What do you think?
Rate this book
Rogue Community College
StandardFrom the author of White Trash Warlock and Dark Moon Shallow Sea, Rogue Community College is a delightful fantasy full of magic and mayhem …
Isaac Frost is an assassin. Raised in the Graveyard of the cruel and mysterious Undertaker, he has mastered the deadly art of the knife and the skill of survival, together with scores of others just like him—young men taken from their families to become the most infamous killers throughout the realms of elves and humans. But Isaac is a single drop of another’s blood can confer upon him the knowledge and power of friend and foe alike.
After crossing paths with the elf queen Argent, Isaac is sent to a strange magical school for wayward practitioners in the hopes that he can learn where he—and his unusual talent—fit in the world. Isaac is charmed by the school’s chaotic nature and finds himself unexpectedly drawn to Vran, a Sea Elf haunted by secret knowledge.
But Vran isn’t the only one with secrets, and Isaac’s arrival is no accident. The Undertaker has charged him with infiltrating the school for the purpose of destroying it utterly, and his future rests on completing his mission—before the Undertaker takes matters into his own hands.
A new novel set in the world of the Adam Binder series!
Isaac Frost is an assassin. Raised in the Graveyard of the cruel and mysterious Undertaker, he has mastered the deadly art of the knife and the skill of survival, together with scores of others just like him—young men taken from their families to become the most infamous killers throughout the realms of elves and humans. But Isaac is a single drop of another’s blood can confer upon him the knowledge and power of friend and foe alike.
After crossing paths with the elf queen Argent, Isaac is sent to a strange magical school for wayward practitioners in the hopes that he can learn where he—and his unusual talent—fit in the world. Isaac is charmed by the school’s chaotic nature and finds himself unexpectedly drawn to Vran, a Sea Elf haunted by secret knowledge.
But Vran isn’t the only one with secrets, and Isaac’s arrival is no accident. The Undertaker has charged him with infiltrating the school for the purpose of destroying it utterly, and his future rests on completing his mission—before the Undertaker takes matters into his own hands.
A new novel set in the world of the Adam Binder series!
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2024
73 people are currently reading
3806 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
July 26, 2023
You've maybe heard of dark academia? This is like the opposite.
I've always loved stories about schools for misfits and found families. Rogue Community College is my take on that. It also gave me the chance to shine the spotlight on a few corners of the world and realms I introduced in the Adam Binder books that we didn't get to explore further. There's also some crossover characters, including one who just wasn't going to shut up until they got to be a major player, an asexual love interest, and be their emo chaos monkey self.
I've always loved stories about schools for misfits and found families. Rogue Community College is my take on that. It also gave me the chance to shine the spotlight on a few corners of the world and realms I introduced in the Adam Binder books that we didn't get to explore further. There's also some crossover characters, including one who just wasn't going to shut up until they got to be a major player, an asexual love interest, and be their emo chaos monkey self.
October 16, 2024
Rogue Community College by David R Slayton
The Liberty House series #1. Urban fantasy magic college. Minor romance. Spin off and in the same world as the Adam Binder series.
Isaac Frost is an assassin and although he’s been trained, he has no kills yet. The profession was not his choice. The Undertaker owns him and he must accept his assignments or suffer the consequences. His current assignment is to infiltrate the school, enroll undercover, and kill a specific target. Isaac is a Phage. With a taste of a person’s blood, he can find out all their secrets and memories.
Rogue Community College is a magic school for unique and wayward students. The school changes its paths and doors, protecting the heart until the student is trusted. As Isaac learns the secrets of the school and the students, he finds unexpected friendships and acceptance. Things he’s never had before. He knows his mission and that he truly has no options, but he also starts to wonder if there is a chance for himself. There’s not. But….
A wonderful cast of unique and personable students. And, of course, Argent, who made herself known if he Adam Binder series. The other students acceptance of Isaac is sweet and endearing. They become friends.
Spoiler follows***********
The ending is heartbreaking. Not what I expected. It’s clearly going to be a series so maybe there is a reason. In the meantime, I’m so sad.
4.5
I received a copy of this from NetGalley. I’ve purchased a copy as well to reread.
The Liberty House series #1. Urban fantasy magic college. Minor romance. Spin off and in the same world as the Adam Binder series.
Isaac Frost is an assassin and although he’s been trained, he has no kills yet. The profession was not his choice. The Undertaker owns him and he must accept his assignments or suffer the consequences. His current assignment is to infiltrate the school, enroll undercover, and kill a specific target. Isaac is a Phage. With a taste of a person’s blood, he can find out all their secrets and memories.
