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ajustice14's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.25
nadine_booklover's review against another edition
4.0
Solid, entertaining read. Like expected.
Although I was kind of irritated by the three different storylines and the character hopping with each chapter.
Although I was kind of irritated by the three different storylines and the character hopping with each chapter.
bambithebarbarian's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
4.0
itsfreelancer's review
4.0
First things first. It's good to be back. Both to reading and Goodreads.
Now for the review. Staked is book 8 of the Iron Druid Chronicles. If I had to classify it into a genre, it would probably be mythical/irish/nordic/urban fantasy. And still it wouldn't do complete justice. This guy is nuts. The story is nuts and yet you cannot just leave it unread. To give you an example, the druid in question is thousands if years old yet in his thirties (forties?) is waging a war with the vampires are in good terms with the werewolves, friends with the faes, cordial with the witches, hunted by the Olympians while trying to prevent Loki from starting Ragnarok and destroying Asgard. There's also the Roman Gods, the Russian gods, a particular Indian god who hates his guts and the dark elves of one of the nine realms of Asgard.
There's also a dog who is fond of bacon and has a funny sense of humour.
Coming to the book, I expected Staked to raise the stakes and it did. It also shoved stakes up a few vampire asses. (you see what I did?)
The writing is faced paced without dropping a notch and the comic timing is impeccable as ever. Not to mention that since the last book or two we have been getting 3 POVs which makes for some wonderful reading specially when you want to know in detail what the other characters are doing. Oberon (the dog) is the most appealing character as usual. He even has decided to have a surname. Oberon Snackworthy. Also, he has an actual twitter account which I actually checked out in between reading and sent him a tweet promising to feed him beef gravy if he ever visited India. The hound digs gravy.
There's also sadness in the book and times when I shed a few tears (which I didn't expect as this book is more funny than tragic. It's the sudden finality that caught me unawares or the mini dust storm in my room)
I really, really want you to read this series. The plot is completely ridiculous at times. One moment our druid fighting Zeus, the other moment he's in passionate throes with the Irish goddess of war while our Indian gods Indra and Ganesha spy on him from the skies and plot with Odin and Thor to bring him down. Not to mention his lawyers are werewolves and recent acquaintances with Kabbalish cults whos beards are sentient. Yes, you heard it. Sentient beards. Beards that can choke you if they feel like.
It's nuts. You'll love it.
Now for the review. Staked is book 8 of the Iron Druid Chronicles. If I had to classify it into a genre, it would probably be mythical/irish/nordic/urban fantasy. And still it wouldn't do complete justice. This guy is nuts. The story is nuts and yet you cannot just leave it unread. To give you an example, the druid in question is thousands if years old yet in his thirties (forties?) is waging a war with the vampires are in good terms with the werewolves, friends with the faes, cordial with the witches, hunted by the Olympians while trying to prevent Loki from starting Ragnarok and destroying Asgard. There's also the Roman Gods, the Russian gods, a particular Indian god who hates his guts and the dark elves of one of the nine realms of Asgard.
There's also a dog who is fond of bacon and has a funny sense of humour.
Coming to the book, I expected Staked to raise the stakes and it did. It also shoved stakes up a few vampire asses. (you see what I did?)
The writing is faced paced without dropping a notch and the comic timing is impeccable as ever. Not to mention that since the last book or two we have been getting 3 POVs which makes for some wonderful reading specially when you want to know in detail what the other characters are doing. Oberon (the dog) is the most appealing character as usual. He even has decided to have a surname. Oberon Snackworthy. Also, he has an actual twitter account which I actually checked out in between reading and sent him a tweet promising to feed him beef gravy if he ever visited India. The hound digs gravy.
There's also sadness in the book and times when I shed a few tears (which I didn't expect as this book is more funny than tragic. It's the sudden finality that caught me unawares or the mini dust storm in my room)
I really, really want you to read this series. The plot is completely ridiculous at times. One moment our druid fighting Zeus, the other moment he's in passionate throes with the Irish goddess of war while our Indian gods Indra and Ganesha spy on him from the skies and plot with Odin and Thor to bring him down. Not to mention his lawyers are werewolves and recent acquaintances with Kabbalish cults whos beards are sentient. Yes, you heard it. Sentient beards. Beards that can choke you if they feel like.
It's nuts. You'll love it.
katyanaish's review
4.0
I love Atticus. I love Oberon. I love most of the secondary characters.
