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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
This book is [b:American Gods|30165203|American Gods|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1462924585s/30165203.jpg|1970226] on steroids. 21-century old druid lives in a small town in the modern USA. There are a lot of magic and spiritual creatures from fey to succubi to demons and gods. It seems that the author assumed that if a Celtic god in his story is good then ten gods increases its goodness tenfold. It is not so.
Another thing this novel reminds me of is superhero comics. Don’t get me wrong, I like comics, but the comics series often have that flaw that each story should be bigger than life and jump right into next one even bigger. The narrative of this novel is similar – fight fey, meet god, talk with vampire, deal with witch, fight god, etc., etc. I think too many magical creatures and gods make it too flashy. There are a lot of jokes and good dialogues but like popcorn – it may be nice to read but in can replace your everyday food.
Another thing this novel reminds me of is superhero comics. Don’t get me wrong, I like comics, but the comics series often have that flaw that each story should be bigger than life and jump right into next one even bigger. The narrative of this novel is similar – fight fey, meet god, talk with vampire, deal with witch, fight god, etc., etc. I think too many magical creatures and gods make it too flashy. There are a lot of jokes and good dialogues but like popcorn – it may be nice to read but in can replace your everyday food.
OK. . . soooo this book was fucking awesome THE END! But seriously I saw the third book in the series and was curious and the next day found the first and just completely devoured this book! It is fricking amazing I love mythology and you can't find many with Celtic gods and goddesses let alone a bad ass 2000 year old Druid who is FINE AS ALL HELL! Cough, cough sorry lost control for a second, BUT anyway the book is fast paced, exciting, and funny as hell. My favorite characters are Oberon and Mrs. MacDonagh but there are also a werewolf pact who's alpha is a lawyer with a vampire partner, and I can go on and on. But my favorite part of this book is that this is an adult paranormal fiction book WITHOUT ROMANCE! Seriously hate when a good plot is ruined when a relationship is made the main priority and the serious action/danger is pushed backstage and quietly killed. In all, READ THIS BOOK!
This is my third time reading this book and it's still just as amazing! PLEASE READ!
Slight, but very, very, very fun. Fast-paced, sardonic genre fantasy that falls squarely in the Dresden ouvre: any fans of Jim Butcher will love this. The voice is strong and the villains interesting, though the sidekicks are not as complex as they could be, and the hero is a little too perfect and powerful to be 100% compelling. Nevertheless, this has a lot to offer fantasy fans and I recommend.
In his debut novel and the first novel of his Iron Druid Chronicles series, Hounded, Kevin Hearne introduces the reader to a 2000 year old Druid who has had to fight every day to live for those 2000 years and now he is fighting during our time:
Atticus O'Sullivan, is last of the Druids and he has decided to reside in Arizona running an occult bookshop and spending his time between the pub and hunting with his Irish wolfhound Oberon (who Atticus has a special ability to talk to). However, the peace in Atticus' life is about to be interrupted when an angry Celtic God has tracked him down and his minions have failed to relive Atticus of a sword that he believes is rightfully his. Nothing is ever simple with Gods who have centuries to plan and build alliances. Atticus is going to need all his power and hope that his allies will stick with him to help him survive, but one can never fully trust Gods and they never battle on their world but ours, so the bloodshed is about to begin.
I loved loved loved this book, I do not think I can express enough how much I enjoyed this book. It had all the elements that I am looking for in an Urban Fantasy series. I have never read a book about a Druid before, so even before I picked the book up I was intrigued about the concept and Hearne did not let me down. I love just reading something new, it is extremely refreshing as the Urban Fantasy can (and has become) an over saturated genre where every book follows the same guidelines.
I really liked Atticus from his ability with druid magic and the sword to helping out an old Irish lady with mowing her lawn, there is hard to find fault in Atticus' character. I also find the druid aspect extremely interesting. I do not think that I have encountered a Druid in any of the other books that I have read in the UF/PN/F books that I have read. I did know that Druid "magic" or "powers" do come from the Earth and Hearne stays true to this concept as well as the use of runes. It was really interesting seeing them expressed in this book, just a really cool concept that I really enjoyed.
I know some people who have complained that Atticus is 2000 years old but acts like a teenager, but I actually think this is more realistic than you think. Just think of all the other Gods portrayed in this book and even in myth that even though they can "live" forever, they still get mad about fickle things and act like children or teenagers to resolve them, instead of talking about it like adults. Plus Atticus is trying to blend into the age of the day, so lets just go with he is doing a good job at it.
Not having a background in mystical gods from around the world and from different places in time, following all the different Gods that Hearne introduces can be confusing at time, but I was able to work through who was alined with who and why and why some Gods had disputes with others. However, I will say I learned about a few Gods that I have never heard about before.
I liked the comic relief that Oberon provided and really who doesn't love a dog that can speak (well kind of), and he does became an integral part of the story. I like the team aspect that Oberon and Atticus have that it is much more owner and dog.
Interesting concept, something unique and some very cool action scenes what more could a reader ask for. Love it all. Cannot wait to get my hands on the next book. It took me way too long to start this series, if you have this book on your TBR shelf you should pick it up and start reading it....like now :)
Enjoy!!!
Atticus O'Sullivan, is last of the Druids and he has decided to reside in Arizona running an occult bookshop and spending his time between the pub and hunting with his Irish wolfhound Oberon (who Atticus has a special ability to talk to). However, the peace in Atticus' life is about to be interrupted when an angry Celtic God has tracked him down and his minions have failed to relive Atticus of a sword that he believes is rightfully his. Nothing is ever simple with Gods who have centuries to plan and build alliances. Atticus is going to need all his power and hope that his allies will stick with him to help him survive, but one can never fully trust Gods and they never battle on their world but ours, so the bloodshed is about to begin.
I loved loved loved this book, I do not think I can express enough how much I enjoyed this book. It had all the elements that I am looking for in an Urban Fantasy series. I have never read a book about a Druid before, so even before I picked the book up I was intrigued about the concept and Hearne did not let me down. I love just reading something new, it is extremely refreshing as the Urban Fantasy can (and has become) an over saturated genre where every book follows the same guidelines.
I really liked Atticus from his ability with druid magic and the sword to helping out an old Irish lady with mowing her lawn, there is hard to find fault in Atticus' character. I also find the druid aspect extremely interesting. I do not think that I have encountered a Druid in any of the other books that I have read in the UF/PN/F books that I have read. I did know that Druid "magic" or "powers" do come from the Earth and Hearne stays true to this concept as well as the use of runes. It was really interesting seeing them expressed in this book, just a really cool concept that I really enjoyed.
I know some people who have complained that Atticus is 2000 years old but acts like a teenager, but I actually think this is more realistic than you think. Just think of all the other Gods portrayed in this book and even in myth that even though they can "live" forever, they still get mad about fickle things and act like children or teenagers to resolve them, instead of talking about it like adults. Plus Atticus is trying to blend into the age of the day, so lets just go with he is doing a good job at it.
Not having a background in mystical gods from around the world and from different places in time, following all the different Gods that Hearne introduces can be confusing at time, but I was able to work through who was alined with who and why and why some Gods had disputes with others. However, I will say I learned about a few Gods that I have never heard about before.
I liked the comic relief that Oberon provided and really who doesn't love a dog that can speak (well kind of), and he does became an integral part of the story. I like the team aspect that Oberon and Atticus have that it is much more owner and dog.
Interesting concept, something unique and some very cool action scenes what more could a reader ask for. Love it all. Cannot wait to get my hands on the next book. It took me way too long to start this series, if you have this book on your TBR shelf you should pick it up and start reading it....like now :)
Enjoy!!!
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Murder
I would give this 3.5 stars. It had a lot to like about it -- fast paced, amusing, and a plethora of myths. It could get a bit silly, however, so only pick it up if you're in the mood for some fun.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated