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annadt1808's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mapoirier8's review against another edition
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
anonymous_user's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
I did not know what to expect with this book but I loved it so much - humor, romance, suspense, spice, murder lol. I listened to the audiobook and the narration was top tier
nate1154's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mack908's review against another edition
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gore, Murder, Blood, Death, and Cannibalism
profpetitfours's review against another edition
4.0
Look, sometimes my reading habits leave me quite concerned for my mental health. I mean, five of the last six books I read have been serial killer romances and I don't think I want to stop?!?
Regardless, Butcher & Blackbird was a surprisingly delightful book whose trigger warnings should have probably scared me away (I mean, both accidental and purposeful cannibalism?!? Again, I am unwell).
Butcher is the Butcher of Boston, a serial killer who takes out the worst of the worst, primarily on his home turf. Blackbird, also known as the Orb Weaver by the FBI, is also a serial killer, who also takes out the worst of the worst, but likes to string up pieces of them in an elaborate web that serves as a map to where her victims have killed others. They have a meet cute when Sloane (aka Blackbird) gets trapped in a metal cage with one of her recent kills (you'll never look at orzo the same way again). Rowan (aka the Butcher) frees her. Thus a friendship is formed around their love of killing and a yearly competition they design (the winner gets to kill a real bad guy...).
This is kind of friends-to-lovers, though Rowan is down pretty bad for Sloane from the jump. It is definitely a dark romance and it is also pretty spicy!
Ultimately, it loses one star because, in hindsight, there's not a whole lot of character development, especially on Rowan's side. There's a plot, but it's mostly vibes, and as a vibes reader, I was happy!
Regardless, Butcher & Blackbird was a surprisingly delightful book whose trigger warnings should have probably scared me away (I mean, both accidental and purposeful cannibalism?!? Again, I am unwell).
Butcher is the Butcher of Boston, a serial killer who takes out the worst of the worst, primarily on his home turf. Blackbird, also known as the Orb Weaver by the FBI, is also a serial killer, who also takes out the worst of the worst, but likes to string up pieces of them in an elaborate web that serves as a map to where her victims have killed others. They have a meet cute when Sloane (aka Blackbird) gets trapped in a metal cage with one of her recent kills (you'll never look at orzo the same way again). Rowan (aka the Butcher) frees her. Thus a friendship is formed around their love of killing and a yearly competition they design (the winner gets to kill a real bad guy...).
This is kind of friends-to-lovers, though Rowan is down pretty bad for Sloane from the jump. It is definitely a dark romance and it is also pretty spicy!
Ultimately, it loses one star because, in hindsight, there's not a whole lot of character development, especially on Rowan's side. There's a plot, but it's mostly vibes, and as a vibes reader, I was happy!
melilaslibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
frecldgal's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
haileethayer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
saraht_99's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
LOVED. GOBBLED THIS BABY UP. ONE SITTING. ARF ARF. Such a unique book that I quite simply would’ve never picked up for myself but when bestie tells you, you need to read it and you’re going to love it, you read it. Sloane and Rowan were genuinely perfect for each other and I love how he pined for her until the bitter end! Sloane is who I aspire to be (obvi less murder) and she is one of the strongest characters I’ve ever met. Rowan treats her like the queen she is. I loved the satirical approach on serial killers in love, it’s giving everything I wanted the show ‘You’ to be. I’m sorry but if my lover doesn’t propose by putting a ring in a dead man’s empty eye socket, I don’t want it. Reading the second one asap!