But for the last couple books, I've had a major problem: I don't like Granuaile. I liked her until we started getting chapters from her POV. But her self-righteous, condescending inner monologue killed her for me. Silly Atticus, constantly getting into his petty fights... says the girl obsessed with payback against the stepfather who just didn't love her. *sigh*
I'm not saying her stepfather is a good guy - he's a Grade A douche - but the fact that she's virtually rolling her eyes at Atticus for wanting to kill the dude who attempted genocide on the Druids while she engages in her petty revenge fantasies against her stepfather made me hope she got killed. I can't take much more of her, and it would be a shame if she killed this series for me. The constant with Granuaile is: she's off doing stuff she wants to do for herself, while Atticus is off preventing war with the dark elves or preventing the vampires from wiping out the last Druids. But Granuaile, with her annoying inner prattle, talks about Atticus as if he is some big child who can't help himself, and has to keep running off to find trouble. No Granuaile. Despite your attempt to treat other, experienced Druids as if they have no idea what they should be doing with their power, Atticus and Owen are actually doing things that are larger than themselves and their own petty gratification.
I also don't get Atticus is taken for granted, by everyone around him, and I'm tired of it. We're 8 books in now, and it has become beyond tiresome.
Everything but Granuaile: 5 stars
Granuaile: -5 stars
But for the last couple books, I've had a major problem: I don't like Granuaile. I liked her until we started getting chapters from her POV. But her self-righteous, condescending inner monologue killed her for me. Silly Atticus, constantly getting into his petty fights... says the girl obsessed with payback against the stepfather who just didn't love her. *sigh*
I'm not saying her stepfather is a good guy - he's a Grade A douche - but the fact that she's virtually rolling her eyes at Atticus for wanting to kill the dude who attempted genocide on the Druids while she engages in her petty revenge fantasies against her stepfather made me hope she got killed. I can't take much more of her, and it would be a shame if she killed this series for me. The constant with Granuaile is: she's off doing stuff she wants to do for herself, while Atticus is off preventing war with the dark elves or preventing the vampires from wiping out the last Druids. But Granuaile, with her annoying inner prattle, talks about Atticus as if he is some big child who can't help himself, and has to keep running off to find trouble. No Granuaile. Despite your attempt to treat other, experienced Druids as if they have no idea what they should be doing with their power, Atticus and Owen are actually doing things that are larger than themselves and their own petty gratification.
I also don't get
Spoiler
Greta and Owen not realizing that Atticus or no Atticus, the vamps were coming for them. I mean, again, the vamp leader gave the order to WIPE OUT the Druids. And here they were starting a Druid school. You think you are only having a problem with that guy because of Atticus? No. Atticus might have sped things up a little, but either way, you were going to have vampires trying to take out your kiddies. So Greta, as well, can fuck off. This whole Druid school was her idea. I hope - I honestly hope - that some other shitty supernatural comes to rain on their parade in the next book, and Greta is forced to ask Atticus to help.Everything but Granuaile: 5 stars
Granuaile: -5 stars
amybraunauthor's review
4.0
Oh, how I missed Atticus and the gang! I love that the stories are told from 3 POV's now, since I adore hearing about Granuaile's adventures, and Owen is "fecking" hilarious. While Atticus' storyline had the most action, I liked Owen's story a lot more. It was so much fun to watch him realize that he can no longer look into the past to live in this world, and I'm really excited to see where his new story goes. I love Granuaile, but I felt her story was a little slower. The ending was sweet, and all in all, I'm thrilled to see where Atticus's adventures will take him. Bring on book 9!
sandygx260's review
2.0
I think this series is ready to fade away. I signed up for the bratty Druid. Sadly now he's a secondary character.
Why the lack of communication between characters? It makes no sense to the point of distraction.
I could go on listing my grievances, but I'd rather sleep.
Why the lack of communication between characters? It makes no sense to the point of distraction.
I could go on listing my grievances, but I'd rather sleep.
tallyhotel's review against another edition
5.0
Listened to the Audio, because Luke Daniels is amazing.
This book had a lot going on. I really enjoyed the separate story lines/threads. Owen has become a strong favorite of mine. Oberon has always been my favorite. :)
This book had a lot going on. I really enjoyed the separate story lines/threads. Owen has become a strong favorite of mine. Oberon has always been my favorite. :)