The stakes are even higher in this epic, romantic conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Crimson Moth duology.
A WITCH... Rune Winters is on the run. Ever since the boy she loved, Gideon Sharpe, revealed who she was and delivered her into enemy hands, everyone wants her dead. If Rune hopes to survive, she must ally herself with the cruel and dangerous Cressida Roseblood, who’s planning to take back the Republic and reinstate a Reign of Witches—something Cressida needs Rune to accomplish.
A WITCH HUNTER... Apparently it wasn’t enough for Rune to deceive Gideon; she’s now betrayed him by allying herself with the witch who made his life a living hell. Gideon won’t allow the Republic to fall to the witches and be plunged back into the nightmares of the past. In order to protect this new world he fought for, every last witch must die—especially Rune Winters.
AN IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE... When Rune makes Gideon an offer he can’t refuse, the two must pair up to accomplish dangerous goals. The more they’re forced into each other’s company, the more Gideon realizes the feelings he had for Rune aren’t as dead and buried as he thought. Now he’s faced with a terrible choice: sacrifice the girl he loves to stop a monster taking back power, or let Rune live and watch the world he fought so hard for burn.
In Kristen Ciccarelli's Rebel Witch, the exciting conclusion to The Crimson Moth duology, love has never been so deadly.
Kristen Ciccarelli grew up on a grape farm, dropped out of college, and worked various jobs before becoming an author. Some of her previous trades included: baker, potter, bookseller, and NGO worker. Kristen lives in Canada’s Niagara Peninsula with her husband and daughter. She is the author of the New York Times bestseller, Heartless Hunter (Book 1 in The Crimson Moth duology), as well as Edgewood, and the internationally bestselling Iskari series.
07/19/2024: I have been eagerly awaiting the release of Rebel Witch for months, and now that I've finally read it, I'm so sad it's over. While this sequel wasn't 100% what I was hoping for, I loved it all the same. I'm absolutely enamoured by Kristen Ciccarelli's written voice. This book has such stunning quotes and themes, and I earnestly love both Rune and Gideon. That being said, this duology is downright stressful at times. Everything is very intentionally tense. All the secrets and misunderstandings are spun into a complex web that I cannot help but admire. And even though I was constantly rooting for Rune and Gideon to drop the facades and talk to each other, I also completely understood why they both thought and acted as they did. That being said, as this is a duology and not a trilogy, I thought their romantic conflict would resolve a bit sooner than it did. On that note, I found with this book that while the main fantasy plot was always progressing in a smooth arc, Rune and Gideon's relationship was always flip-flopping. Any time I thought they were settling and accepting truths, there was another misunderstanding. And again, every misunderstanding made sense in the setting of this world, but sometimes I just wanted a bit longer of a moment of levity. That being said, I really did enjoy this book and the last 10% was some expert-level writing. Gideon and Rune's emotional development towards the end of this story was touching. My only real complaint with this novel is that as the two of them I'm really going to miss this world! If Kristen Cicarelli ever writes a spin off novel or epilogue novella, I will be the first in line to read it! Thank you to the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
07/18/2024: i actually have no idea how i managed to get my hands on an arc of this so far out from it’s release date 😳 no one try to contact me for a while. i’ll be busy. must. know. how. duology. ends.
The first book in this duology, it's nothing revolutionary. The plot is very generic and your topical "there's two kinds of people (think rich and poor or magical beings vs those who aren't, with enemies to lovers and they shouldn't be together or sometimes it's a girl between two brothers" kind of plot.
But even though the plot wasn't unique, I do appreciate how the author added her own unique touches (making the FMC a witch and the mmc a witch hunter, adding the fake dating and the touch of regency era). That book to me is the perfect example of how you can take inspiration from another popular book to make your own, without having to copy and paste every single detail from the original, which is a very common issue.
Anyways!! This sequel!!! FANTASTIC!!!!! This one did felt like a book of its own. It was very action packed compared to the first one (that one was more chill) I mean, the main couple couldn't catch a break. I loved this one and couldn't put it down. The romance was sooooo good and I loved every second of it. Also if you though that they were enemies in the first book, just HOLD ON!! The writing was very easy to follow (same as the first one) which is expected since this is YA.
Still, not a 5 stars for me because it just didn't felt like one but this duology cured my fantasy slump and I will recommend this to anyone. Overall, this is a 4.5⭐️ series for me and I loved it so so much!!!!! ✨✨
This is what I mean when I say I love romantasy!!! This is the most perfect romantasy duology TO ME. The world, the characters, the TENSION, the banter, everything about this was so perfect. I loved how this was a TRUE enemies to lovers. Like I literally feared one might kill the other. I loved book one, gave it 5 stars, but somehow this one was even better. This was so fast paced and action packed. Something was always happening and I was constantly on the edge of my seat. Don’t even get me started on the romance!!! Literally gave me butterflies and had me squealing. The plot twists had me shocked and glued to the book. 10000/5 stars, no notes, no complaints.
Update: It’s been a little over 12 hours since I finished this book and I’m not kidding when I say I woke up in the middle of the night thinking about it. I will not move on
First thoughts: 5 stars. 6 stars. Everything I could’ve hoped for and more in a sequel/conclusion. This duology is absolutely perfect to me.
This is one of the very few books where I simultaneously couldn’t read fast enough & didn’t want to keep reading (bc then it’d be over, ya know?)
Everything about this book was delicious. The banter. The action. The plot twists. Delicious!!!
