What do you think?
Rate this book
The Iron Druid Chronicles #5
Trapped
After twelve years of secret training, Atticus O’Sullivan is finally ready to bind his apprentice, Granuaile, to the earth and double the number of Druids in the world. But on the eve of the ritual, the world that thought he was dead abruptly discovers that he’s still alive, and they would much rather he return to the grave.
Having no other choice, Atticus, his trusted Irish wolfhound, Oberon, and Granuaile travel to the base of Mount Olympus, where the Roman god Bacchus is anxious to take his sworn revenge—but he’ll have to get in line behind an ancient vampire, a band of dark elves, and an old god of mischief, who all seem to have KILL THE DRUID at the top of their to-do lists.
Having no other choice, Atticus, his trusted Irish wolfhound, Oberon, and Granuaile travel to the base of Mount Olympus, where the Roman god Bacchus is anxious to take his sworn revenge—but he’ll have to get in line behind an ancient vampire, a band of dark elves, and an old god of mischief, who all seem to have KILL THE DRUID at the top of their to-do lists.
290 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 27, 2012
About the author
Kevin Hearne
72 books12.6k followersKevin 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,756 reviews
November 12, 2012
Okay... I'm going to try something a little different. One would hope, at this point, that anyone interested in reading the Iron Druid (this installment specifically) would have read the previous books. So instead of telling you what a clever dog Oberon is (he seriously deserves a treat) or mention how funny it is (I SO wish I could hear the story -in person- of "The Purloined Poodle" featuring two dogs and Abe Froman, the Sausage King of Chicago) or how action packed it is (okay, how many Gods is this Druid going to piss off?)... instead I'm going with a Top Ten List of why Trapped is one of the best installments to date of the Iron Druid:
10. Coyote is finally gone... for now at the very least. He's not necessarily a bad guy, but I was ready for a rest from his wily ways.
9. Druids kick some serious, serious butt- regardless if that butt is immortal or not. And yes, I meant to use the plural forms of Druids.
8. When in doubt, blame the dark elves. (Not to be mistaken with dwarfs. Totally different.) It's sound logic, trust me.
7. You get a dose of mythology and culture along with the book... you always wanted to know more of the finer points of Ragnarok and Greek and Roman Olympians..... right? Or for those of the fantasy history persuasion... you always wanted to know the mourning habits for a dwarf... right?
6. All the damn vampires. Not a sparkle to be found. And Gods. And Goddesses. Sometimes even 'clothes optional'.
5. Oberon is the way and the truth, Bacon Testify! You cannot attain 'badass-ness' without that ever required love of all things Bacon. (OR the three "H's" of doggie dogma.)
4. Oberon's running commentary and philosophy regarding human mating habits. Yeah, you heard that right.
3. Clowns. Coulrophobia for everyone! It's not just for kiddos anymore.
2. Paranoia. Just because you are paranoid does not mean there is not an army (maybe even immortal army with sharp, pointy teeth) out to get you.
1. So many fun movie references, you can cackle with glee and get your Geek on. Inconceivable!
So run, don't walk, and get your own copy once it comes out! And be sure to bring extra sausages for Oberon!
I want to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for a review.
10. Coyote is finally gone... for now at the very least. He's not necessarily a bad guy, but I was ready for a rest from his wily ways.
9. Druids kick some serious, serious butt- regardless if that butt is immortal or not. And yes, I meant to use the plural forms of Druids.
8. When in doubt, blame the dark elves. (Not to be mistaken with dwarfs. Totally different.) It's sound logic, trust me.
7. You get a dose of mythology and culture along with the book... you always wanted to know more of the finer points of Ragnarok and Greek and Roman Olympians..... right? Or for those of the fantasy history persuasion... you always wanted to know the mourning habits for a dwarf... right?
6. All the damn vampires. Not a sparkle to be found. And Gods. And Goddesses. Sometimes even 'clothes optional'.
5. Oberon is the way and the truth, Bacon Testify! You cannot attain 'badass-ness' without that ever required love of all things Bacon. (OR the three "H's" of doggie dogma.)
4. Oberon's running commentary and philosophy regarding human mating habits. Yeah, you heard that right.
3. Clowns. Coulrophobia for everyone! It's not just for kiddos anymore.
2. Paranoia. Just because you are paranoid does not mean there is not an army (maybe even immortal army with sharp, pointy teeth) out to get you.
