If there are two positive things I can say about Ciccarelli’s writing, it’s that her worldbuilding doesn’t disappoint and her plots are always intriguing when you read the blurb.

My problem with Ciccarelli’s writing is everything else about it.

I love the idea behind the Crimson Moth duology, and I love the world. It’s all well thought-out, creative, accessible, and fun. The plot is great, in theory. However, there were a great many issues that started in Heartless Hunter that not only carried over into Rebel Witch but also burrowed further into the characters and relationships and made the book almost unreadable.

I had issues with the chemistry between Gideon and Rune in the first book and those concerns deepened more and more as this book progressed, until I felt like they had less combustion than wet cardboard. The way this book needed to come together to reach its conclusion ended up relying on twigs and strings and a good bit of “because the author said so” and I couldn’t help but feel as if it was all very forced.

I hope someday Ciccarelli learns to writes characters and story as well as she builds worlds and plots.

I was provided a copy of this title by the author and publisher via Netgalley and the SMP Early Readers Program. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. All reviews rated three stars or lower will not appear

Kristen Ciccarelli delivers a breathtaking and emotionally charged finale in Rebel Witch, the highly anticipated conclusion to The Crimson Moth duology. This book is everything a finale should be—high stakes, heart-wrenching choices, and a romance tangled in betrayal and impossible decisions.

Rune Winters’ journey is fraught with danger, deception, and the weight of a destiny she never wanted. As she aligns with the ruthless Cressida Roseblood, she is forced to play a deadly game of power. On the other side, Gideon Sharpe, the witch hunter who once loved her, is determined to see witches eradicated—even if it means destroying Rune. Their reluctant partnership crackles with tension, every moment charged with unresolved feelings and deep-seated mistrust.

Ciccarelli’s writing is both cinematic and deeply emotional, drawing readers into a world where love and war collide. The pacing is relentless, the action sequences are exhilarating, and the romance? Absolutely gut-wrenching in the best way possible. Watching Rune and Gideon navigate their tangled loyalties while confronting their feelings made for a gripping, can’t-turn-the-pages-fast-enough experience.

This finale does not hold back on the intensity or the heartbreak, making it a perfect conclusion to an already phenomenal duology. Rebel Witch cements Ciccarelli’s place as a master of romantic fantasy, delivering a story that is as devastating as it is beautiful. If you love enemies-to-lovers tension, magic-fueled battles, and heroines who refuse to back down, this book is a must-read!

After loving Heartless Hunter, I was so excited to get this as a granted wish on NetGalley! What a dream come true! This series is extra special to me because I was reading Heartless Hunter during my best friend's wedding weekend.

Enemies to lovers is my absolute favorite trope! Nothing will get me more feral. I am OBSESSED with the back and forth between Rune and Gideon. Chemistry between those two is delicious, chefs kiss.

Rune is so clever. While reading, I found myself thinking, "Walk him like a dog, sis!" She has Gideon wrapped.

A major plot twist was casually dropped on us in the middle of the book!! It was so well done.

The method of spell casting in this series feels unique. Very well done.

Fave quote: "Men with guns are chasing us, Gideon. Well fitting clothes are the least of your concerns".

I am torn between hoping for a third book (because I will ALWAYS want more of Rune and Gideon) and feeling like the ending tied things in a nice bow for this to be a duology only.

Review will be posted on my bookstagram, @toomanyfivestarreads, tomorrow.

✩4.5

“The problem with love is the more you try to destroy it, the stronger it becomes.”

✦What to Expect✦
•Witches
•Witch hunters
•YA Romantasy
•Enemies to lovers
•Forbidden magic

✦Characters✦
•Rune Winters
•Gideon Sharpe

✦Fav Quotes✦
“I may not know Rune Winters”
“But I know the Crimson Moth. And she is no caged thing.”
“I pity the man who clips her wings . . .”

I want to be the man who deserves Rune Winters.

Kissing Gideon was like coming home. A steadying force, reminding her of who she was, and where she belonged.

“It’s been an honor, Captain,”

“It’s time to make a new world, Rune. Are you ready?”

✦Thoughts✦
ABSOLUTELY DEVOURED!

Ugh I am so sad this story is over, I loved it so much.

I had chills at the end of this one. Loved this duet so much!

I really loved Heartless Hunter, but Rebel Witch found a way to blow that out of the water. The tension between Rune and Gideon is palpable throughout the story even as they start to work together.

“If this was weakness, he wanted to be weak.
If this was sin, let him be damned to hell.”

