This is how a duology should be done!!!

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for the opportunity to read Rebel Witch by Kristen Cicarelli as an ARC!

The Crimson Moth was a very good set up for this book, giving you investment into the characters and the world. The cliff hanger was done so well that I was soooo excited to get my hands on this book.

This duology was the perfect length, pace, and had the right amount of detail and world building for the YA genre (in my opinion). I loved that this fantasy duology wasn't overly long, so I didn't have time to get bored.

And can we talk about TENSION??!! *chefs kiss* Perfect conclusion to a fun adventure <3

IT WAS SO GOOD!!!! I was a little nervous after how the first book ended but gosh this book SHOWED UP! Perfect way to end a duology. It's been a minute since I've been so enraptured with the book that I didn't want to put it down especially fantasy and I was addicted to this one. There were so many moments that I was just swooning and on the edge of my seat !! I LOVED it!!!! Even more than the first! My only wish was it was out in the world sooner so I could discuss it with more people!!!! 🫶👏🏼🙌

This was the perfect follow up to The Crimson Moth.

It drops you right into the story, leaving no time to build or slowly draw you in. From the first words you are back with Rune and Gideon and it only sinks you further into their lives.

I just wish that I could have more of them. It was so so good and I don’t want this to be the last I see of these characters I’ve fallen in love with.

no words at the moment because WOW!!

i am genuinely in shock at how GOOD this book was. like heartless hunter was good... but this was a MASTERPIECE! i was on the edge of my seat the entire time, i went through a roller coaster of emotions OMG. i'm afraid to say much more without spoiling anything. but the emotion & tension & stakes (intensity) & plot twists of this book were next level. when i tell you i am obsessed.... OBSESSED! kristen ciccarelli amazes me.

you need to read heartless hunter asap if you haven’t already so you can experience this absolutely incredible book!!!

full review to come. thank you Wednesday Books & Netgalley for the eARC! this is my honest review.

This is one of my most anticipated reads of 2025 and I’m so excited to have been able to read it early. This was everything I could have asked out of the second book in this duology and more. I love Rune and Gideon and they definitely kept me on my toes the whole time. I stayed up way too late reading this because there was so much going on, I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next. Rune and Gideon have to decide what is most important to them and their people, and what that means for their feelings for each other. There are some twists, some that I saw coming, but honestly it didn’t take any of the enjoyment out of it. I loved this duology and definitely recommend it!

Rebel Witch was an absolutely stunning conclusion to The Crimson Moth duology. Fast paced, action packed and filled with brooding romance this was an epic read. I loved how Rune and Gideon's romance continued to blossom and sizzle and how between the bickering and the tension they ended up on the same team. The storyline was rich with Rune and Gideon both finding their true selves amidst the chaos surrounding their world, As always the magic system was brilliant. I could not put this book down and truly think fans will fall in love all over again as The Crimson Moth's story comes to its conclusion as well as be satisfied with how it ends.

Rebel Witch picks up shortly after Heartless Hunter and delivers so much angst with an action packed witch hunt and characters with questionable motives at every turn, Rune and Gideon have become one of my all time favorite Romantasy couples! Kristin’s writing is well paced and makes for a story that hooks me every time!

The Crimson Moth is an epic adventure and true enemies-to-lovers story, full of twists and turns… and magic! This duology has set a such a high bar for the romantasy genre for me — I’m obsessed! (And so freakin’ grateful to have been given an ARC for Rebel Witch! Big thank you to St. Martin Publishing).

Heartless Hunter was an immediate 5 ⭐️ read for me. It was so detail-oriented and I fell in love with the magic system and characters. The banter had me giggling, the tension was next level and the writing was absolutely incredible!

Rebel Witch, on the other hand, while it was action-packed and contained some of the same elements mentioned above, just didn’t pack the same punch as book 1. Unfortunately this seems to be a trend with super popular books these day — it just felt a tad rushed.

Don’t get me wrong, the major plot twist in this book had my jaw ON THE FLOOR (so good!) and I annotated the heck out of some quotes!! Rune and Gideon are probably one of my fav book couples, let’s be real.

My only disappointment was the actual ending itself. It paled in comparison to the ending scene of book 1. I also had a tough time knowing where the characters were half the time in this one (but that’s maybe — likely — just a me problem). And for those reasons, Rebel Witch was a solid 4 ⭐️ for me!

Overall, I adore this duology and it will live rent free in my heart for years to come! Cannot recommend it enough.

“What kind of girl falls for someone who despises her very nature? Who wants her dead?”

I loved Heartless Hunter (a/k/a The Crimson Moth) and with the way that book ended I was so worried about where the story was going to go and how Rune and Gideon were going to find their way back to each other (if that was even possible).

Without spoiling anything, I can safely say that this book was another roller coaster of emotions. I screamed and cried at the ending and even said to myself, “There’s no way it ends like that, right?!?!?!”. Well, luckily there were still 10 pages or so to go and things in fact did not end like that. 👍🏻

I was able to guess the plot twist easily. I’m not sure if it was obvious because the author definitely could have chose to not go that route, but when thinking of the overall picture, it made sense that that was the outcome.

