Scan barcode
A review by graysonari3l
The Crimson Moth by Kristen Ciccarelli
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I feel like I'm being gaslit with all the 5 star reviews truly.
I didn't think this was very good, and the only thing it had going for it was "enemies to lovers where one actually wants to kill the other, but they hook up before one finds out. What happens next!!!!" Trope.
First, main girl Rune. We are told that she's this skilled "Crimson Moth", breaking witches out of prison, she's alluded the Guards for years, very talented. Key word TOLD. We're never shown. All we see is her struggling to perform spells, lacking the blood needed to do so, and then failing at every mission she undertakes. I really don't see how she could have evaded capture for so long, I think if the book opened up on a scene of her being successful, it could have shown us who the author wanted us to see and provided to more action and plot scenes to balance out the romance.
And Gideon. Yikes girl he's trying to murder you!!!! Had some bad experiences with witches and immediately jumps to killing them all. No remorse. That's your man right there? Plus his name is GIDEON?!?!?! Rune idk why you were so down Bad. Also Gideon called her bluff early on. I think it would have been more effective if he truly thought she was an airhead, figured someone was using her ships without her knowledge, and as he got to know her saw that she was multifaceted and then halfway thought "what if she really is the Moth". I think that would have lead to a more interesting dynamic and more character development than the "this airhead may have layers and might be the Moth. Guess I have to get her naked to check her body for scars" that we got.
Plot twist in the end got me tho I will say that.
Idk I keep teetering between a 2 and 3 star. Idk. The author could get better and I can see the later books being more enjoyable, but idk if I want to add them to my every growing tbr and sold my coveted special edition. I'm sure it'll make someone else happier than me.
I didn't think this was very good, and the only thing it had going for it was "enemies to lovers where one actually wants to kill the other, but they hook up before one finds out. What happens next!!!!" Trope.
First, main girl Rune. We are told that she's this skilled "Crimson Moth", breaking witches out of prison, she's alluded the Guards for years, very talented. Key word TOLD. We're never shown. All we see is her struggling to perform spells, lacking the blood needed to do so, and then failing at every mission she undertakes. I really don't see how she could have evaded capture for so long, I think if the book opened up on a scene of her being successful, it could have shown us who the author wanted us to see and provided to more action and plot scenes to balance out the romance.
And Gideon. Yikes girl he's trying to murder you!!!! Had some bad experiences with witches and immediately jumps to killing them all. No remorse. That's your man right there? Plus his name is GIDEON?!?!?! Rune idk why you were so down Bad. Also Gideon called her bluff early on. I think it would have been more effective if he truly thought she was an airhead, figured someone was using her ships without her knowledge, and as he got to know her saw that she was multifaceted and then halfway thought "what if she really is the Moth". I think that would have lead to a more interesting dynamic and more character development than the "this airhead may have layers and might be the Moth. Guess I have to get her naked to check her body for scars" that we got.
Plot twist in the end got me tho I will say that.
Idk I keep teetering between a 2 and 3 star. Idk. The author could get better and I can see the later books being more enjoyable, but idk if I want to add them to my every growing tbr and sold my coveted special edition. I'm sure it'll make someone else happier than me.