Rogue Community College is a magic school for unique and wayward students. The school changes its paths and doors, protecting the heart until the student is trusted. As Isaac learns the secrets of the school and the students, he finds unexpected friendships and acceptance. Things he’s never had before. He knows his mission and that he truly has no options, but he also starts to wonder if there is a chance for himself. There’s not. But….
A wonderful cast of unique and personable students. And, of course, Argent, who made herself known if he Adam Binder series. The other students acceptance of Isaac is sweet and endearing. They become friends.
Spoiler follows***********
The ending is heartbreaking. Not what I expected. It’s clearly going to be a series so maybe there is a reason. In the meantime, I’m so sad.
4.5
I received a copy of this from NetGalley. I’ve purchased a copy as well to reread.
February 4, 2025
Rogue Community College is the first book in a new series set in the same universe as the Adam series. You don't have to read the Adam Binder trilogy first, but I highly recommend it as all three books are amazing!
This was a great entry to this world. We get a sentient school setting which was really fun to read. I loved the new characters we meet and the familiar faces. Isaac and his classmates make a great team and I'm looking forward to what they get up to next. Vran and his relationship with Isaac was another high point.
Michael David Axtell was the narrator for the audiobook and was amazing. Which comes as no surprise as he also narrates the Adam Binder books. He does such a good job voicing this story!
__
This book follows Isaac Frost who is an Undertaker, an assassin. He's on his first mission; to infiltrate Rogue Community College as a student and kill the school itself. How he's going to do that? He'll have to figure it out along the way.
But as Isaac goes to class and gets to know his classmates he starts to second guess if he wants to go through with it. However, the client wants the school destroyed and if Isaac doesn't do it someone else will be sent do the job.
Arc provided by Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
This was a great entry to this world. We get a sentient school setting which was really fun to read. I loved the new characters we meet and the familiar faces. Isaac and his classmates make a great team and I'm looking forward to what they get up to next. Vran and his relationship with Isaac was another high point.
Michael David Axtell was the narrator for the audiobook and was amazing. Which comes as no surprise as he also narrates the Adam Binder books. He does such a good job voicing this story!
__
This book follows Isaac Frost who is an Undertaker, an assassin. He's on his first mission; to infiltrate Rogue Community College as a student and kill the school itself. How he's going to do that? He'll have to figure it out along the way.
But as Isaac goes to class and gets to know his classmates he starts to second guess if he wants to go through with it. However, the client wants the school destroyed and if Isaac doesn't do it someone else will be sent do the job.
Arc provided by Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
November 5, 2024
Well this was fun, until it wasn't.
I spent most of the book expecting Isaac to be betrayed. Never did I expect that I, the reader, would be betrayed by the author!
Things were rolling right along in 4, 4.x star territory, a little on the fluffy side, but nothing wrong with that, right up until near the end, when the author made a pair of character decisions that pissed me right off.
Suffice it to say if you don't want major spoilers, don't come into this expecting a romance.
I spent most of the book expecting Isaac to be betrayed. Never did I expect that I, the reader, would be betrayed by the author!
Things were rolling right along in 4, 4.x star territory, a little on the fluffy side, but nothing wrong with that, right up until near the end, when the author made a pair of character decisions that pissed me right off.
Suffice it to say if you don't want major spoilers, don't come into this expecting a romance.
September 26, 2024
As a fan of the Adam Binder series, I’ve been excited to jump back into the universe since Rogue Community College was first announced. Although set in the same universe as the Adam Binder novels, we explore a different part of that world in RCC. Billed as a school for misfits and found families, I found RCC to be exactly that - a place where people who don’t belong anywhere else can come together and do good in their own way. While there are a few familiar faces that make appearances from time to time, we mainly follow a new cast of lovable characters as seen from the POV of the new MC, Isaac Frost. Originally sent to infiltrate and take down RCC, Isaac quickly finds himself meant for more as he unravels mysteries about himself and the true nature of the mission he’s been given.
From start to finish, RCC was an exciting romp. There was lots of humor and the chapter titles made me smile. The pacing was great and I was never bored. The new cast of characters was entertaining and I’m looking forward to getting to know them more as the series progresses. I’m not going to lie though, my favorite bits were the ones with Vran. He might be a chaos monkey, but he’s a lovable one. There’s just something about him that makes him incredibly endearing. I wanted more page time with him most of all.
There was so much to love about RCC, but at the same time, I found myself surprised with the YA feel of it. Despite the college setting, I felt the story had a high-school vibe. It wasn’t bad. It was just different than I had expected. Beyond that, I found a few things confusing, primarily the transitions into the dream-like sequences. Every time one occurred, I found myself confused. I didn’t realize what was happening and had to go back and re-read those sections. I’m unsure if that was the point or if it was just a “me” issue. Overall, Rogue Community College was a fun read and one I would highly recommend to fans of the Adam Binder series!
