WOW! Kristen Ciccarelli did not hold back with this one! The Crimson Moth was one of my top reads of 2024 and I have been, not so patiently, waiting for the follow up. Second books are notoriously difficult, especially when the first book is so hyped and loved. The Rebel Witch MORE than delivered! It was everything I wanted and needed it to be and more.

Picking up a month after the (excruciating) end of The Crimson Moth, The Rebel Witch launches into action from the very first page. I loved that we didn’t have to wait for Rune and Gideon to reunite, and that the enemies were enemy-ing from the get-go with the most delicious tension mixed in with the hatred they have for each other.

The Rebel Witch just had everything from action to forced proximity to yearning and heartache to high stakes and rebellion. You name it, Kristen delivered. An absolutely epic duology!

I enjoyed the first book but I never really got the hype it was getting. I was hoping this would be better and my god it was! I LOVED this book. It brought everything together. The banter, angst and tropes in this one hit so much harder than the first. The plot felt fuller and more fast paced which I personally wanted. I loved the characters still and was hooked. A great ending to this Duology.

This was one of my most anticipated releases for 2025, and it did not dissappoint!
This story follows Rune & Gideon after the death of Gideons brother and Runes best friend, Alex; and Cressida has come back to enact her vengeance.

I am really happy with the pace and conclusion of this story, the only reason I will give it 4 stars instead of 5 is simply that I felt like there was a LOT of build up to the final conflict, and it was over in just a handful of pages.... nevertheless, this book single handedly broke my heart and put it back together and I loved every second of it.

I loved getting to see Gideon's character development and he has to completely refigure the way he sees the world and the way he handles things due to what Rune is to him and her people. I loved getting to see them together again and the slow burn and angst and the MAJOR obstacles they had to overcome! So sad that this was only a duology, I would have read their story for many more books.

I would like to thank the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love Gideon and Rune so much, my god. I love how this book is written in dual POV, and in short chapters too?? Sometimes we read something from Gideon's POV that we already know he misunderstands due to having read it in Rune's POV previously, and vice versa, and when not done well, that gets annoying quite quickly. Like, learn how to communicate, you know? But this was the exact opposite. These miscommunications just MADE SENSE.

We're starting book 2 off with being on the other side of the sea, after hell has broken loose in the first book basically. The tension was there immediately. Rune and Gideon I guess still aren't really sure how they feel about it, and Rune just manipulates him in a way that her plan works? But at the same time he is plotting her demise. THE TENSION WAS JUST SO GOOD ALL THROUGHOUT.

I do feel like this book would have benefited from a bit more depth into how the world would change after getting rid of the enemies though. Like, your political system didn't work when humans/witch hunters were in power and it also didn't work out when the witches were in power, so what is your plan now? It's hinted at slightly in the epilogue, but I really would have loved to see more. Otherwise we'll get the same problems again in a century, you know?

That being said, I loved this duology and I'm really glad I read this. Rune and Gideon are close to my heart.

*ARC review*

“The problem with love is the more you try to destroy it, the stronger it becomes.”

“Heartless Hunter” was one of my favorite reads from last year.
So I was very happy to receive an e-ARC for “The Rebel Witch” from HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction via Netgalley.
Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The book continues the story from the end of the previous one and Rune and Gideon are back to enemies. Even if they try to avoide each other, I like that they seem to keep ending up in small spaces as they are hiding.

There is a lot of tension and chemistry between them and they spend a lot of time together.
Every time Gideon thinks he is not worthy I want to hug him. He feels a lot of guilt and fights his feelings.
Rune is a strong character that deals with conflicting feelings.

The book has a fast pace, with twists, magic, betrayal but also funny and emotional moments. I went through many emotions while reading it and did not want it to end.

I do not want to give any spoilers but if you liked the first book this will not disappoint.

