fantasy and science fiction book reviewsHunted by Kevin HearneHunted by Kevin Hearne

It seems like everyone is out to get Atticus and Granuaile, the world’s last two druids. They’re running from the goddesses Artemis and Diana, the vampires and dark elves want them dead, and Loki and his daughter Hel need to kill Atticus so they can unleash Ragnarok on the world. As the title tells, Atticus, Granuaile and their dog Oberon are being hunted in this sixth novel of Kevin Hearne’s IRON DRUID CHRONICLES. The hunt takes them across Europe, including the English Channel. It’s stressful for our heroes, but the gods find the whole thing pretty entertaining.

I don’t want to mention much more of the plot of Hunted — you’ll understand why when you read it. If you’re a fan of the series, you probably don’t need any encouragement to pick up this book. Likely all you really want to confirm is that Hearne is keeping up his end of the author-reader bargain: we’ll buy his books if he keeps entertaining us with great characters, fun plots, and his geeky sense of humor. If that’s all you need to know, rest assured — your money and time will be well spent. This is another exciting installment in the IRON DRUID CHRONICLES and everything we expect is here. I thought Hunted was better than the previous book, Trapped.The Iron Druid Chronicles (9 Book Series) by Kevin Hearne

But wait, there’s more!

In Hunted, for the first time, Hearne gives us Granuaile’s perspective; some of the chapters are written from her POV, and that is nicely done. Also, this installment is particularly emotional. Kevin Hearne always makes me laugh, but this time he actually made me cry.

Though the plot is mostly one long chase scene, it’s never dull, there’s plenty of loss and love, characters get hurt and some of them die, and the story advances. At the end, the world is significantly different than it was at the beginning. Alliances have shifted and Ragnarok is coming…

All this, plus dwarves, Polish witches, rolling heads, a manticore, Japanese television, and Girl Scout cookies.

I’m still listening to the awesome audiobook version read by Luke Daniels.

 

Release date: June 25, 2013 | Series: Iron Druid Chronicles. For a two-thousand-year-old Druid, Atticus O’Sullivan is a pretty fast runner. Good thing, because he’s being chased by not one but two goddesses of the hunt—Artemis and Diana—for messing with one of their own. Dodging their slings and arrows, Atticus, Granuaile, and his wolfhound Oberon are making a mad dash across modern-day Europe to seek help from a friend of the Tuatha Dé Danann. His usual magical option of shifting planes is blocked, so instead of playing hide-and-seek, the game plan is . . . run like hell. Crashing the pantheon marathon is the Norse god Loki. Killing Atticus is the only loose end he needs to tie up before unleashing Ragnarok—AKA the Apocalypse. Atticus and Granuaile have to outfox the Olympians and contain the god of mischief if they want to go on living—and still have a world to live in.

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  • Kat Hooper

    KAT HOOPER, who started this site in June 2007, earned a Ph.D. in neuroscience and psychology at Indiana University (Bloomington) and now teaches and conducts brain research at the University of North Florida. When she reads fiction, she wants to encounter new ideas and lots of imagination. She wants to view the world in a different way. She wants to have her mind blown. She loves beautiful language and has no patience for dull prose, vapid romance, or cheesy dialogue. She prefers complex characterization, intriguing plots, and plenty of action. Favorite authors are Jack Vance, Robin Hobb, Kage Baker, William Gibson, Gene Wolfe, Richard Matheson, and C.S. Lewis.

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