Thanks to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
From start to finish, RCC was an exciting romp. There was lots of humor and the chapter titles made me smile. The pacing was great and I was never bored. The new cast of characters was entertaining and I’m looking forward to getting to know them more as the series progresses. I’m not going to lie though, my favorite bits were the ones with Vran. He might be a chaos monkey, but he’s a lovable one. There’s just something about him that makes him incredibly endearing. I wanted more page time with him most of all.
There was so much to love about RCC, but at the same time, I found myself surprised with the YA feel of it. Despite the college setting, I felt the story had a high-school vibe. It wasn’t bad. It was just different than I had expected. Beyond that, I found a few things confusing, primarily the transitions into the dream-like sequences. Every time one occurred, I found myself confused. I didn’t realize what was happening and had to go back and re-read those sections. I’m unsure if that was the point or if it was just a “me” issue. Overall, Rogue Community College was a fun read and one I would highly recommend to fans of the Adam Binder series!
Thanks to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 15, 2024
The latest addition to the universe of Adam Binder starts with a lighter feel but ends with just as much emotion and immense personal stakes as the trilogy!
Through the eyes of Isaac Frost, a Phage turned assassin apprentice, David Slayton expands the worldbuilding, shows us the rules of the realms and the magical planes from a different POV than Adam's, while asking questions regarding morality, power and sacrifice.
Both the main charactes and the supporting cast of the RCC students steal the show, while the plot twists are not ones you see coming given the lighter YA feel. Good thing there will be sequels to keep the hope that a certain outcome I won't spoil (but you will share the feeling, trust me) isn't final!
Thank you Edelweiss and Blackstone Publishing for the ARC!
Edit: The book is out now!
Through the eyes of Isaac Frost, a Phage turned assassin apprentice, David Slayton expands the worldbuilding, shows us the rules of the realms and the magical planes from a different POV than Adam's, while asking questions regarding morality, power and sacrifice.
Both the main charactes and the supporting cast of the RCC students steal the show, while the plot twists are not ones you see coming given the lighter YA feel. Good thing there will be sequels to keep the hope that a certain outcome I won't spoil (but you will share the feeling, trust me) isn't final!
Thank you Edelweiss and Blackstone Publishing for the ARC!
Edit: The book is out now!
December 11, 2024
A- for the narration; B+ for the story - 4.5 stars
Having enjoyed the author’s Adam Binder urban fantasy series, I picked up Rogue Community College, book one in the Liberty House series, a (kind of) new adult academia fantasy story that is set in the same world as the Adam Binder books. Some of the characters in this story will be familiar to readers of that series – Argent, sister to the Elf King, and Vran, the sea-elf – but the central protagonist and most of the secondary cast are entirely new.
Isaac Frost is an Undertaker – an assassin – who has yet to make a kill, and because of this he’s the ideal candidate to infiltrate Rogue Community College – a magical college for magical misfits – and bring it down from the inside. Of course, the longer Isaac remains there and becomes friends with some of his fellow students – and falls in love with one of them – the harder it becomes for him to want to complete the job. An orphan and possibly the last of his kind, Isaac has never experienced the kind of friendship and acceptance he finds at the RCC – but the Undertaker owns him and will not brook defiance or failure.
The story is fast-paced with plenty of humour and action, and there are some thought-provoking explorations of the concepts of morality and power along the way, too. The worldbuilding is excellent, and Isaac is a complex, flawed and engaging protagonist who is easy to root for as he discovers his found family and begins to reach for kindness, love and a better life. The secondary characters are well drawn; I particularly liked Ford, half man, half troll, and of course, the whimsical, waspish, loveable Vran, who is Isaac’s love interest. Their tender yet heartfelt romance is swoony, but although it’s secondary to the rest of the plot it’s nicely done and – fair warning – will leave your heart in pieces by the end of the book.
I was pleased to see the return of Michael David Axtell to the narrator’s chair; he delivered excellent performances in the Adam Binder books , and he’s equally good here. I really liked his portrayal of Vran; there’s a slight edge to his voice that speaks of cynicism but there’s wit and warmth there, too – and he does a good job of giving Isaac an edge of vulnerability beneath the initial bravado. His pacing and character work are very good, and I could really feel the strength of the emotional connection between Isaac and Vran in their more romantic moments. It’s an excellent performance all round, and is a terrific complement to the story.
I really enjoyed the listen, despite the fact that when I finished, I felt as though I’d had my heart ripped out and stomped on. But Rogue Community College is billed as book one of a series, so I am hoping that there will be a way to fix The Thing That Made Me Cry – or Mr. Slayton and I are Going To Have Words. ;)
Having enjoyed the author’s Adam Binder urban fantasy series, I picked up Rogue Community College, book one in the Liberty House series, a (kind of) new adult academia fantasy story that is set in the same world as the Adam Binder books. Some of the characters in this story will be familiar to readers of that series – Argent, sister to the Elf King, and Vran, the sea-elf – but the central protagonist and most of the secondary cast are entirely new.
