A perfect conclusion to this beautifully written story, loved every word. I don't want to spoil anything, so I will only say, if you loved the first book you will love this one.

4.5 stars
Content warning: death, murder, magical torture, blood magic

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy to review. All thoughts are my own.

I was eager to return to Rune and Gideon's story and The Rebel Witch did not disappoint. I actually enjoyed this conclusion more than the first book. The tensions between the main protagonists are high again, and I appreciate that despite their romantic feelings for each other, they both remain individuals who are fighting for a greater cause. I appreciate Rune a lot as a character. She's flawed and easily vulnerable, and yet reckless and will throw herself into situations that aren't the greatest. Sometimes she escapes by her teeth, but she still manages to remain intriguing to follow. It was great to see her, after being betrayed badly in book one, to start forming new alliances and gathering a new family or friendship group, especially in the latter portions of the book.

Gideon's loyalties and righteousness get really tested in this read, and out of the pair, I do think his character growth is more impactful. Rune does have some moments where she chooses to run away or hide from the overwhelming battle between witches, hunters, and civilians, and whilst I understand why, she does get a little on the nose with her antics towards the end. I much preferred Gideon's approach, and his desire to make a better world for him and Rune to live in, if they both can.

The writing lends to wonderful imagery once more, and I truly felt invested in the world, in the storyline, and following certain key characters and hoping for their survival. The lore built into something intriguing and whilst the actions at the end with a particular character were very predictable, I had a great time with this additional information to the world history. I also appreciated the depth to the romance in this story. The forbidden aspect and being from enemy alliances initially continued to play into something poignantly beautiful at times. You can really feel the yearning between Rune and Gideon, and their desperation to keep the other safe, regardless of the consequences it gains them within their ranks.

I'm certain that fans of The Crimson Moth/Heartless Hunter will appreciate how Ciccarelli concluded this world with The Rebel Witch. I highly recommend it, especially to romantasy lovers.

I was itching to tuck into this after devouring The Crimson Moth last month, and this truly delivered.

The Rebel Witch picks up not long after the conclusion of The Crimson Moth, and we’re thrown back into the deep end of the absolute sizzling tension between Rune and Gideon, mixed with hidden scheming and betrayals, and a side of a few new faces along the way.

I think Rune and Gideon might be one of my favourite pairings for the enemies-to-lovers trope. The yearning and angst between them and their general hate-love relationship just really does the trope well. I can’t emphasise how much I love the use of dual perspective chapters in these cases too, because it really cranks the emotion up a lot.

This was every bit as fast paced and thrilling as the first book, though much like the first, I found the ending was a little rushed. Overall I really enjoyed this book and I’m sad to be leaving these characters and this world behind.

Thankyou HarperCollins UK and Netgalley for granting my wish and providing a digital arc 🫶 This review is entirely my own.

5 🌟
1 🌶️

Loved the second book. High stakes and the story progressed so well.

It really tied everything together. Perfect duology. One of my top reads of the year.

An amazing enemies to lovers book.

Thank you for the eARC

Can I please read this duopoly for the first time again! I LOVE THESE BOOKS SO MUCH! Perfection exists and Kristen Ciccarelli wrote it.


Just such a satisfying ending everything just worked out perfectly and I loved every second.


If you haven't read it DO IT, and thank me later

The Crimson Moth was one of my favourite reads of last year so I was so relieved that the sequel did not disappoint!

I loved the continued yearning and slow burn chemistry between Rune and Gideon, and their enemies to lovers will they/won’t they arc was once again perfectly executed. Cressida is truly villainous, and while there was some obvious inevitability in terms of how this duology would end, the ending itself was still satisfying, particularly the epilogue. There was also a spicy scene, but it wasn’t gratuitous and didn’t feel out of place. That being said, the last 10% of the book did feel a little rushed and I wish the author had explored some elements in a little more depth, for example Rune’s new powers. I therefore gave this one a 4.5 rather than a full 5 star!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publishers for the e-ARC! This was one of my most anticipated 2025 releases and I’m grateful that I got to read it early!

3.25 stars

The Rebel Witch was a highly anticipated sequel for me (and everyone else basically) and I enjoyed the direction it took the duology in. After the explosive finale of The Crimson Moth, Rune finds herself allied with the newly risen evil witch ruler and is being used to meet her cause’s ends. This is another nail in Gideon’s coffin and he can’t take that the Rune he thought he knew would align herself with someone who has brought so much pain to his life. With their mutual betrayals still fresh, the pair end up the last place they expected, teamed up again.

I’m very torn about the dynamic between Rune and Gideon in this book because I thought the tension was fantastic (to a point) and I enjoyed seeing them work together again with a seemingly mutual goal despite a complete lack of trust on both sides. Isn’t that kind of what happened in book one though? I understand the progress their relationship made in the crimson moth was quashed, but this is just my first point of many that this series probably should’ve been a standalone. I do like them as a couple but unfortunately the author didn’t do anything new with them this time around (yes, I understand there’s a theme of having regrets and making the right decisions this time) and it’s stale.

