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)

Excellent mix of magic and Arizona

I loved this book! As an Arizona native and someone who misses what Tempe and Mill Ave once was, and a lover of fantasy and mythology - I was just blown away by the way Kevin Hearne combined the 2. I love Atticus and all of the facets of gods and witches and werewolves in modern society and the pace and humor were just right. Also loved the narration and probably would have butchered many names in the book if I had tried to read it first. Can’t wait to listen to the rest of the series.

Favorite new series!!!

If you could sum up Hounded in three words, what would they be?

Hilarious mythological badass

What was one of the most memorable moments of Hounded?

Just about any exchange between Oberon & Atticus. I love that damn dog character. So funny, and he's constantly cracking up Atticus, too. ;)

Any additional comments?

"Hounded" is HILARIOUS & highly recommended. I enjoyed it more than Dresden files & will definitely be following this series. I like that Atticus meets all his foes calmly (as far as I've read so far) and plans his attacks with reason before going in blindly, to minimize injury and loss of life. I've been very tired of Harry Dresden's constant overly angry responses to just about everything and his solution of shouting "fuego" or "forzare" to beat most of his foes by uncontrolled fire or force. Atticus gets pissed when bad things happen to people (or animals) that he cares about, but he doesn't go off half-cocked, destroying everything. I've never understood why a wizard who's supposedly as powerful as Harry is and knows many spells (and probably could create new ones) only ever seems to use 2. But by nature, Atticus, as a Druid, is patient and has studied and worked hundreds of years to create & develop his magic, while Dresden is the hot shot (literally!) fly by the seat of his pants wizard.

I listen to audiobooks almost exclusively & usually listen with earphones on lunch & while doing housework or stuff in my art studio - the people around me must think I have some sort of tourettes condition, because of the often barking outburst of laughter that accompany listening to the book. My husband is probably also tired of me bursting out laughing & then making him listen to what I thought was funny. Most often, it's an exchange between Atticus and his dog Oberon. The dog is one of the best things about the book! I also love the old neighbor lady Atticus takes care of the lawn for.

loved this

kootz without the sad .. mature crutch
marry modern day with may historic fantasy ( wink )

Great book if you want to laugh and laugh

This was the 5th or 6th time I have listened to this book and find something new each time. Great BOOK going on to the next

Finally a stellar urban fantasy

I’ve been looking for a good urban fantasy for a while now, and I’m so glad for this book! My only complaint would be that it’s gets a little political (with the assumptions that all cops are either morons or evil) but at least there wasn’t any real romance. I’m off to get the sequel!

An interesting blending of mythos.

This book reminds me very much of my favorite book series the Dresden files. While delving into myths that are only slightly familiar to me, and blending them with multiple others that I am more or less familiar with. I am very interested to continue the series and see where it goes.

what a fun and lovely story.

very well written and presented. I'm a fan! reminds me of Dresden ;) I'm grabbing his whole series for sure

Dog gone terrific!

Luke Daniel’s , as always, a brilliant narrator. Story is superb, can’t wait to start the next one.

Great Story & Narration

Loved this tale of a druid, the pop culture references and great narration. Looking forward to more of this series!

if your not sure read this

so I was iffy, whenever dealing with a character this old it's gonna be hard to relate. luckily the main man is a chill dude with a talking dog. (who acts and thinks like a dog, so more than a few great funny memorable moments there). the ending and the kill bill reference had me screaming. It reminds me of playing through boulders gate 3 dealing with the grove. this guy could have been there. his powers/abilities feel right at home with anyone who picked druid class like I did. the world building was great! characters were interesting. if your on the border then get it. it's gooood