Heartless Hunter is the story of a charismatic witch and a determined witch hunter. Rune is a young heiress to the outside world, but secretly she is the Crimson Moth. The Crimson Moth is known for freeing witches and Rune’s greatest secret is that she is one. When a rescue does not go to plan, Rune is forced to court Gideon, a well-known witch hunter. As they get to know each other, Rune must use all her skills so that Gideon never sees the witch beneath her mask. As the stakes rise, Gideon and Rune start to fall for each other…

Heartless Hunter is one of my new favorites of 2024! Rune is such a strong character who is determined to protect her people and honor her grandmother. I appreciated how clever Rune was about getting the blood she needed for spells. Gideon is equally as determined to protect his brother and gain revenge on the witches who hurt him in the past. I loved the banter between Gideon and Rune! Gideon and Rune have a steamy romance filled with tension and longing. Ciccarelli excels at creating moments of passion between them. On paper they are two people who should never be together, yet they find themselves in love against all odds. Along with romance, the complex politics and excellent twists make this impossible to put down. I cannot wait for book two!! 

Readers who enjoy Shelby Mahurin, Renée Adieh, and Holly Black will enjoy Heartless Hunter. If you seek enemies-to-lovers, steamy romance, and creative magic then you need to check out this book. 

Thank you to Kristin Ciccarelli, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.