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A review by emilymazzara
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book is so camp! The blasé approach to writing about LITERAL MURDER makes this read so much fun. That being said this is not for the faint of heart!! (That laundry list of trigger warnings at the start of the novel are there for a reason, heed them.) The premise of the story makes this book such a good time and the banter between Sloan and Rowan is truly delightful. I listened to the duet audiobook version and those narrators kill it (lol).
I ended up only giving this a 3.5/5 for a few reasons:
1) I thought the character development of both of our main characters and all of our side characters was a little lacking. I’m giving it a bit of grace because it is the first of a trilogy, but they hint so much at the complex pasts and give us absolutely nothing. A few more concrete details and a bit of internal self reflection could have gone a long way.
2) Again I think it’s a first of three problem, but the conflict was a bit lacking. I wanted at least one brush with the law. Even if it was a law that Rowan’s omnipotent older brother has in his pocket. Funny enough all that killing with no consequence got a bit bland.
3) All the talking of their murder hobby out in the open with zero filter or even a check of the surrounding area. Like IN A RESTAURANT on DAY ONE!! I for one listen to people conversations in diners all the time so I totally would have heard him call her Orb Weaver at least four times. I can suspend my disbelief pretty high, but this was pushing it.
Honestly a good read and I will be on the lookout for book two when it drops.
I ended up only giving this a 3.5/5 for a few reasons:
1) I thought the character development of both of our main characters and all of our side characters was a little lacking. I’m giving it a bit of grace because it is the first of a trilogy, but they hint so much at the complex pasts and give us absolutely nothing. A few more concrete details and a bit of internal self reflection could have gone a long way.
2) Again I think it’s a first of three problem, but the conflict was a bit lacking. I wanted at least one brush with the law. Even if it was a law that Rowan’s omnipotent older brother has in his pocket. Funny enough all that killing with no consequence got a bit bland.
3) All the talking of their murder hobby out in the open with zero filter or even a check of the surrounding area. Like IN A RESTAURANT on DAY ONE!! I for one listen to people conversations in diners all the time so I totally would have heard him call her Orb Weaver at least four times. I can suspend my disbelief pretty high, but this was pushing it.
Honestly a good read and I will be on the lookout for book two when it drops.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Stalking, Medical trauma, Death, Cannibalism, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Blood, Violence, and Vomit
Seriously, read the FULL list of trigger warnings before embarking on your read. This book is absolutely not for everyone.