A review by morganwozz
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver

dark funny medium-paced

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

4.5

First off, if you are squeamish don’t read this book lol. If you decide to skip this warning and read it, the author does give a lengthy list of potential triggers in the beginning of the book so you’ll get a preview of what you’re in for. But despite all of that, I actually really enjoyed this book (to the shock of no one). I like to take a stab (pun for this book) at books that tend to stray on the darker things in life & morally grey characters. BUT this book is also funny, the dialogue did actually make me LOL, so that is always a fun time.

I really enjoyed Rowan & Sloane as main characters. Who doesn’t want to meet their future boo at a murder scene (sarcasm)? There was one scene/theme that was giving Fresh/Hannibal vibes, but it was not the MC’s so don’t worry there. Spoiler, the drunk scene where Rowan is clearly not sober and says “you love me” after she was saying “lobotomy” made me audibly laugh 😂 

Anytime tarot cards are shown in books, I’m like, I was meant to read this. I will repeat that these characters are definitely morally grey, seeing as they compete in an annual killing together, but the smut is giving feral (let’s just say the spit scene, you can take whatever you want from that without any context lol), but I will say it might be a lot, especially if you’re not into smutty books. No worries for me, but I like to give a warning for those that need it 😉 

Also! The plot was fun and the way it ties together and leads into the next book in the series was very well done. It took a min for the 3rd act to pickup, but once it did I was invested in continuing the series.