With the way things ended in Heartless Hunter, I could not imagine Rune and Gideon moving beyond their differences in any capacity. Yet, Ciccarelli has created a master blueprint for how alliances and new bonds should be forged in a story like this. The pacing was excellent and while the twists were somewhat predictable, they were well-executed in the writing and build up.

There is so much emotion and heart in this story and as we continue this journey with Rune and Gideon, I am sad that this was only a duology. I cannot wait to read whatever comes next for Ciccarelli. This is a duology that I will be recommending for anyone wanting YA Romantasy and certainly has a place next to Divine Rivals in my favorites.

Thank you SO much NetGalley and Kristen Ciccarelli for the advanced reader opportunity. This book is amazing. The duology is worth every minute spent reading it.

My heart has been saved. Rune and Gideon are the best power couple of the year so far. Best ending and twists you don’t see coming. Cannot recommend this book/series enough. This author has become an auto-buy for me!!!!!

finished this one just 3 days shy of release day… safe to to say this is another 5 star, I wish the scales could go just a bit higher. i may even say this is a 5.5-6 ⭐️ read. we got to the more emotional side of both gideon and rune and this plot was significantly more gripping. i love love loved this book and its messages about love and heartbreak. i will give anything. kristen cicciarelli puts out ❤️‍🔥

“You are far worse than a thorn in my side,” he said, his dark eyes gleaming at her. “You are a knife in my heart.”


In a world of everlasting physical ailments, never-ending illnesses, and a mercurial winter, the spontaneous and unexpected arrival of Rebel Witch brought me out of a deep, dark depression. 

It’s not often anymore that I can immerse myself into a book and actually enjoy it, let alone finish it, but when I picked up Heartless Hunter in **** I had no idea how it would save me. It’s a funny story, actually, how I chose to read it. I was in a year long reading slump where I either didn’t read at all or would pick up book after book and just….not care. Or I’d get to 75% and say 'meh'. Now, if you know me even a little, that is NOT me-at all. But one day I saw this gorgeous cover and thought…sure, why not? And added it to my library queue immediately. It took forever to become available, so I almost forgot about it, and when it did become available I kept pushing it off with a callous ‘deliver again later’.

She wasn’t sure what was more upsetting: that Alex had loved her, or that Gideon didn’t.


Then It happened-one of the books I was perpetually ‘deliver later’ing....was accidentally accepted. I was a bit upset because I didn’t want to ‘waste’ my turn, but then thought-why not give it a try??? 

FROM. PAGE. ONE. My heart ignited. My soul was set alight-I hadn’t felt that way in at least a year. Do you ever get that feeling? Where you open a book and you just KNOW? It rarely happens anymore-if at all. But this series??? It speaks to my deranged person and I cannot for the life of me find a single fault.


And if a small voice inside him objected, it was only
because Gideon was still compromised. Still weakened by her. If he thought about how Rune risked herself tonight to help him, he would waver.
Gideon couldn’t waver.


I mean…I could if I tried-but, sometimes, as my friend says-it’s just about the vibes. And this series? It holds my heart in the vibes department. I would walk hand in hand into a house of fire with this series. Hell, I'd set that house ABLAZE. I’d lay it all on the line to be able to read Heartless Hunter again for the first time…and while that is not possible, I’d like to think that with every re-read I’ll learn something new, feel something more, and find so much more to obsess about that hadn’t spoken to me in the same way before.


Gideon had no choice. Killing Rune was the only way to stop that from happening.
If it broke him, so be it.


So….why is this series so perfect, you ask? Well…I know a deranged woman when I read one and this author just understands what makes a book TICK. Gone is the worry that I won’t get tension-it’s so HEAVY in book one AND two. There is no lack of peril, which makes me absolutely feral, mind you, because our two elusive lovebirds are ALWAYS in danger because they’re too stupid in love not to be. And, lastly, our author does not shy away from tortuous and grueling scenes that many don’t show-some authors lead us to water but won’t let us drink-but if you love the ‘wHo DiD tHiS tO yOu’ trope, I can assure you-Kristen Ciccarelli will not let you go thirsty.


He was thinking about how, now that he wasn’t allowed to have her, she was all he wanted. Maybe he was destined to want things forever out of his reach.


I mean, also, the PINING. The pinnninnnggggg. I know that too much can be overkill..and while I’m quick to disagree with you, I cannot say this is untrue. You have to do it correctly or-in my opinion-not at all if you want it to be lengthy and drawn out. Fear not, Friends-the pining is wholly worth it, in my opinion. I just think that if you get together too quick…what’s there to yearn for? Yeah, okay….you got him/her…now what? Let’s light our saddle ablaze and yo ho matey to the ends of the earth, my darling? No. Sorry. That. Is. TIRED. And BooorRRRRiiiNNNNgggg. Though I know a lot of people are not a fan of slow burn…whereas my general and overwhelming preference is for slow burn-the slower the better, I say. I can’t do sappy, so I loathe insta-love. Insta-love this is not.


