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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
This tried to be so clever, and fell so flat
This book was entirely unexpected. I had seen a few of my friends talking about it so added it to my TBR on a whim. I'm glad it did. Sure it's dark and the romance is both a little insta-love and also slow to develop as it's not a huge part of this story, but I was really enjoyed Adam and the mess he found himself in. Nothing that's happening is his fault but apparently he's the only one that can deal with it all. He's got a lot to process forced to deal with his estranged family, saving a cop, and finding out more about his ex than he thought he'd ever learn. But, he's determined to move forward. I enjoyed that about his character. He just buckles down and tries to get things done because no one else can.
This was an interesting world and I hooked enough to see where things go. I'm curious about Death as the sort of character she is in this story. Not the typical depiction of death. I also want to know more about Vic. He wasn't as fleshed out of a character in this story as I'd like for a love interest. We don't really get to know him that well despite his bond with Adam.
The relationship between the brothers was a tricky one and not easy. I was on Adam's side, but Bobby was written well and so I wasn't left hating him. He was dealt a bad hand and was only trying to do what he thought was best. He wants so badly to just live a simple normal life and his past makes that difficult no matter how much he pretends it doesn't exist.
I'm interested to see where this series goes and develops. Definitely caught up in the world.
This was an interesting world and I hooked enough to see where things go. I'm curious about Death as the sort of character she is in this story. Not the typical depiction of death. I also want to know more about Vic. He wasn't as fleshed out of a character in this story as I'd like for a love interest. We don't really get to know him that well despite his bond with Adam.
The relationship between the brothers was a tricky one and not easy. I was on Adam's side, but Bobby was written well and so I wasn't left hating him. He was dealt a bad hand
Spoiler
not entirely his fault, manipulated into way to muchI'm interested to see where this series goes and develops. Definitely caught up in the world.
Great new adult book that has a genuinely charming hero who is flawed but has you rooting for him every step of the way!
This book had cool world building, and I really want to read more of it—I particularly want to see more of where the romance is going! I hope there are additional books in the series.
A Dresden File-ish type fantasy with a protag that grew up in a single parent household on the wrong side of the tracks. It was pretty meh. I finished it but I really wouldn't have felt terrible if for some reason the audio file had corrupted midway.
I really liked this book. I like Adam and Vincent. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Heavy on the redneck, white trash vibes, this book's only half way respectable or remotely believable character was a jerk too. A security guard isn't going to be so forward the very first moment you meet him and hit on you while he's on the job-- and I certainly can't imagine he would do that in a same sex relationship without trying to determine your sexuality first. The whole story was absolute garbage: psychic links, family drama, poorly developed everything. Woof. I'm only writing this review to remind myself how bad it was and to not pick up anything in the Adam Binder series again.
White Trash Warlock by David R. Slayton is on tour with The Write Reads. I am always happy to participate in these tours as I am given a chance to read books that otherwise would have slipped by my radar.
Today's review is one of those books, and it would have been a shame to miss it, as it is a fantastic story.
Adam is a delightful character with thoughts and feelings we can all relate to. He longs to fit in, but his magical powers prevent that. His family grossly wrongs him yet finds himself in the position of having to save his family despite his wishes to avoid them.
I love that the book has so many diverse characters, and they are all treated equally. No one is punished for their beliefs, preferences, and love interests. These facets are all simply part of the story, not "The" story. White Trash Warlock is an example of how culture should be written.
We are drawn into the magical world of elves, gnomes, leprechauns, and more while we travel these realms with Adam. Can he save his family, friends, and the world from the chaos bleeding through the veil? Will he find his place in this melding of two worlds. This must-read novel will satisfy yet leave you craving the next book in the series. I can not wait.
Today's review is one of those books, and it would have been a shame to miss it, as it is a fantastic story.
Adam is a delightful character with thoughts and feelings we can all relate to. He longs to fit in, but his magical powers prevent that. His family grossly wrongs him yet finds himself in the position of having to save his family despite his wishes to avoid them.
I love that the book has so many diverse characters, and they are all treated equally. No one is punished for their beliefs, preferences, and love interests. These facets are all simply part of the story, not "The" story. White Trash Warlock is an example of how culture should be written.
We are drawn into the magical world of elves, gnomes, leprechauns, and more while we travel these realms with Adam. Can he save his family, friends, and the world from the chaos bleeding through the veil? Will he find his place in this melding of two worlds. This must-read novel will satisfy yet leave you craving the next book in the series. I can not wait.
16 Jan 2021
Subjective vs. Objective Rating: 3 stars vs. 4 stars
Reason: Look, I can recognize this is a solid, well-plotted book while also feeling very much like it was not what I expected or wanted it to me. The latter definitely cuts in on my enjoyment.
CW: Domestic Abuse, Horror.
Plot: Estranged younger brother answers call for help from older brother who's being haunted by creepy shit.
1. I was going to do a whole well-formatted and organized review thing for 2021 but that means I keep putting this off so it's on hold for now we back to brainvomit.
2. If you're on tumblr you have witnessed the resurgence (kindof- a zombie-resurgence maybe?) of Supernatural content because those of us who liked parts of it are now relieved it's dead so we can go back to cautiously interact with it. Or something. Anyway, the summary sounded very supernatural-like. Two brothers, one of them neck deep in the supernatural the other running away from it as fast as he can. The good stuff. It then turned out to be Not That but that's really on me.
3. There's comparitively little in this story about brothers and family drama interacting. There is some of that mind you- and I loved every little bit we got because those were the best parts. However, most of the story was devoted to some pretty complex worldbuilding, which introduced many characters and sketched out a magic system and generally didn't got into as much detail as I'd have liked about it. A proto-romance was also crammed into the story, meaning that the whole thing felt a little too stretched out at times.
4. A little disappointed about the whole originating conflict of plot point. Like, it's not unrealistic, but it speaks of a specific set of assumptions I would prefer to avoid in my stories. Also, so uh- not great all around. Especially since I really liked whatever we saw of her. Annie and it just reeks of wasted potential.
5. My favorite part was everything that had to do with the backstory of the brothers and the rest of their family. It's great. There's a lot of pathos and repressed emotions and affection tainted by horrible life circumstances and we really should have gone into it.
6. I'd like to point out that I didn't think the story was sexist because there are a few really great women populating it. Giant Sword Elf Lady is great 10/10 would drool over her again. The Psychic Aunt was even better. Supporting character with considerable points put into emotional suport? Yes. Badass? Also yes. Granted, was something of a disappointment because of how but I will admit the concept was cool.
7. The romance was meh. I liked the Latino cops' family- another one of the best parts of the book. And I know this at least partly because I'm exposed to liberal echo chambers, but I can't really get into any narrative that portrays a main character who is both in the police and a narrative that is not just non-critical of but universally praising them. It feels... incomplete in 2021. Also, may I point out that Adam has WAY more chemistry and backstory and potential for drama with The romance was already a little too close too fast, but the presence of a viable (and IMO, more interesting) alternative made that feel worse.
8. In conclusion; good ideas, but tries to explore all of them without going deep into any of them resulting in a story that feels like it did not live up to its potential. Reminds be a bit of the Kai Gracen series in terms of atmosphere, even if that one was set in a post-apocalyptic world.
Subjective vs. Objective Rating: 3 stars vs. 4 stars
Reason: Look, I can recognize this is a solid, well-plotted book while also feeling very much like it was not what I expected or wanted it to me. The latter definitely cuts in on my enjoyment.
CW: Domestic Abuse, Horror.
Plot: Estranged younger brother answers call for help from older brother who's being haunted by creepy shit.
1. I was going to do a whole well-formatted and organized review thing for 2021 but that means I keep putting this off so it's on hold for now we back to brainvomit.
2. If you're on tumblr you have witnessed the resurgence (kindof- a zombie-resurgence maybe?) of Supernatural content because those of us who liked parts of it are now relieved it's dead so we can go back to cautiously interact with it. Or something. Anyway, the summary sounded very supernatural-like. Two brothers, one of them neck deep in the supernatural the other running away from it as fast as he can. The good stuff. It then turned out to be Not That but that's really on me.
3. There's comparitively little in this story about brothers and family drama interacting. There is some of that mind you- and I loved every little bit we got because those were the best parts. However, most of the story was devoted to some pretty complex worldbuilding, which introduced many characters and sketched out a magic system and generally didn't got into as much detail as I'd have liked about it. A proto-romance was also crammed into the story, meaning that the whole thing felt a little too stretched out at times.
4. A little disappointed about the whole originating conflict of
Spoiler
woman can't have baby so she's very depressedSpoiler
she got fridgedSpoiler
dies and with her last breath tells her husband how much he and his brother love and need each other ignoring that there's barely any evidence for it in the text5. My favorite part was everything that had to do with the backstory of the brothers and the rest of their family. It's great. There's a lot of pathos and repressed emotions and affection tainted by horrible life circumstances and we really should have gone into it.
6. I'd like to point out that I didn't think the story was sexist because there are a few really great women populating it. Giant Sword Elf Lady is great 10/10 would drool over her again. The Psychic Aunt was even better. Supporting character with considerable points put into emotional suport? Yes. Badass? Also yes. Granted,
Spoiler
Lady DeathSpoiler
unnecessarily unhinged she was and I usually like my anthromorphic personifications of death a little more nuanced7. The romance was meh. I liked the Latino cops' family- another one of the best parts of the book. And I know this at least partly because I'm exposed to liberal echo chambers, but I can't really get into any narrative that portrays a main character who is both in the police and a narrative that is not just non-critical of but universally praising them. It feels... incomplete in 2021. Also, may I point out that Adam has WAY more chemistry and backstory and potential for drama with
Spoiler
the elf prince?8. In conclusion; good ideas, but tries to explore all of them without going deep into any of them resulting in a story that feels like it did not live up to its potential. Reminds be a bit of the Kai Gracen series in terms of atmosphere, even if that one was set in a post-apocalyptic world.