Hounded

The Iron Druid Chronicles, Book 1

By: Kevin Hearne

Narrated by: Luke Daniels

The first novel in the Iron Druid Chronicles - introducing a cool, new, funny urban fantasy hero

Atticus O’Sullivan, last of the Druids, lives peacefully in Arizona, running an occult bookshop and shape-shifting in his spare time to hunt with his Irish wolfhound. His neighbors and customers think that this handsome, tattooed Irish dude is about twenty-one years old - when in actuality, he’s twenty-one centuries old. Not to mention: He draws his power from the earth, possesses a sharp wit, and wields an even sharper magical sword known as Fragarach, the Answerer.

Unfortunately, a very angry Celtic god wants that sword, and he’s hounded Atticus for centuries. Now the determined deity has tracked him down, and Atticus will need all his power - plus the help of a seductive goddess of death, his vampire and werewolf team of attorneys, a bartender possessed by a Hindu witch, and some good old-fashioned luck of the Irish - to kick some Celtic arse and deliver himself from evil.

Don’t miss any of Kevin Hearne’s phenomenal Iron Druid Chronicles novels:
Hounded | Hexed | Hammered | Tricked | Trapped | Hunted | Shattered | Staked

©2011 by Kevin Hearne. (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"Hearne, a self-professed comic-book nerd, has turned his love of awesome dudes whacking mightily at evil villains into a superb urban fantasy debut.” (Publishers Weekly)

“A page-turning and often laugh-out-loud funny caper through a mix of the modern and the mythic.” (Ari Marmell, author of The Warlord’s Legacy)

“Kevin Hearne breathes new life into old myths, creating a world both eerily familiar and startlingly original.” (Nicole Peeler, author of Tempest Rising)

Compares favorably to Dresden series

Another reviewer compared this to Jim Butcher's excellent Dresden series, and Kevin Hearne's work so far does compare quite favorably to that high mark. The setting is modern-day Arizona, but all the trappings are fantasy: druids, witches, werewolves, vampires, and a healthy bag of mixed gods. There's bawdiness and language enough to make this one for grown-up readers, though I'll say none of it is overdone or forced. The most fun aspect of the book is the relationship between the druid and his dog: think back to the classic (and somewhat underground) science fiction movie "A Boy and his Dog" and you'll get the flavor of Atticus' relationship with his Irish wolfhound, Oberon. It was obvious that the reader particularly enjoyed voicing Oberon, and more than once I found myself chuckling aloud at the great characterization. The story itself was well paced and engaging and I was sorry to have it end though I didn't feel cheated. I'm off to work on book 2 now.

Dresden light

Very like the Dresden Files, but much more fun. Dresden fans will like this a bunch.

Entertaining adventure!

I highly recommend this listen. The writing is excellent, with intelligent humor and many references to literature and mythology. The main character is completely charming, as he's witty and never treats anyone with undeserved disrespect, even when in battle for his life. A totally heartwarming relationship with his also-humorous hound is a big factor in his life, and they are a joy to "spend time" with. The narration by Luke Daniels is spot-on for the character and sounds just like you would imagine he does. He is also talented with the varied accents of supporting-cast characters. This story is a bargain at the price (I bet you'll listen more than once!) in fact worth paying cash for and saving your credit for another great story that's priced higher.

Quite a surprise!

I have had this book sitting in my library from last year that I haven't managed to get around to yet. I'm not sure why I had my doubts getting into this book but it was simply fantastic. The narrator brings life to the story and I have to say his impression of Oberon is excellent. I had quite a few laughs along the way. I think this story and its humor may connect best to adults, young adults, fantasy nerds, and dog lovers alike. I had to download the next copy right away and I'm worried I'll go through these books too fast. So Hearne if your reading this, you need to write faster. Good news though, the books seem to be getting longer each novel.

Laughed out loud!

At first I thought the narrator was not appropriate for what I expected the book to be - after all doesn't a druid require a deep and old voice?

Boy was I wrong!! I cannot wait to hear more from this author and narrator. I laughed out loud so many times that I'm sure those folks at the grocery store where I was listening and shopping think I'm mad.

Well written and well played, sir, well played!

Stylish, fun, well-read, inconsistent quality

This book had a lot of promise. The narration part of the writing is excellent, funny, and descriptive; secondary characters like Lif, Perry and the fantastic Oberon are vivid and very well written. Many concepts are cool and the druidic take, along with the restrictions on druidic magic (what it can do, what it can't) is nice becaue it feels possible. Things don't happen "just by magic" and there are some things Atticus just can't do, at least not if he wants to stay a druid. It's incredibly well performed, one of the top three I've had the pleasure of hearing. I really wanted this to be my next favorite series.

Ultimately, though, it's got a couple of flaws that would not have been so disappointing if I hadn't set my hopes so high. Atticus never met a contraction he liked - it's always "do not," "is not," "I am" instead of the contractions that actual people use during all normal conversation except when being very adamant, so he comes off as ALWAYS being adamant. His dialogue was pale compared to Oberon's. Also, I think Hearne lacked confidence when writing this book, because many actions take place off-camera and we have to imagine it. In my experience as an editor this happens when the author worries they will not be able to do a good job describing it, but as a reader, I really wanted to SEE the werewolves transform, not listen to howling and then have the wolves trot into the room. I want to SEE the final conflict between the two groups at the end, not hear it in the distance while Atticus takes forever to get there.

If the good parts were not SO good, I would give up on the series. However, I really want to see if Hearne gains confidence in his next novels. I think he has potential to be as fun and exciting as Jim Butcher (high praise from a fan), and much more stylishly written. Hearne already has a better vocabulary and writes dog and canine characters WAYYY better.

Absolutely entertaining

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This book is excellent

Who was your favorite character and why?

The wolfhound. He was full of humor and didn't mind saying so

What about Luke Daniels’s performance did you like?

The voices were well fitted to the characters.

Any additional comments?

We got this book by accident(slip of the fingers) but enjoyed it so much we are going to get the rest of the series.

Oberon rules!

What a great read! Loved the characters - Atticus comes accross as such a unique individual. Pragmatic, yet after 2100 years still compassionate and connected. Oberon, as voiced by the narrator, adds just the right touch. I want sausages too!

Great series!

I loved this book and the entire series. The characters are great and the Luke Daniels does a great job narrating the series. I like the Dresden files, Sookie Stackhouse and Nice Girls series but I think this is my new favorite amongst the genre.

Jeremy Helbing

Oberon rules

Buying all three was a given after listening to this book. Worth it just to get to know Oberon :)