Isaac Frost is an Undertaker – an assassin – who has yet to make a kill, and because of this he’s the ideal candidate to infiltrate Rogue Community College – a magical college for magical misfits – and bring it down from the inside. Of course, the longer Isaac remains there and becomes friends with some of his fellow students – and falls in love with one of them – the harder it becomes for him to want to complete the job. An orphan and possibly the last of his kind, Isaac has never experienced the kind of friendship and acceptance he finds at the RCC – but the Undertaker owns him and will not brook defiance or failure.
The story is fast-paced with plenty of humour and action, and there are some thought-provoking explorations of the concepts of morality and power along the way, too. The worldbuilding is excellent, and Isaac is a complex, flawed and engaging protagonist who is easy to root for as he discovers his found family and begins to reach for kindness, love and a better life. The secondary characters are well drawn; I particularly liked Ford, half man, half troll, and of course, the whimsical, waspish, loveable Vran, who is Isaac’s love interest. Their tender yet heartfelt romance is swoony, but although it’s secondary to the rest of the plot it’s nicely done and – fair warning – will leave your heart in pieces by the end of the book.
I was pleased to see the return of Michael David Axtell to the narrator’s chair; he delivered excellent performances in the Adam Binder books , and he’s equally good here. I really liked his portrayal of Vran; there’s a slight edge to his voice that speaks of cynicism but there’s wit and warmth there, too – and he does a good job of giving Isaac an edge of vulnerability beneath the initial bravado. His pacing and character work are very good, and I could really feel the strength of the emotional connection between Isaac and Vran in their more romantic moments. It’s an excellent performance all round, and is a terrific complement to the story.
I really enjoyed the listen, despite the fact that when I finished, I felt as though I’d had my heart ripped out and stomped on. But Rogue Community College is billed as book one of a series, so I am hoping that there will be a way to fix The Thing That Made Me Cry – or Mr. Slayton and I are Going To Have Words. ;)
November 8, 2024
Slayton offers up another banger, this time starring a scholastic band of magical misfits teaming up to take down the leader of an assassin’s guild while learning about life, love, and term papers.
This is can’t-miss reading if you loved the Adam Binder books (and if you haven’t read them, read them—I bet you’ll love them as much as I did).
This is can’t-miss reading if you loved the Adam Binder books (and if you haven’t read them, read them—I bet you’ll love them as much as I did).
October 30, 2024
What an absolute delight to step back into the world of Adam Binder and Argent. Isaac Frost is a great new addition to this world David Slayton is expanding.
My only complaint? There aren’t already sequels in this series to read.
My only complaint? There aren’t already sequels in this series to read.
December 15, 2024
It feels good to go back to the Binderverse! And, as if there was any doubt, Vran steals the show. Aside from my favorite sea elf, Slayton has introduced us to another great cast of quirky characters. This author never disappoints me.
November 12, 2024
Rogue Community College was so good! I absolutely love David Slayton’s writing. His amazing characters and entertaining storylines make it so easy to jump back into this world. That ending left me in tears but I’m still excited to see what’s next for Isaac.
August 8, 2024
Set in the world of the Adam Binder series, Isaac Frost is an Undertaker a group of boys with special powers and killers for hire. Issac is also a Phage, he can temporarily gain other's powers by tasting their blood.
After being sent the "rescue" and elf in trouble, he becomes a new student at Rogue Community College, a college for special people like him. But Issac has plans to do more than just learn at the school.
RCC is fun and exciting. It has humorous dialog and great cast of side characters, alone with a few familiar folks. I also enjoy a the queer-normative world the story takes place in.
I wasn't sure what to except starting this book but I shouldn't have worried as it had David Slayton's usual humor and humanity. The story was fast paced and kept me on my toes. It was left open for a sequel and I'd gladly read more of Issac's adventures with the other students at RCC.
Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
After being sent the "rescue" and elf in trouble, he becomes a new student at Rogue Community College, a college for special people like him. But Issac has plans to do more than just learn at the school.
RCC is fun and exciting. It has humorous dialog and great cast of side characters, alone with a few familiar folks. I also enjoy a the queer-normative world the story takes place in.
I wasn't sure what to except starting this book but I shouldn't have worried as it had David Slayton's usual humor and humanity. The story was fast paced and kept me on my toes. It was left open for a sequel and I'd gladly read more of Issac's adventures with the other students at RCC.
Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 22, 2024
4.5/5
Thank you @librofm @blackstonepublishing @bibliolifestyle #partner for the gifted copies of this audiobook and book!
I ate this one up! This one wasn’t even on my radar until recently and I am so thankful for these partnerships because I LOVED this one. Isaac was such a complex and unique character, I adored him. It kind of felt like his destiny was chosen for him and in the end decided to make his own path! The idea that Isaac was sent to the college to infiltrate and shatter the school made me initially very intrigued in just how he thought he would get it done. In the end, due to his new relationships and the school itself made it very hard for him to complete his initial goal. Who doesn’t love a school of misfits and the found family that naturally forms? Each character made this story so memorable and I am truly excited to grab the next one in this series once it’s out! I will absolutely be looking at Mr. Slaytons backlist after reading this one!
Thank you @librofm @blackstonepublishing @bibliolifestyle #partner for the gifted copies of this audiobook and book!
I ate this one up! This one wasn’t even on my radar until recently and I am so thankful for these partnerships because I LOVED this one. Isaac was such a complex and unique character, I adored him. It kind of felt like his destiny was chosen for him and in the end decided to make his own path! The idea that Isaac was sent to the college to infiltrate and shatter the school made me initially very intrigued in just how he thought he would get it done. In the end, due to his new relationships and the school itself made it very hard for him to complete his initial goal. Who doesn’t love a school of misfits and the found family that naturally forms? Each character made this story so memorable and I am truly excited to grab the next one in this series once it’s out! I will absolutely be looking at Mr. Slaytons backlist after reading this one!
January 9, 2025
I generally enjoyed the story, but there was just something off with the writing as I sat there confused more than once. I felt like I must have missed an info dump. Another reviewer described it as a "jumpy narrative". Agreed. It was also more YA than I expected; felt more high school than college. I found Issac's fellow students rather two dimensional, so I would also like to see more description and depth of character as the series moves forward. The author didn't really give me what I needed to truly envision and thus care about them.
All in all, the story had good bones but lacked somewhat in execution. It had its moments, but don't go comparing it to a HS/college version of Harry Potter.
I did NOT like .
Will read the next one? I don't know.
All in all, the story had good bones but lacked somewhat in execution. It had its moments, but don't go comparing it to a HS/college version of Harry Potter.
I did NOT like .
Will read the next one? I don't know.
February 16, 2025
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
Rogue Community College is the first book in David R. Slayton’s Liberty House series. It takes place in the same world as Slayton’s excellent Adam Binder series and works as a spinoff of sorts. Vran is a side character in the Adam Binder books, and some folks from that series cross over here.
One of the things Slayton excels at is world building, and this story continues to build on the existing lore and grow it further. We learn about more magical beings, as we get to know the various students at the school.
I will warn folks that this the book does have a bittersweet ending, and I wouldn’t classify it as a true genre romance at this point. I think for a lot of folks, their feelings about the book are going to rest on what they think of the ending.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
Rogue Community College is the first book in David R. Slayton’s Liberty House series. It takes place in the same world as Slayton’s excellent Adam Binder series and works as a spinoff of sorts. Vran is a side character in the Adam Binder books, and some folks from that series cross over here.
One of the things Slayton excels at is world building, and this story continues to build on the existing lore and grow it further. We learn about more magical beings, as we get to know the various students at the school.
I will warn folks that this the book does have a bittersweet ending, and I wouldn’t classify it as a true genre romance at this point. I think for a lot of folks, their feelings about the book are going to rest on what they think of the ending.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
November 10, 2024
"Rogue Community College: A Liberty House Novel" by David R. Slayton is an absolute blast! I’ll read anything Slayton writes, and this one just reinforced why. Set in the same world as the Adam Binder series, it brings back familiar faces in such a satisfying way while introducing Isaac Frost, an unforgettable protagonist. Isaac is an assassin with a gift—just a drop of someone’s blood gives him insight into their strengths and memories. Slayton’s prose paints magic in vivid colors and scents, drawing you into this dangerous, beautiful world.
Isaac is such a relatable character; he’s grown up outside of the usual norms, constantly wrestling with his sense of belonging. His journey to a magical school filled with outcasts feels like an exhilarating twist on X-Men set in a mystical realm. The found family he forms with a band of witty, quirky misfits at Liberty House is one of the highlights of the story. Every member of the group feels distinct, and their camaraderie warmed my heart. Vran, the Sea Elf love interest, is an especially lovable character, and his relationship with Isaac is both tender and layered with secrets. Watching them develop trust and affection feels incredibly natural, adding a sweet contrast to Isaac’s darker past.
