5 Stars

Absolutely fantastic and honestly better than the first book. I kept forgetting that this is YA because the tension and chemistry between Gabriel and Rune is off the charts - it's a great enemies to lovers where the conflict and feelings are truly shown. I could barely put this down and was on the edge of my seat the entire time.

The pacing was perfect and I never felt like the story slowed or floundered. And I appreciate the stakes felt very high - there was so much going on and our MCs were constantly finding themselves in danger. The ending wrapped everything up perfectly and was super satisfying.

Thanks NetGalley for the arc!

“Sometimes our paths must diverge from those we love… but if love is the highest power, our paths with converge again”

I was so excited to get back into this world and be with Rune and Gideon again.

We pick up right where Crimson Moth leaves off - Rune is across the sea with Cressida building alliances and Gideon is spying on her. We get to go through the enemies to lovers pipeline again and the tension is just as good as book 1.

This duology is easily going to be one of my favourite duologies. Gideon and Rune truly are soulmates (in my world at least) and their journey was fitting for them. The plot and romance was perfectly paced and it didn’t feel forced at times.

Some side characters really shined and we got to learn a little bit more about the world. I really have nothing to say because this book was perfect to me.

A perfect conclusion to one of my favorite duologies! Rune and Gideon have my whole heart. This book has more enemies to lovers deliciousness, fake marriage, high stakes, redemption arcs, and tear jerking moments. The constant tension, scheming, and pining between Rune and Gideon had me holding my breath and kicking my feet. I could have read 400 more pages of them just interacting. There was honestly never a dull moment, the twists were amazing, and I couldn’t stop turning the page. I’m super happy with how things ended but so sad to be done with this world.

Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli was the perfect sequel to Heartless Hunter and completes the Crimson Moth series in a satisfying way.

First of all I want to give a huge thank you to NetGalley & St Martin’s Press for granting my wish and allowing me to consume this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback - I have been yearning for this sequel from the moment I finished the first book and I was over the moon when I found the digital copy on my NetGalley shelf.

This book was the epitome of enemies to lovers - we reconnect with Rune Winters & Gideon Sharpe after a whirlwind in the first book. Gideon’s brother Alex has taken a bullet for his brother and Rune’s closest gal pal has actually been the evil witch Cressida in disguise. Now Cressida has a plan to resurrect her dead sisters and cause total chaos….meanwhile Gideon and the Blood Guards are determined to kill Rune, The Crimson Moth.

The pacing was absolutely perfect and the twists, turns and big reveals were amazing. I could not have predicted a better way for this series to come to an end. I highly recommend this series to witchy romantasy lovers who eat up the enemies to lovers trope with a spoon. I can’t say enough great things & I look forward to reading more from Kristen Ciccarelli in the future!

I'm obsessed!!! This book was everything I want a sequel to be—addictive, thrilling, angsty—from start to finish it kept me at the edge of my seat, non-stop adventure rife with unparalleled tension.

It's not often that a sequel is better than the first book but this so was.
This is one of the best books and absolutely the best sequel I've read this year.
Nothing else compares, if I could I'd give it 100000 ⭐️.
The bar for this sequel was already so high and not only did it meet it , it surpassed it and blew it out of the water!!
So much happened, it felt like I read at least 2 books instead of 1.

RW was fast paced but it didn't feel rushed. I only wished we'd gotten a longer epilogue because I wasn't ready to say goodbye 😭😭😭😭

From start to finish Rebel Witch was action packed—the tension, the pacing, the angst—everything was on point, the stakes were higher than ever, stirring up a whirlwind of emotions in me the entire time.
This was a heart-pounding, epic finale and I'm not ready for it to be over.

Eternal gratitude to Wednesday Books, St Martin's Press and Netgalley for the arc

Was I waiting for this arc after I finished reading the first book in the series? Yes, I was. And I literally read it as fast as I can. Unfortunately, I have mixed feelings regarding Rebel Witch.

Before I go any further, please be warned that there might be spoilers. Keep that in mind.

Anyways, I have to admit that I do have mixed feelings about Rebel Witch. Sorry to say. I didn't hate it, but I also didn't love it. It was kind of in the middle. I like that the pacing was just right between Rune and Gideon. They are literally enemies again, but with higher strakes. However, I didn't love their relationship's progress. I didn't connect to the Rune and Gideon relationship. I felt that Gideon was lacking in the romance department. He never declares or starts the hard conversations between them. I felt that Rune was doing the most for their relationship when it shouldn't be. I don't know, but I felt disappointed between Rune and Gideon. I needed something more like what Rune did with Alex.

I loved the tension between Gideon and Rune when this book started so much! But as the encounters became repetitive (and even sometimes conversations or scenes being repeated in the next POV chapter) I started having a hard time picking it back up.

