Some books capture your heart, some books leave you breathless… and then there are books like The Rebel Witch, which do both. As the thrilling conclusion to The Crimson Moth duology, this novel delivers everything I hoped for—high-stakes magic, heart-stopping romance, and twists that kept me glued to the pages.

The story picks up right where The Crimson Moth left off, pulling readers straight back into a world of witches, hunters, and long-buried secrets. Just when I thought there was nothing left to uncover, the plot took unexpected turns that made it impossible to put the book down.

At the heart of the novel is the dynamic between Rune and Gideon. Their relationship is one of my favorite aspects—rooted in tension, growth, and undeniable chemistry. What I loved most is that neither of them sacrificed who they were for the other. Instead, they evolved into their best selves together, making their journey all the more satisfying.

Beyond the romance, the book is filled with fantastic tropes: forced proximity (including two “only one bed” scenes!), enemies to lovers, and just the right amount of spice to complement the story. Every moment felt intentional, and the balance between action, magic, and romance was flawless.

But let’s be honest—I need more! While we get glimpses of the future, I can’t help but crave an extended epilogue or even a bonus novella showing the world they fought so hard to create. These characters have completely stolen my heart, and I know I’ll be rereading this duology many times.

If you’re looking for a cozy, witchy, and utterly addictive romantasy, The Rebel Witch (and the entire Crimson Moth duology) is an absolute must-read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tropes You’ll Love:
✔️ Enemies to Lovers
✔️ Witches & Witch Hunters
✔️ Slow Burn with Perfect Spice
✔️ “There’s Only One Bed” (twice!)
✔️ Twists That Keep You Hooked

I’ll be dreaming of a third book… but until then, I’ll just keep rereading this masterpiece!

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC.

ahhh it was SO fun to be back in this world with these characters and i already miss them. i know by now kristen ciccarelli is an auto-buy author from me and i adore the crimson moth with my entire heart. while this was a bit predictable, i still ate it up and every scene felt so purposeful that i can’t even complain 💫

3.5 - rounded up to 4 stars
This book is the second book in the Crimson Moth duology and the cover art is stunning. I was SO excited for this book and really enjoyed being back with Rune and Gideon. This is such a fun romantasy read and even though I did prefer book one, I still really enjoyed this one. The chemistry between the characters is amazing and the storyline kept me engaged throughout. Loved this duology and highly recommend it if you love the romance and fantasy combo.

Literally a roller coaster from start to finish!

I was worried that them separating at the end of the first book was going to leave us with a window where they were apart which typically makes for slow reading - im looking at you Unravel Me.

But no! Literally, were in the same room in chapter one. Like this book did not mess around getting started and I was Here. For. It.

The pining was just top tier all the way through! Omg. The leg kicky tension was leg kicking. The fact that both of them were so in love with the other but assumed the other one had lied about their feelings. Like just bang it out guys and gals, it'll come up good in the end. Pun intended.

There was no slow moment either tbh, it was always go. I know some people don't like that but being an ADHD gal with a short attention span, I was hooked from start to finish.

The plot twists weren't super bombshell twisty, like you could see them unfurling almost but it was more like, okay I guessed that was going to happen but what the hell do we do about it?!

I miss Alex though. Like so much, it hurts my heart. I kept waiting for a bombshell that he wasn't actually dead but no 😭

Gideon and Rune served all the way though. I liked Rune going through her trauma and Gideon recognizing it in her and letting her work through it and figure out that she's not the afraid little girl, she never has been and he'll never see her that way. I love that she reminded him of what she's fighting for too.

Although, why didn't we come back to those visions she was having?! We're just glossing over it!? If there's another book I'm going to be furious and ecstatic at the same time 😂

Superb book, well worth the wait and I was so honored to receive it slightly early on NetGalley 💗

4.5/5 rounded up.

What an awesome book this was! I loved the first one, and was not disappointed. I loved seeing the characters again, and the world is just as good as I remembered. The writing really has a way of gripping me and not letting go. The only downside of this book is tht it felt like a lot of back and forth between places, which I understand in a way but it sometimes felt like a character was made to go back somewhere so it worked with the plot rather than it happening 'organically', hence why I knocked half a star. This didn't alter my reading experience too much, and I had great fun reading the book. It was difficult to put it down!

This hit me in all the feels and I'm genuinely sad that this book wraps up the duology - I would love to spend more time following Rune and Gideon’s adventures!

Everything about this was fantastic - the fast pace, the high stakes, the tension, the angst, the yearning, the chemistry - it was all so well executed, I ate it up and read it in one sitting.

My heart broke for Rune and Gideon throughout this book, seeing them work through their hurt and their internal struggles to come together at the end was tough but oh so satisfying. I teared up multiple times, particularly in the second half.

