This is one of the best YA books I’ve read in years. The main characters are fully fleshed out and feel alive, the world building is excellent (without sacrificing characters, which I feel is so hard to do), the themes well address issues of intersectionality often unremarked on in YA lit (namely, class), and the side characters are a blast. For those worried that this is another moody teen boy book, Adam is that, but he’s also richly compelling and goes on a journey of real growth.

I'd like to thank NetGalley for providing me with a free ARC of White Trash Warlock.

When I requested this review copy after being exposed to title, cover and summary, I expected something more quirky and action filled that this moody character exploration decorated with some urban fantasy elements that miss more than hit and that drives a bit too close to home.

Overall, Adam's journey was one I liked, he's an interesting protagonist that has suffered a lot and yet refuses to give up, even if he's a bit bitter. He feels complex emotions and tries to connect with a family scared not only of his magical abilities but also of his sexual orientation. The family is also something to mention, as both his mother and his older brother, who's also the other main POV character, are written in a more morally questionable way than outright villainous. Relationships are complicated and things don't have to be black and white. With that, I can agree.

Unlike other readers, I found the world building messy at best, as it's highly entwined with the "magic system" that follows narrative needs instead of any semblance of internal logic. That's not always bad, like when writing very soft magic systems, but more and more elements get thrown around in this fantasy soup that I couldn't care enough to follow because they didn't add much to the core of the main plot nor to the character arcs, besides one small plot point that could have been removed and I wouldn't have noticed. The most interesting part is the Tarot related elements, because everything else we've seen before hundreds of times.

I also didn't appreciate the insta love, but Vic is such a sweet dude that I didn't' mind. So yeah! It was an entertaining read that explores complicated relationships, the strength of family bonds, what it means being true to yourself in the face of rejection and still being receptive to second chances.

I've got to admit I only got a few pages and gave up. No offense, but just not characters I was in to.

The first book in a new urban fantasy series, Adam Binder has the Sight something that caused a rift with his family. The same brother who had Adam committed to a psych ward now needs his help freeing his wife from possession by an evil spirit.

Great worldbuilding and kudos for writing about sexually and racially diverse characters. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the DRC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

If there is one thing that White Trash Warlock has a lot of, it's heart. This charming start to a fantasy series follows Adam Lee Binder, a gay witch still grappling with the trauma of his past (most notably, his time in a mental hospital because his family thought he was crazy instead of just, you know, magical). But when a member of his family falls prey to an evil spirit, he has to return to the people who wronged him.

This is a really interesting, smooth ride of a novel. I enjoyed the unique backwater setting, and the exploration of characters we rarely get to see: the titular "white trash", that is. Adam is adorable and relatable, and I don't think I've seen a main gay dude magical character in a while, or ever. The plot moves pretty quickly, and the fluid writing skillfully moves the reader along. Excited to see where Slayton goes next.

(trigger warnings: child abuse, miscarriage, being forced into mental hospital)

I got my hands on an eGalley advance copy of this title. I believe this is a debut novel and I was quite pleased to find it an excellent example of the urban fantasy sub genre.
The main character is quite sympathetic. He grew up rural and extremely poor in an unstable house and yet is still a decent enough human being to risk himself for the sake of an innocent in danger. I don’t want to say too much about the plot since it isn’t out for months.
I do think I should include a warning that if you would find descriptions of child abuse too distressing this is not the book for you.

Thank you so much to the publishers and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

White Trash Warlock follows Adam Binder on a journey with his brother(whom he doesn't speak to) to help his sister-in-law, Annie, who's begun acting very strange. Adam has magic and it has caused a rift between him and his family his entire life, can he and his family get past their differences to help Annie before it's too late, and what magical forces will Adam have to barter with in order to solve this mystery?

Wow....just WOW! Five enthusiastic, bright and shiny stars for this novel. The world is wonderfully pieced together without sacrificing the pacing of this novel, which is really hard to find in YA novels. Normally you sacrifice one or the other but not in this story. The characters are so well written, they suck you in and don't let go until the very last page. I adored all the magical characters and guardians, as well as the muggles. The main character is super lovable while also massively flawed. I really enjoyed his journey and all those supporting pieces that moved around with him. His Brother, Bobby is another complex being in this novel who grips your heart and doesn't let go. It's rare that I feel connected to more than one character throughout a story, but both Adam and Bobby have something that most people can relate to and it pushes this novel over the top, if I could give it 20 stars I would.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy, horror, or even a good mystery. Age range 13 and above, just because there is some violence and a smidge of romance(nothing explicit).

