Tricked

The Iron Druid Chronicles, Book 4

By: Kevin Hearne

Narrated by: Luke Daniels

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In the fourth novel of the Iron Druid Chronicles, two-thousand-year-old Druid Atticus O’Sullivan must pay his debts to cunning trickster god Coyote, a task that includes battling undead creatures of the night as well as a relentless hound of Hel and the goddess of death who commands it.

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

Cutting a deal with a trickster god rarely goes well for any human brave or foolish enough to try it, but Atticus doesn’t feel like he has a choice. With members of the Norse pantheon out for his blood, he can’t train his apprentice in peace, so he asks Coyote to help him fake his own death. The cost, however, might wind up being every bit as high as if he’d made no deal at all.

There are things hiding in the Arizona desert that don’t want any company, and Coyote makes sure they know Atticus has arrived. And then there's the hound of Hel, Garm, who’s terribly difficult to shake and not at all convinced that Atticus is dead.

Being tricked by a trickster is par for the course. But it’s the betrayal from someone he thought was a friend that shakes Atticus to the core and places his life in jeopardy. The real trick, he discovers, might be surviving his own faked death.

Includes Kevin Hearne’s novella “Two Ravens and One Crow”

Don’t miss any of The Iron Druid Chronicles:
HOUNDED | HEXED | HAMMERED | TRICKED | TRAPPED | HUNTED | SHATTERED | STAKED | SCOURGED | BESIEGED

©2012 Kevin Hearne (P)2012 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)

“Celtic mythology and an ancient Druid with modern attitude mix it up in the Arizona desert in this witty new fantasy series.” (Kelly Meding, author of Chimera)

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

Hooked in an Instant

If you could sum up Tricked in three words, what would they be?

Super Audio Crack

Who was your favorite character and why?

Atticus, because he isnt perfect. Even after 2000+ years he still makes bonehead mistakes. I like that he isnt some perfect super hero. More down to earth and easier to identify with the character. Oh yeah and he has a cool dog.

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

Lucke does an excellent job just as he has done on the last 3 books. I especially like that he pronounces Asgard as (Ass Guard). Im not sure if this is doe on purpose but everytime it brings a smile to the little boy trapped inside me :-)

Any additional comments?

Atticus & Oberon > Sookie Stackhouse. They deserve their own show. But I think BBC could do a better job of it then HBO. They would stay more true to the books and not try to add in there own lame ass ideas.

More Kevin!

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

Yes, I would, and have. Kevin Hearne's books are wonderfully witty, and literally make me laugh out loud, which many books don't. His word play is brilliant.

What did you like best about this story?

That... is a hard question to answer. In short, it does a superb job of bridging story arcs.

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

Only to the first three Iron Druid Chronicles books, but his performance is, as ever, kicking butt. His voice for Oberon never fails to crack me up.

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

Yes, and I more or less have. :)

Any additional comments?

While the wait wasn't too long, as I only discovered this brilliant author a few months ago, it seemed interminable. I'm relieved the wait for the fifth book, Trapped, is only until November.

I should also note that I do not often write reviews, but this is a new author that I am deeply impressed with. If you like Neil Gaimen and Jim Butcher, you should like Kevin Hearne. Yes, he's that good.

Excellent, Awesome

Where does Tricked rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

My new top 3 favorite author. A great listen..

What about Luke Daniels’s performance did you like?

Love Luke Daniel's performance. He is right up there with Renee Raudman and Susan Ericksen..

scooby doo annoys the crap out of me

Any additional comments?

HATED scooby doo as a kid and his dog reminds me of it waaaay too much. at first it was funny but wore on me quickly.especially when his dog take on the traits of what ever book he reads to him,then i just cringe every time it speaks.

its a good series and will continue buying them, the dog is really the only thing keeping me from giving it 5 stars.

Hearne continues to improve with each book

This is one of those fun series of books that, can and will eventually run out of steam. Atticus O'Sullivan is no Harry Dresden I'm afraid. Hearne has improved his character development and dialogue with each novel, however I wonder at what point the cutesy one liners are going to get old and Oberon's Scoobie-Do voice gets tiresome....I suspect a couple more of the Iron Chronicles will have the legs to carry the series but beyond that? I have doubts. After all, even Nora Roberts keeps her novel series to 3 or at the most 4 books and her dialogue and character development has had almost 30 years to grow.

"Tricked" sets Atticus up for major moves in his life, still pulls in the comedic clashes of pantheons interactions and pits Coyote-a character who I think Hearne has done a great job of characterizing and Atticus into a major involvement.

Fans who have read the first 3 books will no doubt latch onto this one-but I suggest, if you haven't read the prior books, to begin with "Hammered" and follow the story line..these aren't good stand alone novels.

Hearne is a funny and clever writer and for the most part his characters are nicely developed. The books 'listen' quickly and can leave you with a smile on your face, and some thoughts of "Why the heck did he do that?" about O'Sullivan-who is the epitome of Peter Pan man at 20 centuries old. Hearne obviously likes his character in this juvenile manner and it does appeal to YA readers I'm sure.

Luke Daniels, the narrator for all 4 books in the series, does a sterling job. The producers have done Audible subscribers well by keeping continuity in readers...theres nothing more frustrating to a listener than to have a different voice reading a series of books. I hope Daniels continues to do this work...(hint hint to producers).

All in all if you like light Fantasy fiction you'll enjoy this series. I also recommend John Scalzi's "Fuzzy Nation" and"Agent to the Stars" for humorous Si-Fi/Fantasy.

Humor is back.

Atticus O’Sullivan, Oberon, and Granuaile are back and tricked into helping Coyote make the reservation a better place. Granuaile's much larger role in this book is wonderful because it leads to some epically awkward and hilarious conversations. Again, Hearne does a wonderful job mixing pop culture with mythical lore. He even references the viral double rainbow video. Hearne seems to be getting better with each book; so, pick up the first book and get started. Luke Daniels is good but he drops the ball a few times (e.g., when Atticus has a sore throat, Daniels forgets to narrate with a raspy voice for a few pages).

Get out the hammer

Would you consider the audio edition of Tricked to be better than the print version?

no

What was most disappointing about Kevin Hearne’s story?

This book should be named Hammered, not book two. Mr Hearne gets out the Eco Hammer and nails you right between the eyes with it repeatedly. From advocating 'Eco-terrorism' as "the right thing to do" to flippantly justifying the killing of oil company executives, to repeatedly hammering away on the Eco flavor of the month it gets annoying.

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

The narrator is good, makes each character distinct and recognizable maintains the proper tone for the story scenario and builds tension when needed

Any additional comments?

the eco agenda is all fine and well in moderation but advocating violence towards others and calling it 'the right thing' goes too far.

Perfect match of author and narrator

Would you listen to Tricked again? Why?

I have already listened to this book more than once. I love this series and listen to the books in this series when I don't have anything new to listen to.

What other book might you compare Tricked to and why?

The only thing I can compare it to is the other books in the series.

What about Luke Daniels’s performance did you like?

His narrations never disappoint me. Every character has his own voice and the story flows along perfectly. His timing is perfect and I can easily picture what is happening.

Any additional comments?

I love these books. It is wonderful to find a series where the author writes an interesting series and it is read by a narrator who brings the characters to life in such a way that I can "see" what is happening just by listening to him read.

So funny and great

I love this series. anytime the dog has dialog I crack up. the world is great with all the realms of all the gods worshiped on earth.

The Iron Druid Chronicles--Enjoyed all Four

The main character is sexy, smart and wise. Loved the pantheons of gods and their interaction. The reader adds to the Druid's mystique and appeal.