Heartless Hunter: The Crimson Moth: Book 1

Name: Heartless Hunter: The Crimson Moth: Book 1
Rating: 7.98 (1210 reviews)
ISBN: 9781250866905

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

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Published Feb 20, 2024

416 pages

Average rating: 7.98

1,210 RATINGS

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What Bookclubbers are saying about this book

✨ Summarized by Bookclubs AI

Readers say *Heartless Hunter: The Crimson Moth* is a compelling YA romantasy set on a turn-of-the-century island ruled by witches in hiding. They pra...

CeLynasings

Nov 16, 2025

10/10 stars

This book would be a great introduction to those looking to get into spicy books. It was light and tasteful with the romance. The twist and turns were very surprising and I love how the writer was able to build a world that seemed to already exist.

fromlizaslibrary

Apr 29, 2025

9/10 stars

Wow! This book was so gripping, I could not get enough! The story was fairly fast paced which was refreshing to not have a ton of lulling detail in a romantasy read. The world dynamic was intriguing and I hope we get more world building in the sequel. I also found the magic system to be an interesting one. Rune was a very likable FMC although I wish we got to see her in action more. I also enjoyed how she handled her own magic, albeit a little disgusting, I thought it was incredibly clever. Gideon grew on me throughout the book specifically during his POV chapters but overall I was very fond of him as our moody MMC. I did see some of the twists coming, but there were some revelations that surprised me at the end which I can always appreciate. I loved this book and I am glad we get a second book because I have not had enough of Rune yet!

Kristin Rose

Nov 01, 2024

8/10 stars

THE ENDING

Jessie Ward

Apr 09, 2026

10/10 stars

The Heartless Hunter is a YA, turn-of-the-century novel that takes place on an island once ruled by three evil witch sisters who were overthrown in a revolution. The story begins two years later with Rune, a young aristocrat who also happens to be a witch—at a time when witches are hunted and killed. She does what she can to protect the witches now in hiding. In a plot to gain information to aid her efforts, she reluctantly decides to court Gideon Sharpe, a captain of the Blood Guard. Gideon suspects her of being, or at least aiding, the Crimson Moth, who has been a thorn in his side for two years. Both enter the relationship intending to uncover each other's secrets—but end up getting more than they bargained for.

This story was so compelling I didn’t want to put it down. When I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it. After finishing it in three days, I ordered the next book in the series from my local indie bookstore. I can’t wait to see where the story goes from here.

krzyk8ee

Feb 21, 2026

6/10 stars

At first I thought this was just a regular fantasy with a little formula for a romance book. I enjoyed reading more about the witch part (not a theme in the books I've been reading lately) and really liked how they made the spells. There are parts that I really didn't like. (How "little" the FMC is but that's to be expected from a fantasy book), and how he goes after his brother's girl. (I feel like that's going against the code!) I felt her conundrum about having to wear different "masks". But OH! the plot twists!!! I actually didn't see them coming. But I did read it and listen (and in the audio version- she has an accent!) It ends with a cliff hanger so I'm sure I'll read book 2!