Tackling The TBR: Crimson Moth Duology

 Moonlight, Masks & Magic: A Spoiler Free Review of The Crimson Moth Duology

Ever feel like you're in a slump and you don't see it until you do something that pulls you out of it? I have felt that way a lot of this summer. Fall's here, and I can't even bring myself to decorate for it (which is one of my absolute favorite times of the year!). I've felt a little off this year, and maybe it has something to do with all the traveling I've been doing (not complaining, just saying it's hard to feel in a routine when you aren't in one!). Last week, I zipped out to the west coast for a quick work trip, and since I never can sleep on planes, I suddenly found myself with some extra time on my hands so naturally I decided to spend the time reading.

Some stories feel like stepping into a spell. Where shadows are velvet, danger is sweet, and love is as risky as rebellion. Kristen Ciccarelli’s The Crimson Moth duology is exactly that kind of magic. With witches hiding behind masks, hunters chasing secrets, and a romance that burns slow but bright, this two book series is both enchanting and heart-pounding.

If you’re craving a fantasy that balances danger with desire, full of masquerades, rebellion, and a witchy aesthetic that lingers like candle smoke this duology might just cast its spell on you. I scarfed these books down in under a week, and it jump started the autumn vibes I've been seeking!

Book One: The Heartless Hunter

In a city where magic is forbidden and witches are hunted, secrets are as dangerous as spells. Enter Rune, a masked rebel known only as the Crimson Moth, fighting back in shadows against the ruthless witch hunters. And then there’s Gideon Sharpe, the kingdom’s most feared witch hunter, who will stop at nothing to capture her.

When their paths cross, a deadly game begins, one where every interaction, every whispered word, and every stolen glance could tip the balance between betrayal and desire. Heartless Hunter is a lush, dangerous start to the duology, full of velvet shadows, rebellion, and slow-burn tension.

Themes

  • Identity & Secrets:  who you are vs. who you pretend to be.

  • Rebellion & Resistance: choosing to fight back when silence feels safer.

  • Trust & Betrayal: risking your heart when the world is stacked against you.

Aesthetics

Lush parties, masquerade balls, candlelit corridors, hidden daggers, and stolen glances. Every scene feels dressed in velvet but sharpened with steel.

 Mood: Dark, mysterious, and tense with a simmering romance.

Visuals: Candlelit corridors, masquerade balls, velvet and lace, shadows dancing along stone walls.

Colors: Deep reds, black, muted golds, and occasional silver glints — think blood and moonlight.

Vibe: Dangerous elegance; every glance, every movement feels like a calculated risk.

Sounds & Atmosphere: Whispered secrets, footsteps echoing on cold stone, the distant crack of a fire, the soft swish of a mask brushing the skin, the linger of magic that you can't quiet grasp.

Overall Feeling: A slow-burn tension of enemies, attraction, and hidden rebellion; glamorous yet perilous.

Worldbuilding

Ciccarelli creates a world divided between oppressor and oppressed, where rebellion simmers under layers of secrecy. Magic is outlawed, danger lurks at every turn, and yet glamour exists right beside the grit.

Favorite Quote

“The mask isn’t just a disguise. It’s the truest version of me.”

Overall Vibe

A thrilling, romantic, and suspenseful opener that introduces danger, longing, and the promise of rebellion. 

Book Two: Rebel Witch

The rebellion has reached its breaking point, and the world Rune and Gideon know is on the edge of collapse. Loyalties are tested, choices cut deep, and the line between love and ruin grows razor thin.

As battles rage and secrets unravel, both hunter and witch must decide what they’re willing to sacrifice for freedom, for their people, and possibly for each other. Rebel Witch brings the duology to a powerful, emotional conclusion, weaving together danger, defiance, and a romance that refuses to be silenced.

 Themes

  • Hope & Sacrifice — what you’re willing to give for freedom and love.

  • Loyalty & Choice — standing by your people when the cost is unbearable.

  • Healing & Redemption — finding light in places scarred by war and secrecy.

Aesthetics

Broken glass windows, firelit nights, whispered defiance, and love rising from the ashes of war.

Mood: Fierce, emotional, and high-stakes with a blend of hope and heartbreak.

Visuals: War-torn streets, broken glass, firelight, stormy skies, magical auras glowing in the dark.

Colors: Crimson and silver, charred grays, midnight blue, and flickering golds — danger meets defiance.

Vibe: Rebellion and reckoning; the story is more urgent, emotional, and dramatic than the first book.

Sounds & Atmosphere: Clashing swords, crackling fires, whispered vows, the wind through empty streets.

Overall Feeling: A crescendo of danger, romance, and liberation; a world on the edge with love and magic as its lifeline.

