I originally discovered Warlock in Training from a Twitter review, which offered a sales pitch similar to “Do you like queer fantasy, environmentalism, deals with devils, and a story where the bad guys might actually be the heroes?”
Yes, I said, I do!
As I began the novel, I realized that while that Twitter review was right to call the story fantasy, there was no mention that erotica applied equally. Taken by surprise and then intrigued, I continued, and found myself looking forward to the erotic scenes in the book, which are Nichols’ strength as a writer. The novel reads quickly, with the first half well balanced between story progression and intimate scenes. The second half, however, lacks in sensuality and focuses on the subpar plot and world-building.

Before this, I had no real experiences with erotica between the occasional glimpses at select fan-fiction. What I appreciate in how Nichols write sex is how involved the scene is in terms of action, dialogue, and the character’s internal workings. The characters engage with each other on all three of these levels which propels the scene. Nichols also effectively utilizes the fantasy setting to add another layer to these scenes, in which magic responds to sex in fantastical ways. Demonside as a magical setting, shaped by and responding to Nichols’ magic, is also an interesting world to explore.
Nichols also writes kink and consent with finesse. One of the protagonists, who acts as the dom, enjoys knife-play during sex, and first gains his partner’s consent before easing him into sexual cutting while constantly checking on his comfort. Nichols also writes characters who have an open relationship, and writes how they communicate and agree upon the boundaries of their relationship with each other and other partners.
As a character writer, Nichols succeeds in creating rich interior spaces for the characters. We read a character’s indecision and have a balanced view of why the character feels conflicted based on where they come from.
Unfortunately, Nichols depends upon these interior monologues to advance the story. Single lines of dialogue are spaced between paragraphs of internal response, which slows the story and reduces the action. Many of these characters are also so reasonable in their thoughts that any potential conflict de-escalates within a page. At the very worst, another character is skeptical of another’s methods and, within a few chapters, discovers the protagonist’s plan did work all along and accepts this just simply.
While much of the conflict takes place in “Humanside,” the human villains and allies have no clear motivations or reason. At best, they are willfully ignorant and willfully evil. The Humanside setting, Vinland, also sets up a conflict between the Warlock elite, the Wizards and a magical rebel force which occupy all of the human stage while constantly referring to the non-magical humans, which make up a large majority. These normal humans seem to also treat magical humans as second class citizens, even though demons regularly break through to Humanside and only the magical humans appear to stop them. This orientation of a magical minority is familiar in fantasy writing, but in the novel is jarring and unaccounted for. Many interesting threads form the outline of the world and plot, but rather are a collection of frayed loose ends as opposed to a cohesive tapestry.

Overall, Warlock in Training offers little in regards to action, conflict, and story outside the sexy bits where I found myself wanting more.