“You’re not exactly the most trustworthy person, either,” she shot back. “You handed me over to be killed the moment you found out what I was.”
And I’ll do it again.


Better yet, I loved this series with the whole



Enemies to slow burn/mistrust to lovers-to-enemies to absolute ride or die lovers-call me crazy, but double hate, betrayal, obsession, jealousy-even-though-you-hate-them-yet-still-want-them-and-damn-if-anybody-else-can-have-them is the superior trope but maybe that’s just me.



Grabbing her gun, he pushed it down, aiming it at the ground.
“You nearly shot me,” he hissed.
“Sorry.” Her tone suggested she was sorrier she’d missed him.


Look, this is getting stupid long whilst going nowhere so I will try to wrap it up with my hero and heroine who, I’m sorry, are refreshingly honest with themselves about the fact that they still are freaking obsessed with the other even though they know not to be. I would say the only flaw (IF THERE EVEN ARE ANY) was the naivety that the other didn’t feel the exact same-this benefited me because I HATE when getting together or back together is easy, but I could see how it could bother some…you’re entitled to your opinion-



You’re extremely wrong opinion.


Rune lay on her side in a pool of blood.
Get up.
The room went dark at the edges.
Get . . . up . . .
Cressida’s shadow slid over her.


But I digress-Gideon may be one of my newest obsessions and I’ve been without for a LONG time. He is everything I love about heroes, from the self-sacrificial nature even though it goes against everything he believes and holds dear, to the tender way he would do anything to protect Rune, even if it doesn’t come off that way, to the way that he knows he is one hundred percent not good enough for her () and lets his insecurities and jealousies show even while being a confident and sure soldier. I cannot express ENOUGH how I adore this man.


Hooking her arms around his neck, Rune arched against him. Telling him how very mutual this feeling was. That he wasn’t alone in his wanting.
If this was weakness, he wanted to be weak.
If this was sin, let him be damned to hell.


And Rune, so strong and resilient and willing to die in the name of doing what’s right for her kind…all the while having a soft spot for Gideon and seeing through his armor.


But Rune’s heart and her head refused to align. They were two ships on different courses.
Her heart had gone rogue a long time ago.


Time and again these two know what they need to do to achieve their goal and help their side of the war, and yet they can never quite do it. And, in this one, it was so nice because Rune hit a snag in her self sacrifice- she found fear and self-preservation…and this added another layer to the story.


The damp cold seeped through her clothes, and across from her stood Gideon. Water glistened in his dark hair and trickled down his face.
Rune was overcome with an urge to go to him. To press her cheek against his chest and listen to the beat of his heart while he held her.
Before she could, Gideon raised his gun.
Rune froze, her heart pounding.
Surely he wouldn’t. Not after everything they’d admitted to each other.
He cocked the gun, aiming it at her chest.
I’m sorry, his eyes seemed to say. I wish it didn’t have to end like this.
But hadn’t she always known it would?


Also, can we address that THIS is how a duology should be done? A war is going on….and yet it doesn’t feel bogged down or boring and there was NO long drags with separation. That is a big second book trope and it just…man it is so tired. I like it sometimes when done EXTREMELY WELL (a rare feat), but it’s so far and few between that happens. And….I could just go on for days, couldn’t I?


“The problem with love is the more you try to destroy it, the stronger it becomes.”


At the risk of becoming even more annoying, I’ll stop here. Look, I loved this book. I’m sure there will be plenty who don’t-and that’s fine-but I really think that if you loved the first, you’ll love the second. And why wouldn’t you? Easy is boring, and absolutely NOTHING about this is easy for them. It’s wrapped up, it has many dangerous moments, and it definitely makes them question and battle their internal longing in their heart from their head one chapter to the next….the most realistic thing ever, in my opinion, when it comes to relationships these days-except, ya know, this could end in death soooo. Anyway- I am so beyond grateful to have gotten this ARC and it really and truly brought light into my life. Sometimes it’s the smallest things that have the largest impact…and for that I am eternally grateful.

Now I have to try and find the Fairyloot version that I HAD and SOLD because I was low on money *anger*.

Idiot.

Complete, utter idiot.

