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A review by mallorypen
Deadbeat Druid by David R. Slayton
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
What a satisfying conclusion to an enjoyable trilogy! It’s not easy to have an engaging plot that grows and twists over three books, but I think the author did a wonderful job planning the plotlines and delivering a gripping, unique and moving story.
One of my favorite things about the story overall is the concept of the sole bond between Vic and Adam. One of my main thoughts going into this third novel was that we hadn’t really been given time to really see how Vic and Adam‘s relationship was outside of this magical pole that found them together, however, there were some great flashback moments and other ways of the story, eventually help to show their relationship. However, the pain of feeling their soul bound being severed - it was such a great point in the story, and I really appreciated that when they saw each other they didn't scramble to reinstate the soul bond. I also really liked towards the end of the novel, as Vic is making all of these plans for their lives, and Adam is thinking of all the ways that he and Vic can grow together, they still decide one, not to reinstate their soul band, and two, they start dating to give themselves time to really get to know one another and experience, the relationship versus being just pushed together by magic. I thought that was a really unique take on soul bonds, because a lot of them, I feel like are so ride or die, and that concept of choice is sort of taken out of the equation.
Not to say Vic and Adam aren’t ridiculously ride or die. Though I really did enjoy the plot line, there was a sense of, and another thing, and another thing, and another thing that I think is an inherent risk in building these kinds of deeply plotted, lots of twist, and turn kind of stories. When Adam vanished after imploding him and John at the city of the dead, my first thought was oh here we go again. That said, there wasn’t any part of the plot that I feel like ought to have been taken out.
I really love the idea of these demons taking away the regrets and sharp emotions that might stop someone from moving on. It makes me think that this author probably goes to therapy and is using coping concepts in this unique literary way that I thought was really well done.
One of my favorite things about the story overall is the concept of the sole bond between Vic and Adam. One of my main thoughts going into this third novel was that we hadn’t really been given time to really see how Vic and Adam‘s relationship was outside of this magical pole that found them together, however, there were some great flashback moments and other ways of the story, eventually help to show their relationship. However, the pain of feeling their soul bound being severed - it was such a great point in the story, and I really appreciated that when they saw each other they didn't scramble to reinstate the soul bond. I also really liked towards the end of the novel, as Vic is making all of these plans for their lives, and Adam is thinking of all the ways that he and Vic can grow together, they still decide one, not to reinstate their soul band, and two, they start dating to give themselves time to really get to know one another and experience, the relationship versus being just pushed together by magic. I thought that was a really unique take on soul bonds, because a lot of them, I feel like are so ride or die, and that concept of choice is sort of taken out of the equation.
Not to say Vic and Adam aren’t ridiculously ride or die. Though I really did enjoy the plot line, there was a sense of, and another thing, and another thing, and another thing that I think is an inherent risk in building these kinds of deeply plotted, lots of twist, and turn kind of stories. When Adam vanished after imploding him and John at the city of the dead, my first thought was oh here we go again. That said, there wasn’t any part of the plot that I feel like ought to have been taken out.
I really love the idea of these demons taking away the regrets and sharp emotions that might stop someone from moving on. It makes me think that this author probably goes to therapy and is using coping concepts in this unique literary way that I thought was really well done.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Torture, and Murder