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)

Amazing

great listen with a great humor and really looking forward to the other books in the series

Narration and Story Both Well Done

I'm not sure if I liked the book or the narrator better. In my experience it is not easy for a male to do female voices. Lots of times they get overplayed. But Luke Daniels in this unabridged production of Hounded does an excellent job of portraying all of the characters. His characters appear to be understated which counteracts that somewhat overblown plot involving a 2100 year old druid, his Irish Wolf hound, a coven of Polish witches, a pack of werewolves, a vampire, and assorted Celtic gods and goddesses.

Atticus O'Sullivan, the above mentioned Druid, has made a peaceable life for himself in Arizona where he owns a small shop selling herbal teas and books on mystic subjects. Then one day the Morrigan in her battle crow shape blows into his shop and things quickly become a lot less peaceable. Atticus had in the distant past earned the undying enmity of Angus Og the celtic god of Love (don't think Cupid) when Atticus manages to make off with a magic sword that Angus Og himself wanted. Now Angus is making a major push to get it back-- as well as create a conflict among the Tuatha Dé Danann.

One thing I really liked about the narrator was his ability to use the sometimes tongue twisting names of the characters with a confidence that made me feel that he was doing it correctly even if he wasn't. Actually, from my experience reading books from the Celtic revival of the late 19th and 20th century, he was doing pretty good with the Celtic ones.

It took me long enough to getting around to listening to this one, but I'm definitely going to pick up the other two both available from Audible read by Luke Daniels.

I would become a druid just to talk to my dogs

I picked up Hounded to fill my commute and satisfy my current addiction to urban fantasy,
never suspecting that I was purchasing the perfect combination of story and performance.

The story is original and compelling, with loveable characters with real personalities, that is told with a lighthearted comedic style. The main characters Irish wolfhound, Oberon, is reason enough to read this novel!

The performance is also top-notch with excellent production value, a real must for me, and Luke Daniels seems to be really enjoying himself. His distinctive character voices add to the charm of the already wonderful characters and his presentation style meshes perfectly with the tenor of the story.

The apex of character/narrator perfection comes in Mr. Daniels voicing of Oberon. I loved the character and voicing so much that I had to give my wife a play by play of Oberon's antics as though he were a real dog with which I could communicate! "You should have seen Oberon do such and such" I would tell her, "...and then Oberon said..." I'd say, and my poor wife smiled and nodded at my apparent lunacy.

Hooked from the start!

What a great listen! I enjoyed the story enormously but Kevin Hearne's reading made it even more fun.
Can't wait for the next book in the series!

“Outstanding” you won’t want to put this one down!

I have not been this entertained in a long time. Between Kevin and Luke they put this book into my top 10 of all time!

Dresden Light- Fun and Not Deep Thinking

Story is more of an Young Adult fiction but wouldn't be called that because of the sex and descriptions. It's fun, light and full of action. You as the listener feel a bit pummeled as the character. I heard myself saying, "Another attack?" :) The gods act like gods and the people act like people. The story progresses from the first chapter and is fun to follow.

Loved the use of myths from many cultures and how they interacted with each other.

In characterization, very similar to Dresden Files by Jim Butcher and that was part of the appeal for me.

Added bonus for me was the setting, Tempe, Arizona. Since I live in Phoenix, I know the area very well and it's obvious the author lives nearby. If you were to visit, using the book as your guide, you could navigate the college town pretty well! Though if you're looking for celtic gods, you might want to visit Ireland instead.

I know a lot of listeners are obsessed with male readers being able to sound like females for character voices- Luke Daniels doesn't fool your ears but gets the voice the same every time, so for me it was pleasant to listen to. I love the dog the most!

I want a dog like Oberon.

Would you listen to Hounded again? Why?

Yes, thoroughly entertaining.

What did you like best about this story?

All the different characters, each unique and each had a valid place.

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

Oberon - this dog is so true to his character it's amazing.

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

Not the faries of your childhood.

Any additional comments?

Cute story, enjoyable read. Definately will seek out next story in the series.

Cool Book

Feels like a cross between Supernatural and American Gods. Targeted to a YA audience, but good enough to be entertaining to anyone. Narrator has excellent pacing, could do better with differentiating the voices, but I expect he improves as the series progresses and he gets more time with the characters.

This book really heats up fast...

I loved this fantastic Urban-Fantasy genre audio book... and yes, like so many other reviewers, I can certainly see the similarities between the Iron Druid Chronicles, and the Dresden Files... But I can see the differences too, and it's these differences that set their respective worlds, worlds apart!
I can safely say that there's room enough in my heart to I love them both, and that's said after only having read book1 in the Iron Druid Chronicles!

Atticus, along with his Irish wolfhound Oberon, are living peacefully in Arizona. He is the proprietor of an occult bookstore and tea shop. Atticus serves the small, local magic community, along with the regular Joes that are looking to expand their horizons. For Atticus, Arizona is a great place to live, and it's  pretty far from his long time nemesis, Aenghus Og, the fae god. Here, even Thor (who's a complete Dick, btw) leaves him alone... but OMG things suddenly heat up fast in this action packed book... Lawyers, the cute bar-maid, and even Atticus' Dr. aren't what they seem to be...
As for Oberon, well let's just say that he lives for the moment... and of course, sausages!
Luke Daniels gives a superb performance as the narrator for this tale!

Hooked on Hearne

A friend told me last month that I really needed to add Kevin Hearne to my enormous TBR pile. I assured him that I was very busy but would check him out as soon as possible. A couple of days later this book came up on the daily deal, and I couldn't pass up on that price. After all, I had agreed to check this author out.

After the sugar high of Halloween I started Hounded and listened to the first chapter. I really like Luke Daniel's voice and the way he comes across as Atticus O'Sullivan and his voice for the dog, Oberon is perfect as well. I could not imagine a better narrator for this book. I was seriously disappointed when I had to put the book down and get some rest and again the next day when I was expected to work for 8 hours.

I'll leave others to explain the plot, but will say that I found it to be quite fun. The wit that filled the pages from this ancient Druid were fun and I found myself on more that one occasion chuckling out loud. I very much look forward to starting the next book and fully expect to be through the rest of this series by Thanksgiving.

Can Kevin write any faster?