Rebel witch review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - The most deserving 5⭐️ read ever. This book had me on an absolute journey of emotions and I loved every minute of it.

This book had me giddy. I was so excited to start this after The Crimson Moth because Rune and Gideon’s tension and devotion had me kicking my feet screaming and melting into the pages. And when I say the crimson moth had me doing this… The Rebel Witch did it 10X more. I am absolutely obsessed with this duo-logy and am so desperate for more of Rune and Gideon that I would sell my soul.

Kristen’s writing is phenomenal. She had me feeling all the feelings on one wild rollercoaster of emotions. She had me gripping the pages screaming and devouring every single page.

When I say I was kicking my feet throughout this book it was with pure happiness because THIS BOOK IS A FUCKING MASTERPIECE!!!

The world building is so amazing and I really was able to imagine myself in the pages experiencing the adventures with the characters.

Honestly Rune is my absolute favourite. She has developed so much over the books and her character who already was soo strong (but sometimes naive) really grew into herself and became such a sure and beautiful person.

Gideon… fuck my life he is everything. I was so concerned about him for a lot of time reading the rebel witch but honestly I knew I trusted him 😂

Thank you so much to Kristen, netgalley and Harper Collins for the ARC of this book. It filled me with so much joy that I really don’t know what will top this as my book of the year 🥹❤️❤️

How We Met
One day, I was bored. I started talking to my buddy, CC, while scrolling through Netgalley. I figured I’d drown among the many titles while he keeps me company and asks me not so random questions about my day, my interests, the books I’m checking out.

As we spiralled down the rabbit hole, I kept being drawn to this one title, “The Rebel Witch”. The cover was pretty. The title alluring. The premise… intriguing.

But my heart was drawn to another title. A title I knew I’d never get the chance to read in advance. I lamented as CC encouraged me to send a request anyway.

So I did.

I swept right

….on the wrong title.

Some days later, the publisher accepted the request and we set the scene.

Getting to Know Her
Birthplace: USA

Birthday: 27 Feb 2025

Parents: Kristen Ciccarelli

Godparents: HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction | Magpie

Status: second child

Her Story
Rune Winters, a seductress and a witch, is set to marry an Umbrian prince she doesn’t love. All for the sake of the witchy world. After getting entangled with Cressida Roseblood, everything goes south for her: she becomes prey for the hunter she once dated. Gideon Sharpe, the commander of the Blood Guard, a man who growls and treats her like a gem unpolished.

First Date Vibes
I first opened her pages in December. She greeted me with dedication and a snippet of a long forgotten history of the Ancients. Back then, I let the background noise fade to black, as her words poured and poured, filling all pages with excitement. She started with Gideon. Then turned to Rune. She told me of their story as if they were tangled in a dance.

And then, they began to bicker. In a bathroom. Flirting and trying to kill each other.

I took a break afterwards, eluding the story as if afraid to catch feelings.

I picked it up again a few weeks after, in January, when I explored a few more pages. The pacing was alert, but something kept tripping me.

Probably myself.

The Green Flags
The magic system hummed. I liked the signatures and images, the way the witches drew blood and their scars were drawn in silver across their skins.

The names ringed like music to my ears. Rune, Cress, Gideon, Blood Guard, Soren (okay, you can push this dude off a plank).

The cover was an automatic “marry me? yes, please”.

The title stared at me bewitchingly.

The political intrigue screamed from its chair, asking for attention.

The imagery was nice, although I’d have loved for more descriptions of the environment and the magic system.

The Red Flags
The enemies weren’t quite enemying, but they had chemistry? Or… at least they were drawn to one another. Or, rather, thrown together as the writer saw fit.

The tropes burst through all words. The enemies to lovers. The love triangles. The contract dating. The small room with one bed. The chosen one.

The characters insulted my intelligence at times with their choices (they’re smart but make dumb decisions, or they argue and lament with one another within the span of less than 30 seconds).

The kidnapping for convenience and miscommunication was overused and predictable.

The spicy scenes which at times felt forced. It just looked like crusty lust.

The twists that didn’t turn made me feel like a foreseer.

The Final Remarks
I found myself wanting this date to end quicker than a bull exiting a china shop. There were a few times I thought of ghosting the novel, feeling like I’m wasting time, but then I gaslighted myself into thinking “maybe it’s because I never knew her sister”.

But I persisted and at the end, the question remained: wasn’t this great? Maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t. After all, I’ve rated it four stars on Goodreads, although I low-key regret it.

The Matchmaker
For readers who: look for lovers in their enemies, cast spells with a knife, and can tolerate questionable actions or decisions.
Avoid if: predictable plots make you wanna flip tables.

Filled with tension from the first page, this book was a great conclusion to this duology! I had been looking forward to this book since I finished book one, because the ending of The Crimson Moth was amazing, and I was so intrigued to learn how Rune's and Gideon's story would end - I was not disappointed!

The Rebel Witch was full of tension and suspense, I was gripped from the first page and I could not stop, so I read the whole book in one sitting. I enjoyed all the twists and the multiple traitorous plans, they kept me on my toes and constantly trying to guess what was going to happen. I loved Rune, she was such a great FMC and her strong personality and intelligence continued on from book one, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I was so worried about Gideon after the ending of book one, and I felt so sad for what he was going through, but it was so good to see him finally come to terms with reality and change his beliefs. I loved seeing both of them recognise and accept their feelings for each other and fight together for their future. I didn't think it was possible to despise Cressida more than I already did, but I was mistaken! She was despicable, and a well-written villain. However, I did expect her to be more present in the story.

The first half of the book had a really great pace, but I found it just a little bit rushed towards the end. A few things that were brushed over I think could have been given more importance, and the resolution of some of the plot lines was quite quick and simple, so I would have liked a little bit more of a "wow" factor at the end. However, it was still a good conclusion to the duology, and I already miss this world and characters!

Thank you so much to HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction, NetGalley UK, and Kristen Ciccarelli for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited to pick up the second half of this duet and it did not disappoint. Hunter and hunted, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, sacrifices and revelations - I was hooked.

It started off a little slow but the pace picks up (and then some). It is slightly predictable but if you like books like this then this is a great one, with no actual spice but a lot of heat between the main characters and some cute side relationships and partnerships.

It definitely reads like a YA novel, but it's warm and comforting - I'm sad it's over.

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I received an ARC of this book courtesy of Harper Collins UK in exchange for an honest review - thank you!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5

Last year, Heartless Hunter completely took me by surprise with its fierce characters, fantastic chemistry, and immersive magic system. It was an easy favorite, so you can imagine how excited I was for Rebel Witch! And thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction, I had the amazing opportunity to be gifted a copy—I’m beyond grateful!

I devoured Rebel Witch. Under 48 hours, to be exact. It was fast-paced, action-packed, and relentless. The characters didn’t get a moment to breathe, and honestly? Neither did I. The first half had me on edge (and mildly frustrated), while the second half had me absolutely wrecked. The tension, the longing, the jealousy—excruciating but so, so good. If you love a romance filled with angst and high stakes, this book delivers in every way.

Gideon and Rune? Their back-and-forth drove me crazy in the best way. Their chemistry was off the charts. The way they were constantly torn between love and duty, trust and betrayal—I loved and hated it at the same time. And when things finally fell into place, it was so worth it. I also appreciated how the stakes remained high throughout, making every interaction feel like it could change everything.

The world-building and magic system remained as fascinating as in book one, and Kristen Ciccarelli’s ability to create tension—both romantic and plot-driven—is top-tier! I was invested the entire time. And oh my god, I think I found a character I loathe more than any other. If you know, you know.

That said, there were a few minor things I wasn’t a huge fan of and some plot twists felt a little predictable (maybe too many clues?). But overall, the ending was so satisfying. It wrapped up the story in a way that felt earned, and I “tapped” the last page feeling so glad I picked up this duology.

If you’re in the mood for a fantastic enemies-to-lovers romance, with high stakes, magic, and heart-wrenching tension, I highly recommend picking up this series!

“You are far worse than a thorn in my side. You are a knife in my heart.”

What an absolutely phenomenal ending to this duology! I really enjoyed The Crimson Mothand while I expected to like Rebel Witch, I underestimated by how much. It was phenomonal

Gideon and Rune are everything I could have hoped for and more—I’m completely obsessed with their dynamic. Their push-and-pull relationship is the epitome of what makes enemies-to-lovers such a great trope. The chemistry, the tension, the banter, the yearning—it was all executed perfectly. Their relationship constantly shifts and deepens as they wrestle with their feelings and face the forces trying to tear them apart.

The fast-paced plot is packed with action, unexpected twists, and a great balance between new and familiar characters. Cressida, in particular, was a standout antagonist—so easy to hate, and she really pushed Rune and Gideon to their limits. I couldn’t wait to see her get what she deserved.
Easily one of the best duologies I've read.

