I am still shaking from how amazing this story was. This truly was the perfect end to the duology. The characters had such great arcs, the plot was a breakneck speed, and it had plenty of twists and turns. I loved how real the love story and romance felt and how it wasn't perfect or a fairytale but instead felt very real and full of emotion. The witches had so much range and so much history, and we got to learn more. Everything was simply perfect.

Ever read a first book, love the mess out of it, start the second and put it off for as long as possible? That’s exactly what I did with Rebel Witch and while I don’t regret making it last as long as possible, I absolutely regret not reading it all immediately. You can see my dilemma here.

Wow, being back in the story with Rune and Gideon, especially with the way things were left in Heartless Hunter, was such a treat. I’m so glad that we dove right back in rather than beating around the bush and introducing too many new elements. It was everything I needed the second book to be and more.

This duet is ultimately going to be hard to know out of my top three witchy reads. It blew me away in so many ways that I’ll probably reread before the witchy season is up.

That was a lot of talking around the book, but in order not to spoil anything that happens…it has to be this way.

Of course I loved this one, I’m sure no one is surprised after me obsessing over the first one! I honestly wouldn’t mind going back to the beginning and starting it all over again. I’m obsessed with Gideon. I’m obsessed with Rune. I’m obsessed with what they were accomplishing within this story. I loved seeing all of the characters returning and not only seeing where the story took Rune and Gideon but also all of their friends too. Everything truly came together in this story.

I really enjoyed how this second book started and immediately gripped me right back up. It was action packed from the start until the end and the epilogue was a must. It really felt true to the characters.

Did I guess some key aspects of this second book? I did and I honestly never mind it when that happens, it makes me feel smart 😂. I feel like some things were rushed but honestly I don’t care lmao. I loved this story start to finish, I’m actually devastated to see it go.

Ciccarelli’s writing style is easy to digest and pretty much exactly what I’m looking for from ya fantasy authors. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!

**I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

5 beautiful, amazing stars! This conclusion to the Crimson Moth duology had me on the edge of my seat, my heart racing and desperate to keep turning the pages.

The author really took everything we loved from book 1 and amplified the tensions 10 fold. The push and pull of the characters, the way it's not an easy HEA. I stayed up late in the night just to keep reading. I even contemplated calling into work just because I didn't want to stop.

I hope there are spin-off's from this series because I want to be back in this world, I want to know more about some of the side characters. I plan on reading this duology again closer to the release date of this book in February!

this is definitely one of my new favorite duologies
EVER!
this series will have my heart always - the banter, the adventure, the pining.... all just too good!!
seeing this epic conclusion of Rune & Gideon's story play out was everything that i needed, & was beyond grateful to receive this ARC! (thanks @netgalley & @wednesdaybooks!!!!)
i have literally no notes on this one as it was THAT perfect. to try to avoid spoilers as this is a sequel, dm me if you want to hear more thoughts!

I was so looking forward to the sequel to The Crimson Moth, but unfortunately, this one fell short. While the characters are still rich, so many were missing after the ending of the last book that the story came up unbelievably short. Half the plot is spent on a ship over the course of 3 days, which was frustrating. I skimmed through a lot of it because I found myself so bored with the entire thing, especially when it did not really add to the plot or characters in any meaningful way. As good as the first book was, this one is disappointing.

This was everything I wanted!!
The tension built and stayed through the end.
Ciccarrlli knows how to crush you in the best way!
I think everyone is going to love this conclusion ❤️
It’s FULLY immersive and action packed. You may hurt your neck from all the back and forth 😂
So well done!!

4.5 ⭑ this series is so incredibly addicting!!! rune and gideon have me by the throat!!!!

this book was sooo angsty to the point I was on the verge of tears for a good chunk of my time spent reading. gideon and rune are a couple you want to root for even when they tear one another down and fight against their love. it’s heartbreaking yet addicting!!

as I said in my review for heartless hunter, I found this to be very predictable. I guessed every single plot twist, which I really didn’t mind because I find these two and the overarching plot to be so entertaining, but I would keep the predictability of this series in mind if you are searching for a complex romantasy. I would 1000% recommend this series either way, though!

YES!
Fans of Heartless Hunter will NOT be disappointed with this exciting sequel! I loved revisiting these characters and after being left with THAT CLIFFHANGER in book one I absolutely ate this one UP. I NEEDED to see where the characters and the story were going and how it would all play out, and boy did Ciccarelli keep my attention. Absolutely would recommend. Heartless Hunter was one of my top fave books of 2024 and everyone NEEDS to read this incredible sequel when it releases in the new year!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and SMP for the chance to read and review my most anticipated read this year!

After loving Heartless Hunter, I was so excited to get into this sequel and it didn’t disappoint. I loved it.

This was such a great conclusion to the story. The ending did feel a bit rushed, and I wish the climax had been written in a bit more detail, and that we had gotten to see a bit more of the aftermath.

This is how a sequel is done!!! I loved the first book so much so I was very nervous that this would not live up to my expectations. I should not have worried, it blew them out of the water. The book was filled with so much tension and chemistry between Rune and Gideon. There was nonstop action in this book that it kept me entertained throughout the whole book. My one critique is the very ending felt a bit rushed. We had such a good leadup to it, but then the big reveals and everything happened in the last 10%. At one point I even questioned if there was going to be a conclusion to the book since I knew it was going to be a duology. I also wish we got more from the epilogue. Overall though I loved this series, and this sequel. I can not wait to read what this author writes next.

Let me start off by saying I am not a fantasy girl but I am now! These books are so incredible. Heartless Hunter was my first true fantasy book and I adored it, I rated it 5 stars and was desperate for book 2 to come out. I was so happy to be approved for an early copy of Rebel Witch and let me tell you it did not disappoint. Book one left us reeling for more and Rebel Witch delivered. The story build was so good, the angst was was there and kept me on the edge of my seat. All of the different characters had a complete story line from start to finish and I shut the book feeling complete. The scenery was described so thoroughly that I felt as if I could smell the salt in the air from the water. I could not put this down and when I finished I was sad because who doesn't love a badass FMC and an equally badass MMC. Kristin Ciccarelli has a fan for life!

I picked this one up immediately after finishing the first one. I found this one not as fast paced and didn’t have as many plot twists but I think biology wrapped up nicely.

If I could rate this infinity stars I absolutely would! The perfect ending to this series. It had me in tears at the end. What an amazing series and look forward to reading more by this author!

One thing is clear. If Kristen was living in the New Republic she would be the first witch to go. The magic she uses to wield those words is simply too potent, dangerous even - how can one stay indifferent after reading a masterpiece like The Rebel Witch?

If I wanted to, I could very easily read The Rebel Witch in a day. However, I care about my best friend, anxiety, too much to do that, so I took my sweet time and read this book slowly. Savoring every moment, trying to breathe through the waves of panic I felt when I was waiting for all hell to break loose.

I laughed, I cried, I swore I was going to read just one more chapter over and over again. What I was left with was a horrific book hangover, heart palpitations, and a half-empty box of tissues. And if that’s not a good enough reason to trust my judgment and read this book, I don't know what is

4.25 stars
Series: 2 of 2
Spice: 1/5

I liked this book a little more than book one actually! It still wasn't perfect, the pacing felt a bit off at times, I saw another twist coming way early on again, and the magic system & witch lore could have used more development to make things feel a bit more rooted, but I feel like so much more happened in this installment! There were things propelling the momentum of story from the start and it didn't end up feeling laggy at any point. I also enjoyed the romance a bit more in this one, even though Gideon remains stubborn in his beliefs way too long. Some of the emotions that Rune felt actually started to leap off the page a few times and get me in my feels (which is a feat). I also loved the little found family that was forming at the end and I wish we'd gotten more of that, it was so wholesome! I admit when I was about 60% in I was wondering how things were going to turn around so drastically without feeling rushed, but she actually did manage to wrap things up very nicely for this duology. This is perfect for a fall read, or any time someone wants a witchy, star-crossed lovers story!

Thank you so much Wednesday Books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

The world Ciccarelli has built between book one and this one has been absolutely fantastic. I read both in the duopoly in rapid succession, unable to put this one down.
I absolutely love this book, and recommend it to my friends.

"He’d wanted so badly to be worthy of her. He’d dared to hope he could be, stupid fool that he was."

*mumbles*OhmyGAWD*mumbles*

"Could you miss the place where everyone wanted you dead?"

I was not prepared for this.

"Grabbing the fitting room curtain, he threw it back. Rune was inside, wearing a white lace dress. Gideon didn’t have time to pull his gun on her, because she already had one of her own. It was aimed straight at his forehead."

This book just didn’t stop. From page one I was on the edge of my metaphorical seat, pretty much always on the verge of crying, and hoping desperately for all the characters to get a happy ending. BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN THROUGH HELL. My poor muffins.

There was also a little fake marriage and one cabin going on, and it was *great*

Spoilers for book 1, which is obvious, this is book two in a duology.

“I may not know Rune Winters,” he whispered, his mouth an inch from hers. “But I know the Crimson Moth. And she is no caged thing.”
Rune flinched. “Stop it.”
“I pity the man who clips her wings…”

The witch and witch hunter are back in this conclusion where they need to defeat the bad guys while also hating each other. I mean, Gideon’s first appearance is him trying to kill Rune lmao Goals. But honestly, both sides of this war were horrible and it was stressful.

“We both know what you want to do to me, Gideon. Well, here’s your chance.” His gaze slid to her mouth.
“You have no idea, the things I want to do to you.”

The emotion *heart attack followed by heartbreak* Gideon and Rune both lost everything and then each other. (view spoiler)There was betrayal and REVEALS and so much happened and my brain is just mush. I loved both Gideon and Rune so much in this book.

“Just remember: I don’t need you willing, Gideon. I only need you obedient. And I will have your obedience…”

I literally hate Cressida with my whole being. And her ending was, well, what she deserved.

“This is the truth: I would have married you in a heartbeat, had you asked me. I would have married you knowing you would hand me over to my killers—or kill me yourself—the moment you found out what I was. That’s how pathetic I am, Gideon! That’s how desperately I wanted to be yours!”

What is life after this?

I lovedddddd this one. I’m so happy I waited to start Heartless Hunter so I could read them back to back because I don’t think my heart could’ve waited long to jump into book 2. Rebel Witch jumps right into where Heartless Gunter left off (give or take a month or two) and the action never stops. This is a much more action focused book but the tension is real y’all. Are they enemies? Are they lovers? Is there one bed?!!?! Is there a who did this to you moment?!??? Yes to all those things and a big yes to this book.