Friday 17 January 2014

Mini Review: Hounded (The Iron Druid Chronicles #1) by Kevin Hearne


Hounded (The Iron Druid Chronicles, #1)
Hounded (The Iron Druid Chronicles #1) by Kevin Hearne
Narrated by Luke Daniels
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Publication date: April 19th 2011
Length: 8 hrs 11 minutes
My rating: 4 stars 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15699188-the-chocolate-thief

Atticus O’Sullivan, last of the Druids, lives peacefully in Arizona, running an occult bookshop and shape-shifting in his spare time to hunt with his Irish wolfhound. His neighbors and customers think that this handsome, tattooed Irish dude is about twenty-one years old - when in actuality, he’s twenty-one centuries old. Not to mention: He draws his power from the earth, possesses a sharp wit, and wields an even sharper magical sword known as Fragarach, the Answerer.

Unfortunately, a very angry Celtic god wants that sword, and he’s hounded Atticus for centuries. Now the determined deity has tracked him down, and Atticus will need all his power - plus the help of a seductive goddess of death, his vampire and werewolf team of attorneys, a sexy bartender possessed by a Hindu witch, and some good old-fashioned luck of the Irish - to kick some Celtic arse and deliver himself from evil
 



I’m first and foremost a romance junkie any genre I read usually must contain some amount.  So it was shocking to me that I enjoyed this so much when there isn’t any! I credit that to the highly entertaining and quick-witted Atticus O’Sullivan!

Atticus O’Sullivan may look like he’s twenty-one but in reality his age is over two thousand. He’s last of the Druids, trying to live a peaceful life running a New Age book and tea shop. Unfortunately, he’s had an age long feud with the Celtic god, Aenghus Og over a magical sword and this god is ready to take what he thinks is his.

Hounded was entertaining and fun.  A definite must for any Urban Fantasy fan or just anyone who loves a great story!  Witches, werewolves, vampires and Celtic mythology factor in heavily, and you’d think this would be overwhelming, but the story is fast paced with just enough information to keep you clued in without slowing the story down.

Atticus is a clever and thoughtful hero, who always seemed to be several steps ahead of any opponent like a strategic game of chess.  Loved his encounters with Emily the witch!

There’s lot of witty humor and laughs, and it was a treat being in Atticus’ head. Oberon, his loyal best friend and dog was also quite funny with his obsessive love of sausages and French poodles. 

There is no romance *sniff* BUT there is a hope and a hint (maybe?) of something to come.

I listed to the audio version of Hounded, which I highly recommend! Luke Daniels was an excellent narrator! 





22 comments:

Melanie said...

I'm glad that you still enjoyed this one even though you love your romances! I haven't heard of this one before-but to me, no romance is a happy sign because I'm getting sick of reading them in YA all the time!

Love the review, Rach! <33

Keertana said...

You know how I feel about too much romance in a book, but too little? I don't mind one bit. I've been meaning to start this series for awhile now but the sheer length of it intimidates me. I think I'll wait to see what you think of all of these books before snatching them up to plow through quickly. Fantastic review, Rachel - I must try to grab the audio version of this!

Mary @ BookSwarm said...

WOO-HOO!! This is a favorite series of mine (as you might have seen) and yes, I can tell you that romance comes. Not for a while but it does come (they're slow to move on their feelings, though there is flirting!).

Jenny said...

I know I'm going to want some romance in this series for sure Rachel, you know how much I love it! I need to get over it though, because I've heard nothing but amazing things about this series and I'm already fighting Mary for Atticus despite the fact that I haven't even met him. I'm fighting because I know I'll love him once I do:) Glad to know you're a fan as well!

brandileigh2003 said...

Woot for witty humor but boo for no romance

Unknown said...

This is another series I've been meaning to try! I guess I'm waiting until I'm in a non-romance mood. (As if!) Atticus is the perfect name. I love Atticus Finch so much that any character with that name is pretty much golden.
Great review, Rachel!

Rashika said...

From what I know, there is romance in the following books. :) I've actually had this for a while but I wasn't completely sure how I would feel about it. I am glad you enjoyed it Rachel! It makes me want to stop procrastinating and just pick the book up :P

Great Review!! :)

Melissa (i swim for oceans) said...

I actually like that you mentioned that there is no romance in this one! I think that will really get me excited for a potential for more in the coming books! Lovely review, Rachel :)

Rachel said...

Thank you, Keertana! I wouldn't worry about the length of the series, because it seems like each story wraps up, so you wouldn't need to continue right away if you didn't feel inclined. The audio version really enhanced the story, IMO so I totally recommend going with that. :)

Rachel said...

Well it looks like your instincts on valuable men are very good because you've recognized Atticus for the worthy and hot hero that he totally is. I recommend you fight dirty! Mary seems like she could be a hair puller! ;)

Rachel said...

Funny enough, Brandi, I didn't really miss it. Gasp! :)

Rachel said...

Do it, Rashika! Do it! :)

Rachel said...

That's a good point, Melissa. I'm eager for the romance to develop, but the story is really good even without it. And thanks! :)

Rachel said...

I think you'd love this Atticus as well, Andrea. Thank you! :)

Rachel said...

Oh, I do love flirting and a slow building romance! I have the second one ready to go on my iPhone so I can't wait to continue with the series.

Rachel said...

Then you might like this one, Melanie. No romance to speak of. Thank you! :)

Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings said...

Yeah glad to see you finally took the plunge. Luke Daniels is just amazing isn't he? I can't read this series because I am accustomed to Luke. There is a romance in the works but it doesn't come along until book five I think.... you must be patient grasshopper. In the meantime just enjoy the fun.

Tanja - Tanychy said...

Now girl this sounds like something I'd totally enjoy. I love fantasy and the author's writing sound so good. How come I haven't heard of this book before. I'm mostly glad you enjoyed something that isn't your genre so to say. I do like romance but it's not necessary for me. Great review, Rachel :)

Henrietta @ Leisure Reads said...

Earth magic and mythology - count me in! And it's 8 hours only? That's not too lengthy - awesome! I'll have to check this one out. Thanks for sharing!

Wendy Darling said...

I've heard so many good things about this series, but still haven't gotten around to it yet! Partially because I'd heard there wasn't much of a romance in it, and I enjoy romance in my adult UF. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it despite that, though--and I think, I think I heard there's more of a romance in the later books. Maybe.

Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

Anonymous said...

It sucks to hear that there's no romance at all, but Atticus O'Sullivan sounds like the type of character I would enjoy reading. Nice review Rachel! :D

Lauren @ Love is not a triangle said...

I've heard such great things about this series. And I believe that it's about 7 books long right now and there is a romance. YAY! I know this will sound totally sexist, but I can sometimes handle no romance better when the protagonist is a guy. Maybe because I imagine myself in the romance? In any case, I hope to meet Atticus some day. The lore and action sound fun.

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