83) Staked by Kevin Hearne

The Blurb :

When a druid has lived for two thousand years like Atticus, he's bound to run afoul of a few vampires. Make that legions of them. Even his former friend and legal counsel turned out to be a bloodsucking backstabber. Now the toothy troublemakers—led by power-mad pain-in-the-neck Theophilus—have become a huge problem requiring a solution. It's time to make a stand.

As always, Atticus wouldn't mind a little backup. But his allies have problems of their own. Ornery archdruid Owen Kennedy is having a wee bit of troll trouble: Turns out when you stiff a troll, it's not water under the bridge. Meanwhile, Granuaile is desperate to free herself of the Norse god Loki's mark and elude his powers of divination—a quest that will bring her face-to-face with several Slavic nightmares.

As Atticus globetrots to stop his nemesis Theophilus, the journey leads to Rome. What better place to end an immortal than the Eternal City? But poetic justice won't come without a price: In order to defeat Theophilus, Atticus may have to lose an old friend.

My Thoughts :

I remember when I started this series and I couldn't get enough of it.  I loved the Iron Druid Chronicles so much that I believe I even binge listened to them.  So when I got to the last installment that was available I waited for the next part and it was a really long wait.  I read somewhere that the next book was going to take a little longer than usual but waited patiently to hear something.  So imagine my surprise when I came across this new installment last week.  Totally by accident.  Amazon and Audible didn't even recommend it to me and it has been out since January!  I couldn't wait to listen to it.

Since the series started this have grown so much that the books started to be narrated by three different druids.  Now at first I forgot about this and when Granuaile took over it totally confused me and I have to start that chapter again.  However when I got back into this I remembered most of what happened in the previous books and caught up.  There was the same witty banter, fun characters and very magical storyline.  Everything was there that I expected and I enjoyed the book until the end.

However I have to say there were certain parts of the book that made me zone out a little.  The narrator is amazing but I am not one for fighting and action scenes and even though he does a great job bringing them to life I just couldn't keep up with that aspect of the story.  The rest was great but the battles and fights just kind of washed over me and I was only interested in the result.

Staked ended like it was the end of the series.  I haven't looked this up but despite enjoying the series a lot I wouldn't be too sad if this book was indeed the last installment.  It has been a hell of a ride but I feel like the druids need a break.  So much has happened and it is time for them to have some rest.

Great series, unusual and unique.  One that I would also re-read at some point but definitely one to listen to on audio.  Great narrator and well worth listening to.

76) Shattered by Kevin Hearne

The Blurb :

For nearly two thousand years, there was only one Druid left walking the Earth—Atticus O’Sullivan, the Iron Druid, whose sharp wit and sharp sword kept him alive while pursued by a pantheon of hostile deities. Now he’s got company.

Atticus’s apprentice Granuaile is at last a full Druid herself. What’s more, Atticus has defrosted an archdruid long ago frozen in time, a father figure (of sorts) who now goes by the modern equivalent of his old Irish name: Owen Kennedy.

And Owen has some catching up to do.

Atticus takes pleasure in the role reversal, as the student is now the teacher. Between busting Atticus’s chops and trying to fathom a cell phone, Owen must also learn English. For Atticus, the jury’s still out on whether the wily old coot will be an asset in the epic battle with Norse god Loki—or merely a pain in the arse.

But Atticus isn’t the only one with daddy issues. Granuaile faces a great challenge: to exorcise a sorcerer’s spirit that is possessing her father in India. Even with the help of the witch Laksha, Granuaile may be facing a crushing defeat.

As the trio of Druids deals with pestilence-spreading demons, bacon-loving yeti, fierce flying foxes, and frenzied Fae, they’re hoping that this time . . . three’s a charm.

My Thoughts :

The Iron Druid Chronicles is one of the best reading decisions I have made over the last year.  I read the first book in the series last July while on holiday and then proceeded to listen to the rest of the series via Audible until I was all caught up.  Now, like every other Iron Druid fan, I have to wait for a new release and luckily I didn't have to wait long for this seventh installment to come out and I had Shattered on pre-order over on Audible.

