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)

Looking for new and different? you found it!

This whole series is an amazing new take on many old myths and legends, with a large helping of fun on the side for flavoring. I was in love in less than an hour. The characters are well written, the performance is superb, and the story is an amazing roller coaster ride of action, adventure, suspense and emotion. A must read for anyone into the Dresden files, Merry Gentry, Anita Blake, or similar titles. Faeries, Gods, Werewolves, Vampires, Monsters, Daemons, Spirits and more!

Funny

Would you listen to Hounded again? Why?

Yes, the book was a great story, it kept me intrigued and had me laughing out loud.

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

This book had me laughing out loud multiple times throughout the story.

Great listen

Great listen if you're into Butcher themed, Dresden file, novels. I mention Butcher just to give a sense of setting. Overall well written and narrated. Worth a try if you are looking for a modern fantasy type novel.

Original and fun

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

I have recommended it to family and friends. I played parts of it for my family at dinner. For one thing it is so different from the rest of the books I have read recently. Then there is no heavy message or metaphorical hand-wringing, just a pure focus on the story. It is counter to my religious beliefs but done so light-heartedly and skillfully that I could not take any offense. I would recommend this to any religious person who does not take themselves too seriously, which is the vast majority of the ones I know.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Hounded?

The opening action sequence was very memorable. I won't say why, just that there were some surprising "elements" in it and some clever conversational changes between different kinds of characters.

What does Luke Daniels bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He was the most awesome dog I have ever heard. I always looked forward to the interchanges between Atticus and Oberon because Luke nailed the dog part. I am a dog owner and could easily imagine my pet friends talking that way. Without a doubt, his canine voice is one of the reasons to listen to this book instead of simply reading it.

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

It made me laugh because Oberon was very funny. Otherwise it was very fast paced.

Any additional comments?

Please send my thanks to both Kevin Hearne and Luke Daniels. Very well done!

Hooked from the start

Took a chance and it paid off. This was a great book. Well written, great characters that you will totally fall for and excellent narration.

Clever and Fun

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

It's at the top for modern fantasy

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

Look, the first four or five books are great. At some point I feel like his editor pushed him to expand the characters to appeal to a wider audience. The movement is all downhill. They don't get better.

funny and entertaining

this is a very lighthearted and funny story. the tone of the character was potentially not realistic but I loved it anyway. I enjoyed it and would recommend.

beyond epic!

That was an awesome book! I love the dog! sooo funny. Thank you to the author for this fantasy. almost feels like I could live in the same world.

Amazing!

Great book! Great narrator! I loved everything about it and I can't wait to hear the rest of the books!

STORM CLOUDS R THRICE CURSED . . .

. . . Best . . . Book . . . EVER!!! I don't have the words to express how great Hounded is. Shhh, I called into work to complete, the 1st time, then listened again! Yep, back-to-back-thats-how- good-it-is reading. 2B clear, 2x in 3 days; ENJOY!