Who Would Like This Book:
If you crave a pulse-pounding enemies-to-lovers romance with plenty of tension and undercover secrets, you'll be hooked by this one! The cat-and-mouse dynamic between a witch in hiding and a witch hunter set in a society where magic is outlawed makes for addictive reading. Fans of dramatic slow-burn romance, fake dating tropes, and dual POVs will find plenty to love here. Bonus points if you enjoy quick, binge-worthy reads with a dramatic, twisty ride!
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers found the worldbuilding a bit lackluster and the story's YA vibe a touch too strong. If you prefer complex fantasy lore or want unpredictable plots, the straightforward narrative and familiar tropes here may feel a bit predictable or underdeveloped. Additionally, some sensitive themes aren't always handled with the depth they deserve, which could be off-putting to those looking for more nuanced takes.
About:
'Heartless Hunter' by Kristen Ciccarelli is a YA fantasy novel that revolves around a witch and a witch hunter romance. The book is known for its enemies-to-lovers trope and is praised for its plot, romance, and adult content. The story delves into the dynamics between the main characters, featuring a witch and a witch hunter, and is described as a quick, engaging read with compelling characters and a tension-filled romance.
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Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The book includes themes of persecution and potential violence, which may serve as content warnings for some readers.
Has Romance?
The romance in Heartless Hunter is a central element of the story, characterized by high emotional tension and stakes.
From The Publisher:
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!
"A steamy game of cat and mouse between witch and witch-hunter, played out against a backdrop of opulence, secrets, and bloody history. I couldn't look away." - Kendare Blake, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Champion of Fate
Enemies-to-lovers doesn't get more high stakes than a witch and a witch hunter falling in love in bestselling author Kristen Ciccarelli's latest romantic fantasy.
On the night Rune's life changed forever, blood ran in the streets. Now, in the aftermath of a devastating revolution, witches have been diminished from powerful rulers to outcasts ruthlessly hunted due to their waning magic, and Rune must hide what she is.
Spending her days pretending to be nothing more than a vapid young socialite, Rune spends her nights as the Crimson Moth, a witch vigilante who rescues her kind from being purged. When a rescue goes wrong, she decides to throw the witch hunters off her scent and gain the intel she desperately needs by courting the handsome Gideon Sharpe - a notorious and unforgiving witch hunter loyal to the revolution - who she can't help but find herself falling for.
Gideon loathes the decadence and superficiality Rune represents, but when he learns the Crimson Moth has been using Rune's merchant ships to smuggle renegade witches out of the republic, he inserts himself into her social circles by pretending to court her right back. He soon realizes that beneath her beauty and shallow façade, is someone fiercely intelligent and tender who feels like his perfect match. Except, what if she's the very villain he's been hunting?
Kristen Ciccarelli's Heartless Hunter is the thrilling start to The Crimson Moth duology, a romantic fantasy series where the only thing more treacherous than being a witch...is falling in love.
"Enchanting and deeply romantic, Heartless Hunter drew me in with the first sentence and left me breathless by the last. A story that unfolds like a spell, and one that is destined to capture your heart." - Rebecca Ross, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Divine Rivals
Ratings (209)
Incredible (32) | |
Loved It (77) | |
Liked It (52) | |
It Was OK (32) | |
Did Not Like (14) | |
Hated It (2) |
Reader Stats (496):
Read It (211) | |
Currently Reading (7) | |
Want To Read (223) | |
Did Not Finish (8) | |
Not Interested (47) |
8 comment(s)
4.5/5
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an ARC of "Heartless Hunter" by Kristen Ciccarelli. This book is utterly addictive. Once I picked it up, I literally couldn't put it down until it was over. The greatest strength of this book lies in its compelling characters. Each one is distinct and memorable, and the dynamics between them keep you hooked. Rune herself is an incredible main character. She's clever and strong, but what truly shines is her compassionate motivation that drives her to put herself in perilous situations for others.
Of course, the romance is the primary draw for many readers (myself included), and boy, does it deliver. There's nothing quite like a dramatic slow burn, spiced up with a healthy dose of enemies-to-lovers tension. The witch/witch-hunter dynamic is always a favorite of mine (shoutout to "Serpent and Dove" for getting me hooked on this trope). The relationship between Rune and Gideon is complete with witty banter and genuine emotion that kept me turning the pages late into the night.
Overall, "Heartless Hunter" stands out among recent YA titles and delivers a powerful and addictive storyline. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone even remotely intrigued by the synopsis.
It's annoying when you figure out everything well before your done with the book.
Cool magic system and true enemies to lovers.
This was such a good book! I can hardly wait to get my hands on the 2nd in the series. I'm going to recommend it to my book club.
What an ending… I was suspecting that it’s not going to be a happy ending but this?! Alex didn’t deserve this… pretty fast paced and really engaging… couldn’t put it down…liked the story and characters… and what a twist.
★★★½
I’m not even sure I like this book but oh my fucking god and now I’m MAD and the next one doesn’t come out until FEBRUARY are you JOKING
Okay it’s now been like, three minutes since finished and while this isn’t a five star book like one of my normal five star books— insomuch that I find it to be a decent addition to the literary canon if you will— it is a five star book in that I was literally screaming the way I only do watching sports at the end of this book and anything that inspires that much feeling deserves a ratings bump. I know when I think back to this I’m going to be like “ugh the plot holes, ugh the writing” but I like feeling feelings so I’m going to leave it alone for now
This was pretty predictable, but well-told overall and entertaining. I'm excited to continue the series.
What can you read after
Heartless Hunter?
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