“You are far worse than a thorn in my side…You are a knife in my heart.”
In the romantic conclusion to The Crimson Moth duology, Rune and Gideon are once again at odds with each other. Rune is on the run from the Republic after Gideon exposed her as a witch. She’s forced to ally with Cressida Roseblood, the cruel former witch-queen who tormented Gideon. Cressida needs Rune if she wants to take back the Republic, but Gideon is determined to right his wrongs and defeat them both. He was deceived by Rune, and he is prepared to kill her in order to protect the world he built. However, Rune approaches Gideon with a deal that could benefit them both. They have to work together to accomplish their goals, and Gideon starts to realize his feelings haven’t disappeared. Now, he’s forced to choose between the girl he loves and the world he’s fought so hard to protect.

Rebel Witch is the perfect sequel to Heartless Hunter. It has been a long time since I have read a fantasy book that took my breath away, but Rebel Witch did. The Crimson Moth duology is one of the best YA fantasy series I’ve read in years. Oftentimes, books are marketed as enemies-to-lovers and slow-burn romances, but they fall short in execution. However, Ciccarelli makes you wait for it. Rune and Gideon were completely at odds at the beginning of Rebel Witch, and even when they worked together, there was this dark cloud of betrayal hovering above the two, waiting to rain down on them. I could feel the tension and yearning as if I was standing right next to them, which is the hallmark of a remarkably well-written romance. Both Gideon and Rune recognized the reasoning behind each other’s actions, even when they didn’t 100% agree with them. I felt like this was so important and ensured that they fell in love with the other’s true self, not an idealized version of them. I do wish the ending had been lengthened because the resolution seemed to happen quite fast. Other than that, I thought this novel was a masterpiece and a must-read for anyone searching for the perfect YA fantasy romance.

LOVE,LOVE,LOVE. Literally no notes. I am obsessed with this series, and I was so excited to get the ARC just days before release!!!

Thank you Netgalley for making my dreams come true!!!!!!

I will devour everything that Kristen Ciccarelli ever writes. Rebel Witch was everything I wanted and needed in a book right now and I want to wipe my brain and read it again for the first time right away. I literally just finished the last page 30 seconds ago. I loved Heartless Hunter and this was even better. The stakes were higher, the characters just kept getting better and better, and the story was just *chef’s kiss*. I just finished Onyx Storm before this and this was the only thing that stood up to it and held my attention. I read this in a day and could not be happier.

This has been one of my favorite series. This author gave exactly what I wanted from start to finish. There is a lot going one so be prepared.

There were times when I despised both main characters. Not them exactly, but choices they were making. I ground my teeth waiting for them to see that they loved each other. That they would do anything for each other. It didn't matter that they were so different. That they came from different backgrounds. Nor that one was a witch hunter and the other a witch. They still should be together.

What Rune and Gideon go through is a wild ride. He's determined to kill her even though he loves her. She is determined to escape no matter what her feelings for him are. Apart they are just two people but together they could be a force. A force to bring together the people they both love and care about. What will they decide to do. Will Gideon fall prey to the cruel witch again or will Rune be able to thaw his heart. Not that Rune is the cruel witch by the way....

This book was so good. It gave such emotion and feeling. A enemy to love to enemy back to love story. Yes it happened a few times but it's still so good. One to keep you turning the pages. To keep you on your toes. To hoping love can prevail.

Thank you #StMartin, #WednesdayBooks, #BOTM, #NetGalley, for this book. It's amazing.

I fell in love with Gideon (captain of Bloodguard/witch hunter) and Rune (secret witch/Crimson Moth who helps witches escape captivity) last year; Ciccarelli
*really* leans into a true enemies to lovers set up in this duology that is executed with perfection.
The second book picks up immediately after the big cliffhanger/plot twist, where the stakes are even higher. War is imminent, alliances are tested, and Gideon and Rune remain juxtaposed against one another with opposing missions. Can a connection founded on secrets, lies, and betrayal last? Can they potentially work together against a common threat?
Plenty of "I hate you, but I need to kiss you moments" , forced proximity/only one cabin on a boat, touch her (or him) and die, false pretenses, love curses, soul mates? and more secrets make this a delicious follow up to Heartless Hunter! Ciccarelli makes these two WORK for the chance at a potential HEA and I loved every second.

