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Hounded: The Iron Druid Chronicles
Hounded: The Iron Druid Chronicles
Hounded: The Iron Druid Chronicles
Audiobook8 hours

Hounded: The Iron Druid Chronicles

Written by Kevin Hearne

Narrated by Luke Daniels

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4/5

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About this audiobook

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

LanguageEnglish
Release dateMay 3, 2011
ISBN9781441870025
Hounded: The Iron Druid Chronicles
Author

Kevin Hearne

Kevin Hearne hugs trees, pets doggies, and rocks out to heavy metal. He also thinks tacos are a pretty nifty idea. He is the author of A Plague of Giants and the New York Times bestselling series The Iron Druid Chronicles.

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Reviews for Hounded

Rating: 4.074957819876474 out of 5 stars
4/5

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  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    The dog was totally the best part.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Pure butt sniffing goodness. It kind of surprised me, a book that I picked on a whim, turned out to be a great listen. Always a refresher to find another good narrator.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    2011 erschien mit Hounded (Die Hetzjagd) der erste Teil der Iron Druid Chronicles von Debütautor Kevin Hearne – und was für ein gelungenes und unterhaltsames Debüt er hier abgeliefert hat! Mit seinem Beitrag zur Urban Fantasy kommt frischer und gleichzeitig uralter Wind in das Genre, denn wir bewegen uns mit Druide Atticus O’Sullivan auf den Pfaden keltischer Mythologie. Die Gottheiten anderer Religionen und Kulturen werden am Rande ebenfalls erwähnt, einige davon kommen auch zu einem kurzen Auftritt. Ebenso dabei sind Menschen unterschiedlichster Herkunft. Polen, Russen, Iren, Inder, Dänen, Isländer, Indianer, Norweger, Mexikaner … und zur Freude aller ohne rassistische Vorurteile. Ähnlich erfreulich zeigen sich auch die Geschlechterrollen in Hounded, vornehmlich dadurch, dass es keine nennenswerten Unterschiede gibt. Im Fantasy-Genre heißt es gerne “Damals war das halt so”, womit ein überdominantes Rollenbild des Mannes und eine chronische Opferrolle der Frau in modernen Romanen und TV-Produktionen gerechtfertigt wird. Kevin Hearne scheint da andere Ansichten zu haben. Denn wie Atticus gleich zu Anfang betont, stammt er aus der Eisenzeit, wo man, anders als heute, auch als Mann besser kleine Brötchen backte und einer Frau mit ebensoviel Respekt begegnete wie einem Mann. Sonst konnte es passieren, dass man(n) ruckzuck durch weibliche Hand das Zeitliche segnete, denn die klischeehaften Rollenbilder von starkem und schwachem Geschlecht gab es zu seiner Zeit noch nicht (Gesetze gegen Selbstjustiz auch nicht). Auf diese Weise wird aus “Damals war das halt so” mal ein positives Argument statt einer billigen Ausrede und der Roman zu einer wirklich angenehmen Abwechslung.Hounded ist auch sonst ein wunderbar gelungener Roman mit seinem Mix aus Moderne, Mythologie und Humor. Druide Atticus versteht es, gleichzeitig aus Star Wars und Shakespeare zu zitieren. Anders als in der ähnlich aufgebauten Buchreihe um den Magier Harry Dresden stellt die Technik für Atticus auch kein Problem dar – im Gegenteil. Er hat sich die Errungenschaften der Moderne zunutze gemacht, besitzt ein Mobiltelefon, führt einen Online-Shop, und in seinem okkulten Buchladen, wo er Heilkräuter mischt und magische Utensilien verkauft, ist eine Video-Überwachung angebracht. Kevin Hearne schafft es insgesamt sehr gut, unsere moderne Welt mit der alten, mythologischen Welt zu kombinieren ohne merkwürdige Ausflüchte finden zu müssen, um die Mystik zu bewahren. Hounded wirkt in sich rund, gegenwärtig und überzeugend. Man hat zu keiner Zeit das Gefühl, dass sich der Autor bemüht haben muss um bestimmte Details zusammen zu bringen.In dieser sehr lebendig gezeichneten Welt existieren alle von Menschen erdachten Götter gleichzeitig. So kommt es, dass nicht nur eine Gottheit des Todes oder nur eine Gottheit der Liebe etc. herum streifen, sondern so viele davon, wie es verschiedene Religionen gibt. Hast du als charmanter Druide einen vorteilhaften Deal mit der keltischen Göttin des Todes abschließen können, schützt dich das noch lange nicht vor dem christlichen Tod … Erfreulicherweise ziehen es die meisten Götter vor, ihre Sphäre nicht zu verlassen – was zu herrlich absurden Momenten führt, wenn sie es doch einmal tun und feststellen müssen, dass sie nicht ganz auf dem aktuellen Stand der herrschenden Gepflogenheiten und Erfindungen sind. Die Gefahr, in einen Gott hineinzurennen, ist allerdings eher gering, zumindest solange, bis einer dieser Götter beschließt, sich ein Schwert zurückzuholen, das ihm vor verdammt langer Zeit abhanden gekommen ist – und damit plötzlich eine ganze Schar Gottheiten sich veranlasst sieht, dem letzten Druiden einen Besuch abzustatten.Zu der Schar Götter gesellen sich außerdem auch noch Hexen, Ghoule, Vampire, Werwölfe, Riesen und ein paar Höllendämonen.Die Gottheiten in Hounded sind besser mit Vorsicht zu genießen. Sie haben durchweg interessante