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mr05e's review against another edition
- 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
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
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,
📚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”.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Sexual assault, and Blood
Minor: War
boba_nbooks'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
5.0
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.
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Alcohol
ermunleybooks's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content
shelvedbygrace'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? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Addiction
dcnireads's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, War, and Classism
Minor: Misogyny
annamay1021's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Self harm, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent
Minor: Rape
kyoko2a's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Genocide, Hate crime, Violence, Xenophobia, and Death of parent
ashleyj_reads's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Moderate: Death, Violence, Blood, and Classism
Minor: Child death, Confinement, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Grief, and Murder
belreadsbooks's review against another edition
4.5
Loved it - This got me out of a reading slump. Thank you Kristen Ciccarelli 🩷
Graphic: Death and Self harm
Moderate: Sexual content, Blood, and Death of parent
Minor: Violence, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
ruth_a's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Death, Blood, and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Police brutality, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail