Narrated by Michael David Axtell, Rogue Community College by David R. Slayton shares another excellent urban fantasy set in the same world as his Adam Binder series. From the magical academy to the flawed villain and slow-burn romance I was all in.
by David R. Slayton
Series: The Liberty House #1
Narrator: Michael David Axtell
Length: 9 hours and 24 minutes
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Heat Level:
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.4x
From the author of White Trash Warlock and Dark Moon Shallow Sea, Rogue Community College is a delightful fantasy full of magic and mayhem …
Set in the same universe as the Adam Binder series, Rogue Community College is a delightful fantasy with lots of magic and mayhem … and more than a few dinosaurs.
Isaac Frost is an Undertaker, a magical assassin sent to infiltrate and destroy the elves’ new school for wayward practitioners.
His efforts are thwarted, however, by his attraction to another student—an elf immune to Isaac’s cynicism—and by the school’s chaotic nature. Worse than that, the school itself seems to be alive, forcing Isaac to ask himself how on earth he’s supposed to assassinate a building.
When Isaac hesitates, his client threatens to send another hitman—one who won’t discriminate between the intended target and the students Isaac is starting to think of as family.
This is the first novel in the Liberty House series and is set in the same world as Slayton’s wildly popular Adam Binder series. This new series, like the Binder series, has a queer protagonist. While the Binder series is firmly in adult territory, this new series feels very New Adult given the college setting. It is unnecessary to start with the Binder series, but I hope you pick it up next.
We meet Isaac Frost, an Undertaker (magical assassin) as he begins at the elves’ new school for wayward practitioners. While on the surface he appears to be a new student, he is really there on assignment to destroy the school.
A little socially awkward, and perhaps not happy with his lot in life, Isaac sets about his task, but soon finds more than he expected. What unfolds offered character growth, friendship, a dastardly villain, suspense, love, loss and more. The story was well paced as we got to know the characters, the school and, most of all, Isaac. While the world felt familiar, it was refreshing. I delighted in the telling, even if I shed a tear or two.
The unique characters, the sweet romance and the school itself with its magical properties hooked me and I look forward to the next Liberty House audiobook.
Michael David Axtell did a wonderful job of giving voice to our protagonist and the secondary characters. I highly recommend listening.
If you like misfits, found families and academic settings. Rogue Community College should be your next urban fantasy listen.
About David R. Slayton
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, with his partner, Brian, and writes the books he always wanted to read. White Trash Warlock is his first novel. In 2015, David founded Trick or Read, an annual initiative to give out books along with candy to children on Halloween as well as uplift lesser-known authors or those from marginalized backgrounds.
About Michael David Axtell
Michael David Axtell currently lives in New York City with his wife and dog. He works as an actor, singer, narrator and pianist. He is a passionate performer and storyteller and is fascinated by communicating to audiences through different mediums. For a time after college, he pursued music and toured with the Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble, Chanticleer. However, he realized he craved a more theatrically based performance path, so he left Chanticleer to pursue my MFA in Acting from The New School for Drama ('17). He also began recording audiobooks for ACX which opened up an entire industry of exciting possibility and opportunity! He currently has twenty credits to my name available.
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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
hena
Hadn’t heard of this book before. Thanks for sharing.
Laurel-Rain Snow
UPDATES
Mary Kirkland
That sounds different from what I usually read. Happy Halloween.
Sophia Rose
Oh cool! It’s the same world. I only read the first book, but I liked the world of the story.
Anne - Books of My Heart
It sounds like another one I might like if I could get to reading it.