My favourite part of this book is just Gideon. He was much more lovable this time around and I actively looked forward to his POV chapters. I love that the MMC can stand on his on two feet and make a compelling narrative in a FMC-centred fantasy as this isn’t always well-executed. Another huge hit this book took was Rune having the complete opposite progress, I really struggled with her. One of the main differences was that Gideon’s conflicts and turmoil felt organic and logical, he genuinely was doing the best he could in the situation he was in. Whereas Rune honestly reads like a petulant preteen for a lot of this book and she somehow had more of those socialite traits despite being further attached from that lifestyle than book one? It really didn’t make sense to me. Also, and I feel this is a consequence of dragging a one book story across two books, a lot of the plot relied on her being oblivious? There was so much back and forth, and ‘why did Gideon save me?? is he going to murder me??’ girl be for real. I understand the characters are young but spare me.

I still really love the magic system the author has created and it was great to see this expanded on. I’m also a big fan of journeys/voyages so I enjoyed that element too. Maybe a smidge of plot armour is adorned but it’s not unforgivable.

I think this is a good example of a fun book, but maybe not a great book. I stand by that (obviously with a different ending) the crimson moth could’ve been a super satisfying YA romantic fantasy standalone.

A WITCH...
A WITCH HUNTER...
AN IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE...

We are back with Rune and Gideon and their dance....

~ Dancing around each other,
~ Dancing around their chemistry,
~ Dancing around their feelings,
~ Dancing through their differences,
~ Dancing around the memory of Alex,
~ Dancing around Cressida,
~ And trying to stop the Reign of Witches being reinstated.

This duology is a double stunner! The characters, the enemies to lovers element, the forbiden love trope, the magic and some great reveals!

Here's some quotes!

'She was the Crimson Moth. A rebel witch.'

'If this was weakness, he wanted to be weak. If this was sin, let him be damned to hell.'

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

Oh my goodness this one was the best! i loved crimson moth but this one right here?! if only i could read it for the first time all over again.

I loved this book. It felt like the perfect conclusion to The Crimson Moth. The enemies to lovers, the twists, the tension! Just perfection!
I do always worry slightly when I love the first book in a series so much that the second book won’t live up to my expectations but this was not an issue here. I couldn’t put it down!
My only negative comment is that I’m sad this is only a duology- I need more!

I absolutely loved this and it did not disappoint after the first book. It was great to be back with old characters in a world that is so enthralling. It had to me desperate to find out where it was going.

This is a great duology that any fantasy fans will gobble up.

WHY WAS THIS SO STRESSFUL!!! And why am I obsessed with Gideon?! This duology had me in a complete and utter chokehold and.I need the physical copies for my shelves IMMEDIATELY. Loved loved and loved, did I mention I loved Gideon?

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kristen Ciccarelli has truly outdone herself with Rebel Witch, the epic conclusion to The Crimson Moth duology. If you thought the stakes couldn’t get higher after the first book, you’re in for a wild ride. From start to finish, this book had me hooked, and I couldn’t put it down. In fact, I devoured it in just two days—it was that binge-worthy.

Rebel Witch is a masterclass in blending high stakes with emotional depth. Rune Winters is once again at the center of a deadly game, caught between forces more dangerous than ever. The alliances, the betrayals, the magic—it’s all so captivating. And what makes it even better? The slow-burn romance between Rune and Gideon. The enemies-to-lovers and tension between Rune and Gideon was amazing; the slow-burn BURNED. Their chemistry is undeniable, and I absolutely loved seeing more time with both of them on the page as well as getting both their POV's.

I forgot how much I loved the magic system - It’s such a unique concept. It was so easy to jump back into the story, and there was always something fresh and exciting around every corner.

The book does an excellent job of escalating the tension without losing the emotional core of the story. Rune and Gideon’s relationship is a major driving force, and their emotional conflict was so well-developed that I couldn’t help but root for them, even when things seemed impossible.

Dare I say as much as I DEVOURED and LOVED Crimson Moth, The Rebel Witch was my favourite of the duology.

If you’re a fan of enemies-to-lovers romances, high-stakes fantasy, and unforgettable characters, this book is a must-read!

Rebel Witch was a perfect ending to a duology that will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommend!

“𝘐𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴, 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘬. 𝘐𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘯, 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘣𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘮𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘭”

the year long wait for this book was torture but it was hell worth it for this conclusion. I will recommend this duology for all time because it deserves all the freaking stars!

This had banter for days, the tension and YEARNING between Rune and Gideon was literally everything. It was full of action and super fast paced with high stakes and just utter perfection. I loved it even more than the crimson moth. I just adored it and will definitely see myself rereading this duology in the future!

✨romantasy
✨enemies to lovers
✨witch and witch hunter

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

5 ⭐

“It might look like weakness on the surface. But in truth, it’s tougher than steel. Love can’t be controlled. Love can’t obey unjust laws. Love will always oppose tyrants.”

Holy moly... This whole series was 5 ⭐ for me, both books. Phenomenal!

I absolutely love Gideon & Rune so much. I wish this book didn't have to end though, I'm quite sad it's over.
Hopefully there will be more stories set in this world as I'd love to see more of Harrow and Bart as well.

