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Suburban Warlock: A Slice of Life Fantasy
Big houses, peaceful streets, packed refrigerators and beautiful women. Did I mention magic, too?
After years of clearing out the initial floors of dungeons so that famous teams could take the real prizes, I was around about ready to call it quits. But after getting myself dragged into the final floors of a legendary dungeon by a team of equally-legendary morons, I found myself as the only survivor – and the only one to claim the legendary prize on the dungeon’s final floor.
Now I’ve got enough gold to put my feet up forever, and where else better to move than a luxurious magical suburb? I can relax, enjoy life and maybe even settle down with a few beautiful women.
But being an overpowered warlock in a magical town comes with all kinds of hiccups; I need to keep my angsty demonic familiars in line, deal with the wood-nymph who’s squatting in my backyard, and keep a handle on the sheer number of quirky neighbors who seem to be intent on interrupting my peace and quiet.
And to top it all off, there's the beautiful blonde mage living across the street and the stunning brunette living next door.
After years of clearing out the initial floors of dungeons so that famous teams could take the real prizes, I was around about ready to call it quits. But after getting myself dragged into the final floors of a legendary dungeon by a team of equally-legendary morons, I found myself as the only survivor – and the only one to claim the legendary prize on the dungeon’s final floor.
Now I’ve got enough gold to put my feet up forever, and where else better to move than a luxurious magical suburb? I can relax, enjoy life and maybe even settle down with a few beautiful women.
But being an overpowered warlock in a magical town comes with all kinds of hiccups; I need to keep my angsty demonic familiars in line, deal with the wood-nymph who’s squatting in my backyard, and keep a handle on the sheer number of quirky neighbors who seem to be intent on interrupting my peace and quiet.
And to top it all off, there's the beautiful blonde mage living across the street and the stunning brunette living next door.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 4, 2024
355 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 24, 2024
Okay read but nothing great
The novel is pretty good from a readers standpoint but there's nothing great about IT.......IT actually has a lot of boring parts that I had to skip over to keep the plot going.
The novel is pretty good from a readers standpoint but there's nothing great about IT.......IT actually has a lot of boring parts that I had to skip over to keep the plot going.
June 26, 2024
Smug guy lazes around using the word ‘busty’ a lot. At one point he describes a lady as having busty breasts. Cool choice.
September 26, 2024
fun, fast
This could use a better edit but the story is fun and it’s a quick read. I’m enjoying the crossover between our modern world and the ‘D&D’/fantasy aesthetic n the world building.
For picky readers, there’s some mixed up words (e.g., tenacity used instead of tendency), left out and extra words, weird punctuation in a couple places, etc., but nothing too horrible. Author does get verbose and overly wordy, usually in the sex scenes or female descriptions. Oh, and had a few awkward phrases which might be author mistakes or colloquialisms I’m not familiar with.
On to book 2.
This could use a better edit but the story is fun and it’s a quick read. I’m enjoying the crossover between our modern world and the ‘D&D’/fantasy aesthetic n the world building.
For picky readers, there’s some mixed up words (e.g., tenacity used instead of tendency), left out and extra words, weird punctuation in a couple places, etc., but nothing too horrible. Author does get verbose and overly wordy, usually in the sex scenes or female descriptions. Oh, and had a few awkward phrases which might be author mistakes or colloquialisms I’m not familiar with.
On to book 2.
August 6, 2024
Good story terrible presentation
I enjoyed this book and the plot as well as the overall character. I can't seem to get around the journal like style and the grammatical errors. The world building is non existent and there are many conversations that seem to happen twice. Not sure how to describe it but the chronological order seems to fluctuate throughout the story. Hope the next one sees this fixed. I could at least finish this one. Tried "Realm Guard" and was lost after only a quarter of the book.
I enjoyed this book and the plot as well as the overall character. I can't seem to get around the journal like style and the grammatical errors. The world building is non existent and there are many conversations that seem to happen twice. Not sure how to describe it but the chronological order seems to fluctuate throughout the story. Hope the next one sees this fixed. I could at least finish this one. Tried "Realm Guard" and was lost after only a quarter of the book.
