Audiobook Review: Hounded
Hounded: The Iron Druid Chronicles, Bk 1
Kevin Hearne
Narrated by Luke Daniels
Length: 8 hrs & 11 mins
Audible release: 04-19-11
Audible | Amazon
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 sexy 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.
In Six Words: Geeky Druids are the new Vampire!
Review:
When Atticus O’Sullivan receives word that his longest living enemy is coming after him yet again to claim an enchanted sword, he decides that after two millennia of running he is tired of relocating, tired of hiding. Ready to face his demons in some kind of final showdown, Atticus discovers that it just may take more than a bit of luck to defeat his arch-nemesis for good.
I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun listening to a story!
Granted, it’s been a long while since I’ve had the patience to listen to an audiobook. Usually, I struggle with audiobooks because tuning in with your ears instead of with sight seems like it has to be in conjunction with another task, like getting on the treadmill or doing chores. And let’s face it, I’m not about to power walk or clean for 9+ hours straight, or even in broken up bits.
That said, narrator Luke Daniels totally rocked the voice of Atticus O’Sullivan and the other characters in Hounded, expect maybe the females, but I hardly can hold that against him. I enjoyed nothing more than being nestled up with Atticus’s voice in my head as I journeyed with him on a most excellent adventure.
My interest in Hounded only came after seeing the swoon worthy cover, obviously. Still, I refrained from buying the book because I don’t really think of myself as a big fan of UF. Then, one day on Twitter, the wonderful Danny of Bewitched Bookworms suggested it as an audiobook. One listen to the sample of Hounded and I knew I had to have it.
This story included mentions of every supernatural creature you could think of, and a few so odd they are often overlooked. Witches, faeries, vampires, werewolves, gods, goddesses, demons, all make an appearance, but Kevin Hearne weaved each in effortlessly, holding my interest the entire time without overwhelming me. Also, there were pop culture references galore, everything from Orlando Bloom’s salon quality hair in LOTR to Eric Cartman’s “You will respect my authoritah.” Just listening to it all was so dang fun!
The cast of characters were phenomenally epic; yet as delightful and terrifying as the secondary characters were, it was Atticus who stole the show. His whole being, from the way he thought about things to the way he acted, had me completely convinced that he was a 21 centuries old Druid who attended Shakespeare’s plays when they first debuted. Why shouldn’t he be completely blase about sex or talk about fathering a son in passing? This is not the say that he was unemotional or uncaring, just that his ‘reality’ was very different.
I’m not doing a good job conveying how great the story was, mostly due to the fact that I’m not accustomed to writing audiobook reviews. About all I can do is gush over how charmed I was by the story and the narrator’s voice acting.
The only thing that kind of grated on my nerves a few times was the voice of Oberon, Atticus’s beloved Irish Wolfhound. Because really, what’s a story like this without a dog that can speak plain English? While it was fun to imagine that Atticus and Oberon shared a link that enabled them to communicate with each other, and while Luke Daniels did an expectational job imitating the voice of a dog, I did find it a wee-bit annoying from time to time.
Overall, Hounded was a hilarious and grand tale that merged magic and heroics in the most charming way. The audiobook was engaging and entertaining, and I highly recommend it for some off beat fun.
Other Reviews: Danny of Bewitched Bookworms, Galla
Challenge(s): 111 in ‘11 Challenge, 2011 Audio Book Challenge
Posted at 5:00 am • Labels: 2011, 4 stars, audiobook, Book Review, Faeries, Kevin Hearne, The Iron Druid Chronicles, urban fantasy, Vampires, werewolves
I've only fairly recently heard of this series but everything I've heard so far, I've loved! I love books that have a smorgasbord (spelling?) of paranormal beings. And Atticus sounds awesome!
I feel the same way about audiobooks, that I need to be either exercising or cleaning while listening to them or else I'm wasting my time or something. Perhaps I wouldn't feel that I was wasting my time if it was an exceptionally good audiobook though so perhaps I'll check this one out! Thanks for the review!
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I haven't ever tried an audiobook – I don't why but I feel that I wouldn't enjoy it.
You're right – the cover is fantastic! The story sounds like fun, with some great characters.
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Oh you were super fast “reading” it. Very entertaining right?? Thanks for the shout out my friend and I'm glad I could recommend this series to you. I had incredible fun listening to them and I'm glad you did too!
This is truly a unique series and Luke Daniels does an fantastic job narrating them!
