Hunted

Try as I might, I can't figure out a way to get Goodreads to let me give this as many stars as it deserves – 6. I don't think it's possible for Hearne to write a bad book, but Hunted is beyond good. Not that Hearne has ever seemed anything but self-assured and capable (sorta like Atticus), but he's really firing on all cylinders here – from the jaw-dropping and series-changing events of Chapter 1 through all the plot, twists, character moments, quips, action, and development that follows – Hearne delivers with verve and panache.

I don't know how to describe the storyline without plunging neck-deep into spoiler territory, so let's just say that this picks up minutes (if not seconds) from Trapped and keeps going from there. Virtually every character from the previous five novels makes an appearance (if only with a name-drop), and we get a few new characters from the pages of myth (Irish, Greek and Roman predominantly, but most of Europe is well-represented here) as well from Hearne's own imagination. Our favorite Druids face off with a couple of new opponents, try to broker a peace with Greek and Roman pantheons, prepare for Ragnarok, and try to suss out who amognst the Tuatha Dé Danann might be working to bring about their untimely demise. (clearly, our heroes don't get a lot of rest in these fast-moving 300 pages to get all that addressed)

Not that Atticus has had an easy go of it since the beginning of Hounded, but Hearne really puts the hurt on him this time around. He has two of the closest calls I can remember a first-person narrator dealing with in recent history – and he gets both of them in one book! Though honestly, the emotional and intellectual challenges he faces are probably harder for him to deal with – his Bear charm and tattoos can't help him with those. Naturally, he rises to the challenges and even pulls off a couple of schemes that would make his buddy Coyote proud. While remaining Atticus at his core, there are flashes of a ruthlessness and hardness that we haven't seen much of before. A good reminder that a Celtic warrior was formidable opponent (thankfully, there are things that still make him balk!)

While most of the book is told from Atticus' POV as usual, we do get a few chapters from Granuaile's POV. I appreciated seeing things from her perspective (not just the parts that Atticus couldn't relate, either) and I learned a lot more about a character I thought I knew pretty well already. I think she's just about at the point where we could get Granuaile novels with minimal use of Atticus (see the Joe Pike novels) and not feel we were missing much – if anything, the fight scenes might be a bit more savage. There's a danger here (I think Atticus himself sees this) in her becoming too much of an eco-warrior (think Captain Planet as told by Tarantino), and I think that could make for problematic reading if it went on too long or too extreme. But until then, I'm enjoying the heck out of this warrior woman.

If you're already reading this series, you're in love with Oberon (or have no soul). If you're not reading it, you've probably not read this far – but if you have, just know that it's worth buying the 6 books just to spend time with this most wonderful of Irish Wolfhounds. When I described Chapter 1 in words similar to my first paragraph to my wife (who's a couple books behind), she simply stopped me, “He didn't kill Oberon, did he?” I got the distinct impression that my books would be headed for the trash pile (or would be tossed on the barbeque) if I answered yes. Thankfully (on many levels), that's not the case. Even better, this is the best use of Oberon yet – of course, he's hilarious and inappropriate as always – but he also gets to be heroic, inspiring and even moving. I'm not kidding, my eyes got misty a couple of times just because of him.

Any book that does all that while pulling off things like citing Wheaton's Law within a few pages of quoting Dante (in the original!) needs to be celebrated. Now the wait for book 7 begins. (sigh)

Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow. That was SO good! Now when can I have more?

Seriously, I need to learn that every time I get my hands in a new book from Hearne, I should just clear my calendar and explain to all and sundry that I am unavailable for the following day or so. I am wholly incapable of reading them in anything but one delicious session, rubbing sleepy eyes, skipping meals, and ignoring the phone. When I do come to the last page, I flip on, desperately hoping that there might be a little more left. Afterwards, I have to immediately visit the author's web site, seeking news of the next release.

There are very few winters whose work is so compelling to me. Jim Butcher is the other who comes to mind immediately.

If you haven't read the Iron Druid series, I strongly encourage you to do so. If you've read earlier volumes but not thus one, what are you waiting for?

Originally posted at Fantasy Literature. http://www.fantasyliterature.com/reviews/hunted/

It seems like everyone is out to get Atticus and Granuaile, the world???s last two druids. They???re running from the goddesses Artemis and Diana, the vampires and dark elves want them dead, and Loki and his daughter Hel need to kill Atticus so they can unleash Ragnarok on the world. As the title tells, Atticus, Granuaile and their dog Oberon are being hunted in this sixth novel of Kevin Hearne???s IRON DRUID CHRONICLES. The hunt takes them across Europe, including the English Channel. It???s stressful for our heroes, but the gods find the whole thing pretty entertaining.

I don???t want to mention much more of the plot of Hunted ??? you???ll understand why when you read it. If you???re a fan of the series, you probably don???t need any encouragement to pick up this book. Likely all you really want to confirm is that Hearne is keeping up his end of the author-reader bargain: we???ll buy his books if he keeps entertaining us with great characters, fun plots, and his geeky sense of humor. If that???s all you need to know, rest assured ??? your money and time will be well spent. This is another exciting installment in the IRON DRUID CHRONICLES and everything we expect is here. I thought Hunted was better than the previous book, Trapped.

But wait, there???s more! In Hunted, for the first time, Hearne gives us Granuaile???s perspective; some of the chapters are written from her POV, and that is nicely done. Also, this installment is particularly emotional. Kevin Hearne always makes me laugh, but this time he actually made me cry. Though the plot is mostly one long chase scene, it???s never dull, there???s plenty of loss and love, characters get hurt and some of them die, and the story advances. At the end, the world is significantly different than it was at the beginning. Alliances have shifted and Ragnarok is coming???

All this, plus dwarves, Polish witches, rolling heads, a manticore, Japanese television, and Girl Scout cookies.

I???m still listening to the awesome audiobook version read by Luke Daniels.