This sequel has solidified The Crimson Moth duology as one of my all-time favourite series. I feel I might need to reread sooner rather than later because my heart hurts right now saying goodbye to Rune and Gideon. 🦋✨🌙❤️

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Since finishing The Crimson Moth, I've been eagerly anticipating the continuation of this duology, and I can confidently say this book did not disappoint—if anything, it might just be my favourite of the two!

I really appreciated the new settings introduced here which added depth to the world-building. It was also fantastic getting to know some characters better, while meeting new ones who brought fresh energy to the story. The dynamic between the two main characters is particularly compelling, as we witness their internal struggles and the emotional tension between them, all while they find themselves on opposite sides of a war.

While some aspects of the plot may be predictable, there were plenty of surprising twists that kept me on the edge of my seat. I found myself holding my breath, waiting for everything to go wrong at any moment!

In the end, I thoroughly enjoyed this conclusion to a brilliant duology. I’m left hoping for more stories set in this world—there’s so much more to explore, and I can’t wait to see where the author takes us next!

Thank you to Harper Collins and Netgalley for this eARC to review.

“Love is the real enemy of the regime, and that’s why you despite it.”

One piece of advice when you’ll start reading The Rebel Witch: clear your schedule. Once I opened the book, I had to finish it. That’s how addictive this second part is.
The story starts 3 months after the end of The Crimson Moth / Heartless Hunter. Like in the first book, characters’ arcs are great, especially Rune’s. She’s still on her path to discover her identity, above being a witch or an aristocrat. She has to overcome a lot during this second part (I don’t want to spoil, but OMG who the author captured her feelings and reactions so well!!), but her path is so worth it! Gideon’s evolution is a bit more “introverted”, but great too, and I think I loved him even more than in book 1 as he planted seeds of doubt inside Rune’s mind. (I don’t mention the aesthetics and WB here but they’re just as good as in book 1)
The enemies to lovers dynamic is great in this one too, and makes them have A LOT of cognitive dissonances about their beliefs/ideals (I loved that SO SO MUCH), and who is the person they love. This makes them think, evolve, question everything: their feelings, their identity, their cause, and… the system.
Like in the first book, the Revolution and its consequences are discussed a lot. What is important? The person who has power? People? The system? When do you have to speak out? How can you make a difference? Can you improve people’s life durably or is it an utopy?
I loved the many twists and turns, betweens plans, treasons and sacrifices, making this read as much tense as it was romantic but also meaningful. One of my favorite reads of these last few months!

Thank you to the author and to Harper Collins / Magpie for granting me my wish on netgalley!
My opinions are my own.

★★★★★

𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙛𝙤𝙧…
✨ witch x witch hunter
🗡️ cat & mouse game
✨ true enemies to lovers
🗡️ angst & mutual pining
✨ forced proximity
🗡️ conclusion of the series

I’ll skip the synopsis today to keep this spoiler free…

𝙢𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨…
I really enjoyed The Crimson Moth but oh my goodness The Rebel Witch is another level 😭

I won’t say too much so as not to spoil anything, but the cat & mouse game continues (LOVE), only this time it is paired with so much angst and pining 😮‍💨 (also love! 👏🏼)

We get a lot more relationship development between Rune & Gideon in this book, which is the only thing I thought was missing from The Crimson Moth! The forced proximity is perfect for forcing this upon them, but also they know they cannot trust the other and it made my heart hurt a lot 😭💔

I absolutely loved the dual (3rd person) pov - it means that we truly get to see how both characters are torn between doing what they believe to be right and their heart 🥲 I liked Gideon in TCM but absolutely loved him in this - especially towards the end when Rune needed him more than ever 👏🏼😭

Lastly please don’t let the fact that this is YA deter you from reading it - I almost did and I would have missed out on a new favourite! 🌟

An amazing conclusion to this story, I love Gideon and Rune's relationship, the witch and witch hunter duo continues to fascinate me.

The ROMANCE!!! friends this has been it, I'm still squealing from the tension and love of these characters.

I can't say too much, because the way I am I might unintentionally drop a spoiler, but I can tell you that it all worked, I love duologues.

While some may consider the story to have parts that may be too convenient or predictable, I loved how they worked, I devoured it so with that I say it all.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC.

An amazing conclusion to this story, I love Gideon and Rune's relationship, the witch and witch hunter duo continues to fascinate me.

The ROMANCE!!! friends this has been it, I'm still squealing from the tension and love of these characters.

I can't say too much, because the way I am I might unintentionally drop a spoiler, but I can tell you that it all worked, I love duologues.

While some may consider the story to have parts that may be too convenient or predictable, I loved how they worked, I devoured it so with that I say it all.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC.

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.

--

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*
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
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.