Why Audible?  There are some books/series that are just so well narrated that you have to follow them on Audio book.  This series is one of them.  The narrator does an amazing job and brings the books to life.  His different voices/accents for the characters are the best I have come across and he puts so much feeling and energy into the reading that you can tell he is really enjoying himself as well as the story.  So if you like Audio books I really suggest listening to this series.  You won't regret it!

Shattered is the seventh installment and some things are coming back to bite Atticus on the arse this time around.  Some of his decisions, events he has been involved with and general actions since the series started begin to mess things up a little.  All his good intentions cause some happenings that he will hate himself for and also have consequences that will need a few more books to unravel.  As the reader you see some pieces of the puzzle clicking together and thinking oh bugger.  The only consolation is that there are now three druids and two hounds for the enemies to deal with as things get even more interesting.

This time around you can expect to have the story told from three different perspectives.  In the beginning the story was only told by Atticus but in the last couple of books Granuaile has also taken the reins.  Now there is a third druid involved so there is a third person telling their tale and it makes for even better reading.  The new addition may take some getting used to at first but Owen's attitude and education are hilariously funny and I have to say Oberon has some serious competition in the laughs department!

I don't want to go into details regarding the plot and happenings because it may spoil things for people who haven't started the series or who haven't gotten this far yet.   What I will say is that there is no room for disappointment.  Action, twists, revelations, fighting, death and a huge dollop of Paranormal Urban fantasy are all cooked up in this book.  Like all the previous stories there isn't a boring minute or a confusing moment.  It all makes sense in the end and there is no denying how great it is.

Now I have to wait for the next part.  Hopefully it will come sooner rather than later because I have immersed myself in the series for a whole year and will miss my regular visit to the series.  I may even have to listen to them all again if it takes too long for the eight installment to make it onto my iPod.  For anyone who has been on the fence about starting this series...take the leap and kick yourself for not doing it earlier.  That's what happened to me and feel it is my duty to keep telling anyone who will listen that this is a must read series and a definite winner in my top reads of the last year.

↑ Grab this Headline Animator

31) Hunted by Kevin Hearne

The Blurb :

For a two-thousand-year-old Druid, Atticus O’Sullivan is a pretty fast runner. Good thing, because he’s being chased by not one but two goddesses of the hunt—Artemis and Diana—for messing with one of their own. Dodging their slings and arrows, Atticus, Granuaile, and his wolfhound Oberon are making a mad dash across modern-day Europe to seek help from a friend of the Tuatha Dé Danann. His usual magical option of shifting planes is blocked, so instead of playing hide-and-seek, the game plan is . . . run like hell.

Crashing the pantheon marathon is the Norse god Loki. Killing Atticus is the only loose end he needs to tie up before unleashing Ragnarok—AKA the Apocalypse. Atticus and Granuaile have to outfox the Olympians and contain the god of mischief if they want to go on living—and still have a world to live in.

My Thoughts :

Six books in and the story never ever gets boring.  This installment is the most dangerous and thrilling roller coaster ride and there are things that happen in Hunted that are complete game changers.  Right up to the very end of this book I just kept being shocked and amazed.  Death, pandemonium and additions to the druid family make this one more than a good read.  It was fantastic.

One of the highlights in this book is Granuaile taking over as narrator in a few chapters.  I hope this will become a regular occurrence because it is really nice to get a woman's perspective on things.  Also she is just an amazing character who has a huge part in the plot and needs to be heard.

The trek through Europe made things interesting.  Although at times I was eager for the party to take a break and just go solve a small minor problem somewhere without all the hassle.  It doesn't look like things will be settling down anytime soon but I hope that the additions to the family make things go a little slower and give Atticus, Granuaile and Oberon a chance to take a break.  It wasn't easy going for the druids, Oberon or the reader.  It was long but it certainly didn't get boring along the way.  Maybe just a little annoying.  The constant attacks, fighting and problems were something I was happy to see the back of.

