Series: Iron Druid #7
Format Read: hardcover
Source: the library
Release Date: June 17, 2014
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | ARe*/OmniLit | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords*
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.
Blurb from goodreads:
Acclaimed author Kevin Hearne makes his hardcover debut with the new novel in his epic urban fantasy series starring the unforgettable Atticus O’Sullivan.
For nearly two thousand years, there was only one Druid left walking the Earth—Atticus O’Sullivan, the Iron Druid, whose sharp wit and sharp sword kept him alive while pursued by a pantheon of hostile deities. Now he’s got company.
Atticus’s apprentice Granuaile is at last a full Druid herself. What’s more, Atticus has defrosted an archdruid long ago frozen in time, a father figure (of sorts) who now goes by the modern equivalent of his old Irish name: Owen Kennedy.
And Owen has some catching up to do.
Atticus takes pleasure in the role reversal, as the student is now the teacher. Between busting Atticus’s chops and trying to fathom a cell phone, Owen must also learn English. For Atticus, the jury’s still out on whether the wily old coot will be an asset in the epic battle with Norse god Loki—or merely a pain in the arse.
But Atticus isn’t the only one with daddy issues. Granuaile faces a great challenge: to exorcise a sorcerer’s spirit that is possessing her father in India. Even with the help of the witch Laksha, Granuaile may be facing a crushing defeat.
As the trio of Druids deals with pestilence-spreading demons, bacon-loving yeti, fierce flying foxes, and frenzied Fae, they’re hoping that this time . . . three’s a charm.
Bea's Thoughts:
I love this series. It's a perfect blend of mythology, contemporary times, action, story, and characterization. Plus I love Hearne's humor, sometimes snarky, sometimes dry, and sometimes just silly stupid but always smart.
Having said that, this installment is lighter on action than most of the previous ones. When we get action it's intense, frightening, and thrilling. But in between we get lots of thinking and talking and narration. We also don't get many scenes with both Atticus and Granuaile as they spend most of the book apart on separate adventures. The story is told in alternating POVs - Atticus, Granuaile, and Owen, Atticus's teacher and mentor.
Owen is cranky, cantankerous, funny, and more objective than Atticus. As you if you've been reading the series, most of his problems are of his own making and Owen has no problem telling him so. Owen is interesting and I like the perspective he brings to the story; his interactions with the werewolves and the modern world are a hoot. I assume we'll be seeing more of him.
We finally find out who is behind the attacks on Atticus and why. There's death, betrayal, and heartbreak, and I cried. Politics suck. While this wasn't one of the more enthralling entries in the series, it moves the story along and sets up the final battle. I can't wait to see where Hearne goes next with this series.
I was enjoying this series but got sidetracked. I think I stopped after the third book, Hammered. I should get back to them!
ReplyDelete