Reviews tagging 'Death'

White Trash Warlock by David R. Slayton

17 reviews

so_many_books's review against another edition

adventurous dark lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I liked this one. I didn't exactly know what to expect, but it turned out to be an exciting, action-packed story full of magic.

The magic system is very unique, and I have to admit I don't quite get it. Which frustrates me a bit, vevause I want to get it.

I really enjoyed the dual POV of Adam and Bobby. They're estranged brother, both with their own issues and guilt and anger towards the other. Seeing them reunite and stumble through some kind of reconciliation was fascinating.

The storyline itself is full of twists and turns, and there is always something happening. It's not always the easiest to follow, but it comes together in the end.

I'm very interested in seeing where this story goes.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, and Forced institutionalization

Minor: Miscarriage, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

eeriewater's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse

Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Forced institutionalization, and Death of parent

cryptidstar's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I have mixed feelings about this. I picked it up mainly because I liked the title and it had gay rep. The plot was entertaining, but I honestly hated most of the characters, especially the 2 main ones Adam & Bobby. Also was not expecting the weirdly pro cop agenda. All cops are bastards, even the bisexual latino ones. I don’t think I’ll read the rest of the series simply because I don’t care what happens to the characters.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, and Murder

tifftastic87's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective 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? Yes

4.5

I really enjoyed this! I chose it based on the title, which got a laugh from me. But what I found was surprisingly excellent. 

Adam was born in a trailer and being gay in OK was rough on him, but then add in that he is descended from witches and has a touch of magic unlike theirs. He has a rocky relationship with his family, both due to his sexual orientation and his magical one, who had him committed in high school. 

This book focuses on Adam's relationships, his romantic ones, his familial ones, and his magical one. This is a story of a traumatized youth healing and finding his path in life while fighting monsters. 

Adam is amazingly well adjusted. He communicates his feelings, even if he struggles to do so, asks for help when he needs it and doesn't do the typical chosen one nonsense, even though he was literally chosen by not one but two powerfu  magical beings. He also is aware that his use of his magical abilities creates a power imbalance between him and the love interest and is careful not to abuse that. 

This was a fun and sad listen, and I am definitely going to be reading or listening to the rest. 


There were a few things I wasn't a fan of,

such as that Adam's first teenage relationship was an ancient elf who was supposed to be teaching him and that wasnt addressed as problematic.

But it could have been worse.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infertility, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Death of parent, and Abandonment

Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Homophobia, Car accident, Alcohol, and Classism

booksthatburn's review against another edition

The way the love interest is handled started to feel like copaganda. It sucks, because otherwise I was enjoying the story.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore and Blood

Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Abandonment, and Alcohol

Minor: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Cursing, Drug use, Homophobia, Misogyny, Torture, and Excrement

pvbobrien's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious 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? Yes

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Forced institutionalization

Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder

Minor: Drug use, Infertility, Blood, Medical content, Grief, and Alcohol

directorpurry's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Gun violence, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail

zoeyzebra's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Generally kept me entertained, but I could have done without the copaganda, and sometimes the pacing vacillated between quite fast and rather slow.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Violence, Forced institutionalization, and Death of parent

Moderate: Homophobia, Mental illness, Physical abuse, and Murder

espiargrant's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I have mixed feelings about this book. I really enjoyed the premise and the world, and for the most part I liked the MC. However, there were several things that kept me from loving the book as much as I wanted to. I felt that Adam was far too wishy-washy with his feelings toward people; he was constantly going back and forth, loving and hating all of his family members, and not in a way that felt natural. Other characters were perhaps a bit underdeveloped, like Vic, Tilla, and Argent. 

In terms of the plot, I liked where the story went, but it seemed like there were a lot of unnecessary detours (literally). There was a lot of driving/traveling back and forth between locations to the point where it became irritating and repetitive. 

And then there was the queer romance, which was the main reason I wanted to read this.

A Love Triangle? WHY? IMO, this is something a book NEVER needs. And it seemed that Adam having 2 love interests only served to ruin the development of either relationship. Adam's relationship with Vic seemed quite forced, and developed way too quickly for me. Yet, I still preferred their relationship to Adam+Silver which just acted like an obstacle to Adam+Vic, though felt a bit more natural.

So in that regard I was disappointed, but the queer romance was still presented better than most that I've read, so I plan to continue the series because at this point I'm absolutely desperate for a book with a solid, happy romance between men. Hopefully the trilogy improves in the 2nd and 3rd books.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Murder

Moderate: Homophobia and Medical content

lanid's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Homophobia

Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Death, Miscarriage, and Forced institutionalization