Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:
Synopsis for Heartless Hunter (from Goodreads):
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?
SERIESous’ Top Picks: Favourite 2025
Author: Kristen Ciccarelli
Series: The Crimson Moth
# of Books: 2 (Full Reading Order Here)
Book Order: Chronological
Complete?: Yes
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Magic, Witches, Romance
Heat Rating: warm
Point of View: Third Person, Alternating
Publication Dates: February 2024 – February 2025
Source & Format: Public Library–Audiobook
Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:
As per usually, I just found this when looking for new audiobook series. I was hesitant to pick it up though because I tend to have a hit or miss relationship with witch books over the years. But the rivalry between Rune and Gideon just called to me so I went in with an open mind.
The Plot:
The plot was fun and refreshing. I didn’t really clue into to some of the things happening until right before the big reveal — which is how it should be! What a ride!
And bonus points for being a duology! I thought the pacing was so great.
The Characters:
I tend to stay away from witch books as I find the “special snowflake” heroines can be tiring. But Rune was far from tiring to me! She is savvy, witty and cunning. I loved her double life and her ability to think 3 steps ahead.
The Romance:
Every interacting between Rune and Gideon so satisfying and swoon. I loved their cat-and-mouse game because who was really the mouse? It definitely went back and forth between these two worthy opponents. As the synopsis says, they’re the perfect match for each other and it showed in every scene together.
My Audiobook Experience:
The audio version is fantastic! I honestly thought we had two narrators for the duel POVs it was so well done. Highly recommended!
Series Rating: 4.5/5
Heartless Hunter 5/5 | Rebel Witch 4/5
This series reminds me that sometimes you need to take on a new series with an open mind and don’t let past experiences turn you off. Had I listened to my head about my thoughts on witch series, I wouldn’t have found this great series to lift me out of a pretty bad reading slump!
Read if You Like: romantasy, magic, enemies to lovers
Avoid if You: dislike fantasy, want a longer series to invest in
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