June 9, 2025
Blandly inoffensive.
There's nothing in particular to dislike here. It's a really basic LitRPG setting, a really basic "retired badass wants a quiet life" trope, a really basic, well, everything.
As long as you don't think about it too hard, it's just...vaguely pleasant. Although you'd be hard pressed to remember a single detail the day after you finish it, because it's just a smooth flavourless blend of tropes.
I will note three minor flaws that slightly interupted the elevator-music-like snoozefest:
1) The book could have used an editing pass; there's a few typos.
2) The protagonist has managed to accumulate $6m and believes this is enough to retire on. But given hints about prices in the book, this is actually not a lot of money at all unless invested wisely, but the protagonist has it in gold, in a chest, in his bedroom. This is not going to last as long as the protagonist expects, given his profligate spending habits (eg, tipping a waiter $100 at one point).
3) The book keeps talking about how amazing suburbia and suburban life is, without apparently thinking too hard about what those words mean. In most cases, the protagonist seems to mean "it's awesome to be in my 20s and retired with more money than I could possibly spend"; the fact he retired to something he considers a suburban life is beside the point. ...also the entire book is set in a town which is clearly not a suburb. So....yeah. Weird.
Still, these don't really detract from the story. Unfortunately, there's just not that much story to detract from.
There's nothing in particular to dislike here. It's a really basic LitRPG setting, a really basic "retired badass wants a quiet life" trope, a really basic, well, everything.
As long as you don't think about it too hard, it's just...vaguely pleasant. Although you'd be hard pressed to remember a single detail the day after you finish it, because it's just a smooth flavourless blend of tropes.
I will note three minor flaws that slightly interupted the elevator-music-like snoozefest:
1) The book could have used an editing pass; there's a few typos.
2) The protagonist has managed to accumulate $6m and believes this is enough to retire on. But given hints about prices in the book, this is actually not a lot of money at all unless invested wisely, but the protagonist has it in gold, in a chest, in his bedroom. This is not going to last as long as the protagonist expects, given his profligate spending habits (eg, tipping a waiter $100 at one point).
3) The book keeps talking about how amazing suburbia and suburban life is, without apparently thinking too hard about what those words mean. In most cases, the protagonist seems to mean "it's awesome to be in my 20s and retired with more money than I could possibly spend"; the fact he retired to something he considers a suburban life is beside the point. ...also the entire book is set in a town which is clearly not a suburb. So....yeah. Weird.
Still, these don't really detract from the story. Unfortunately, there's just not that much story to detract from.
January 19, 2025
A decent start
Sorely going through the book, I'll adjust this is my opinion strongly changes by the end but wanted to get this much down.
It's a set up of an MC that lucks out through hardship and starts with a slice of life feel, though there's a vague sense of an actual plot under the surface. Pretty decent overall.
Smut is average. It's not reinventing the wheel, just the basics to get home he's an adult and adult things happen. It's not too involved, but that's good because at the level it's at more would detract from the story.
There is a writing pet peeve, the format is a little odd. The incorrect user of single quote mark instead of double irks me as well.... or was certainly...a choice. The whole book is quoting someone instead of speaking apparently. Some typos and some sayings that... are either a typo or just a colloquialism I've never heard that throws me right out of things.
3.5-4 stars I feel, it's good enough to get me to endure the wrong punctuation to see where the story leads.
Sorely going through the book, I'll adjust this is my opinion strongly changes by the end but wanted to get this much down.
It's a set up of an MC that lucks out through hardship and starts with a slice of life feel, though there's a vague sense of an actual plot under the surface. Pretty decent overall.
Smut is average. It's not reinventing the wheel, just the basics to get home he's an adult and adult things happen. It's not too involved, but that's good because at the level it's at more would detract from the story.
There is a writing pet peeve, the format is a little odd. The incorrect user of single quote mark instead of double irks me as well.... or was certainly...a choice. The whole book is quoting someone instead of speaking apparently. Some typos and some sayings that... are either a typo or just a colloquialism I've never heard that throws me right out of things.
3.5-4 stars I feel, it's good enough to get me to endure the wrong punctuation to see where the story leads.
