Heartless Hunter: The Crimson Moth: Book 1

📖 **Heartless Hunter: The Crimson Moth Book 1** by Kristen Ciccarelli ⭐ Rating: ★★★★★ I can't recall a book ever making me feel this way, and I'm still reeling from the emotional devastation Kristen Ciccarelli unleashed in these pages. Rune Winters has claimed the throne as my favorite FMC of all time. She's wickedly smart, fiercely protective, and a witch hiding in plain sight within a regime that would kill her without hesitation. Watching her navigate the deadly dance between her vapid socialite facade and her true identity as the Crimson Moth was absolutely mesmerizing. Her fierce band of friends creates this beautiful found family dynamic that wraps around you like the warmest hug, three musketeers style, and their loyalty to each other becomes the emotional anchor that grounds the entire story. But then there's Gideon Sharpe, and oh my heart. The brother of her best friend, a witch hunter whose very existence should terrify her, yet their connection transcends logic and duty. The enemies-to-lovers tension between Rune and Gideon is electric, star-crossed in the most devastating way possible. Every interaction crackles with forbidden attraction and the constant threat of discovery. Gideon's internal struggle between his loyalty to the revolution and his growing feelings for Rune creates this delicious moral complexity that had me completely invested. The political intrigue weaves seamlessly through personal relationships, creating layers upon layers of deception and betrayal that I never saw coming. Ciccarelli masterfully builds this world where revolution and persecution collide, where friendship can mask the deepest betrayals, and where love blooms in the most impossible circumstances. The twists lit me up like a sparkler, each revelation more shocking than the last. I cried for the final chapters because this book doesn't just tell a story, it makes you feel every heartbreak, every moment of hope, every devastating choice these characters face. The dual POV structure allows you to experience both Rune's terror and Gideon's conflict simultaneously, creating this beautiful, torturous tension that builds to an absolutely breathtaking climax. 📦 **What to Expect** ✨ Dark Fantasy Revolution 💖 Forbidden Enemies-to-Lovers Romance 🔥 Witch vs. Witch Hunter Tension 🤯 Political Intrigue & Moral Complexity 💔 Found Family Bonds 🦴 Hidden Identity & Deception ⚔️ Vigilante Justice & Rebellion 🎯 **Final Thoughts** If you're hungry for fantasy that will crush your heart while setting your soul on fire, this belongs on your shelf immediately. Read it, feel it, let it ruin you completely, because some books are worth the beautiful devastation they leave behind. 📚 **Book Tags** Keywords: Dark Fantasy, Witch, Revolution, Political Intrigue, Found Family, Hidden Identity, Vigilante Tropes: Enemies-to-Lovers, Forbidden Romance, Hidden Identity, Found Family, Dual POV, Star-Crossed Lovers, Morally Gray Characters

I just finished reading "The Heartless Hunter," and I loved it! The story pulled me in right from the start with its captivating world and strong characters. I really connected with the main character as she navigated through challenges and discovered her powers. The ending was so emotional! I was in tears because of a heartbreaking twist. It hit me hard and left me thinking about the choices the characters made throughout the story. One thing that threw me off a bit was how the protagonist used her monthly blood to perform magic. It felt a little unusual, and I found myself questioning it at times. But even with that, I enjoyed the overall plot and the character development. The twist at the end completely surprised me! Just when I thought I knew where the story was going, it took an unexpected turn that added even more depth to the main character's journey. Overall, "The Heartless Hunter" is an emotional and engaging read. I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a fantasy story that will make you feel deeply. Just be ready for an ending that will leave you in tears! I can’t wait to read the second book of this duology and seeing how the characters stories conclude.

Heartless Hunter by Kristin Ciccarelli is an immersive fantasy that effortlessly draws readers into a world defined by fear, power, and forbidden loyalty. Set against the backdrop of a society where witches are relentlessly hunted, Ciccarelli crafts a story that is both high-stakes and emotionally compelling. At the heart of the novel is Rune, a rebel witch secretly working to free captured witches, and Gideon, a devoted witch hunter determined to eliminate the elusive figure known as the Crimson Moth. Believing the Crimson Moth to be a dangerous threat, Gideon becomes increasingly suspicious of Rune—his brother’s close friend—and begins courting her as part of his investigation. What unfolds is a layered and tension-filled relationship, as suspicion and duty collide with undeniable attraction. Ciccarelli skillfully balances action with romance, creating a narrative that is as thrilling as it is emotionally charged. The dynamic between Rune and Gideon is particularly compelling, evolving from calculated manipulation into something far more genuine and complex. Their connection raises the stakes of the story, especially as the truth of Rune’s identity looms ever closer to discovery. While the novel leans toward a young adult tone, its fast pacing, vivid world-building, and engaging character dynamics make it an enjoyable read for a wide audience. The story’s momentum is relentless, making it difficult to put down once begun. The ending delivers a powerful cliffhanger, leaving readers eager for more and practically demanding the next installment. Heartless Hunter is a captivating introduction to a richly imagined world and will especially appeal to fans of fantasy filled with romance, tension, and rebellion.

