Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Rune Winters and Gideon Sharpe are more at odds than ever. The book opens with the two reeling from the deep betrayals and shocking secrets they faced in Heartless Hunter. How can they ever trust each other again, even though they desperately want to? Circumstances force Rune and Gideon together, and the feelings they've tried so hard to suppress return to the surface. Amid discoveries that alter their world and deadly encounters that press them to their very limit, Rune and Gideon must decide what they will sacrifice to save the one they love.

What a stunning conclusion to this epic duology! I ignored my family just to read this book. I truly did not know how the story would end and at times it was very stressful, but that made it such fun to read! I was very invested in the characters and loved watching them discover their true strength. The love story is beautiful and I did cry--not just tear up--truly cry. I absolutely adored this duology and I really feel that this was the perfect second half of the story. Everyone should read these books!

Heartless Hunter was one of my favorite reads of 2024. Rebel witch is already one of my favorites of 2025!

Thanks to the publishers & Netgalley for the ARC Copy. I devoured this as soon as i was able to read this.

Oh I devoured this!!!! This book is action packed from the very beginning. It’s a forbidden romance at its finest. I can’t get over that ending!!! It was a little rushed, but it was so good. I can’t help but want more of these characters and of the story! I hope there are some short stories or something released to expand on this world. It’s tied up well, but I feel like there is so much more to be explored. I would even love to see an interconnected series with some of the other characters (bc I’m in love with them).

I already can’t wait to reread this duology!

Giving it 4.5 stars, possibly rounded up to 5. I just really wish the ending had been expanded.

Rebel Witch took everything I loved about Heartless Hunter/Crimson Moth—the tension, the slow-burn romance, the high-stakes magic—and turned it up to eleven. This sequel is darker, more intense, and absolutely impossible to put down.

Rune and Gideon’s story picks up right where we left off, and let me tell you, the angst is unreal. The stakes are higher, the betrayals cut deeper, and the push-and-pull between them is so deliciously painful. Every stolen glance, every forbidden moment had me screaming internally. Kristen Ciccarelli knows how to make you ache for a romance, and Gideon and Rune’s dynamic is just so good—full of longing, guilt, and undeniable chemistry.

But this book isn’t just about the romance (even though, let’s be honest, it owns my heart). The world-building expands beautifully, pulling us deeper into the rebellion, the magic, and the consequences of every choice. The twists?? I gasped. More than once. There were moments that broke me and moments that had me flipping pages at lightning speed because I had to know what happened next. Couldn’t put it down!

If you loved Heartless Hunter, Rebel Witch will wreck you in the best way. It’s full of betrayal, heartache, and a romance that burns—slow, agonizing, and so worth it. Buckle up, because this one hurts (but in a way you’ll love).

I’m so happy that these book ended up being my first five star read for 2025. Crimson Moth was my first five star read for 2024 and Kristen knocked it out of the park with this one. Since this is the second book in this duology I’ll try to avoid spoilers as much as I can 🖤 This is a dual pov fantasy romance with enemies to lovers of the greatest kind, a witch and a witch hunter.
We do get pov of both MMC and FMC,
Gideon is a witch hunter who has been hunting a witch known as the crimson moth. Rune is a high society girl, hiding in the aristocratic lifestyle. ✨ This leaves off right where the first one ends and I could not be happier being back in this world full of witches. The drama that goes down during this book is intense, I couldn’t put this book down. My first sitting of reading I got through 40% of the book. Gideon and Rune’s chemistry is strong enemies to lovers as they are constantly pulling at my heart strings throughout this book. The magic system is this world I also found unique with the way witches have to cast their spells using their blood. There are also heists featured in both books. I cannot recommend this series enough. If you haven’t picked it up yet, what are you waiting for ? ✨ I’d look up triggers/ warnings before reading 🖤

Book One was so utterly heartbreaking. Rune was tasked with deceiving Gideon, a witch hunter, in order to obtain information from him so she could free witches in captivity. Except, somewhere along the line she fell for him. Until he showed her that he couldn’t be trusted when he learned about her true nature and was going to turn her in. So she accepted a proposal from his brother, but things continued to go downhill and now Alex is dead. Gideon loathes her and wants to end her very existence. He felt played, as though her feelings were never real when it came to him under the thinking that she was in love with his brother the whole time.