“Rebel Witch” is an exciting and satisfying conclusion to Kristen Ciccarelli’s duology. Fans of the original book will enjoy returning to the world of Rune and Gideon, where the tension between them intensifies. I will admit that I was not a fan of Gideon in the first book but he was more tolerable in this book. Like with the first novel, the pacing at times felt a bit too quick but it was still a quick and enjoyable read. The novel is filled with plenty of plot twists and unexpected surprises that keep you invested. Ciccarelli wraps up the characters’ arcs, delivering a fulfilling conclusion. If you loved the first book, this one is a must-read!
Thanks to NetGallery and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy of this eBook in exchange for my honest review.

I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book was good. I don’t want to say great, but good. It was an easy read, the back and forth between Gideon and Rune was sweet and had a little bit of spice. Overall, I am happy with how this duology ended.

I read this book as part of the blog tour hosted by TBR & Beyond Tours. special thanks to Wednesday Books for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 4.5 stars rounded up!

***Note: I will try to keep my review of book two as specific yet generic as possible to keep from giving spoilers but since it is the conclusion of a duology, that may be hard to do. If you're still planning to read book one: fair warning!***

TL;DR: Rebel Witch is a fast-paced and action-packed follow-up to Crimson Moth. I was invested from the go and I can't recall the last time I read a book so quickly (not even a day)! The conclusion in this fantasy romance duology leans more into the romance side of things but overall, I found it a satisfying conclusion! Rune and Gideon are peak enemies-to-lovers and I LOVED everything about their dynamic in this book. The sexual tension was so intense and taut that you could have cut it with a knife and I was here for every single delicious moment. There are old/new characters and plot twists introduced that did a good job of cleanly wrapping up the loose threads, despite maybe some elements moving a bit too quickly. Or maybe it was just that I wanted more time in this world and I didn't want the book to end? 🤭 This duology as a whole is a solid 5 stars and with the way it ends, it has successfully slotted itself into my list of favourite fantasy romances!

I had no idea what to expect going into Rebel Witch. I was ready for more enemies-to-lovers romance with a dose of hateful and reluctant (maybe one-sided) pining, but I wasn't ready for the high-level mix of angst, mutual pining, and achingly sharp yearning churned with a hearty dose of hatred. The combination gave my stomach butterflies cramps because PHWOAR, THE FEELS! Y'all, when I tell you I wasn't ready for it (cos I wasn't), but did I eat up every minute of it? YUH!

Ugh, just thinking about these two and the complexity of the feelings they contend with, plus the reality of their situation being a witch and witch hunter lent their romance a feeling of hopeless star-crossed lovers. Rune and Gideon have so much to process following the events of book one. They're dealing with grief, rage, betrayal, and presumably (on both their parts) unrequited love that they loathe feeling for each other as players on opposing sides of a brewing war. I enjoyed both their character arcs as they process their feelings while also contending with the reality that the people in charge of their respective sides don't seem to be leading their people in the right direction, and they can no longer justify the cruelty of their actions on both sides. I loved watching Gideon accept his feelings for Rune and seeing how it grounded and strengthened him. Surprisingly, the opposite happens with Rune due to certain horrifying circumstances that seemingly broke her although, of course, she finds a way back to herself and Gideon in the end. Their romance was inevitable—their red string of fate unbreakable—and I loved the slow burn of it although there were times when I felt the back-and-forth got repetitive further in. That said, their actions and reactions did make sense after everything they went through and they still managed to solidify their place on my list of favourite romantasy couples! 😉 Also, while the first book did have a semi-open door intimate scene, I feel like the intimate scene here is a bit more mature (also semi-open door) which made this feel more New Adult or at the very least upper YA.

The conclusion to the duology does lean heavily on the romance aspect and to be honest, I think that's what a lot of romance fantasy readers will come for! However, the plot does move smoothly along in the background and I was satisfied with how everything was tied together in the end. Yet I still wish more focus was given to certain elements of the plot, especially the new "twisty" elements that were introduced, of which there were a few. Some of these elements could've been so much more impactful had the author given them more time to marinate and develop earlier, but the wrapping up of things felt a bit rushed. I enjoyed meeting certain characters that I didn't take seriously in the first book and I also liked most of the new characters we met (save for one 👀). There were even some characters that I would love to get side stories for because I was invested in learning more about their histories and the potential of their futures.

Overall, this was just a super entertaining, highly emotional, achingly romantic and beautiful conclusion to the duology. I'm so happy I picked up Crimson Moth last year and I can't wait to see what Ciccarelli comes out with next because I'll read it! 😍

I was lucky enough to receive an arc of this book from netgalley and it just let me read it a little sooner since my preorder is on the way once it’s released.