1. So many fun movie references, you can cackle with glee and get your Geek on. Inconceivable!
So run, don't walk, and get your own copy once it comes out! And be sure to bring extra sausages for Oberon!
I want to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for a review.
Read
November 14, 2012I got to read #5 early! Ha ha! Mine is an evil laugh!
My only regret is that I didn't read the Two Ravens and One Crow novella that Hearne put out first.
It's listed as book 4.5, and I think it would have really helped to bridge the gap for me. When I started this one, I hit a sort of mental speed-bump when Twelve years had passed. It really threw me for a loop.
Alas, I didn't know about the novella before I started reading this one. And now, even though I do know about it. I probably won't be able to read it any time soon, as it seems to be e-book only. And I don't have an e-book reader.
But if I were you, and I was waiting to read book 5, and I owned some sort of electronic book-reading confabulation, I'd pick up the novella while waiting for this one to come out on the 27th.
Just my two cents.
August 15, 2017
Good 😊 Accept I hate the narrator makes Oberon sound like a deranged Scooby Doo!
January 31, 2019
Edit: After some thought I decided not to continue with this series. It had good moments but for the most part it was OK-ish and I still have too many great series unfinished./edit
I had mixed feeling about this installment in The iron druid chronicles but in the end my impression is negative. At few points I had feeling like this is the best Iron druid has been in a while but as soon as I start thinking that something happens that annoy me. The biggest annoyance was Granuaile, who wasn't actually annoying as a character but more as fact that she is Mery Sue who can't do no wrong. I always love a good badass but she doesn't really show any flaw. She is bland and not a standalone character. She is only significant as Atiicus's companion/love interest. She's been present since book 1 and the fact that in book 5 she still doesn't have personality or agency of her own is unforgivable.
Second big annoyance was
One positive side there is finally main storyline shaping (there where only hints in previous books) and seems interesting one. I'm intrigued to see how will all that Ragnarok stuff shape out. There was good action, few intriguing side characters and some interesting developments() but not enough to fix overall impression.
I had mixed feeling about this installment in The iron druid chronicles but in the end my impression is negative. At few points I had feeling like this is the best Iron druid has been in a while but as soon as I start thinking that something happens that annoy me. The biggest annoyance was Granuaile, who wasn't actually annoying as a character but more as fact that she is Mery Sue who can't do no wrong. I always love a good badass but she doesn't really show any flaw. She is bland and not a standalone character. She is only significant as Atiicus's companion/love interest. She's been present since book 1 and the fact that in book 5 she still doesn't have personality or agency of her own is unforgivable.
Second big annoyance was
One positive side there is finally main storyline shaping (there where only hints in previous books) and seems interesting one. I'm intrigued to see how will all that Ragnarok stuff shape out. There was good action, few intriguing side characters and some interesting developments() but not enough to fix overall impression.
December 8, 2012
2.5 stars
Well, look at that! Once again, everyone’s favorite druid Atticus O’Sullivan somehow managed to anger just about every deity from every pantheon worshiped by mankind. (Well, everyone except Perun, but that’s understandable – Perun is Slavic and our gods are all kinds of awesome. Not too bright, but awesome.) This is turning out to be a special talent of Atticus’s, and a good thing too, or we would have nothing to read about.
After twelve (!) years of training, binding Granuaile to earth should be cause for celebration, not yet another problem on Atticus’s list. But with everyone chasing them for some reason or other, finding a quiet place to bind Granuaile and turn her into a full druid is proving to be somewhat... difficult.
Oh, but Hearne loves his lectures! He can’t seem to control himself. With each new book, the stories that slow down… no, make that completely block the plot progression become longer and longer. I appreciate well-built worlds. I even appreciate mythology lessons. But Hearne is taking it all just a bit too far. By the time I reached the last part, I barely even understood what was going on.
The romance we’ve all been waiting for it’s finally here and let’s just say it’s a bit underwhelming. Five books we’ve waited for Atticus to finally find someone worthy of him, someone interesting and competent enough to live and fight by his side, and now that he has, I expected... more! Fireworks, at the very least. I love them both separately, but together, they do nothing for me.
I really thought the previous book, Tricked, was a one-time disaster, but now I’m beginning to think that someone stole Hearne and replaced him with some pod person. There's just no way that the same person could have written those first three books and these last two, it’s just not possible. I’ve rarely seen a series so completely and thoroughly ruined.