Fast forward to book two and there she is. In the arms of a prince. Flaunting their “love” for each other. Gideon is ready to strike, he just has to wait for the opportunity to present itself. It does take long until it does. Gideon has Rune cornered in the bathroom, gun poised ready to go, but IS SHE CRYING? He hesitates. But his hesitation costs him because he is soon discovered and in the grasps of Cressida. The woman who struck his hatred for witches. The very woman who did unthinkable things to him. Who wants him to be hers but Rune is in the way.

Book two was such a whirlwind. The amount of times I have screamed just openly communicate you two, there is so much misunderstanding happening between the two of them. There are so many twists in this book and I shall share not a single one of them with you because you are about to have your mind blown in the best way.

What an ending to the duology.

Thank you Wednesday books for the eARC. This was such a blast to read!

An action packed, emotional conclusion that had me on my toes from start to finish! Huge fan of the enemies to forbidden lovers to enemies to reluctant lovers action going on! We had a lot of characters from book 1 returning and got to learn a lot more about them, and we also got introduced to some new characters! There were twists and turns and things I certainly did not see coming. I appreciated how everything wrapped up in the end.

This is a fantastic fantasy romance duology and I absolutely recommend!

Thank you to Wednesday books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

4.25⭐️ 1.5/2🌶️

Man do I love Rune and Gideon and just this whole duet and I’m sad it’s over! Listen, yes the miscommunication can get really tiresome at times and will drive you absolutely mad! But it’ll all be worth it in the end, and this was a beautiful conclusion to the story.

I can’t believe this duology is over and I thought this was honestly better than Heartless Hunter! Everything was amplified with such a relentless pacing - the undeniable chemistry and tension, the raw emotions and deep feelings of betrayal, heartbreak and absolute desperation. The YEARNING. Their moral compass, constantly battling the bigger impact of their love vs giving into what they yearn for. If you’re looking for a true ennemies to lovers - this is it.

Similarity to how I felt with Heartless Hunter, I really think making this YA felt forced and did the book a MASSIVE disservice. Both for the romance but also the plot and the world, which could’ve dove deeper into the darker themes.

Flag on my end here with a spicy scene? This was not closed door imo… and I read a lot of it so I was here for it but I don’t think this belongs in a book that can be read by a 12/13yo.

I purchased this book from BOTM subscription and received it before my wish for this book was granted.

Will come back and leave a full review here and on my usual sites after finishing. Anticipating it to be a 4-5 star read like the first.

Rebel Witch is the sequel to Heartless Hunter and it does not disappoint. I won’t spoil it for you but know that the plot picks up right away and immediately you’re wondering what’s going to happen between Rune and Gideon, the witch and witch hunter. The world is immersive, the characters are so well crafted and the plot twists don’t stop. You know I love a dual POV enemies to lovers when it is done right and this one is done to perfection.

Five stars from me! I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this one.

Vibes:
Romantasy
Witches vs witch hunters
Enemies to lovers
Forced proximity
One bed
Jealousy
Found family
Forbidden love

Loved this game of cat and mouse! Had a lot of my favorite tropes (forced proximity, fake relationship, enemies to lovers, don’t touch her) and I actually really loved how they loved each other. The ending was great! But I think overall this was a little too long and I got bored through a lot. A solid 4 stars for me!

Rebel Witch picks up shortly after the conclusion of Heartless Hunter, and it quickly accelerates. With heart-pounding action and all of the delicious romantic anticipation of the first book, Rebel Witch is a fantastic conclusion to this spellbinding duology.

I highly recommend this series for readers who enjoy:
❤️‍🔥 slow burn romantic tension
✨ political intrigue
❤️‍🔥 forbidden magic
✨ heart-pounding action
❤️‍🔥 descriptive writing

My rating: 5⭐️

I just love this duology so much! I was in love with Heartless Hunter and Rebel Witch did not disappoint 😍 I had so much fun reading it. I will say that the pacing felt a little off towards the end. I think the ending just felt rushed? But regardless I still thought it was an amazing read! Cannot get enough of Rune & Gideon. Absolutely in love with the witch x witch hunter storyline!


Thanks to the publisher for the advance copy! 😍

I was so mad at Gideon for most of this but I guess he redeems himself.
I was so sucked into this story that I read it in a day; just had to find out how everything would end. The ending was perfect, really every second of this book was perfect.