Slayton doesn’t shy away from social and political themes, and here, his critiques are as sharp as Isaac’s blades. He masterfully addresses the importance of standing up for what’s right, even when the odds are against you—a message woven throughout this urban fantasy. I couldn’t put this book down, and I can’t wait to see where the Liberty House series heads next! Slayton’s stories always leave me spellbound, aching for more, and "Rogue Community College" is no exception.
Isaac is such a relatable character; he’s grown up outside of the usual norms, constantly wrestling with his sense of belonging. His journey to a magical school filled with outcasts feels like an exhilarating twist on X-Men set in a mystical realm. The found family he forms with a band of witty, quirky misfits at Liberty House is one of the highlights of the story. Every member of the group feels distinct, and their camaraderie warmed my heart. Vran, the Sea Elf love interest, is an especially lovable character, and his relationship with Isaac is both tender and layered with secrets. Watching them develop trust and affection feels incredibly natural, adding a sweet contrast to Isaac’s darker past.
Slayton doesn’t shy away from social and political themes, and here, his critiques are as sharp as Isaac’s blades. He masterfully addresses the importance of standing up for what’s right, even when the odds are against you—a message woven throughout this urban fantasy. I couldn’t put this book down, and I can’t wait to see where the Liberty House series heads next! Slayton’s stories always leave me spellbound, aching for more, and "Rogue Community College" is no exception.
September 24, 2024
I think I'm hooked! I really enjoyed the Adam Binder series by this author so I was excited to check this out. I love books with chapter titles, so I was pleased to see that right away. It did take me a while to get into this book and feel fully invested. The start has a lot of characters, some of whom I couldn't keep track of. I also got a bit bored during the lengthy discussions about how magic and the various worlds work. But I ended up getting quite attached to some of the characters and felt some big emotions by the end. I think I would pick up the next book in the series to see where things go from here. I hope a certain character's story doesn't end here because they were my favorite! I will say that this felt more YA than I was expecting. The characters are meant to be college aged, but the college setting definitely feels more like a high school and the characters read pretty young to me. Overall though, I ended up enjoying it and will probably check out any forthcoming books in this series.
*ARC provided by NetGalley
*ARC provided by NetGalley
July 9, 2025
Such an amazing book! I was a huge fan of the Adam Binder series by David R Slayton and to see some of the characters in this book was so great. I give it a 4.5 out of 5. Rounding up!
December 5, 2024
A lot of world-building, a lot of vague clues and premonitions, but I'm abandoning this for something a little less glacially paced. Maybe in a less fraught month I'd have the patience to read on—it has good reviews, and I might come back to it.
October 17, 2024
I loved this.
Some facts:
- YA fantasy
- there's a queer romance but it isn't a capital- R Romance
- the MC and the love interest are not human, but are human-like (a phage and an elf)
- college age characters
- gay/homoromantic ace (it's never started explicitly, but that's how I read it)
- urban fantasy, adjacent to modern day real world
- CWs: There is violence, of course. Remembered child abuse. The MC needs to taste blood to use his power so there's a bit of pricking fingers with knives.
I finished it after my bedtime and wanted more so I went back to read the Adam Binder books for the third time
Some facts:
- YA fantasy
- there's a queer romance but it isn't a capital- R Romance
- the MC and the love interest are not human, but are human-like (a phage and an elf)
- college age characters
- gay/homoromantic ace (it's never started explicitly, but that's how I read it)
- urban fantasy, adjacent to modern day real world
- CWs: There is violence, of course. Remembered child abuse. The MC needs to taste blood to use his power so there's a bit of pricking fingers with knives.
I finished it after my bedtime and wanted more so I went back to read the Adam Binder books for the third time
August 13, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.
I have conflicted feelings about this one. On one hand, I did enjoy it. On the other, not so much. I think part of my problem, and it’s for sure a ME thing, is that I wanted just another Adam Binder story. And some of my faves do make an appearance, but it’s really a wholly separate story.
I also can’t say I enjoyed the last act sacrifice. I’m assuming that that’s not gonna stick, but maybe it will, and if so I’m doubly disappointed. I didn’t get the emotional gut punch I got with the others, so the payoff didn’t seem worth it.
Lastly, I know they’re young, but man I felt like they were *really* young. It felt sort of like pre-teenage x-men, even though they’re all in their 20’s or more.
Overall it was fun but I didn’t love it as much as I loved the Adam Binder books.
I have conflicted feelings about this one. On one hand, I did enjoy it. On the other, not so much. I think part of my problem, and it’s for sure a ME thing, is that I wanted just another Adam Binder story. And some of my faves do make an appearance, but it’s really a wholly separate story.
I also can’t say I enjoyed the last act sacrifice. I’m assuming that that’s not gonna stick, but maybe it will, and if so I’m doubly disappointed. I didn’t get the emotional gut punch I got with the others, so the payoff didn’t seem worth it.
