A review by ravensandlace
Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli

4.5

Title: Heartless Hunter

Author: Kristen Ciccarelli

Genre: YA Fantasy

Format: own book but also have an eARC

Series: Crimson Moth (#1)

Star Rating: 4.5 stars

tw: murder, parental death, shipwreck, executions, carving of skin, blood, family, betrayal, self-harm, injury, stabbing, drug use, branding, child abuse, gun violence, gunshot injury

A special thank you goes to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for providing me with a copy of this book. Please know that this does not influence my rating or thoughts on the book itself.

Where do I even begin with this book? I had no idea what kind of book I was getting into but I heard a lot of positive things about it. I had a physical copy from Book of the Month and I was approved for an ARC of this from Netgalley so I figured why not knock it out. I am so glad that I read it because it is up there as one of my favorite books of the year.  

I can't even describe to you all how good this book was! The main characters, Gideon and Rune, were so complex. Things that would normally bother me in a book like miscommunication and Gideon himself, didn’t bother me. They were done so well. I should explain what I mean by Gideon bothering me. Without going into too much detail, Gideon is a witch hunter and so he hates witches. Normally, this kind of thing would have driven me nuts but for some reason, I did not mind it with Gideon. Probably because my heart hurt for him. You quickly realize, as you read the book, that Gideon is a very broken man. 

The enemies to lovers trope was real in this book and the tension between Rune and Gideo was intense! I lived for every single moment those two had together. They could pretend to hate each other all they wanted but I wasn’t buying it. I knew deep down they were made for each other. There was one scene that made me kick my feet like a little girl and just giggle. I can’t wait for more of those two. I need my happily ever after involving them. 

Overall, this book was fantastic! This book brought up a lot of good discussion points like what truly would you do for your family. What side is truly right and what side is wrong? I am so excited for the second book. I hope I get the ending I am dying for. I need my ship to work out. 2025 cannot come soon enough.