove that maybe love can fix everything and find ways to heal all wounds. I wish there was a memory spell Rune could cast so I could re-read this series for the first time again.

Thank you so much Wednesday books for the early copy.

4.5 stars! Wow this book was amazing, I loved every second and it will definitely be at the top of my favourite sequels list. The story completely topped book 1 for me.

I love Rune and Gideon separately but together they are a force. This book held me captive and didn’t want to let go, it was fast paced and entertaining and I am sad it’s over.

I highly recommend.

Well that was certainly a book. It did end the story so definitely a completed duology but the character development was so messy. Also how did all these characters miraculously know where to meet them? The whole first half was like a different book. It was simply more interesting than the muddled mess of the second half. Meh

“Could you miss the place where everyone wanted you dead?”

A strong finish to this duology.

What I liked:

Overall I really enjoyed the ride that book 2 took us on. Through different lands, overseas and back to where we started in book 1, I really enjoyed this.

We meet some new supporting characters, which fleshed out the story and the world a bit more.

The tension with Rune & Gideon was so delicious.

What didn’t work for me:

I think there were some decisions made that felt antithetical to the characters that made the decisions.

The pacing felt a little off in the second half of the book.

*secrets
*misunderstanding
*longing
*high stakes tension
*jealousy
*enemies to lovers
*dual POV

Let me just lay it out - I waited for this book with bated breath and wasn’t disappointed - I was pulled right back into the story and binged this, just like the first book.

A highly, highly enjoyable second story, Rebel Witch was an epic end for the duology and I fully recommend both titles (make sure you’re got free time when you start, because you won’t want to stop reading 🙂).



Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the DRC

This was an amazing sequel and wrapped up this duology perfectly! I love this world and these characters and I think I liked this even more than book 1

I was really nervous about starting Rebel Witch because I loved Heartless Hunter so much. I am relieved to say that Rebel Witch did not let me down and had as much heart as the first in the series. I can’t wait to get my preorder so I can have them sitting by each other on my shelves.