A review by booktalkwithrae
Scythe & Sparrow by Brynne Weaver

dark emotional fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Most of the Ruinous Love series has been an average read for me, and Scythe & Sparrow is no different. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it—I did—but it didn’t spark that excitement or emotional pull I get from books that really stick with me.
I really enjoyed Fionn as a character—he might actually be my favorite of the brothers. He felt more grounded and real, and I genuinely liked being in his head and watching his growth unfold. Rose, on the other hand, was a bit hit or miss for me. There were moments I really liked her, and others where I just didn’t feel as connected or invested in her journey.
This installment felt a bit softer in tone compared to the first two books, though it still delivered on the gruesome aspects the series is known for. The smut scenes were definitely delicious and enjoyable—I might even say I wanted a bit more, though I’m still undecided on that.
Something that stood out to me (and took me longer than I’d like to admit to realize) is that a big chunk of this book actually takes place during the events of books one and two. The time skips were handled fairly well, but at times they happened so frequently that they disrupted the story’s flow and felt a bit jarring.
Overall, I enjoyed Scythe & Sparrow about as much as the other books in the series. They’re not my usual reads, but they offer a unique, dark twist that works well as a palate cleanser between my more typical genres.
Also, I have to shout out the audiobook—the narrators, Samantha Brentmoor and Eric Nolan, did a phenomenal job, as always. Their performances added so much depth and emotion to the story.
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