Persönlichkeiten, die von undurchschaubar über listig bis hin zu soziopathisch reichen. Völlig egal wie menschlich die Götter einem ab und an dabei erscheinen, sie brauchen nur Sekunden, um zu beweisen, dass sie tickende Zeitbomben für den normalsterblichen Bürger sein können und eigentlich nur sich selbst im Kopf haben. Sie sind allerdings so naiv gleichgültig, dass man sie trotz einer harschen Urteilsweise als Leser ins Herz schließen muss.Atticus dagegen, der einem mit seinen 2100 Jahren eigentlich auch schon göttlich vorkommen müsste, ist fest in der irdischen Welt verwurzelt, achtet als Druide die Natur, hat ein liebenswertes Wesen und kennt die Götter gut genug, um sie mit Respekt zu behandeln, ihnen aber auch auf recht lockere, freundschaftliche Art zu begegnen. Noch dazu ist er ein sexy Schwerenöter, lässt sich gerne mal von den keltischen Göttinnen sagen, wo der Hase lang läuft, und flirtet sich mit all seiner jugendlichen Ausstrahlung in die Herzen der Protagonistinnen und die der Leser, ohne dabei zum oberflächlichen Macho zu werden. Um seine Figur noch sympathischer zu machen, gesellt sich auch sein Sinn für Humor dazu, der am besten in Verbindung mit seinem liebsten Gesprächspartner, dem irischen Wolfshund Oberon, funktioniert. Oberon, dessen Instinkte sich im wesentlichen auf sein Fressen und französische Pudeldamen konzentrieren, ist einer der amüsantesten Charaktere dieses Buches. Im Team sind er und Atticus unschlagbar unterhaltsam.Den einzigen Punktabzug, den man geben kann, gibt es dafür, dass sich der Autor gelegentlich wiederholt und seine Scherze manchmal ein wenig zu konstruiert wirken. Vermutlich ein Anfängerfehler, der jedoch nicht weiter ins Gewicht fällt bei der sonst so überzeugenden Arbeit, die er mit Hounded abgeliefert hat. Als abschließendes Urteil gilt daher: höchst empfehlenswert für jeden, der Urban Fantasy lesen möchte und ein Herz für keltische Mythologie hat.Sprachlich ist Hounded eher den etwas geübteren Englisch-Lesern zu empfehlen. Das Vokabular besticht öfter durch weniger gängige Begriffe und die nicht wenigen Einsprengsel irischer Namen, Sprichwörter und Bezeichnungen könnten ungeübte Leser durchaus aus dem Lesefluss bringen. Mit verschriftlichtem Akzent ist ebenfalls zu rechnen. Im Vorwort gibt es allerdings auch ein paar Tips, wie die irischen Namen und Orte betont werden (wenn einen das interessiert) und eine kurze Erläuterung ihrer Bedeutung.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Great start to a series. Atticus O'Sullivan is a witty, shape shifting, magical being called a druid who faces off against other supernatural. The plot and characters are well developed and the storyline is interesting. I'm looking forward to the remaining books.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I really enjoyed it. I wasn't necessarily hooked from the first chapter; and after concluding the last one, I can't say it makes my all time favorites. However, the narrator does a great job as more characters are introduced throughout the book. I definitely enjoyed my time listening and am starting the next book (Hexed) right now. Overall: I recommend. Give this book a go in it's entirety. If it's not for you, don't pick up the next book. If you found it worth your time, the reward is there's more to enjoy!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I love the book--a great and original plot--but thought I'd try the audio version after hearing Kevin Hearne praising the narrator of his books. Luke Daniels is an awesome narrator! Anyone who can pronounce the Celtic words in this book so smoothly deserves a ton of credit, and I loved the accents. So much fun!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This book was awesome. I didn’t expect it to be this good, but it was way better than my expectations. The druids dog is hilarious.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Before this audiobook I just finished the wheel of Time series which was a 10 book audio series averaging 30-40 hours a book. It was extremely well written and I enjoyed every minute of it. However, this shorter more action packed series was a a welcome change of pace extremely action packed, well written and very enjoyable.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Fun fun fun. The storyline is great but not original. I enjoyed fresh way of looking at things. Sarcasm level 10 out of 10...
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Can't help but feel like this story had a decent amount of research that went into it that needs to be respected and admired. beyond that it had me smiling and slapping my knee in laughter on more than one occasion.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Really good storytelling, great character, and world development. I laughed from the beginning till the end. Good stuff.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    That was AWESOME ? VERY ENTERTAINING VERY VERY AWESOME REALLY FUN
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    (This is a review for the entire Iron Druid series I’ve read thus far: Hounded, Hexed, Hammered, Tricked, Trapped, Hunted, Shattered, Staked, and the short story collection Besieged). THERE WILL BE SPOILERS


    Atticus O'Sullivan (Siodhachan O Suileabhain) is a druid who acquired immortality sometime back in the first century BC or so. He has made enemies of several of the Fae and/or/ Celtic pantheon over the years, and thus when the series starts is hiding out in Arizona and running an occult bookstore/tearoom. (Arizona is suitable because the Fae have difficulty traveling to places without trees). He has an Irish wolfhound, Oberon, who is also immortal; Atticus can converse with Oberon through a mental link. Atticus wields immensely powerful Druid magic, although he requires contact with the Earth to recharge.Other reviewers have noted the series reminds them of Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files series; I concur. Through the course of the books Atticus has to fight and defeat increasingly powerful enemies – witches, demons, werewolves, vampires, cabbalists, and various members of the Celtic, Norse and Greek pantheons. Atticus is considerably more casual about collateral damage to mundanes than Harry Dresden; he’s sworn to Gaia, not to humanity. He – or rather, the author Hearne – is also more casual about dealing with actual religions. Apparently in the Iron Druid world, divine beings can manifest themselves according to the number of followers the have – the details are never worked out – thus Atticus has several encounters with Jesus and one with the Virgin Mary (at one point Jesus rescues him from near death, and he notes later that “Jesus is my savior”). While funny enough, it’s also skating on the thin edge of offense.Like Harry Dresden, Atticus has acquired a number of friends/patrons/etc.; there’s the already mentioned Oberon; his student and love interest Granuaile; his teacher and Archdruid Owen Kennedy; the local werewolf pack; various elementals; and the Celtic goddess The Morrigan. (He once takes The Morrigan on a date to an Arizona Diamondbacks game). Being something of an amateur Egyptologist, I was hoping the ancient Egyptian pantheon would show up; it does in one of the stories from Besieged (set in the past, while Atticus is looting the Library of Alexandria) and he handles it with his usual ease; the only Egyptological error I noted is Hearne’s mention of Cairo, which didn’t exist yet at the time the story’s set.A minor gripe I have with the stories is the consistent invocation of the “Environmental Litany” – the Earth is being destroyed by humans and only humans (and one immortal Druid) can save it. This does provide handles for various adventures, but it also draws on the “Golden Age” myth – that the Earth was once in perfect “harmony” and humans have disrupted that. You would think a 2000-year-old Druid would have seen enough to realize that there was never a time – nor will there ever be one – when the Earth was in “harmony”.Some other reviewers have criticized Atticus’ apparent lack of maturity – saying that he behaves more like he’s 20 than 2000. I think that’s true, but it’s easily explainable in context: Atticus’ immortality and eternal youth comes from “ImmortaliTea”, a special brew he learned from a Celtic goddess. Well, if you’re muscles, veins, nerves, skin, etc. are eternally 20 years old, there’s no particular reason to believe that somehow your “maturity” would age independent of all the other stuff.Quick reads; not as good as The Dresden Files but good enough. Some genuinely funny bits, often involving Oberon the wolfhound; Hearne is somehow more convincing as a dog than as a human.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I love this series. Looking forward to next read.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This was a fun read. I've read a few of the novellas that accompany the series and I knew I would be in for a treat. Atticus is a 2100-year-old druid trying to live his best life as a bookstore owner in Arizona. He lives with his Irish Wolfhound, Oberon, with whom is is bound. He has taught Oberon human speech and given him the ability to communicate with him using his mind. Oberon is a hoot; he's truly the star of the series. Basically, Atticus has been hiding out in Tempe, Arizona, living a fairly quiet life until one of the old Irish gods decides he's pussyfooted around long enough and finally seeks revenge on Atticus for stealing a magical sword. Aenghus Óg involves witches, demons, giants, other gods and even death himself to get the sword from Atticus. But Atticus has his own back-up of vampires (who have ghouls on speed dial), an entire werewolf pack, a powerful sorceress, Irish gods, and of course the ever loyal Oberon. There are many, many attempts on his life, some of which are seriously close calls. There is a fighting, gore, sarcasm, and comedy. It's everything I needed in a book.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Hounded is my first Urban Fantasy book and it didn't disappoint. Upon completing the series, I felt a loss that the protagonist is not real. Thoroughly, enjoyed the read. Highly recommend.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    3.5 stars

