Hounded (Iron Druid Chronicles Series #1)

New Favorite Series

Other reviewers have given good synopses, so I'll skip that bit and go straight to the subjectivity: this book was FANTASTIC. Fast-paced, laugh-out-loud funny, well plotted and peopled with interesting characters. Our hero, Atticus, is not perfect, which only makes him more likeable. Hearne knows his mythology and builds a rich world around it.

There are some secondary characters I'd like to know a lot more about, but with two more books coming and the promise of more, that will probably come in time. The author has set himself up with a lot of material to work into future stories, and I for one can't wait!

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

If you're are fan of Jim Butcher check this out

I thought this was a great fun urban fanstasy novel. It reminded a great deal of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files, in a good way. I also though that using Irish mythology was a refreshing change from the typical vampire/werewolf centered stories (though both appear in the book they are not the focus). I read through all three books in the series in a few days and I look forward to the fourth comming out in the spring.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Grab your shorts it is a fast fun freaky ride

I love Hounded. No seriously it is fantastic. Inside this book is a progressing storyline that leave you never a dull minute, is a masterpiece. There is enough fabulous snark that you could stir it with a stick, and moody plotting characters that pop in and out of the story all of the time.
Poor Atticus (no wealthy kick arse really) just wants some down time after two thousand years to sit back, brew at his tea shop, sell at his bookshop and hunt with his wolfhound. Is that too much for a guy to ask for, it might be when you are packing a hot sword lifted from a bygone war.
Hounded will keep you reading and enthralled in its characters. I am so happy that a book per month with be released so there is no year wait between books.
Want a great new fresh read that packs a punch, then get Hounded and you wont be left unsatisfied.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Very Funny, Adventurous Book

Excellent beginning to a cool series. Nice take on Celtic mythology, with lots of humor, and quite a bit of action. Celtic gods and witches figure prominently throughout the book, as well as werewolves and a very distinguished vampire. I laughed quite frequently at Oberon, Atticus' dog (Atticus is the main character in the series); Oberon was my favorite character.

Read the series: Hounded, Hexed, and Hammered. You'll enjoy it!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

I read this book right after reading all the Dresden books I cou

I read this book right after reading all the Dresden books I could get my hands on. To be fair to this series, it isn't Dresden, but I found so many similarities it almost seemed like fanfic in the Dresden universe. Butcher by no means has a lock on urban fantasy, nor is he the first. Hearne's concept should be able to stand alone, but it has a bit of a 'me too!' flavor to it.

But that said, it is still good, a quick, light-hearted read. The main character is tough to the point of almost being omnipotent, which wears thin. The secondary characters with the exception of the dog are fairly flat and wooden. But I'm willing to suspend this because it is 1st person and Atticus may just be an arrogant guy who doesn't notice much beyond cleavage.

I'll give the second book a try, and give this series a chance to hit it's stride. But if you love Dresden, make sure there's some distance between the two series before starting this one, then you can enjoy it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

What a fun read!

This was one of the most enjoyable fantasy romps I've read in a long time. Fast paced, the right amount of humor and action and some great characters, especially the dog!

You've got to give this a read if you enjoy the genere, and the modern setting adds to it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Fabulous & Fun!

Fabulous and fun, lot's of action...a supernatural twist mixed with Irish mythology that makes it different from all the other paranormal books out there, which tend to be indistinguishable. Loved it and already to start book 2.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Atticus O'Sullian maybe quiet "dude" until you mess with his dog!

Enter a little town in Arizona U.S.A. and peruse the mystic book and tea shop in town. Look for lite readings on Buddism, Taoism, Wiccan and have a Invigo-tea mixed up especially by the "Dude" Atticus. He's sports some cool tattos and his life is easy with his Irish wolfhound. Just don't assume this guy is another bygone of limp intellect of some college youth lest the ground literally "opens up to swallow you. " Atticas is friendly with more than the old Irish lass on the street; his vampire lawyer or his werewolf friends may serve you a"summons. " HA HA HA!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

bookittyblog

Hounded was interesting but difficult to get into. I didn't know much about the plot of the book before reading it and I think that's why I was lost (I always do a mini research of the book I'm about to read). This book is mostly about Celtic Mythology and I know nothing about it. After a few chapters and some time I started to get into the book and it kept getting better.

With the help of Wikipedia and the Internet I finished Hounded. I recommend this book if you are into Celtic Mythology or if you like a challenge and learn new stuff. Hounded is a really good book and has awesome characters.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Hounded has catapulted itself to be my new favorite book.

Kevin Hearne's brilliance shines in his debut publication, Hounded, an epic novel that encompasses modern day life with Norse and Irish mythology. His humor is unlike anything I have read and I found myself wishing I could be friends with Atticus. I enjoyed that while reading this book I learned about Druid magic (Which I wouldn't mind wielding). I also appreciated the dictionary Hearne provided at the beginning of the book so that I could understand the Irish pronunciation better.


