Heartless Hunter (The Crimson Moth, #1) by Kristen Ciccarelli 🎧 Grace Gray

Synopsis (via Goodreads):  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 The Crimson Moth is the thrilling start to a romantic fantasy duology where the only thing more treacherous than being a witch… is falling in love.

I definitely think The Crimson Moth is a much better title for this book than Heartless Hunter. I’m assuming they changed the title at the last minute, since the original title is still mentioned in the book’s synopsis. Heartless Hunter doesn’t feel accurate, because both Rune and Gideon are fighting for causes they believe in based on personal experience. Rune was raised and loved by a witch, while Gideon’s life was completely destroyed by them. Just like with humans, there are good and bad witches—but that doesn’t mean people are quick to forgive or accept those who have wronged them.

Grace Gray did an absolutely amazing job narrating Heartless Hunter. She doesn’t use a dramatically distinct “male” voice, but she handled the different POVs really well. I was able to follow the story and each perspective without any trouble at all. I’ve already borrowed the second book from the library so I can continue listening to Rune and Gideon’s story.

I thought the romance between Rune and Gideon was good, though complicated. They clearly have feelings for each other, but neither of them trusts the other’s intentions. Rune knows Gideon is showing interest in her because he’s trying to determine whether she’s the Crimson Moth or connected to the witch who’s rescuing others from execution. Despite knowing this, she still develops feelings for her best friend’s brother, which complicates everything. Gideon, on the other hand, isn’t sure of Rune’s true identity and knows she should be off-limits because of his brother — yet he can’t help letting her in and growing closer to her.

I found myself wishing they knew what we did as readers, because they both feel manipulated and betrayed by the other. They don’t realize that real feelings were shared, which makes the fallout even more painful. After everything that’s happened, it will take a lot for them to truly trust each other again. I’m really hoping they get another chance in the second book because I am 100% rooting for them. I loved the slow burn of their relationship and the way the author developed their feelings against the backdrop of everything happening around them.

I gave this one four stars instead of five because some of the twists were predictable — and I absolutely hated the one that wasn’t. I’m still not sure I can forgive Ciccarelli for the emotional damage she caused, but apparently I’m a glutton for punishment, because I’m diving into Rebel Witch anyway. My friend has already started it and said she’s cried multiple times, so at this point I’m bracing for impact. Wish me luck! (★★★★☆)

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.