⭐⭐⭐⭐1⁄2 (4.5 stars) I devoured this book in two nights and honestly? My dark circles are totally worth it. Look, I'm usually pretty skeptical about witch books (there are SO many out there), but Heartless Hunter grabbed me by the throat and didn't let go. The whole premise of a witch pretending to be a proper society lady while secretly helping other witches escape? Sign me up! Rune is exactly the kind of protagonist I love - she's messy, complicated, and sometimes makes terrible decisions, but for all the right reasons. She's not your typical "chosen one" - she's just trying to survive in a world that would literally burn her at the stake if they knew what she was. And doing it with style, I might add. And then there's Gideon. Oh my god, GIDEON. I have such a love-hate relationship with this man. One minute I'm rooting for him to catch the Crimson Moth, the next I'm screaming at my book because NO, YOU IDIOT, SHE'S RIGHT THERE! The tension between these two is absolutely delicious. Every scene they share had me holding my breath, waiting for everything to either explode or... well, explode in a different way 😏 The magic system deserves its own paragraph because WOW. The way magic leaves marks on the skin? The cost of using it? The whole blood magic aspect? It feels fresh and dangerous and REAL. None of that sparkly, consequence-free magic here, folks. Every spell has a price, and sometimes that price is steep. Fair warning: don't start this book if you have important plans the next day. The pacing is like a runaway train - slow build at first, then suddenly you're flipping pages at 2 AM because you NEED to know what happens next. The last third of the book? Pure chaos in the best possible way. Also, can we talk about that ending? No, actually, we can't, because spoilers, but WHAT THE ACTUAL— deep breath My only tiny gripe (and why this isn't a full 5 stars) is that there were a few moments in the middle where I wanted things to move a bit faster. But honestly? The slow burn was probably necessary for the payoff. If you love: --Enemies-to-lovers that actually feels earned --Morally grey characters who make you question whose side you're on --Magic that comes with real consequences --Sexual tension that could power a small city --Society balls with deadly secrets --Found family vibes Then do yourself a favor and pick this up. Just make sure you have the next day free because you won't be able to put it down. Now excuse me while I go stare at my ceiling and process that ending until book 2 comes out. TW: violence, blood, mentions of past abuse, death Currently: Recovering emotionally while aggressively recommending this to everyone I know

There are so many emotions going through my mind after reading this!!! This book was exactly up my alley; it has: • Enemies to Lovers • Dual POVs (!!!!!!!!) • Cat and Mouse - Hunt and Chase • An intriguing magical system • Twists Oh my goodness, it was ALL. SO. GOOD. !!!! The dual POVs added so much depth to the characters and made the emotions and interactions much more believable and easily felt; you could really connect with the characters. You also could really understand the tensions on both sides in regards to the hunter and hunted element. The dual POVs also made the enemies to lovers so much more exquisite!! The worldbuilding and magic system of blood magic was unique and I was surprised in a good way to see the author not shy away and utilise period blood as an option for casting because hell yeah - that does make sense, it's smart of the character, and why not make that time of the month useful when it's usually so miserable! Personally I guessed the twists early on, but they were so SATISFYING with how the story unravelled and I LOVE when authors utilise twists for satisfying plot elements vs just for shock factor. Thank you, Kristen Ciccarelli! I thought the pacing was great and each chapter kept me wanting to read more! I wanted to savour this story but also really wanted to know what happened next. I ended up staying up well into the early hours of the morning finishing this book and OH MY GOD all that happens at the end!! I also loved the "calm before the [next] storm [after a huge storm just happened] " vibes of the epilogue that really felt satisfying as a cliffhanger! I cannot wait for the world to read this book!! And I cannot wait to read the next book myself!! One of my best reads of 2023!!

