Book Review (YA): The Crimson Moth Duology by Kristen Ciccarelli
Heartless Hunter & Rebel Witch
Rating: 9.5 out of 10
Spice Level: 2 out of 5
Cover Grade: A+
Audiobook Narrator: Excellent Performance by Grace Gray
The Heartless Hunter was our November book-of-the-month selection for our Fable book club. I had to review it for the bookstore. I loved this young adult romantasy so much, I binged the duology in four days!
Synopsis
Kristen Ciccarelli’s Crimson Moth duology pits a cunning witch against the man sworn to destroy her kind. Heartless Hunter introduces us to Rune, who dons the vigilante persona of The Crimson Moth by night while playing high-society debutante by day to infiltrate witch hunter Gideon Sharpe’s world—the very man hunting her alter ego. The sequel, Rebel Witch, forces a cornered Rune to seek help from a formidable witch, while Gideon battles his growing attraction to Rune against the backdrop of witch-inflicted family trauma that drives his hatred.
Enemies to Lovers
Witches
Witch Hunters
Totalitarian Oligarchy under Police State
Vigilantes
Blood Magic
Young Adult Friendships and Rivalries
Love Triangle
Fake Courting
Heartless Hunter
The Republic’s new order has declared witches enemies of the state, forcing Rune Winters to live a double life; socialite by day, the infamous Crimson Moth by night, rescuing fellow witches from execution. When her mission requires infiltrating the inner circle of Gideon Sharpe, the Republic’s most ruthless witch hunter, Rune initiates a dangerous courtship. Though initially dismissive of her as merely another privileged daughter of the elite, Gideon finds himself drawn to Rune’s sharp mind and mysterious nature—even as his instincts warn him she might be the masked vigilante he’s sworn to capture.
Rebel Witch
After a devastating betrayal-filled ending of the first book, Rune finds herself with no choice but to seek refuge with a formidable witch whose power is matched only by her ruthlessness. Meanwhile, circumstances force Rune and Gideon into an uneasy alliance, their every interaction charged with unresolved tension. As Gideon’s nightmares about his family’s murder at witches’ hands clash with his growing feelings for Rune, he must choose between his sworn duty to the Republic and the woman who has inexplicably claimed his heart.
Strengths: The duology flows effortlessly from page to page, racing forward with an engaging pace that keeps you guessing at every turn. The emotionally charged narrative balances witty dialogue with authentic relationships, while introducing characters so memorable, deeply flawed, and relatable that they feel real. Beyond the adventure, it thoughtfully questions societal norms and raises compelling ethical dilemmas. The Heartless Hunter moves fast and is character-driven rather than elaborate world-building; action right out of the gate! The Rebel Witch moves just as fast and ultimately ties up all narrative threads with satisfying precision.
Weakness: A tad more world-building would have been appreciated. But overall, in the way of most fantasies, we were all spared from an excessive amount of it.
Verdict(s)
Heartless Hunter’s Rune, Gideon, and Alex each have their own tragic histories, and they fit together perfectly. I found myself caught up in their interactions. The romance was appropriately steamy for the young adult audience. Gideon turned me into a giggly, melted mess. Rune was just strong and cunning enough, and Alex was the purest of souls. The ending’s twists surprised me and had me in tears! A slobbery, snotty mess! How dare you, Kristen Ciccarelli!
The Rebel Witch moves just as fast. The banter in this book is so good! Lines like “These days, my only requirement for suitors is that they don’t want me dead. Most people would call those low expectations.” and “Listen, you demon: I will carry you out of here if I have to, and you know it.” Gideon really steps up in this book, and Rune is allowed to break. The romance continues to build, and the ending is happy; however, there will be tears at the end of this one, as well. Don’t get too comfortable.
Order Your Copy
Heartless Hunter
Aber Stoat Books (print)
Bookshop.org (eBook)
Libro.fm (audiobook) 🎧
Rebel Witch
Aber Stoat Books (print)
Bookshop.org (eBook)
Libro.fm (audiobook) 🎧
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A Dark Forgetting (print | eBook | audiobook) 🎧
From the Publisher:
Series: The Crimson Moth
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Heartless Hunter
Hardcover / Audiobook
ISBN: 9781250866905 / 9780593864739
416 pages / 12 hours 8 minutes
Rebel Witch
Hardcover / Audiobook
ISBN: 9781250866929 / 9780593864753
464 pages / 13 hours 43 minutes
Narrator(s): Grace Gray
Young Adult Fiction | Fantasy | Historical
Young Adult Fiction | Fantasy | Romance
Description:
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!
“A steamy game of cat and mouse between witch and witch-hunter, played out against a backdrop of opulence, secrets, and bloody history. I couldn’t look away.” - Kendare Blake, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Champion of Fate
Enemies-to-lovers doesn’t get more high stakes than a witch and a witch hunter falling in love in bestselling author Kristen Ciccarelli’s latest romantic fantasy.
On the night Rune’s life changed forever, blood ran in the streets. Now, in the aftermath of a devastating revolution, witches have been diminished from powerful rulers to outcasts ruthlessly hunted due to their waning magic, and Rune must hide what she is.
Spending her days pretending to be nothing more than a vapid young socialite, Rune spends her nights as the Crimson Moth, a witch vigilante who rescues her kind from being purged. When a rescue goes wrong, she decides to throw the witch hunters off her scent and gain the intel she desperately needs by courting the handsome Gideon Sharpe - a notorious and unforgiving witch hunter loyal to the revolution - who she can’t help but find herself falling for.
Gideon loathes the decadence and superficiality Rune represents, but when he learns the Crimson Moth has been using Rune’s merchant ships to smuggle renegade witches out of the republic, he inserts himself into her social circles by pretending to court her right back. He soon realizes that beneath her beauty and shallow façade, is someone fiercely intelligent and tender who feels like his perfect match. Except, what if she’s the very villain he’s been hunting?
Kristen Ciccarelli’s Heartless Hunter is the thrilling start to The Crimson Moth duology, a romantic fantasy series where the only thing more treacherous than being a witch...is falling in love.
Author Bio:
Kristen Ciccarelli grew up on a grape farm, dropped out of college, and worked various jobs before becoming an author. Some of her previous trades included: baker, potter, and bookseller. Kristen lives in Canada’s Niagara Peninsula with her husband and daughters. She is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Heartless Hunter, Rebel Witch, A Dark Forgetting (Edgewood) and the Iskari series.
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