I have to admit that sometimes there was so much to take in that I often found myself a little confused.  So many players and too many angles to look at made me want to take a break halfway through the book.  However I found that if I kept going it all made more sense as the story proceeded.  Atticus manages to Keep track of everything and has a knack for giving more information when it is needed.  Once you trust him to not leave you hanging high and dry you can keep up with his spectacular life.

Now I am all caught up with the series I now have to wait for the next installment.  This hasn't been the case so far because I didn't start this series that long ago.  Luckily I only have to wait till June and will definitely be pre-ordering the audio book when it is available.  The narrator is wonderful and does some amazing voices to fit the characters.  I don't think I could read this series now that I have been spoiled by the well made audio versions.

If you haven't tried this series yet then do!  You will kick yourself for not doing so earlier.  I know because I did exactly that!  Make sure you start at the beginning and check out the novellas in between.  Druids have never been cool until now and I am enjoying the journey a lot!  I have said it before and I will say it again....this series Rocks!

↑ Grab this Headline Animator

28) The Chapel Perilous by Kevin Hearne

The Blurb :


Ancient Druid Atticus O’Sullivan has had plenty of adventures during his long life, and in “The Chapel Perilous” he shares one of them with his apprentice, Granuaile. He lays out the true story of the quest for the Holy Grail, in which he was personally involved—and the events of which are quite different from the Christian tale most people know today.

My Thoughts :

This short story is #4.6 in the series but doesn't really have any impact on the series as a whole.  So this can be read at any point in the series and can even be read to get a feel for the series and, if you haven't had the pleasure of reading any of the books, see if you like the idea of it.

There isn't much to say about this one without giving away the whole thing.  As a novella it is of course too short for my liking but the story is a great one.  I especially like the Welsh angle and am once again amazed and in awe of the historical tidbits the author incorporates into this series.
Well worth reading if you are a fan of the series or not.  I hope the author continues to tell more of the stories  regarding to Atticus and his long life as a druid.  We only get to read a small amount of his adventures and I am sure there are many more to be told.  I will gladly read all of them!  This series, as I have said before, rocks!

↑ Grab this Headline Animator

26) Trapped by Kevin Hearne

The Blurb :

After twelve years of secret training, Atticus O’Sullivan is finally ready to bind his apprentice, Granuaile, to the earth and double the number of Druids in the world. But on the eve of the ritual, the world that thought he was dead abruptly discovers that he’s still alive, and they would much rather he return to the grave.

Having no other choice, Atticus, his trusted Irish wolfhound, Oberon, and Granuaile travel to the base of Mount Olympus, where the Roman god Bacchus is anxious to take his sworn revenge—but he’ll have to get in line behind an ancient vampire, a band of dark elves, and an old god of mischief, who all seem to have KILL THE DRUID at the top of their to-do lists.

My Thoughts :

Oh wow!  Book five in the series rocked!  So much happened and everything came together in a weird and sometimes wonderful way.  I thought this series couldn't get better but it did.  I was worried that the training of Granuaile would take another six books, it didn't.  I was sure that the old and new druid would never get it on...you need to read this installment to find out if they do!

This fifth book made me very happy.  While I would have loved to find out more about the apprenticeship Granuaile had to go through to become a druid, I wasn't sure if I could have put up with continuous books counting down the twelve years.  So it was a great relief to find this book had turned up the pace a little and skipped twelve years.  Things in the world of Atticus are never boring but I am sure the training would have been a complete yawn fest and would have dragged.  It was nice to have things taking on a new lease of life and another druid joining Team Atticus.

There were a few other things that made me happy.  Of course Granuaile and Atticus having the 'talk' was an interesting and long awaited episode.  I won't say what happened because there could be people reading this who don't want to know yet but I can say it will be highly interesting to see how things continue now.  There are some really nasty and nice twists and turns that could come out of this development.