    Atticus is a 2 thousand year old Druid, hiding out in Arizona. ages ago (literally), he stole a Celtic god's magic sword, and now that his most recent hiding place isn't a secret anymore, the god is coming to collect. while planning out his defense and navigating the twisty intrigues of the Celtic pantheon, he gets tangled up with the local witch coven and bailed out by his vampire/werewolf lawyer team.

    there's a whole lot of stuff mashed into one book, so full points for exuberance, but the messiness means that it definitely reads like a first novel. thankfully, though it is the first of a series, it reads like a whole and complete story, not just a set-up for future installments. the consciously modern trash-talking gets a little silly, but the vicious capriciousness of old battle goddesses is more than enough fun to make the next book worth checking out.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I adored this book! Funny, action-packed, with just the right touch of heart and mystery. Atticus is just the sort of main character that makes a book great, and his dog makes it even better. I loved the new light on old stories, the world-building, the mix of ancient mythologies from many cultures, and the use of a druid. I've seen plenty of werewolf/vampire/witch main character, but a druid? That is so cool! And I enjoyed the take on druid magic, the idea of earth as power, the tattoos, iron necklace - all delightful and marvelous to read. And yes, there is a werewolf pack and an vampire - but they don't sparkle or fall in love with vapid girls. They kick ass - as lawyers. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to read an original urban fantasy.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I am so grateful for a book that is well written with good characters and an enjoyable story. If you're looking for good quality work, read this.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I was expecting more from this book. Not sure why, (maybe the good dust cover blub and the awesome front cover) but I was and was thus disappointed. The humor and wit was a bit too much for me. Atricus came across as flat. I was hoping for more personality and character. I mean come on, he's 2100 years old. He says he's dangerous and wise (and he should be too, being that old) but I didn't see that in his personality. I also read on multiple sites that this series was said to be like Butcher's Dresden Files series but I can't see the similarity outside of its genre and setting. The latter is a favorite of mine. This one just didn't rub the right way. Now the book wasn't horrible. I did get some laughs out of it. I'll probably read the second book later on. But not anytime soon. Every reader is different so I won’t say don't read the book. It actually looks like a lot of people really liked it. Just be prepared that it might not meet your expectations.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Atticus O'Sullivan is the last living Druid. Over two thousand years old, Atticus looks like a young college student. His secret? That The Morrigan, taker of the dead, has agreed to never take Atticus. His youthful good looks are the result of secret herbal infusion he drinks regularly. But youthful good looks and the wisdom from living for two thousand years don't keep Atticus out of trouble.Aenghus Og, "god of love" in the Irish pantheon, has been chasing Atticus for millennia to reclaim a magic sword. Atticus has managed to avoid confrontation down the ages, but things come to a head in modern-day Tempe. Over the course of just a couple of days, Atticus has to defend himself against constant attacks from gods and humans under Aenghus Og's control. With the help of his werewolf lawyer, his dog Oberon, and his new crush who channels an old witch from India, Atticus must fight to preserve his hold on that sword. Tir na Nog, and our earthly plane, are at stake.I really enjoyed reading this book. Told in Atticus' wise-cracking, youthful voice, the adventure just kept coming. There were times I was annoyed by his hipness, which reminded me of LeStat introducing himself once as "Hi, I'm LeStat. You remember me from..." Or Troy McClure from the Simpsons. But mostly, I enjoyed my time with Atticus, and I think I would read the next book.This review is based on an e-book which includes a couple more short stories and a preview chapter of the next book in the Iron Druid Chronicle series.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I've always been interested in druids, especially after studying them at University so this caught my attention straight away. I loved the style, the way that all belief systems co-exist and the way the author has portrayed them. For example, the Christian god can't fix on a physical form because there are so many different views of him.

