Beth C.
Written on Aug 6, 2018
***OVER A MILLION COPIES OF THE IRON DRUID BOOKS SOLD***
'American Gods meets Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden' SFF World
Kevin Hearne creates the ultimate Atticus O'Sullivan adventure in the grand finale of the New York Times bestselling Iron Druid Chronicles.
Unchained from fate, the Norse gods Loki and Hel are ready to unleash Ragnarok, a.k.a. the Apocalypse, upon the earth. With a whole host of dark allies on their side, there's a globe-spanning battle on the cards - one which Druid Atticus O'Sullivan will be hard-pressed to survive, much less win.
Atticus must recruit the aid of an Indian witch and a trickster god in hopes that they'll give him just enough leverage to both save Gaia and see another sunrise. After all - if the world ends, who's going to make sure the hound Oberon gets his well-deserved snack?
Praise for the Iron Druid Chronicles:
'Atticus and his crew are a breath of fresh air! . . . I love, love, love this series' My Bookish Ways
'Entertaining, steeped in a ton of mythology, populated by awesome characters' Civilian Reader
'This is one series no fantasy fan should miss. Mystery, suspense, magic and mayhem' SciFiChick
The Iron Druid Chronicles
Hounded
Hexed
Hammered
Tricked
Trapped
Hunted
Shattered
Staked
Scourged
Besieged (short stories)
HAVE YOU TRIED...
Kevin Hearne's new adventure set in the world of the Iron Druid Chronicles, INK & SIGIL - described by Booklist as 'a new action-packed, enchantingly fun series' . . .
Kevin Hearne's epic fantasy novel A PLAGUE OF GIANTS - described by Delilah S. Dawson as 'a rare masterpiece that's both current and timeless . . . merging the fantasy bones of Tolkien and Rothfuss with a wide cast of characters who'll break your heart'. Out now!
- ISBN10 0356504476
- ISBN13 9780356504476
- Publish Date 3 April 2018
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint Orbit
- Edition Digital original
- Format eBook (EPUB)
- Pages 304
- Language English
Reviews
littleread1
Written on Apr 13, 2018
EBookObsessed
Written on Apr 11, 2018
When we pick up the first book of a new series, we both long for and dread that final book. We cannot wait to see how it all turns out. Yet to get that answer, we know we have to say good-bye to the characters we have grown to love. As a late-comer to the Iron Druid Chronicles, I had the pleasure of binging on this series and immersing myself for quite awhile in the world of the last living druid, Siodhachan “Atticus” O’Sullivan.
This 2,000 year old druid survived the purging of the druids by the Romans with stealth, his own creation of Immortali-Tea and it might have helped to have made a friend of the Morrigan, the Celtic Chooser of the Slain, who helped keep him safe. Atticus managed to duck the Romans since he was already hiding from the Celtic God of Love, Aenghus Óg. All for stealing his magical sword called Fragarach. This series begins when Aenghus Óg finally locates Atticus where he has been hiding in Tempe, Arizona for a decade. It was after this confrontation that Atticus decides he has had enough of hiding, but it was a decision that changed his life completely and unfortunately, tripped him into the path of many unhappy gods from just about every Pantheon. It seemed each time he extricated himself from a situation, he pissed off another god. In the various stories, Atticus has had to confront witch and vampires. He crosses the God Bacchus, thereby bringing the Olympians into the fracus, and that was just the beginning.
Hammered was a turning point in the series and Atticus’s destiny was forever changed when he snuck into Valhalla with Leif Helgarson and a few others to get vengence on that asshat, Thor. But when he climbs the world tree into Valhalla, Atticus finds the Norn waiting for him…and he might have had to kill them (accidently?) in order to keep his arrival a secret, except killing the Norn (who predicted Ragnarok), as well as a few other Norse gods who were prophesized to protect the world from Loki, has started the countdown and has also thrown the old prophecy out the window. The only reason Odin doesn’t kill Atticus is because Odin now needs him to fight with the Norse gods against Loki.
Not everyone hates Atticus, just the fae, and the Olymipians, and the Norse, and the vampires and…well, you get it. Along the way we have met Atticus’s trusty Irish wolfhound, Oberon and thanks again to Immortali-Tea, Oberon has been Atticus’s trusty companion for over thirty years and they have enjoyed story-telling, pop-culture and various meats and gravies through the years. They have even had a few mysteries to solve along the way.
Atticus also took on an apprentice after centuries of being the last druid and trained Granuaile McTiernan the way of the druid. She has become a warrior in her own right and has fought and learned by Atticus’s side against the growing dangers.
And as the master was once the student, we eventually see the return of Atticus’s Arch Druid, Eoghan O’Cinneide (now Owen Kennedy) who has much to learn about these modern times from his former student, and he too is training a new generation of druid.