I ate up the enemies to lovers to enemies dynamic & couldn’t wait to see what these characters would do next to outwit the other. I could’ve read 300 more pages of them outsmarting each other.
What else??
Oh yeah Gideon ILY
Going to be extremely difficult for me to keep my mouth shut about this book until February, but know this - I had a blast every step of the way. <3
I really loved this book! It grabs you right from the start with action, which I appreciated. I was initially concerned that the characters might be separated for too long, but I'm glad that wasn't the case.
Without giving away spoilers, I enjoyed seeing the enemies-turned-lovers theme and the forced proximity that made them work together. This sequel didn't quite reach the same level of obsession for me as the first book did, but I still loved it (obviously since I binged it).
Kristen has such a wonderful writing style, especially in how she portrays witches. Some scenes felt a bit rushed and lacking depth, particularly the ending. I wish there had been more detail and a more drawn-out conclusion.
Despite guessing some plot points ahead of time, it was still enjoyable to see everything unfold. The romance between Gideon and Rune was also so good. Book 1 will forever remain one of my favourite books as well. Overall, I definitely recommend it!
4.75 ⭐️ An epic conclusion to this INCREDIBLE DUOLOGY! & THIS IS HOW ENEMIES TO LOVERS IS DONE - this is so fast paced & action packed. I really appreciated that from the start we pick up right where we left off. The banter, bickering, and tension WAS EVERYTHING I NEED & WANT from a romantasy. I ate up the bits of fake dating we got - I feel like the stakes for Gideon and Rune were so high!! They truly couldn’t catch a break!!! Cressida was SUCH A GREAT VILLAIN!!
He’d wanted so badly to be worthy of her. He’d dared to hope he could be, stupid fool that he was.
*mumbles*OhmyGAWD*mumbles*
Could you miss the place where everyone wanted you dead?
I was not prepared for this.
Grabbing the fitting room curtain, he threw it back. Rune was inside, wearing a white lace dress. Gideon didn’t have time to pull his gun on her, because she already had one of her own. It was aimed straight at his forehead.
This book just didn’t stop. From page one I was on the edge of my metaphorical seat, pretty much always on the verge of crying, and hoping desperately for all the characters to get a happy ending. BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN THROUGH HELL. My poor muffins.
There was also a little fake marriage and one cabin going on, and it was *great*
Spoilers for book 1, which is obvious, this is book two in a duology.
“I may not know Rune Winters,” he whispered, his mouth an inch from hers. “But I know the Crimson Moth. And she is no caged thing.” Rune flinched. “Stop it.” “I pity the man who clips her wings…”
The witch and witch hunter are back in this conclusion where they need to defeat the bad guys while also hating each other. I mean, Gideon’s first appearance is him trying to kill Rune lmao Goals. But honestly, both sides of this war were horrible and it was stressful.
“We both know what you want to do to me, Gideon. Well, here’s your chance.” His gaze slid to her mouth. “You have no idea, the things I want to do to you.”
The emotion *heart attack followed by heartbreak* Gideon and Rune both lost everything and then each other. There was betrayal and REVEALS and so much happened and my brain is just mush. I loved both Gideon and Rune so much in this book.
“Just remember: I don’t need you willing, Gideon. I only need you obedient. And I will have your obedience…”
I literally hate Cressida with my whole being. And her ending was, well, what she deserved.
“This is the truth: I would have married you in a heartbeat, had you asked me. I would have married you knowing you would hand me over to my killers—or kill me yourself—the moment you found out what I was. That’s how pathetic I am, Gideon! That’s how desperately I wanted to be yours!”
What is life after this?
Thank you to Wednesday Books, Netgalley, and the author for this eARC!
I HAVE NO WORDS. 🤌👌❤️🔥 This book brings it with the action suspense and romance from start to finish. Literal PERFECTION. Kristen is a word witch. It’s straight magic right to the bloodstream. OBSESSED!!!!!! I may never recover. Thank you Macmillan for the ARC! 🙏
I am so in love with these characters and this story, reading this was bittersweet. Kristen has created such an enchanting world, magic system, and cast of characters with this duet. I never wanted it to end.
Gideon and Rune are enemies to lovers at its very finest. Their reunion and the journey of their relationship throughout this story was so much fun to read. They are both strong on their own, but so much stronger together. The further you get into the story, the more the two start to realize how far they would go for one another and it’s beautiful to see that development. Rune has got to be one of my favorite characters, she’s so brave, smart, and strong willed. She will go to extreme lengths for those that she loves and doesn’t think twice about it. And Gideon, my sweet Gideon. There’s a side brought out in him that we didn’t see much of in Heartless Hunter, and let me just say it made me fall in love with him even more. This boy deserves everything. He has been through so much, as has Rune, and I couldn’t be happier with the ending they were given.
I went through just about every emotion reading this book. Tears were shed. Lots of jaw dropping, throw my Kindle in shock moments. I cheered, swooned, laughed, I went THROUGH IT. This was just incredible. Everything you could ask for in a sequel. This duet is absolutely an all time favorite.
Thank you Edelweiss and Wednesday Books for the ARC!
4/18/24 COVER REVEAL (via newsletter) is gorgeous! - - - I love me some good angst and the betrayal certainly hit. However, Gideon and Rune must be endgame or all this angst and build-up is for naught.
THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD. It is such an action packed, satisfying ending. I’m going to go sit with my thoughts for a while and try to process how much I loved this. Full review to come.
*Thank you, Kristen for letting me read the manuscript*