    The story is imaginative, the language and characters brilliantly written. Highly recommend this book.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Really solid fantasy book. Steady pace with few lulls. Reader gave good performance. I hope they stick with same reader in series. Will plan to listen to next in series. NSFW language and scattered throughout with sexual innuendo.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    There's something in this book that just fails to reach me, and I can't put my finger on what. Not bad either - continuing on because I need something to listen to in the car and I want to see what everybody's going so crazy about. Maybe it'll catch me later.

    Edit: I'm like 60% of the way through book 3 right now, and I think it's hit me. Damnit, Atticus is just way too perfect. Gary Stu, meet Atticus, he's better than you. And that holier-than-thou, I'm-so-clever attitude just wanders around with him all through all three books. I'm still reading, but mostly because I ought to. But whatever people say, this is absolutely not the heir to Dresden -- Dresden being gritty, exhausted, ground down and coming up against odds that he has no chance of beating; Atticus is just tweaking the nose of whatever god attempts to tell him no and doing it anyway.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    2000 year old Druid with a vampire and a werewolf for lawyers currently living in Arizonia...what's not to love; and who wouldn't love a talking Irish wolfhound as your loyal companion; I read the first three of this series in order and can hardly wait for book 4, Tricked
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    These are great books by Kevin Hearne and the narrator is awesome. I’m hooked ?
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Best of the supernatural novels currently in print. Foot stomping funny.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    3.5. Entertaining, although maybe a little bit overstuffed with nefarious gods and all manner and other than human creatures. It did make me laugh out loud though, more than once. Oberon is the bomb. Hard to believe something could be more over the top than Janet Evanovich, but this is. Think Lizzy and Diesel on meth. Will continue with the series, it is definitely entertaining and relaxing.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Very generic.

    I did like that Atticus is neither a detective, nor a police officer. In fact, he's not even investigating anything! It makes for a nice change from other books. But other than that, Hounded is rather bland.

    Unfortunately, there were quite a few characters that I didn't find at all believable, especially the elderly neighbor Katie and the dog Oberon. There were several instances I was thrown for a loop when Oberon said something particularly canine, because most of the time he talks and seems to think like a human.

    If you don't mind more of the same stuff every other urban fantasy out there has and appreciate extremely cheesy humor, you might like this. But this definitely isn't "different" and honestly, I'm not sure what all the hype is about.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    When I picked up Hounded I made some assumptions based on the cover. I assumed it was trashy brain candy (what do you call it when the eye-candy is in your imagination?) and I was right. Atticus O'Sullivan, a 2100 year old Druid, is hot & witty, with a weakness for ladies.

    This isn't a deep book, but it is fun.