Book Review: Hounded by Kevin Hearne

Hounded
Author: Kevin Hearne
Series: The Iron Druid Chronicles (Book 1)
Publication: Del Rey; 4.3.2011 edition (May 3, 2011)

Description: 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.

My Thoughts: HOUNDED is a great start to an urban fantasy series. Atticus O'Sullivan is trying to live peacefully in Tempe, Arizona, with his wolfhound Oberon. But since he is the last Druid and is holding a magic sword that a very angry Celtic god wants back, a peaceful life is not in his near future.

Atticus has to call on all his 2100 hundred years to juggle Celtic gods, Polish witches, and demons. I liked the world that was created by Hearne. I liked the idea that Atticus is using 21st Century tactics including lawyers and lawsuits in his defense. I especially liked that his lawyers were werewolves and vampires.

Atticus' relationship with his wolfhound Oberon and his elderly neighbor Mrs. MacDonagh help to humanize this very powerful magic user. I enjoyed the way he kept up with current pop culture while maintaining his heritage.

I can't wait to read more books in this series and have lots to go. Book 7 was just released on June 17. This book had a similar feel to the Harry Dresden series by Jim Butcher. Fans of that series should also enjoy this one.

Favorite Quote:

Brighid was a vision. I don't think there's ever been a hotter widow in history. Even though she was in full armor and all I could see of her actual person were her eyes and her hips, well, I felt like a horny teenager again. I really, really wanted to flirt, but seeing as I was the guy who had widowed her, I thought perhaps there was a line somewhere I shouldn't cross.

I bought this one in May of 2011. You can buy your copy here.