Hounded

The Iron Druid Chronicles, Book 1

By: Kevin Hearne

Narrated by: Luke Daniels

Length: 8 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

Don’t miss any of Kevin Hearne’s phenomenal Iron Druid Chronicles novels:
Hounded | Hexed | Hammered | Tricked | Trapped | Hunted | Shattered | Staked

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

Critic reviews

"Hearne, a self-professed comic-book nerd, has turned his love of awesome dudes whacking mightily at evil villains into a superb urban fantasy debut.” (Publishers Weekly)

“A page-turning and often laugh-out-loud funny caper through a mix of the modern and the mythic.” (Ari Marmell, author of The Warlord’s Legacy)

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

Great Read

This was a great read. Especially if your waiting for the next Dresden Files book. Excellent follow up to the Dresden Files.

An interesting take on the Pantheons

I found myself engrossed in this book. I was cheering for the hero but perhaps more so for his hound. I have enjoyed this series thus far immensely and to be honest that is due to not only the author but to the narrator as well. I also enjoy the weaving in of different religious beliefs and their Pantheons.

Oberon Rocks!

What did you love best about Hounded?

I really enjoyed the modern-day setting with the current-day language (most of the time). Oberon (the Irish Wolfhound) had great one-liners and Luke Daniels did his voice spot-on.

I've listened to alot of Fantasy stories and was on the edge of my seat at times in this book, however, I really appreciated the light-hearted approach Kevin Hearne applied to his tale when events weren't so life threatening. That's what sets these stories apart from others I have listened to. And Luke Daniels does a great job at not being overly dramatic which can truely ruin a great book.

Alot of authors use mythology to tell their stories, most often Greek and/or Roman, so I really enjoyed learning more about Norse Mythology (and some Native American in books 2 & 3).

I was very excited to have stumbled across these books and found that I couldn't wait for the next book to come out. I actually downloaded and listened to book 4 ON the day of it's release.

I'M WAITING (not so) PATIENTLY FOR BOOK 5.

Keep 'um coming Kevin!

Yes it really is that Good

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

#1

What other book might you compare Hounded to and why?

I actually would not compare any other book to Hounded as it quite original.

Which character – as performed by Luke Daniels – was your favorite?

Oberon - if my dog could talk she would sound like that although not as poodle obsessed.

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

Even though a peaceful Druid spends 2000 years avoiding avoiding a fight, when they come between him and his dog. That's it heads will roll!

Any additional comments?

Atticus is an original character and all the blend of personalities in this book are awesome. The gods are full of human foibles, the immortals blend normal and supernatural and do it well and the communication between Atticus and Oberon is just endearing.

Magic in the Present

If you like the idea of magic in the present day, then this book is for you. Really great story and characters. I went and got the other two books in the series right after finishing this one. Just the right amount of everything.

Fun and snarky

A very original, fun, and snarky take on fantasy in modern times. AUDIBLE 20 REVIEW SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY

Fun Story

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

Don't know. Never read the print version.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Loved the dog. Funny, hungry, and horny. What a great combo.

Which scene was your favorite?

Don't want to spoil things, but the end battle was great.

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

I was laughing at the dog parts. I thought it was going to be a little silly, but it was pulled off as being really funny. I liked that.

Any additional comments?

Please give this audio book a try. I know there's more in the series and I hope the remaining ones are just as good.

The bench mark for modern fantasy epic!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

YES and already have! I have never read a book that is equally funny/smart as well as epic.

What about Luke Daniels’s performance did you like?

Everything!

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

Yes! I have listened to it 4 times and each time was just as good as the first!

Awe lnspiring

I need more of this series in this voice actors voice. I originally chose this story because I am a druid and I thought listening to a story about a very old druid in America would be amusing at the very least. I fell in love with the story and characters. That is impressive because I am not a fan of first person point of view. I recommend this story to everyone.

Great story topped with great dog character

This series has a lot of theological and fantasy lore in it that I enjoy a lot. It creates a great setting where the main character is a powerful druid but at the same time there are many beings out there who are much more powerful than him. Only his cunning and experience are what will allow him to continue his extremely long life. The banter of the main character especially with his pet dog are what really makes this book shine. Comedy mixed in to great story telling is the perfect recipe for success in my opinion. My favorite part of this book at the end of the day though was the dog. I would have given this book five stars without him but it is one of my favorite series because of him. The narrator did an amazing job on the dog's voice as well as all the other characters.