Butterfly Girl

by Kennedy Cannon

“A dead body lay at my feet and all I could think was, Sailor Moon didn’t prepare me for this . . .”

Life has become boring and routine for Sabrina—until one day when she becomes enamored with a clique of popular girls at her college. They are everything she wants to be: confident, rich, glamorous, fun. A part of something.
Everything changes when they invite her to be a Butterfly Girl.
But real life is nothing like a glittery children’s cartoon. Wishes have consequences. Boys will be boys. And power can corrupt even the most magical of girls.
Butterfly Girl is a coming-of-rage novella full of campy fun and dark humor, perfect for fans of Bottoms, The Craft, and Jennifer's Body.

Genres: Fantasy

Unknown Binding

Published January 17, 2025

Reviews

[Nathaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book rooted in justified anger and I loved every second of it.

[Effie Stock · Rating 4 out of 5]

This entire book made my heart absolutely ache. Under all the beautifully written sparkles and perfect lies such a resounding deep pain and anger that mixed so well with my own. I want to keep reading, for there to be an ending with more closure, but I think that's what drives the message home all the more. Women and victims don't always get the closure they need and deserve. And that is the biggest tragedy of them all.

[Jo Graves · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a unique story. It was a fast paced read for sure. It was whimsical, fantastical, and murdery.

We have a cult of girlie pops who love to unalive silly boys. They remind me of those sky dancer toys from the 90’s. Sailor Moon meets Jennifer’s Body.

There was LGBTQ+ rep, lots of feminine rage, laugh out loud moments, and pop culture references.

The feeling of friendship and girlhood was almost tangible. It took me back to the feeling of having a slumber party with your girlfriends.

This was such a fun book!

[Ashley Claire · Rating 2 out of 5]

man, after bunny, i think i’m just tired of the “seemingly perfect girls form a friend group and then try to tear each other apart bc girls can’t help being catty and divisive” trope.

[Kyra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this. Kennedy Canon has yet to write a book I didn’t absolutely love.

[Cozy Dork · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was so cute & so metaphorical too like a deeper meaning to everything 🦋 I felt like a butterfly reading it & related to the girls so much

[delusioanal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book follows Sabrina, living a rather ordinary life in college. Until she becomes infatuated with a group of girls. Immediately she wants to be their friend, only to find out that they aren’t at all like she imagined.

A book about a group of magical girls, murdering men. What’s not to love?! I had a great time reading this. Read this in one sitting. Female rage. Cult vibes. The girls in the book are relatable. Even the things that maybe I didn’t want to be able to relate to. But it was real. Explores what it’s like to be a woman and things we have to deal with. Also, is SERIOUS need of a girls night with margaritas and killing boys.

[Bri · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ☆

Butterfly Girl by Kennedy Cannon is this beautifully horrific commentary on sexual assault victims and all the other nasty things that happen to women in the world. I adored the gore and the complexities of each girl, having their own stories and uniqueness. I even loved how Nana and the other girls are slowly revealed to not be perfect, which is true to real life. Even in justified anger, there is room for us to be imperfect too.

My only gripe is that I wish it was pushed to be a novel rather than a novella. I love this writing style, and I feel like I needed more. What were the girls doing at school? Who are they outside of just their antics and magical girl fighting?

Highly recommend this to fans of "weird girl lit fics" or even just interested in a Jennifer's Body/The Craft/Madoka Magica inspired novella.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw this book recommended in a Reddit thread, took a chance on it, and I'm so glad I did. I love magical girls and this was a fresh take on the genre. It's raw, angry, feminist, and inclusive. I think the chapters styled as episodes and pop culture references were so fun! This is about girlhood and fighting the patriarchy at its core. I wish it had been a full length novel and I'm a bit puzzled but he ending, but I loved it overall. The descriptions are lush and the writing it whimsical; I couldn't put it down.

[Shelby Cranor · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5, it had really interesting moments. But overall the plot and magic system kind of lost my attention.

The writing style was brilliant though. I love Kennedy's writing style and how much inclusivity there is in this book, with the main characters being different ethnicities and in the LGBTQIA+ community.

[Sarah Browe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about the short book. I finished it in one sitting and it was very easy to read and get into.

[Laura Gibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished this in one sitting. Fairly convinced Kennedy Cannon could write a book about grass growing, and I would still gobble it up.