The very successful BookTok hit Butcher and Blackbird is a perfect Halloween read for those who want a strong mix of spooky and sweet. With Halloween fast approaching, many readers will likely have a choice of horror books to read in October because, much like the ever-growing romance genre, there are quite a few spine-chilling options. The genre is filled with the kind of spooky stories that fit the season, of paranormal hauntings like The Amityville Horror To slashers and mysteries like Summer camp for slasher victims.
However, some readers may want something that captures that spooky feel without so much of the extreme horror movie trappings. Unfortunately, the books that are firmly in the horror genre can not cater to this, because the focus is on the scares rather than the autumn atmosphere and character progression. luckily, Butcher and Blackbird by Brynne Weaver, the first book in the Ruinous love Trilogy, stands at this intersection because it is one of the biggest romance books on BookTok but also features two serial killers, making it perfect for horror fans.
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Butcher and Blackbeard’s serial killer romance is perfect for horror fans
This novel gives homepage to many classic horror films
The serial killer romance of Butcher and Blackbird is perfect for horror fans, especially since the premise allows for several homages to iconic slasher films. Sloane and Rowen are both prolific serial killers who hunt other serial killers. Sloane’s moniker as the Orb Weaver leads to some bloody descriptions and Rowen’s status as the Boston Butcher creates plenty of tense scenes. That horror fans can easily enjoy. The particular book scenes in Butcher and BlackbirdAlthough, are made even more gripping by homages to various classic horror films during Sloane and Rowen’s annual hunting game.
Harvey Mead’s relationship to his mother and chainsaw chase is a clear mixture of Alfred Hitchcock. Psycho and Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chainsaw MassacrePaying homage to two iconic films with ease.
Thorsten Harris’ cannibalistic nature will remind horror fans of Hannibal Lecter in The silence of the lambsWhich adds to the tension of the scene. Harvey Mead’s relationship to his mother and chainsaw chase is a clear mixture of Alfred Hitchcock. Psycho and Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, With ease paying homage to two iconic films. That being said, the gore and references are not the only appeal of this book. The comedic and romantic moments add some tenderness and levity to the story, making Butcher and Blackbird A great Halloween read for non-horror fans.
The comedic and romantic moments of this book make it a great Halloween romance too
The comedy and romance add a juxtaposing wholeness to the novel
Despite being a serial killer romance, Butcher and Blackbird Undercuts the horror aspects with humor and sweet moments, giving the book a juxtaposing whole that makes it a perfect Halloween read. The situational humor allows Weaver to easily undercut the novel’s many horrifying momentsSuch as Rowen’s lack of awareness of Harris’ nature and his subsequent rescue by Sloane. The banter between the two leads also brings quite a bit of levity, allowing the pace to stay even as the romance between the two builds.
The romance in Butcher and Blackbird Adds more wholesomeness as the two slowly open up to each other. Both of these leads have complex, traumatic backstories that contribute to their unorthodox hobbies. As they continue their game and rely on each other further, the past is revealed, creating a strong bond between the two that is believable and compelling. That romantic tension undercuts the horror butcher and blackbird, Give both horror and non-horror fans a perfect novel to curl up with on Halloween night.