I really liked finding out how Granuaile finally becomes a druid.  The process of the tattoos being made with a thorn bush and various other bits and pieces just made the world that this author has created even more amazing and original.  I admit I get a little lost in the who is who now that the story has gotten so wide range (gods, goddesses, vampires etc) but I still love every moment of the story and can't wait to find out what happens next.

So book six has already been started.  As soon as this audio book finished I quickly moved over to Hunted, the next installment.  Unfortunately book number seven isn't out till June so I will be forced to take a break until then.  It is however been a fantastic ride and I am loving this series so much.  It rocks!

↑ Grab this Headline Animator

24) Two Ravens & One Crow by Kevin Hearne

The Blurb :

Six years into the training of his beautiful apprentice, Granuaile, a large crow swoops down and transforms into none other than the Morrigan, a goddess who insists that Atticus come with her at once. He must leave his apprentice behind, along with his Irish wolfhound, Oberon—and he must also leave his sword. The Morrigan has always taken extreme pleasure in pronouncing the Druid’s mortal danger and imminent doom, so the fact that she won’t reveal the purpose of their journey makes him very nervous. Of course, any time the Celtic Chooser of the Slain drops in unannounced, it’s never good. When she does let slip that she’ll be saving his life in the near future, Atticus is left to wonder . . . will he soon be giving his legions of enemies something to crow about?

My Thoughts :

Regular readers will notice that I have gotten a little addicted to the Iron Druid Chronicles.  I have so many other books to read/listen to but I can't stop myself from just going straight on to the next book.  The story is so captivating and the characters so much fun.  I am enjoying the adventure and soon I will be all caught up with this series and will have to keep waiting for more.

I am currently listening to book five in the series and this novella actually fits in the series after book four.  I was hoping to read it before getting too deep into the fifth book but I didn't manage it.  However I am glad I did get to it before I finished listening to the fifth installment because this story has certainly filled in a few holes and answered a few of my questions.  I don't think you really need to read this short story to keep up with the series but I definitely had a couple of 'oh' moments because of what I already know from book five.

There isn't much to say about the story because it is only a novella and I would give too much away.   What I can tell you is that the Morrigan plays a huge part in this one and the Granuaile/Atticus relationship is queried once again.  A lot of action and some interesting developments in the great scheme of things.  This is a story you need to read but as I mentioned it doesn't need to be done in the right order.

The Iron Druid Chronicles is a spectacular series and I highly recommend reading it.  If you like your Urban Fantasy with some paranormal elements and a bit of witty banter then this will appeal to you.  Actually it is hard to pinpoint all the reasons this series is so amazing.  There are just so many great ingredients and the author has cooked them up in delicious way.

↑ Grab this Headline Animator

22) Tricked by Kevin Hearne

The Blurb :

Druid Atticus O’Sullivan hasn’t stayed alive for more than two millennia without a fair bit of Celtic cunning. So when vengeful thunder gods come Norse by Southwest looking for payback, Atticus, with a little help from the Navajo trickster god Coyote, lets them think that they’ve chopped up his body in the Arizona desert.

But the mischievous Coyote is not above a little sleight of paw, and Atticus soon finds that he’s been duped into battling bloodthirsty desert shapeshifters called skinwalkers. Just when the Druid thinks he’s got a handle on all the duplicity, betrayal comes from an unlikely source. If Atticus survives this time, he vows he won’t be fooled again. Famous last words.

My Thoughts :

I am slowly catching up with this series and it is made easier by Audible.com.  All that time I waste walking around each day and not being able to read is filled with this amazing narrator and series.  I already have book five and six waiting for me on my ipod.  I am still kicking myself for not starting The iron Druid Chronicles earlier and for not taking notice of other people's recommendations.  This is started out so good and just continues to amaze and delight me.

Atticus has mentioned starting his life over on many occasions in the last few books and how he has had to go through it many times.  So this book finally sees him with a new identity and a new place to live.  There is also a bit of throw back from everything that took place in the previous book with some vampire problems and an old friend coming to harm.  However this book is many about Coyote and what Atticus has to do for him because of an arrangement.  It is a clever story and the author manages to keep things busy and exciting the whole way through without it being too much.