Oberon the loveable Irish Wolfhound gained my loyalty and affection with his one track poodle obsessed mind and smart alec humor. Hearne has written the voice of a dog so perfectly I ended up staring at my own Labrador Retriever trying to read her thoughts. Alas, it did not happen, but I did have sudden and serious craving for sausages.


Atticus O'Sullivan embraces all aspects of shifters that I love while maintaining self preservation and honor. He is clever and made me laugh-out-loud several times throughout the book. He interacts with the other characters of the book very well and brings out the cantankerous side of his werewolf buddy. The dialogue is smooth and believable. The assortment of diverse characters leaves many possibilities for future novels.


Would I read this book again? Absolutely, I will also be getting it in Audiobook too. I know that my husband will appreciate this book - especially being written from a mans point of view. (Swords, fighting and a faithful dog - a guys guy will enjoy this book)


The suspense was so intense that I carried this book with me everywhere I went just in case I got an extra minute to read. When I finished it, I immediately wanted to read it again. Hounded has catapulted itself to be my new favorite book. I would recommend Hounded to anyone that enjoys paranormal and urban fantasy series.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Loads of fun

What a wonderful read. Druids and wolfhounds and gods Oh my!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great tweak on urban paranormal

This book kept me glued to my Nook! Charming relationship between a Druid and his dog playing out with a worldwide pantheon of gods and goddesses. Cannot wait for the new release!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A perfect urban fantasy

Atticus O'Sullivan the Druid has lived for over two millennia and in that time he has made friends like Van Gogh and Galileo but also has alienated essences who want him dead. Some are extremely powerful, but perhaps his most persistent and strongest enemy is the Celtic God Aenghus Og. The Druid stole a magic sword from the God who vowed to hunt him down, kill him, and retrieve the sword. Over the centuries, Og has located Atticus, but his attempts to kill his adversary have failed.

O'Sullivan plays soccer while he also owns and operates Third Eye Books and Herbs store (hiding his Celtic heritage behind eastern beliefs) in Tempe Arizona. He has kept a low profile so that his sworn foes will not easily find him. Og locates him again and sends his nastiest minion to take care of him with instructions not to come back alive without his sword and O'Sullivan's corpse. The Druid's faithful Irish wolfhound Oberon is acceptable collateral damage.

This is a super urban fantasy in which the Hearne's mythos comes across as possible due to reasonable explanations interwoven into the fast-paced plot. Readers rather quickly anticipate an OK Corral showdown between the Druid and the God once Og locates the rodent who desiccated his deity. Sub-genre fans will appreciate Kevin Hearne's humorous tale of the "Mouse That Roared" against the superpower.

Harriet Klausner

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Witty, Fast-Paced Urban Fantasy Adventure

I was lucky enough to be able to read this book as an ARE (Advanced Reader Edition), and I highly recommend it as both a fast-paced urban fantasy adventure and a witty, snarky look at modern life through the eyes of a 2100 year-old druid. The basic setup is that Atticus, the only druid from ancient Ireland still living and the sole possessor of the knowledge of druid magic, is hiding out in Tempe, Arizona from the pantheon of old Irish gods. Half of the gods want to kill him (he made enemies by stealing Fragarach from the alpha male head honcho a long time ago and has been on the run ever since) and the other half want to use him as a pawn in their political struggles and learn the secrets of his power and his near immunity to magic. As the story begins, his whereabouts are uncovered - but instead of running, Atticus chooses to stand and fight. So begins what is promised to be a trilogy of adventure stories pitting Atticus against deities, witches, demons, and more. The world, where the old gods have power proportional to the strength of their followers' beliefs, and where gods can appear in human-like form and expose themselves to mortal danger, is reminiscent of the world Neil Gaiman created in American Gods and Anansi Boys. However, Hearne has forged something really special here - a page-turning romp that is as full of action and suspense as it is humor and wit. You'll read the entire book in one sitting as the time flies by and be left thirsty for the next installment. I hope Hearne is a fast writer, because I can't wait for the rest of the series.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Story is probably a four star but

I love the interaction between druid and hound so that makes it a five.

Fantastic!!!

Fantastic!!!

Celtic mythology based urban fantasy with druid protaganist

This first in a series is fast paced; definitely fun as Atticus has a wry and typically boyish sense of humor. I will definitely follow the rest of the adventures of the last living druid.

I love this as a new read - it was fun, well written, and light.

I love this as a new read - it was fun, well written, and light. I immediately bought the second book after buying the first.

4stars In a word fun – in capital letters. My personal fa

4stars
In a word fun – in capital letters. My personal favorite Oberon! The mythology seems a bit tangled but I’m willing try another book or so in the series to try to understand it better.

Don't overlook this gem - you must check it out!!

I am glad I stumbled upon this gem. I honestly do not know how I did, but I was looking for work that was of the quality of Jim Butcher, Brandon Sanderson, Patrick Rothfuss, and Brent Weeks. This book totally fit the bill! If you have not read any of the other authors I mentioned, then you should check them all out. :)