Heartless Hunter: The Crimson Moth: Book 1 (The Crimson Moth, 1)

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: 7.99

919 RATINGS

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JT Penguin

Sep 13, 2025

1/10 star

I DNF'd this book at 30% and I am SO sad to do so! My friend spoke highly of it and I was so excited to read it but I just could not get into it! I found myself skimming parts and having to go back and reread it. I found the repetition annoying (I've been here since the beginning - no need to rehash things every freakin' chapter!!) The magic system was unique, which I love!, and seemed interesting but the delivery system that was utilized by the FMC gave me the ick and it was hard for me to get past. Overall there just wasn't enough interesting bits to keep my interest piqued so had to call it.

ljzsreadsandreviews

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

alliebrandy89

Sep 11, 2025

8/10 stars

Enemies to lovers to enemies again! When I say I read this in 7 hours I am not kidding! Oh my it took every bit of will power not to jump right into the 2nd book. Action, magic, and romance! Just a little spice we give it 2 chilies. Gideon is the kind of MMC you find yourself rooting for when he does something so sweet and screaming at when he does something dumb because...boys.

Josie the book goblin

Aug 22, 2025

10/10 stars

I love love loved this. It was a different take on witches I've never read before and I found it so refreshing. The romance was a slow build up and predictable but I devoured it. I appreciated that the romance and the sex scenes werent over exaggerated as well. I honestly thought I had it figured out with some of the characters about halfway through but I had one person off. Boy did this tug my heart strings at the end though. I was gutted! I CANNOT wait to jump into Rebel Witch.