Rebel Witch by Kristen Cicarelli – The Crimson Moth #2

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“I may not know Rune Winters, but I know the Crimson Moth. And she is no caged thing.”

Goodreads / Storygraph

Summary

After the events of Heartless Hunter, Rune Winters has left the Republic and finds herself working alongside Cressida. The last Roseblood, whose hell bent on caging Rune and capturing not just the Republic for herself, but also Gideon Sharpe. 

The same Gideon who finds himself wrapped up in a deadly scheme with Rune. But as Rune and Gideon work together to defeat Cressida, both of them find that the feelings they thought dead and buried, resurfacing. 

Now Gideon finds himself between sacrificing the girl he loves to stop Cressida from taking power, or choose Rune and watch the world he has fought so hard for burn. 

Thoughts on the Plot

So first, after the ending Heartless Hunter, I did not think I would survive. I thought about how this book would start for so long that this almost felt like a let down. 

Despite how intense the ending of the first book was, we pick up at least a couple weeks after in Umbria, where Rune has found herself newly engaged to Prince Soren. 

The engagement is to help win the Prince’s favor to give Cressida an army. Gideon arrives in Umbria not long after the engagement with orders to kill Rune once and for all. 

But the opening felt so jarring. So vastly different from the ending of the first book. 

I wanted to open right back up on that battlefield in the Republic. But alas, this book’s pacing is much quicker than the first. 

I found I enjoyed this and the stakes were much higher and felt more serious in this book. 

Like instead of the author telling us how deadly and vicious Cressida is, she shows us. 

I’m not sure if you could classify Rune and Gideon as enemies to lovers. There is more of a betrayal trope happening; they were true enemies to lovers in the first book. 

There are a lot of twists and some of them I saw coming from a mile away and others had me absolutely glued to this book. 

If I did have a complaint, I kinda wanted to know more about the politics of Umbria and Caelis. It seemed like witches are free to live their lives on this side of the sea, but we didn’t get too much detail. 

Though, I was nervous this book would be a flop because of the dreaded “sucky sequel syndrome” I was experiencing in 2024, but let me just say, this did not disappoint.

Thoughts on the Characters

Rune might be one of my newest favorite FMCs. We really get to see the real Rune in this book. She spends far less time being the Crimson Moth and far more time being herself. 

I enjoyed that what she went through with Cressida left an actual effect on her. I enjoyed reading about her complicated feelings with Gideon. This book made me feel like I really got to know Rune in this book. 

She is not physically strong and Gideon teaching her how to use a gun properly had me laughing like an idiot. But that’s why I love Rune. She is not some super special FMC. 

She is a witch that is still learning. Rune is flawed and imperfect. She plays to her strengths when she can and acknowledges her weaknesses when they rise to the surface. 

Then there is Gideon. Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy. Gideon fell first AND fell harder. 

Gideon is torn for most of the book, but slowly lets his feelings for Rune bubble up to the surface. He discovers the truth and decides he is going to create a new, better world for him and Rune.

On in which they can be together, exactly as they are. 

I love this man. *sigh*

We learned Gideon’s background in the first book, so this book gives us a much better understanding of who he is. 

Cressida was the perfect villain. She made me glad she is fictional. 

The side characters were interesting, but to be honest, I came for Rune and Gideon. 

And I was pleased. The slow burn and tension is fantastic in this book and there is a little trickle of spice but it is a fade to black. 

Which felt fitting.

However, Kristen once again robbed us!

🚨 *SPOILER AHEAD* 🚨

Why didn’t we get to read about Rune and Gideon’s wedding?! Like an extra chapter with Antonia officiating the ceremony and everyone gathered around to celebrate Rune and Gideon would have made my entire year.

🚨 *SPOILER OVER* 🚨

Overall Thoughts

This book was very much worth the wait. 

The politics and intrigue and tension; it was all just *chef’s kiss*.

I am absolutely devastated to discover that this series is a duology because I am so far from ready to say goodbye to these characters and this world. 

So 5 stars out of 5 stars! My first 5 star read of 2025! I dropped all of my reading plans for this book and it was 100% worth it.

You Might Also Like: Heartless Hunter // The Very Secret Society of Witches