Hounded by Kevin Hearne Narrator: Luke Daniels
Series: The Iron Druid Chronicles #1
Published by Brilliance Audio on 19 April 2011
Genres: Adult, Urban Fantasy
Length: 8 hours 11 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Audible Purchase
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 sexy 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.
Hounded was a fantastic story, with really well done mythology, character development, action, and plot!
Story:
I did a buddy listen of Hounded with Carole @ Carole’s Random Life. We both agreed that Oberon was our favorite character. The overall story really appealed to me, because it had a druid main character, Atticus. And, as I said to Carole at one point, it was refreshing to have a male protagonist in adult Urban Fantasy. I know there are others, but it’s been a while since I’ve read or listened to one.
Hounded starts off with showing the readers what this universe is like, there are gods – from all pantheons – fae, vampires, shifters, witches, and of course out druid. Plus, it was clear from the very beginning that someone was after Atticus. Or, at least something Atticus had in his possession. And this someone would stop at nothing – scheming, lying, taking too much power from the earth, consorting with demons. And through it all, Atticus and Oberon did the best they could to be alive tomorrow.
Characters:
Atticus is a very old druid, he looks like he’s only twenty-one, and he’s very strong. One of the things I enjoyed the most about him was his patience. Some of the spells he’s worked on to protect himself took over seven hundred years to accomplish.
Oberon is Atticus’ Irish wolf hound. And he can speak to Atticus mind to mind. And I just loved how Luke Daniels dealt with Oberon’s thoughts and hilarities.
Leif is Atticus’ vampire / viking lawyer, and I loved him. He had the stiff way of vampires I expected, and at the same time, he was very funny.
There are several other characters who are important to the story, but the two I think I really have to mention are Mrs. MacDonagh who is Atticus’ elderly neighbor, and Granuale, a bartender at Atticus’ fave bar.
Writing style :
The flow was really good, and the story unfolds in first person point of view from Atticus’ perspective. There are some great dialogues and one-liners, and I was immersed from start to finish.
Narration :
Luke Daniels made this whole universe and all its characters come alive. Oberon sounded like I think my dogs would sound if they could talk. And I found that he did good voices all around. I am ready for book 2. Right now.
Feels :
Hounded was an exciting story to listen to. There’s a lot of action, so I almost had to hold my breath at times.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
Twitter: ailynk
i think Kim has finished reading the series, glad I get to know the title to the first one and a review @_@ thanks and great review
Yes, she has, and it’s partly her fault I picked it up as well. It’s really good!
Twitter: kimbacaffeinate
YES! I adore Oberon and agree Luke Daniels brings these characters and this world to life. Welcome to the fandom.
Thanks Kim! It’s all your fault, you know? When I saw your reviews, I knew I had to get to this series. And I’m so happy I did!
Twitter: talksupeblog
This is a series that I’ve been wanting to try. Maybe I can convince my darling bF to try this with me as the protagonist is male. A buddy read should be fun
Yes! If he enjoys urban fantasy, he would enjoy this, I’m sure! And there’s really no romance – but a fantastic story with well done mythology and well fleshed-out characters.
I’ve got this series on my TBR. I’ve heard great things about the audiobooks for it. Thank’s for the review.
The audio is awesome, Angela! I hope you’ll love it as much as I do!
Woot! I picked up this one when it was on sale – after Kimba reviewed it. 😉 Seeing that you loved it just as much as she did has me super eager to get started on it! It sounds great – characters, mythology, pacing, and narration! A winner all around! 🙂
Miss you, wifey! We have a buddy read chat to do. 😉 {{{big hugs}}}
Yes, get into it, Brandee! You won’t be able to stop! Luke Daniels is doing an amazing job with all the characters. Plus the story is really well done 🙂
Miss you, too!! {{{BIG HUGS}}}
Thanks for reading this one with me, Lexxie! It was so much fun and such a great book. I really loved Oberon to death. I may have told my husband that we need another dog so that I can name it Oberon 🙂 I should be starting the next book tomorrow.
Thank you, Carole! It was fun chatting with you while we were listening. I’ve started the second book, too. But it’s been a slow reading / listening week for me. Too much work!
This sounds like a great read Lexxie. Atticus sounds like a character I’d enjoy to read about. Good to see that you liked the whole cast and how they gelled together.
So good, Naomi! I really loved it, and have already started listening to the second book 🙂
I’ve heard so many great things about this series and especially Oberon!
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
Oberon was so much fun! And I have to say the narrator does a fantastic job with all the characters – but maybe especially with Oberon. He really does sound like a dog 😀
Ah, yes, I have heard good things about Oberon lol. And I’ve never read about a Druid, so that part sounds cool! It sounds like Atticus’s age was written well what with the patience he has and everything. I am considering trying this one!
I think you’d enjoy this series, Kristen! Oberon is a fun character, and even more so because he’s a hound.
Twitter: Mlsimmons
I’m so glad that you started this series. I loved it so much. I felt the same as you, about a male MC in UF. I love badass female MCs, but it is nice to have something different. Great review. I can’t wait to revisit this series through your reviews.
I definitely love a badass female MC, but Atticus is great. Plus, he’s so old and wise – but still youthful and fun. I’m listening to the 2nd book right now, so I hope I’ll be able to review it soon.
Twitter: avalinahsbooks
So this sounds pretty cool! 🙂
It was SO good, Evelina! I’m listening to book 2 now, and that one’s great, too 🙂
I recently read this it was awesome. Love the silly banter in his head. I wanna buddy read with you haha!