August 10, 2024
LOVED IT!!!’
I LOVED this work. It was new and original, and honest to God I can’t wait for the next installment.
I like “long-haul” series. Author Layton did a magnificent job with his volume one introduction, and I hope he has a clear plan to expand this world. I TRULY look forward to his next installment, but Noah Layton - be forewarned - your volume one was so good you’ll need to work VERY hard to ensure your subsequent installments work to expand this world and these characters such that they are never diminished and that they expand on the world you’ve created.
An EXCELLENT volume one, to be sure. Now it’s on you to to expand this world and these characters in a manner that keeps your readers excited and engaged.
But all that aside - thank you, Author Layton for this MOST enjoyable book. It was TRULY terrific.
I LOVED this work. It was new and original, and honest to God I can’t wait for the next installment.
I like “long-haul” series. Author Layton did a magnificent job with his volume one introduction, and I hope he has a clear plan to expand this world. I TRULY look forward to his next installment, but Noah Layton - be forewarned - your volume one was so good you’ll need to work VERY hard to ensure your subsequent installments work to expand this world and these characters such that they are never diminished and that they expand on the world you’ve created.
An EXCELLENT volume one, to be sure. Now it’s on you to to expand this world and these characters in a manner that keeps your readers excited and engaged.
But all that aside - thank you, Author Layton for this MOST enjoyable book. It was TRULY terrific.
October 27, 2024
Fairly light urbanised fantasy
An enjoyable read of a fairly slow paced story. Several action sequences as the MC deals with various scenarios. This is also harem based literature so expect some sex scenes and more than one partner. The MC is over powered for where he is as an under 30 retired dungeon cleaner with enough money to set himself up in an up market suburb and meet the sexy single neighbours. Helping people is in his nature, which I like, so on to the next book in the series.
An enjoyable read of a fairly slow paced story. Several action sequences as the MC deals with various scenarios. This is also harem based literature so expect some sex scenes and more than one partner. The MC is over powered for where he is as an under 30 retired dungeon cleaner with enough money to set himself up in an up market suburb and meet the sexy single neighbours. Helping people is in his nature, which I like, so on to the next book in the series.
October 12, 2024
It’s fine, didn’t personally vibe that well with it. Everything felt a tad too wish fulfillmenty with how he meets women and they just start throwing themselves at him. Chemistry wasn’t all that crunchy, just meh overall. It is a rarer urban fantasy, so if you desperate for one it’s good enough to be filler while you wait for a series with better plot. Also felt shallow with how the fmc are described and treated, but it's not egregious for the genre.
June 18, 2024
Good Storytelling
Interesting approach. A mix of magic, with a magic community, adventure, country life, small town politics, dungeon diving and harem building. All of this skillfully put together as a well crafted book. An enjoyable read and a sample of what to expect from book2.
Interesting approach. A mix of magic, with a magic community, adventure, country life, small town politics, dungeon diving and harem building. All of this skillfully put together as a well crafted book. An enjoyable read and a sample of what to expect from book2.
July 23, 2024
Entertaining Read
The Warlock wants to retire to a quiet place. He has much treasure from the dungeons that he cleared. He finds what he is looking for with the bonus of beautiful neighbors. Trouble still finds him in his paradise. Protection, problem solving, and dungeon delving ensue. I like the action, humor, and lust/romance.
The Warlock wants to retire to a quiet place. He has much treasure from the dungeons that he cleared. He finds what he is looking for with the bonus of beautiful neighbors. Trouble still finds him in his paradise. Protection, problem solving, and dungeon delving ensue. I like the action, humor, and lust/romance.
November 9, 2025
This is a very good Slice of life book i have read in quite a while. The MC's very OP and we have a solid reason why he is so and still the book is very interesting and readable. The only grime i have is that it could have been better if the LIs have some solid characteristics in it as well rather than depending on MC always.
June 23, 2024
This was great
Exactly what I was looking for. Nice relaxed adventure with a couple of hotties and this has got to be the best approach to a harem ever. Really good epilogue as well.
Exactly what I was looking for. Nice relaxed adventure with a couple of hotties and this has got to be the best approach to a harem ever. Really good epilogue as well.