I am obsessed. I want to shout from the rooftops for every YA Romantasy Lover to immediately read this series.
My only call out is I wish this was a fall release as the whole witch x witch hunter dynamic is more autumn appropriate in my opinion, however this was exactly how I was hoping the sequel would play out.

This story picks up in the perfect place (right where heartless hunter left off). We are still feeling turmoil from the loss of Rune's best friend (and also sort of lover?), as well as all the secrets that were just revealed. The plot continues to keep you on the edge of your seat with twists and turns. The growth within the characters was tangible, and the chemistry and tension between Rune and Gideon is exactly what I am looking for in a TRUE enemies-to-lovers story.

I loved how the story was well developed, but since it was YA it is easy to follow unlike some of the high fantasy stories written where you sort of have to infer what is actually happening.

I LOVE how this was wrapped up into a duology - some of the best fantasy stories are. It is in league with Six of Crows, and One Dark Window. Its upsetting when series are trilogies and book 2 is just filler and fluff. Rebel Witch had the necessary amount of detail, questions were answered from Heartless Hunter, and the plot came together in the end without being dragged out.

Will definitely be picking up Kristen Ciccarelli novels in the future. This duology sits on my top YA Favorites list.

The ROMANCE! Gah! It was intense! And so lovely.
Rune and Gideon are my favorite hetero couple! Kristen Ciccarelli does an amazing job playing these characters off each other, their absolute opposite goal a constant battle as they struggle to work together. Devious and yet so obvious.
I am so sad this series has ended - I loved them so much!

Rune Winters is on the run after being betrayed by her former love, Gideon Sharpe, who exposed her identity. To survive, she must ally with the ruthless Cressida Roseblood, who plans to reclaim the Republic and restore the Reign of Witches. Gideon, feeling betrayed, follows after Rune, to eliminate her and protect the new world. Rune offers Gideon a deal he can't refuse.. As they spend more time together, Gideon realizes his feelings for Rune are still alive, forcing him to choose between sacrificing her to stop a tyrant or letting her live and risking the world's destruction.

I absolutely LOVED this book! It picks up right where The Crimson Moth left off, with Rune scheming to save her home once again. Her character development is fantastic, and Ciccarelli did an amazing job of showing Rune's acceptance of her identity as a witch. Gideon and Rune's relationship is heartwarming—they're a perfect example of enemies to lovers with all the delicious banter.

The world-building in this second book is impressive, and the fast-paced writing made it easy to devour. I enjoyed exploring more of the continent at the beginning of the book. Cressida is a phenomenal villain, and I loved hating her even more. The plot twists were truly twisty—some I saw coming, but others took me by surprise. Overall, I highly recommend this book; it's definitely worth the hype and the wait.

Rating: 4.5/5
Spice: 1/5

Tropes:
Betrayal
Close Proximity
Enemies to Lovers
One Bed
Found Family
BANTER

Thank you St. Martin's Press and Kristin Ciccarelli for this ARC. All thoughts are my own!

4.5 🌟A great conclusion to the duology! I started and finished in one day - I was hooked. There was a lot of back and forth at the end which ultimately is what caused me to not bump this up to a 5 - but it makes me want to reread the first to see what things I missed!

I saw parts of the ending coming but still think it was all resolved in the best way. Everything came together beautifully and the ending was short but sweet - which I loved.

Definitely liked this better than the first one overall and I’m excited for my reread!

Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli is a captivating and intense story that is filled with heartache and longing. The sizzling chemistry between Rune and Gideon adds an extra layer of depth as they navigate a dangerous world where magic and their very lives are constantly at risk. In this gripping tale, no one is safe. From the moment I picked up the book, I was completely enthralled.

Rebel Witch picks up a bit after the events of crimson moth, and while I first sounding myself wishing I’d re-read book one, the author did a nice job recapping the important bits and I soon caught on, and felt immediately invested.

It’s a fun, fast, dynamic book and I enjoyed the dual pov and all of the travel and exciting plot in the sequel. Some points I found myself feeling like the action was a little repetitive, but overall I felt like she wrapped the story up nicely and gave the characters and world the ending it deserved. I continue to really like the magic system in this world.
It was a really fun duology, and I’d definitely recommend it and probably do a re-read someday!

To anyone reading this review, I’d say if you enjoyed book 1, you’ll enjoy book 2 just as much!

Thanks so much NetGalley and Wednesdays book for the arc.