Hammered

The Iron Druid Chronicles, Book 3

By: Kevin Hearne

Narrated by: Luke Daniels

Length: 9 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

BOOK 3 IN THE IRON DRUID CHRONICLES

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.

One survival strategy has worked for Atticus for more than two thousand years: stay away from the guy with the lightning bolts. But things are heating up in Atticus’s home base of Tempe, Arizona. There’s a vampire turf war brewing, and Russian demon hunters who call themselves the Hammers of God are running rampant. 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.

Don’t miss any of Kevin Hearne’s phenomenal Iron Druid Chronicles novels:

HOUNDED | HEXED | HAMMERED | TRICKED | TRAPPED | HUNTED | SHATTERED | STAKED

Listen to more Iron Druid Chronicles.

©2011 by Kevin Hearne. (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

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

Amazingly Written & Brilliantly Read

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

I haven't read the print, but the narration is half of what made this book so great. I couldn't imagine the print being better.I couldn't even imagine another narrator being better, Luke Daniels makes these books come alive in a fun and creative way.

What did you like best about this story?

Besides the story being so good in itself, Kevin Hearne took a look at god, mythology, religion and the supernatural from what I consider to be a imaginative new perspective. I loved what he did with the historical mythology. And of course the relationship between Atticus and Oberon.

What about Luke Daniels’s performance did you like?

He brought so much energy to the book. He made the story his to tell. I loved the laughter, it seemed to real, especially when he was talking to Oberon. He really brought a mood setting while narrating. (If that makes sense). This are one of the best series I've ever listened to.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The tag line would be- STAY HOME AND LISTEN TO THE AUDIOBOOK- I hate books made into movies.

Any additional comments?

I highly reccommend this series.

Excellent story with a FABULOUS narrator!

Another very solid addition to The Iron Druid chronicles. I'm not sure I liked this one as well as the last two, but still, a very good book. Kevin Hearne is a real linguaphile - the guy loves words. And he's got a great sense of humor. So I always find his writing enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. In this case, Atticus, our favorite Druid, goes on a dangerous quest with some very interesting companions. The set-up took a while, and then we went through a section where the companions were telling each other the stories of why they were participating in this particular adventure. I found all of that to be a bit slow, but ... once the action got going, it went! And don't spare the body count!

I would be remiss not to comment on the narration by Luke Daniels. This is my third audiobook narrated by him, and he is FABULOUS!! Great voices and accents, very clear, easy to listen to, gets the characters and the story, and just makes the whole thing a wonderful listening experience. I would recommend these books just to listen to him, and you would get a great series in the bargain. :-) I'll be on to Tricked shortly!

Masterful melange of mythological mischief.

I loved this installment in the series. The inclusion of gods and goddesses from varying pantheon around the world and from different eras is fascinating. The reader could use some language lessons for pronunciation, but the characters are well played by him, nonetheless. I will be listening on!

Some Lines are Just Worth Reading

What did you love best about Hammered?

Okay, so as it stands the conversations between the main character and his pet Oberon are some of the funniest things in fantasy writing. I have laughed so hard that people came to check on me.

What about Luke Daniels’s performance did you like?

He is good enough that if he just went with the voices he used for the people he wouldn't need to tell you who was speaking.

Druid and Vampire Vs Asgard. Oh my!

Following the ill-conceived promises made in the last book Atticus must now sneak into Asgard. Twice. With the second time to bring down one of the most famous (and jerkish) gods, Thor.

In this installment we start to learn a little more about Atticus' past, as he discusses a little about his previous loved ones and family. We also get to know a huge amount more about the supporting casts - particularly the lawyers - as times is spent telling all the stories of why they all dislike Thor so much. It is this time spent telling the histories that really makes this book. The two trips into Asgard are both engaging and darkly humourous, but its the investment in the characters I enjoyed most.

After testing the waters with Mary in book 2, Hearne jumps head first into the "how to piss of current religious practitioners" area, having Jesus as a character. Previous to this he had generally used defunct religions, rather than active ones. Jesus is presented with a strange mix of irreverence and also respect. He comes across as a chill, righteous (not self-righteous) dude, who isn't a fan of a lot of the stuff done in his name. While sure to piss off some people, but I though it was a reasonable representation and fit well with the world presented in the books.

Hearne also uses the Asgard myths well, taking common stories and ideas and using htem to great effect. Such as Thor still eats and revitalises his goats, but then uses that do be a jerk to other people. Odin's birds, memory and thought, are used well. A good knowledge of Norse mythology adds depth to this book, but is not essential.

Like the 2nd book, when finishing this I went straight away and bought the next in the series. It just makes me want to know what happens next

Narration by Luke Daniels is amazing, again. He becomes the characters. He is clear and easy to follow, while adding depth to everyone in the story. I couldn't imagine listening to these stories without him

Aawesomeness!!!!!

Soooo awesome! The books gets better and better! And Luke Daniels s performance gets better and better! Everything gets better and better!!! I can't stop listening to it! And I m definitely going to read/listen to the rest of the series!

In love with Luke Daniels

What made the experience of listening to Hammered the most enjoyable?

Beyond a shadow of a doubt The narrator is amazing. I've come to learn the narrator is the one who makes or breaks it. I'm no longer following a book or a series...
I will look for THIS narrator. He is amazing, I'm pretty sure i'm in love with him. But as far as the story goes, It is a good one, but again Luke Daniels is why I fell in love and no, I am NOT an ugly ,fat woman looking to escape. I just admit his narration id outstanding.

loved the book

What made the experience of listening to Hammered the most enjoyable?

i liked the story

What about Luke Daniels’s performance did you like?

his voice was easy to listen too and he altered his voice just enough so you could tell the who was talking

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

oberon the dog made me laugh

Excellent Story!

This book maybe one of my favorites of the series. The narration by Luke Daniels is top of the night as all books that he narrates. Luke is the best narrator and by far of any that I have listened to. this book goes into much detail regarding the gods and different worlds that exist in the iron druid Chronicles. Lots of background and action all over the place. would recommend to anyone that is interested in fantasy

Addicted to this Series!

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

Hammered is excellent and matches the quality of the previous two books. I tend to binge read/listen to books, but am so enthralled with these characters I take longer to listen, savoring the breaks in between and thinking about where they are at; what's going on.

What did you like best about this story?

Books in a series, in my opinion, tend to not be consistent in quality of the story or character development. This book continues with amazing characters on another adventure and peels back some additional layers of various characters. It was as enjoyable as the first two!

Which scene was your favorite?

i don't have a favorite scene, but I always love the attitude and humor of Atticus, and the way he thinks and sees things is fascinating! And, could I ever have imagined sympathizing with a vampire? The bonding between Atticus, Leif and Gunner was moving - Gunner trying to help keep him warm in Asguard. Leif and his plot. I also liked the leviathan.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

A few. I can't really talk about them right now. :)

Yes, Atticus realizing the awareness of the Russian thunder God, after so much time of painful reflection. I personally felt more for Leif and Gunner after getting to know them better and the fights were hard. Yes, I'm mushy.

Any additional comments?

Narration by Luke Daniels continues to be fantastic!

This seriously is one of the most enjoyable series of books I have ever experienced. The stories, the humor, the things I'm learning and thinking about while listening to them, all adds to it. And who doesn't love Oberon? The cast of characters is awesome!