If you like urban fantasy, but are ready for something a little different; if you like humor mixed with action; and if you are ready for a man and dog team that will melt your heart.... read Hounded. Be prepared, go ahead and wishlist the next 2 in the series while you're at it.
Helpful Score: 3
I am enjoying this book. Atticus is great fun and I adore his Irish Wolfhound Oberon (the dogs comments and fantasies are a hoot to read). This book has all of the nods to our modern culture while introducing us to Celtic folklore.
There is an Irish pronunciation guide at the beginning of the book so you don't get lost with all the strange names. Atticus gave out information on each God and fae as he went along, so I never got lost about who was who.
I am still reading this book, but wanted to get it a quick review before it goes on sale. So far this is a great read, I'm about 1/2 way through. I can't wait to finish this one and will be on the lookout for the rest of the books.
There is an Irish pronunciation guide at the beginning of the book so you don't get lost with all the strange names. Atticus gave out information on each God and fae as he went along, so I never got lost about who was who.
I am still reading this book, but wanted to get it a quick review before it goes on sale. So far this is a great read, I'm about 1/2 way through. I can't wait to finish this one and will be on the lookout for the rest of the books.
Helpful Score: 2
No need for me to repeat comments made by other readers, so I'll just say that I really enjoyed reading this wonderful, irreverent story and can't wait to read the rest of the series (which I already have lined up and ready to go!)...
Helpful Score: 1
I picked a copy of the this book in audio book form from audible.com. It had been getting excellent reviews and sounded like a super fun read. I am so happy that I picked it up; it was an absolutely excellent urban fantasy. The audio book was very well done and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Since I listened to this, please excuse and misspellings of names/places.
Atticus O'Sullivan is a two-thousand year old druid who has survived so long through a combination of his own skill and wit and the protection of the death god, Morgan. Now one of his ancient enemies has caught up with him and Atticus has decided it's time to stop running and hiding and take care of this villain once and for all.
I liked this book from the first sentence. Seriously I listened to it for 5 minutes and was totally hooked. This book is incredibly well-written, creative, has an excellent plot and even has something else that makes it super-special...lots of fun and humor. Atticus permanently looks 21 but is actually 2100 years old. He has a wonderful sense of humor and loves to poke fun at things. Adding to this is his wolfhound Oberon who has a thing for French Poodles and, naturally, steak. The whole cast of gods, goddesses, werewolves, vampires, and faeries that populate this book are interesting and fun to read about.
That is not to say it is all about the fun. This book is incredibly well-written, the characters sound natural, the magic is well explained, and the plot is well-paced and intriguing. Hearne does a fantastic job of working in interesting mythology from a plethora of cultures and religions. I really enjoyed how this mythology was wound around Atticus's past and present.
Of course it is super cool that this book is about a kick-butt druid; I mean how many urban fantasies out there feature druids? That and the fact that Atticus's lawyer is literally a blood-sucking vampire adds a lot to the fun.
The book ends well, and starts up the next thread for the second book in the series Hexed (which I downloaded on audio book halfway through listening to this book).
Overall just an absolutely fantastic start to what I hope is a spectacular series. This is one of those rare books that makes urban fantasy super fun, yet remains intriguing and intelligent. Everything in this book is balanced perfectly humor, action, characters, mystery, plot...it pretty much has it all. If you love urban fantasy, especially fans of urban fantasy with a touch of humor like the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews or The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher, check this book out. If you would like to start reading urban fantasy and don't know what to start with...well start here! I am dying to read Hexed now and hope that this series continues on strong.
Atticus O'Sullivan is a two-thousand year old druid who has survived so long through a combination of his own skill and wit and the protection of the death god, Morgan. Now one of his ancient enemies has caught up with him and Atticus has decided it's time to stop running and hiding and take care of this villain once and for all.
I liked this book from the first sentence. Seriously I listened to it for 5 minutes and was totally hooked. This book is incredibly well-written, creative, has an excellent plot and even has something else that makes it super-special...lots of fun and humor. Atticus permanently looks 21 but is actually 2100 years old. He has a wonderful sense of humor and loves to poke fun at things. Adding to this is his wolfhound Oberon who has a thing for French Poodles and, naturally, steak. The whole cast of gods, goddesses, werewolves, vampires, and faeries that populate this book are interesting and fun to read about.
That is not to say it is all about the fun. This book is incredibly well-written, the characters sound natural, the magic is well explained, and the plot is well-paced and intriguing. Hearne does a fantastic job of working in interesting mythology from a plethora of cultures and religions. I really enjoyed how this mythology was wound around Atticus's past and present.
Of course it is super cool that this book is about a kick-butt druid; I mean how many urban fantasies out there feature druids? That and the fact that Atticus's lawyer is literally a blood-sucking vampire adds a lot to the fun.
The book ends well, and starts up the next thread for the second book in the series Hexed (which I downloaded on audio book halfway through listening to this book).
Overall just an absolutely fantastic start to what I hope is a spectacular series. This is one of those rare books that makes urban fantasy super fun, yet remains intriguing and intelligent. Everything in this book is balanced perfectly humor, action, characters, mystery, plot...it pretty much has it all. If you love urban fantasy, especially fans of urban fantasy with a touch of humor like the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews or The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher, check this book out. If you would like to start reading urban fantasy and don't know what to start with...well start here! I am dying to read Hexed now and hope that this series continues on strong.