One of the most anticipated books of 2025, I’m happy to get my hands on this one before release date. Thank you Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Admittedly, The Crimson Moth (Heartless Hunter) was not my favorite book of 2024. The plot was exciting and unique, but I felt like it lost some of its impact with seemingly shallow character development. I think book 2, Rebel Witch, beautifully rectified that issue for me. The connection of the characters and my perception of their personalities and arcs feel wholly different this time around. I also loved the creativity and direction book 2’s story took us. I wasn’t sure how they were gonna come back from the ending of 1, but it felt flawlessly executed. This came out of the gate, action packed, full of anticipation and romance, and with 0 filler or lulls… just the way I like it. I imagine this will be a smash hit with any one who loves a well thought out, fast paced romantasy.

A few minor warnings: if you’re not into soul searching inner monologues, be forewarned, this book ventures into that realm quite a bit. Also, if you’re not a fan of miscommunication tropes, book 2 is probably not gonna be your jam. It’s basically the whole premise of the book. Lastly, the macho bravado aka “I’m not vulnerable, you’re vulnerable” power plays between Rune and Gideon are STRONG. It’s exciting and keeps you on your toes, but can also feel excessive and frustrating. Maybe that’s the point though? You feel like they’re never gonna get past their differences so when they do, it feels all the more satisfying? Probably.
All in all, I liked this book sooo much better than the first and think it’s a great ending to a really fun unique duology. An easy 4 stars.

This review is for The Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli which will be released in the UK on the 27th February! Thanks so much to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK/Magpie for giving me an eArc copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I’ve been a big fan of this authors work from her past Iskari series from when I was a teenager! As soon as I saw a new series from the author I knew I had to request. Crimson Moth was one of those books that was super hyped over Booktok, but it actually was great and lived up to all of my expectations, and the cliffhanger made me realise I need to read the next one in the series as soon as possible 😂

This is the second and final book in the series and I loved it!! It was such a good ending to the story, even if it was a little predictable. It was really fast paced, and so much action happened in such a small book. There was always something happening to keep Gideon and Rune apart, but the pining was *chefs kiss*. Their chemistry was so good, and loved that they eventually began to trust each other. It did start to feel like too much was happening to keep them apart, but thankfully the ending more than made up for it!

As mentioned before, the only things I didn’t like were how predictable the storyline the major plot points were were, that some of the relationships felt a little under developed, and *SPOILERS*
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how Alex’s death kinda just kinda felt pushed under the rug. I mean I know how much happened in the book, but it felt barely mentioned even though he was a major character in the first book, and super close to both main characters.

Still I absolutely loved this book, love this author and would highly recommend this to any fantasy readers out there!

The second and final book. And what a ride! I loved this book, just everything about it, the perfect goodbye.

What an incredible sequel!

I adored this book, I loved that it started back up in full force straight away and didn’t lull the entire way through.

I couldn’t put it down although I had to last night, I pick it straight back up this morning.

Big thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for this eARC ❤️

I absolutely devoured The Crimson Moth and couldn’t wait to pick up The Rebel Witch! Happy to say that I wasn’t disappointed and loved this second instalment as much as the first 🫶📖

Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy!

What an absolutely fantastic ending to this duology omg 😱.
I was literally DROWNING in feels reading The Rebel Witch😭💔❤️‍🩹.
It took Gideon a minute to stop being a mule and realise that his side was also in the wrong but man, did he make up for it!
Rune and Gideon were constantly in a verbal sparring match and scheming to outsmart the other, both worthy opponents, it was amazing!
The Rebel Witch picks up a couple months after the events of The Crimson Moth. Rune has found herself engaged to a prince who will supply Cressida with an army to attack the New Republic and take back her throne. And Gideon has been assigned her assassination…
I absolutely loved that Rune and Gideon were journeying together through this book from the beginning. They both said and done things that hurt the other which made my chest hurt. All mentions of Alex were also hard to swallow… like I said… drowning in feels.
The book never got boring, always shifting, sparring, fighting, loving! Just… fantastic 👌🏻.

This was one of my most anticipated sequels of 2025. The first book in this series was amazing and everything I wanted a book to be. I was sucked in and the cliffhanger was brutal and the wait for this sequel felt so long! Luckily I managed to get an arc through Netgalley, thank you Magpie, and could start reading already while still waiting for my physical copy to arrive, hopefully not too long after release day.

Let me start with what kept me from giving this book five stars. Although the ending of the book is quite satisfying, it also feels a little rushed and a little easy. The author created a very complicated political situation and there was a moment I was really doubting how the author was gonna solve the situation. I understand that this book mainly focuses on romance, but it feels there are a few loose ends concerning the political situation in the end.

