Spirit is life. So all living things have magic. That’s why the immortals have more magic than any of us.
David R. Slayton
White Trash Warlock
Format:
Audiobook
Note: While the author’s website only links to Audible for the audio – it’s available on other platforms like Libro.fm, Kobo, Chirp, etc.
Publisher’s Synopsis:
Not all magicians go to schools of magic.
Adam Binder has the Sight. It’s a power that runs in his bloodline: the ability to see beyond this world and into another, a realm of magic populated by elves, gnomes, and spirits of every kind. But for much of Adam’s life, that power has been a curse, hindering friendships, worrying his backwoods family, and fueling his abusive father’s rage.
Years after his brother, Bobby, had him committed to a psych ward, Adam is ready to come to grips with who he is, to live his life on his terms, to find love, and maybe even use his magic to do some good. Hoping to track down his missing father, Adam follows a trail of cursed artifacts to Denver, only to discover that an ancient and horrifying spirit has taken possession of Bobby’s wife.
It isn’t long before Adam becomes the spirit’s next target. To survive the confrontation, save his sister-in-law, and learn the truth about his father, Adam will have to risk bargaining with very dangerous beings … including his first love.
Point of view:
3rd person. By chapter. Mostly from Adam but some from Bobby’s perspective.
Rellim’s Thoughts:
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.
About the author:
David R. Slayton grew up in Guthrie, Oklahoma, where finding fantasy novels was pretty challenging and finding fantasy novels with diverse characters was downright impossible. Now he lives in Denver, Colorado and writes the books he always wanted to read.
You can connect with David R. Slayton here:
About the narrator:
From Axtell’s website: Let me tell you a bit about myself. I come from Everywhere, USA (in order: Connecticut, Illinois, Wisconsin, California, Pennsylvania, New York). Too far back? Okay, fine. Currently I live in New York City with my wife and dog and work as an actor, singer, narrator and pianist. I am a passionate performer and storyteller and am fascinated by communicating to audiences through different mediums. For a time after college, I pursued music and toured with the Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble, Chanticleer. However, I realized I craved a more theatrically based performance path, so I left Chanticleer to pursue my MFA in Acting from The New School for Drama (’17). I also began recording audiobooks for ACX which opened up an entire industry of exciting possibility and opportunity!
You can connect with Michael David Axtell here:
My Favorite Quotes
Guthrie was a good place to be from, but it wasn’t a great place to live, not when you were like Adam, in all the ways Adam was like Adam. – White Trash Warlock by @drslayton @BlackstoneAudio #Audiobook narrated by #MichaelDavidAxtell #UrbanFanstasy #Mystery #Suspense #Thriller #Paranormal #MM #Romance
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It’s always swords with you, Adam Lee. – White Trash Warlock by @drslayton @BlackstoneAudio #Audiobook narrated by #MichaelDavidAxtell #UrbanFanstasy #Mystery #Suspense #Thriller #Paranormal #MM #Romance
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Kissing was great. Sex was nice, but he craved something else, something he didn’t have a name for. – White Trash Warlock by @drslayton @BlackstoneAudio #Audiobook narrated by #MichaelDavidAxtell #UrbanFanstasy #Mystery #Suspense #Thriller #Paranormal #MM #Romance
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Spirit is life. So all living things have magic. That’s why the immortals have more magic than any of us. – White Trash Warlock by @drslayton @BlackstoneAudio #Audiobook narrated by #MichaelDavidAxtell #UrbanFanstasy #Mystery #Suspense #Thriller #Paranormal #MM #Romance
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I might hate your guts, but I’ll do what I can for her. – White Trash Warlock by @drslayton @BlackstoneAudio #Audiobook narrated by #MichaelDavidAxtell #UrbanFanstasy #Mystery #Suspense #Thriller #Paranormal #MM #Romance
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He fed the meter a few quarters. Contented, it tried to lick his face before closing its eyes and drifting to sleep like a cat in the sun. – White Trash Warlock by @drslayton @BlackstoneAudio #Audiobook narrated by #MichaelDavidAxtell #UrbanFanstasy #Mystery #Suspense #Thriller #Paranormal #MM #Romance
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Rellim Reads 