Rebel Witch (The Crimson Moth #2) by Kristen Ciccarelli
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.
Review: What a beautiful conclusion to this duology! I enjoyed the first book in the series but I actually think I enjoyed this book more. This book felt romantic and ethereal but still had enough suspense and tension to hold my interest. I really enjoyed the tension between Rune and Gabriel. I also liked that in many ways, Rune does not fit the mold that so many fantasy book female leads follow. She is beautiful and brave, and not afraid to take physical risks. But she's also not a violent, trained fighter. Instead, she uses her strengths of charm, allure, and witch's enchantments to try to save witches' lives.
Another element of this book I enjoyed is that it was more of what I would term light fantasy. Yes, Rune is a witch, which means she can cast spells and enchantments. And much of the plot hinges on this fact. But at the end of the day, everyone in this book is a mortal human. When they travel, they have to catch a ship or train, and not a mythical beast. The story still felt grounded in reality. The whole human v. witches' tension could also be a stand-in for different groups of people. So, while there are for sure fantasy elements throughout, the book doesn't require quite as much constant suspension of disbelief as other popular fantasy books.
It was refreshing to read a duology for once! So much fantasy fiction includes massive series with dozens upon dozens of characters to keep track of. While this is fun, it can be daunting to start such an involved and time-consuming investment. I really appreciate that this had just two books. I was satisfied by how the story was wrapped up in this book while not feeling too bogged down by too many books featuring dozens of characters and subplots.
While lovely, I did think this book dragged a bit at times. There were also just a few plot points I found difficult to believe, most commonly how easily Rune and Gideon avoid danger, death, and/or entrapment. For instance, at one point Rune has to get back in a guarded bedroom so she is just boosted in via the balcony. The balcony to the guarded room wouldn't also be guarded?
This was beautifully done on audio, with a lovely narration. This felt much more grown up and a bit more explicit than book one, which did coincide nicely with the two main characters' growth.
Stars: 4
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