Heartless Hunter Book Review
Check out my review of Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli, the first fantasy romance book in The Crimson Moth duology and a New York Times Bestseller.
The runaway success of big titles in the romance fantasy genre known as “romantasy” has spawned a long list of fresh book picks to enjoy and I couldn’t be more excited about it.
I spotted the recommendation for Heartless Hunter by a member of the Peanut Blossom Book Club over in our Facebook group and I was instantly intrigued.
A romance between a witch and a witch hunter? That was all I needed to know.
Curious if this book is for you? Check out my full review below.
If this is your first time reading one of my reviews, you may want to check out how I score my reads with this scale guide here.
Summary of Heartless Hunter
“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.”
What I Liked
Here’s what I would tell my best friend about the book:
- Captivating: The plot of Heartless Hunter was captivating enough to hold my attention even while there were family distractions all around me over summer break with the kids at home.
- Origin Story: I’m a sucker for an origin story and loved reading about how Rune came into her powers along with the impact that had on her friends and family.
- Dark and a Bit Violent: If you met me in person, you’d find me to be gentle and polite. Yet, I love reading books about baddy powerful women kicking butt and taking names.
- Colorful Atmosphere: Rune disguises her true nature behind a vapid society rich girl persona at home in ballrooms and social events. The details about the fashion and parties were a fun contrast to the action and mystery. I loved the description of her private spell room and her mansion as well.
- Low Commitment Series: Right at the outset I knew this was a simple duology. I enjoyed the book enough to want to read Book 2 when it comes out and then that will be that. It was nice knowing this isn’t a series with an endless amount of books to weed through.
What I Didn’t Like
Every reader needs something different from a book. What I may not have preferred may be your favorite part.
For me, there were brief moments that were a bit too bloody and graphic. People die in gruesome ways but nothing is prolonged or drawn out. They are easily skimmed moments if that sort of thing upsets you.
The ending was not particularly satisfying to me but since it sets up Book 2, which I haven’t read yet, I’ll totally forgive it. I still plan to read the next book.
How Spicy Is It?
🌶️🌶️🌶️: Heartless Hunter rates a Level 3 on my spicy books rating scale. Open door romance that tastefully supports the plot.
Tropes and Content Warnings
This is an enemies to lovers romance between a witch and a witch hunter.
Dark magic is referenced, this is not a gentle magic witch situation like The Ex Hex. However, the main character is not presented as evil.
Overall Score
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I give Heartless Hunter four solid stars. It kept me turning pages and putting off my to-do list. I couldn’t wait to pick it back up.
With some minor complaints about the plot keeping it from a full five stars, I can still very strongly recommend this fun read.
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