The Crimson Moth was one of my favourite books of 2024 so I was more than delighted to get my hands on an ARC of The Rebel Witch and having inhaled all 464 pages in less than twenty four hours I am pleased to report that it did not disappoint.
Obviously nobody is going to read this without having first read The Crimson Moth but I am still going to be pretty circumspect in my descriptions to avoid potential spoilers. Rune Winters is a witch on the run and her only hope of survival seems to be an unwilling alliance with the former Witch Queen (and psychopath) Cressida who is essentially selling Rune to a neighbouring prince in return for his army. Since the man she loved, Gideon, was the one who handed her over to this fate it seems like all hope is lost.
Gideon Sharpe, witch hunter and former toy of Cressida is heartbroken by Rune's betrayal and new alliance, so when he is sent to kill her, he thinks that though it will not be easy, it is essential for the future of his homeland and for his own sanity. All witches must die, but especially Rune.
Of course this plan does not run smoothly and Rune and Gideon find themselves unable to resist their growing attraction as they are forced to work together to try to claim a future where humans and witches can co-exist.
The tropes are strong in this book, we obviously have enemies to lovers but as the story unfolds we also get forced proximity, fake fiances and only one bed to name just a few of the more popular ones in this genre. I loved both Gideon and Rune as characters in the first book and that love continues here. I often find that miscommunication issues and lack of communication between characters in a romance can take me out of the story but here the reasons for the reticence and mistrust are really well established and so I found it far more understandable. This is a book that crams a lot of plot in and the pace is definitely fast, neither characters nor reader gets much breathing space as we escape one horrible situation only to end up in a potentially even worse one. It is so impressive that even with such a fast paced read there is still time for character development, but we do see growth in both Rune and Gideon as the story unfolds.
It may be too early to call my books of the year for 2025 but I would be very surprised not to find this one on the list in December.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

The romance was good and did what it needed to do, but overall i don't think this sequel was going to be more than a 3 stars. The first book was good but not memorable despite me enjoying the romance it's forgettable. Rune and Gideon were giving forbidden romance longing and tension was done well.

An excellent wrap up to the story. I did prefer book one and this maybe fell a little short of it in some parts, towards the end dragged a little bit. However, still a great read. I enjoyed the progress everyone made, the change of hearts that were had and the eventual acceptance. The romance was lacking for me in this one but for some, that's not what makes the story.

First of all i’d like to thank netgalley and the publisher for granting me a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

Aaahh I can’t believe it’s over now. Was secretly hoping this would turn out to be a trilogy, just to get some more gideonrune content. But to be fair, I think it was all wrapped up pretty well, so I can’t be mad about it.

The novel started off in such an interesting way. Gideon and Rune are both left reeling after each other’s betrayals and have sworn to themselves they will finally kill each other for good this time (who are they even trying to humor).

Furthermore we have PINING, we have TENSION, we have even more PINING. The emotions were HIGH in this book and I guess that’s why I was struggling to put it down after getting immersed in the story. As a very emotionally driven person myself, I can appreciate when characters just let themselves be ruled by their emotions, instead of using their brains for some (rational) thinking. Even when sometimes it makes me want to pull out my hair, cause why would these make those dumb ass decisions (as if I would’ve done any better in their positions)

I do have to say that I liked the first half of the book more than the second half. While the story started on a pretty strong note, I do feel like the plot was a little more rushed towards the ending, which caused me to be easily distracted while reading. Lots of different things were occuring within a pretty short time frame aswell at some point, making it a little harder to keep track of where the story was going.

That was truly the only thing that bugged me though, so I can easily say I have no regrets of making this my first read of 2025 :)

I absolutely adored this book! As the follow-up in a duology, it had some big shoes to fill, but not only did it meet all my expectations—it completely blew them away!

If you loved the first book, get ready to fall head over heels for this one. All the best parts of The Crimson Moth are back and, dare I say it, even better. Every interaction was beautifully written, and I was so invested in these characters’ journeys that I couldn’t stop reading. The chemistry between them was more established, and their growth felt so authentic and heartfelt.