Lastly, I know they’re young, but man I felt like they were *really* young. It felt sort of like pre-teenage x-men, even though they’re all in their 20’s or more.
Overall it was fun but I didn’t love it as much as I loved the Adam Binder books.
October 26, 2024
David R Slayton being read by Michael David Axtell: chef’s kiss. I loved being back in the Adam Binder world and enjoyed Isaac just as much as Adam. Slayton paints gorgeously vivid pictures of other worlds and makes you fall in love with his characters. I didn’t want it to end. There was nothing I didn’t like.
August 28, 2024
A spectacular addition to the Adam Binder universe. Slayton’s characters are so fun and well-written. As ever, the worst thing about this book is how anxiously I await the next one. Bravo!
October 23, 2024
A fun spin off from white trash warlock! I liked the MC a lot. Will definitely be recommending this
November 2, 2024
I had been planning on picking up the audiobook for Rogue Community College, because I have been really excited to read it. So color me surprised when I opened up Libro.fm on October 1st and saw the ALC available for download. Did I immediately download it? Yes! But it took me a month to read it, which I think is a success. That’s better than some books on my TBR. 🫠
While this is set in the same universe as the Adam Binder series, it’s filled with a flurry of new characters to fall in love with:m. A found family of misfits and the people that don’t fit in one place or another. Rogues, one might say.
Our MC, Isaac, is an assassin raised by a cruel person who sent him to infiltrate this brand new school and destroy it from within. What he doesn’t expect is for the boy he trained to kill to find the happiness he had been wishing for all along.
This was very action-packed, which I have learned to expect from David’s writing. We got a magic filled world, a mystery that had to be solved, some incredibly sweet queer romance, and an ending that I can’t even begin to unpack in my review… or for the next few months. I need a bit of time. Or maybe a tub of ice cream.
And don’t let me forget to mention how great the audiobook was!! Michael David Axtell was perfect. He brought me into the book and kept me seated, set, and loving every moment of it!
While this is set in the same universe as the Adam Binder series, it’s filled with a flurry of new characters to fall in love with:m. A found family of misfits and the people that don’t fit in one place or another. Rogues, one might say.
Our MC, Isaac, is an assassin raised by a cruel person who sent him to infiltrate this brand new school and destroy it from within. What he doesn’t expect is for the boy he trained to kill to find the happiness he had been wishing for all along.
This was very action-packed, which I have learned to expect from David’s writing. We got a magic filled world, a mystery that had to be solved, some incredibly sweet queer romance, and an ending that I can’t even begin to unpack in my review… or for the next few months. I need a bit of time. Or maybe a tub of ice cream.
And don’t let me forget to mention how great the audiobook was!! Michael David Axtell was perfect. He brought me into the book and kept me seated, set, and loving every moment of it!
November 19, 2024
Even though I am more of a campy horror kind of girl, I am not going to turn my nose up at campy fantasy.
It was the tagline that sold me on Rogue Community College: “Chosen ones go to elite schools of magic. This one is for everyone else.“
I expected a good time, and I found it. RCC wasn’t necessarily laugh out loud funny, but it was whimsical and amusing, with a good dose of heartwarming content and a splash of sadness. I am, in fact, still recovering from the unexpected, “Did that really just happen?” moment in the story so it’s taken me some time to collect my thoughts for a review.
The book is, I’ll admit, a bit formulaic, and that’s coming from someone who doesn’t even read a lot of books like this. It was the one thing that bugged me a bit throughout the read, and I was sure I knew exactly what was coming. I was not wrong, but I also was wrong. I mean, a certain element did play out exactly as I’d predicted, but Slayton still managed to shock and wreck me a bit after I nodded my head and said, “Just as I’d predicted!” He didn’t play fair, and I respect him all the more for it.
Rogue Community College is set in the same universe as the Adam Binder series, which wasn’t something I was familiar with until now. How was I unaware of the fact that a book called White Trash Warlock existed? Why didn’t anyone tell me? I do hope to become well acquainted with Mr. Binder soon. I have saved the audiobook on Hoopla so I can get started on the older series before the next RCC book comes out.
Thank you, Partner, Bibliolifestyle and Blackstone Publishing for my copy. All opinions are my own.
It was the tagline that sold me on Rogue Community College: “Chosen ones go to elite schools of magic. This one is for everyone else.“
I expected a good time, and I found it. RCC wasn’t necessarily laugh out loud funny, but it was whimsical and amusing, with a good dose of heartwarming content and a splash of sadness. I am, in fact, still recovering from the unexpected, “Did that really just happen?” moment in the story so it’s taken me some time to collect my thoughts for a review.
