Heartless HunterReview posted September 23, 2024
Listening Library, 2024. 12 hours, 9 minutes.
Review written September 23, 2024, from a library eaudiobook.
Starred Review
Heartless Hunter is an example of masterfully written young adult Romantasy. We've got the enemies-to-lovers trope, but nothing about this book felt stereotypical.
The beginning reminded me of a beloved classic, The Scarlet Pimpernel, with our first viewpoint character, Rune Winters, posing as an airheaded socialite interested only in fashion - but in secret rescuing witches from the new regime that would execute them. Rune showed her loyalty to the new regime by turning in her own adopted grandmother. Nobody but Rune knows she did that at the strong request of Nan herself, who knew they'd been betrayed - and didn't want to see Rune killed alongside her. It was after Nan's death that Rune discovered she, too, was a witch, which gave her extra resources and incentive in her quest to save Nan's friends and fellow witches. Now Rune's best friend and helper has suggested it's time for Rune to accept one of her suitors, the better to get inside information on what the government is planning next.
The signature left behind by Rune's magic is a small crimson moth. And Gideon Sharpe, captain of the witch hunters, has been trying to catch the witch who is the Crimson Moth for the two years that she's been helping witches escape his clutches. And now there have been brutal murders of members of the Guard as well. When he learns that a magic signature was seen on one of Rune's ships, it's suggested that if he were to court Rune and join her high society suitors, he could learn if she's the Crimson Moth.
Gideon knows that his brother Alex has long been in love with Rune. So she should be off limits. But Gideon decides he should find out if Rune is the Crimson Moth and save Alex from marrying a witch. He'll stand down if he discovers she's innocent. Or so he tells himself.
As for Rune - when Gideon begins to show interest, she reasons that no one could give her better inside information than the captain of the witch hunters. But can she keep him underestimating her?
To add to the fun, witch's need blood to cast spells. And when they use their own blood to cast spells, the scars turn silver. In the old days, intricate silver scars were a badge of honor, but now they are all that's needed to convict a witch.
Rune came into her power after the fall of the witch queens, so she hasn't dared to cut herself. Instead, she stores the blood from her monthly cycle to cast spells, so she has no scars on her body. So - when Gideon finds excuses to see her naked, she has nothing to hide.
And yes, that gets as steamy as you might imagine. Yes, there's a descriptive sex scene in this book, and lots of smoldering tension leading up to that scene. But it's carried off far more subtly and compellingly than my description makes it sound. There are narrow escapes, misunderstandings, and misdirection - but there are also vulnerable moments. I appreciated learning that in this world, it's not a simple case of witches are good and non-witches are bad to want to kill them. And that came from learning about Gideon's back story.
And there's a love triangle as well. Gideon's brother Alex has indeed been in love with Rune for years, and she's appreciated him as a true friend who knows her secrets. The author makes the choice Rune is faced with exceptionally difficult.
Oh, and did I mention the narrow escapes? The clever misdirection? The reversals and reveals?
The description says this is a duology, and it did leave me anxiously waiting for the sequel.