The hugely successful BookTok hitButcher and Blackbirdis a perfect Halloween read for those who want a strong mix of spooky and sweet. With Halloween fast approaching, many readers will likely have the choice ofhorror books to read in Octoberas, much like the ever-growing romantasy genre, there are quite a few spine-chilling options. The genre is filled with the kind of spooky stories that fit the season,from paranormal hauntings likeThe Amityville Horrorto slashers and mysteries likeSummer Camp For Slasher Victims.
However, some readers may want something that captures that spooky feel without so much of the extreme horror movie trappings.Sadly, the books that are firmly in the horror genre may not cater to this, as the focus is on the scares rather than the autumnal atmosphere and character progression.Fortunately,Butcher and Blackbirdby Brynne Weaver, the first book in theRuinious Lovetrilogy, stands at that intersection as it is one of the biggestromance books on BookTokbut also features two serial killers, making it perfect for horror fans.
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Butcher And Blackbird’s Serial Killer Romance Is Perfect For Horror Fans
The Novel Pays Homage To Many Classic Horror Films
The serial killer romance ofButcher and Blackbirdis perfect for horror fans, especially as 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 several bloody descriptions and Rowen’s status as the Butcher of Boston creates many tense scenesthat horror fans can easily enjoy. These particularbook scenes inButcher and Blackbird, though, are made even more gripping through 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’sPsychoand Tobe Hooper’sThe Texas Chainsaw Massacre, paying homage to two iconic films with ease.
Thorsten Harris' cannibalistic nature will remind horror fans of Hannibal Lecter inThe Silence of the Lambs, which adds to the tension of the scene.Harvey Mead’s relationship to his mother and chainsaw chase is a clear mixture of Alfred Hitchcock’sPsychoand Tobe Hooper’sThe Texas Chainsaw Massacre,paying homage to two iconic films with ease. That being said, the gore and references are not the only appeal of the book. The comedic and romantic moments add some tenderness and levity to the story, makingButcher and Blackbirda great Halloween read for non-horror fans.
The Book’s Comedic And Romantic Moments Also Make It A Great Halloween Romance
The Comedy And Romance Add A Juxtaposing Wholesomeness To The Novel
Despite being a serial killer romance,Butcher and Blackbirdundercuts the horror aspects with humor and sweet moments, giving the book a juxtaposing wholesomeness that makes it a perfect Halloween read.The situational humor allows Weaver to easily undercut the many horrifying moments of the novel, such 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 remain even as the romance between the two builds.
Theromance inButcher and Blackbirdadds further wholesomeness as the two slowly open up to each other.Both of the leads have complex, traumatic backstories that contribute to their unorthodox hobbies.As they continue their game and rely on each other further, those pasts get revealed, creating a strong bond between the two that is believable and compelling. That romantic tension undercuts the horror inButcher and Blackbird,giving both horror and non-horror fans a perfect novel to curl up with on Halloween night.
The third book in theRuinious Love Trilogy,Scythe and Sparrow,is set to be released on June 26, 2025.