The book is, I’ll admit, a bit formulaic, and that’s coming from someone who doesn’t even read a lot of books like this. It was the one thing that bugged me a bit throughout the read, and I was sure I knew exactly what was coming. I was not wrong, but I also was wrong. I mean, a certain element did play out exactly as I’d predicted, but Slayton still managed to shock and wreck me a bit after I nodded my head and said, “Just as I’d predicted!” He didn’t play fair, and I respect him all the more for it.
Rogue Community College is set in the same universe as the Adam Binder series, which wasn’t something I was familiar with until now. How was I unaware of the fact that a book called White Trash Warlock existed? Why didn’t anyone tell me? I do hope to become well acquainted with Mr. Binder soon. I have saved the audiobook on Hoopla so I can get started on the older series before the next RCC book comes out.
Thank you, Partner, Bibliolifestyle and Blackstone Publishing for my copy. All opinions are my own.
February 10, 2025
This book is set in the same world as the Adam Binder series and you may notice some characters from those books.
I found this book a little harder to get into than the Binder series, simply because I didn't instantly connect with Isaac. But, given how Isaac was written, I don't believe Slayton was intending an instant connection. I did DNF it the first time around and set it to the side for a little bit. I think because I had just re-read Adam's series that I was expecting a main character more like him. But Isaac is very different. But after putting some distance between those books and this book I came back to it with more of an open mind. After starting over I found that I enjoyed it much more the second time.
Slayton is a solid author with great characters. I am looking forward to reading everything he writes.
I found this book a little harder to get into than the Binder series, simply because I didn't instantly connect with Isaac. But, given how Isaac was written, I don't believe Slayton was intending an instant connection. I did DNF it the first time around and set it to the side for a little bit. I think because I had just re-read Adam's series that I was expecting a main character more like him. But Isaac is very different. But after putting some distance between those books and this book I came back to it with more of an open mind. After starting over I found that I enjoyed it much more the second time.
Slayton is a solid author with great characters. I am looking forward to reading everything he writes.
November 1, 2024
The synopsis for this book is pretty spot on.
I picked up the book enthusiastically because of my love for the Adam Binder series, and especially the world in which it is set. The first moment we slip into the Spirit Realm my heart was happy.
The world beckoned me, but the story kept me fully engaged from page one. Vran shows up early and the connection Isaac has with him is strong. The school is interesting and I love how it operates almost as if it is a living being - of course this is why Isaac is sent in. Thankfully, his connection with Vran has him actually getting to know the other students and finding family he didn’t know he needed.
This book is good, and I have full faith in David R. Slayton to deliver with the rest of this series!!!
I picked up the book enthusiastically because of my love for the Adam Binder series, and especially the world in which it is set. The first moment we slip into the Spirit Realm my heart was happy.
The world beckoned me, but the story kept me fully engaged from page one. Vran shows up early and the connection Isaac has with him is strong. The school is interesting and I love how it operates almost as if it is a living being - of course this is why Isaac is sent in. Thankfully, his connection with Vran has him actually getting to know the other students and finding family he didn’t know he needed.
This book is good, and I have full faith in David R. Slayton to deliver with the rest of this series!!!
October 22, 2024
Rogue Community College
A Liberty House Novel
by David Slayton
Narrated by Meredith Lustig & Michael David Axtell
I received an ARC of this audiobook from Netgalley.
I LOVED this audiobook & highly, highly recommend it!
I wasn’t sure what to expect going into listening to this book. There are a few things similar to other books (Like kings and queens of a playing deck or tarot deck - swords, cups, etc)
The rest of the book feels so original and perfect. I am having a book hangover and wishing there were 39567978 more books in this series to listen to - yes, I am that hooked.
Keywords:
Fae, school, guardians, goblins, magic, romance, graveyard, undertaker, assassins for hire
5/5 stars!
A Liberty House Novel
by David Slayton
Narrated by Meredith Lustig & Michael David Axtell
I received an ARC of this audiobook from Netgalley.
I LOVED this audiobook & highly, highly recommend it!
I wasn’t sure what to expect going into listening to this book. There are a few things similar to other books (Like kings and queens of a playing deck or tarot deck - swords, cups, etc)
The rest of the book feels so original and perfect. I am having a book hangover and wishing there were 39567978 more books in this series to listen to - yes, I am that hooked.
Keywords:
Fae, school, guardians, goblins, magic, romance, graveyard, undertaker, assassins for hire
5/5 stars!
March 18, 2025
I adore the Adam Binder series, which says a lot since fantasy is not my thing. So naturally, I loved this little side step in the universe. Rogue Community College might be as enjoyable as White Trash Warlock for me. I really enjoyed the protagonist (Isaac Frost). His role as an undertaker is fascinating and a whole new type of lore for me. I was enthralled with him and his time at RCC. I cannot wait for book 2!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews