Well that was certainly a book. It did end the story so definitely a completed duology but the character development was so messy. Also how did all these characters miraculously know where to meet them? The whole first half was like a different book. It was simply more interesting than the muddled mess of the second half. Meh

“Could you miss the place where everyone wanted you dead?”

A strong finish to this duology.

What I liked:

Overall I really enjoyed the ride that book 2 took us on. Through different lands, overseas and back to where we started in book 1, I really enjoyed this.

We meet some new supporting characters, which fleshed out the story and the world a bit more.

The tension with Rune & Gideon was so delicious.

What didn’t work for me:

I think there were some decisions made that felt antithetical to the characters that made the decisions.

The pacing felt a little off in the second half of the book.

*secrets
*misunderstanding
*longing
*high stakes tension
*jealousy
*enemies to lovers
*dual POV

Let me just lay it out - I waited for this book with bated breath and wasn’t disappointed - I was pulled right back into the story and binged this, just like the first book.

A highly, highly enjoyable second story, Rebel Witch was an epic end for the duology and I fully recommend both titles (make sure you’re got free time when you start, because you won’t want to stop reading 🙂).



Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the DRC

This was an amazing sequel and wrapped up this duology perfectly! I love this world and these characters and I think I liked this even more than book 1

I was really nervous about starting Rebel Witch because I loved Heartless Hunter so much. I am relieved to say that Rebel Witch did not let me down and had as much heart as the first in the series. I can’t wait to get my preorder so I can have them sitting by each other on my shelves.

"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."
........
"And you're a wold I can't outrun,"she whispered, closing her eyes against his touch."Not even in my sleep."

Thank you so much to Wednesday books for my digital arc!

This was one of my most anticipated read ever since I read a super early copy of Crimson Moth, I really enjoyed the read and I think its a fab duology overall. I fell in love with these characters and they remain quite entertaining until the end, Rebel Witch takes off soon after the painful events of Crimson Moth ends where Rune is thrown into a totally different game and the stakes are even higher especially with a vengeful Gideon on her tail. Did these lovers turned enemies find a happy ever after? is it even possible given how messy things have become? well you gotta read and see

It is definitely action packed and keeps you hooked from the beginning just as the Crimson Moth did so A+ for enjoyment factor, I still enjoyed the magic system with blood magic and spells. It was perfect for YA without being overwhelming or too complex. While I really did enjoy getting back into the world, I thought a lot of it was predictable and I also had issue with redundancy with the plot going back and forth on a certain issue. However, I still think it was a solid romantasy fit for YA audiences and definitely recommend it. I absolutely cannot wait to read more from this author!

i feel like this book lacked so much oomph compared to the other book. it was slightly enjoyable but there was still some parts where it fell through for me. overall a semi let down.

This was the perfect end to the duology, I couldn’t have asked for more (except more books because I’m obsessed with these characters and this world). Kristen has easily become one of my favorite authors. This book had all of my favorite tropes, and she did them all so perfectly. This book has gotten so much hype and it is completely deserving of all of it and more. I will recommend this duology to anyone and everyone. It’s so perfect. I’m sad to say goodbye, but I will definitely be rereading yearly.

Rebel Witch is the sequel to Heartless Hunter and features Rune, powerful witch and Gideon, witch hunter. Rune is safely abroad after the events of the last book, engaged to a Prince. Gideon, still so angry with Rune, is there to hunt and kill her. Probably.

This was amazing. The pacing of this book is incredible and I barely wanted to put it down. I highlighted 22 quotes before the halfway mark and honestly I could have done more. I love the true enemies to lovers of the story and how antagonistic their words are, even when all they want to do is be together.

Overall, a fabulous end to the duology and such a great overall story!

Swoony, schemey, amazing conclusion to this duology. I did not want to put it down. It made me yell, get teary eyed which led to crying. Although yes it can be predictable at times but the way Circcarelli writes it is wonderful and makes you want more. Gideon and Rune are back to their bantering and tension. The introduction of new side characters brings more to the story and the old ones develop a better backstory. The world is built up even more explaining more of the magic and why things are. This may be now, one of my top 5 favorite series and Rebel Witch lives up to Heartless Hunter!

Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the opportunity to read this book!

⭐️ 4.5 Stars

We dive right into the action from where we ended 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙃𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 (𝘾𝙧𝙞𝙢𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙈𝙤𝙩𝙝) and the twists and turns does not stop from beginning to end.

This was a quick page turning read and one heck of a sequel!

Gideon and Rune have vowed to end each other after the events of the first book. But the two are thrust back together as they must deal with not only each other, but many forces trying to bring both them and their respective worlds down.

I loved the enemies to lovers and the forced proximity, and couldn’t wait to see what would happen next between these two. The chemistry between our two MC’s was off the charts. I loved their banter and the tender moments. It was the perfect mix.

This world of witches and witch hunters is just so intriguing. The way in which the spells are cast is very unique. And I loved the different cast of characters, you were kept on your toes the entire time wondering who you could trust.

This is an amazing fantasy duology that I highly suggest reading. You can read 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙃𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 now.
And you won’t have to wait long to get a copy of 𝙍𝙚𝙗𝙚𝙡 𝙒𝙞𝙩𝙘𝙝. It’s outs everywhere on 𝙁𝙚𝙗𝙧𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝟏𝟖𝙩𝙝.

Thank you @netgally, @stmartinspress, @wednesdaybooks and @kristinciccarelli. I am so thankful I was #gifted an eARC of 𝙍𝙚𝙗𝙚𝙡 𝙒𝙞𝙩𝙘𝙝 for an honest review.

Gosh, I really love a duology. From the start, we were right back in the action where book 1 left off and the enemies and hatred and tension were exactly where you want them to be.