Rune and Gideon served some of the best enemies to lovers that I’ve ever read! Kristen’s writing is superb and you are really drawn into the story. If you loved book 1 in this duology, I have no doubt you will love this one just as much!! ♥️

Rebel Witch releases February 18, 2025 and while I know that’s a long time from now, I promise you it is worth the wait!

Thank you so much @stmartinspress for an advanced reader copy! I loved this story so much and I’m hoping this is not the end of reading about this world. Give me alllll the spin-offs @kristenciccarelli!

WOW. What a great ending to this duology. Lots of angst and heartbreak, but I loved how everything wrapped up. Rune and Gideon have my whole heart ❤️ I loved their journey, working through their trust issues. 😭🫶🏼 def a series I want to reread in the future!

5/5 stars
Recommended if you like: fantasy, witchy reads, enemies to lovers, dual POV

This review has been posted to Goodreads as of 8/2 and will be posted to my review blog 8/22 and to Instagram 8/27.

This was one of my most anticipated sequels of 2025 and it did not disappoint! For those like me who were worried about where (and with whom) Rune ended Heartless Hunter with, have no fear: she is perfectly aware it's a problem and has no plans to really stick around. That was honestly my biggest issue with book 1, so I'm glad Ciccarelli had a solution for it.

Gideon and Rune are once more on opposite sides, but now they have the added complication of their feelings for each other. Falling for Rune made a fool of Gideon, even if he turned her in in the end, and falling for Gideon nearly got Rune killed and did get someone killed. The two are a big bundle of conflicting emotions in this one, though Rune seems more willing to let things slide than Gideon does (to be fair, Gideon also thinks Rune wants to be with Cressida). Only one of them knows the full story.

I liked that Ciccarelli started the book with Rune and Gideon about to meet again after weeks/months apart rather than starting it with them separated and part of the plot being them finding each other again. Enemies to lovers works best when they're in proximity, and in proximity they are. That's not to say they get along though. The 'enemies' are back in full force, with Gideon being particularly prickly and ready to double-cross Rune the second he gets the chance. Despite that, the two are still familiar enough with each other that they work quite well together and are mostly able to scheme a way out of trouble.

With the Blood Guard still in charge and Cressida gathering an army, politics naturally comes into the conversation. The Blood Guard is clearly bad, indiscriminately torturing and killing witches simply for being witches. On the other hand, Cressida presided over a reign of terror with her sisters, allowing and even participating in the torturing and killing of non-magical people. So...both sides are bad, but at this point there's no alternate solution. I was definitely interested in reading Rune and Gideon talk their perspectives out since they both make valid points but also don't see a non-extremist solution. Other people join in on this conversation as well and I liked seeing what other characters had to say about things. In the end, I think they come up with a good solution that works for everyone.

Rune is stuck between a rock and a hard place when the book opens. She greatly dislikes Cressida, but she can't go home and she still wants to see witches free. She does get out of the situation, but is in deep trouble with Cressida as a result of it, leaving her with two enemies at her back. Rune definitely goes on a personal journey in this book, trying to stay true to what she wants while also remaining free and dealing with the trauma that is Cressida Roseblood (and Alex's death). She has some low points, but her loyalty to the people she loves as well as to witches as a whole is able to bring her around.

Gideon is back to being fully against witches (although admittedly I don't know if that ever stopped). He's on thin ice with the Blood Guard, so he's determined to prove that Rune isn't a weakness where he's concerned. She is obviously, so Gideon has to juggle keeping her safe while also steering clear of the Blood Guard and trying to figure out where his loyalties lie and what he really believes. I have to say, Gideon really comes through in this one. He fought in the Revolution because it was the right thing to do and he continued to be in the Blood Guard because he thought it was right. This can very easily lead to a rigid character who sticks to his guns even when proven wrong, but Ciccarelli wrote Gideon to be moral, not necessarily loyal. As evidence mounts that neither side is entirely correct, Gideon is able to shift his perspective and comes to understand that there's good and bad on both sides. I really liked seeing this shift in him and seeing him put his brain power and experience behind a new solution that benefits everyone.

We meet some new characters as well as some old ones. Harrow is back and we get to learn a little more about her background. I enjoyed her character and do wish we got to know her a little better since she's still pretty closed off. Laila is also back and I liked seeing her camaraderie with Gideon. She definitely doesn't understand his actions always, but she's loyal to him and trusts that he at least somewhat knows what he's doing. Seraphine is back as well and we get to learn more about the older witch as well as her relationship with Rune's grandmother. Seraphine definitely has some surprises up her sleeve and she proves to be a good ally.

Bart and Antonio are two new characters. Rune and Bart used to run in the same circles before things blew up in Heartless Hunter, and it seems Rune wasn't the only one keeping secrets. Bart ends up being much more serious and down-to-earth than Rune thought, his socialite persona just as fake as Rune's was. Antonio is Bart's lover as well as an ex-acolyte for the Cult of the Ancients. He's not a witch, but is just as much at risk as Rune is if anyone finds out. I really liked the dynamic between the four of them and wish we got more page time to see a deeper friendship develop (maybe a novella?).

