Because of popular BookTok hits like Fourth Wing and A Court docket of Thorns & Roses, fantasy romance books — aptly dubbed “romantasy” — are dominating the market. And one unimaginable romantasy duology deserves way more consideration, because it options probably the most attention-grabbing takes on witches and magic I’ve seen in a very long time. There isn’t any scarcity of witchy romance books to select up, and witches are a staple in lots of fictional fantasy worlds. There are a selection of distinct interpretations of witches and the lore surrounding them, and one latest story stands out in that regard.
The Crimson Moth duology takes place in a society the place witches are persecuted, a reasonably frequent setup, and it boasts most of the staples of a very good romantasy story. From its enemies-to-lovers relationship to its actually compelling love triangle, The Crimson Moth has many strengths that can really feel acquainted to readers of the subgenre. Nonetheless, its method to its witches’ magic — and particularly its heroine’s workaround for utilizing her powers in an oppressive society — is extremely intriguing and units it other than so many comparable tales.
Books In The Crimson Moth Duology In Order |
Launch 12 months |
Common Goodreads Score |
---|---|---|
Heartless Hunter |
2024 |
4.19 |
Insurgent Witch |
2025 |
4.28 |
The Crimson Moth Duology Has One Of The Coolest Takes On Witches & Magic I’ve Learn
The E-book’s Blood Magic Leaves An Impression
These searching for incredible fantasy duologies to read ought to try Kristen Ciccarelli’s Crimson Moth duology, if solely to expertise its magic system — although there’s loads extra to like. The sequence follows 18-year-old Rune, a witch hiding in plain sight in a metropolis that hunts and kills her variety. Taking up the alias “the Crimson Moth,” Rune does her finest to rescue witches who’re imprisoned and marked for demise. That is made troublesome by the truth that magic in Ciccarelli’s world leaves a mark: witches should draw blood to make use of it, and it leaves silver scars the place they’ve reduce themselves.

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This setup makes it almost inconceivable for witches to cover from these searching them, elevating the stakes of Ciccarelli’s world considerably. And utilizing blood from different individuals transfers the scars onto them; plus, drawing blood from non-consenting events can result in insanity, an intriguing technique of retaining even the strongest witches in examine. This is not even the perfect a part of The Crimson Moth‘s tackle blood magic, nonetheless. It is the truth that Rune cleverly makes use of her month-to-month cycle to maintain her magic flowing and identification hidden, even from the witch hunter she grows intimately near.
Because the persecution of witches tends to be deeply rooted in misogyny, having Rune use this implies of escaping detection is much more satisfying.
Because the persecution of witches tends to be deeply rooted in misogyny, having Rune use this implies of escaping detection is much more satisfying. The witch hunters by no means even contemplate the potential for what Rune’s doing. This places a terrific feminist spin on the story, exhibiting that the characters can use the very factor that is been used to oppress them to be able to liberate themselves.
Heartless Hunter Is An Underrated Romantasy E-book Extra Folks Want On Their Radars
It is Not Simply The Magic That Makes Kristen Ciccarelli’s Story Nice
Whereas the magic system is without doubt one of the most memorable components of The Crimson Moth duology, it is from the one motive to select it up. This romantasy series is surprisingly underrated, however its compelling forged of characters, plausible enemies-to-lovers romance, and tragic but stunning ending all spotlight why it is worthwhile. It deserves extra consideration within the romantasy house — and provided that it is now completed, it is the best time for readers to present it an opportunity.