The concept for this series is original and interesting while the plot is always addictive and unusual.  I am really enjoying all of the characters and especially like Oberon's conversations with Atticus and Granuaile's womanly influences.  This time around I found the relationship between Druid and apprentice even more fascinating than before.  Firstly there seems to be something more between the two and secondly the stories Atticus was telling her about his past were so captivating.  Thirdly it is still, for me at least, unsure what they will spend the next twelve years learning and teaching.  In one sense I hope the books jump a few years so we don't have to wait too long for Granuaile to become a druid but on the other hand I don't want to miss any of the training.

I am really looking forward to the next book and will start listening to it asap.  Also before listening to book number five I will check out the other novella that falls between these two books.  Starting late on the series does have the benefits of reading everything in order and being able to gobble the whole thing up without waiting for the next book to release.  However I fear I will be catching up with the series soon and will have to wait like everyone else but I can't stop myself from listening.  This series is just too tasty good!







 

↑ Grab this Headline Animator

20) Test of Mettle by Kevin Hearne

The Blurb :

This wee story, told from Granuaile’s point of view, takes place concurrently with the events of HAMMERED, book three of The Iron Druid Chronicles. It is available for free on the author's website.

My Thoughts :

I finished book three in the Iron Druid Chronicles, Hammered, the other week and started book four, Tricked, straight away.  The sometime last week I remembered that there was a novella on my Kindle from the series and wasn't sure where it fit into the the scheme of things.  So I checked and saw it fit between books three and four and decided I should read it.

Luckily the short story wasn't really crucial to book four or at least as far as I had read.  The contests on this novella, Granuaile's test, does get mentioned in book four and of course you find out more about what the druid apprentice was up to while Atticus was off killing a norse god.

Short but sweet, this story was nice because it was told from Granuaile's point of view but other than that it wasn't too special.  A nice filler in and a nice look into the workings of the female aspect of this series.  However with only ten pages it doesn't tell you enough and is over before things really begin.

I am happy I read this in the right order and have now made sure I have the novella that comes after book four ready for me on my Kindle.

 

↑ Grab this Headline Animator

18) Hammered by Kevin Hearne

The Blurb :

Thor, the Norse god of thunder, is worse than a blowhard and a bully—he’s ruined countless lives and killed scores of innocents. After centuries, Viking vampire Leif Helgarson is ready to get his vengeance, and he’s asked his friend Atticus O’Sullivan, the last of the Druids, to help take down this Norse nightmare.

One survival strategy has worked for Atticus for more than two thousand years: stay away from the guy with the lightning bolts. But things are heating up in Atticus’s home base of Tempe, Arizona. There’s a vampire turf war brewing, and Russian demon hunters who call themselves the Hammers of God are running rampant. Despite multiple warnings and portents of dire consequences, Atticus and Leif journey to the Norse plain of Asgard, where they team up with a werewolf, a sorcerer, and an army of frost giants for an epic showdown against vicious Valkyries, angry gods, and the hammer-wielding Thunder Thug himself.

My Thoughts :

The Iron Druid Chronicles only got added to my reading list in the Summer.  So I am really behind.  After reading and enjoying the first book I couldn't stop myself from listening to the second book and getting copies of the next three in the series.  However during the last few months I haven't been listening to any audio books and chose to, when I had time, listen to music.  This changed last week when I realised I really wanted to catch up with this series and I had them as audio books.

Within a few minutes of listening to the story I was feeling quite annoyed with myself.  I should have wasted the last few months listening to music but to this amazing series.  The concept is unique and exciting with some amazing characters.  There are some wonderful and varied paranormals which include some gods amongst other things.  The writing style is just the way I like it.  A bit of fun, wit and humour mixed in with a serious, thrilling and intriguing story. Actually there isn't much wrong with this series and this third installment only added to the amount of love I had for the author and the books.