The world-building and magical elements took a huge leap forward, too. I found myself completely immersed in where the story was taking me, with the political elements feeling much more present in this instalment. The stakes were higher, the plot moved around with more confidence, and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time!

Every moment of excitement I felt leading up to this release was worth it. From the breathtaking action to the tender, emotional scenes, it delivered everything I could have hoped for and more.

I couldn’t recommend the duology more highly, and The Rebel Witch is a fantastic finish.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for my ARC.

THAT. WAS. SO. FUCKING. GOOD! *screams*

I knew I'd love this, I just knew. Rebel Witch is just as good as, if not better, than its prequel, Crimson Moth. My only gripe is that it's over. I wouldn't say no to books for the other characters though, Kristen, hint hint wink wink.

I just absolutely adore Rune and Gideon. Its the kind of adoration that makes my heart swell for them one moment and then makes me want to smack their heads together the next, because HELLO, are you two stupid? Can you not see how you feel about each other?

Ugh.

So fucking good. *chefs kiss*

This was just as amazing as the first book, and I loved every second. I almost read it in one sitting, and when I wasn’t reading I thought about it.

I love the chemistry and tension between Rune and Gideon, and I felt so heartbroken for all the setbacks that happened. The book had so many twist and turns that just had me absolutely hooked.

I loved this duology and would definitely recommend it one of my favourites!

Yesss!! This was amazing!! I’m so in love with it
Since the first one this is one book I’ve been most excited about this year and it really didn’t disappoint
The cat & mouse was perfect. I couldn’t put it down
5 stars all round
Fantastic characters brilliant story love hate relationship
The ending was perfect I couldn’t imagine better
Couldn’t recommend more
Will be one of the top books of 2025

The heartless hunter duet is a shining gem amongst the current romantasy fatigue.  Whilst it didn't reinvent the wheel, and is full of much-loved tropes, I found this to be much more fun and well plotted than some similar huge releases in the past few years.  This second installment wastes no time in kicking off the drama,and it doesn't let off until the very end. Rune and Gideon are both well developed characters with their differing motivations clear, and their enemies-to-lovers storyline is SO much fun - anyone seeking a banterous, push- and- pull dynamic would eat this up. That being said, towards the end of this book, there are some very tender and genuine moments between them where they reckon with what their future might hold, and I really appreciated seeing this side of them. 

I'm very excited for this book to come out and to see everyone's reactions. 

Thank you to Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

5 stars - Upper YA fantasy sequel.

Spoilers for book 1!

At the end of book 1 Verity is exposed as Cressida Roseblood, the witch queen thought to have been killed by Alex. Rune managed to flee with Cressida and Seraphine from the blood guard who want all witches dead but Rune does not wholly agree with Cressidas plans. Gideon wants to seek revenge on Rune and Cressida for the death of his brother Alex. The Rebel Witch picks up shortly after these events, with Gideon hunting Rune and finds her engaged to a prince, who is handing Cressida his army to take back their city. Without spoilers, events happen and Rune and Gideon come up with an uneasy alliance ultimately planning to betray each other.

Absolutely loved this sequel - I reread book one before starting which helped to refresh my memory on certain events and characters and would recommend. The twists and turns this story takes is an emotional rollercoaster - I was kicking and giggling my feet at some points then next thing I had to put the book down as I was so stressed as to what was happening. Tears were nearly shed! Much higher stakes than the first book.

I adored the relationship between Rune and Gideon - although at times frustrating, knowing each others point of view, I could understand why they felt the need to do what they did. They both strengthened throughout the book individually and as a couple.

The only point I would make is I felt the ending was slightly rushed - I got to the last 10% of the book and a major plot line still wasn't tied up and I feel as though this could have happened slightly earlier or more pages added to the book. I could of happily read this as a trilogy though so I may be biased!

