A review by cassie7e
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver

dark lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Irresponsibly cheesy and viscerally disgusting. Great for readers who want some vigilante violence in their romance (or vice versa). I alternated between being charmed and repulsed and I'm still conflicted about picking up the sequels. I think it's the disconnect between the seriousness of the violent moments and lightheartedness of the traditional romance. I needed the romance to be less insta-attraction or the violence to be more comic.

Pros:
  • A CAT (needed more page time)
  • brotherly insults
  • flirty button pressing
  • best-friend teasing

Cons:
  • male protectiveness and possessiveness (esp for a character we're told is badass and competent and could wipe the floor with him)
  • Visceral torture imagery (Unlike Sloan I don't find violence hot or thrilling)

Audio comments:
  • Dialogue/audio file timing is off so it always sounds like Rowan is interrupting Sloan
  • The text describes different kinds of laughs but the production always cuts in a chuckle from Rowan instead
  • Sounds + narration is weird. Just tell me they huffed or make the sound, not both overlapped please.
  • More Irish accents!
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