Shattered

The Iron Druid Chronicles, Book 7

By: Kevin Hearne

Narrated by: Luke Daniels

Length: 12 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Acclaimed author Kevin Hearne makes his hardcover debut with the new novel in his epic urban fantasy series starring the unforgettable Atticus O’Sullivan.

“[Kevin] Hearne is a terrific storyteller with a great snarky wit. . . . Neil Gaiman’s American Gods meets Jim Butcher’s Harry Dresden.”—SFFWorld

For nearly two thousand years, only one Druid has walked the Earth—Atticus O’Sullivan, the Iron Druid, whose sharp wit and sharp sword have kept him alive as he’s been 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.

Don’t miss any of The Iron Druid Chronicles:

Hounded

Hexed

Hammered

Tricked

Trapped

Hunted

Shattered

Staked

Scourged

Besieged

©2014 Kevin Hearne (P)2014 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“[Kevin] Hearne is a terrific storyteller with a great snarky wit. . . . Neil Gaiman’s American Gods meets Jim Butcher’s Harry Dresden.”—SFFWorld

“[The Iron Druid books] are clever, fast-paced and a good escape.”—Boing Boing

“Hearne understands the two main necessities of good fantasy stories: for all the wisecracks and action, he never loses sight of delivering a sense of wonder to his readers, and he understands that magic use always comes with a price. Highly recommended.”—The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction

Decent entry in a great series

What did you love best about Shattered?

Oberon. There needs to be more of his wisdom in the next installment.

Would you be willing to try another book from Kevin Hearne? Why or why not?

Yes, although I though this entry was not his best work. It took too long for the story to get started. There wasn't enough Atticus/Oberon interaction and I felt like Owen's reenter into society was a rich story not given its due. Frankly all the Granuile sections could have been omitted and I would have liked it more. She is a tad smarmy for my tastes.

Have you listened to any of Luke Daniels’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Luke Daniels is wonderful.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. Like I said before, some of the sections lagged. I felt like the whole Yeti thing was just padding.

Any additional comments?

More Oberon/Atticus and less Granuile, please.

I <3 Atticus

I am a huge fan of this series and have hung on every word with great delight and relish and I look forward to any new stroke of Kevin Hearne's pen.

That said, this book, while enjoyable, took too long to get started and while I think Owen and Granuile are wonderful in their own rights, their new viewpoints in this book are a big break from the previous installments and honestly, took over way too much of the story. I missed Atticus. It hardly felt like he was in the book at all. I'd totally read the Arch-Druid or the Apprentice spin-offs but wanted more of the Iron Druid I fell in love with.

Luke Daniels shines like the superstar he is.

Druids!

I love this series so hard. Shattered is as awesome as the rest of them. Even better, maybe. I loved the addition of Atticus's ArcDruid. He is a fantastic character. Hearne does a great job of realistically and hilariously dragging this man 2000 years into the future. Oberon is still awesome. I loved getting to know Arla.

There are some real hardships in this book. The tone is a little more somber (even with the hilarity). Things don't go so well in this book for Atticus and his friends. The you-know-what has hit the fan and Atticus hasn't dodged the bulk of the spray this time. It only makes me more anxious for the next book.

My only sad news, sad to me anyway, is that the weakest link in this book for me was Granuaile. Her POV was a little disappointing. It felt a little flat in comparison to Atticus and Owen.

Overall: YES, YES, YES! and DRUIDS!

About time!

My favorite book in the series so far. A fun and funny new character gets a point of view role. One of the big ongoing mysteries of the series is finally answered in a clash that is nothing short of epic. And the hounds get sausage! What's not to love?

loving this series!

the reading is great. I love the dogs voices, and how all the characters have different tones without it sounding stupid.

Still good but too many "head spaces"

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

I'm not sure that I can complain about having multiple perspectives in a story but I absolutely love the straight forward, crass style of Atticus. I like the others but I want more from Atticus... its all about him. Love the story though. Shorter than they should be but at least they come out every year.

Shattered

This like the others was very entertaining and the narrator makes all the difference. he's great!

awesome, again. I loved it.

I'm going to read the rest of the series. ah ha haha haha yeah boy

Keeps you wanting more

I won't say that the Iron Druid books are Shakespeare, but they're very entertaining. I bought one on sale out of curiosity and came back for the rest of them at regular price. I'm cheap, so that says a lot. :). Luke Daniels is great, he could use a little work on his female voices, but you definitely know what character is speaking thanks to his voice work and they're quite good.

I'm waiting for the next installment and wish it was already here. :)

My one minor gripe would be that Oberon, who I love, can get a little annoying. He was a nice part of the first few books, but in the later ones is given way too much to say and interject at inappropriate times. I would find myself telling him to shut up already. But, again I like him, just maybe less of him.

Beyond that it was another fun book.

Great Book

Loved it. I always feel saddened when one of these books end! Looking forward to the next one.