Trapped by Kevin Hearne

 

Series: The Iron Druid Chronicles (Book 5)

Link to Review of Book 1:

https://www.krwardbookreview.com/2019/05/normal-0-false-false-false-en-us-x-none_11.html

Title: Trapped

Author: Kevin Hearne

Published: 2011

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Grade Level: Adult

-Movie Rating: R, for mild vulgar language and mild sexual content

Audiobook

Read by: Luke Daniels

Length: 9hrs 2min

Recommend: Absolutely!

 

Blurb (from goodreads):

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 Scores:

Writing Style: Top Notch

Characters: Memorable

Plot: So Many Plot Twists

 

Overall: Totally Obsessed

This novel features a frantic race to get Granuaile bound to the earth (to do some magic!!). Until now the novels have been entirely from the POV of Atticus, but in this novel is a surprise addition of Granualie's POV. Her voice was very similar to Atticus in her thinking patterns, so I'm hoping she will become more unique in subsequent novels. 

I was a little surprised at the twelve year time jump (for Granuaile’s training to end) since there were a few loose ends I wanted tied up. It was also surprising to me that these characters managed to have 12 years of peace, despite faking their deaths. In any case, as always, there are dangerous adventures and fun times to be had. I am still totally obsessed with this series.  

 

Goodreads Rating: 5 out of 5 stars 

Tricked by Kevin Hearne

 

Series: The Iron Druid Chronicles (Book 4)

Link to Review of Book 1: 

https://www.krwardbookreview.com/2019/05/normal-0-false-false-false-en-us-x-none_11.html

Title: Tricked

Author: Kevin Hearne

Published: 2012

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Grade Level: Adult

-Movie Rating: R, for mild vulgar language and mild sexual content

Audiobook

Read by: Luke Daniels

Length: 10hrs 42min

Recommend: Absolutely!

 

Blurb (from goodreads):

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 Scores:

Writing Style: Top Notch

Characters: Absolutely Amazing

Plot: So Many Plot Twists

 

Overall: Totally Obsessed

I read this book so fast, I hadn’t even realized I forgot to write my review before starting book 5. So, it suffices to say that the plot is well-crafted, engaging, and thrilling. This novel features the Native American culture, with Coyote having a central role. I love how expansive the world-building can get without losing any of the character development. This really is a wonderful series for anyone willing to give High Fantasy a try.

 

Goodreads Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Hammered by Kevin Hearne

 

Series: The Iron Druid Chronicles (Book 3)

Link to Review of Book 1: 

https://www.krwardbookreview.com/2019/05/normal-0-false-false-false-en-us-x-none_11.html

Title: Hammered

Author: Kevin Hearne

Published: 2011

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Grade Level: Adult

-Movie Rating: R, for mild vulgar language and mild sexual content

Audiobook

Read by: Luke Daniels

Length: 9hrs 36min

Recommend: Absolutely!

 

Blurb (from goodreads):

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.

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 Scores:

Writing Style: Top Notch

Characters: Absolutely Amazing

Plot: So Many Plot Twists

 

Overall: Totally Obsessed

The writing, of course, is still fabulous. However, the pacing is a bit on the slower side because the author is expanding the universe and introducing more characters. One of these characters is Jesus Christ. While Hearne’s interpretation of Christ doesn’t exactly match mine, I didn’t construe it as disrespectful considering the context. This series has provided a lot of entertainment for me, and I am determined to see it through all the way to the end!

Goodreads Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Hexed by Kevin Hearne

 

Series: The Iron Druid Chronicles (Book 2)

Link to Review of Book 1: 

https://www.krwardbookreview.com/2019/05/normal-0-false-false-false-en-us-x-none_11.html

Title: Hexed

Author: Kevin Hearne

Published: 2011

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Grade Level: Adult

-Movie Rating: R, for mild vulgar language and mild sexual content

Audiobook

Read by: Luke Daniels

Length: 8hrs 52min

Recommend: Absolutely!

 

Blurb (from goodreads):

Atticus O’Sullivan, last of the Druids, doesn’t care much for witches. Still, he’s about to make nice with the local coven by signing a mutually beneficial nonaggression treaty—when suddenly the witch population in modern-day Tempe, Arizona, quadruples overnight. And the new girls are not just bad, they’re badasses with a dark history on the German side of World War II.

With a fallen angel feasting on local high school students, a horde of Bacchants blowing in from Vegas with their special brand of deadly decadence, and a dangerously sexy Celtic goddess of fire vying for his attention, Atticus is having trouble scheduling the witch hunt. But aided by his magical sword, his neighbor’s rocket-propelled grenade launcher, and his vampire attorney, Atticus is ready to sweep the town and show the witchy women they picked the wrong Druid to hex.

 

My Scores:

Writing Style: Top Notch

Characters: Absolutely Amazing

Plot: So Many Plot Twists

 

Overall: Totally Obsessed

I love this series so much! The writing is simply fabulous. Hearne’s descriptions are so detailed that the magic feels real. The characters are completely unique, witty, and hilarious. The plot is just as engaging as the first novel.

I was also relieved to find out even if you happen to forget some details from the first novel, the author is really good about providing a little background information to make sure no one gets lost. I can’t wait to see what the third novel has in store!

Goodreads Rating: 5 out of 5 stars