Hounded, First in the Series of The Iron Druid Chronicles
I just finished listening to the audio version of Hounded by Kevin Hearne. I was smiling through most of the book. It was quite enjoyable.
I’m not a fan of science fiction, fantasy or paranormal. Vampires, werewolves, etc., have become so overdone. Still when this audiobook came on sale the huge number of reviews made me take a second look. Over 10,000 reviews on Audible alone, with an average rating of 4.4 out of 5. That is impressive. If you want to try a different genre, it always helps to find one that so many others have rated well.
The story revolves around Atticus O’Sullivan, the last Druid, over 2000 years old (though he still looks like he is twenty-one). You could say it’s another story of good versus evil. There are witches and demons, gods and goddesses, all sorts of fantasy characters, right down to his attorney team—one a vampire, one a werewolf. And, often a scene stealer, Oberon, his Irish wolfhound, who is responsible for many of the laugh-out-loud moments.
The few humans in the story are just as quirky and just as funny. Perhaps it’s as amusing as it is because every monster imaginable seems to make an appearance.
Here’s the Book: Hounded
Hugely popular, especially in audiobook, Hounded begins the story of the last remaining druid. It’s a very entertaining novel that moves quickly. The audio version, narrated by Luke Daniels, runs just over 8 hours. The book, available in hardback, paperback, and Kindle contains 303 pages.
Book 1 in the Series
In Hounded, Atticus possesses a powerful, magical sword that one of the Celtic gods wants. When the god learns where Atticus lives, comfortably settled in Arizona, he is determined to retrieve that sword and destroy Atticus.
Every character that comes to his aid seems to have ulterior motives. Since witches and the like aren’t trustworthy to begin with (at least according to Atticus), it leaves him at risk. Of course a druid who has lived as long as he has clearly has survival skills of his own.
At the beginning of the book, I kept asking myself if this was my kind of book. And perhaps I wouldn’t have read it if it wasn’t via audio. One of my favorite things about audiobooks is that you can be doing other things while you listen. That makes it an easy way to enjoy a book I wouldn’t normally have time to read.
As I listened on, I was drawn in and hooked. Atticus has an engaging, witty personality, as does his dog, Oberon, both very well portrayed by the narrator, Luke Daniels. He made me smile, if not laugh out loud, throughout much of the book. The dog is so funny, seeming almost human in his sense of humor, yet clearly dog when it comes to his excitable tail, his love of belly rubs and, of course, French poodles.
It is not a paranormal romance as you find permeating the genre. Rather, it’s more like Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files, another popular fantasy series.
It was really an amusing story. So much so that I will get book two in the series to see how it continues. Perhaps that’s part of the Druid’s magic.
The Iron Druid Chronicles Series
So far there are seven books in the Iron Druid Chronicles. Book 2 and 3 are shown here, along with the latest (number 7) in the series.
- Hounded
- Hexed
- Hammered
- Tricked
- Trapped
- Hunted
- Shattered
Mr. Hearne has a way of bringing in every type of ‘creature’ you can imagine, from gods, to druids, werewolves, frost giants, demons and their hunters, vampires, and so on.
Odedly you don’t get caught up in what they are. The variety doesn’t distract from the story, just adds to the mix.
Reading Outside My Comfort Zone
Do you think a book like this is one you would enjoy? It surprised me. I keep saying it is not my type of book at all, but nevertheless a fun read! I’m glad I read it. That encourages me to try other books that are getting great–and many–reviews, that are not in my usual genres. That’s a pleasure in itself.
2nd and 3rd in the Iron Druid Chronicles
This is next for me, in my cart waiting. The first kept me so entertained, I will read this one too. When the number of witches suddenly increases in a neighboring town, Atticus must go on a witch hunt.
Demon hunters cause trouble in this third book in the series. Add to it vampires, frost giants, and Thor–the god of thunder himself, and you can imagine the action to come.
Here’s Kevin Hearne at SDCC
It’s always a delight to hear straight from the author.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
