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irishpierogies's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Murder
Minor: Sexual assault, Drug abuse, and Alcoholism
karly_rose_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
Captivating is the best word I'd use to describe The Crimson Moth by Kristen Ciccarelli, a YA fantasy romance. This is the first book in an incomplete duology, and it was a fantastic read.
To help avoid confusion — The Crimon Moth is the UK title, while The Heartless Hunter is the US title.
The Crimson Moth is set in a Bridgerton-style world set back in a time when balls and carriage rides were a thing. It is told in 3rd person, dual POV and follows Rune, a wealthy socialite with a secret—she is the elusive crimson moth who has been saving witches from persecution—and Gideon, a witch hunter on her trail.
This story is packed with magic, mystery, and tension. I devoured it and loved Kristen Ciccarelli's writing style, world building, and character development. It gave me similar vibes and feelings to books like Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross and Belladonna by Adalyn Grace.
I cannot wait to get my hands on the second and final part of this duology. That cliffhanger was heart wrenching but satisfying.
To help avoid confusion — The Crimon Moth is the UK title, while The Heartless Hunter is the US title.
The Crimson Moth is set in a Bridgerton-style world set back in a time when balls and carriage rides were a thing. It is told in 3rd person, dual POV and follows Rune, a wealthy socialite with a secret—she is the elusive crimson moth who has been saving witches from persecution—and Gideon, a witch hunter on her trail.
This story is packed with magic, mystery, and tension. I devoured it and loved Kristen Ciccarelli's writing style, world building, and character development. It gave me similar vibes and feelings to books like Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross and Belladonna by Adalyn Grace.
I cannot wait to get my hands on the second and final part of this duology. That cliffhanger was heart wrenching but satisfying.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Death, and Torture
rachtmh's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Wow….
The most criminal thing about this book is that it is a Duology and I have to wait for book 2.
I loved everything about this book. The story, the setting, the characters, the dual POV, the history and even the twist and turns.
The author does such a wonderful job of throwing you Red herrings, keeping suspicions high, questioning everything and hopelessly falling in love with the characters.
The dual POV was also done extremely well. It never felt like it had just been added for the sake of. Each chapter that wasn’t from the POV of the main characters, Rune Winters, felt like it was necessary and enriching to the story.
Definitely going to re-read when the second comes out to enjoy the world and story as a whole.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Death
Moderate: Grief, Drug use, Alcoholism, Gun violence, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
bergelicious818's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Blood, and Genocide
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Drug abuse
Minor: Emotional abuse, Child death, and Sexual assault
vj_thompson's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
This book gripped me at the first few chapters. I was on the edge of my seat stressing through the Crimson Moth moments. I loved the duel POV (I love when authors include this aspect). Gideon and Rune are two broken hearts & soul who are inevitable. Can’t wait for the second book!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Blood, Death, Murder, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Torture, Classism, Death of parent, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Suicide
Minor: Sexual content
readsbylou's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Physical abuse, Death, Genocide, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Cursing, Violence, Alcoholism, and Police brutality
Minor: Addiction, Fire/Fire injury, and Child death
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
mwalsh97's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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? N/A
5.0
When I read the description for this book I certainly had a preconceived notion of how it was gonna play out. I knew since it was Crimson Moth Book 1 I wasn’t going to get a resolution. But it takes its slow burn enemies to lovers tropes and turns it on its head. It’s honestly brilliant. I cannot wait for the next one.
Content wise, this books falls between YA and Adult. There are adult themes with implied happenings but nothing in detail. I will say the way the magic system works could be seen self harm so proceed with caution. I’ll put more specifics below.
Overall I absolutely loved this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm
Minor: Sexual assault, Drug abuse, Sexual content, and Alcoholism
teganbeesebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.5
I figured out the twist early on, but still enjoyed it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury, War, Murder, Death of parent, Gun violence, Blood, Cursing, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Xenophobia, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Classism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Grief, Child death, Confinement, and Injury/Injury detail
malisac16's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Alcoholism