Worldbuilding

The second book raises the stakes: rebellions surge forward, politics sharpen their edges, and the magic feels both more dangerous and more essential. The pace quickens, the emotions deepen, and the finale feels earned.

Favorite Quote

“Even in the ruins, there is something worth fighting for.”

Overall Vibe

A fierce, emotional conclusion that balances heartbreak with hope. 

The Crimson Moth Duology as a Whole

Together, these two books weave a story that feels intimate but sweeping, dangerous but deeply romantic. The romance is enemies-to-lovers perfection, the tension is page-turning, and the world is built on equal parts glamour and grit.

If you loved The Shepherd King series by Rachel Gillig, you’ll find a lot to adore here, but Ciccarelli gives it her own magic-soaked twist.

Final Takeaway

  

I'm a sucker for a duology over a stand alone book. It typically means I'm going to get a slow burn, quality relationship being built instead of everything being rushed and we're saying "I love you soul mate" within a week's time period (yes, my inner Elsa is coming out as I shout "you can't marry a man you just met!"). I live to see both relationships and plots develop, and a 2 part series usually has enough space for the plot and relationships to breathe.

 

At its heart, this is a duology about masks: the ones we wear, the ones forced upon us, and the ones we dare to take off. With lush writing and characters who linger long after the last page, The Crimson Moth is a duology that proves sometimes the most dangerous rebellions begin with a kiss. It's an easy read jam packed with secrets, betrayal, yearning, tears, and banter. 4 outta 5 stars in my book! Add it to your TBR, it's worth it!

And yes, I did finally put my fall/halloween decor up :) 

Happy reading, witchlings! 

🖤Brittny 

  

✨ Shop It Here: 

Hard covers:

Heartless Hunter: https://amzn.to/3IB6uF1

Rebel Witch: https://amzn.to/3VN9EbE

Kindle edition: 

Heartless Hunter: https://amzn.to/4nvlmnr

Rebel Witch:https://amzn.to/3VKyCID

*If you use my link, I may earn a small commission—thank you for supporting Brittny Tried It! 💕 

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Reusable Seedling Starter Trays

Image
For as long as I can remember, I've always loved being outdoors. It's no surprise that in my 30's one of my absolute favorite summer hobbies is gardening. Over the years, I have learned what works best for me and while I'm no expert gardener, I have had some success with my backyard veggie garden. Living in a place that actually gets snow and cold winters, and very little spring, I've learned that starting my seeds inside gives me a jump start to the season. I've tried a bunch of different ways to start my seedlings, and the reusable seed starter trays are my favorite, and here's why: With the erratic temperatures, I typically don't officially transplant the seedlings until the end of May. These trays afford a good amount of space for the seedlings to start growing in before I can actually get started outside. I have not experienced the seedlings outgrowing the trays yet.   I am pretty impressed that so far I have gotten 3 years out of these bad boys. I ...
Read more

Tennessee Orange, Savannah Nights 🎤: My Megan Moroney Concert Review

Image
🎤  Tennessee Orange, Savannah Nights  🎤 Brittny Tried It: Megan Moroney Concert Review 🎶 Why I Tried It 🎶 Anyone that knows me knows that I am obsessed with music and I rarely say no to live music. So when one of the nicest and funniest women I know called me up and invited me to meet up in Savannah, Georgia to see Megan Moroney in concert, I said take my money nowwww and I'll see you there on the spot...even though I truthfully could not name a single Megan Moroney song in that moment. Luckily, Spotify had me covered and I quickly learned as many of her songs as I could, and was even more pumped to go! Cowgirl emo?? Say less and count me in!!!  ❤️What I Loved ❤️ Savannah showed up big time for Megan. The venue (Enmarket Arena) was buzzing with energy, and the crowd sang (and at times screamed) along to every word like we were all old friends at a backyard bonfire. Megan opened with my favorite, “Man on the Moon,” and from the first line, it was game on. She played ...
Read more

Tribesigns 47-Inch Farmhouse Console Table

Image
This spring, I decided to finally tackle the living room in my house. I've been in the house for 3 years now, and it's the one room that I haven't been able to decide what to do with. After tons of research, we found a modular couch that had everything we wanted from it. We love having the flexibility to create the right seating arrangement for the day. With the couch i can fit so many more people than my previous one. I knew that I wanted a sofa table to go between the sofa and the wall so that everyone would have a place to set their drinks, phones, keys, etc. I finally settled on the Tribesigns 47-Inch Farmhouse Console Table and ordered it from Amazon. The dimensions were exactly what I was looking for:   Here's my thoughts: I purchased it for ~$120.00 and it arrived in 2 days. The packaging was great and there were no damaged pieces upon arrival, although the box was pretty beat up! The table comes with labeled parts and detailed instructions, making the assembly ...
Read more