A review by edgybutfemme
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver

dark funny 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

4.5

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/ 5 - Featuring many explicit scenes with lots of detailed language. This book is heavier on the spice, but the plot is still there and doing something interesting. Also, it's at least a little kinky. 

 
The Smut / Kinks include:

cock warming, rough sex, praise kink, anal, adult toys, choking, spitting, dom/sub interactions, & genital piercings

I am absolutely in love with how unhinged these two are and the duel narration in this audio book is fantastic! I think my favorite thing about this book was how much Rowan was immediately into Sloane from the first moment they met. Sloane and Rowan have a deeply compelling banter and dynamic. I love that she calls him pretty boy! I love that when they bicker she'll say "you're the worst" or "I hate you", and he'll respond with "you'll love me someday." I love how funny they both are, both with each other and in their internal narration. If you enjoy a couple who are deeply unhinged individually and together, and who bicker like an old married couple, this book may be for you! 

Both characters felt fully fleshed out with compelling other relationships in their life, like Rowan with his brothers and Sloane with her best friend (and practical sister) Lark. Their backstories are compelling, and they each have a nice personal arc in addition to the overarching plot and romance. I am really looking forward to seeing where this series goes from here!

Of course, keep an eye on those trigger warnings as this is a dark romance between two serial killers who kill other serial killers. I was warned about the cannibalism (the main couple are not into it, but some of the people they hunt are), so I was braced for a lot, but honestly I would say there are only two big scenes/situations where it comes into play. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Cannibalism, and Murder

Moderate: Torture and Stalking

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

Full list from Brynne Weaver's website:

This is the book with the craziest list, so hold on tight *cracks knuckles*. Yes, this really is the list. Yes, it all does happen. / Eyeballs and eye sockets / Amateur surgery / Skin ornaments / Chainsaws, axes, knives, scalpels - a lot of sharp objects / Accidental cannibalism / Not-so-accidental cannibalism / Questionable use of a mummified corpse / Lobotomized man servant / Ill-advised use of kitchen implements / I’m sorry about the cookies and cream ice cream (I’m not really) / Detailed sex scenes which include (but are not limited to) cock warming, rough sex, praise kink, anal, adult toys, choking, spitting, dom/sub interactions, genital piercings / References to parental neglect and child abuse / Parental loss (not depicted - one parent murdered, one parent passed in child birth) / References to child sexual assault (not in detail) / It’s a book about serial killers, so there’s some generally messed-up murder and chaos