Absolutely no words. I laughed, I cried, I kicked my legs. One of the most anticipated sequels that did not disappoint me at any point.

The pacing of this book was so steady and ramped up the tension in all the right places. It was so easy to slip back into this world and be consumed by the characters and the world. A few twists I didn't see coming, and an ending that made me very happy.

5 stars. I loved this ending to the duology and it will be one I reread for years to come.

Usually, if I love the first book in a duology, the second one will disappoint me. This one didn't. I hesitate to say that it's better than the first one, but it comes really close.

I got right back into the story. It helped, that this book immediately started with some action. And while the ending of Heartless Hunter looked quite grim for Gideon and Rune, I was very glad that they didn't spend the first half of this book without meeting each other.
I can also say that there isn't some easy making up with the two of them either, so they'll work together for the rest of the book.
I loved their relationship. In a way, it's similar to how it was in the first book, but it's also very different due to their history. Technically, there is a lot of miscommunication - but considering their past, it makes sense that they can't simply talk about their feelings. Gideon still believes that Rune seduced and misled him to get Cressida back, while Rune can't risk getting betrayed by him again. There is no trust between them. And that leads to a delicious amount of angst and pining.
The way they scheme and try to figure out how to work together was fantastic. I loved both their development.

I was also happy about the other characters. Some get more of a back story and I was surprised to see multiple of them play bigger roles in this book. I hadn't expected it, but I was glad to get some more depth.

The plot itself was great. I especially loved that there wasn't one easy fix that took way too long for them to notice. Instead, every plan brought some new horror and everything that could've been a good solution went utterly wrong, for one reason or another. There were betrayals and new alliances and even more betrayals. Even though we get both POVs once again, this book really kept me in the dark about their true intentions. In a way, it was obvious that Gideon and Rune would end up together (and don't come at me for spoilers, this is Romantasy after all), but I was still terrified for them.

There were two revelations overall that I didn't really see as plottwists as they were quite obvious to me, but I wasn't bored or frustrated by that. Instead, I couldn't wait to see what would come of it. And both of them turned into fantastic plot points.

The only thing I'd slightly criticize, is the ending. It was great, don't get me wrong, but I would've expected something a bit more epic. It worked well and it made sense, but I would've liked more of it. I also wish that there had been more explanations about a certain situation and that we had gotten to see more of the aftermath, but that's only nitpicking.

The writing was once again fantastic, I couldn't put it down.

Overall - huge recommendation for this series! I really really enjoyed reading it.

Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

this felt like it took 5 years to finish omg, I was so excited for this but it was just…meh. Everything felt far too easy, and honestly seemed like a completely different author to the first one

Thank you Kristen Ciccarelli, HarperVoyager and Netgalley for giving me a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

It’s not often that a sequel manages to be as strong and compelling as the first in the series. The Rebel Witch was a FANTASTIC follow up to The Crimson Moth. I reread The Crimson Moth in preparation for reading The Rebel Witch and I was worried about how Kristen Ciccarelli would continue the tension and romance between Rune and Gideon after the betrayals in the closing chapters of The Crimson Moth, I wasn’t sure how I or Rune could forgive Gideon for sending her to her death.

The Rebel Witch was everything I wanted, it was tense, it was compelling - I was desperate for to see how the story would develop and how it could possibly be a happy ending for Rune and Gideon and the warring world around them. The ‘enemies to lover’s’ trope was completely believable and I honestly wasn’t sure if either one would end up killing the other, unable to forgive each other for all of the betrayals rather than accepting their true feelings for each other and finally be together.

Kristen Ciccarelli’s writing is so captivating, there are so many beautiful quotable scenes that I find myself going back to. The story is woven in a way that I was desperate to get to the end but wanted to savour every touch, every word between Rune and Gideon. This is truly one of the best ‘romantasy’ duologies I have read. It was the PERFECT balance between the fantasy adventure and the torturous love between the main characters.

The way Gideon talks about Rune and his internal conflict between his feelings for her and his loyalty to the blood guard was just beautiful:

“She was like a magnet sending the arrows on his moral compass spinning. Making him forget who he was and everything he’d commit himself to”

I loved the new locations introduced - the travelling on the ship had some of my favourite scenes between Rune and Gideon. The jealousy and the yearning was perfection. Here is where we also met some new characters that at first I was unsure of and how the dynamics would change, but these characters were necessary for some of the BEST scenes of yearning and frustration between Rune and Gideon.

Both of the main characters had real character development throughout this book - neither were the same person that we left at the close of The Crimson Moth. I loved seeing Rune find herself as a witch and learn the strength and power she had within herself. I loved seeing Gideon question everything he thought he believed in and learn to forgive himself for his actions, grieve his brother and accept his feelings towards Rune all whilst discovering his ability to lead the world to a better future for both sides of the revolution.