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed this book. I won't copy the summary, it is available above. Atticus the 2100 year old Druid had such a great relationship with his dog Oberon his Irish Wolfhound, I really enjoyed the interaction, it was one of the best man/dog combos I've read about in awhile. The humor he shows with the two of them is spot on and hilarious! I also really enjoyed the attention that Hearne paid to the fact that Atticus WAS 2100 years old even if he looked 21. He paid tribute to the effort that it would take for someone that age to fit into the 21st century and how some of the gods and goddesses that visited Atticus didn't bother. It made for excellent characters and believable world building. I am very much looking forward to the next books in the series!
Helpful Score: 1
A wonderful story.The characters are well developed and believable. I love Oberon,he is funny.I laughed out loud a few times. I loved everything about this book. Will read Hexed next.
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent beginning to a series. Atticus O'Sullivan is a 2000 yer old Druid in a 21 year old body. So begins a great adventure. The Celtic myths are well represented as are the gods and goddesses. Oberon, the Irish wolfhound, adds humor with his ability to "speak" to Atticus. Good adventure, great characters and wonderful imagery. 4.5 stars!
Helpful Score: 1
A recommend try for fans of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series; in my opinion the Iron Druid Chronicles are in the same style of writing, and vaguely of the same plot-type: humorous lead character dealing with a world of the supernatural. Perhaps a bit different in that the pool of mythology - highly recommended if you enjoy mythology for any culture! Often with laugh-out-loud jokes and it doesn't drag out in 'implied' drama, but keeps moving along. Possibly a few elements of exposition spread out, but I was so interested, it didn't bother me! Can't wait to read the next, and the next, etc!
This is the best fantasy book I have read for a while. Great characters, witty dialogue, and a talking dog. I'm a sucker for talking dogs.
I was disappointed. I discovered I don't really like a lot of comedy with my fantasy.
If you like Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden series, you must give the Iron Druid Chronicles a try. I really enjoyed Hounded and am immediately going out to get a copy of the next, Hexed.
Melissa B. (dragoneyes) -
I'm a late starter when it comes to this series. Glad I didn't just pass it up. This was so much fun! It had action, lots of humor, great characters! Can't wait to read book 2 now.
Julie G. (renegadespiritcat) reviewed Hounded (Iron Druid Chronicles, Bk 1) on + 198 more book reviews
Great easy read with colorful cast of characters well described and entertaining. I look forward to more reading in this series.
A fun fast read with two likable characters in Atticus and Oberon. I do have to say that Atticus is awfully childish for someone so old. You'd think he would have acquired a bit more gravitas by now. There's lots of action, lots of bad guys and shifting alliances; bodies fall like rain without getting into nasty gory details. Don't expect depth from any of these characters, or any exploration of the belief systems and so forth. It's light-hearted urban fantasy all the way,
Kristin K. (escapeartistk) -
This was a fun read.
I was a little worried at first, thinking the author had created one of those pretentious, smug narrators who seem to be trying to show off how smart they are (in other words, a thin guise for the author, who seems to take himself a little too seriously). However, the voice of Hearne's protagonist works, at least for me. The allusions aren't obscure or nerdy, and they fit the story and character; one would expect a 2,000-year-old druid to know a few things. I enjoyed the occasional mix of Shakespearean speech (among others) with modern colloquialisms, and I could even overlook what had to be some authorial vicarious wish-fulfillment when goddesses (literally and figuratively) throw themselves at this 2000-year-old-in-the-body-of-a-21-year-old male. It is fantasy, after all.
I was a little worried at first, thinking the author had created one of those pretentious, smug narrators who seem to be trying to show off how smart they are (in other words, a thin guise for the author, who seems to take himself a little too seriously). However, the voice of Hearne's protagonist works, at least for me. The allusions aren't obscure or nerdy, and they fit the story and character; one would expect a 2,000-year-old druid to know a few things. I enjoyed the occasional mix of Shakespearean speech (among others) with modern colloquialisms, and I could even overlook what had to be some authorial vicarious wish-fulfillment when goddesses (literally and figuratively) throw themselves at this 2000-year-old-in-the-body-of-a-21-year-old male. It is fantasy, after all.
Kristin K. (escapeartistk) -
This was a fun read.
I was a little worried at first, thinking the author had created one of those pretentious, smug narrators who seem to be trying to show off how smart they are (in other words, a thin guise for the author, who seems to take himself a little too seriously). However, the voice of Hearne's protagonist works, at least for me. The allusions aren't obscure or nerdy, and they fit the story and character; one would expect a 2,000-year-old druid to know a few things. I enjoyed the occasional mix of Shakespearean speech (among others) with modern colloquialisms, and I could even overlook what had to be some authorial vicarious wish-fulfillment when goddesses (literally and figuratively) throw themselves at this 2000-year-old-in-the-body-of-a-21-year-old male. It is fantasy, after all.
I was a little worried at first, thinking the author had created one of those pretentious, smug narrators who seem to be trying to show off how smart they are (in other words, a thin guise for the author, who seems to take himself a little too seriously). However, the voice of Hearne's protagonist works, at least for me. The allusions aren't obscure or nerdy, and they fit the story and character; one would expect a 2,000-year-old druid to know a few things. I enjoyed the occasional mix of Shakespearean speech (among others) with modern colloquialisms, and I could even overlook what had to be some authorial vicarious wish-fulfillment when goddesses (literally and figuratively) throw themselves at this 2000-year-old-in-the-body-of-a-21-year-old male. It is fantasy, after all.
