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.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I could not wait after finishing Heartless Hunter to dive into my arc for Rebel Witch and wow that was the perfect decision!! This is book 2 in a series and you absolutely have to read book 1 before diving into this one or you will be lost.

Rebel Witch is non-stop. Fast pacing, character growth, action, secrets revealed, there is always something going on with perspectives alternating between Gideon and Rune (same as book 1).

Cannot recommend this series enough!!

This book was the best read I had in a very long time. I read Heartless Hunter and Rebel Witch back to back and it was perfect. The story picks up almost right after the events from Heartless Hunter and it just flows so well from one book to the other. What I loved the most of this book was the pacing. There are no "dead times" but it is still slow enough that we get more character development, world building and history on the times before the events of Heartless Hunter. The way everything was intertwined together was brilliant and every piece of information you get just pops a light in your brain and the satisfaction you get as everything unravels is incredible. This book is packed with action, revelations, heartbreak, tension and it will make you feel so many emotions from cover to cover. It was the perfect conclusion to the Crimson Moth duology and I don't know how I will get over this book.

THIS WAS INCREDIBLE. I thought book 1 was wonderful, but somehow book 2 was even better? Every single trope I love to see in a book was here and executed FLAWLESSLY. Gideon and Rune continued to be smart and sharp, their tension was beautiful! It was wonderful to see them begrudingly working together and trying to reach some semblance of common ground while still navigating their inner turmoil. The balance between plot and character development was perfect. The world introduced in book 1 was really fascinating and this one just delved even more into it and we got to learn and see a lot more about the way the magic functions.

The story wrapped up beautifully, the pacing never staggered, the writing was flawless. Truly one of my favourite reads in the last few years!

Heartless Hunter really had me in a chokehold, and I was so excited about Rebel Witch that I devoured it in one sitting. And while I definitely did enjoy it, I was also a little over the "Grrr I hate you- but I wanna kiss you" inner dialogue by the middle of the book. Don't get me wrong, I loved the enemies to lovers to enemies to lovers, but I rolled my eyes at the amount of angry yearning I had to get through.

Overall, it was a fun read. I enjoyed the first book more, and I think it just set an impossible standard for the sequel. But I enjoyed the plot twists, loved the ending, and have already added some of Ciccarelli's other titles to my TBR!

*Thank you to the publishers for a free copy of the book to review*

Duty over love or love over duty? It’s just so good. I need a physical copy right now to reread and annotate. Gideon handed Rune a gun after he notices she lost hers and made her promise him to not lose it and if someone were to try to hurt her, to not think twice about shooting them. MIND YOU, HES A WITCH HUNTER AND SHES A WITCH. BUT ALSO HIS MISSION IS TO KILL HER. I feel like this sequel was the best thing to happen as it perfectly balances and blends the romance and plot.

Rebel Witch picks up right where Heartless Hunter leaves off. It continues the story of Rune, a witch, who’s fallen for Gideon, a witch hunter. The betrayal of Rune’s true identity has left Gideon reeling. As they face an uncertain future where it seems that evil may prevail, will they have what it takes to put aside their differences and work towards a better future?

This book was a great conclusion to the Crimson Moth duology. I loved following Rune, Gideon, and all their friends through their journey. There were moments that lagged at times, but overall a solid conclusion to this series.

Thanks to Wednesday Books, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for this copy of "Rebel Witch," the sequel to "Heartless Hunter."

I was fortunately able to read them (fly through them) back-to-back and oh my! What an amazing romantasy.

(But it kinda fits into my spooky theme since it majorly involves witches, both good and evil ones.)

So many plot twists and turns and double- and triple-crosses. Who's a friend? Who's an enemy? And what happens if you accidentally fall in love with your "enemy?"

Rebel Witch is the perfect second half of the Crimson Moth duology. The tension in this book is flawlessly written, and I could not put it down. I cannot recommend this duology more— even some more novice fantasy readers have adored it!

Rebel Witch is a most satisfying offering that far surpasses the first book in engagement and atmosphere!

Wow, talk about sticking the landing! I found the second installment in this romantacy duology to far surpass the first! All our beloved characters are included but they feel more rich and nuanced. The pacing was breakneck, a slight upgrade from the first, I just couldn't put it down! The world, too felt more fully realized and evocative. It offers some seriously witty banter and a plot that twists and turns.

Readers who enjoyed The Heartless hunter will unequivocally be cheering by this conclusion!

AHHHH! I absolutely loveee this series and I'm so sad it's over!

Kristen Ciccarelli wastes absolutely zero time getting this story going. Rebel Witch is incredibly fast paced. I liked that we didn't spend long recapping anything and just got straight into it. There is not a single boring moment in this book. Everything felt important and necessary.

I am simply obsessed with Rune and Gideon! The chemistry these two have is through the roof and I love that the cat and mouse game still continued from the first book. These two obviously don't trust each other because of the events of the last book so it was interesting reading about how they both thought they were still playing each other. Every interaction they had had me on the edge of my seat!

There were definitely certain moments that felt predictable, but most of it I honestly didn't mind. The ending felt slightly convenient but again, I didn't really mind because I love these characters so much and wanted them happy and safe!

I was thrilled to receive an advanced copy of Rebel Witch for review! I absolutely adored Heartless Hunter and couldn’t wait to see where the story would go. This second book started off with a bang and didn’t really ever slow down. Rune and Gideon’s world is being ripped apart by war and opposing struggles for power. They have some genuinely beautiful moments together but there were a few times when the waffling and refusal to communicate got a bit taxing. The writing is gorgeous and impactful. The villains well done. The collection of characters well balanced. My only other minor concern is how perfectly it all wrapped up in the last quick chapters- I almost feel like that could have been expanded in favor of cutting some of the middle third of the book. So, did I love it as much as Heartless Hunter? Not quite. But it was still a fantastic story I’m likely to read again in the future and highly recommend.

This was the same story over and over. So much miscommunication, none of the creativity and pining of the first book.