★ 06/29/2020
Slayton makes a splash with this urban fantasy debut starring a broke, gay wizard living in an Oklahoma trailer park. Twenty-year old Adam Lee Binder uses what modest powers he has to hunt for his absentee father, who he suspects to be a warlock. Meanwhile, Adam’s brother, the decade-older Bobby, who has never believed in magic and had Adam committed to a psychiatric hospital as a teen, is terrified to realize that his wife, Annie, has been possessed by a demon—and turns to Adam for help. When Adam arrives at their home in Denver, he discovers a massive, cloudlike malignancy, with Annie and many others under its thrall. While investigating a hospital that he believes to be the source of the evil, Adam impetuously binds a piece of his magic to cop Vic Martinez to save him from a fatal wound. The binding sparks confusing romantic feelings between commitment-phobe Adam and inexperienced Vic, leading to a sweet subplot that balances the tense supernatural story line as Adam allies himself with elves, gnomes, and leprechauns to fight the demon. The complex worldbuilding, well-shaded depictions of poverty, emotional nuance, and thrilling action sequences make this stand out. Slayton is sure to win plenty of fans. Agent: Lesley Sabga, the Seymore Agency. (Oct.)
2021-05-06
Adam Binder has always been different. He’s gay, for one, which wasn’t the easiest way to grow up in Guthrie, Oklahoma. He also has the Sight, which allows him to perceive the Other Side: the paranormal world of elves, demons, and lizard people hidden from most humans. To others, of course, he just seems disturbed, which is why his older brother, Robert, convinced his mother, Tilla Mae, to put Adam in a mental health facility when he was a teenager. Released two years ago when he turned 18, Adam has since become an independent detective of sorts. He’s been hunting down and destroying dark artifacts—objects like dice or pool cues constructed with magic materials—in order to trace their creator, a warlock who Adam believes may be his missing father. When Adam’s not battling the forces of darkness, he’s staying with his great aunt Sue in an Oklahoma trailer park, broke and underemployed due to his lack of a GED diploma. Unbeknown to him, things are about to change. He’s just received a text from his brother, who—finally acknowledging Adam’s supernatural gift—needs help with some crazy disturbances revolving around Robert’s wife, Annie, who has recently been behaving quite strangely. Despite their past differences, Adam agrees to help the couple. Family is family, after all. But when Adam gets to Denver, he discovers that the problem is much larger than Annie: A dark force is corrupting people across the city. The nemesis is a lot bigger than an amateur warlock like Adam is equipped to handle. He finds an unlikely partner in Vic Martinez, a police officer whose life Adam saves, inadvertently binding the two men together. In order to salvage his relationship with his relatives—if he really even wants to—Adam will first have to figure out a way to save them. In this series opener, Slayton’s prose, which shifts between Adam’s and Robert’s points of view, is expressive yet controlled. Here, Adam ruminates on Tilla Mae’s role in his hospitalization: “His mother hadn’t stopped Bobby from locking him up. Hell, she’d signed the papers. And she hadn’t listened, hadn’t stopped the drugs, the tests, or the endless counseling sessions and group therapy, which had been the worst of it. He’d absorbed the horrors of the others and he’d fled further and further into the spirit world.” Adam is a wonderfully sympathetic protagonist, in part because so many of his conflicts with the world around him have nothing to do with fantasy. He’s poor, gay, abandoned by his family, and treated as if he’s crazy by nonmagical people. The Sight doesn’t have to be a metaphor for anything—everything is right on the page—and yet it works perfectly as a complementary attribute for someone who moves regularly through different spaces. The fantasy elements are familiar but fresh; the pacing is urgent; and the relationship between any two characters is usually more than a little bit fraught. Readers will wait with anticipation for further adventures in this rich underworld.
A stylish urban fantasy with fully realized characters.
This contemporary fantasy is a smashing debut for David R. Slayton and, happily, the first in a planned series.”
White Trash Warlock is wild and weird and way too much fun. Dark, funny, and full of devious twists. Highly recommended!”