When I lose interest in a book, it usually happens around the middle, not during that last, most exciting part. With Trapped, I struggled through the middle, true, but the last part was more than I could handle. Instead of building the tension and ending with a really god action scene, Hearne inexplicably had Atticus and Granuaile sit down and listen to some long, unnecessary and mostly boring story. This has pretty much become his modus operandi: they run, they win a fight against all odds, meet someone willing to tell them a story – twenty pages of pure boredom ensues. Rinse and repeat.
This is where Atticus O’Sullivan and I go our separate ways. However, keep I mind that the series still has many fans and that those first three books make it worth your time. Please don’t hesitate to read them because the fourth and the fifth aren’t as good. You’d be missing out on a lot.
Well, look at that! Once again, everyone’s favorite druid Atticus O’Sullivan somehow managed to anger just about every deity from every pantheon worshiped by mankind. (Well, everyone except Perun, but that’s understandable – Perun is Slavic and our gods are all kinds of awesome. Not too bright, but awesome.) This is turning out to be a special talent of Atticus’s, and a good thing too, or we would have nothing to read about.
After twelve (!) years of training, binding Granuaile to earth should be cause for celebration, not yet another problem on Atticus’s list. But with everyone chasing them for some reason or other, finding a quiet place to bind Granuaile and turn her into a full druid is proving to be somewhat... difficult.
Oh, but Hearne loves his lectures! He can’t seem to control himself. With each new book, the stories that slow down… no, make that completely block the plot progression become longer and longer. I appreciate well-built worlds. I even appreciate mythology lessons. But Hearne is taking it all just a bit too far. By the time I reached the last part, I barely even understood what was going on.
The romance we’ve all been waiting for it’s finally here and let’s just say it’s a bit underwhelming. Five books we’ve waited for Atticus to finally find someone worthy of him, someone interesting and competent enough to live and fight by his side, and now that he has, I expected... more! Fireworks, at the very least. I love them both separately, but together, they do nothing for me.
I really thought the previous book, Tricked, was a one-time disaster, but now I’m beginning to think that someone stole Hearne and replaced him with some pod person. There's just no way that the same person could have written those first three books and these last two, it’s just not possible. I’ve rarely seen a series so completely and thoroughly ruined.
When I lose interest in a book, it usually happens around the middle, not during that last, most exciting part. With Trapped, I struggled through the middle, true, but the last part was more than I could handle. Instead of building the tension and ending with a really god action scene, Hearne inexplicably had Atticus and Granuaile sit down and listen to some long, unnecessary and mostly boring story. This has pretty much become his modus operandi: they run, they win a fight against all odds, meet someone willing to tell them a story – twenty pages of pure boredom ensues. Rinse and repeat.
This is where Atticus O’Sullivan and I go our separate ways. However, keep I mind that the series still has many fans and that those first three books make it worth your time. Please don’t hesitate to read them because the fourth and the fifth aren’t as good. You’d be missing out on a lot.
September 16, 2016
Granuaile gets her time.
Kevin Hearne’s Iron Druid series continues with Trapped, his 2012 entry into the adventures of Atticus, Granuaile and Oberon. Atticus’ initiate Granuaile MacTiernan has been a major character since the beginning novel of the series, 2011’s Hounded, but Trapped sees author Hearne spend more time with Granuaile as she works to complete her training and become a full druid alongside Atticus. And while the growing sexual tension between the two is a factor in the narrative, more than this, Granuaile emerges as a key element in this story and in the future.
Trapped takes off 12 years after the end of Tricked, when Atticus and Granuaile have set themselves free to complete her training. This also features Olympian gods (Roman and Greek) and a continuation of the troubles with the Norse pantheon.
Good fun, more developed than some the previous novels and still with Oberon the Irish Wolfhound getting the best lines.
Kevin Hearne’s Iron Druid series continues with Trapped, his 2012 entry into the adventures of Atticus, Granuaile and Oberon. Atticus’ initiate Granuaile MacTiernan has been a major character since the beginning novel of the series, 2011’s Hounded, but Trapped sees author Hearne spend more time with Granuaile as she works to complete her training and become a full druid alongside Atticus. And while the growing sexual tension between the two is a factor in the narrative, more than this, Granuaile emerges as a key element in this story and in the future.
Trapped takes off 12 years after the end of Tricked, when Atticus and Granuaile have set themselves free to complete her training. This also features Olympian gods (Roman and Greek) and a continuation of the troubles with the Norse pantheon.
Good fun, more developed than some the previous novels and still with Oberon the Irish Wolfhound getting the best lines.
July 11, 2023
Re-read June 29th 2023
Trapped picks up the story of Atticus and Granuaile twelve years after Tricked and now Granuaile is a full-fledged druid. She really can hold her own as a fighter with a magical staff, and it was exciting to discover her animal forms. She’s become a force to be reckoned with, and it’s a good thing, since it’s no longer a secret that Atticus is alive and there’s plenty out there gunning for revenge. He needed all the backup he could get. There’s really so much going on in this installment with many battles.
I read Trapped the first time back in 2014 so I forgot a lot of the story. I didn’t remember one of the sad results of Atticus’ careless words. Frigg charges Atticus with a dangerous mission to help right some of that wrong, and Freya is part of the plan. I thought it was good for Atticus to face Freya after the events in Hammered. Bacchus, vampires, and dark elves also figure into the story.
Perun, one of the gods who appeared in Hammered is back and provided a lot of laughs. As usual Oberon is a hoot and a delight! I was so happy Granuaile completed her training and so she no longer had a student/teacher relationship with Atticus!
Trapped ended in sort of a to be continued situation. Thankfully, a reader doesn’t have to wait to see what happens as all the books are out now. I look forward to continuing on! Like I said it’s been almost ten years since I originally read the books so there’s a lot I don’t remember.
I listened to Trapped, the way I’ve read all of the series. Luke Daniels is an excellent narrator with spot on comedic timing! He is Atticus in my mind, and I can’t imagine experiencing the series in any other way.
Initial Thoughts:
Loved how bad-ass Granuaile's become! And finally
I don't know if I would say this ended on a cliffhanger but it was definitely a BIG "to be continued". I can't recommend the audio version of this series enough. Luke Daniels is the shit! He gets 5 stars for his performance.
Trapped picks up the story of Atticus and Granuaile twelve years after Tricked and now Granuaile is a full-fledged druid. She really can hold her own as a fighter with a magical staff, and it was exciting to discover her animal forms. She’s become a force to be reckoned with, and it’s a good thing, since it’s no longer a secret that Atticus is alive and there’s plenty out there gunning for revenge. He needed all the backup he could get. There’s really so much going on in this installment with many battles.
I read Trapped the first time back in 2014 so I forgot a lot of the story. I didn’t remember one of the sad results of Atticus’ careless words. Frigg charges Atticus with a dangerous mission to help right some of that wrong, and Freya is part of the plan. I thought it was good for Atticus to face Freya after the events in Hammered. Bacchus, vampires, and dark elves also figure into the story.
Perun, one of the gods who appeared in Hammered is back and provided a lot of laughs. As usual Oberon is a hoot and a delight! I was so happy Granuaile completed her training and so she no longer had a student/teacher relationship with Atticus!
Trapped ended in sort of a to be continued situation. Thankfully, a reader doesn’t have to wait to see what happens as all the books are out now. I look forward to continuing on! Like I said it’s been almost ten years since I originally read the books so there’s a lot I don’t remember.
I listened to Trapped, the way I’ve read all of the series. Luke Daniels is an excellent narrator with spot on comedic timing! He is Atticus in my mind, and I can’t imagine experiencing the series in any other way.
Initial Thoughts:
Loved how bad-ass Granuaile's become! And finally
I don't know if I would say this ended on a cliffhanger but it was definitely a BIG "to be continued". I can't recommend the audio version of this series enough. Luke Daniels is the shit! He gets 5 stars for his performance.
May 1, 2016
Number five in the series and I really enjoyed this one! At last we have achieved two Druids instead of just one and Atticus has a real partner in crime. Oberon is still making his smart comments, the gods are making war and the Fae are making mischief. Nothing new except that Atticus is digging himself deeper and deeper into trouble with just about everyone and everything. There's lots of very clever world building and plenty of action leading to a serious cliff hanger of an ending. I am loving this excellent series.
March 10, 2016
I really liked the first three books. As I continue with the series, it just keeps getting more outrageous and messy. Besides, Atticus should grow up. He's 2 thousand years old for crying out loud! I guess if everything comes easy for you, you'll never learn how to live with the consequences of your actions. I really thought it will get better, but I got "Tricked". Now I'm "Trapped" with the dilemma to either continue or abandon this story. With the 7th title, "Shattered", I'm kind of hesitant to move further with this series. I think I'll just give myself a break and read something else before I decide whether I should see the story through. I apologize for this rant, I'm just a bit miffed to be objective with my review.
