Thanks to popular BookTok hits like Fourth Wing and A Court of Thorns & Roses, fantasy romance books — aptly dubbed “romantasy” — are dominating the market. And one incredible romantasy duology deserves far more attention, as it features one of the most interesting takes on witches and magic I’ve seen in a long time. There’s no shortage of witchy romance books to pick up, and witches are a staple in many fictional fantasy worlds. There are a number of distinct interpretations of witches and the lore surrounding them, and one recent story stands out in that regard.

The Crimson Moth duology takes place in a society where witches are persecuted, a fairly common setup, and it boasts many of the staples of a good romantasy story. From its enemies-to-lovers relationship to its actually compelling love triangle, The Crimson Moth has many strengths that will feel familiar to readers of the subgenre. However, its approach to its witches’ magic — and especially its heroine’s workaround for using her powers in an oppressive society — is incredibly intriguing and sets it apart from so many similar stories.

The Crimson Moth Duology Has One Of The Coolest Takes On Witches & Magic I’ve Read

The Book’s Blood Magic Leaves An Impression

Those looking for incredible fantasy duologies to read should check out Kristen Ciccarelli’s Crimson Moth duology, if only to experience its magic system — though there’s plenty more to love. The series follows 18-year-old Rune, a witch hiding in plain sight in a city that hunts and kills her kind. Taking on the alias “the Crimson Moth,” Rune does her best to rescue witches who are imprisoned and marked for death. This is made difficult by the fact that magic in Ciccarelli’s world leaves a mark: witches must draw blood to use it, and it leaves silver scars where they’ve cut themselves.

This setup makes it nearly impossible for witches to hide from those hunting them, raising the stakes of Ciccarelli’s world significantly. And using blood from other people transfers the scars onto them; plus, drawing blood from non-consenting parties can lead to madness, an intriguing means of keeping even the strongest witches in check. This isn’t even the best part of The Crimson Moth‘s take on blood magic, however. It’s the fact that Rune cleverly uses her monthly cycle to keep her magic flowing and idenтιтy hidden, even from the witch hunter she grows intimately close to.

As the persecution of witches tends to be deeply rooted in misogyny, having Rune use this means of escaping detection is even more satisfying. The witch hunters never even consider the possibility of what Rune’s doing. This puts a great feminist spin on the story, showing that the characters can use the very thing that’s been used to oppress them in order to liberate themselves.

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It’s Not Just The Magic That Makes Kristen Ciccarelli’s Story Great

While the magic system is one of the most memorable elements of The Crimson Moth duology, it’s far from the only reason to pick it up. This romantasy series is surprisingly underrated, but its compelling cast of characters, believable enemies-to-lovers romance, and tragic yet shocking ending all highlight why it’s worthwhile. It deserves more attention in the romantasy space — and given that it’s now finished, it’s the ideal time for readers to give it a chance.