Review of ‘Rebel Witch’ (The Crimson Moth #2) by Kristen Ciccarelli. Dive back into the captivating world of magic, romance, and aristocratic secrets. If you loved The Crimson Moth, then Rebel Witch is a sequel you won’t want to miss. Kristen Ciccarelli brings readers back into a world of magic, rebellion, and romance, following Rune as she navigates dangerous choices and shifting alliances. But does this sequel live up to the excitement of book one? In this review, we’ll dive into the fast-paced plot, the captivating characters (hello, Gideon!), and whether the story delivers the twists and surprises we all hoped for.
‘Rebel Witch‘ (The Crimson Moth #2) by Kristen Ciccarelli is a thrilling but predictable finale packed with romance and action
Synopsis
A WITCH…
Rune Winters is on the run. Ever since the boy she loved, Gideon Sharpe, revealed who she was and delivered her into enemy hands, everyone wants her dead. If Rune hopes to survive, she must ally herself with the cruel and dangerous Cressida Roseblood, who’s planning to take back the Republic and reinstate a Reign of Witches—something Cressida needs Rune to accomplish.
A WITCH HUNTER…
Apparently it wasn’t enough for Rune to deceive Gideon; she’s now betrayed him by allying herself with the witch who made his life a living hell. Gideon won’t allow the Republic to fall to the witches and be plunged back into the nightmares of the past. In order to protect this new world he fought for, every last witch must die—especially Rune Winters.
AN IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE…
When Rune makes Gideon an offer he can’t refuse, the two must pair up to accomplish dangerous goals. The more they’re forced into each other’s company, the more Gideon realizes the feelings he had for Rune aren’t as dead and buried as he thought. Now he’s faced with a terrible choice: sacrifice the girl he loves to stop a monster taking back power, or let Rune live and watch the world he fought so hard for burn.
Review
When I say I was excited for this sequel, I mean really excited. The first book had me hooked, and I couldn’t wait to return to this world. And while Rebel Witch had so many of the things I loved—strong writing, a fast pace, and incredible character dynamics—it didn’t quite hit the same way as book one.
First, let’s talk about Rune and Gideon. Obsessed. I loved that this book focused so much on them and that they weren’t unnecessarily kept apart like so many other romances tend to do. However, there was a lot of misunderstanding between them, or rather, a refusal to see the truth, which got frustrating at times. Still, their dynamic kept me invested, and I flew through the audiobook, listening to over 70% of it in one day.
The plot itself was solid, but the predictability was a bit disappointing. In book one, I never knew what was coming next, but here, every time I made a prediction, it turned out to be right. I kept hoping for something unexpected, but it never really came. That being said, the pacing kept things exciting. The first half was really, really good, and while the second half was still enjoyable, it sped up even more, almost too much at times.
One thing that stood out to me in a not-so-great way was the lack of grief. No one really seemed to mourn Alex, which felt strange given his importance. The same goes for Rune’s so-called best friend, who turned out to be the enemy. If that had been me, I would have been heartbroken, but the characters seemed to move on too quickly.
The side characters were also a bit of a mixed bag. I loved the returning ones, but there were quite a few new faces suddenly thrown into the story. I wish they had been introduced earlier so we had more time to connect with them.
Final thoughts
Overall, Rebel Witch is a solid conclusion to the duology, but I definitely preferred book one. Still, I had a great time reading it, and Rune and Gideon’s relationship alone made it worth the read. If you loved The Crimson Moth, you’ll enjoy this one. It just might not leave you quite as breathless.
Rating
8/10
Details
- Trigger Warnings: Violence, blood, magic, grief, attempted sexual assault, deaths, war, betrayal, and emotional manipulation
- Themes: The story prominently features themes of rebellion, love, identity, destiny, trust, and the cost of power. It also explores loyalty, the consequences of war, and the struggle between personal desires and larger responsibilities
- Representation: The book includes LGBTQ+ representation, with queer characters in the cast. It also features a strong female protagonist navigating a world of magic and political conflict
- Genre: Fantasy (young adult)
- Pages: 464
- Publication date: February 18, 2025
- Publisher: Wednesday Books
- 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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