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ashnicter's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
I was excited about this book as a listener of Morbid Podcast.
Plot: 5 stars. It felt like an exciting episode of Criminal Minds. It seemed to have some grounding in reality given the author’s background as an autopsy tech. There were some really engrossing moments and fun twists. I finished it in one sitting.
Characters: 2.5 stars. It’s okay. I would have loved to understand more about the characters. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of diversity with the main characters. As for the secondary characters, it’s unclear. There seems to be one LGBTQIA+ character. Given the setting, having more built out characters that don’t leave the readers wondering about their backgrounds would have helped with character development. It’s especially distracting given the rich diversity of New Orleans.
Writing: 2 stars. The dialogue is choppy and the writing could use some polish.
Plot: 5 stars. It felt like an exciting episode of Criminal Minds. It seemed to have some grounding in reality given the author’s background as an autopsy tech. There were some really engrossing moments and fun twists. I finished it in one sitting.
Characters: 2.5 stars. It’s okay. I would have loved to understand more about the characters. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of diversity with the main characters. As for the secondary characters, it’s unclear. There seems to be one LGBTQIA+ character. Given the setting, having more built out characters that don’t leave the readers wondering about their backgrounds would have helped with character development. It’s especially distracting given the rich diversity of New Orleans.
Writing: 2 stars. The dialogue is choppy and the writing could use some polish.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gun violence, Blood, Gore, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Stalking, Violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, and Torture
Moderate: Confinement and Panic attacks/disorders
smkelly1997's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The Butcher and the Wren was a great debut novel. I was caught off guard by plot twists and left wanting more. I’m excited to see where this story continues. I could not give it a full 5 stars for 3 main reasons. First, an injury that is integral to the book is described incorrectly which really bothered me. Second, the consistent mention of serial killers felt like a selling point for the podcast. Third, I wish we would have gotten to know more about Wren and her personality. I felt like I knew her wry but not here.
Overall, as I already said a great book. While it could use a bit of work I think for a debut novel it was great. It was one of the first horror/thriller books I have read and this made it all the more interesting.
Overall, as I already said a great book. While it could use a bit of work I think for a debut novel it was great. It was one of the first horror/thriller books I have read and this made it all the more interesting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Torture, Kidnapping, and Stalking
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