Reviews tagging 'Confinement'

Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver

28 reviews

colorcrystals's review against another edition

adventurous 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Death, Cannibalism, Violence, Sexual content, Torture, Body horror, and Blood

Moderate: Cursing, Confinement, and Vomit

Minor: Domestic abuse, Stalking, and Death of parent

30something_reads's review against another edition

dark funny lighthearted fast-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

4.0

Let it be known: I had a great time!
But I keep thinking that the biggest reason for that is because this audiobook is masterful. Truly, the duet narration coupled with the stellar narrators themselves really makes this shine.
If I were to have just picked this up as a physical book for the first time, I do not think the experience would have been as good. Fine, sure. But not great.

I mostly contribute that to some of the dialogue. I think it works when you get to hear it in Joe Arden's smoky Irish accent or Lucy River's stressed out rambling. But had I been reading it with my eyeballs, I probably would have been rolling them A LOT. 

This was absolutely dark and twisted- moments that made me shriek out loud in shock. (which is funny when you're making dinner and your partner freaks out because they thought you hurt yourself.) The humor is definitely not for everyone but I was amused. 

Overall, it's hard to separate my rating of the contents of the book versus the audiobook experience. This is 100% a book that I would only recommend via audio. So, IDK. Audiobook- absolutely a 5 star experience. The book itself? Maybe 3.5 stars?

And what a saucy little epilogue. Definitely makes you want to read the next one. (but most certainly via audiobook.)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cannibalism, Sexual content, Body horror, Murder, Blood, Torture, and Gore

Moderate: Vomit

Minor: Medical content, Child abuse, Stalking, Confinement, and Injury/Injury detail

mirandamichaels's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Confinement, Cannibalism, Blood, Cursing, Death, and Murder

acmazurek's review against another edition

dark funny slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Violence, Torture, Cannibalism, Confinement, Death, and Murder

courtneyreadsallnight's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A

4.5

I don't know if you've heard the hype on this one, but it's 100% valid. Butcher and Blackbird are code names that this serial killer duo use for one another in a laugh out loud dark romance that I devoured in under 48 hours. It was snarky and engaging, spicy and sweet. Definitely check your trigger warnings on this one, friends! 

 

Sloane and Rowan have admired one another's work for years when a slip up one day lands Sloane in a position that only Rowan can get her out of. Luckily, he happens upon her in her time of need.  In return, Rowan takes advantage of the situation, ensuring himself further contact with a peer who he both admired for her work and physical attributes.  

 

Sloane is drawn to Rowan in her need to connect with someone who could understand her and the draw of the excitement that time with him provides her. Over the years, these two find their relationship growing while resisting the urge to allow it to develop into anything romantic.   

 

When there's an incident at Sloan and Rowan's annual get together, they both realize that their feelings can't be held back any longer.  But how do they make a life together work?  

 

Some of my favorite passages from the book:  

 

"I just want to take my trophies and stage my scene and go, not hang around and watch as they liquefy." 

 

"I swipe a hand down my face as Rowan manages to shovel one more bite into his mouth before he passes out face down on his plate. There's a beat of silence. Thorsten and I stare at the man sleeping on a bed of salad with thinly sliced rare human steak hanging out of his mouth......'Well,' I say, as I sit back in my chair, laying my hand on the surface of the table with the watered steel blade clutched in my palm. 'I guess it's just you and me now.'" 

 

"A thick swallow catches in Rowan's throat. 'I can't lose you'. 

'Then you'd better kiss me,' I whispered back.  

Rowan meets my eyes. His hands warm my cheeks.  We're just a breath of space away from one another, and I know everything will change once his lips touch mine.  

And it's true." 

 

"I bark a laugh and roll my eyes. 'You're the worst.' 

'You'll love me someday.' 

One of my steps falters.  

Today is that day. 

Maybe yesterday too. And the day before that. Maybe for a while, in fact." 

 

"'Get fucked,' she says, and presses her lips to my cheek before tucking herself beneath my arm and threading her fingers between mine. 'In a loving way, of course.'" 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Stalking, Murder, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Torture, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, and Confinement

karly_rose_reads's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious medium-paced

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

4.75

Looking for a dark romantic comedy that will make you question your sanity as you follow the twisted adventures of two serial killers who kill...other serial killers? Then you should pick up Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver. Like all dark romances, please read the trigger warnings.

I recently read The Mindf*ck Series by S.T. Abby and asked fellow readers for recommendations with other bad*ss, unhinged FMCs and this came highly recommended. It absolutely lived up to the hype—Sloane (Blackbird) is, in fact, an unhinged bad b*tch. Also, I didn't know a MMC could be a golden retriever and a serial killer, but Brynne Weaver managed to accomplish that. This duo is everything.

From the witty banter to the questionable moments that had no right making me laugh out loud, this book was an addictive, fun read. It is also a slow burn BUT the spice scenes are SPICIN and worth the wait. The chemistry between these characters is *chefs kiss.*

The only reasons I didn't give this a true 5/5 but it is very close is due to the timeline feeling sped once the characters "unite" years later, which gave me a bit of character whiplash. HOWEVER, I am extremely excited to read Leather & Lark and am hoping I can get approved as an ARC reader. 

Tropes (if you're curious):
🔪 Dark romantic comedy 
🔪 Slow burn
🔪 Friends to lovers
🔪 He falls first
🔪 Touch him/her and die
🔪 Forced proximity
🔪 One bed

This book is told in first person and has dual POV with the FMC and MMC.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Torture, Violence, Murder, and Gore

Moderate: Cursing, Blood, Confinement, Body horror, and Cannibalism

Minor: Stalking, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Vomit, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Rape, and Incest

kaelizaco's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny lighthearted tense fast-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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Death, Blood, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, Confinement, Kidnapping, Vomit, Cannibalism, Murder, Torture, and Violence

amandafitz's review

dark funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Cannibalism, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Violence, Cursing, Confinement, Medical content, Body horror, Death, Murder, Stalking, Blood, Sexual content, Excrement, Gore, and Torture

poetsofsweetpea's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Bloody Violent Brilliant

I enjoyed the narration of this book.  it's definitely dark and too spicy for me. It was somehow still fun and enjoyable.  A good time. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Cannibalism, Violence, Death of parent, Gore, Sexual content, Child abuse, Confinement, Medical trauma, Blood, Death, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content

hannahrose_fgc's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny tense fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Torture, Stalking, Blood, Physical abuse, Cursing, Violence, Gore, Confinement, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Murder, Vomit, Cannibalism, and Kidnapping

Minor: Pedophilia