Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Witch falls for her enemy in intriguing, mature romantasy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In HEARTLESS HUNTER: THE CRIMSON MOTH, BOOK 1, Rune rushes to save her grandmother's best friend Seraphine from the Blood Guard but arrives too late. They've already taken the witch, like they take all witches to be imprisoned and executed. But they have yet to catch Rune who masquerades as the Crimson Moth to save as many witches as she can. Rune's next stop is the opera house, donning a beautiful gown and playing the part of the harmless socialite so she can gather intel about where they may be taking Seraphine. She immediately sets her sights on Gideon, captain of the Blood Guard. He must know the location of Seraphine and intends to flirt shamelessly until he divulges it. But Gideon refuses her charms and even shuns her party invitation for later that night. That is, until Gideon's spy suspects the truth, that Rune is the Crimson Moth Gideon has tried to arrest for two years. Suddenly Gideon is up for some flirting himself and the game is afoot. Who will give up their secrets first?
Is It Any Good?
A witch in disguise falls for a witch hunter in this intriguing cat-and-mouse game with fantastic twists and a dash too much melodrama. Heartless Hunter would be nearly perfect save for a few overwrought romantic moments, like when Rune overhears Gideon talking about her with fellow guards, misinterprets him, and runs off and does something incredibly rash. The romance was fresh and exciting until that point, with both deceiving the other yet sharing enough truths about themselves that something real and frightening blossoms between them. When the romance picks up, the rest of the story falls away briefly. What will happen to Seraphine, the imprisoned witch? There's a plan in place, but it seems half-baked compared to all the rest of Rune's scheming as the Crimson Moth.
The complexity of this world is a wonderful surprise. Innocent witches are hunted, but not for all the usual sexist reasons -- the witch queens that used to rule were ruthless. Gideon hates witches for some pretty good personal reasons, too. But the iron fist of the New Republic isn't doing anything to better the lives of those on the island, it's only inciting more fear. So, naturally, more unrest is coming, but not in the way anyone suspects. The twists at the end of Heartless Hunter promise for an equally exciting sequel.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what it takes for the main characters to find empathy for each other in Heartless Hunter. What does Rune learn about Gideon? How does Gideon's opinion of Rune shift?
Is the line between good and evil clearly drawn in this book? Were you ever siding only with the witches? Or with Gideon and the Blood Guard? What other books have you read where it's hard to pick a side?
What do you think is next for Rune and Gideon? Will they end up together?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Empathy , Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Wednesday Books
- Publication date : February 20, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 13 - 18
- Number of pages : 416
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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