Urban Fantasy Review: White Trash Warlock by David R. Slayton

White Trash Warlock by David R. Slayton (Adam Binder #1)

bought on audio

Synopsis from Goodreads

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.

Adam Binder hasn’t spoken to his brother in years, not since Bobby had him committed to a psych ward for hearing voices. When a murderous spirit possesses Bobby’s wife and disrupts the perfect life he’s built away from Oklahoma, he’s forced to ask for his little brother’s help. Adam is happy to escape the trailer park and get the chance to say I told you so, but he arrives in Denver to find the local magicians dead.

It isn’t long before Adam is the spirit’s next target. To survive the confrontation, he’ll have to risk bargaining with powers he’d rather avoid, including his first love, the elf who broke his heart.

The Binder brothers don’t realize that they’re unwitting pawns in a game played by immortals. Death herself wants the spirit’s head, and she’s willing to destroy their family to reap it.

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8.5/10

Folks, this is an absolute old-school fantasy catnip with Harry Dresden vibes! I ate it with a spoon. *grins*

The plot is smooth, and Adam is snarky and bitter. Life hasn't dealt him good cards. He had a touch of uncanny since early childhood and didn't know how to control it. His older brother tried to put him in a psych ward disguised as a special school, and Adam escaped without ever finishing basic education, which means he can't even get a decent job anywhere. So he lives in a trailer park with his aunt, who is just like him, poor and brimming with magic.

It doesn't help that he is gay in a redneck country, so no matter how he turns it, he can't be himself. When his estranged brother suddenly asks for his help with his beloved wife, he can't resist. He has a chance to shove it in the unbeliever's face just how wrong his brother has been by committing him, and he can look for his lost warlock father who seems to be in the same city.

However, his trip to Denver starts with a bang and doesn't ease off until the end. The action is non-stop, linear fun, full of gods and monsters and cute complications, like a hot policeman he accidentally binds his soul to.

Adam blunders and plays it by the ear, reacting fast to his circumstances, and it works! It was a strong 4 star listen, and I have no doubt, I will be continuing with this series. Recommended.

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Ой ребята, у меня эта книга вызвала такую ностальгию по Гарри Дрездену! Такой же у неё вайб, вот честно!

Сюжет гладкий, а сам Адам - едкий и саркастичный. Жизнь не разложила ему хорошие карты. Магия в нем была самого детства, и он никак не мог её приглушить. Старший брат посадил его в психушку, под названием специальной школы, из которой Адам сбежал, не закончив среднее образование. И теперь он даже не может найти нормальную работу. Не помогает ему и то, что он гей в стране реднеков, и как не повернись, самим собой быть не может. Вот так и живёт и перебивается в трэйлер-парке со своей тётей, которая как и он - нищая и полная магии.

Когда старший брат звонит ему и просит о помощи со своей женой, с которой происходит что-то с научной точки зрения необъяснимое, у Адама наконец появляется возможность убить одним выстрелом двух зайцев: доказать брату, какую большую ошибку тот совершил, усадив его в психушку, и найти чародея-отца, следы которого ведут его в Денвер, где живёт его брат.

Однако, Денвер оказывается ему совсем не по зубам. Все начинается взрывным действием, и темп только с развитием сюжета ускоряется. Адаму приходится лавировать между богами и монстрами и придумывать неординарные решения на ходу. Сюжет линейный, рассказчик прекрасный, и скучать совершенно не приходится. Книга на твердую четверку, рекомендую!