The writing, the tension, the magic and the world building were written so perfectly. I honestly need more, as soon as possible.

This was a brilliant book and a great end to a fantastic duo. The way everything ties in and comes together seamlessly, I couldn't picture a better ending for my characters.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the arc!

🌟✨/5

If I took a shot for every time a character's life was saved just because the person responsible for shooting them dead took too long, I'd be quite drunk indeed. Besides the fact that this was a quick read and I could laugh at how ridiculous the romance was, I don't have positive things to say about this book.

One thing I noticed immediately was that the lack of tension (not the romantic kind lol) and a sense of danger was missing. Heartless Hunter's flaws heavily outweighed the positives but it kept me at the edge of my seat during some scenes, I'll give it that. Rebel Witch is entirely unserious. From lovemaking during a heist to Rune declaring that she wants three children with Gideon while in danger, this has a plethora of eyeroll inducing moments. I hate it when authors cause lovers to become enemies for the sake of a cliffhanger, because the way they reunite in the sequel is never emotionally compelling and feels forced.

Tropification of books is getting on my nerves a lot these days, and Rebel Witch is no exception. The scene with the teeny tiny one bed which is not enough to accommodate them both because of how big and tall Gideon is sent me into a fit of rage I still haven't quite recovred from. Even enemies to lovers can be done well sometimes but the one bed trope is irredeemable in my eyes. There are also the usual 'Who did this to you?' scenes that are cheesy and not at all swoonworthy. Also, Rune and Gideon went from 'enemies' to lovers so fast that it never felt like they were enemies at all. Can we please normalise not building books around tropes??

Rebel Witch is almost 500 pages long but most of the plot felt like the author was just trying to reach a specified word count. The climax itself doesn't even last for 20 pages. There were a lot of convenient moments because of which it never felt like the characters were in actual danger.

You might be thinking (especially if you've read some of my previous romantasy rants) why I keep reading these books. Well, if there's one toxic trait I have, it's that sometimes I need to know how a series ends, especially if a majority of the bookish community has jumped on the hype train. I sometimes subject myself to these atrocities for... experimetal purposes. After this, I don't think I'll be reading any more books by this author. I suppose I'd recommend this to romantasy fans😐

This is exactly how sequels should be written!

I was nervous going into this book after waiting so long for it, worried it wouldn’t live up to the hype. But OMG—it didn’t just meet my expectations; it completely shattered them. The writing was stunning, the banter was top-tier, the tension was palpable, and the REVELATIONS? Absolutely mind-blowing. So many major things happen to Rune and Gideon, and I devoured every second of it.

This duology was phenomenal, and the hype is so well deserved. Everyone needs to read this!

The Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli, the conclusion to the Crimson Moth duology, left me feeling a bit underwhelmed. After the intense cliffhanger of the first book, I was expecting a whirlwind of action and high stakes, but what I got felt more like a lukewarm simmer. It's a shame because "Crimson Moth" had so much potential, with its forbidden romance and the tension between a witch hunter and a rebel witch. Unfortunately, "The Rebel Witch" didn't quite live up to the hype.

I found the resolution to the cliffhanger of the first book surprisingly quick and anticlimactic, the very first scene between Rune and Gideon raised alarm bells that the inherent conflict between them would be solved by tropes rather than by real character growth, and that pretty much happened. The tension that had been built up in the first book seemed to dissipate almost immediately, leaving a void that the rest of the story struggled to fill. While the book is fast-paced and easy to read, which is a definite plus, the plot felt predictable and lacking the Crimson Moth intrigue and action of the first, all culminating in an end that was neither surprising nor earned. I did appreciate the exploration of the characters' internal struggles and the conflict between their love and loyalties, but I needed more depth to that, more time, it kind of felt middle-bookish with an abrupt ending, rather than the final book.

Ultimately, "The Rebel Witch" felt like it missed an opportunity to deliver a truly impactful conclusion. The elements that made the first book so engaging—the forbidden romance, the high-stakes plot, and the complex characters—felt diluted in this sequel. While it's not a terrible book, it's definitely a disappointing follow-up. I'd give it a solid 3 out of 5 stars. If you enjoyed the first book, you'll still find some enjoyment here, but depending on what you most liked about the first, maybe temper your expectations. For me personally, it just didn't deliver the fire I was hoping for.

I enjoyed the first book but unfortunately, this sequel wasn't the best. Twists happened for shock value (I kept guessing them all), characters made stupid decisions that made zero sense just to drag the narrative, the romance felt lackluster, the characters felt very surface-level compared to the first book. This felt like such a mess, after the 30% mark I couldn't wait to finish the book because it just felt so boring.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

4.5 stars.

This series was so good as a whole. I had such low expectations going into the whole thing due to assuming it was YA (because of how its been marketed) and I don't read much YA fantasy anymore. Low and behold, this definitely reads more New Adult. A lot more mature than I anticipated, there was the odd scene where I rolled my eyes, but overall, read so much more older than I was expecting.

I love Rune and Gideon, and the route this second book takes was great. I definitely see myself rereading this series and enjoying it even more upon reread. Such a lovely surprising series and I'm so glad I allowed the hype to get under my skin. Very worth it.