Narrator Luke Daniels once again does another amazing job at presenting the story and bringing the characters to life. I have become as much a fan of his as author Kevin Hearne.
And no, I am not planning to discuss Scourged with you. This is the last book of the series and the final battle has begun. Fans of the IDC would not be happy if I gave away any details of this story. And if you haven’t tried The Iron Druid Chronicles, then pick up a copy of Hounded and email me when you catch up if you wish to discuss it.
I will tell you that we will see the return of many favorite characters from prior stories who will come and join the fight, some of whom we will lose and some we will not. And some who sacrifice themselves for the survival of the world. I loved it and I hated it. I laughed and I cried. And I will very much miss the stories of Atticus O’Sullivan and his faithful hound, Oberon.
see more at EBookObsessed.com
Melanie
Written on Apr 9, 2018
4.5 stars
Where to begin with this review? I was late to the Iron Druid party. I just picked up Hounded back 2016, but I flew through the books until I got caught up. Now, I’m at the last book in the series. I started this book with lots of anticipation and dread. Anticipation because I love Atticus, Oberon, Granuaile and Owen. Dread because I don’t want the story to end, but alas, all good things must come to an end.
This story starts off with Oberon (at least if you’re listening) to doing a recap of where we’ve been since the beginning of the series. So much as happened to Atticus and the gang. There are things that Atticus has done that he knows he’s going to have to pay for. Mostly, when he killed the Norns and brought about Ragnarok. It is time for him to pay the piper.
So mostly, this story is about Atticus trying to fight Loki and prevent the end of the world. I don’t want to go into this plot because, spoilers. Let’s just say there is a large battle and leave it at that.
We get to catch up with most of the characters from the series. We don’t really see any of the pack, except Greta with Owen. But we see most everyone else, include Leif, Lacksha, Brigit, Flidas, Manannan mac Lir, The Morigan, and The Sisters of the Three Auroras. Oh, and Orla had her puppies.
One of the things I loved about this was the dogs, as always. Oberon is one of my all-time favorite characters. I’m so happy to hear that we will get at least one more Meaty Mysteries story (and I’m praying to all the gods from the Iron Druids series, that we will get more than one). I really liked Starbuck, who is still struggling to learn to speak.
“Yes, food!”
“Good human”
There are new additions to this series too. My favorite is SloMo the sloth. She befriends Owen, who she calls Oak Druid. She was truly a character that made me smile. I kept picturing the sloths from Zootopia as Luke Daniels voiced her.
This was a tough ending. It isn’t all happy ever after, but I don’t think it is all bad either. Things happen to several characters than change the course of their lives. I thought the ending was fitting, even if it made me sad. I wish all these characters to have happy lives from here on out. I will miss them all. I’m sure I will start the series over again one day from the beginning.
Narration
Luke Daniels again nailed the narration. Great male and female characters. Perfect accents. The voices of the dogs and SloMo the sloth are great. He is one of the all-time greats. If you don’t listen to this series, you’re really missing out. I can’t recommend this series on audio enough.
**I like to thank the publisher for providing me with a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
kimbacaffeinate
Written on Apr 4, 2018
- Granuaile is sent to Taiwan to fight against the Yama Kings alongside immortals Sun Wukong and Erlang Shen. Before the battle, she gets some training, advice, and tea. I enjoyed the time spent with the immortals but things happen that will alter Granuaile's course. While I haven't always been warm and fuzzy towards Granuaile, I understood her motives.
- Owen...OMG, the man is a such a hoot. While Owen certainly faces danger, time spent with him had me laughing aloud. There will be fires, humor and a sloth. The conversation about Jack Shite was brilliant. I want a spin-off series with Owen and I want it now!
- Atticus's thread is the darkest as he and those who aid him face the Norse gods Loki and Hel, at the heart of Ragnarok. The Gods, the Fae and more gather for the great battle. The battle was intense and we suffer loses. As the series has eluded to it is also time for Atticus to face his reckoning. I held my breath, I shed a tear and hung my head.
Hearne provided us with cameo appearances from characters throughout the series, like Jesus, Coyote, the Morrigan, and the Monkey King. Loose ends like favors owed and more are answered.
Oberon does make an appearance here or there along with Orlaith and Starbuck but none of the Druids took them into battle. However, I loved the little updates about them, the pups and gravy talk. The story comes with three epilogues. Hearne gave us some closure while still leaving the door open to revisit any one of these characters. A brilliant and fitting end to this beloved series. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Linda
Written on Mar 10, 2013
The Ragnarok battle was well done, and I loved how Atticus fought, even when he thought he might not survive. I did not enjoy what came to him after that. At all.