Honestly, the first thing you need to know about Heartless Hunter The Crimson Moth Book 1 is that it’s having a bit of an identity crisis. If you’re browsing in the US, you’re looking for Heartless Hunter. If you’re in the UK or Australia, you might be holding a book titled The Crimson Moth. Don't worry, they’re the exact same story. Kristen Ciccarelli basically wrote a "magical" version of The Scarlet Pimpernel, and if you haven’t read it yet, you’re missing out on some of the most stressful "will-they-or-won't-they-kill-each-other" vibes in recent years.
The Premise That Everyone Misunderstands
People keep calling this a standard "enemies to lovers" romance. It’s not. Well, it is, but it’s more like "enemies who are actively trying to destroy each other's entire world while also thinking the other person is surprisingly hot."
Rune Winters is a socialite. She's "vapid," "shallow," and spends her days obsessing over gowns. It’s all a lie. In reality, she’s the Crimson Moth, a vigilante witch who saves her kind from being executed by the Republic. The Republic, by the way, is led by the Blood Guard—men who rose up and overthrew the witch queens who used to rule with an iron (and very bloody) fist.
Then there’s Gideon Sharpe. He’s a Captain of the Blood Guard. He hates witches. Like, really hates them. Witches killed his family. He’s the one who is supposed to find the Crimson Moth and end her.
So, naturally, Rune decides to court him.
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She needs information. She needs to know where the next "purge" is happening. And Gideon? He suspects Rune is hiding something, so he courts her right back to keep her close. It’s a game of cat and mouse where both characters are the cat and both are the mouse.
Heartless Hunter The Crimson Moth Book 1: The Magic System is Actually Brilliant
A lot of romantasy books have "vague" magic. You know the kind—the character just wiggles their fingers and things happen. Ciccarelli didn’t do that. In this world, magic is tied to blood.
- Costly Magic: Every spell leaves a physical scar.
- The Signature: When a witch uses magic, it leaves a "signature" that can be tracked.
- Source Matters: The type of blood used—whether it’s your own, or taken from someone else—determines the power of the spell.
Rune is particularly clever because she uses her own menstrual blood to cast spells. It sounds dark, and it is, but it’s the only way she can hide her scars. Since she doesn't have visible cuts on her arms like most witches, the Blood Guard never suspects her. Until Gideon starts looking closer.
Why the Ending Left Everyone Screaming
If you haven't finished the book, look away. Seriously.
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The betrayal in the final act of Heartless Hunter The Crimson Moth Book 1 is brutal because it’s not just about romantic betrayal; it’s about a clash of fundamental beliefs. Gideon realizes that Rune is the very person he’s been hunting. Rune realizes that Gideon isn't just a "duty-bound soldier"—he’s a man driven by deep, legitimate trauma caused by the very people she’s trying to save.
The reveal of Verity’s true identity (Cressida Roseblood) changes everything for book two. Suddenly, the "rebellion" isn't just about saving innocent witches; it’s about a powerful, potentially dangerous witch queen wanting her throne back. It forces Rune into a gray area where she has to decide if the cost of freedom is worth starting another war.
What to Read Next
If you loved the tension in this one, you’ve probably already pre-ordered Rebel Witch (Book 2). But while you wait, there are a few other stories that hit that same high-stakes, "we should be killing each other" note:
- Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin: This is the most common comparison. It features a witch and a witch-hunter forced into marriage. It’s a bit more "cozy" than Heartless Hunter, but the dynamic is very similar.
- The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent: If you liked the "deadly game" aspect and the gritty world-building, this one is for you. It’s vampires instead of witches, but the emotional stakes are just as high.
- Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross: This is for the people who loved the writing style. It’s less "stabby" and more "yearning," but the historical-fantasy atmosphere is spot on.
Real Advice for New Readers
Kinda weirdly, some people find the first 50 pages slow. Stick with it. The world-building is subtle, and Ciccarelli doesn't do a massive info-dump at the beginning. You learn about the revolution and the "Red Reign" through the characters' memories and fears rather than a history lesson.
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Also, pay attention to Gideon's brother, Alex. His relationship with Rune is one of the most heartbreaking parts of the book. He’s her confidant, her "fake" best friend, and the only one who truly knows her—until he doesn't.
Final Actionable Steps
- Check your edition: Ensure you aren't buying The Crimson Moth thinking it's a sequel. It's the same book as Heartless Hunter.
- Track the Scars: If you're re-reading, look for the moments where Gideon "almost" notices Rune's lack of scars. It makes the tension in the dress-fitting scene much more intense.
- Prepare for Book 2: Rebel Witch is the conclusion to the duology. This isn't a 15-book series, so you won't be waiting years for an ending.
Grab a copy of the US hardcover if you can. The hidden cover art under the dust jacket is actually stunning and features a design relevant to the Crimson Moth's signature magic.
Check your local independent bookstore or major retailers for the latest hardcover editions to see the "stenciled edges" that were released with the first print run. If you've already finished the story, start looking into the Rebel Witch summaries to see how the fallout of the Luminaries Dinner affects the New Republic.