Caffeinated Reviewer

“The taste of black magic, battery acid and rotten blackberries mixed with the odors of cheap beer and cigarettes.”

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 admit that maybe his little brother isn’t crazy after all. 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 witches 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.

White Trash Warlock by David R. Slayton is the first novel in the Adam Binder urban fantasy series. Slayton delivered a refreshing, unique and suspenseful tale with underlying issues of acceptance, family, forgiveness and more.

Narrated by Michael David Axtell, I quickly slipped into the story. We meet Adam at a bar outside Oklahoma. He is here about a magical object. He isn’t hunting the object per se, but it’s maker. This was an interesting scene that not only gave us insight into our protagonist, but offered a crack into the world. Humans aren’t aware of the supernatural or its magic in this world.

Adam Binder has had a shit life. Seriously, he grew up in a dysfunctional, abusive home. His father abandoned them and no one understood Adam’s gift. Imagine growing up gay, poor, seeing things that aren’t real, and being able to feel everyone’s emotions. Adam is an adult now, and his past has shaped him. He is on a quest for answers, and urban fantasy fans are going to love him.

Adam has the sight, a gift that allows him to see/feel magic, fairies, elves, gnomes, dragons and more that exist outside of our realm. He can also sense people’s feelings from sorrow to fear. This made things difficult for him as a teen, and his own brother institutionalized him.

He now lives in a trailer park with his Aunt. His Aunt has the gift and accepts Adam. He hasn’t spoken to his brother Bobby in years, which is why he is surprised when Bobby asks for help. It seems something is very wrong with Bobby’s wife (understatement of the year). Adam gets in his old Cutlass and heads to Denver.

I loved how this tale unfolded. Slayton filled us in on a need to know basis, giving the story a pleasant flow. Truth be told, Adam doesn’t know a lot about himself, which is why he is tracking the warlock making these magical items. As luck would have it that lead also points to Denver.

“All the signs points to Denver.”

Trips to the spirit world, fairies, gods, reapers and more await you in this tale with its Supernatural and old-school vibe. The writing is vivid, suspenseful, and balanced against Adam’s dysfunctional family. Secondary characters from the gods to family were unique and developed. I am very interested in some key players in the other realm. Can I just say I loved Vic and hope for more?

There is some romance both past and present, and it was interesting witnessing the present and learning about the past. Adam’s concerns and emotions felt raw and genuine. This added depth and severed as a side dish to the malevolent spirit trying to enter our world. It was all quite clever.

The second point of view is that of Adam’s brother Bobby, who prefers Robert. He worries about his social status and has worked hard to leave the smudge of rural Oklahoma behind. He was complex, and over the course of the story we learn a great deal about Robert and what makes him who he is. I loved seeing strides made to heal the family dynamics, and the author did a stellar job of showing all sides.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Michael David Axtell, who brought these characters and their emotions to life. He assigned unique voices to everyone. His voices for Adam captured our young protagonist from insecurities to benevolence. He enhanced an already brilliant story.

The current story wraps up as Slayton sets up the next book. I cannot wait to listen!

About Kimberly

Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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