Wow, just wow!!! If work wasn't a thing I would've finished this ARC in one sitting.

The story picks up shortly after where we were left in Heartless Hunter(The Crimson Moth). The tension and internal dialogue(my favorite in any book because as someone with ADHD and anxiety I tend to have my own internal dialogue) of Rune and Gideon were perfect and spot on! And honestly, normally I hate a miscommunication troupe but this one was done effortlessly and perfectly. Because it's the best type that can actually happen in real life.

I did have a feeling about Rune being the lost Roseblood Heir and then when I thought it was immediately confirmed. I still gasped audibly. Gideon being all "my wife" on Rune, SWOON. The curse that Cressida left on him was just cruel and mean. But the fact that Rune found a way to reverse it and protect him, UGH LOVED IT.

Overall, this one I'm still thinking about even almost 3 weeks after finishing this ARC.

Thank you Wednesday Books for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What an incredible finale to this duology. Heartless Hunter and Rebel Witch will forever live rent free inside my head. Kristen Ciccarelli is a literary mastermind and I will not rest until everyone I know has read these books.

Exhilarating, high stakes, and a momentum that saw me to the end of this amazing duology.

Love triumphs all.

The pacing was amazing. Not a dull moment.
I was afraid the tension and mistrust would take up a chunk of the book but it was just a hint which was amazing.

I would definitely recommend this book. Often time witch hunter/ witch books fall short in the end but this was a spectacular conclusion. I wish there was MORE

I really enjoyed Heartless Hunter, so I might have set my expectations a little too high for this one.

Pros: I love the magic system, and the writing style is smooth and easy to read. The tension between the main characters was also a highlight.

Cons: The plot twists were so predictable that I was surprised the characters didn’t figure them out sooner. The ending felt rushed, and the epilogue didn’t add much for me. I’m also starting to think duologies just aren’t for me since I often find they wrap up too quickly.

Amazing! Even though I saw the plot twist coming U didn't care at all. The story was so good and the characters life on the page. Bravo.

This was the perfect wrap up to an amazing duology! I loved that the book started off so action packed, I was immediately sucked back into the world. So much happens throughout the story and it just kept me engaged the whole time. The ending was so intense but just wrapped up in the most perfect way!

What an absolutely beautiful conclusion to this amazing Duology series.

After ending on a cliffhanger it was amazing to being Rebel Witch right where Heartless Hunter ended

I loved the realistic character development of both the FMC AND MMC. To see multiple flaws and setbacks throughout gave a very realistic and humbling journey for all the characters

I absolutely love Gideon and Rune. Their love for each other and their people was truly beautiful to watch. They gave each other space and support to fight their own battles and overcome their fears. This created such a sweetness to the relationship & had me absolutely swooning.

With that being said, as much as I loved the romance aspect, I loved that it was action packed as well. The author did an amazing job making sure the plot and storyline didn’t get lost within the romance which I loved. You got to see more development of side characters which added some richness to the story.

We once again had duel POV with short chapters that made this book addictive. I seriously couldn’t put it down and finished it in two days

I know this is duology but I could totally go for a 5 book series on all of these characters

Title: Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli
Genre: Romantasy
Pub Date: February 18, 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

💗 Blood Witch vs Witch Hunter
💗 Closed Door Spice
💗 Forbidden Romance
💗 Slow Burn
💗 Only One Bed

Oh my gosh, I loved this duology so much! It had everything—misunderstandings between the main characters, both of them being too stubborn to admit their feelings, a reluctant slow burn romance, and a brewing war that kept the action and suspense going nonstop!

I can't believe how long I put off starting book 1! If this duology is on your radar, I highly recommend bumping it up on your TBR!

Thank you so much, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley, for the digital review 💗

Heartless Hunter was a 5 star read for me last year so needless to say this book was one of my most anticipated releases for 2025. The enemies to lovers trope was done so well in the first book and I was impressed by how well it flowed in the sequel as well. Rune and Gideon have been through so much and just watching them struggle to trust each other again was everything. If you’ve been on the fence with this duology then don’t hesitate to pick it up!

This book exceeded all my expectations. I love the push and pull between Rune and Gideon. The banter we got in this book was feet kickingly good! I love that we got to see more of Rune’s magic. And all the little twists?!

Don’t mind me over here in a corner rocking back and forth while hugging this book because holy canoli Ciccarelli has me in tears over this duology. I loved Heartless Hunter and now that I’ve gotten to finish Rebel Witch, this duology is absolutely one of my top favorites.

𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗗 𝗕𝗨𝗜𝗟𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: Ciccarelli did an excellent job expanding on the world building she already set up in Heartless Hunter. One of the biggest lore drops had me going “A-HA! CALLED IT” which always makes me a happy gremlin.

𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦: Rune and Gideon had me falling in love with them all over again. Especially Rune. The events of this book and the last just broke her and I felt her pain so incredibly deeply. Seeing her rise above her fear and trauma was *chefs kiss*

𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧: Wonderfully fast paced. Flowed incredibly well from start to finish. Honestly, no notes. I’m so ready for what Ciccarelli has up her sleeves next.

𝗩𝗜𝗕𝗘𝗦: Immaculate.

𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★★★★★

𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐒, 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐒, 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐒:
☆ Enemies to Lovers
☆ Trust Issues 101
☆ Who Did This To You?
☆ Only One Bed
☆ Stuck between a rock and a hard place
☆ Slow Burn
☆ Banter, sass, and more banter

Oh. My. Witchiness. This duology is sublime. Maybe don't look for any sort of plot holes or losses threads because the experience is fantastic. Kristen nails the enemies-to-lovers back to enemies-to-lovers. The tension and the chemistry is delicious.
I read this on my kindle with the audio in my ear. Grace Gray did it justice and made me want to come back for more. I'll absolutely rewritten to this fantasy duo again.
It’s not a full five stars for me because I do feel like a couple of threads that were introduced were never addressed and so I finished with a sense of but-what-about-______?! (Redacted so there’s not a spoiler)
Thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

This duology is clearly a love letter to the enemies to lovers trope ! If it's your favorite, you NEED to read this duology ASAP !

In this finale, the chemistry, tension and hate between Gideon and Rune are hitting new heights. They can't stop being obsessed with each other but they don't trust each other. They keep questioning each other's motives while being totally obsessed. It was so fun to read and so well done. We could feel all their inner conflicts.

And the dual point of view added so much to the reader's experience. I just loved it.

I don't want to say too much to not spoil anything for anyone, but this ending was just perfect and I know that I'm gonna miss them and I wish I could reread those two books for the first time !

Read this if you love :

✨ Enemies to Lovers ;
✨ Forced Proximity;
✨ Fake Marriages ;
✨ Slowburn ;
✨ Witches ;
✨ Magic ;
✨ He's obsessed with her ;
✨ She's fierce;
✨ " Fuck it ".

Rebel Witch was a fantastic sequel that pulled me in right from the start! I’d give it a strong 4 stars—though the middle had some slower moments, the journey was still exciting. Rune had me a little frustrated on the boat, but Gideon’s unwavering strength and loyalty kept things grounded. The ending was absolutely worth it, with a great twist that left me grinning. A truly enjoyable read!

Rating: 4.5/5

This conclusion was done so well. I loved that we were back to the enemies to lovers vibes with all the fun banter that goes with that trope. There were some great heated moments between these two and I loved how everything wraps up in the end.

I did feel like this one was slightly repetitive, but it didn’t affect my overall enjoyment of the story.

Content: one open door (medium/high explicit), some language?