Review of ‘Heartless Hunter’ (The Crimson Moth #1) by Kristen Ciccarelli. Discover the captivating world of magic, romance, and aristocratic secrets. In this gripping fantasy, Ciccarelli weaves an enchanting tale of forbidden magic, powerful enemies-to-lovers romance, and a heroine who uses her wealth and influence to fight for justice in a world full of secrets. If you’re a fan of slow-burn romance and intricate magic systems, Heartless Hunter is a must-read that will leave you eagerly awaiting the sequel.
“Gideon was her perfect rival; a deadly enemy to outwit. Without him, Rune could only be half of her full potential. It was why, deep down, she wanted him to come for her. She ached for the challenge of him. She needed to finish what lay unfinished between them.”
– Heartless Hunter
Kristen Ciccarelli
‘Heartless Hunter‘ (The Crimson Moth #1) by Kristen Ciccarelli is a spellbinding tale of magic, romance, and aristocratic intrigue that will leave you craving more
Synopsis
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?
Review
When I say I loved Heartless Hunter, I mean I loved it! This book had me hooked from start to finish, reminding me a lot of Serpent & Dove—and I mean that in the best way possible. Since I adored Serpent & Dove, it came as no surprise that I was absolutely obsessed with Heartless Hunter. The plot, the magic, the characters—it all came together in such a compelling way that I couldn’t put it down.
Let’s start with the plot and world-building. The story was engaging and full of intrigue, with a fascinating magic system that really pulled me in. The world-building was solid, though I think it could have been expanded a bit more. There were moments where I wanted a deeper dive into the setting, but it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment. I’m hoping the sequel will explore more of the world and give us even more magic—because, seriously, the magic system in this book was everything!
Speaking of magic, the concept of witches using their own blood to cast spells was such a fresh twist. I loved the idea of drawing signs on their bodies to activate the magic, and the silver scars left behind after each spell were such a vivid detail. That imagery really stuck with me. I only wish we’d gotten to see more of this magic in action, but I have a feeling the sequel will deliver on that front, and I cannot wait.
Now, let’s talk about these characters. Rune, Gideon, and Alex completely stole my heart. Rune isn’t your typical heroine. While many stories focus on vigilantes struggling to survive on the streets, Rune is a wealthy aristocrat with influence, and I loved that twist on her character. She pretends to be a shallow, silly socialite to avoid drawing attention to herself, but behind the scenes, she’s helping witches escape a dangerous system. It was refreshing to see a heroine who isn’t outwardly defiant but still manages to use her resources to fight for what’s right. I loved how the book portrayed these two sides of Rune—the way people perceive her versus who she truly is.
And then there’s Gideon, the mysterious guy everyone thinks has it all together. But thanks to the dual POV, we get to see a much more vulnerable side of him. Gideon’s not as confident as people assume, and it was such a treat to dive into his inner thoughts and see the reasoning behind his actions. The slow-burn enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies dynamic between Rune and Gideon made my heart race. Their chemistry was off the charts, and the tension between them was so well-written. I couldn’t get enough of their evolving relationship, and the dual POV made it even more satisfying to see how each of them viewed the other.
Now, let’s give some love to Alex, who is hands down one of the sweetest characters I’ve ever read. He’s such a loyal, unwavering support for Rune, and his devotion to her is palpable on every page. He fully accepts Rune for who she is, flaws and all, and would literally travel to the ends of the world for her. I’m here for this kind of supportive friendship, and it added such a wonderful layer to the story.
Of course, there were plot twists scattered throughout, and while I saw some coming, others genuinely surprised me. The identity of the villain? Let’s just say I had my suspicions, but it was still entertaining to watch it all unfold. Even if it wasn’t the most shocking reveal, it was satisfying in its own right.
And then there’s the ending. Oh my heart. I wasn’t ready. It broke me in ways I didn’t expect, and even though I understand why it had to happen for the sake of the story, it still left me crushed. It’s the kind of heartbreak that lingers long after you close the book, and I’m already eagerly awaiting the sequel to see where the story goes from here.
Would I recommend it?
Yes! Heartless Hunter is a must-read for fans of enemies-to-lovers, intricate magic systems, and characters that stay with you. I can’t wait to see what happens next in this world, and I have no doubt that the sequel will be just as captivating. If you haven’t picked this one up yet, do yourself a favor and dive in—you won’t regret it.
Rating
10/10
Details
- Trigger warnings: Violence, death, blood magic, and themes of grief and loss
- Themes: The story prominently features themes of privilege, rebellion, and hidden identities. It explores complex relationships between characters, particularly focusing on loyalty, betrayal, and love within an aristocratic world
- Representation: Heartless Hunter does not appear to have significant queer representation or explicit characters of color based on what I’ve gathered
- Genre: Fantasy (young adult)
- Pages: 416
- Publication date: February 20, 2024
- Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
- About the author: Kristen Ciccarelli is the bestselling author of The Last Namsara. She crafts intricate fantasy worlds filled with strong heroines, magic, and unforgettable characters. Her stories often revolve around themes of rebellion, identity, and self-discovery
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