There was a lot of action this time around and it was interesting and entertaining to see how the author weaved another tale in Atticus's life.  The small details, the larger specifics and the depth the writer adds to the series as it continues is just incredible.  As the story unfolds I found it harder and harder to hit the pause button when arriving at my destination.  I needed to know what would happen next and find out how brilliant this masterpiece would be when it was over.  I wanted to keep listening until the very last word because the narrator made the story come alive.

What I really liked about this installment was finally hearing Leif's story.  Although it is only the third book, Leif has been so clouded in secrecy that I was eager to know why he wanted Thor dead.  His tale really packs a punch as far as Atticus is concerned and there was a nice little twist.  Another highlight in this book was Atticus hanging out with Jesus.  Maybe not a good chapter for someone who is very religious but I think the author managed to keep the character holy, respectable but cool.  I hope the character comes into play again in the future.

In a nutshell, I love this series.  Despite being late to party I am planning on catching up a lot faster while I am in the zone.  I immediately started listening to book four when Hammered ended and I plan on having the next book ready so I keep going till I am all caught up.

If you are looking for something inspiring and original then you really need to try this series.   Boredom be gone, reading rut over and something to look forward to.  This is a series that has surprised me and make me kick myself for not finding it earlier.




 

↑ Grab this Headline Animator

18)

124) Clan Rathskeller by Kevin Hearne

The Blurb :

This is a free short story that takes place ten months before the events of "Hounded", the first book in the Iron Druid Chronicles.

My Thoughts :

There isn't much to say about this one because it is only a short story.  A few pages long it is just enough to give you a feel for the series, the main characters and some promises of what is to come.

If you haven't already tried this amazing series then this is a good one to start with.  It is only about 20 pages long and is quite fast and furious.  There is enough action to make you realise what you are dealing with were Atticus is involved and you also get a feeling for the wit and humor offered by his lovely dog Oberon.

While the book doesn't go into much detail regarding the Druid part of the series it does show that the author has a wild and wonderful imagination when it comes to his supernatural creatures.  This is a series that is never boring and even though I am only on book #3 I can tell you there is never a dull moment.

So take a few minutes and go and read this short story!  It won't do you any harm and you may just enjoy it.  I love this series so far and this is only a very small look at what amazing concept the author has come up with.

  

↑ Grab this Headline Animator

123) Grimoire of the Lamb by Kevin Hearne

The Blurb :

There's nothing like an impromptu holiday to explore the birthplace of modern civilisation, but when Atticus and Oberon pursue a book-stealing Egyptian wizard - with a penchant for lamb - to the land of the pharaohs, they find themselves in hot, crocodile-infested water.

The trip takes an even nastier turn when they discover the true nature of the nefarious plot they've been drawn into. On the wrong side of the vengeful cat goddess Bast and chased by an unfathomable number of her yowling four-legged disciples, Atticus must find a way to appease or defeat Egypt's deadliest gods - before his grimoire-grabbing quarry uses them to turn him into mincemeat.

My Thoughts :

I am playing catch-up with this series and I am seriously behind.  I didn't even read the first book until July and actually only have two under my belt.  However a follower (Thank you Aurian) mentioned that there are some novella's that I shouldn't miss.  So I decided to check this out before continuing with the series.

I found two short stories from the series that fit in before the series start.  I decided I better read both of them and even though I was sure they would have no revelance to the full novels I knew I had to check them out and try and keep to the order of the series.

This novella is around eighty pages long and is quite Eygptian based.  So if you are a fan of the Nile, Bast and tombs, this is one for you.  I won't spoil the story but going into the plot but I can say that despite being a short story it still packed a nice punch.  Atticus and Oberon managed to do some good and they got to travel as well.  It was interesting, unusual and well thought out.  I liked it.

Grimoire of the Lamb would make a good introduction read for anyone who hasn't tried the series yet.  There isn't as much wow factor to it as the debut book but it will certainly pique the interest.  If you are a fan and haven't yet read the novella's then you may want to check this one out.  It doesn't really make any impact on the series but it is a great story and you will enjoy it as much as the full length novels.

  

↑ Grab this Headline Animator