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breadandmushrooms's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
3.25
nsgold's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
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
4.5
sebast_torr's review against another edition
4.0
A nicer story involving queer characters about family neglect, abuse, and trying to come to terms with abuse…. No I’m not kidding.
The story is nice and that is honestly the best way to put it. Nothing to ride home about and the world building could use some better explanations but, over all it is enjoyable and was nice to listen to on the drives to work.
Overall would recommend if you are looking for some queer magical stories.
The story is nice and that is honestly the best way to put it. Nothing to ride home about and the world building could use some better explanations but, over all it is enjoyable and was nice to listen to on the drives to work.
Overall would recommend if you are looking for some queer magical stories.
highlanderajax's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Decent enough, might read a sequel, but fell a little short of where I hoped. Let's start with the good. It's a pretty neat world, a seemingly interesting magic system, and definitely a lot of thought has been put into some of the mechanics. The range of characters is pretty nice, both in terms of attitudes and diverse representation - most of them seem interesting, and I'd look forward to finding out more about them in later books. I really do love the representation and diversity, it makes for a much better story. It's also really nice how well-written the characters are; they don't feel like caricatures or cut-outs, they feel well-woven into the fabric of the story. It's no coincidence that this story really picks up after some important newer characters join the protagonist and start taking an active role in the story; they really add a new dimension and engaging quality to every scene, not least by giving the protagonist someone to actually work with.
I do quite like the general world-building - planes of existence are often a good way to get the magic/mundane interplay going while allowing for the masquerade that keeps the plot going. The supernatural elements are ok, but definitely a bit more passive in some ways than I was hoping.
Now, some of the bad. First and most importantly, the protagonist. I said that the story picks up after new characters get a more major role, and boy how. The protagonist is...fine. He falls into the trap a LOT of UF mains do, where their backstory is given an awful lot more weight than their present, which makes way too much of their internal dialogue feel like navel-gazing. So much of the protagonist's backstory here felt preoccupied with a sort of cherished misery, it felt like I was reading the same pages repeatedly. Yes, this itself is a part of their character...but it's fairly dull to read. Some of that seems to be resolved at the end of the book, so maybe the sequels will be better, but it's still...not ideal.
I do quite like the general world-building - planes of existence are often a good way to get the magic/mundane interplay going while allowing for the masquerade that keeps the plot going. The supernatural elements are ok, but definitely a bit more passive in some ways than I was hoping.
Now, some of the bad. First and most importantly, the protagonist. I said that the story picks up after new characters get a more major role, and boy how. The protagonist is...fine. He falls into the trap a LOT of UF mains do, where their backstory is given an awful lot more weight than their present, which makes way too much of their internal dialogue feel like navel-gazing. So much of the protagonist's backstory here felt preoccupied with a sort of cherished misery, it felt like I was reading the same pages repeatedly. Yes, this itself is a part of their character...but it's fairly dull to read. Some of that seems to be resolved at the end of the book, so maybe the sequels will be better, but it's still...not ideal.
Second, while the book is engaging enough and the magic kind of fun, it's a bit...passive. I'd rather hoped for a bit more fireballs and invocations, a bit more active engagement rather than just learning and research. There wasn't much in the way of active conflict in the book, more just the emotional ones between characters, and that's ok, but it was a bit flat. When it did come, everything kind of unfolded rapidly and then ended just as quickly. A bit of a shame. This lack of direct engagement is true throughout the plot to be honest - even the mystery aspect isn't so much a plot to be unravelled as one or two facts that are uncovered, and that's sort of...it.