I felt that the end was a little anticlimactic. I think I just expected more of a fight. That may be my own fault wanting more from the plot than the romance. So I think people strictly reading for the Romantasy aspect will probably eat this book up as much as they did the first.

This one felt a bit chaotic compared to the first book and that is what lost me, I think. I still had a good time and I still recommend reading the Duology if you love Romantasy!

My heart!!!!!!! I took my sweet time savoring this because I did not wanted to end. You know that feeling when you have to say goodbye to friend you’re so sure you will not see again? That’s exactly how I feel finishing this! Is this a duology? Because Mrs Cicarelli, you need to give us more Rune/Gideon, I need to see them happy, the after of the after! ALL THE STARS!

I’m so satisfied with the second half of the Crimson Moth’s story but also so heartbroken that it’s over. Heartless Hunter was my favorite fantasy read of the year so I most definitely screamed when I got an email saying I got an early copy of Rebel Witch 😭 This book has everything the first one has: witches, enemies to lovers, heartbreak, cat & mouse game, love, found family, magic. I can’t say how much y’all should read this duo. I could go on and on about this duo.

4.5 stars

Rebel Witch by Kristin Ciccarelli is just as absorbing as Heartless Hunter, the first book in the series, and I was so pleased with how much I loved it. It definitely stood up to the hype of the first book and I could not stop reading as I was desperate to see where the duology would go.

Gideon and Rune are everything. They completely make the duology because they are characters that I grew to love so quickly and despite them being on opposite sides, you can't help but want them both to win in the end. This makes for such conflicting feelings, and books that leave the reader feeling that way are so well done in my opinion. There is no easy answer between the two of their views either, as there are both positives and negatives that can be seen in why they feel the way they do, and the fact that it isn't so completely black and white and can make you feel like both characters are valid in their feelings is something I really love about this duology. And also, enemies to lovers is elite, need I say more?

Needless to say I loved both of their points of view being shown in chapters, as it gives perspective into each of their minds which is essential to the story. I also loved both of their points of view and never found myself wanting one over the other which makes me love a book all the more. Getting to see the angsty feelings between Rune and Gideon from each side of things is pretty great too.

I love, love, love a good witch story as well. This one draws me in with the fascinating magic system and I found myself wanting more details on the magic and just more magic happening. It's such a uniquely cool system with blood magic and the fact that using said magic has the consequence of leaving behind obvious scarring that points someone out as being a witch (and the thing that witch hunters have used to condemn said witches in their hunt to destroy them all). Also, the fact that they leave behind a unique signature that is basically a witches calling card on their magic is so awesome. And again, consequences because if someone knows your signature, they know exactly what magic you have cast, a fact important to the story as Rune continues to try to hide herself and her actions, this time amongst her own people who know her crimson moth signature.

Honestly I was so pleasantly surprised that Rebel Witch lived up to the expectations that Heartless Hunter set. Heartless Hunter was one of my favourite reads of the year and I loved this one just as much. Getting to see Rune and Gideon team up again all while dealing with the back and forth of their conflicting positions on opposite sides of the battle between witches and hunters had me quickly addicted to the story and this was a literal one sitting read for me. Highly, highly recommend and I'm a little sad that this duology is now complete because I loved the world and the characters so much.

One of my fav duology of all time with the perfect ending I love this characters so much

Gideon will always have my heart

What an incredible follow up to a stunning start. Rebel Witch doesn’t waste time bringing you up to speed or reminding you of book one, but instead drops you right into another amazing story.

The growth in both Rune and Gideon is clear throughout the book, and it manages to be an interesting and action-packed continuation of the story without feeling at all repetitive.

There’s tension, there’s action, there’s characters we loved in the first book and new characters that bring everything even more to life. A really great ending to the story.

Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the Advance Copy for review

“You are far worse than a thorn in my side,” he said, dark eyes gleaming at her. “You are knife in my heart.” “And you’re a wolf I can’t outrun,” she whispered. “Not even in my sleep.”

I felt like I was having a heart attack the entire time. My heart was pounding either from Giddiness or STRESS. Five stars. No notes. No better book feeling. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

An absolutely perfect duology. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an advanced electronic copy in exchange for an honest review.

If you enjoyed Heartless Hunter, I think you’re going to be obsessed with Rebel Witch- because I did and I am.

WOW. There is so much packed into this duology. No boring bits. No downtime. Just twists and turns and near misses and action! And what an amazing conclusion for the story this was.

I loved seeing all the characters again, but a few new ones were introduced that fit in seamlessly. New settings were used that brought a vivid richness to the story. I could easily picture all the locations, so I felt immersed in the story the entire time I was reading.

Enemies to lovers at its best, I adored the push and pull between Rune & Gideon SO MUCH. These two 😭🥵🫠

Was some predictable? Yes. Was I on the edge of my seat, devouring to see it play out in spite of it? Again YES.