New York Times bestselling author of Rage and V-Wa Jonathan Maberry
White Trash Warlock is one helluva ride! Adam Binder is a compelling, deeply relatable protagonist, and the journey he leads us on is dazzling and wonderfully original. What David R. Slayton does with class, sexuality, race, and magic creates an immersive world I didn’t want to leave. Kudos!”
author of the Nightrunner series and the Tamí Lynn Flewelling
Slayton’s debut uses wry humor, alternating viewpoints, and intriguing LGBTQ+ characters that will have readers eager for more of Adam Binder’s escapades.”
This book is badass! Inventive, exciting, and starring one of the most charming fantasy characters I have ever read about, White Trash Warlock is easily one of my new favorite books. It’s addictive, fun and the world-building is perfect. David R. Slayton is definitely an author to watch.”
author of The Love Interest Cale Dietrich
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 protagonist gay dude witch/wizard 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.”
contributor for Book Riot Mya Alexice
This is not just a book with an LGBTQ+ protagonist, it is a well-written story with an LGBTQ+ protagonist, so much so that thoughts of gender orientations are secondary to the overall feeling of the book. Dark, haunting, lyrical, and innovative, beautiful and heartfelt, White Trash Warlock by David R. Slayton is crafted like something rarely seen in the world of urban fantasy: he’s given the reader something unique, which is a rare and wonderful treat.”
New York Journal of Books
David R. Slayton knocks this debut out of the park with a brilliant, emotional, clever, and original story that will tug at your heart, tickle your funny bone, and send you on a whirlwind journey…This highly emotional debut puts a fresh spin on urban fantasy, magic, and fairies with this unique world that Slayton draws you into. White Trash Warlock is a must-have book that will make you savor every moment spent with Adam, addicted to a rich world of magic, and enjoy time spent with the characters.”
Portland (OR) Book Review
Edgy and addicting, David R. Slayton’s stunning debut will grab hold of you and knock you around just because it can. But before it’s all over, it’ll leave you breathless and begging for more. His wonderfully creative world is chock full of all manner of supernatural beings and a protagonist you can’t help but adore. I’m so impressed! This story is razor sharp so, yes, read it with caution, but read it!”
New York Times bestselling author Darynda Jones
First of all, I am blown away by this story of all things supernatural and what borders our reality. Couldn’t put it down. The supernatural beings were true to form, while adding a wonderful layer of personality and believable motivations and culture to each race. Not to mention the story held surprises to the last page. Well written, pulls you in, and keeps you guessing.”
author of the Anrodnes series J. C. Owens
Slayton’s book gathers up pretty much every modern fantasy trope, turns them upside down, and shakes them…The elves who show up would have Tolkien rolling in his grave, which is my highest endorsement, and the LGBTQIA+ rep is all around outstanding.”
A novel like this is exactly why the Urban Fantasy genre has staying power. Look at what David R. Slayton did: he turned the usual tropes on their ass, and created an amazing, fresh story. A rural setting; relatable paycheck-to-paycheck characters; strong LGBT+ representation…It’s an exceptional debut. We need more books like this.”
author of The Last Sun and The Hanged Man K. D. Edwards
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 protagonist gay dude witch/wizard 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.”
contributor for BookRiot Mya Alexice
Michael David Axtell’s agile narration will keep listeners engaged with this fantasy romp about a gay witch who is searching for his long-lost, and possibly evil, father. Adam wants nothing to do with his brother, Bobby, who had Adam committed to a mental hospital because he can see the spirit realm. But when an evil spirit possesses Bobby’s wife, Adam agrees to help her and is drawn back into his family's conflict. Axtell’s narration is a wonder. He captures Adam’s nervous rambling, Bobby’s aloofness, and their mother’s raspy drawl. He also does a range of accents with ease, including the refined tones of an elf prince and the haunting speech of Death herself. Full of heart and memorable characters, this is an audiobook not to miss. L.S. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
