*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Oh my god I am obsessed! What a page turner!My favourite read this year ! My favourite duology ever! I honestly have no words.I have been waiting this for 10 months and feel so lucky to have received an early copy of it I could cry. I started this today and I finished it today. I could not put it down. Gideon and Rune were everything! an absolute perfection and I cannot fault it.I want to cry because I finished it and already start a reread! I have no words honestly! I feel a major slump looming!All the stars in the world are not enough to rate this book! A must read! thank you thank you and thank you!

I absolutely loved this series! The world-building was phenomenal—it truly made you feel like a part of their world. In the end, Rune discovered who she truly wanted to be. The story is packed with twists and turns, and it’s clear that every detail was carefully crafted.

Extremely grateful to get an arc copy of this as it was one of my most anticipated reads for 2025! AND IT DELIVERED! The plot was filled with adventure and high stakes moments that kept me hooked until the end. Kristen does a fantastic job at balancing an action packed storyline and romantic tension. Gideon was down BAD (and I loved it). There was quite a bit of character growth for Gideon as his views and beliefs were challenged and he was forced to face the consequences of choosing duty over what his heart told him, or vice versa. Rune really came into her own by the end of the story and her growth was beautifully done. I love her passion and willingness to always stand up for what is right, no matter the cost. Just like the first book the world building was immersive and richly detailed. I love the magical setting, elements, and use of blood magic as it feels very unique. Overall, this was a heartfelt and thrilling conclusion. I would definitely recommend!

This was such an amazing ending to this duology.

I was absolutely enthralled but this story. Kristen did an amazing job of creating a world filled with atmospheric descriptions and lore that got and held my attention. Theirs is the ultimate enemies to lovers, and while my heart was still broken over the ending in book one, I still needed to see where this went.

Gideon was struggling so hard with what he needed to do. Seeing his inner turmoil was maddening in ways because I just wanted to make the decisions for him or tell him he was being stopped.
Rune was torn in so many directions wondering which ways were right. She had so many traumas that she was holding inside. My heart was breaking for her.

That ending however, had me in the edge of my seat. My mouth dropped to the floor. There were tears and a little bit of cursing.

So many twists and turns and yet it could not have ended in a better way.

this is the perfect conclusion to this super fun duology!!! i had a great time with this book and these characters and i’m sad to leave them!! it took me a while to read because of my own book slump but every time i picked it up i just wanted to keep reading it! i highly recommend this book and i’m so grateful that i had the privilege of reading it early!!

thank you to st. martins press, netgalley, and the author for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review!!

Such a good sequel! I absolutely love the way this book began and picked up from the ending of book one. The tension and the chemistry was *chefs kiss* This was so hard to put down, I read it in one day. I loved the banter, the plot twists, the jealously. Enemies to lovers done right 🙌🏻👏🏻 this was the perfect sequel to me and everything I love about romantasy.

Alright babyyyy this story started out with action!!! Faster paced excitement! I liked it! There was a line about halfway through where Rune wonders to herself how are people the people they become, is it only the circumstances they end up that form them or is there something permanent about each person regardless of their circumstances. I think that is such a good question or thought. It’s so intriguing. I mean if I grew up in worse circumstances would I still be the way I am or if I was in better circumstances would I also still be me as I am now? It’s impossible to know for sure but it’s so thought provoking. I loved this book so much!!! It was so much fun and this was a TRUE enemies to lovers and I was here for it!!!! Loved both of these books so much!

I absolutely loved this book. Book two picked up seamlessly and dropped us right back into the action.
My favorite part about this book was how concise it was. The author set out to write a duology, and despite the recent trends in fantasy, she stuck to it rather than adding any unnecessary drama and plot tangents. The Rebel Witch was engaging, fast paced and my favorite fantasy read in recent memory.
There were some twists and turns thrown in that I didn't see coming and the end was so satisfying.
Kristen Ciccarelli has officially been added to my short list of must-read fantasy authors.

This was a fun follow up! We got to meet new characters and read about familiar ones. Rune and Gideons relationship developed perfectly and I really had a great time following it. I was a bit confused in the beginning and the ending felt rushed but overall I felt it concluded the story well.

This is such a good ending to a duology, It wraps up all the loose ends that were left in book one, It also provides us with plenty of plot and character development, lots of twists and turns, and a healthy serving of heartache/heartbreak to boot. The romance in this tale is done so so well. You get all the good longing mixed with forbidden romance, and my personal favourite: ‘we are supposed to be enemies, so why do i still want to kiss you?’ An amazing ride all the way through, I read the whole book in 4 days, I simply could not put it down! I took so many notes because of how deeply the writing made me feel for the characters and their situations. Even after finishing the story, I still somehow find myself a blushing giggling mess. Rune and Gideon are truly the best, they deserve the world and I’m so honoured that i got to see how this story ends before publication.

Like Heartless Hunter, the Rebel Witch, the second and final book in the Crimson Moth duology, was compulsively bingeable. For me, however, it lacked the magic and plot of book one and is geared much more strongly towards lovers of romantasy than for lovers of fantasy plotlines with a strong romance subplot.

The dynamic between Gideon and Rune struggled a bit in this book as the tension between the two was maintained by using miscommunication (actually, NO communication) trope, which always frustrates me as a reader. If you would just talk to each other about your feelings and ulterior motives you could get back to kissing!

The plot points were very predictable and you could see them coming a mile away but because I felt a stake in the characters and story from my enjoyment of book one, I still found myself wanting to know what happened and what the ultimate outcome was.

