Reviews with content warning for Sexual assault - Heartless Hunter

HEARTLESS HUNTER is a book that suddenly a scene pops into my head, and I’m like, “Ohhh, that was so good!” But it’s not like the same two or three scenes; it’s most scenes in the book. Kristen Ciccarelli has written a book for fantasy lovers that you will not want to put down. I found myself wanting more and more, but then suddenly it was over and now I have to wait 😩

One of my favorite descriptive sentences to read about a book is “enemies-to-lovers doesn’t get more high stakes than a witch and a witch hunter falling in love.” Yes, please! There’s always so much angst. So much secrecy. So much pining. And HEARTLESS HUNTER has it all between Rune and Gideon. I lived for their banter, kindness, anger, snark, annoyance, and tension with one another.

What sets HEARTLESS HUNTER apart is its masterful execution of the enemies-to-lovers trope. It’s not a rushed ‘I hate you, well okay, I love you’ scenario. The book delivers on the promise of good YA angst and tension, leaving you craving more. This book knows how to keep you hooked, and I am here for it!

This was an excellent surprise of a new fantasy duology, and I can’t wait for book two!

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mr05e's review

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This book had a great set up to be an amazing story, but it ended up falling short for me.

The world-building didn’t seem very well thought out. Some of the details made it sound like it was a Victorian-inspired fantasy story, but then the author uses words like “leggings,” “bralette,” “sundress,” and “hooded sweater” (what’s wrong with just a cloak 🥹). Those parts would take me right out of the story.

I also wish Rune was given more time to shine as a vigilante-witch! It’s just explained that she has saved a bunch of witches from prison and helped them escape. I wanted part of the plot to be her saving people and being a badass. It’s a lot of talking about what her plan is and her internal struggle as a witch in hiding. Just wish there was more of her taking action/vigilantism to supplement her internal conflict.

The plot twist with

Verity actually being Cressida in disguise

was a bit predictable so I found myself wanting the characters to hurry up and get with the program.

And sadly, I think we all knew Alex wasn’t going to be long for this world, the enemies to lovers plot is obviously going to favor the enemies lmao

The enemies to lovers aspect of this romantasy was solid, probably the best part of the book. A little more “cat and mouse” action would’ve made it even better (aka more scenes where Gideon and Rune interact as blood guard vs crimson moth,

like when he sets up the trap in the mines

). I feel like it would’ve added more interest to their enemies dynamic. And once we get to the actual “lovers” part of the trope

it was well written: good balance of angst, consent, communication, intimacy, and spice that definitely made the way they parted ways at the end more emotional as opposed to just being fanservice-y

📚TLDR: Good enemies to lovers plot, just wished the characters and the world they are in were fleshed out better—more “show” and less “tell”.

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boba_n_books's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Spice Rating: 🌶️ / 5

This is hands down one of the best and most captivating books I've read in a while. And, bonus, it's TRUE enemies to lovers!

Rune is a witch trying to survive in a world where her kind are outlawed. A few years ago, there was a revolution of humans overturning the witches in power, and now witches are constantly hunted. Rune takes it upon herself to become a vigilante by saving witches, but she hides in plain sight under the ruse that she is a human in high society. Rune's best friend's brother, Gideon, is a witch hunter, which makes him extremely dangers and extremely off-limits... until Rune realizes that she could get information out of Gideon that would help her free more witches. The pair fall into a "courtship," but it's getting hard to tell what is an act anymore as both Gideon and Rune start to catch feelings.

This dual POV dark romantasy novel has a true enemies to lovers trope and some twists I truly didn't see coming. I binged this book and cannot wait to do the same with book 2.

If you love witches, slow burn, forced proximity, enemies to lovers, magic, and emotional stories, check out Heartless Hunter.

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rsainta's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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capsandclauses's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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dcnireads's review

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dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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thatbethguy's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I liked a lot about this book. The characters were nuanced and complex. The world was fascinating and offered interesting insight into “us vs. them” dynamics. The witchy vibes were fabulous. And it had heart-wrenching conversations on trauma and its lifelong impact.

However, I was bummed that the twists in the book were rather predictable. Also, the primary romance in the book had some decent physical attraction build-up, but not much emotional build-up so it felt a bit rushed.

Overall, a four-star read for me! I liked it but didn’t love it. I am looking forward to seeing what’s ahead in book 2, though!

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rubisbooknook's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

“The hunted had fallen for the hunter.”

This is one those those books that’s so good it leaves you shaken. I’m scared it’ll put me into a reading slump because it was so good! It was addictive from the get go and I felt so fully immersed in the world I actually forgot I was reading at times. I also felt so emotionally connected that I cried very real tears at times.

The book is set in the aftermath of a revolution that ended the rule of witches. Any known witches are now hunted down. It follows Rune a rich socialite with a secret identity, a witch only known as the Crimson Moth. Gideon is a witch hunter who has been on the Crimson Moth’s trail. They both have secret agendas as they begin to court each other. Rune needs him to gain information to save fellow witches and Gideon needs to settle his suspicions that she may be the witch he’s been after or at the very least be involved with her somehow. But as they play their games, they risk real feelings developing. And all the while there’s some more sinister things occurring that may be beyond both of their controls.

I loved everything about this book: the mystery, the magic, the gothic atmosphere, the tragic elements, the high stakes, the tension, and the forbidden enemies to lovers love story.

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