Hounded by Kevin Hearne

Hounded (The Iron Druid Chronicles, #1)

by Kevin Hearne

The first novel in the New York Times bestselling Iron Druid Chronicles—the hilarious, action-packed tales of a two-thousand-year-old Druid pursued by ancient gods in the modern world

“A page-turning and often laugh-out-loud-funny caper through a mix of the modern and the mythic.”—Ari Marmell, author of The Warlord’s Legacy

Atticus O’Sullivan is the last of the ancient druids. He has been on the run for more than two thousand years and he’s tired of it. The Irish gods who want to kill him are after an enchanted sword he stole in a first-century battle, and when they find him managing an occult bookshop in Tempe, Arizona, Atticus doesn’t want to uproot his life again. He just wants everything to end one way or another, but preferably the way in which he can continue to enjoy fish and chips.

He does have some small hope of survival: The Morrigan, the Irish Chooser of the Slain, is on his side, and so is Brighid, First Among the Fae. His lawyer is literally a bloodsucking vampire, and he has a loyal Irish wolfhound with opinions about poodles.

But he’s facing down some mighty enemies: Aenghus Óg, a vengeful Irish god, plus a coven of witches and even the local police. On top of all that, Aenghus has a direct line to the firepower of hell. Atticus will need all the luck of the Irish and more if he’s going to stay alive.

Don’t miss any of The Iron Druid Chronicles:
HOUNDED | HEXED | HAMMERED | TRICKED | TRAPPED | HUNTED | SHATTERED | STAKED | SCOURGED | BESIEGED

Reviewed by Amanda on

4 of 5 stars

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Original review: http://onabookbender.com/2011/10/17/review-hounded-by-kevin-hearne/

It took only a few pages before I was hooked on Hounded, which has what my mother would probably term “smart humor” — the kind of humor that is subtle and witty, and though it might make you laugh out loud, you are more likely to spend the entire book with a wry smirk on your face. I would recommend Hounded based on its humor alone, but there are so many other aspects of Hounded that make it worth your while. The vast majority of urban fantasy that I have read thus far has been written by women and features a female main character. Hounded is not, and this difference makes it such a refreshing read. Between that and the inclusion of a Druid as the main character (which I have yet to see elsewhere), Kevin Hearne has managed to set himself apart in the UF genre.

Atticus is as cool as he is old. His character embodies the “I look 21 but am really 2,100″ vibe; Atticus has managed to adapt and blend into modern society while still retaining the wisdom that 2,100 years can bring. The remaining cast of characters are as charming as Atticus, albeit in their own way. As a dog lover, you know I loved Oberon (who wouldn’t want a dog you could communicate telepathically with?). Everyone else was superbly written, right down to the widow MacDonagh and Atticus’s employee Perry.

Hounded is light-hearted, witty, and full of action that should appeal to a wide range of readers. I am already looking forward to getting my hands on the next book in the series.

Originally read 9/6/2011 - 9/7/2011; reread in March 2012 for the Kiss Me, I'm Irish Read-Along

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 25 March, 2012: Finished reading
  • 25 March, 2012: Reviewed