This book. THE YEARNING. THE TROPES. This book was a rollercoaster of emotions and has become one of my favorite duologies to date. If you loved Heartless Hunter you’ll love Rebel Witch.

I would take away .5 because there was sooo much back and forth it started to feel a little repetitive but I love these characters so much it was rewarding in the end.

I loved this! This felt perfect as a duology and I loveddd that it wasn’t dragged out unnecessarily. Would I have read more of it? Yes. But I loved how it flowed and the pacing. Gideon and Rune are the epitome of enemies to lovers and this book continues that, with the wit and banter we know and love.

Rebel Witch is everything I wanted in the conclusion to The Crimson Moth duology—intense and addictive. From the very first page, the tension had me hooked, and the high-stakes between Rune and Gideon kept me glued to the story. Their chemistry was just what I needed to see after how the first book ended, and the author truly picks up the story flawlessly!

The pacing in the first half of the book in particular was so great, and I struggled to put it down! While some parts felt a bit repetitive towards the halfway point, I was so invested in these characters that I honestly didn’t mind. Rune and Gideon’s journey is one I'll be thinking of for a while, and the ending delivered in a way that left me completely satisfied.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an eARC of this book!!

First of all, thank you to St. Martin's Press for granting me my wish and sending me the arc for this book!

Onto my feedback -

We last left saw our lovers go from enemies to lovers to enemies and we're picking up from there! Gideon and Rune play cat and mouse while denying their feelings for each other AND trying to stop an impending war. The angst and yearning are high. When will they stop fighting each other (and their feelings)? Can they save themselves from war? Can their save their kingdom from the hands of either oppressor?
---
I was really, REALLY looking forward to this book and I did enjoy the storyline. However, there is an intense amount of internal monologuing in this book and it was difficult for me to get through. At first I was frustrated with Rune and Gideon being so angsty, but then I remembered that they are young adults who have been trying to trap each other AND have recently betrayed each other and my frustrations subsided. For me things didn't pick up to a pace of what I was expecting from book one until about 80%.
I do still have the audiobook preordered maybe this story just needs to be read to me to help me understand and appreciate it's true brilliance :')

Rebel Witch
.
Witch/witch Hunter 😍
.
Rebel Witch is the 2nd book in the Crimson Moth series. We continue with Rune and Gideon and their love/ hate relationship.
.
Rune has to join herself with Cressida in order to survive. Cressida has plans to reinstate the witches and take over the Republic. Rune has to decide what it is she stands for.
.
The ending was so good!!
Binge this finished duology now!

Thank you netgalley and Wednesday books for the opportunity to read this book!

I was so disappointed in this book. I wish there was more depth in these characters and their stories. We spent more time reading about rune and Gideon arguing about loving each other.. I almost signed up to go to war.

Thank you to Wednesday Books for the review copy!

Rebel Witch picks the tension up right where Heartless Hunter left off, although some time has passed between the books. I loved that we were dropped right back into some delicious Rune & Gideon tension, and the whole second book really centered their relationship. I love a romantasy that truly balances the lovers’ connection and a high-stakes plot. This was so good and I ate it up.

I would recommend this to mature YA readers and adults, there are some parts that may be a bit explicit (both violence and romantic intimacy) for some younger readers.

4.5/5
I love this duology- it has made its way to the top of my list. I love a good witch x witch hunter book, and Enemies to Lovers will always be my number one.

This will be a short review because I don’t want to give any spoilers. This book picks up immediately after the first one, diving straight into the action. I loved the dual POV between Rune and Gideon- the contrast between their perspectives and the raw emotions and tension were perfect. The book is fast-paced, and the characters had to make tough decisions quickly. I enjoyed Rune’s character development throughout this book, and the struggles she over comes.
There was alot of back and forth, hiding, and getting caught, but the ending was worth it!
The romance is the best part of this book- it’s captivating, and there’s so much emotion. I loved watching the back and forth as they decided whether to save each other or betray one another. Ughhh I would love to read another book with Gideon and Rune😫

I would highly recommend this duology!!

I just finished Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli which completed the Heartless Hunter duology. This book was one of my most anticipated read this year and it did not disapoint. This duology is almost perfect. I wish I could have spent more time in this world and with these characters. The magic system in it is really unique. The romance between Rune and Gideon is so good and the enemies to lovers with them being a witch and witch hunter works really well in this context. The ending of this book is really good and the twists in this I didn’t see coming even though looking back I should have picked up on a few things. Absolutely a five star read for me and the duology as a whole is five stars! Thank you @stmartinspress @netgalley for the chance to read Rebel Witch early