Growing up is difficult for many. Growing up poor worsens it. Adam Lee Binder is Oklahoma trailer trash. The low class of society, which most don't give a fuck about. Adam has been able use the Sight to see the other side; the spirit realm and other planes since he was a child and it happened frequently growing older and to every day in his teens. This causes strain on his family resulting in tense relationships. His own brother and mom locked him up in a psychiatric facility, which they think was good for him. It wasn't. Years have passed and college aged Adam is flung back into his estranged older brother's life. He has to save his possessed sister in law. Lives are at stake and his life will never be the same.

Urban fantasy often has middle to upper class protagonists. This is extremely prevalent in YA. You rarely see rural , lower class or poor protagonists in adult and YA urban fantasy. And queer and this case gay protagonists even less.

I love how Adam's social and financial situation colored this book. Slayton crafted a highly traumatized young man with a past who perservers and tries to remain kind. Adam really is a cinnamon roll but boy is he broken. You feel for Adam , want to hug him and say everything will be okay. I immediately liked him on page one and fell more in love chapter by chapter. Every queer experience is unique and every person is different. Adam is real and was real reading his story. I love how Adam felt like a real guy, had sexual urges but wasn't a horndog. He's fully fleshed person. I would be his friend no doubt.

You feel that Slayton cares for every character he created. From smaller to more important. Every being Adam encountered had a life when they were off and on the page. You jump into action from the get go. Every character is important and helps reveal the story or is revealed throughout the book. The pace slows down at parts to help build character but is never boring and always important.

The love story between Adam and his lover past and present builds organically. You understand why they are a thing. And why Adam has doubts with both because of things and power beyond his control.

I love how Adam is low powered. This means winning and defeating his enemies won't be easy. Adam being over powered is less of a thing.Adam has to work with other beings to get things done. Beings that are sneaky. Don't mess with the Fae is all I'm saying. I adore Argent and Silver , high fae , who are maybe or not friends. Magic has a price and Adam really pays for it. I know he will grow stronger, build stronger relationships and heal. Be less broken in his story. I'm in for the ride and thank you Slayton for creating Adam Lee Binder.



Cover talk: It is standard with urban fantasy to have the lead or leads on the cover. I expected it but change is good. I still love the first mentioned cover style. The green and purple fit perfect together. It depicts a scene and I'm looking forward what will depicted the following books.

Adam Binder isn’t just a regular guy. Adam has magic and can see things, creatures and other worlds normal people can’t see. That’s how he ends up in a psych ward where his mum and his brother sent him as a teen. They didn’t believe him. Years after he’s been out he gets a message from his brother who’s asking him for help. He hasn’t heard from him since the day they sent him away. And to top all of this, his brother needs magical help...

The thing I really loved about White Trash Warlock is that it started off right away with lots of action. You were thrown in this magical world right from the beginning. It’s been a fast and exciting read. With lots of twists and surprises.
I really liked that connection Vic and Adam had after Adam saved him but I’m also still rooting for Silver. I’m torn and I wonder where this storyline/love triangle thing will take us.
The story was fast paced with lots of insight in the magical world/beings. It was all described very visual and I liked that you had barley time to take a breath when something has been cleared because the next problem was already waiting around the corner.
The only issue I had was that the characters were lacking a bit of depth. But I hope we will get more of this in the sequels.

I must say I’m very excited for the next books and for Adam’s further journey. I will definitely continue to follow his story. After all there’s still so much that needs to get resolved.

I really enjoyed 'White Trash Warlock," both for the twists it offered on Urban Fantasy tropes and for the really excellent LGBTQIA+ rep it offered, ESPECIALLY in having a bi, Latinx, male love interest end up with the protagonist - we need more bi/pan men to enter into relationships with men in all genres and for it to happen so naturally in this book was delightful.
I also loved that Adam, the voice character, doesn't end up even flirting with a Chosen One narrative. We have plenty of those in fantasy lit. He's a human doing his best in the world, like the rest of us, he just happens to have some magical abilities to assist him in his attempts to leave the world a little better than he found it. Readers will connect with him on a fundamental level that isn't always possibly in more epic quest narratives, which is one of the joys of the urban fantasy sub-genre writers don't take advantage of nearly often enough.