The book was fast paced in a great way - it was easy to devour the story. With plot twists at every turn and no happy ending easily in sight it made for a fantastic, emotional entertaining read.

I was a mess during the penultimate chapters, whilst I knew it was inevitable - Rune and Gideon were always the Witch and the Witch Hunter after all I was not prepared for how emotional I would be. I could feel my heartbreak a long-side Gideon, I was as devastated as he was. This book broke me and put me back together in the best ways.

When I read a book that has me feeling all the emotions, kicking my feet with joy over the romance, fearing for their lives, feeling the tension and betrayal alongside the characters thats when I know I’ve read something truly special.

This story was everything.

I loved reading the Crimson Moth so I was so excited to read Rebel Witch, and it 100% did not disappoint!

I thought this was the perfect ending and is definitely one of my favourite series! It was very fun, the chemistry was undeniable between Rune and Gideon and it was just everything I wanted in book 2 and more! It picks up at a great point after The Crimson Moth and so much happens in this book, I just loved it! I also think I prefer book 2 to book 1 which I did not think was possible!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harper Collins for letting me read this book early!

“You are far worse than a thorn in my side,” he said, his dark eyes gleaming at her. “You are a knife in my heart.”

Huge thankyou to Harper Collins, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC ♥️

It took a little while to get into the actual plot, where there was considerable action.. but when it got down to it.. it was unputdownable!

The cat and mouse theme between Gideon the witch hunter and Rune winters the Witch, was electric. The politics, betrayals, enemies to lovers theme, and magic system in this series is absolutely brilliant. highly Recommend!

𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 5✩

𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜:
This book is a perfect conclusion to this duology, delivering a fast paced, high stakes story brimming with tension. Watching Rune and Gideon battle with their feelings for each other while trying to reach their very different goals was extremely entertaining. Their electric chemistry, filled with longing and vulnerability, keeps you rooting for them even when their paths seem irreconcilable. The world building continues to impress, with new layers of magic, lore, and danger that expand on the foundations laid in the first book. Ciccarelli’s writing is both engaging and unpredictable, with twist that will you keep you guessing until the very end. If you already can’t wait for this sequel get even more excited because this was AMAZING!

A solid, enjoyable sequel with all the best tropes added in: enemies to lovers, betrayal, fake marriage, forced proximity and one bed to name a few. Though whilst I really enjoyed this, I was left wanting a lot more.

Rebel Witch picks up two months from where Crimson Moth finished. Cressida has big plans for Rune Winters and she'll stop at nothing to get what she wants. Of course, Gideon has other plans for both his former lover and will do anything he can to stop Cress from rising to power again.

I have mixed feelings about this sequel. The first half was amazing. I LOVED that we get to see Rune and Gideon together and the added tropes kept the sexual tension high. Despite the predictable plot, I was keen to see where the author would take us.

Unfortunately, it feels like the author had too many ideas and not enough pages to write them. There wasn't a lot of build up and even the big "surprises" were easily guessed at. Not necessarily a bad thing but it does mean I wasn't on the edge of my seat, biting my nails to find out what happens cause I could already tell. We also don't get closure to some of the other loose plot points - like Rune's new abilities to see into the future?!

The romance itself was good and believable for the story with a tastefully done smut scene.

All said and done, I really did enjoy the duology as a whole and it's one I'd recommend for any romantasy lover look for something that ticks all feels boxes and is an easy read.

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for an eArc and a chance to review this title early.

I can’t believe it’s over - this duology was amazing!

The tension was amazing and I loved it. Just like the first book this was fast paced and so easy to follow. I did feel like the ending was a little rushed/abrupt but overall it was still so so good.

A tale of sacrifice, redemption and enduring love.

Rune Winters, a fugitive witch, and Gideon Sharpe, a devoted witch hunter, find themselves on opposing sides of a conflict that could decide the fate of their world. Rune’s tenuous alliance with the ruthless Cressida Roseblood, who seeks to reinstate a reign of witches, forces Gideon into a crisis of heart and duty. Despite the bitterness of their shared past, Rune and Gideon must work together to achieve their respective goals—a partnership that reignites old feelings Gideon thought were long buried.

As the stakes reach their peak, we are pulled into an epic showdown between witches and witch hunters, where love and loyalty hang precariously in the balance.

Rune and Gideon’s dynamic is everything - their conflicting emotions, love, betrayal and hope are palpable. Their impossible choices create a sense of urgency and inevitability that keep you on the edge.

One scene, in particular, about three-quarters of the way through, brought me to tears. A testament to the author’s ability to make you care deeply for these characters.