Spoilers ahead! Honestly giving this book three stars is pretty generous because of how problematic it is. I’m only giving it this because it kept me engaged. The author was very close to a good book, but there are some things I can’t look past. The most glaring problem is the love interest, Gideon Sharp. Captain of the blood guard and a witch hunter. I’m familiar with enemies to lovers. But Gideon Sharp is too far. This is a soldier whose sole purpose in life is to eradicate all witches. To commit a genocide. That is literally the most accurate word for it. And yet we are suppose to sympathize with him and eventually fall for him? Admittedly I found myself sympathizing with him throughout the book, until I remembered his crimes. No amount of torture at the hand of one person justifies the eradication of their entire group. The fact that the author is trying to get us to sympathize with him, justifying his behavior (which is unjustifiable) is a dangerous precedent. I’ve seen books these days normalizing, and even forgiving, worse and worse actions from abuse to kidnapping. But this is the first time I’ve seen genocide, and it crosses the line. It is an extremely dangerous view the author is presenting, and as readers, we are subconsciously affected to sympathize with these actions in the real world too. It creates some wiggle room and doubt behind them. But these views shouldn’t even be given a platform. Authors have to realize their works have real world implications. They shape many of our thoughts. Kristen Ciccarelli needs to be reminded of it. Admittedly, the book ended with Gideon and Rune not being together, so there is a chance they will not end up together, but I highly doubt it (though I hope so). Rune, literally on her execution block, finds herself sympathizing with Gideon. Forgiving him. And early in the book we hear of two thirteen year old sisters Rune saved from his clutches and a brutal death. These actions are unforgivable and it frankly disgusts me that the author is making any attempt to justify them. As readers we need to consider who we support and when this whole enemies to lovers trope has gone too far. And it has here. Beyond the obvious ethical concerns within this book, I also found several plot holes and inconsistencies. Runes hair is described as rust gold but then later strawberry blonde. Those are not remotely the same. Furthermore, we constantly hear Rune’s friend and partner, Verity, being described as tired, having to work to keep her scholarship and help Rune. The issue is Rune is absurdly wealthy. She could easily pay for her education to allow Verity more time to help her. Now I know Verity isn’t truly a student, but it’s still an annoying inconsistency. Additionally, we read earlier that if spell marks get wiped away, the spell fails. But when Rune enchants a cup with a spell mark at bottom, planning to cast a truth teller on Gideon, the tables turn and he instead makes her drink it with the alternative of looking very suspicious. She grabs the bottom of the cup and drinks, and falls under the spell. However, she easily could’ve discreetly wiped the blood marks off. The author did this to propel the romance and plot, but it could’ve been done better. And Alex’s death?? She has fresh blood from someone else to perform a powerful spell, to literally split the earth in two, but she can’t heal him? Do healing spells just not exist in this world? If not, why? You can raise people from the dead but can’t heal the living? And if they do, Rune should know them as they’re very relevant to her role as the Crimson Moth. It was just a lazy way to dispose of a love interest, who quite frankly was the better option. I’m tired of seeing good guys being forsaken for the “bad boy” except this goes beyond it—Gideon by our standards would be a war criminal. Too far.

Heartless Hunter (The Crimson Moth: Book 1)🌿🌼 By, Kristen Ciccarelli 5⭐️ 1🌶️ I loved this beautifully written YA fantasy/ romance book!! 💜 I’ve seen the mixed reviews about this book and at first was hesitant to read it! But I’m glad I did! There’s not much complexity to the story and the minimal world building is very easy to follow. But I myself was so immersed in it! This book is set in the Gaslight era and I’m such a huge fan of it! The magic system 🩸was very generic but it was also very captivating to me! This book is very character driven and I’m looking forward to reading more about these characters! Especially the three witch queen sisters ! The Heartless Hunter follows MMC Rune , a high society undercover witch who is trying to save her fellow witches who are being hunted and unalived by witch hunters. MMC Gideon is a mortal , a part of the “Blood Guard “ and a witch hunter for the New Republic, He is trying to find out who the mysterious savior of the witches “The Crimson Moth” is. Loved the cat and mouse game between the two protagonists and I really don’t mind a (brothers) love triangle! To me it was very minimal in this book and didn’t deter me from loving these characters and being invested in the story! Overall I really enjoyed reading this book and I’m highly anticipating the next book in this series! I would recommend this book!

4.25⭐️ / 5⭐️ “She was the Crimson Moth a wanted criminal, not to mention a witch, hiding in plain sight. But this wouldn’t be the first time she had walked into a space full of the people who hunted her kind.” “Rune was a deer, and he was a hunter.” “If he wasn’t careful, he might fall in love with her.” “she reminded him of the sea: steal-your-breath beautiful on the surface, with the promise of untold depths beneath.” “Only fools believed in happy endings.” This books is true enemies to lovers. A thrilling, fun, and fast paced cat and mouse, fake dating(ish), enemies to lovers (witch x witch hunter) forbidden romance that keeps you locked in from page one. The Crimson Moth is rescuing more and more witches from being executed, so Gideon (the witch hunter) is determined to find out who The Crimson Moth is and put an end to her. He has a hunch that the witch in question is Rune but has no way to prove it. Rune wants nothing more than to find and rescue Seraphine from the Republic before she is purged as a last request from her deceased grandmother. Both Rune and Gideon pretend to date each other to get intel from one another. So neither one knows that the other is courting the other simply for information (at first *wink wink*). I thought this was a very innovative and fun take on fake dating. Plus, they both despise each other which makes for a very banter filled, epic game of cat and mouse. I highly recommend! 🌿True Enemies To Lovers ♥️Witch x Witch Hunter 🌿Morally Grey Characters ♥️Forbidden Magic 🌿Best Friend’s Brother ♥️Secret Identity 🌿Fake Dating ♥️Banter

Loved it so nice a enemies to lovers fantasy book love them ❤️❤️❤️

This book is a masterpiece! The enemies to lovers is perfect and I just love their cat and mouse game and the dynamic. I havent read a book with such good tension in a long time. The duet is a must read for sure!

Väldigt bra

The story is lovely. Like that the fmc is an arisocrat which is a Nice relief from the usual pore girl turns warrior. Not a very think book, large letters. Finished it a bit quicker than I would’ve likes. Great read though.

Loved it! There is no surprise or twists in this book but the way the character is portrayed and how they fight self-doubts is amazing.