Overall I greatly enjoyed this book and think it's the perfect sequel to Heartless Hunter. I wish it were longer, but that's only because I want to stay in this world for a longer period of time.

I have no words. This is a stunning sequel and a wonderful conclusion to the Crimson Moth duology.

Rebel Witch is fast-paced, captivating, and grips your emotions in a chokehold. I felt like I wasn't breathing for much of it; I wanted to devour every sentence as quickly as possible.

I particularly enjoyed the twists and turns of each chapter. Normally, I don't care too much for many side characters, but the whole cast was described and executed perfectly. Each side character brought something interesting, and some elicited more emotions than others (still mad at Abbie, get your grubby hands away from Rune's precious Gideon!). Seraphine as Wisdom?! I got chills, and I was reading outside in 95-degree weather.

I also thought the love declarations were lovely, and the sacrifice Rune made for a better world truly brought tears to my eyes.

My sincerest gratitude to St. Martin's Press and Kristen Ciccarelli for the opportunity to read this book 7 months before the release date! I can sleep better knowing that Rune and Gideon are back to being lovers.

This was the last book in the Crimson Moth duology and it did NOT disappoint! It was such a quick read because I got lost in the story. I was calling Gideon a b!tch for the first half. That character is....ugh! Frustrating, sweet, flawed, lovely, heroic, and more. I was team Rune 97% of the time, just not when she didn't correct Gideon when he was wrong. Come on guys! Miscommunication does NOT work. That is not a major trope in this book, it's more of....I can't trust you not to betray me again so I will keep my plans close to my chest type.

Sigh. I'm done with this book. More dramatic sigh.

Ok but the way I FLEW straight to NetGalley when I got this arc….and you better believe it.did.not.disappoint!!!

Rune and Gideon are back and the tension and emotions are high. Kristen brought us a very true enemies to lovers, with high stakes and murder and the perfect amount of witchy goodness. I loved the emotional back and forth because Kristen Ciccarelli wrote it so well…the relationship between witch and witch hunter did not feel overdone or cliché in the slightest. The ending to this duology was perfect.

Thank you for the ARC of Rebel Witch! I can’t wait to have this in my hands!!

Still can’t get over that we received this ARC the day after I finished Heartless Hunter!! This is such a highly anticipated 2025 release, so we are so grateful! I was not ready to leave the world of Gideon and Rune. The sequel wastes no time getting back into the action!! My only frustration was the miscommunication happening, but other than that I think it was an amazing sequel. The ending was crazy and I wasn’t able to predict anything! I love this story, these characters, the magic. An absolute must read for fantasy fans!!!

The epic conclusion is here! These enemies to lovers, Gideon and Rune, reunite (FINALLY) to fight the evil witch to save the Kingdom, and those they hold dear. Together, the power they wield is stronger as their love burst from their hearts.

Honestly, I need more of this couple, and I also need to read about her vision for family come to life on pages. The ending is exactly what I needed to close this story.

This duology is simply one of my all time favorites. Pre-order for the UK copy, DONE.

Thank you, St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books

There’s something about a witch and witch hunter dynamic that makes me swoon every time. Rune and Gideon had all the fire between them to make this such a wild ride. The chapter breaks also really helped to increase tension and I felt that the dual POVs were especially effective in keeping me on the edge of my seat. Parts of the plot were a bit predictable, but my enjoyment was not inhibited in the least because so much happened that I didn’t expect. The flow of the plot was very well done and I never fell into a lag. The action and tension took off right from the beginning and the stakes had me biting my nails the entire time. This was truly one of those reads that you could devour in one sitting because I didn't want to put it down. I loved the romantic element between Rune and Gideon and felt that their actions really held true to their characters as they developed. I also really appreciated the backstory between Harrow and Juniper and felt that it added so much to the overall conflict and resolution. I wish more female characters were written like Rune, especially as she overcame her own self-doubt and wrestled with her demons. Her vulnerability shone through in such a positive way and I was so happy to see love overcome the darkness. I loved the ending so much, but it came much too fast because I'm simply not ready to let these characters go.

THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING OMG!! It had me in a complete and total chokehold the entire time! Gideon and Rune are everything. The plot, the romance, the world building, all of it added up to be an epic conclusion to an epic duology. I can’t wait for this to be released into the wild!

I devoured this. Some things were predictable, did that make this story any less fulfilling in my eyes? hells no. Other things were plot twists that shocked me so much I slapped my kindle. I will have swollen eyes from tears and had many moments of kicking my feet from the banter and tension. The world building and magic continues to amaze me. What a beautiful sequel and ending to this duology. I will miss these characters and this world so incredibly much.

"Love will always oppose tyrants."

The Crimson Moth duology will definitely go down as one of my favorite romantasy series! The action, adventure, twists, turns, and characters truly make this book impossible to put down. No notes. I just adore Kristen Ciccarelli for writing Rune and Gideon into existence.

Thank you, NetGalley and Wednesday Books, for an ARC of The Crimson Moth #2, Rebel Witch. Pub Date: February 2025.