The conclusion is both satisfying and bittersweet, wrapping up the duology in a way that feels complete, though I found myself wishing for a third installment. The diverse world and characters that have been created are so immersive, it is really hard to let them go.

If you enjoyed the first book in the series, Rebel Witch is a must-read. It’s a beautiful and heartbreaking conclusion to a duology that has firmly secured a place on my bookshelf. And if you haven't read The Crimson Moth...what are you waiting for?!

Thank you so much to the team at HarperVoyager for granting me the opportunity to read this e-arc. It was everything I could have hoped for and more.

In The Rebel Witch we see our two main characters: Rune (Witch) and Gideon (Witch-Hunter), continue to deal with balancing their love for each other and their loyalties to their kind. True to the writing and style of star-crossed lovers, made more difficult due to the shocking ending (plot twist) of the first book.

This book gives you a deeper glimpse into the Rosebloods and their rule, and the history of witches in Cascadia/the new Republic. We see Rune turn into a more powerful witch, now on the run and being surrounded by other witches.

You also get a lot of character development and history of people who were only side characters in the first book. This gave the characters a lot of depth, that we did not originally get to have, and made you appreciate where everyone came from into this conflict. The book was very beautifully written, and I can honestly say I loved this book a lot more than the Heartless Hunter, the author truly outdid herself.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I know I am in the vast minority when I say this book was a bit of a let down. I enjoyed The Crimson Moth, though still, not as much as the general public, and I was hopeful for the sequel to wow me with its high stakes and the emotional aspects of the betrayal in the romance. Unfortunately, while the first half of The Rebel Witch was intriguing (I particularly enjoyed the scenario changes, like the ship!), the second half of the story felt jumbled and disconnected. I was expecting some surprises, but something huge kept happening in every single chapter, what with Rune running away, Gideon getting her back, them being captured and held hostage but conveniently never actually killed by whomever had them (Noah Creed waiting to kill Gideon time and time again? Come on, he hates Gideon's guts lol). I think I never had time to wrap my head around the events that something else was suddenly going on. Quite a bit of characters were introduced, but I struggled to connect to any of them because we didn't spend enough time getting to know them.
As far as the romance goes, I was obviously rooting for Rune and Gideon to make it, but again, I found their changes of heart rushed. All in all, it was mostly a matter of pacing being off for me. The writing was lovely and I'll still pick up the author's next work, as I did enjoy the world-building she created. I also think this duology, though not my favorite in the genre, is a great way to introduce someone to fantasy romance.

I almost cried when this dropped in my Netgalley!

This one was so good! I read the entire thing in one sitting and stayed up way too late to finish it.

I don't think I enjoyed this quite as much as I did The Crimson Moth, but this was still such a satisfying conclusion and so much fun. I love Gideon and Rune, and the angst was even higher in this one than in the first one.

I could see myself re-reading this series many times over the coming years, and I'm so intrigued to go back and read Kristen's other series.

If you liked the first one, you will also enjoy this quite a bit!

Oh. My. Gosh. I could not get enough of this book!

Gideon and Rune had me feral in this one! I loved all constant yearning, the forbidden love and the jealousy that had me giggling and kicking my feet.

The plot was fast paced, but interesting, making it a bingable exciting read. The sweet tender moments between Rune and Gideon balanced it beautifully and I loved that they were together for a lot of the book still despite being hunter vs hunted. I could not get enough of them and just loved that ending 🥹

One of my favourite duologies!

📚 review 📚
rebel witch - kristen ciccarelli

after reading and loving the crimson moth earlier in the year, i was so excited to be approved for the sequel, rebel witch - and it did not disappoint.
obviously as this is a sequel, i don’t want to spoil anything for you but all you need to know is that rune winters - air head socialite lives in a world where being a witch is punishable by death. which is why only 2 other people, her two besties know that she is a witch. not only that but she is also a vigilante known as the crimson moth who goes around freeing and smuggling captured witches out of the country. to help her in her mission, she has decided to find a husband who is high up in the government and deviating from this plan, settles on her best friend’s brother, gideon sharpe, the head witch hunter.
gideon also has an agenda, he wants to find the crimson moth and he thinks getting involved with the aristocracy will help him find her. so when rune flutters her eyes at him, he sees an in.
though they are playing each other, they also both fall for each other - but neither knows that… as you can imagine, the course of true love never runs smooth and their diametrically opposed views gets them into trouble. the crimson moth is genuinely one of my favourite books of the year and rebel witch was such a satisfying ending to this duology - we pick up a few months after the events of the crimson moth and from the moment gideon and rune were on the page together i was all in.

i loved this duology - crimson moth is out now while rebel witch is out in february, which gives you plenty of time to grab the first one!
thank you @netgalley for the early copy.

