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tmholsman_1994's review against another edition
I got this book from my local library because of a review I saw about it and 186 pages in I agree with the review. I was reading it fast because it reads like a tropey YA read that I personally don't care for anymore. I did skip ahead and spoiled the ending for myself so I feel like I'm not missing out on anything.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death of parent, Murder, Physical abuse, Racism, Death, Police brutality, Blood, Genocide, Grief, Kidnapping, and Self harm
witcheep's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The relationshis in this book are messy, and I love it! The FMC witch Rune and the love interest MMC witch hunter Gideon both decide to seduce each other for information, but begin to develop feelings for each other. They both have strong-minded friends who have opinions about what they should do regarding the flirty foe, and this makes the relationship even messier.
While the seduction game is ongoing, the surrounding society is trying to slaughter every last witch, and a revolution of rebel witches is quietly forming in the sidelones. There are murmurs of old enemies, whispers of wished allies, and hopes for a future where no one needs to suffer anymore. Both sides must ask themselves what kind of world they want to live in: one where there is room for mercy, or one where the end result can be chased after by any means necessary. Moreover, Rune and Gideon must ask themselves if they can find room for love in their lives between the opposing sides in this current society. The book does this well, wrapping questions of prejudice, justice, classism, and revenge into an entertaining romantasy plot.
While the seduction game is ongoing, the surrounding society is trying to slaughter every last witch, and a revolution of rebel witches is quietly forming in the sidelones. There are murmurs of old enemies, whispers of wished allies, and hopes for a future where no one needs to suffer anymore. Both sides must ask themselves what kind of world they want to live in: one where there is room for mercy, or one where the end result can be chased after by any means necessary. Moreover, Rune and Gideon must ask themselves if they can find room for love in their lives between the opposing sides in this current society. The book does this well, wrapping questions of prejudice, justice, classism, and revenge into an entertaining romantasy plot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Gaslighting, Sexual content, Body horror, Torture, and Classism
Minor: Death of parent, Terminal illness, and Confinement
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
spatterson7's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Genocide, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Sexual content, Cursing, Gore, and Grief
Minor: Drug use, Gaslighting, Addiction, Self harm, Abandonment, Torture, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, Child death, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
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
haleycanread's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Obviously didn’t hate it, but it was lacking something for me
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Blood
booksborrowed's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This witchy enemies to lovers is surprisingly complex. The FMC is young, but I found her decisions relatable. Haven't we all been more interested in the one that will destroy us, rather than the one who will save us? Most of the cast have traumatic back stories, and I found it hard to know who to root for. Maybe some plot holes or easy outs near the end. Overall, I am excited to finish the duology.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Murder
Moderate: Death and Genocide
whatkatyread87's review against another edition
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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Murder, Violence, and Xenophobia
shadymist's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
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! Not only is the plot interesting but there are twists I didn’t see coming. Looking forward to the second part. If you’re interested in reading magic, witches and suspense. You are going to love this! Best book of the year imo. The characters bring this story alive, you get a good feel about their personalities etc
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Murder, Blood, Medical content, and Body shaming
Minor: Gun violence and Sexual content
morethanmylupus's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I picked this one up for on one of my book clubs. I wanted to love it, but it just wasn't for me. I started out excited because I haven't read much witch/witch hunter fantasy and I liked the feminist themes. However, I found the characters mostly frustrating. Gideon, our MMC, was a caricature level of stubborn and Rune was absurdly naive given what she's involved in. The romance was lukewarm at best and unconvincing. We get all the usual YA fantasy tropes here so it was predictable, but I was expecting that. I struggled with the way a character reflected on their sexual abuse too. And then, at the end, my favorite character (largely because it's the only one that really had any depth at all) was killed off! Ugh. I don't think I'll be picking up the rest of this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, and Murder