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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
I think with this book, I'll finally admit to myself how much I love a good love story sheathed in dark magic. From the moment the book touched my hand at my local indie, and also especially given how awesome and hard-hit by the fires Blackstone publishing has been, I have picked it up in every spare minute.
There are already so many great reviews of this book, so I'll try to add just what really spoke to me: this story is a lot about the sacrifices we make for the people we care about, and the stories we tell ourselves that may not be true. It's the story of two brothers finally starting to understand each other, and the story of believing in love, all while kicking some supernatural butt. The Studio Ghibli-style scenes of crossing over into the spirit world were rendered in full color for me, and I actually think they've been influencing my dreams.
It's always an emotional experience to root for a character to believe in themselves, and for Adam, I was doing that the whole way through. Can't recommend White Trash Warlock enough. It's a great spooky read for the season, and also an evergreen escape to a place a bit more magical, but no less complicated, than the default world.
There are already so many great reviews of this book, so I'll try to add just what really spoke to me: this story is a lot about the sacrifices we make for the people we care about, and the stories we tell ourselves that may not be true. It's the story of two brothers finally starting to understand each other, and the story of believing in love, all while kicking some supernatural butt. The Studio Ghibli-style scenes of crossing over into the spirit world were rendered in full color for me, and I actually think they've been influencing my dreams.
It's always an emotional experience to root for a character to believe in themselves, and for Adam, I was doing that the whole way through. Can't recommend White Trash Warlock enough. It's a great spooky read for the season, and also an evergreen escape to a place a bit more magical, but no less complicated, than the default world.
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Finding your path and your people
I loved his first book in this urban fantasy series centered around the hidden world of magic and the hidden world beyond what most mortals see. I fell directly into the story from the first page and was unable to stop reading until the last page. The author beautifully wove together thrilling action, deep emotions, supernatural intrigue, palpable tension, unexpected twists, and romance. Adam has magic though he is not very powerful. He lives in Oklahoma in a trailer with his great aunt who also has magic. His angry and violent father, who may or may not have magic, disappeared along time ago. Adam is trying to track down the magic user who made magical objects with dark magic and worries it was his father. His search coincides with a call from his estranged brother, Bobby, for help with his wife, Annie, who is under the spell of dark magic. As Adam travels to Colorado to help his brother and while also following the trail of the dark objects, he gets to unpack a bunch of his past baggage for some healing in the process. The story includes what you’d expect from this genre - fighting, dangerous situations, end of the world scenarios, paranormal creatures, loyal friends and family, complicated families, painful pasts, mystical coincidences, snark, love, secrets, and laughs. I am excited to read more in this series. 4.5 stars.
Michael David Axtell did a phenomenal job narrating the story and characters into life with enough change of inflection, tone and cadence to voice multiple characters quite convincingly.
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The story flow works beautifully, and I appreciated the framework of going back and forth between the two main characters' perspectives. In this book, you see the world through Adam’s eyes and then through Robert/Bobby’s eyes. With such diverse world views, the stark contrast enriches the plotline and provides so much additional backstory and emotion.
How Slayton introduces and portrays supernatural creatures offers a throwback to myth and legend mixed with a modern twist. In the mortal world, you can only see these beings in their human disguises. In the parallel dimensions, which is beyond the mortal world's veil, you can see their true form. That said, their true form can blind you, as mortals can’t withstand the awe and might of such power.
For those of you who have read my other reviews, you know I am not a huge fan of cliffhangers. While this book does end on one, Slayton cleverly closes up all the main storylines before enticing you with the cliffhanger to the next part of the series. His method is the example of how to use cliffhangers effectively. From a marketing perspective, how Slayton finishes the first book and creates tension and urgency to move to the second one is an intelligent tactic. The tactic worked on me! I raced to consume the rest of the series.
How Slayton introduces and portrays supernatural creatures offers a throwback to myth and legend mixed with a modern twist. In the mortal world, you can only see these beings in their human disguises. In the parallel dimensions, which is beyond the mortal world's veil, you can see their true form. That said, their true form can blind you, as mortals can’t withstand the awe and might of such power.
For those of you who have read my other reviews, you know I am not a huge fan of cliffhangers. While this book does end on one, Slayton cleverly closes up all the main storylines before enticing you with the cliffhanger to the next part of the series. His method is the example of how to use cliffhangers effectively. From a marketing perspective, how Slayton finishes the first book and creates tension and urgency to move to the second one is an intelligent tactic. The tactic worked on me! I raced to consume the rest of the series.
This wasn't really memorable the first time I listened to it, but now that I've tried it again, it's much better. Full of unique and complex characters, a promising and complicated love triangle, but most of all magical mysteries. I enjoyed this a lot. Great narration, too.
Such a fun quick read! The characters are written with depth, magic isn’t a fix all, and the romance is quick but not “boom instant love” also love that it’s not the entire plot it’s just a lovely aspect of these characters. Can’t wait for this series to continue, I’m hooked!