July 13, 2024
What next?
I really enjoyed reading this book. There was enough mystery and sex to make the book interesting! The sec was not so over powering to take away from the theme of the book!
I really enjoyed reading this book. There was enough mystery and sex to make the book interesting! The sec was not so over powering to take away from the theme of the book!
August 26, 2024
Great new series
Nice overall book,nice new look at magic. Like the use of the familiar together and alone. New ladies for Trent to grow with for the future. Looking for next book and more ladies and handmade jobs.
Nice overall book,nice new look at magic. Like the use of the familiar together and alone. New ladies for Trent to grow with for the future. Looking for next book and more ladies and handmade jobs.
November 16, 2024
I thought it'd be chill but there was actually quite a bit of action and it was in perfect amount compared to the SOL it came with. The women are fantastic and the MC is solid. Stoked to continue the series!
February 8, 2025
Fun and quirky
Different than what I expected, but in a good way. The characters are nimble and quick witted. The storyline is very interesting and full of surprises. Looking forward to Book 2!
Different than what I expected, but in a good way. The characters are nimble and quick witted. The storyline is very interesting and full of surprises. Looking forward to Book 2!
December 8, 2025
I love the mc and his ifgaf attitude and the fact that he will kill something quick. Sofi is a bit annoying 😑 with her whole don't kill it hippie vibe its joy baby but there is always that 1 chick in the harem that is annoying but I like it can't wait for book 2
June 7, 2024
Nice relaxing read
Nice read and a pretty interesting magic system. Fun character's. Looking forward to the next book. Hopefully not a long wait.
Nice read and a pretty interesting magic system. Fun character's. Looking forward to the next book. Hopefully not a long wait.
June 9, 2024
Great Start!
This is a great start of a new series. Well written MC with good supporting characters with a lot of personality. Worth the read.
This is a great start of a new series. Well written MC with good supporting characters with a lot of personality. Worth the read.
June 12, 2024
great start to the series hope it goes for the long while. love the MC and what Noah bring to the charter.
June 15, 2024
A fun quick read
This book was a fun, quick read. It was the perfect salve for a hot summer day. I really hope there will be more.
Highly recommended.
This book was a fun, quick read. It was the perfect salve for a hot summer day. I really hope there will be more.
Highly recommended.
June 19, 2024
Good first book
Modern style books I'm really not a true fan,
but the mix of old and new with older magic and newer magic kept me interested, so I'm waiting for the next book
Modern style books I'm really not a true fan,
but the mix of old and new with older magic and newer magic kept me interested, so I'm waiting for the next book
June 23, 2024
Very good book
This is a fine fantasy urban adventure novel. It is well written and edited. I especially like the demoness lawyer. I anxiously await the sequel.
This is a fine fantasy urban adventure novel. It is well written and edited. I especially like the demoness lawyer. I anxiously await the sequel.
July 1, 2024
A great start
I enjoyed this book it's a good start with a lot of options on which way it can go. Looking forward to the next book
I enjoyed this book it's a good start with a lot of options on which way it can go. Looking forward to the next book
July 7, 2024
Book one is great.
This book moves along. Its got fighting magic, humorous demons and a bit of hot romance. I'm looking forward to the next book.
This book moves along. Its got fighting magic, humorous demons and a bit of hot romance. I'm looking forward to the next book.
July 11, 2024
I loved the blend of modern America with magic!
Great characters, great story, good slow burn harem, and definitely worth the read. I hope the author continues this world!
Great characters, great story, good slow burn harem, and definitely worth the read. I hope the author continues this world!
August 3, 2024
Great start for the series
Great characters. Well developed along with a story to enjoy. Not just another dungeon crawl marathon. Just fun. Looking forward to more.
Great characters. Well developed along with a story to enjoy. Not just another dungeon crawl marathon. Just fun. Looking forward to more.
August 4, 2024
Great book
Great book I can't wait to read the next book in the series I would recommend this author to anyone
Great book I can't wait to read the next book in the series I would recommend this author to anyone
August 18, 2024
Life goals. Leave adventuring life behind for the quiet of suburbia. Let me know how that works out.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews