Kevin Hearne – Books-n-Kisses

May 18, 2020May 17, 2020

Kelly reviews A Blight Of Blackwings by Kevin Hearne

TITLE: A Blight of Blackwings
SERIES #: Seven Kennings #2
CHARACTERS: Daryck, Hanima & Koesha
AUTHOR: Kevin Hearne
NARRATOR: Luke Daniels & Xe Sands
RUN TIME: 20 Hours & 10 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: February 4, 2020
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
From the New York Times bestselling creator of The Iron Druid Chronicles comes the highly anticipated sequel to A Plague of Giants: A world-breaking war–an invasion of giant warriors–that inspires a movement to fight back.
SOLDIER AND AVENGER
Daryck is from a city that was devastated by the war with the Bone Giants, and now he and a band of warriors seek revenge against the giants for the loved ones they lost. But will vengeance be enough to salve their grief?
DREAMER AND LEADER
Hanima is part of a new generation with extraordinary magical talents: She can speak to fantastical animals. But when this gift becomes a threat to the powers-that-be, Hanima becomes the leader of a movement to use this magic to bring power to the people.
SISTER AND SEEKER
Koesha is the captain of an all-female crew on a perilous voyage to explore unknown waters. Though Koesha’s crew is seeking a path around the globe, Koesha is also looking for her sister, lost at sea two years ago. But what lies beyond the edges of the map is far more dangerous than storms and sea monsters. . . .
In this sequel to A Plague of Giants, these characters and more will become the voices of a new generation bringing hope and revolution to a war-torn world.

REVIEW:
A Blight of Blackwings picks up right where we left off at the end of A Plague of Giants. By continuing our journey with the people of the world as they navigate new people, new worlds, new Kennings, and new threats.
Another wonderful book from Kevin Hearne. I really am enjoying this new world that he has created. There are so many characters to root for. There are so many villains to hate. There are so many unanswered questions. I am very much looking forward to the final book in this trilogy A Curse of Krakens.

Luke Daniels & Xe Sands again lend their amazing voices to this series. Most of this book is narrated by Luke as the Baird who is telling the story is male. Xe picks up on the parts of the story told by the female characters. It is a very interesting way to do an audio book and it works.

This is most definitely a story that needs to be read in order. There is so much that happens in A Plague of Giants I am not sure you would know what is happening or way if you just picked up A Blight of Blackwings. So go get book one read it then read book 2

Disclaimer:
I purchased this book from Audible and this review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

May 8, 2020May 5, 2020

Kelly reviews A Plague Of Giants by Kevin Hearne

TITLE: A Plague of Giants
SERIES #: Seven Kennings #1
CHARACTERS: Tallynd, Dervan & Abhi
AUTHOR: Kevin Hearne
NARRATOR: Luke Daniels & Xe Sands
RUN TIME: 22 Hours & 14 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: October 3, 2017
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
MOTHER AND WARRIOR
Tallynd is a soldier who has already survived her toughest battle: losing her husband. But now she finds herself on the front lines of an invasion of giants, intent on wiping out the entire kingdom, including Tallynd’s two sons—all that she has left. The stakes have never been higher. If Tallynd fails, her boys may never become men.
SCHOLAR AND SPY
Dervan is a historian who longs for a simple, quiet life. But he’s drawn into intrigue when he’s hired to record the tales of a mysterious bard who may be a spy or even an assassin for a rival kingdom. As the bard shares his fantastical stories, Dervan makes a shocking discovery: He may have a connection to the tales, one that will bring his own secrets to light.
REBEL AND HERO
Abhi’s family have always been hunters, but Abhi wants to choose a different life for himself. Embarking on a journey of self-discovery, Abhi soon learns that his destiny is far greater than he imagined: a powerful new magic thrust upon him may hold the key to defeating the giants once and for all—if it doesn’t destroy him first.
Set in a magical world of terror and wonder, this novel is a deeply felt epic of courage and war, in which the fates of these characters intertwine—and where ordinary people become heroes, and their lives become legends.

REVIEW:
A Plague of Giants is the first book in Kevin Hearne’s new Seven Kennings Trilogy. I chose to listen to this book on audio because Luke Daniels is one of the narrators. I have only listened to one other book narrated by Xe Sands but she is a very talented narrator too. And enjoyed the way that this audio book was set up. Luke was the man narrator as the story follows Dervan for most of the story. Xe came in and did all the parts that were the females telling their tales.
Which leads me into how Kevin wrote this story. The Seven Kennings trilogy is a set of stories inside a story that tell you of the world. In A Plague of Giants we follow a day by day telling of the events that are both before and during the invasion by the Giants. We follow multiple characters telling multiple story lines of these events. While in the beginning it is a little confusing the storylines do overlap and merge together then away. It is a very interesting way for a book to be written.
I really enjoyed this story and can’t wait for the next installment to see what happens.

Disclaimer:
I purchased this audio book from audible.com and this review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

January 19, 2020January 12, 2020

Series Sunday presents The Tells of Pell by Delilah S Dawson & Kevin Hearne

TITLE: Kill The Farm Boy
SERIES #: Tales of Pell #1
CHARACTERS: A Farm Boy, a Crazy Goat, a Warrior, a Bard, a Dark Lord, a Rogue and a Witch
AUTHOR: Delilah S. Dawson & Kevin Hearne
NARRATOR: Luke Daniels
RUN TIME: 12 Hours & 38 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: July 17, 2018
ORDER LINKS: Audible| Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom, a hero, the Chosen One, was born . . . and so begins every fairy tale ever told.
This is not that fairy tale.
There is a Chosen One, but he is unlike any One who has ever been Chosened.
And there is a faraway kingdom, but you have never been to a magical world quite like the land of Pell.
There, a plucky farm boy will find more than he’s bargained for on his quest to awaken the sleeping princess in her cursed tower. First there’s the Dark Lord who wishes for the boy’s untimely death . . . and also very fine cheese. Then there’s a bard without a song in her heart but with a very adorable and fuzzy tail, an assassin who fears not the night but is terrified of chickens, and a mighty fighter more frightened of her sword than of her chain-mail bikini. This journey will lead to sinister umlauts, a trash-talking goat, the Dread Necromancer Steve, and a strange and wondrous journey to the most peculiar “happily ever after” that ever once-upon-a-timed.

******

TITLE: No Country for Old Gnomes
SERIES #: Tale of Pell #2
CHARACTERS: A Gnome, A Halfling, a Griffin and many other crazy characters
AUTHOR: Delilah Dawson & Kevin Hearne
NARRATOR: Luke Daniels
PUBLICATION DATE: April 16, 2019
RUN TIME: 14 Hours & 7 Minutes
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Go big or go gnome. The New York Times bestselling authors of Kill the Farm Boy return to the world of Pell, the irreverent fantasy universe that recalls Monty Python and Terry Pratchett.

The Skyr is a rich, verdant land claimed by both halflings and gnomes. For centuries, the halflings have worked to undermine gnomish power structures and seize total control–through legal means, certainly, but more insidiously through their extensive organized crime network. Now, threatened with being pushed out entirely, the gnomes are desperate and ready to fight back. Gustave the Goat King faces his first test as a leader: Can he bring peace to a fraught region or will a civil war consume the entire kingdom?

******

TITLE: The Princess Beard
SERIES #: The Tell of Pell #3
CHARACTERS: A Princess, A Pirate, A Centaur, An Elf, and a Dryad and many other crazy characters
AUTHOR: Delilah S. Dawson & Kevin Hearne
NARRATOR: Luke Daniels
RUN TIME: 13 Hours & 11 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: October 8, 2019
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | Audible | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Shave the princess? Inconceivable! The hilarious bestselling authors of Kill the Farm Boy and No Country for Old Gnomes are back with a new adventure in the irreverent world of Pell.

Once upon a time, a princess slept in a magical tower cloaked in thorns and roses.

When she woke, she found no Prince Charming, only a surfeit of hair and grotesquely long fingernails–which was, honestly, better than some creep who acted without consent. She cut off her long braids and used them to escape. But she kept the beard because it made a great disguise.

This is not a story about finding true love’s kiss–it’s a story about finding yourself. On a pirate ship. Where you belong.

But these are no ordinary pirates aboard The Puffy Peach, serving under Filthy Lucre, the one-eyed parrot pirate captain. First there’s Vic, a swole and misogynistic centaur on a mission to expunge himself of the magic that causes him to conjure tea and dainty cupcakes in response to stress. Then there’s Tempest, who’s determined to become the first dryad lawyer–preferably before she takes her ultimate form as a man-eating tree. They’re joined by Alobartalus, an awkward and unelfly elf who longs to meet his hero, the Sn’archivist who is said to take dictation directly from the gods of Pell. Throw in some mystery meat and a dastardly capitalist plot, and you’ve got one Pell of an adventure on the high seas!

In this new escapade set in the magical land of Pell, Delilah S. Dawson and Kevin Hearne lovingly skewer the tropes of fairy tales and create a new kind of fantasy: generous, gently humorous, and inclusive. There might also be otters.

About the authors:

Delilah S. Dawson is the New York Times bestselling writer of Star Wars: PHASMA, plus The Secrets of Long Snoot, The Perfect Weapon, and Scorched; the Blud series, Servants of the Storm, the HIT series, Wake of Vultures and the Shadow series (as Lila Bowen), and a variety of short stories in anthologies such as Death & Honey, Robots vs. Fairies, Hellboy: an Assortment of Horrors, Violent Ends, Carniepunk, Three Slices, and Last Night a Superhero Saved My Life. With Kevin Hearne, she is the co-writer of Kill the Farm Boy, the first in the Tales of Pell series.

Her next projects are the creator-owned comic Star Pig, out with IDW in July, Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge: Black Spire (August 27, 2019), and Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, (October 2019).

Her comics credits include the creator-owned Ladycastle #1-4, The X-Files Case Files: Florida Man #1-2, Adventure Time comics #66-69, Rick and Morty Presents: Pickle Rick, and Jim Henson’s Labyrinth 2017 Special from BOOM! Studios, as well as stories in Star Wars Adventures #5, #6, #18 and Star Wars: Forces of Destiny: Rose and Paige for IDW. Her most recent comics project is SPARROWHAWK.

Delilah is the winner of the 2015 Fantasy Book of the Year from RT Book Reviews for WAKE OF VULTURES and the 2013 Steampunk Book of the Year and May Seal of Excellence for WICKED AS SHE WANTS. Her work has earned multiple stars from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and Library Journal.

She lives in Florida with her family.

******

Kevin is the NYT bestselling author of the Iron Druid Chronicles, as well as The Seven Kennings, an epic fantasy trilogy, and the Tales of Pell, a humorous fantasy series co-authored with Delilah S. Dawson. INK & SIGIL, a new urban fantasy series set in the Iron Druid universe, will be out in 2020.

January 9, 2020January 7, 2020

Kelly reviews The Princess Beard by Delilah S. Dawson & Kevin Hearne

TITLE: The Princess Beard
SERIES #: The Tell of Pell #3
CHARACTERS: A Princess, A Pirate, A Centar, A Dryad, An Elf and many other crazy characters
AUTHOR: Delilah S. Dawson & Kevin Hearne
NARRATOR: Luke Daniels
RUN TIME: 13 Hours & 11 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: October 8, 2019
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | Audible | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Shave the princess? Inconceivable! The hilarious bestselling authors of Kill the Farm Boy and No Country for Old Gnomes are back with a new adventure in the irreverent world of Pell.
Once upon a time, a princess slept in a magical tower cloaked in thorns and roses.
When she woke, she found no Prince Charming, only a surfeit of hair and grotesquely long fingernails–which was, honestly, better than some creep who acted without consent. She cut off her long braids and used them to escape. But she kept the beard because it made a great disguise.
This is not a story about finding true love’s kiss–it’s a story about finding yourself. On a pirate ship. Where you belong.
But these are no ordinary pirates aboard The Puffy Peach, serving under Filthy Lucre, the one-eyed parrot pirate captain. First there’s Vic, a swole and misogynistic centaur on a mission to expunge himself of the magic that causes him to conjure tea and dainty cupcakes in response to stress. Then there’s Tempest, who’s determined to become the first dryad lawyer–preferably before she takes her ultimate form as a man-eating tree. They’re joined by Alobartalus, an awkward and unelfly elf who longs to meet his hero, the Sn’archivist who is said to take dictation directly from the gods of Pell. Throw in some mystery meat and a dastardly capitalist plot, and you’ve got one Pell of an adventure on the high seas!
In this new escapade set in the magical land of Pell, Delilah S. Dawson and Kevin Hearne lovingly skewer the tropes of fairy tales and create a new kind of fantasy: generous, gently humorous, and inclusive. There might also be otters.

REVIEW:
3.5 Stars The Princess Beard is the third book in the Tells of Pell series by Delilah S Dawson and Kevin Hearne. I listened to this book on Audible as I have listened to the first two books and Luke Daniels is an amazing narrator. This was another epic adventure in the land of Pell.
I did enjoy this book. Each of the characters has a great journey of enlightenment that they are on.
At times the puns were a little too much. Over all this was another good addition to the Tells of Pell trilogy. Will we see these cast of characters again in the future? Only time will tell if we will be able to visit Pell yet again.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine & Audible.com in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

September 26, 2019September 25, 2019

What’s New: Kelly reviews First Dangle And Other Stories by Kevin Hearne

TITLE: First Dangle and other Stories
SERIES #: The Iron Druid Chronicles

AUTHOR: Kevin Hearne
NARRATOR: Luke Daniels
RUN TIME: 4 Hours & 16 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: June 5, 2019
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:

Owen and his sloth, Slomo, are off to see the world when Coriander, Herald Extraordinary of the First among the Fae, interrupts to ask for the tiny favor of solving a supernatural murder. That sets the pair off on a trail that leads from Granada, Spain, to London, England and then to Austin, Texas. Owen and Slomo will have to outwit an Irish goddess of wisdom, some nasty spriggans, and streak across the Kew Gardens to find the culprit. They’re going to see the world after all—just not the way they thought.

This collection also includes other Iron Druid stories. “The Naughtiest Cherub” is narrated by Loki and takes place directly before the events of Scourged, book 9. “The Waters” is narrated by Granuaile and takes place after the events of Scourged. And “Friendly Emily” is a piece of science fiction that appeared in Fireside magazine.

The audiobook edition will also include a recording of “The Chapel Perilous” recorded by Luke Daniels for the first time; that story is sold separately in ebook.

REVIEW:

First Dangle and other stories is a fun visit to the Iron Druid Chronicles world. A couple of these stories are re-record by Luke Daniels from previous analogies. It was really nice to hear these stories all in Luke’s talented voice. We get a story from Loki, Granuaile and of course Atticus. But the gem of this collection is Owen and Slomo’s adventure. How can you go wrong with a murder Sloth on your side.

I really enjoyed this book and I hope that Kevin will give us more stories in the IDC soon. I am excited for the new spin off Ink & Sigil too. But the IRC, Atticus and Oberon will always have a special place in my heart. Plus, I really really want another Atticus and the Morrigan story.

As always Luke brings these characters to life in a way that I am not sure any other narrator could. Great job Luke!!! Can’t wait to hear more!!!

Disclaimer:

I purchased this book from Audible and this review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

May 23, 2019May 22, 2019

Kelly reviews No Country for Old Gnomes by Delilah Dawson & Kevin Hearne

TITLE: No Country for Old Gnomes
SERIES #: Tale of Pell #2
AUTHOR: Delilah Dawson & Kevin Hearne
NARRATOR: Luke Daniels
PUBLICATION DATE: April 16, 2019
RUN TIME: 14 Hours & 7 Minutes
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon | B&N

REVIEW:
Another excellent installment of the Tales of Pell. No Country for Old Gnomes takes us on a grand adventure that starts with the Gnomes of Pell are being attacked by a group of halflings. It will take a group of unlikely friends to set everything right.

The amazingly talented Luke Daniels narrates this book for us again. Luke does an amazing job of bringing the Tales of Pell characters to life.

This was a great book that introduces us to a group of new characters and we get to see some of our old friends. I really enjoyed the Gnomes, Halfings, Dwarfs and the Gryphon. There are a lot of wonderfully fun characters.

Very much looking forward to The Tales of Pell book 3, The Princess Beard { https://amzn.to/2Ek5Ual} (released October 8th)

Audio Sample:

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and audio review copy from Random House Audio in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

January 12, 2018January 7, 2018

Kelly reviews Squirrel On The Train by Kevin Hearne

TITLE: Squirrel on the Train
SERIES #: Oberon’s Meaty Mysteries #2
CHARACTERS: Oberon, Orlaith, Starbuck and Atticus
AUTHOR: Kevin Hearne
NARRATOR: Luke Daniels
RUN TIME: 2 Hours & 54 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: November 30, 2017
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Oberon the Irish wolfhound is off to Portland to smell all the things with canine companions wolfhound Orlaith and Boston terrier Starbuck, and, of course, his human, ancient Druid Atticus O’Sullivan. The first complication is an unmistakable sign of sinister agendas afoot: a squirrel atop the train. But an even more ominous situation is in store when the trio plus Atticus stumble across a murder upon arrival at the station. They recognize Detective Gabriela Ibarra, who’s there to investigate. But they also recognize the body—or rather that the body is a doppelganger for Atticus himself. The police, hampered by human senses of smell and a decided lack of canine intuition, obviously can’t handle this alone. Not with Atticus likely in danger. Oberon knows it’s time to investigate once more-—for justice! For gravy! And possibly greasy tacos!

Alongside his faithful Druid, Oberon and the other loyal hounds navigate by nose through Portland to find a bear-shifter friend with intel, delicious clues at the victim’s home, and more squirrels. Always more squirrels!

But will our hungry band of heroes be able to identify the culprit before someone else is murdered? Will there be mystery meat in gravy as a reward or tragedy in store for the world’s (or at least the Pacific Northwest’s) greatest dog detective.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Another fun adventure with Oberon, Orlaith, Starbuck and Atticus. Squirrel on the Train takes us back to Portland for a grand adventure that takes an unexpected turn in the form of a murder. But never fear detective Oberon is on the case!! We get to travel from Portland to Eugene back to Portland again before we solve the mystery. We also get a lesson on why squirrels are so evil.
This was a fun quick listen with the help of the amazingly talented Luke Daniels. I always enjoy having Luke read Kevin’s stories to me. I am looking forward to the next installment by Kevin and narrated by Luke!!!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Subterranean Press in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

August 4, 2017July 30, 2017

Kelly reviews Besieged by Kevin Hearne

TITLE: Besieged
SERIES #: The Iron Druid Chronicles #4.1, 4.2, 4.6, 4.7, 8.1, 8.6
CHARACTERS: Atticus, Oberon, Granule, Owen, Puren
AUTHOR: Kevin Hearne
NARRATOR: Luke Daniels
RUN TIME: Hours & Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: July 11, 2017
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Harry Dresden meets American Gods in this collection of all-new stories set in the bestselling world of The Iron Druid Chronicles, starring 2,000-year-old Irishman/Druid, Atticus O’Sullivan.
The Iron Druid Chronicles is a hilarious and action-packed urban fantasy set in a modern world in which all the gods of every pantheon are alive and well, as in American Gods; its hero is a smart-mouthed, buttkicking magician, like Jim Butcher’s Harry Dresden. But it’s told in a smart, witty, unforgettable voice that’s all Kevin Hearne—a star in the fantasy world. This addictive and wildly imaginative series stars hero Atticus O’Sullivan: a handsome, tattooed Irishman who looks like a young rock star, but is in actuality a 2,000-year-old Druid with extraordinary magical powers. In Besieged, Atticus’ adventures throughout history are told in a collection of nine new and original short stories.

REVIEW:
It was so wonderful to be back in the world of the Iron Druid!! I simply love this series.
Besieged is a book of short stories that are in the IDC world. They are stories that help fill in some of the gaps between stories and answer a few questions. The last three shorts are leading up to Scourged (which Kevin has said will be the last book *tears*).
As always I let the amazingly talented Luke Daniels read this story to me. Luke is one of my favorite narrators. His ability to bring Kevin’s characters to life is simply amazing.
I honestly don’t know what I am going to do if the IDC is really coming to an end. Guess it is time for a re-listen.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Penguin & Random House Audio in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

November 8, 2016November 6, 2016

Kelly reviews The Purloined Poodle by Kevin Hearne

TITLE: The Purloined Poodle
SERIES #: The Iron Druid Chronicles #8.5
CHARACTERS: Oberon (The Irish Wolfhound) and Atticus O’Sullivan
AUTHOR: Kevin Hearne
NARRATOR: Luke Daniels
RUN TIME: 2 Hours & 57 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: September 30, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | Audible | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Thanks to his relationship with the ancient Druid Atticus O’Sullivan, Oberon the Irish wolfhound knows trouble when he smells it—and furthermore, he knows he can handle it.

When he discovers that a prizewinning poodle has been abducted in Eugene, Oregon, he learns that it’s part of a rash of hound abductions all over the Pacific Northwest. Since the police aren’t too worried about dogs they assume have run away, Oberon knows it’s up to him to track down those hounds and reunite them with their humans. For justice! And gravy!

Engaging the services of his faithful Druid, Oberon must travel throughout Oregon and Washington to question a man with a huge salami, thwart the plans of diabolical squirrels, and avoid, at all costs, a fight with a great big bear.

But if he’s going to solve the case of the Purloined Poodle, Oberon will have to recruit the help of a Boston terrier named Starbuck, survive the vegetables in a hipster pot pie, and firmly refuse to be distracted by fire hydrants and rabbits hiding in the rose bushes.

At the end of the day, will it be a sad bowl of dry kibble for the world’s finest hound detective, or will everything be coming up sirloins?

The Purloined Poodle is another exciting novella entry in Kevin Hearne’s New York Times best-selling Iron Druid series.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Awesome as always!!!! I loved this novella that Mr. Hearne wrote for us.
The Purloined Poodle is told from Oberon’s point of view. Oberon is one of my all time favorite character!! So listening to him tell this story was great. Of course the amazingly talented Luke Daniels narrator this book when makes just that much better. So in the Purloined Poodle Oberon and his trusty sidekick Atticus are on a mission to solve a murder. It was a fun journey! It was also great to see all the wonderful places in the Pacific Northwest that showed up in this story.
The only thing that made me sad was that this story was short. I can’t wait for the next installment in the IDC and I hope that we will get more of Oberon’s Meaty Mysteries

Disclaimer:
I purchased this book from Audible.com and this is my honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

February 8, 2016February 6, 2016

Kelly reviews Staked by Kevin Hearne

TITLE: Staked
SERIES #: The Iron Druid Chronicles #8
CHARACTERS: Atticus, Graunaile, Owen and of course Oberon and Orlaith
AUTHOR: Kevin Hearne
NARRATOR: Luke Daniels
PUBLICATION DATE: January 26, 2016
AUDIO RUN TIME: 11 hours & 21 minutes
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | Audible | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Iron Druid Atticus O’Sullivan, hero of Kevin Hearne’s epic New York Times bestselling urban fantasy series, has a point to make—and then drive into a vampire’s heart.

When a druid has lived for two thousand years like Atticus, he’s bound to run afoul of a few vampires. Make that legions of them. Even his former friend and legal counsel turned out to be a bloodsucking backstabber. Now the toothy troublemakers—led by power-mad pain-in-the-neck Theophilus—have become a huge problem requiring a solution. It’s time to make a stand.

As always, Atticus wouldn’t mind a little backup. But his allies have problems of their own. Ornery archdruid Owen Kennedy is having a wee bit of troll trouble: Turns out when you stiff a troll, it’s not water under the bridge. Meanwhile, Granuaile is desperate to free herself of the Norse god Loki’s mark and elude his powers of divination—a quest that will bring her face-to-face with several Slavic nightmares.

As Atticus globetrots to stop his nemesis Theophilus, the journey leads to Rome. What better place to end an immortal than the Eternal City? But poetic justice won’t come without a price: In order to defeat Theophilus, Atticus may have to lose an old friend.

Review:
5!!!
Quickie: Epic!!!! Tears!!! Laughter!!! Always pay the trolls and what where you punch them….. oh and loved the Mulder reference!!!

Full Review:
It was so good to get back into the Iron Druid world!! I have been in love with this series since the very beginning. The combination of Kevin’s story telling and Luke Daniel’s talent and voice makes for some epic adventures. STAKED was another epic journey for Atticus, Granuaile and Owen.
**spoiler if you haven’t finished SHATTERED**
STAKED picks up where we left off in SHATTERED with Atticus trying to figure out a way to rid the world of vampires, Granuaile trying to find away to free herself and Owen well, just being Owen…
There was a lot that happened in this book. And I don’t want to get anything away with spoilers. So let’s just say that I will never be able to look or think of Trolls in the same way, not sure Owen will either. Granuaile comes into her own and kicks some serious butt. Atticus learns that sometimes you have to trust the wrong people to get the right answer. Oberon and Orlaith are fun as always!!

There is heartbreak in this story. Which I will tell you is really bad when you are driving and listening to the audio book and start crying.. So just be warned.

As always the wickedly talented Luke blows me away with his ability to bring Kevin’s characters to life.