I didn’t wait it to end. I was at 97% of the book like noooo don’t be over. The epilogue was so satisfying, but I still wanted more. I know this is one I will come back to again and again.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for a chance to review an advance copy.

In the exhilarating finale of the Crimson Moth duology, *Rebel Witch* masterfully intertwines themes of love, betrayal, and moral ambiguity against a backdrop of high-stakes fantasy. Kristen Ciccarelli takes readers on a thrilling ride as Rune Winters and Gideon Sharpe navigate their complicated feelings and fierce allegiances in a world that teeters on the brink of chaos.

Rune's journey is fraught with danger and desperation. Betrayed by the one she loved, she finds herself in an uneasy alliance with the formidable Cressida Roseblood, a character whose ruthless ambition propels the plot into darker territories. Ciccarelli does a remarkable job of fleshing out Cressida, allowing readers to understand her motivations while still recognizing her as a threatening force. Rune’s internal conflict is palpable as she struggles between loyalty to her new ally and the haunting memories of her past with Gideon.

Gideon, on the other hand, is a compelling embodiment of the witch hunter's plight. Torn between his duty to eradicate witches and the lingering feelings he harbors for Rune, his character arc is both poignant and intense. Ciccarelli effectively captures the emotional turmoil that defines his journey, illustrating the devastating consequences of love and hatred intertwined.

The chemistry between Rune and Gideon crackles throughout the narrative, particularly as they are forced into precarious situations that challenge their preconceived notions about each other. The tension is expertly crafted, making their moments together charged with both passion and peril. As the stakes rise, Gideon faces the impossible choice of sacrificing the girl he loves or letting a dark force reclaim power over the Republic. This moral dilemma is central to the plot, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as the tension escalates toward a heart-stopping climax.

Ciccarelli’s world-building is rich and immersive, vividly bringing to life a realm where witches and hunters exist in a delicate balance of power. The stakes are higher than ever, and the author skillfully weaves action-packed sequences with introspective moments that allow readers to connect deeply with the characters’ struggles.

*Rebel Witch* is an unforgettable conclusion to the Crimson Moth duology, where love is as deadly as the magic that surrounds it. With sharp prose and intricate storytelling, Ciccarelli delivers a tale that will resonate with fans of fantasy and romance alike. As the final pages turn, readers will be left pondering the costs of love and loyalty in a world where nothing is ever truly black and white. Highly recommended for those who relish epic tales of enchantment and emotional depth.more

Without giving anything away, I thought this sequel wrapped everything up perfectly! It was tension-filled and kept my attention the entire time, just like the first book did.
I’m not disappointed at all that it’s over; sometimes it’s nice to keep fantasy series short and sweet without overdoing it. I’m already looking forward to doing a re-read in the future!

I would recommend this series to anyone who loves romantasy! Thank you St Martin’s Press for sending this ARC!

Ahh The Rebel Witch did not disappoint!
This book was so much fun and just as bingeable as the heartless hunter. The tension, the pacing and angst was just amazing! I highly recommend!

When Rune discovers that restoring Cressida to power won’t bring the freedom or safety witches deserve, she’s forced to join forces once more with Gideon Sharpe - whom she plans to ditch just as soon as she puts a stop to Cressida. Gideon, though, also has plans of his own when it comes to Rune. Just as long as their stupid hearts don’t have any say in it!

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for an advance readers copy in exchange for my honest review. I was over the moon when this ARC was approved for reading!

Rebel Witch was one of my most anticipated reads! The conclusion of Heartless Hunter left on such a cliff hanger so I was ready to dive into this book! I absolutely love Rune and Gideons dynamic. The push and pull that they have feels complicated and real but also completely undeniable. I really enjoyed being back in the world that Kristen has created, as well as all of the little details that call back to book one, people we know and love or just things that were such a cool connection or realization. I felt like Rune became a more complex character through this book and I really appreciated her journey. Seeing Gideon change and become more confident was beautiful as well. My only wish for this book was that the conclusion had a bit more to it. It felt like we were building up to this conflict throughout the last two books and there were beautiful aspects to the ending and heartbreaking things as well, I just feel like it wrapped up a bit sudden.

I would give Rebel Witch a 4.5⭐️
Overall I really enjoyed my time with this book and I am content with the conclusion. I am excited to see what Kristen does next!

I am so so grateful to have received this ARC! Thank you thank you thank you!

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!! It was just as good as the first and I’m obsessed with both as a duology. I want more of this world! Every page just sucked me in more to the love story, war, the witchcraft, and the lore.

Okay, so I feel torn about this one. I adored "The Crimson Moth/Heartless Hunter" and impatiently waited for this novel to come out. Overall, i enjoyed the story and following the characters again. The closure at the end was good, and seeing the relationship progression between the two main characters was great. I had some disappointment with the big plot twist though. It felt a little unnatural as if it were the easy solution to tie everything together. Overall I highly recommend. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!