3.5 stars

This book gave me a mixed reading experience. There is a lot here that works, especially when it comes to the characters and their tangled relationships, but a few elements pulled me out of the story more than once.

First, a heads up for anyone who prefers cleaner reads. This book has quite a bit of profanity, including some f-bombs, and there is an open-door spicy scene that I would personally rate as two peppers. Because of that content, I would not call this appropriate for younger teens, even though it is marketed as YA.

This is very much a character-driven fantasy. The world-building is minimal, and the pacing leans toward slow-burn. Rune, Gideon, and Alex come with their own flaws, wounds, and complicated pasts, yet their dynamic is easily one of the highlights of the book. I adored the way they orbit each other with loyalty, tension, affection, and a whole bunch of messy emotions.

Rune herself left me a little disappointed. With a name like the Crimson Moth, I expected someone sharper or more formidable. Instead, she spends much of the book feeling more like a damsel caught in constant danger rather than the powerful figure her reputation promises. I kept wishing for more scenes that actually showed her operating as the Crimson Moth with real confidence and forward momentum.

Alex was the sweetest guy in the entire story. He has his flaws, but his love for Rune and the lengths he goes to protect her warmed my heart. He is easily the purest character in the cast. Gideon had me grinning so much at times. His confidence, his teasing nature, and his fierce loyalty added so much charm. His trauma runs deep and gives him a surprising amount of emotional weight.

The romance is the star here. I am a sucker for a love triangle, and this one had me properly torn. Both Gideon and Alex show Rune real affection in very different ways. There are adorable moments, heartbreaking ones, and plenty of swoony tension. If you worry about triangles dragging across a full series, this one is resolved by the end of the book.

I had fun with the cat-and-mouse dynamic between Rune and Gideon, and the plot does toss in enough twists and secrets to keep things interesting. Unfortunately, the magic system was not a favorite of mine. Blood magic in general is not something I enjoy, and the reveal that witches use menstrual blood for spells went way beyond my comfort level. It felt unnecessary and honestly grossed me out. Honestly, I would’ve rated this higher if not for this aspect of the story. 

Overall, this book has charming characters, romantic tension, and a delicious mix of enemies-to-lovers energy, forbidden magic, lies, and betrayal. At the same time, the slow pacing, the lack of world depth, some content choices, and Rune’s underwhelming portrayal kept me from loving it. Still, if you enjoy morally grey characters, tangled relationships, and witchy drama, it might hit the spot. 

However, I am curious enough to read the sequel and find out how it ends because this first book does end on a cliffhanger.