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A review by jmross10
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
According to the synopsis a pair of serial killers enter a competition against one another and fall in love along the way.
That’s true. Ish.
Firstly - these individuals are only technically serial killers. Yes they have a body count, and one of them is relatively methodical (as described on page), but it’s all “bad men”, and their occasional compulsion to off people, doesn’t interfere at all with their ability to have normal high functioning lives. Keeping that in mind, neither of them has a diagnosis that would prevent them from feeling guilt or remorse, and yet, they’re totally unaffected by what they do and/or see. I’d like to know how that’s possible. Because the author doesn’t really bother explaining what set them down this path, apart from vague (and unfortunately) common trauma, that doesn’t normally result in this particular outcome.
Then again, they’re more vigilantes than serial killers, so maybe that’s the explanation.
Besides a total lack of development, their characterization in general is incredibly inconsistent. Sloane is meant to be a competent young woman with a good job and a handle on things. Yet she regularly reverts to a blushing innocent who’s too shy and unsure of herself to talk to a crush but is fine committing murder with him.
Meanwhile Rowan, who’s trying to tame the “monster” in his soul, spent 2/3 of the book as a boob obsessed horny teenager. Which makes the eventual smut between them uncomfortable as hellbecause they’re consenting adults, acting like children, trying to talk dirty while being awkwardly heart eyed.
The competition the book is meant to revolve around is only a small part of the story. There’s more of an emphasis on their day to day lives and the pair of them falling for each other while living in denial for way too damn long.
The last 1/3 of the book feels overloaded with smut, super fast emotional dumping (after 4 years of suffering in near silence), and an unnecessary third act break up that adds literally nothing to the story.
From beginning to end it was a disappointing read. The book is gory just to be gross. The main characters who should be morally grey and villainous, are average people who occasionally pluck out eyes like it’s normal. And the tone shifts from uncomfortably descriptive body horror to plucky romcom without ever successfully blending the two. It’s like Friends with Benefits had Hannibal Lecter as a side character for giggles. An absolute waste of time.
That’s true. Ish.
Firstly - these individuals are only technically serial killers. Yes they have a body count, and one of them is relatively methodical (as described on page), but it’s all “bad men”, and their occasional compulsion to off people, doesn’t interfere at all with their ability to have normal high functioning lives. Keeping that in mind, neither of them has a diagnosis that would prevent them from feeling guilt or remorse, and yet, they’re totally unaffected by what they do and/or see. I’d like to know how that’s possible. Because the author doesn’t really bother explaining what set them down this path, apart from vague (and unfortunately) common trauma, that doesn’t normally result in this particular outcome.
Then again, they’re more vigilantes than serial killers, so maybe that’s the explanation.
Besides a total lack of development, their characterization in general is incredibly inconsistent. Sloane is meant to be a competent young woman with a good job and a handle on things. Yet she regularly reverts to a blushing innocent who’s too shy and unsure of herself to talk to a crush but is fine committing murder with him.
Meanwhile Rowan, who’s trying to tame the “monster” in his soul, spent 2/3 of the book as a boob obsessed horny teenager. Which makes the eventual smut between them uncomfortable as hell
The competition the book is meant to revolve around is only a small part of the story. There’s more of an emphasis on their day to day lives and the pair of them falling for each other while living in denial for way too damn long.
The last 1/3 of the book feels overloaded with smut, super fast emotional dumping (after 4 years of suffering in near silence), and an unnecessary third act break up that adds literally nothing to the story.
From beginning to end it was a disappointing read. The book is gory just to be gross. The main characters who should be morally grey and villainous, are average people who occasionally pluck out eyes like it’s normal. And the tone shifts from uncomfortably descriptive body horror to plucky romcom without ever successfully blending the two. It’s like Friends with Benefits had Hannibal Lecter as a side character for giggles. An absolute waste of time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Blood, Murder, Violence, Torture, Vomit, Body horror, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Cursing, Death, Kidnapping, and Medical content
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Sexual assault