Trust on a Knife’s Edge: Why The Rebel Witch Delivers a Satisfying Finale

After finishing The Crimson Moth, I did not wait long before diving straight into The Rebel Witch, the conclusion to Kristen Ciccarelli’s duology. The first book ended on a note that practically demanded immediate continuation, and thankfully the sequel wastes no time picking up exactly where the story left off. And true to that cliffhanger, the opening is anything but gentle.

The highly anticipated sequel to The Crimson Moth.

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 Cressida―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. And 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 The Rebel Witch, the exciting conclusion to The Crimson Moth duology, love has never been so deadly.

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Opinion

Rune begins this installment in a deeply precarious position. Even on the continent, far from the island of Cascadia, safety is an illusion. Her alliance with Cressida Roseblood, one of the former witch queens, is not born of trust or friendship but necessity and survival. From the start, Rune is painfully aware that she is little more than a pawn in Cressida’s quest for revenge and power. That awareness hangs over the narrative like a storm that never clears, giving the entire book a heavier and more oppressive tone than its predecessor.

The atmosphere in this sequel feels richer, darker, and more layered. The stakes are higher, the emotional tension sharper, and the moral lines blurrier. Where the first book explored danger and secrecy, this one thrives on consequence. Every decision feels heavier, and every alliance comes with a cost.

At the heart of the story remains the relationship between Rune and Gideon, and the tension between them is stretched tighter than ever. Their dynamic feels like a bow drawn to its absolute limit, waiting for the inevitable release. Gideon has followed Rune to the continent with a clear promise: he intends to hunt her down and kill her. That promise alone sets the emotional stage for their interactions, creating a constant undercurrent of danger in every scene they share.

Despite their declared roles as enemies, circumstances force them to work together once again. This reluctant partnership creates a fascinating push and pull between them. Their shared goal of opposing Cressida does not magically erase their past betrayals or the ideological divide between witch and witch hunter. Trust remains fragile and painfully slow to grow, and that slow-burn development is one of the book’s greatest strengths. Their romance continues to simmer beneath the surface, fueled by unresolved feelings, lingering hurt, and undeniable chemistry.

The enemies-to-lovers arc reaches its most intense stage here, and the emotional stakes feel genuinely high. Their connection is no longer just about attraction or tension but about impossible choices and conflicting loyalties. Watching them navigate this emotional battlefield becomes one of the most compelling parts of the story.

In terms of plot, the book remains consistently entertaining and fast-paced. The suspense rarely lets up, and the story continues to deliver twists and revelations that keep the pages turning. One particular plot element became clear to me almost immediately when it was introduced: the mystery surrounding the lost sister of the witch queens. While that reveal felt predictable, it did not significantly detract from my overall enjoyment. Fortunately, the story still held several other twists that genuinely surprised me and added depth to the unfolding narrative.

Like the first book, the sequel shines in its ability to balance romance, danger, and political intrigue in a way that feels engaging and accessible for a young adult audience. The pacing remains strong throughout, and the stakes continue to escalate satisfyingly as the story moves toward its conclusion.

The ending delivers a fitting and emotional resolution to the duology. It ties together the central conflicts while honoring the tone and themes established across both books. Without revealing spoilers, the conclusion feels earned and meaningful, providing closure while still acknowledging the sacrifices and costs that shaped the journey.

Conclusion

Overall, The Rebel Witch serves as a strong and satisfying finale to The Crimson Moth duology. With heightened stakes, a darker atmosphere, and an emotionally charged romance at its core, it successfully builds upon the foundation of the first book and brings the story to a compelling close. While not every twist was unexpected, the journey remained engaging and entertaining from beginning to end, earning this sequel a solid 4-star rating.

About Kristin Ciccarelli

Kristen Ciccarelli is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Crimson Moth duology, A Dark Forgetting, and the Iskari series. Before writing books for a living, she dropped out of college and worked as a baker, a potter, and a bookseller. She currently resides in the Niagara region of Ontario with her husband and daughters.

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• By Kristin Ciccarelli
• The Crimson Moth Series
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