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kteliza28's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The plot of the story- mortal enemies knowingly using each other, trying to outwit the other for their own gain- is one I enjoyed. I like that both Gideon and Rune were equally sly and cunning. I had more love for Gideon and his back story than Runes though. By the end of the book, with the the chaos and twists, I was beginning to side more and more with Gideon, which is maybe the way it is supposed to be set up for the next book. As a reader, I was left feeling torn about how I should feel.
The loss of Alex was emotional and kind of made me hate Rune. I felt like his death was directly her fault. He’s giving Tamlin vibes a little from how much he desired her and it wasn’t fully returned but he felt he should have her.
I was suspicious of Verity early on but did not expect her to be Cressida. That was a good twist.
I feel like I’m missing some backstory with Gideon and Laila. Their connection seems stronger than just basically co-workers.
The disdain between Gideon and Rune could also use more backstory. I also feel they fell for each other too easily.
I do wish there was more connection I felt to Rune as a reader. I want to root for her but I often wasn’t. Because there is no resolve in this book, I am curious about the next.
I really don’t know how I feel about the period blood usage to cast spells but alright hahaha.
I was suspicious of Verity early on but did not expect her to be Cressida. That was a good twist.
I feel like I’m missing some backstory with Gideon and Laila. Their connection seems stronger than just basically co-workers.
The disdain between Gideon and Rune could also use more backstory. I also feel they fell for each other too easily.
I do wish there was more connection I felt to Rune as a reader. I want to root for her but I often wasn’t. Because there is no resolve in this book, I am curious about the next.
I really don’t know how I feel about the period blood usage to cast spells but alright hahaha.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Gore and Torture
tspice24's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content
madison_mls's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Blood
pkm48's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Moderate: Hate crime, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Bullying, Murder, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Death of parent, Death, Emotional abuse, Addiction, Blood, Child death, and Gun violence
Minor: Cursing, Suicide, and Torture
theartsybookwitch's review against another edition
4.5
"Isn't that the point of art–to tame the monsters in us?"
In Heartless Hunter, you get the story of Rune Winters and Gideon Sharpe. Rune Winters, a witch and the Crimson Moth, lives a double life, one being in the public eye, and one in the shadows, protecting other witches. When a rescue attempt goes wrong, she's forced to change tactics and tries to court Gideon Sharpe, a famous and unforgiving witch hunter. One caveat? He's the brother of her best friend.
I absolutely loved Gideon and Rune's dynamic in Heartless Hunter. The push and pull, the danger, the seductive dance of light and dark; it's a fantastic love story. And the added detail of witches? All the more better.
I wanted a more deep dive into the fantasy, the lore, the history. Not just the witches, but more details of what happened. I felt it more focused on Gideon and Rune, the romance, the build-up, and none of the fantasy details.
Enemies to lovers to enemies is superior and I will forever die on this hill.
And that twist? So good.
Okay, and that ending is NOT FAIR.
tw // blood, death, death of parent
In Heartless Hunter, you get the story of Rune Winters and Gideon Sharpe. Rune Winters, a witch and the Crimson Moth, lives a double life, one being in the public eye, and one in the shadows, protecting other witches. When a rescue attempt goes wrong, she's forced to change tactics and tries to court Gideon Sharpe, a famous and unforgiving witch hunter. One caveat? He's the brother of her best friend.
I absolutely loved Gideon and Rune's dynamic in Heartless Hunter. The push and pull, the danger, the seductive dance of light and dark; it's a fantastic love story. And the added detail of witches? All the more better.
I wanted a more deep dive into the fantasy, the lore, the history. Not just the witches, but more details of what happened. I felt it more focused on Gideon and Rune, the romance, the build-up, and none of the fantasy details.
Enemies to lovers to enemies is superior and I will forever die on this hill.
And that twist? So good.
Okay, and that ending is NOT FAIR.
tw // blood, death, death of parent
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent and Sexual assault
Minor: Addiction and Child death
ewatt33's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Blood
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Death of parent
xapoptosisx's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.75
All I need to say is I read this book in one sitting and I need the next book now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death of parent, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Sexual content, Blood, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Cursing, Addiction, and Classism
Moderate: War, Sexual violence, Grief, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
mr05e's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
This book had a great set up to be an amazing story, but it ended up falling short for me.
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 withVerity actually being Cressida in disguise was a bit predictable so I found myself wanting the characters to hurry up and get with the program. And sadly, I think we all knew Alex wasn’t going to be long for this world, the enemies to lovers plot is obviously going to favor the enemies lmao
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,like when he sets up the trap in the mines ). I feel like it would’ve added more interest to their enemies dynamic. And once we get to the actual “lovers” part of the tropeit was well written: good balance of angst, consent, communication, intimacy, and spice that definitely made the way they parted ways at the end more emotional as opposed to just being fanservice-y
📚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”.
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”.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Violence, Sexual violence, and Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse, Alcoholism, Death, Blood, Gun violence, and Sexual assault
Minor: War
saretta02's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Child death, Sexual content, Torture, Grief, Physical abuse, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
nova_lilias's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
First 5 star of the year!! I absolutely loved this book and yes, it made me cry.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Blood
Moderate: Death, Drug abuse, and Toxic relationship