Overall, this is an ok book. It's not bad, I might read the sequel, but it's not something that makes me rave. There's a little too little direct plot and action, a little too much time spent treading and retreading the same character traumas and motivations, and everything just feels a little flat and bland as a result. It's not a bad book, but it's definitely to be hoped that the sequels pick up the pace a bit.
nattyyllie's review against another edition
2.0
Good plot, but the female characters fall short. Also feels as though there are still loose ends to be tied up at the end. (Edit: Found out this is a trilogy later) More than 6 typos that jumped out at me.
rellimreads's review against another edition
5.0
White Trash Warlock is David R. Slayton’s debut novel and the first of his Adam Binder series. I loved it! It’s a unique and sometimes dark combination of paranormal, urban fantasy, mystery, suspense, thriller and romance.
Slayton has created a fantastic world that’s easy to get immersed in. I listened to this in two days and didn’t want to push pause. I couldn’t help but be invested as Adam investigated the magic (good and bad) that is deeply entrenched in himself, his family, and the world. His searching revealed a host of magical beings and traveling between the mortal world and spirit realm. I admit that urban fantasy isn’t a genre I have a lot of experience with, but Slayton gave enough information so that I didn’t feel lost without disrupting the pacing.
While there was a bit of a romantic element, it was discussions of previous relationships and the very beginning of a new one. The “steamy” didn’t go past a few kisses. Poor Adam was hurt by his first boyfriend and has always had a hard time balancing love with the drawbacks to having magical gifts so it was nice to see him get a bit of an HEA. I don’t want to say with who because how that unfolded was a part of what I really enjoyed about this story and I don’t want to ruin it for anyone.
I felt that all the characters were dynamic and while mostly from Adam’s point-of-view – there’s definitely a group that has formed. Each brings individual talents, information, perspectives, and sometimes baggage. The banter is at times sharp, sad, and witty. Long-held secrets are revealed in ways that change all of them.
I wouldn’t consider this a cliffhanger per se as there is definitely resolution to many mysteries introduced at the beginning of the book. However, even more are uncovered so I’m looking forward to spending time in this series. Book 2, Trailer Park Trickster, will be released in October. I’ll definitely be listening to this again before then.
Narration:
Michael David Axtell did a wonderful job narrating this. There is a huge cast of characters to work with – men, women, old, young, various accents, and lots of emotions. Axtell’s performance was terrific and helped me feel fully immersed in Slayton’s world.
I won a free copy of this audiobook from entering a BookSweeps giveaway and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Slayton has created a fantastic world that’s easy to get immersed in. I listened to this in two days and didn’t want to push pause. I couldn’t help but be invested as Adam investigated the magic (good and bad) that is deeply entrenched in himself, his family, and the world. His searching revealed a host of magical beings and traveling between the mortal world and spirit realm. I admit that urban fantasy isn’t a genre I have a lot of experience with, but Slayton gave enough information so that I didn’t feel lost without disrupting the pacing.
While there was a bit of a romantic element, it was discussions of previous relationships and the very beginning of a new one. The “steamy” didn’t go past a few kisses. Poor Adam was hurt by his first boyfriend and has always had a hard time balancing love with the drawbacks to having magical gifts so it was nice to see him get a bit of an HEA. I don’t want to say with who because how that unfolded was a part of what I really enjoyed about this story and I don’t want to ruin it for anyone.
I felt that all the characters were dynamic and while mostly from Adam’s point-of-view – there’s definitely a group that has formed. Each brings individual talents, information, perspectives, and sometimes baggage. The banter is at times sharp, sad, and witty. Long-held secrets are revealed in ways that change all of them.
I wouldn’t consider this a cliffhanger per se as there is definitely resolution to many mysteries introduced at the beginning of the book. However, even more are uncovered so I’m looking forward to spending time in this series. Book 2, Trailer Park Trickster, will be released in October. I’ll definitely be listening to this again before then.
Narration:
Michael David Axtell did a wonderful job narrating this. There is a huge cast of characters to work with – men, women, old, young, various accents, and lots of emotions. Axtell’s performance was terrific and helped me feel fully immersed in Slayton’s world.
I won a free copy of this audiobook from entering a BookSweeps giveaway and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
ekunes's review against another edition
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
4.25
mxcassandrasnow's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0