Table of Contents
Book Details
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About Rebel Witch
Prepare to be swept away to the perilous shores of the Republic in Kristen Ciccarelli’s gripping conclusion to the Crimson Moth duology, Rebel Witch. Rune has fled the only home she has ever known, shattered by the betrayal of the boy she once loved. To safeguard herself and those dear to her, she has become a pawn in a treacherous war she never anticipated.
Gideon, haunted by the loss of his last remaining family member—his brother, who sacrificed himself to shield him from the witch’s torment—has tracked Rune to the palace of her new fiancé, determined to end the impending conflict before it ignites. Yet, as he confronts her, he discovers a heart-wrenching dilemma: he cannot bring himself to kill her.
Thus begins a dangerous game of cat and mouse, a delicate dance that may either spell the destruction of their world or shatter their hearts. Every choice holds weight, and as tension builds, the lines between love and duty blur, leading them both to an unforeseen reckoning.
Who Should Read Rebel Witch
✅ Reasons to Read:
- An easy Young Adult Romantasy
- Completed Duology
- Unique Magic System
- Tropes:
- Enemies to Lovers to Enemies to Lovers
- Forced Proximity
- One Bed
❌ Reasons Not to Read:
- Some spicy scenes
- The One Bed Trope didn’t lead where you would want it to
✏️ Books with Similar Vibes
- One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
- Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig
My Review
- ⭐️ Plot & Pacing
- Rebel Witch definitely had a lot of the high-stakes action that we loved in Crimson Moth, but I felt like Rune didn’t shine as much this time around. Rune and Gideon were thrown together a lot for two people on opposing sides without much resolution until the end. At times, the pacing felt a bit slow, and I really missed seeing Rune embrace her badass side like she did before. Overall, it just didn’t hit the same way for me.
- ⭐️ Characters
- Rune Winters
- FMC
- Witch
- Rune’s world crumbles at the end of “Crimson Moth,” leaving her grappling with the devastating loss of her best friend and fiancé. Isolated and without a support system, she struggles to navigate her trauma. The weight of her grief feels insurmountable, and each day is a battle to find a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness. With her heart shattered, she must confront her pain and find a way to heal, even when it seems impossible.
- Gideon Sharpe
- MMC
- Witch Hunter
- Gideon faces an unbearable reality as he loses his brother, leaving a void in his heart that feels impossible to fill. In the midst of this tragedy, he must also make the heart-wrenching choice to turn over the girl he loves, adding to the chaos of his emotions. Just as he grapples with this loss, the return of his former captor complicates his already tumultuous feelings, stirring up pain and unresolved issues from the past. Caught between love, duty, and the shadows of his history, Gideon struggles to find his footing as he navigates the tumultuous landscape of grief and betrayal.
- Cressida Roseblood
- The Big Bad
- Evil Witch Queen who was disguised as Rune’s best friend in the first book
- It was disappointing that her character felt underdeveloped. She came across as simply bad without any deeper layers, which didn’t resonate well. I had hoped that she and Rune would have more of an emotional connection, especially considering the friendship they had built in the first book. Without that attachment, her actions in the story didn’t feel as impactful, and it missed the opportunity to explore the complexities of their relationship. A more fleshed-out character could have added depth and made the conflict more engaging.
- Rune Winters
- ⭐️ Prose & Style:
- The use of dual point-of-view effectively deepens the reader’s understanding of Rune and Gideon’s motivations throughout the story. By presenting both characters’ perspectives, we gain insight into their individual thoughts, feelings, and backgrounds, allowing for a richer narrative. This approach helps to create empathy for each character, highlighting how their experiences shape their decisions and actions. As the story unfolds, the contrasting viewpoints also enhance tension and conflict, making the plot more engaging and dynamic. Overall, the dual perspective not only enriches character development but also invites the reader to explore the complexities of their relationship.
- ⭐️ Emotional Impact
- There was one shocking moment that made my jaw drop; I didn’t see it coming at all! However, I felt there were no truly sad points in the story. Despite that, I found myself feeling a bit sad for the series as a whole, perhaps because I didn’t want it to end. It had such a compelling narrative and memorable characters that I was left wanting more.s to end.
- ⭐️ Intellectual Stimulation
- The story was quite predictable, which unfortunately took away some of the excitement and challenge for me. I found that I didn’t have to question what was going on at any point. As soon as a significant plot point was introduced, I knew exactly how it would unfold and just waited for the inevitable to happen.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Rebel Witch was a quick and enjoyable young adult romantasy. It didn’t demand too much from the reader, which is often just what you need. I feel a bit sad to say goodbye to Rune and Gideon, but I’m satisfied with how their story wrapped up. It would be wonderful if Kristen Ciccarelli decided to revisit their world in the future.
Free Printable
As a special thank you for reading, I am sharing a free printable of the bookmarks I created for this series. Please feel free to drop me a note if you have any questions or issues. Happy Reading!
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