Linda
Written on Nov 1, 2018
"This hilarious and action-packed urban fantasy series is set in a modern world in which all the gods of every pantheon are alive and well, as in American Gods; its hero is a smart-mouthed, buttkicking magician, like Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden. But it's told in a smart, witty, unforgettable voice that's all Kevin Hearne--a rising star in the fantasy world. This addictive and wildly imaginative series stars hero Atticus O'Sullivan: a handsome, tattooed Irishman who looks like a young rock star, but is in actuality a 2,000-year-old Druid with extraordinary magic powers. In Shattered, Atticus and his apprentice Granuaile travel to India to battle an ancient plague-summoning demon...and meet an important person from Atticus's past!"--
- ISBN10 0345548485
- ISBN13 9780345548481
- Publish Date 17 June 2014 (first published 1 January 2014)
- Publish Status Remaindered
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Del Rey Books
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 332
- Language English
Reviews
kimbacaffeinate
Written on Jan 7, 2018
Hearne tells the story using three POV's delivered from Atticus, Granuaile, and Owen. While I enjoyed each storyline, Shattered, almost felt like three separate novellas. The transitions from POV to POV weren't quite as smooth as I would have liked, perhaps choppy is a better word.
Hearne brings us Yeti, flying foxes and hilarious moments in Shattered. For the first time, Granuaile is not by Atticus's side. Instead, she has Orliath, her trusted wolfhound with her. She is dealing with her own issues and facing down a demon in India. Her thread was intense, filled with sacrifice, pain, and danger. Granuaile for the first time annoyed me a little. I love our kickass druid, but it is quite clear she has some issues with her past.
Archdruid Owen's thread was hilarious as Atticus acclimates him to our present-day world. From the immortal tea scene to meeting the werewolves I laughed until there were tears. I loved the humor and seeing Owen adjust. Some of his comments were so truthful I burst out laughing. It was delightful seeing student and teacher together especially since their roles are reversed.
Meanwhile, Atticus is busy helping Owen but also searching to find out who amongst the Tuatha De Danann are plotting against him. This thread brings us answers, danger and upheaval.
While we didn't get as much of Oberon's voice as I would have liked, time spent with him and Orliath were humorous as we watched their friendship bloom and were treated to gravy talk. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
EBookObsessed
Written on Feb 12, 2017
We have already met Eoghan O’Cinneide (Anglicized as Owen Kennedy) several times throughout the series but he appears as musings from Atticus’s past usually saying “Don’t cock it up, Siodhachan.” Owen is Atticus’s archdruid and 2,000 years ago the Morrigan foresaw that Atticus would need Owen’s help in the future so she convinced Owen to allow her to put him on a time island in Tír na nóg. It wouldn’t have been hard to convince him since Owen was in his 70’s in a time when 70 was absolutely ancient and he was beginning to suffer the ravages of age. Realizing his days were numbered anyway, Owen agreed to go along with the Morrigan’s plan, which included him being removed from the island when the Morrigan died which would have appeared an unlikely event.
The student is now the teacher as Atticus has to teach Owen everything from English to the last 2000 years of history, including all that Atticus has learned since he was a young druid. Owen takes to some modern conveniences (indoor plumbing) better than others (what the frek is a cell phone). Atticus also introduces Owen to his Immorali-Tea and after more than a pot, Owen is returned to a man in his 40’s. Of course, as a little payback to his harsh taskmaster, Atticus neglects to mention that diuretic properties of just a cup of tea, let alone the whole pot — before he introduces Owen to indoor plumbing.
I introduced this series to a co-worker and every morning he would walk in with another great scene with Oberon, and each time I told him simply “you haven’t met Owen yet.” Then one morning he quotes Owen, and declared how much he loved Owen. I smiled because I knew he would. 🙂
This is the first story where Granuaille, who is now a full druid, and Atticus split up. While Atticus deals with Owen, Granuaille receives a call from Laksha Kulasekaran that her archaeologist father is in India and has been taken over by a demon spirit. The demon appears to be infecting the locals with a plague which is simply more demon possessions. Granuaille shifts to India to work with Laksha to free her father from the demon. As if fighting demons isn’t enough for the young druid, Loki takes the opportunity presented to mark Granuaille so he can divine her location back to Atticus. Now Granuaille must decide whether she stays away from Atticus or does she find a way to remove Loki’s mark.
In Hunted, Atticus becomes convinced that someone was helping the Diana and Artimus on their hunt for Atticus and Granuaille, and it looked like someone in Tír na nóg was working to take the druids out. He goes to Tír na nóg to find proof and finds much more than he bargained for including an all out war with the fae.
While I hate to see Granuaille and Atticus being split up, it kept the action going with more than one plot going. Owen is a great addition to the group bringing in the interesting fish out of water aspect but still bringing his decades of experience as a druid. Owen will also be introducing his wealth of experience to a new generation of druids.
After 2000 years of being the only druid, Atticus will now have a new family of druids to work with and continue the work.
This is such a great series and Owen is not a character to be missed.
Great works as always by narrator Luke Daniels in bringing this series to life.
malberto
Written on Jul 30, 2014
Each book makes me want to read even more about the rich universe that Hearne created.
Only slightly negative point (in my opinion) was the very small development in the large arch, sure some stuff was clarified but I felt that there was no development, anyways it's not a bad thing but definitely left a "where's the rest?" sensation.
Beth C.
Written on May 29, 2014
The more of this series I read, the more I come to appreciate the massive amounts of research and the deep respect for that learning that is evident in each book. Everything is woven in so seamlessly that it can be easy to overlook. For an author to create a world populated by just about every pantheon of Gods, and make it work so seamlessly (and with AWESOME stories) is truly a mark of talent. By the time a reader gets to book seven in almost any series, it's possible to see breakdowns - things that aren't as interesting any more, or where the main characters have changed to the point that they are no longer interesting. I'm so thrilled that this is not the case with these books.
And as a final note - if ever given the opportunity, I will have an Irish Wolfhound and I will name him Oberon. I will feed him bacon and sausage and laugh at the pithy things I will imagine he is saying to me. And my life will be immeasurably better.