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kaigar96's review against another edition
This book made my heart whole and then ripped it into a million pieces. Heartless Hunter follows a witch (Rune) who spends her night as The Crimson Moth saving other witches from death and a witch hunter (Gideon) whose sole mission is to find The Crimson Moth. The two attempt to court each other to gain information, but begin to fall for each other.
The first 50 pages were slow to get into, but then I couldn't get through the rest fast enough. Usually stories like this have a sudden switch where one of the characters instantly falls, feeling like a different personality. This book doesn't do that. Heartless Hunter has perfected the enemies to lovers trope. Both Rune and Gideon are true enemies who really get to spend time learning about the other. As a reader, you get to learn more about each character and better understand the reasons for their missions as well as their struggles underneath. You can't help but root for these characters as they work through their histories and begin to care deeply for each other. HOWEVER, this is not a story where they fall in love and have a perfect ending. By the end of this book, the characters are still deeply troubled by their pasts and are still very much rooted into their past mindsets. Overall, this book is perfect for readers who are looking for enemies-to-lovers done well, heartpounding cat and mouse, or heartbreaking twists. Please see listed content ratings.
Regarding the ending - I've never been more stressed or heartbroken reading a book.While I understand the pain Gideon felt, what he did feels irredeemable to me. Obviously he loves his brother and was falling for Rune, but to send both of them to be killed was just.... I'm assuming he'll grow and regret in the second book, but at the end of the day, he's still committing gruesome acts of violence against witches. This is done well by the author so it is completely my reading prefernce, but I just don't enjoy a story where a victim ends up with a person who mass genocided her people and attempted to murder her too
The first 50 pages were slow to get into, but then I couldn't get through the rest fast enough. Usually stories like this have a sudden switch where one of the characters instantly falls, feeling like a different personality. This book doesn't do that. Heartless Hunter has perfected the enemies to lovers trope. Both Rune and Gideon are true enemies who really get to spend time learning about the other. As a reader, you get to learn more about each character and better understand the reasons for their missions as well as their struggles underneath. You can't help but root for these characters as they work through their histories and begin to care deeply for each other. HOWEVER, this is not a story where they fall in love and have a perfect ending. By the end of this book, the characters are still deeply troubled by their pasts and are still very much rooted into their past mindsets. Overall, this book is perfect for readers who are looking for enemies-to-lovers done well, heartpounding cat and mouse, or heartbreaking twists. Please see listed content ratings.
Regarding the ending - I've never been more stressed or heartbroken reading a book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Blood, Genocide, Sexual violence, Torture, Murder, Violence, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Domestic abuse and Death of parent
smcrain's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.5
I really enjoyed this one it had a mix of things action, adventure, intrigue, romance, suspense and angst that had me constantly reading. Now to wait for book 2 of the duology.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Murder, Domestic abuse, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content and Suicide
belala's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Murder, Violence, Death, and War
friedowls's review against another edition
2.5
1. This is a love triangle, which I don't automatically dislike, even though I'm not fond of them. However, this love triangle felt pointless and obvious, and one of the love interests (not the overall end game) is my least favorite character I've ever read about. I've genuinely cried over how pissed I was about his character:
2. Alex Sharpe is the worst love interest, brother, and "likeable character" literally ever.His brother, Gideon, the main love interest, was sexually, physically, and emotionally abused by one of the former Witch Queens, who also killed the rest of his and Alex's family members. Alex was supposed to have killed her during the rebellion since it would be too hard for Gideon to face her again after what she did to him, but Alex let her go and lied to his brother about it. What the fuck. And of course, Gideon panicked when it turned out his abuser was still alive because why wouldn't he??? If someone had done that to my family, literally nothing could fucking stop me. Plus, he was manipulative and disgusting to the main character, with little respect for her autonomy or wants. I don't understand how the author wanted us to like his character, because I hate him more than I can describe. I'm glad he died.
3. Wasn't a super big fan of the romance, the main character Rune is stupid, and Gideon (mmc) is described in dumb, stereotypical Wattpad-ass ways (aka solid chest. chest of concrete. rock-hard muscles), but he actually does have some solid character moments that I really like.
4. The magic and the rest of the worldbuilding are interesting.
5. I guessed the plot twist ahead of time, but it was still really fun figuring it out, so props.
2. Alex Sharpe is the worst love interest, brother, and "likeable character" literally ever.
3. Wasn't a super big fan of the romance, the main character Rune is stupid, and Gideon (mmc) is described in dumb, stereotypical Wattpad-ass ways (aka solid chest. chest of concrete. rock-hard muscles), but he actually does have some solid character moments that I really like.
