Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli was a highly anticipated release this year. Her high stakes enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance between a witch and a witch hunter in a world filled with danger was such an intriguing premise, and this book delivered on all that was promised.
One of the things all the writing teachers say time and time again is that you’re not supposed to start with the weather, but this book opens with lightning across the sky and I think it works. Screw the rules. From the first page, I was hooked.
There is something truly beautiful in the magic system that the author builds in this fantasy world. Magic requires blood painted into symbols in order to cast spells. When a witch cuts herself to use her own blood in her spells, that leaves casting scars, beautiful silver scars often carved into intricate patterns. Since magic leaves these obvious marks, women are hunted by their scars when witchcraft is outlawed.
Heartless Hunter employs the enemies-to-lovers at its most intense, to the point where it’s almost unbelievable these two would fall for each other. They are so fundamentally and fiercely on opposite sides of this battle between witches and witch hunters, but Rune and Gideon’s chemistry is tangible on the page, and it’s remarkable.
Both of these characters are so easy for a reader to fall in love with, and the author evokes so much empathy for these characters. You might be unsure how these two will ever get past their differences and get to being lovers, but you will be rooting for it with your whole soul as you read.
Romance-wise, this is definitely a slow burn, but absolutely worth every second of the wait. The spice is pretty tame, all things considered, but it’s the perfect level for this story. The steamy scenes blend seamlessly in with the plot in a way that seems very natural and true to the characters.
The hype is justified. There is nothing I love more than when there’s a lot of hype around a book and then I read said book and it’s incredible. I don’t believe a great book can be overhyped. When the bookish community obsesses over a great piece of literature, it is a beautiful thing.
If you love Aelin and Throne of Glass you will love Rune Winters and Heartless Hunter. My heart hurt at the end of this book in the best way. I’m obsessed with these characters, their love story, and this world. I am ravenous for the next book in the series.
Book two, Rebel Witch, the final book in the series will be here February 18, 2025.
Spice: 1.5
Writing: 5
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