When I say I devoured this book I mean I DEVOURED this book, in less than 24 hours no less. Kristen Ciccarelli has such an exquisite way of portraying her characters that you can’t help but fall in love and feel attached to them while you read and journey alongside them and the situations they come across. It was action packed, full of tension and I could not read this book fast enough but I also did not want it to end. I’m beyond devastated that this is the second book in this duology as I would love more books with Gideon and Rune, I just love them so. Saying that, the novel was perfect and made such a beautiful ending to an impeccable duology.

This was not was I was expecting. This was everything and MORE than I was expecting!

Rebel Witch pretty much begins plot wise shortly after the end events of Crimson Moth. Which spoiler alert, was utter carnage, in the best way. This installment ups the ante, and in terms of carnage, it is a you know you shouldn't stare at but JUST. CAN'T. LOOK. AWAY. kind of situation... 👀

If you wanted tension between your MCs, you got it. You want your heart strings yanked tenderly and painfully on, YOU GOT IT. Ciccarelli has built a cast of complex characters that challenged my moral compass. Rebel Witch really is character exposition masterpiece.

The plot was a freight train on a collision course with my delicate baby feelings. I laughed, I cried, I screamed. I smashed this book in one sitting, as it was impossible to put it down and have peace of mind.

In conclusion, this should be your next reading obsession and if it's not yet, it will be.

WHAT AN ENDING.

Rebel Witch is the perfect end to the duology. It's equally as addictive as The Crimson Moth, just as action packed, and kept me enthralled from start to finish.

The push and pull of Gideon and Rune's relationship nearly destroyed me (in a good way). There was so much tension, and was SUCH a good example of enemies to lovers.

Even though this was the second book in a duology, there was still a great deal of character development. The magic style still had me in a chokehold and honestly I am so obsessed with this duology. The ending was incredible and even though it's over, I need more.

Thank you so much to HarperCollins UK – Magpie and Harper Voyager UK for granting me a Netgalley digital ARC of The Rebel Witch, the highly anticipated and exciting conclusion to the Crimson Moth (aka The Heartless Hunter). So many unanswered questions. Does the Witch get the hunter? Is Alex really dead? Do we live happily ever after? No spoilers, but these are my highlights.

The Rebel Witch is a compelling story that sends Rune and Gideon on a dangerous precipice between survival, revenge, and love. Kristen Ciccarelli puts her foot to the floor to crank up the angst, suspense, and yearning in Rune and Gideon’s tumultuous love story packed with all those delicious delights from book one we adored. The plot is fast-paced with deadly betrayals, dangerous twists, and blazing hot banter that never let up between Gideon and Rune, flip-flopping from wanting to kiss and kill each other at breakneck speed.

Pinned at the heart of the Rebel Witch is an intensive character-driven evolution that exposes Gideon and Rune’s souls in a visceral, raw manner. Sending them both on a steep, emotional journey. Rune challenges her to examine her situation, conscious, and heart. Brewing a lot of mental torment, self-doubt, and questions about the black and white of right and wrong sides of this struggle – her experiences make her question more of the grey space in the two sides of the war she’s embroiled in as the Crimson Moth and strengthen her moral compass giving her the confidence to walk her path.


Gideon’s transformation is the most breathtaking – unapologetic witch hunter with so much blood on his hands melts as his façade crumbles in the raging battle between his mind and heart over his feelings for Rune. He’s carrying so much hate, pain, and anguish, blocking the love and light he is capable of. Rune is the catalyst that challenges him to flourish as he puts the terrors of his past behind him to see the woman he loves beyond the witch label.

The relationship between Rune and Gideon develops and deepens throughout the Rebel Witch. I loved that Kristen Ciccarelli delves into their character dynamics to explore the hurt, resentment, distrust, and longing existing between them in her writing. Without sacrificing the rich banter and fantastic battle of wits between them, bring light relief to the emotional impact of the plot without doing a disservice to their tender, touching emotional journey.

What a stunning sequel and merry chase we get in the evolution of the relationship between Rune and Gideon. If you loved The Crimson Moth, this is absolutely a must-read in 2025!

Thank you so much to Harper Collins and NetGalley for sending me a digital copy of this to read early.

I was so excited to be drawn back into Rune and Gideon's world with this sequel to The Crimson Moth.

The book was fast paced and hard to put down, the enemies to lovers to enemies aspect had me on the edge of my seat and I was engaged the whole way through. The miscommunication between the character was infuriating (in a good way) and I loved learning the backstories of more characters like Harrow and Seraphine.

The series overall is one of my favourite duologies and I would definitely recommend to other romantasy lovers out there!