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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
alibubba's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Torture, and Violence
also_micah's review
adventurous
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and Death
Minor: Death of parent, Grief, Torture, Emotional abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and War
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
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
mysticserenity's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I was completely blown away by this book. Unfortunately I cannot go into how much without giving too much away. Wonderfully executed. If you want something that engages a troupe and makes it better you are in for a ride. Fair warning this society is doing, and has done, brutal things to each other. It’s at times shocking and devastating. Definitely dark and dangerous. That ending crushed me. I cannot wait for the next one.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Xenophobia, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, War, Gun violence, Grief, Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Death, Violence, Toxic friendship, Sexual violence, Police brutality, Murder, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, and Hate crime
spellbindingtomes's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Torture, Classism, Death of parent, Genocide, Self harm, Blood, Grief, Emotional abuse, and Murder
Minor: Addiction
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
suzi_is_cake's review
Cannot believe this book is so hyped. I’m stopping this book for my own sanity and am gonna leave it at my local station reading library cause omg the triggers in this book that are not mentioned and the fact this is a YA when it should obviously be an NA. I don’t mind enemies to lovers but this was not that it was basically just everyone needs therapy and instead are awful to each other. I was gonna try and power through to the end but it was just too much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Sexual assault, Torture, Blood, Suicidal thoughts, Drug abuse, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, and Self harm
bookishkale's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I was expecting something different when I first picked up the book. I was prepared for enemies to lovers, but I thought that the book was going to be more of 'Young witch has to stay hidden in society, and to throw people off her trail, she starts seeing one of the people trying to kill her', so I was a little uninterested in the 'vigilante story with the heist, and trying to get information out of the male lover interest' but I was pleasantly surprised!
This book has a heavy lean on four stars for me. I liked the magic system, I think the consequences of the hard spells and some parts of it were interesting and made for a fun time. It's a blood-based magic system, and I thought it was smart of the author to utilize period blood. I liked Rune a lot, I can see where she grew and where she still is young. I liked her socialite life, I was intrigued by her story with her grandmother, and the responsiblity she takes on from that. The overall world has some good worldbuilding, and while the author struggles a little bit with some lore dumping, it does make sense so I can look past that. I felt like there was lots of imagery, and I wanted to see some art of her house, cause it sounds gorgeous. I think the ending of the book sells it for me, honestly. I had fun reading this, which makes what I didn't like easy to ignore.
I wasn't Gideon's biggest fan? I liked him a lot more at the end, but there were some things that I could have done without. He tends to lean a little too much on whiney BUT I may be being too harsh. I did enjoy the flirting and the banter. It's been a while since I read Enemies to Lovers that felt like there was some hatred and being hesitant while falling for each other. A little Insta lusty/insta love, so if you aren't fond of that, that's a heads up. Some of the secondary characters are forgettable. There is a sort of love triangle... but uh, I wouldn't worry too much about it by the end. There were some pacing things where I am not even sure how many days the book takes place over. The first 25% of the book or so seemed like it took place over 24 hours. I also just need the author to be a little more clear in the rough time period she's trying to take inspiration from, some of her language was too modern for the era I think she was trying to convey.
Overall, a fun romantasy enemies to lovers, with an interesting magic system around blood. You have some good banter, and a fun main couple. Some of the plot twists were a little obvious, but if you read a lot of this genre, I wouldn't be surprised if you can pick up things. I would also check out the content warnings, cause it's a little dark in some areas.
This book has a heavy lean on four stars for me. I liked the magic system, I think the consequences of the hard spells and some parts of it were interesting and made for a fun time. It's a blood-based magic system, and I thought it was smart of the author to utilize period blood. I liked Rune a lot, I can see where she grew and where she still is young. I liked her socialite life, I was intrigued by her story with her grandmother, and the responsiblity she takes on from that. The overall world has some good worldbuilding, and while the author struggles a little bit with some lore dumping, it does make sense so I can look past that. I felt like there was lots of imagery, and I wanted to see some art of her house, cause it sounds gorgeous. I think the ending of the book sells it for me, honestly. I had fun reading this, which makes what I didn't like easy to ignore.
I wasn't Gideon's biggest fan? I liked him a lot more at the end, but there were some things that I could have done without. He tends to lean a little too much on whiney BUT I may be being too harsh. I did enjoy the flirting and the banter. It's been a while since I read Enemies to Lovers that felt like there was some hatred and being hesitant while falling for each other. A little Insta lusty/insta love, so if you aren't fond of that, that's a heads up. Some of the secondary characters are forgettable. There is a sort of love triangle... but uh, I wouldn't worry too much about it by the end. There were some pacing things where I am not even sure how many days the book takes place over. The first 25% of the book or so seemed like it took place over 24 hours. I also just need the author to be a little more clear in the rough time period she's trying to take inspiration from, some of her language was too modern for the era I think she was trying to convey.
Overall, a fun romantasy enemies to lovers, with an interesting magic system around blood. You have some good banter, and a fun main couple. Some of the plot twists were a little obvious, but if you read a lot of this genre, I wouldn't be surprised if you can pick up things. I would also check out the content warnings, cause it's a little dark in some areas.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Torture, Violence, Murder, and Body horror