*I received an advance reading copy of this book from Raincoast Books in exchange for an honest review.
(The Crimson Moth #1)
by Kristen Ciccarelli
February 20, 2024
Goodreads Summary:
A steamy game of cat and mouse between witch and witch-hunter, played out against a backdrop of opulence, secrets, and bloody history.
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 a romantic fantasy duology where the only thing more treacherous than being a witch...is falling in love.
Review
As one of my most anticipated YA novels this year, Heartless Hunter left me with very mixed feelings. I loved the writing and the character growths but I couldn't quite get behind the story and the romance.
Heartless Hunter was a fast read with good pacing. Each character had depth that was explored. As the Crimson Moth, Rune pushed herself to her limits to rescue witches (because she couldn't save her Nan). While Gideon, haunted by a painful past, coped by throwing himself into his witch hunter duties. Both tried their damn hardest to do right by their people. It was sad that Rune and Gideon had to put on acts. Both crossed boundaries that should have been left untouched. But ultimately valuable truths were learned.
Alex and Verity were excellent friends. Though I wasn't very fond of Alex, he was extremely loyal and devoted to Rune. Verity backed Rune whenever she needed the help. Both held powerful life-changing secrets. I'm still undecided on how to feel about Verity's real identity. Hiding in plain sight is a clever twist but it also feels a bit convenient.
In contrast to her best friends, Gideon was a weak love interest. Aside from his tortured past, Gideon didn't really stand out. His interactions with Rune felt stilted most of the time. What little of the "cat and mouse game" they played didn't feel significant. Even with dual POV, I didn't feel a strong connection between Rune and Gideon. Though with where they stood at the end of Heartless Hunter, I'm hopful their romance will become more interesting.
Heartless Hunter gave me a glimpse of everything I love then didn't quite live up to my high hopes. However, it still has potential. Especially with that unexpected ending. Fingers crossed that the next book, Rebel Witch, will deliver! Then I can shout my love for this duology at the top of my lungs!!
*I received an advance reading copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not affected in any way. Any quotes included in my review were taken from the copy I received.
Oh nice! Sorry to hear it didn't quite live up to your expectations! I have so many of this author's books I need to read and this is yet another one of them! But I forgot that it was a duology, so I might not pick it up until next year at the earliest! But knowing me it will likely be longer! Lol. Very nice review all the same!
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