I loved the intensity of this book—it was like a rollercoaster of emotions from start to finish. The dynamic between Rune and Gideon was everything I wanted: angsty, complex, and deeply personal. Their push-and-pull relationship kept me on the edge of my seat, especially as they were forced to team up despite their lingering mistrust. The dual POVs worked beautifully, giving insight into both characters’ struggles and perspectives.

The pacing was excellent—there was always something happening, but it never felt rushed. The vibes were dark and romantic, with just the right balance of action and character development. I couldn’t stop turning the pages, and the ending left me emotionally wrecked (in the best way). This is definitely a series I’ll be thinking about for a long time. If you’re into enemies-to-lovers, morally gray characters, and high-stakes fantasy, this duology is a must-read!

I GOT AN ARC!!

Where the first book was a solid 3.5 stars, the rebel witch was definitely needed to round up the duology to 4 stars.

This one was so much fun. It started from a whole new angle which was such a thrill. This made the entire book far more interesting and ensured the stakes were MUCH higher. The angst, the burning desire, the hate, the humour - every single chapter was filled with all of those and more. Everything you’re looking in an enemies-to-lovers trope? It’s right here.

I do feel like the ending was slightly rushed. But the book felt quite long beforehand and a few situations were repetitive. Also, a few aspects were predictable, the hints were slightly too obvious. So when revelations were made, I was like “I knew it” but not in a surprising, kinda knew it, it’s been confirmed way, but more of a “not surprising, i knew it” way.

This duology is definitely one for getting out of reading slumps and just having pure fun while picking up a book :)

“Because I was stupid enough to fall in love with a witch hunter .Stupid enough to hope he might love me back.”

Thank you @netgalley and @kristenciccarelli for this advance copy of Rebel Witch, the conclusion to The Crimson Moth duology. This hits stores in February and while there are no spoilers for Rebel Witch there could however be spoilers for book one, please read ahead at your own risk.

The stakes have never been higher, love and betrayal collide in a battle for the fate of the Republic.

Rune is a fugitive, hunted by all sides after Gideon, the boy she once loved exposed her identity and handed her over to her enemies. To survive, Rune strikes an uneasy alliance with the ruthless Cressida Roseblood, a witch determined to overthrow the Republic and restore the Reign of Witches. But Cressida’s revolution demands Rune’s power, and the price may be more than Rune is willing to pay.

Gideon is determined to destroy every witch who threatens the Republic, starting with Rune. Her betrayal stings deeper now that she’s joined forces with the woman who scarred his past. To protect the fragile peace he fought so hard for, Gideon must stop Rune and Cressida before their plans ignite chaos. But when Rune offers him a deal that could change everything, Gideon is forced to confront the feelings he thought he buried long ago.

Bound by necessity, Rune and Gideon are thrust into an uneasy partnership, navigating perilous alliances and deadly schemes. As old feelings resurface, Gideon faces an impossible decision: sacrifice Rune to save the Republic, or risk everything for the girl who once held his heart.

While this was slower to start once I hit that sweet spot I couldn’t put it down. A great ending to a great duology. I love Gideon but Rune was the stand out bad ass female lead you want to read more of! Looking forward to reading more Fantasy in 2025.

This duology will forever hold a special place in my heart. The characters were just so flushed out - even though I constantly wanted to scream at them just to talk to each other dammit. I love how you get to see their struggles throughout the book and the eventual growth they go through.

The writing was also amazing! The chapters were short and so easy to read, once I started I couldn't put the book down. It was only by pure exhaustion that I had to put the book down a few times.

I also liked the plot. Yes some of the things were predictable but I was more here for the vibes than anything else. There was one thing regarding Rune that I should've seen from a mile but I was just so engrossed that when the twist came I was shooketh!

By far one of my most favourite series.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for sending me an ARC for my honest review!

Amazing conclusion to one of my favourite duologies ever! Rune and Gideon are the absolute IT couple and the forced proximity in this book ahd me gnawing of the bars of my enclosure, thank you so much for this ARC <3