Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver

248 reviews

lea_lea's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny fast-paced

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

2.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Cannibalism, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment

hanschub's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny medium-paced

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

4.5

i actually wasn’t going to read this because tiktok hype is annoying, but i did read it and i absolutely loved it. the pacing was off in some chapters, but i could overlook that in some chapters because of how well-written the characters were, not to mention their connection (off the charts). this was my first serial killer romance and as a dark romance lover, i think i’ve unlocked a new favourite trope. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Cannibalism, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Torture, Vomit, and Stalking

Minor: Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Death of parent

jaynovara's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark funny 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? No

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Cannibalism, Stalking, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol

Minor: Child abuse and Pedophilia

boba_nbooks's review against another edition

dark emotional funny tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5

{ Before you get into this book, make sure you read the trigger warnings. }

Sloane and Rowan are both serial killers who take out criminals and predators who commit the most heinous crimes. Rowan comes up with the amazing idea to create a game for him and Sloane, where each year they are given a criminal's name and see who can kill them first. Little do they know, this game will lead the two dark souls to find commonality and an unbreakable bond.

I was somewhat uneasy going into this book because I'd only heard that it was DARK. And, it is. Are there gross moments that made me cringe? Yes. Is there torture and murder? Yes. Is it one of the most funny and heartwarming books I've read this year? Also yes. However, I'd say Butcher & Blackbird is first and foremost a romantic comedy where the two main characters just happen to be serial killers who kill the most horrendous criminals. 

If you've also only heard about the dark parts of this book and are intimidated by it, I'd urge you to give Butcher & Blackbird a chance. Plus, if you're an audiobook reader, definitely listen to this one. The dual narration is so good, and the banter just hits.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Cannibalism, and Murder

Moderate: Torture, Vomit, and Stalking

Minor: Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Death of parent

cyberhavok's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny medium-paced

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

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Cannibalism, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Confinement and Stalking

Minor: Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Death of parent

ladydeathnesta's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I want to give this book more stars! I loved this book so much! Can’t wait for the next one 🥰

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Addiction and Pedophilia

sinslashcos's review against another edition

adventurous 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

4.0

HAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHH
this book was soooooooooooooo unhinged and I was absolutely here for it!

highly recommended for the kinky straight people

With the whole David twist, I imagined being a serial killer in this universe and getting stressed leading up to August in case the Butcher & Blackbird come after me! I love the vision of all the criminals being SO stressed while this lovey-dovey couple is just skipping through a field of flowers, swinging their blades around and leaving a trail of blood and dead bodies behind them.

Also, you could absolutely replace Sloane with Celaena and Rowan with, well, Rowan and this would make perfect sense to me.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Stalking, and Murder

Moderate: Vomit

Minor: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Death of parent

quiet_reader's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark funny medium-paced

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

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Child abuse, Vomit, Death of parent, and Abandonment

twistykris's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious 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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Cannibalism, and Murder

Moderate: Confinement, Torture, Blood, Vomit, and Stalking

Minor: Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Death of parent

bzliz's review against another edition

dark funny fast-paced

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

4.0

This was absolutely unhinged and I had a great time reading it, although I could never justify giving it five stars. Part of my enjoyment was reading or explaining some of the tremendously ridiculous excerpts to my fiancé.

We get a lot of Rowan’s backstory but not enough of Sloane’s which makes it harder to sympathize with her. As much as you can sympathize with a serial killer anyway. The time jumps for the first half of the book cover basically a year each which makes it feel like they’re both instantly obsessed with each other. They’re also way too chill about discussing their dark hobby in public spaces. 

The trigger warnings list did a good job covering the scope of triggers but I genuinely think anyone who has enjoyed Criminal Minds will be entirely unphased by the scenes of violence. Many of the triggers are alluded to rather than being in the page. I would recommend this book to anyone who had a true crime phase and is just looking for something fun. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Cannibalism, and Murder

Moderate: Torture and Vomit

Minor: Child abuse and Death of parent