I really liked seeing Rune lean into her magic more in this book and I love an FMC who is always steps ahead of everyone at all times. The magic system is really unique and honestly it’s making me think about a few new tattoo ideas. 👀

And let me just say- I love Gideon. I love that we get a dual POV and we get his thoughts and feelings and the constant internal battle he’s waging in his brain. It adds to much to their story.

So satisfied with the ending to this duology and I can’t wait for everyone to read it! Thank you to SMP and NetGalley for this advanced copy!

I just finished book 1 Heartless Hunter and unfortunately it was not for me. I’m choosing to not continue my Crimson Moth journey.

I've been saving this arc for a bit and I'm so glad this is how I started my 2025 reading - with a 5+ star absolute BANGER of a sequel. This follow-up picks up shortly after Heartless Hearter left off, and jumps straight into the action. My only warning to readers is that you'll need to clear your schedule and stock up on snacks for this one, as the action just DOES. NOT. STOP. The banter, the tension, the twists and turns, the breathless pace of the plot - it'll keep you enthralled through all 400 pages.

The last third of the book, in particular, feels very important for the current timeline we find ourselves in. We must all find it within ourselves to do what's right and stand up for what we believe in - and be our truest selves in the process. And in doing so, we may also just let the right ones in.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books for the arc - I love Gideon and Rune with all of my heart and I'm sad it's over.

4.5 stars

This was so good! I enjoyed the first book a lot, but wow, this was just fantastic! If you loved the first book, you're going to be delighted by this one.

This conclusion is action-packed, full of angst and deceptions, back-and-forth betrayals, endless longing, steamy interludes, and some new reveals. I did guess the big one, but it absolutely fit the story. Rune and Gideon just have such amazing chemistry, and their push-pull was delightful.

I'm so thrilled with this conclusion, and absolutely recommend this duology.
Many thanks to NetGalley and PRHAudio for the preview. All opinions are my own.

✨"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."✨

All the heart eyes for these characters! Heartless Hunter was one of my favorite reads of the year, so I was thrilled to be able to jump into the second book, Rebel Witch. It did not disappoint! The second installment of the Crimson Moth duology picks up right where the first book left off and hits the ground running! Many familiar names are there to continue the strategic political battle between the witches and the human regime, including Rune and Gideon. I thought the second book gave a lot of (Y2K era) Mr. & Mrs. Smith movie vibes with the dual pov and strategic banter between characters. It was so gratifying and emotional (albeit, frustrating at times) to see how the plot played out while simultaneously getting the characters’ inner monologue. I’m sad the story is over, I miss them already!!

Highly recommend this book series for those who enjoy:
♥️pride and prejudice undertones
♥️societal status difference
♥️witchy, magical romantasy
♥️forbidden love
♥️”who did this to you”
♥️mutual pining, slow burn
♥️enemies to lovers
(Note: there is also reference to emotional/mental/sexual abuse but not between the main characters)

I am extremely appreciative of the opportunity to read an eARC of Rebel Witch in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you to Wednesday Books and the author, Kristen Ciccarelli, for the wish request grant via NetGalley. I can’t wait to add the physical copy to my collection!

Another slam dunk for Kristen Ciccarelli. I loved Heartless Hunter and I loved Rebel Witch. What a satisfying end to Rune and Gideon's story (although I'm sooooo sad to say goodbye to them). The pace was just as fast as book 1, which I loved - I could not put the book DOWN!! The anger/betrayal/angst made all of the sweet moments that much sweeter and I loved every minute of it. Highly Recommend!

I was so looking forward to this sequel and final book in the Heartless Hunter duology by Kristen Ciccarelli. And it didn't disappoint! I won't go into the full plot so as not to spoil the first book, but this sequel was just as much fun to read as the first one!

I enjoyed the complicated relationship between Rune and Gideon. They walk a fine line between wanting to (actually) kill each other and falling madly in love, and it was fun to watch their relationship grow throughout this novel.

One small complaint that I had was with one plot point that was used and reused multiple times throughout this story. At multiple points in the story, a character was captured, and then they escaped (usually by a narrow margin and with the help of someone else). And then there was another capture/escape that was very similar. And another. And so on. Perhaps that is just the nature of a story like this, but I felt like it got a little monotonous. Or maybe I am just being nitpicky.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable story and a satisfactory ending to the two book series by Ciccarelli.

An absolutely stunning finale to this story! It's so difficult to end a story like this well and Kristen Cuccarelli nailed it! I loved all the tension with Gideon and Rune. And of course, the twists and turns that made me love Heartless Hunter so much made me love this one even more. Every character's story was beautifully explored. I highly recommend this to any fans of YA Fantasy.

I had so many feelings after finishing one of, if not my most, anticipated read of 2025. Getting a chance to read it early was one of the best gifts of this year. And let me tell you friends, if you loved Heartless Hunter, Rebel Witch is EXACTLY what we were all hoping for. This is how the end of duology should be written. No notes. No complaints. I could read this series every year for the foreseeable future and never get sick of it.

I highly recommend a reread of Heartless Hunter right before you jump in, because Rebel Witch picks up right where we left off. My heart. These characters. My sweet, broken Gideon. And Rune. What a wild, wild ride she goes on. She’s such a strong character and I loved getting a side of her where she starts to question this journey she is on and the choices she has made. It made me love her even more because it rounded her out as a character so well. Our grumpy Gideon and button pushing Rune are still here, but man do they go through it in these pages!

I think the most important thing I can say in this review is that I was not disappointed. It hit in the best way!! I will be recommending this series for a long time!

Get ready and buckle up because this book starts with a bang and does not slow down. Make sure you preorder it. Get the reread of Heartless Hunter on your schedule and get ready to travel back to the New Republic to watch our favorite witch and witch hunter change the course of history in this world.