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mercurial_rosie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Overall, I liked this book.
There were large portions of it that felt like they dragged on and I didn’t particularly care for the copaganda that surfaced or the problematic and tired tropes that creeped in, but I did find myself hooked and interested.
I think Slayton does a really good job of world building and creating characters that are sympathetic and compelling.
There were large portions of it that felt like they dragged on and I didn’t particularly care for the copaganda that surfaced or the problematic and tired tropes that creeped in, but I did find myself hooked and interested.
I think Slayton does a really good job of world building and creating characters that are sympathetic and compelling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Homophobia
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Miscarriage
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.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Murder
Moderate: Homophobia and Medical content
ambientcrows's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Murder
gavgaddis's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
"We have Harry Dresden at home."
A fun enough book full of excellent ideas and flair. Emotions are discussed as colors, giving the impression Adam, or magic users in general have synesthesia.
Right up until it just happens with someone else in their chapter.
White Trash Warlock succeeds in an incredibly tricky area: depicting the spaghetti mess of emotions and reasons behind the interfamily politics of dirt poor folk. Some of the character traits was genuinely familiar to my own poor upbringing. Slayton has that to a T.
Where the book starts to strain a bit is pacing and keeping up with the times. Every woman is either a powerful matriarchal figure, a Buffy the Vampire Slayer archetype, or a wife to be fridged.
The ending happens in an incredibly short span of time, with the last eighth or so of the book feeling more like setup to get you to buy the sequel rather than provide a genuinely satisfying ending to the story.
If Slayton is intending on a Jim Butcher-esque monster-of-the-book situation... The first monster is absolutely short-shifted for all the pages and pages of backstory and cool buildup.
Fun popcorn reading but also very much a first book.
A fun enough book full of excellent ideas and flair. Emotions are discussed as colors, giving the impression Adam, or magic users in general have synesthesia.
Right up until it just happens with someone else in their chapter.
White Trash Warlock succeeds in an incredibly tricky area: depicting the spaghetti mess of emotions and reasons behind the interfamily politics of dirt poor folk. Some of the character traits was genuinely familiar to my own poor upbringing. Slayton has that to a T.
Where the book starts to strain a bit is pacing and keeping up with the times. Every woman is either a powerful matriarchal figure, a Buffy the Vampire Slayer archetype, or a wife to be fridged.
The ending happens in an incredibly short span of time, with the last eighth or so of the book feeling more like setup to get you to buy the sequel rather than provide a genuinely satisfying ending to the story.
If Slayton is intending on a Jim Butcher-esque monster-of-the-book situation... The first monster is absolutely short-shifted for all the pages and pages of backstory and cool buildup.
Fun popcorn reading but also very much a first book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Murder
silver_lining_in_a_book's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Homophobia, Physical abuse, Violence, Grief, and Classism
littlesmaug's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
HOLY. CLIFFHANGER. BATMAN.
I’ll have an actual review up on my blog and edit this review later to link it but WOAH. This book was all kinda of amazing. As a tarot reader, using the deck to actually see the future was *chef’s kiss.* I mean just all kinds of phenomenal. Again: WOAH. I read as an audiobook and the narration was nearly FLAWLESS. I’ll need a physical copy. I’ll also need to listen to book 2 ASAP.
https://littlesmaug.wordpress.com/2022/01/31/review-white-trash-warlock-by-david-r-slayton/
I’ll have an actual review up on my blog and edit this review later to link it but WOAH. This book was all kinda of amazing. As a tarot reader, using the deck to actually see the future was *chef’s kiss.* I mean just all kinds of phenomenal. Again: WOAH. I read as an audiobook and the narration was nearly FLAWLESS. I’ll need a physical copy. I’ll also need to listen to book 2 ASAP.
https://littlesmaug.wordpress.com/2022/01/31/review-white-trash-warlock-by-david-r-slayton/
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, and Miscarriage
Minor: Drug use and Alcohol
flowerparrish's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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
5.0
AMAZING. PHENOMENAL. A TRIUMPH.
Deeply invested and cannot WAIT to read/listen to the next in the series. Astoundingly good start for the first book in a series. World building is cool as fuck, blending traditional and innovative fantasy elements in an urban (and country) setting. Use of alternating POV and flashbacks added to the mystery and suspense brilliantly.
Also, audiobook narration was flawless? Some of the best I've heard.
Content warnings for: miscarriage, mental illness, (forced) institutionalization, child abuse, domestic abuse, murder
Deeply invested and cannot WAIT to read/listen to the next in the series. Astoundingly good start for the first book in a series. World building is cool as fuck, blending traditional and innovative fantasy elements in an urban (and country) setting. Use of alternating POV and flashbacks added to the mystery and suspense brilliantly.
Also, audiobook narration was flawless? Some of the best I've heard.
Content warnings for: miscarriage, mental illness, (forced) institutionalization, child abuse, domestic abuse, murder
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Murder
Moderate: Homophobia, Mental illness, and Miscarriage
Minor: Drug abuse and Drug use
jenc's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Grief
Minor: Alcoholism and Domestic abuse
frantic_vampire's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
5.0
Don’t mind my puddle of tears, because this book had my emotions in a vice grip the entire time I was reading it 😭. Like, dear lord. I don’t think I’ve ever had this many feelings over a book in a while.
Honestly, White Trash Warlock had me in tears from so many different things. But I think it was Adam’s abuse in the school/institution that really got to me. He was treated with such cruelty and yet he made it through and is still one of the sweetest and most caring people in this book! I also really liked the different layers to the family drama. It was so intense and real and just…so good.
The characters are so amazing in this book! Adam is just a sweetheart that deserves all the hugs in the world. Bobby might be a bit of an ass, but his heart is in the right spot. And Vic! I love him already. The world building in this book is also really great! I loved the switching between the spirit world and the real world. It’s a little triply and reminds me a little bit of Spirited Away.
I really loved White Trash Warlock. It was emotional in ways I didn’t expect. And honestly? I think I’ve found a new favorite series. This one is getting a solid five stars. I can’t wait to see what’s next. But first I have to go cry some more over this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, and Gaslighting
Flashbacks to abuse in a mental institution, flashbacks to physical and emotional abuse, internalized homophobia,