I can’t wait to see what is next in this series and where Kevin will take Attiucs, Granuaile and Owen next. Oh and the hounds too!!!

Disclaimer:
I purchased an audio version of this book and I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Del Rey in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

July 23, 2014July 20, 2014

Kelly reviews Shattered by Kevin Hearne

TITLE: Shattered
SERIES #: Iron Druid Chronicles #7
CHARACTERS: Atticus O’Sullivan, Granuaile McTerine & Owen Kennedy
AUTHOR: Kevin Hearne
NARRATOR: Luke Daniels
PUBLICATION DATE: June 17, 2014
RUN TIME: Hours & Minutes
ORDER LINKS:Amazon| B&N |Audible

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
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.

REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kelly
NUMBER OF HEARTS: 4
REVIEW:
Once again I found myself drawn into the world of Druids, Fae’s and magic. There was a lot going on in this book. So if you have not started this series yet, you really need to start with book one. If not you will be completely lost on the events that happen in Shattered.
Kevin changed things up a bit in Shattered. The book was not told solely from Atticus’s point of view, which was good and bad.
Good because we got to learn more about Granuaile and Owen. It was good to see Granuaile grow as a Druid. It was a very painful growth, but I do believe that she will become an even more amazing Druid. Good because Owen gets real and learns a thing or two about life and himself.
Bad, because listening on audio I am totally in love with Luke Daniel’s version of Atticus & Oberon, so there was less Atticus talking.
Overall this was a great book. If you are a fan of the IDC then you will enjoy this book. Like I said in the beginning it is written different 3 POV. I will say it took me a bit to get into, but in the end I really enjoyed and loved having the different POV’s. I for one am looking forward to the next IDC series and hope that Atticus & Granuaile get a little more time together in the next one!!

As always Luke Daniel’s wins my heart. I love to listen to him read. Just love him. Yep… that is all I got. Just love him!!!

Disclaimer:
I purchased this book from Audible and this review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

August 23, 2013August 3, 2013

Kelly reviews Hunted by Kevin Hearne

TITLE: Hunted
SERIES #: Iron Druid Chronicles #6
CHARACTERS: Atticus O’Sullivan, Granuaile, & Oberon
AUTHOR: Kevin Hearne
PUBLICATION DATE: June 25, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
For a two-thousand-year-old Druid, Atticus O’Sullivan is a pretty fast runner. Good thing, because he’s being chased by not one but two goddesses of the hunt—Artemis and Diana—for messing with one of their own. Dodging their slings and arrows, Atticus, Granuaile, and his wolfhound Oberon are making a mad dash across modern-day Europe to seek help from a friend of the Tuatha Dé Danann. His usual magical option of shifting planes is blocked, so instead of playing hide-and-seek, the game plan is . . . run like hell.

Crashing the pantheon marathon is the Norse god Loki. Killing Atticus is the only loose end he needs to tie up before unleashing Ragnarok—AKA the Apocalypse. Atticus and Granuaile have to outfox the Olympians and contain the god of mischief if they want to go on living—and still have a world to live in.

REVIEW:
4.5 Stars Another epic journey with Atticus, Granuaile & Oberon. I really don’t even know where to start. I just love this series dearly!! If you have not read books 1-5 stop here. This is a series that you really really really have to read in order. There is so much that goes on in one book that leads into the next. So if you have not read yet. Stop go back and pick up Hounded (bk1) and start there.
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Atticus, Granuaile & Oberon find themselves still on the run. But this time getting away is going to be difficult. All of Atticus’ normal escape routes have been cut off. Ever the resourceful Druids, Atticus & Granuaile will find a way.
I don’t want to go to much into this review, because I am sure I would give away to much stuff. So let’s just say: It is an epic race that will test all of Atticus and Granuaile’s skills, their relationship and their faith in the Gods.
I seriously am in love with this series. Everything about Kevin’s books I find utterly amazing. These are stories that I have to keep turning the page, lay away thinking about the next chapter, or find myself reading at work when I should be you know working. Just love them!! If you have not started this series yet I would highly recommend that you put them on your list. But as I said before they really need to be read in order So start with book one Hounded!

If you want a closer look at the whole series here is the link to the SINsational Saturday post that features the whole series. https://books-n-kisses.com/2013/06/kevin-hearnes-iron-druid-chronicles/

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.