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)

Engaging series with depth and humour!

Well-rounded, engaging characters with a unique concept. The individual stories are strong with a steadily building story arc throughout the series. Lots of fun moments & excellent narration with a range of characters (men, women, gods, monsters, and a dog!)
Who wouldn't want to read about a world in which everybody thinks Thor is a jerk!

Loved this book!!!

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

Great narration. Luke really brings Hounded to life.

What did you like best about this story?

#1 Luke Daniels #2 Great story.

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

Definitely the Druid

Hilarious!

This made me laugh out loud so many times while being a good story at the same time 5 stars!

love love love!

Love the story, love the narrator, love the series! Just started my second time through

Luke Daniels is the Perfect Atticus and Oberon.

Kevin Hearne is a master story teller. Combined with Perfect selection of Luke Daniels as the voice of Atticus and Oberon. Well lets just say enjoy your sleepless night.

Wonderful

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The adventures of Atticus do not cease to amuse nor entertain!

The best audio i have had yet.

Would you listen to Hounded again? Why?

Many times. The narrator, Luck Daniels, was made for this. He is incredible.

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

His change in voice made this a real treat. His voice alone made me laugh and smile so many times.

Engaging

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

I enjoy books with sarcasm and wit. I also enjoy silliness but in the context of lightening the story as opposed to being a primary story component. I honestly felt this book had that with Oberon's part in the storyline which, would not have been half as enjoyable had the narrator not voiced this pup as he had. Voicing and text there kept a little humor and break in story nice.

What did you like best about this story?

I like the view this story is told from and I enjoy the main character's thought process. However, I could not give it 5 stars only b/c I felt that for such a badass, I felt he's a little dim in seeing what was coming. I get that his character is (at least in this novel) primarily defensive but his musings around how to protect himself are few and far between until he is met with the fight at the end and he finally gets that his opponent has done far more plotting than he. I'm glad the author exposed this character flaw and his acknowledgement of it, it's what will have me moving to the next in the series. I want to see if he develops from this or not.

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

Oberon

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

When the old lady told asked him if he was going to try to tell her what she saw was a product of the drink. That just made me laugh out loud.

Any additional comments?

Worth the listen if you like light and well-paced stories. There is no romance to speak of in this book and that's a refreshing change of pace, even when there were a few mentions of it throughout. This is NOT a romance.

Very enjoyable

Any book that can make me laugh repeatedly is a good book for me. It honestly became a bit of a problem as I was listening in my very quiet office and unexpected bursts of laughter are a bit shocking for my coworkers. Entertaining, different, and a wonderful telling and narration. I am particularly fond of his dog and the old Irish woman.

Good story, author is petty. Perfect performance!

I really enjoy the story. The performance, is as always, the very best by Luke Daniels. I find few narrators who can match him. I do have a few complaints with Kevin Hearne. For one, he trashed some of the religions of the Gods he uses. And, out of fear no doubt, steers completely away from any of the Muslim pantheons. Why cannot these authors write without trashing things they do not agree with, really? Leave your personal opinions out of it, because it make it indisputable you are petty! Otherwise very enjoyable.