Tricked by Kevin Hearne

Tricked (The Iron Druid Chronicles, #4)

by Kevin Hearne

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In the fourth novel of the Iron Druid Chronicles, two-thousand-year-old Druid Atticus O’Sullivan must pay his debts to cunning trickster god Coyote, a task that includes battling undead creatures of the night as well as a relentless hound of Hel and the goddess of death who commands it.

“[Kevin] Hearne is a terrific storyteller with a great snarky wit. . . . Neil Gaiman’s American Gods meets Jim Butcher’s Harry Dresden.”—SFFWorld

Cutting a deal with a trickster god rarely goes well for any human brave or foolish enough to try it, but Atticus doesn’t feel like he has a choice. With members of the Norse pantheon out for his blood, he can’t train his apprentice in peace, so he asks Coyote to help him fake his own death. The cost, however, might wind up being every bit as high as if he’d made no deal at all.

There are things hiding in the Arizona desert that don’t want any company, and Coyote makes sure they know Atticus has arrived. And then there's the hound of Hel, Garm, who’s terribly difficult to shake and not at all convinced that Atticus is dead.

Being tricked by a trickster is par for the course. But it’s the betrayal from someone he thought was a friend that shakes Atticus to the core and places his life in jeopardy. The real trick, he discovers, might be surviving his own faked death.

Includes Kevin Hearne’s novella “Two Ravens and One Crow” 

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

Reviewed by kimbacaffeinate on

4 of 5 stars

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Hammered was brutal and Tricked has our favorite druid cutting ties to his previous home and name thanks to a slew of ancient gods wanting him dead. After Coyote helps him, he is indebted to him and finds himself on an Arizona reservation with Oberon and his apprentice Granuaile.

Coyote is an interesting character and one I have encountered in other novels. He is immortal, and a known trickster. Hearne kept me guessing about his true intentions. This kept me on edge and I wavered back and forth in worrying about Atticus.  Thanks to a warning from the Morrigan, Atticus keeps a close eye on Coyote too but even he is unsure.

What I loved most about Tricked was the depth the author brought to Atticus. Despite his intelligence, kickassery, and magical knowledge we really catch a glimpse of what it truly means to be over two thousand years old. I felt Atticus's weariness at starting over and felt some sarcastic undertones particularly with some associates/friends. His love for Oberon and life, earth and those close to him, not to mention the weight of responsibility he feels all endeared me to him further.

Despite some protests, the relationship between Atticus and Granuaile intrigues me. We do see some attraction and the foundation for a possible romance, but as I have said before, it isn't a necessary component in urban fantasy for me.

Skinwalkers, Hell, and vampires provided the action scenes and storyline in Tricked. Hearne is a masterful storyteller and I loved the details and worldbuilding he brought to the story. I held my breath each time we faced a battle and one, in particular, left me quite upset. The final encounter with the skinwalkers offered squeamish moments, quick thinking and hilarious moments even as I thanked the Nore Gods I wasn't Atticus. Eep!

Luke Daniels continues to narrate and is such a joy to listen to. He is fast becoming one of my favorites! This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 27 December, 2017: Finished reading
  • 27 December, 2017: Reviewed