Finished: Butcher & Blackbird

So, this is a book that I read.

I’m new to the romance genre, preferring mysteries, thrillers, horror and magical realism. However, I’m trying to branch out and this book was all over my social feeds so I added it to my library hold list. It was taking forever to get through the list so when I made a recent visit to a romance bookstore with some friends, I picked up a copy. (Hey Darling in Austin, Minnesota. A must visit.)

For a while, I really enjoyed this book. Brynne Weaver is a good writer and balanced serial killers with romance and a dash of humor really well. But then, I got further into this book.

When it comes to my reading, I generally prefer my sex and my horror less graphic. Totally personal preference. And this book is as graphic as you can get. Which wasn’t a surprise because the author gave us a complete and accurate content warning right away. So, fair warning if you decide to read this.

But as I went through the book, I got a lot of ICK from the actual emotional relationship between the two main characters. Here are my red flags (I’m no expert, so, you know, grain of salt and all).

Lets start with the title, Butcher and Blackbird. Butcher is his serial killer name, Blackbird is the name Butcher gives her. Her serial killer name is The Orb Weaver. Already, her own identity is set aside.

When Butcher first meets Blackbird, she’s in a cage. It’s really great meet-cute, but as I read on, I realized she never really left the cage.

Butcher constantly says he wants to protect and save her, but that it’s clear she’s been hurt and needs support. So he of course needs to control her life. When she is seriously injured he tells her he’s going to live with him so he can take care of her. Never mind that she has her own home and cat and friends several states away. He doesn’t ask, he tells.

During their first sexual encounter (look, it’s not a spoiler you know it’s going to happen), Butcher takes control. He dominates her, he controls her. Great, whatever floats your boat. Here’s the thing: He never asks her if it’s ok. I’m not into that kind of sexual proclivity and haven’t read much (the romance genre is fairly new to me) but I’ve always understood that any sub/dom relationship relies on consent from BOTH parties. I mean, every sexual relationship should be based on consent, but that seems especially important in a relationship where one person controls another. Blackbird is never asked for her consent and an orgasm does not equal consent.

Butcher never asks Blackbird her consent for anything he does because he believes he owns her (he says she belongs to him over and over and over).

I clearly won’t be reading any further books in this series. Graphic sex is one thing, abuse wrapped up in the ribbon of protection is another.

Have you read Butcher & Blackbird? What did you think?