However, that was the only issue I had with this book. Everything else was exactly what I had wanted it to be and what I hoped it would be. The author did an amazing job keeping the dynamic between Rune and Gideon interesting and like in the first book. I mean, after that cliffhanger it was gonna take some time before they would admit again that they love each other. The author really showed us that journey and did a great job letting them grow closer in a very natural way.

I also love how this book shows that sometimes there is no good side and bad side. In some cases both cases are wrong and both outcomes are equally horrible. Although the true horrors of this war are mostly described and now really shown, we do get a few glimpses into the horrific things people are capable of when they're convinced they're right. I love how this book steps away from the traditional black and white and introduces a wonderful grey.

This was the first series I read by this author and I'll certainly check her other books out now!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
The Rebel Witch is one of those cases where the sequel is better than its predecessor Heartless Hunter aka The Crimson Moth.

We follow a witch and witch hunter who have a mutual attraction even though they are enemies and they have to team up to fight for a world that needs saving from a diabolical witch.

Action-packed, thrilling and utterly romantic, The Rebel Witch is also a perfect conclusion to a brilliant duology.

4.75 stars - This was a highly anticipated read for me this year after how much I loved The Crimson Moth and also after that very dramatic ending! The Rebel Witch is quite a different book to the first but it definitely lived up to my expectations. I enjoyed the action right from the get go, and seeing the new dynamic between Rune and Gabriel in the story when their paths cross. We feel the strength of their emotions for each other paired with the conflict as well as their own doubts about each other. The tension is certainly running high! I love how clever Rune is and how much Gabriel likes this, even when they’re at odds his admiration is clear and these two love to be challenged - and challenges is one of the things this book isn’t short on! With plenty of scheming, subterfuge, and risk, the story is high stakes and kept me on edge throughout. The only downsides for me were that Rune’s out-of-character fear was a little frustrating, but I do understand how the author is showing another side of this fierce witch. The other is that the grief from losing someone close in the first book didn’t really register. It was only touched on on a surface level and I would have liked to see more emotion to really feel it.

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

Unfortunately the formatting of this on kindle made it impossible to read, I know I’m going to absolutely demolish it once it’s released and I can get my hands on it 🥹

The writing was beautiful from the first few chapters but was very clunky sentences being cut off sadly.

So I can’t wait till pub day!!!
Will amend once I have 🫶🏼

I loved The Crimson Moth and am a big fan of Rune as an FMC. She’s clever, kind, feminine and empathetic. The magic system in these books is really unique and interesting and I love the premise of the series. Unfortunately, I found The Rebel Witch extremely predictable. This meant it wasn’t a showstopper for me, but I did enjoy reading it nonetheless. The cover is also absolutely beautiful.

4.5 stars

THE REBEL WITCH is a great follow up enemies-to-lovers romantasy, full of equal mistrust and tension.

The book forces them into working with one another while they utterly mistrust one another and both plan on betraying the other. All while they have raging feelings for one another that they are trying not to give into. It's such a lovely set of tropes and full of tension, all pulled together so effectively.

I really liked how both had good, understandable reasons to mistrust and hate the other - they're not the same as the first book, but stem from some of their first book fears being realised. And then they keep proving why they can't trust the other, thanks to acting from fear.

It means they're on an equal setting and both have to overcome the same issue to find a path together. Like how they were both trying to use the other and so faking feelings in THE CRIMSON MOTH, it doesn't set up any power imbalances or disturbing implications. I've really appreciated how even handed this series has been between the pair of them. No favourites, no one able to claim the moral high ground.

In short, this duology has been what I want from romantasy - both parties sharing the blame and needing to do as much work as the other to overcome the obstacles. Plus the chemistry was great!

I was so excited to read The Rebel Witch - I really enjoyed The Crimson Moth, I think I gave it 4/4.5 stars but l absolutely loved The Rebel Witch - it was a 5 star read for me!

The story between Gideon and Rune in this is so beautiful - because she’s a witch and he’s a witch hunter, the odds are so stacked against them and you genuinely don’t know how it’s going to pan out. The story was full of twists and turns that I didn’t see coming and it felt much faster paced in my opinion vs the crimson moth. The relationship between Gideon and Rune is EVERYTHING! There’s tension, yearning, character development, and I also cried so that tells you that it was a good book.

This was such a great conclusion to the duology!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This scintillating follow up to The Crimson Moth is romantic and action-packed, as Rune and Gideon find themselves on opposite sides of a war yet forced to work together. I predicted a lot of the big twists, but the road to get there was so entertaining I didn't mind. The romance? Gorgeous. So much yearning, so much "I want them but I can't have them", longing glances and tortured touches. Curses and blood magic abound - can these enemies become lovers again, and save their island home in the process?