4. The magic and the rest of the worldbuilding are interesting.
5. I guessed the plot twist ahead of time, but it was still really fun figuring it out, so props.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Domestic abuse
ruth_a's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Religious bigotry, Drug use, Physical abuse, Murder, Violence, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Addiction, Toxic relationship, Drug abuse, Police brutality, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, and Grief
frantically's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
nina and matthias walked so rune and gideon could run
–
I was enthralled from page one and god, Rune and Gideon have my heart 🥹 these two, you guys!! This is fake dating/betrothal and enemies to lovers at its absolute finest
While the worldbuilding feels a bit weak at times, I loved the morally grey aspect of all it. Both sides are kinda...shit and while the eradication of witches is obviously wrong, we learn so much about the Witch Queens that it's kinda hard to root for them, too!
The ending was a bit too rushed for me (and I think Alex was boring lol) but I'm still so so ready for the next book hihi
–
I was enthralled from page one and god, Rune and Gideon have my heart 🥹 these two, you guys!! This is fake dating/betrothal and enemies to lovers at its absolute finest
While the worldbuilding feels a bit weak at times, I loved the morally grey aspect of all it. Both sides are kinda...shit and while the eradication of witches is obviously wrong, we learn so much about the Witch Queens that it's kinda hard to root for them, too!
The ending was a bit too rushed for me (and I think Alex was boring lol) but I'm still so so ready for the next book hihi
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Violence, Sexual content, Death, Child death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Gore
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gun violence and Suicide
jordanog4's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Sexual assault, Violence, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Gun violence
dani_reis's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This is NOT YA. Stop trying to normalize sexual content in YA.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Genocide, Torture, Blood, Classism, Death, Police brutality, Sexual content, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Grief, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Drug use, and Drug abuse
Minor: Self harm and Fire/Fire injury
sydnik3's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
i LOVED this book! the perfect mix of adventure, mystery, and romance for me in a fantasy world.
i absolutely adored the main characters! our heroine was written very well I’d say. my only complaint about Rune is she mentions not really knowing who she is beyond her societal mask or the duty she feels to her Nan, but that was really it in the big picture, so I hope that’s expanded on in the second book, though with her predicament at the end I absolutely expect it to come back up.
I also really loved our two main love interest. I think this is the first time I have EVER read a love triangle that I truly enjoy, and I think that has something to do with Rune not realizing one part of the triangle until practically the end of the book. It was just so well done and didn’t feel like cliche love triangles. It was also the first one I read where I wouldn’t mind Rune ending up with either interest. So good and so excited for the romance in the next one.
Finally, I loved the dual but third person POV of this book. It was definitely YA writing, but I still really enjoyed it. For me it wasn’t a big deal, but I could definitely see people complaining about the plot twist being pretty obvious, but I think that was the point - to figure out the mystery. And I loved it because it made me want to keep reading to find out what was really going to happen and I had no less of an emotional reaction to the final chapters.
I am so excited for the second book :) 5/5⭐️
i absolutely adored the main characters! our heroine was written very well I’d say. my only complaint about Rune is she mentions not really knowing who she is beyond her societal mask or the duty she feels to her Nan, but that was really it in the big picture, so I hope that’s expanded on in the second book, though with her predicament at the end I absolutely expect it to come back up.
I also really loved our two main love interest. I think this is the first time I have EVER read a love triangle that I truly enjoy, and I think that has something to do with Rune not realizing one part of the triangle until practically the end of the book. It was just so well done and didn’t feel like cliche love triangles. It was also the first one I read where I wouldn’t mind Rune ending up with either interest. So good and so excited for the romance in the next one.
Finally, I loved the dual but third person POV of this book. It was definitely YA writing, but I still really enjoyed it. For me it wasn’t a big deal, but I could definitely see people complaining about the plot twist being pretty obvious, but I think that was the point - to figure out the mystery. And I loved it because it made me want to keep reading to find out what was really going to happen and I had no less of an emotional reaction to the final chapters.
I am so excited for the second book :) 5/5⭐️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Blood, Addiction, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Alcoholism
justagrlandherdog's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
5.0
I loved this book. It felt like a cross between Serpent & Dove and The Bridge Kingdom, both of which are some of my favorite books. I loved both main characters Rune & Gideon and I’m excited to see how the climax of this book shapes them and where they are in the next one.
And I will be making this book my whole personality until the next one comes out.
And I will be making this book my whole personality until the next one comes out.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Classism, Death, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Child death, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Torture, and Sexual assault