Kristin Ciccarelli, without doubt, has skill in writing a fast paced novel that is so easy to read (I have never before powered through a 400 page book in one day) but go in knowing that this book is an exploration of the romance between Gideon and Rune and not much else.

Loved this book but it didn’t live up to the predecessor. I felt it was a little boring and repetitive. The characters didn’t feel like the same ones from the first book. Thank you NetGalley!

This book was the perfect conclusiont to this rivveting duology. The storytelling and alternating POVs between Gideon and Rude maintained an effective and well-paced narrative throughout the book, and gave the reader much insight into eachother's feelings, as well as the angst and tension within thier love story. Kristen kept me on the edge of my seat with plot twists, actions scenes, unpredictibility, as well as, of course, the romance! Their love for eachother (Rune and Gideon) was something that had me giggling and kicking my feet in the best way!

Review posted to goodreads and copied below for convenience!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7016678324

Will be reviewing on Amazon after release, as well as making content on my tiktok (@nicolina.marie) as the release date draws closer.
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I just about screamed when I finished The Crimson Moth/Heartless Hunter and realized I was given the opportunity to read Rebel Witch early. Thank you so much SMP!

This book was everything I wanted it to be. The TENSION 😫🔥

From the beginning I was sucked right in and as someone who has a hard time with books that start slow I appreciate that so much.

Kristen’s characters truly come to life with how she writes. I absolutely adore Rune and Gideon’s journey (trying not to spoil!) and all the twists/trials keep things continuously interesting as you read.

I have a few series that I tend to drift back to when nothing else is hitting and this has quickly solidified a place among them.

If you love unique magic systems, Bridgerton vibes, tons of tension, lots of twists, forbidden love and enemies to lovers then you should 100% add book 1 and 2 to your TBRs.

I’m so sad this Duo is over! We start 2 months after that crazy ending in The Crimson Moth and the book never had a dull moment! The tension between Gideon and Rune is unlike anything else. This is 100% a true enemies to lovers. I love the magic system in this world. There’s no unlimited power everything has a cost. It wrapped up beautifully and I loved the way the story concluded

Heartless Hunter was wonderful, and while it felt predictable at times, it was still really enjoyable. I was absolutely thrilled to receive an ARC for Rebel Witch.

Sadly, this book has one of my least favorite tropes heavily on display throughout the majority of the book - miscommunication. If this isn’t a book ick for you, then you’ll probably still really enjoy this book.

For me, it felt a bit childish at times because of this, and it really took away from the overall plot.

I am truly grateful for receiving this ARC from Wednesday Books & St. Martins Press in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Other thoughts:
Gideon as a father? 10/10

They make Rune seem more vulnerable in this book, which I don’t love.

The miscommunication trope paired with cat and mouse and also secrecy is leaving me confused
I’m guessing right now that Rune is the missing 4th sister.

I feel like Rune and Evangeline from OUABH would be best buddies.

4.5 stars!!! I loved the conclusion to this duology! Gideon is perfect and Rune is a blend of strength and fear. I was fully vested in the story and just adore the main characters. A great sequel to The Heartless Hunter.

I was immediately sucked back into the plot from Heartless Hunter. The fast pacing from the first book continued in this one which I enjoyed at first, the second half it began feeling a bit too quick. The ending was a bit abrupt. I really enjoyed the added lore and world building and wanted there to be more expanding into that, it was begging to be explored and dug into and slowed down a bit. The ending reminded me of the elements of cadence duo by Rebecca Ross! This book definitely leans on the romance side of romantacy more so than Heartless Hunter did.

Tropes: pining, only one bed, miscommunication

Content: one explicit scene chapter 71, strong language, innuendo, death, violence, killing, same sex relationships of side characters, cutting - the first book had this too for the magic system but it was more prevalent in Rebel Witch.

What a wild ride! I absolutely loved Heartless Hunter, the first book in this duology, and Rebel Witch continues the cat-and-mouse chase of Heartless Hunter, with so many swoon-worthy moments and quotes!

From the beginning to end, the book is full of constant action as Gideon is tasked with capturing Rune, despite both of them still having feelings for each other, shadowed by the hurt and betrayal they both still feel.

I love both Gideon and Rune, and their relationship develops more in this novel, as they learn more about each other and their past. There are lots of fantastic moments of tension, and so many quotes that made my heart melt! They work through their trauma and become vulnerable with each other, learning to understand why each acted the way they did. As they begin to see life through each other’s eyes, those around them do as well. Larger themes of unity and acceptance are explored as the novel progresses.

Cressida becomes a formidable enemy and a chilling villain, one who changes Rune in ways I did not expect. Her character is vindictive and cruel, and I rooted against her the whole book.

The ending does resolve nicely, and I appreciated that with this YA duology. It left me with hope, and that is desperately needed. Overall, I loved this book (maybe more than Heartless Hunter) and the duology overall! I highly recommend you read it!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Wednesday Books for this eARC, in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and Wednesday Books for the arc!

I want to start by saying the sexual tension in this book was magnificent. No notes. Chef's kiss. Just a ridiculous amount of applause. The amount of "Darcy hand flex" touches was sublime. I've never wanted two people to stab each other and kiss so much at the same time.

Rebel Witch was everything I wanted in the second book. It answered the questions I had from book one, it gave me more moments between Rune and Gideon, and it built the world and background for what needed to happen. The story was so well written and I loved it so much.

I love Rune and Gideon. Their relationship, their characters, what they bring out in each other. The relationship felt so real and natural, there was never a moment where I questioned that I wanted them to be together.