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Hmmm…. a dog that can speak english….interesting. Oh well I have read about a talking cat so time for a talking dog. I am definitely a fan of off beat fun too! And I have been meaning to try an audio book so this might be a good start. Great review Missy.
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I picked up all 3 of these on audiobook because I heard the narrator did a fantastic job (especially with the dog voice)! YEAH! I am so glad you liked it, I think I may bump it up in my TBL pile
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Hounded sounds like a fun audiobook! #insixwords
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Hounded sounds like a fun audiobook! #insixwords
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Hounded sounds like a fun audiobook! #insixwords
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Hounded sounds like a fun audiobook! #insixwords
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@Aylee, Smorgasbord is the perfect way to describe the cast of characters.
@Misha, If audiobooks aren't for you, I'd say try the book. I bet it would still be as enjoyable.
@Danny, Thanks for the rec. I loved it!
@Nic, I honestly think you'd enjoy it.
@Felicia, After listening to Hounded, I immediately purchased the other two audiobooks! I'm revved up to listen to them.
@Amanda, You made me snort my coffee! #insixwords
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I'm throwing six words at you! #insixwords
PS. Are you okay, you coffee snorter? #insixwords
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I'm throwing six words at you! #insixwords
PS. Are you okay, you coffee snorter? #insixwords
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I'm throwing six words at you! #insixwords
PS. Are you okay, you coffee snorter? #insixwords
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I'm throwing six words at you! #insixwords
PS. Are you okay, you coffee snorter? #insixwords
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This series is so on my list to buy. Except I think I'll go for the traditional books. I haven't read one bad review for it yet, so these seem to be must reads.
PS: I love your reviews. They're always so well thought out and thorough.
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LOVE your 6 word summary
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Now I wondered how he narrated the dog part. Normal with a bit of woff woff?
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I have yet to listen to an audio book, but I've heard such good things about this series, so maybe I should start with these:) I just love that his name is Atticus, that's enough to make me want to read/listen to it because I'm very very shallow when it comes to what makes me want to read a book:)
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I'm with Jenny… Still haven't read or… “listened” to an audio book! I DO have the physical copy though!! I can't WAIT to start it!
*ahem* Zombies are the new Vampire… Just sayin. <3 you!
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The cover of this book is definitely swoon worthy! It sounds like a really awesome read, and I must check it out!
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This sounds like so much fun. I love audio books on a long trip. Oh and you had me at Cartman! lol I want to know how he sounds now.
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I read, and LOVED, the first two in the series and now have the third on audio (and in paperback at the bookstore but haven't picked it up yet). This series is one of my newest favorites, I just love it! And I'm so glad you enjoyed it as well!
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Missie this sounds really stinkin good. Im always looking for great audio books to listen to for my whisper audio challenge. Im listening to Ship Breaker right now….but Im going to check this one out…;)
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Wait – I thought zombies were the new vampire! Shows how out-of-date I am. I love the cover too – swooning as I write…
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I don't have the patience to listen to audiobooks either since I'm a pretty fast reader and I zone out after awhile. You make this one sound incredibly good though. As if I don't have enough books to read!
I like that there were so many paranormal creatures incorporated and yet you don't feel overwhelmed by their presence.
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i've never listened to a book but i think i might give it a try.
i haven't heard of this series either but it sounds ver interesting and weird in a good way.
great review
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Girl, you have a way with words that is utterly convincing! Fabulous, fabulous review. I've never heard of this before, but I'm totally sold now
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Definitely intriguing. I have a hard time with audiobooks too. The idea of an Irish shapeshifter living in Arizona strikes me as funny for some reason. I like that there were lots of paranormal characters.
I hope the wolfhound had an Irish accent fitting his breed
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Missie, I have had my eye on this one and really want to read it. Can I borrow this one? Pretty please with a cherry on top?
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I always feel like I have to do something when I listen to an audio book, too. And then I get distracted.
I am so happy you liked this book though! You, Danny, ok, I'm so completely sold now.
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I've been trying to get a hold of this on audio from the library. They have it on order, but it's taking forever. I'm glad you liked it.
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You had me at “Geeky Druids are the new vampires.” Lol. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I could use a new audio book to listen to. Maybe I'll pick up this one!
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I LOVE audiobooks! I am going to download this one to listen to next!
BTW we are all done having babies for the year, lol, if you are going to anysignings near Houston let us know and we can meet up for lunch or dinner
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I just recently got into Audio books. I will def try this.
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I just got this book! So excited!
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