October 30, 2015
Another time I want to go slowly and carefully as many of my friends love this series. Personally I'll never really be a fan. I went into this series based on the same recommendation I've had on a few other UF series, to wit "if you like Jim Butcher's Dresden series you'll like these".
Mostly this just proves how differently everyone sees the Dresden series.
Our protagonist here is a Druid (as far as he knows the last) who's been alive several centuries, yes centuries . I've got to say that for a guy who's a couple of thousand years old he's not all that mature.
He also expects things from other folks that he doesn't seem to expect from himself (as a husband and father he seems to make a great druid if you get my meaning).
So what have we got here and what is it that some love? Well the writing is pretty good. We get a concept and the story (read author) tries to hue to it. There is some good humor. The banter works most of the time. It's not up to the standard we're used to from Harry Dresden but there are some good laugh out loud lines (a good many of those are from the mouth of Oberon our hero's dog. (As a druid in touch with the Earth he can communicate with Oberon who's bonded to him. He also shares his with Oberon.
Oberon can be quite the card.
The plot in the book is pretty good one but here we come to one of the big problems I had with the book. Our writer continually (and I do mean continually) lets his political/social views overwhelm his story telling. We have to put up with pages and pages of bad science and politically correct assumptions.
Here he takes a page from the book of earlier apologists for ideas and instead of trying to give a logical cogent argument for his views, he simply tells a story where the ideas are assumed to be true.
He hasn't crashed into the area of Terry Goodkind yet where the lecturing finally takes over the story, but it's there enough to be annoying.
I will also say this as it annoys me personally and I think some would like to know going in. I read a lot of fantasy. I've read fantasies told from the point of view of Islamics, Hindus, Buddhists, generic eastern religions, totally fantasy religions, atheists, agnostics, Christians and of course every stripe of mythology. After all it's fantasy. None of that bothers me, but here the writer lumps Christianity and Jesus Himself into "mythology". He uses Jesus as a character putting words in His mouth and ranking Him with mythological deities. He's free to do this of course, but I must admit to being a bit griped by that.
So, some love these. They are well written in some ways but will not be for everyone. I may follow the series it sort of depends on what the library has available.
Mostly this just proves how differently everyone sees the Dresden series.
Our protagonist here is a Druid (as far as he knows the last) who's been alive several centuries, yes centuries . I've got to say that for a guy who's a couple of thousand years old he's not all that mature.
He also expects things from other folks that he doesn't seem to expect from himself (as a husband and father he seems to make a great druid if you get my meaning).
So what have we got here and what is it that some love? Well the writing is pretty good. We get a concept and the story (read author) tries to hue to it. There is some good humor. The banter works most of the time. It's not up to the standard we're used to from Harry Dresden but there are some good laugh out loud lines (a good many of those are from the mouth of Oberon our hero's dog. (As a druid in touch with the Earth he can communicate with Oberon who's bonded to him. He also shares his with Oberon.
Oberon can be quite the card.
The plot in the book is pretty good one but here we come to one of the big problems I had with the book. Our writer continually (and I do mean continually) lets his political/social views overwhelm his story telling. We have to put up with pages and pages of bad science and politically correct assumptions.
Here he takes a page from the book of earlier apologists for ideas and instead of trying to give a logical cogent argument for his views, he simply tells a story where the ideas are assumed to be true.
He hasn't crashed into the area of Terry Goodkind yet where the lecturing finally takes over the story, but it's there enough to be annoying.
I will also say this as it annoys me personally and I think some would like to know going in. I read a lot of fantasy. I've read fantasies told from the point of view of Islamics, Hindus, Buddhists, generic eastern religions, totally fantasy religions, atheists, agnostics, Christians and of course every stripe of mythology. After all it's fantasy. None of that bothers me, but here the writer lumps Christianity and Jesus Himself into "mythology". He uses Jesus as a character putting words in His mouth and ranking Him with mythological deities. He's free to do this of course, but I must admit to being a bit griped by that.
So, some love these. They are well written in some ways but will not be for everyone. I may follow the series it sort of depends on what the library has available.
February 27, 2020
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
I enjoyed this audiobook quite a bit. I have been slowly working my way through the Iron Druid Chronicles during the past couple of years and have really been enjoying myself. I did take a bit of a break in my listening which seemed to work out well since this book picks up twelve years after the previous book. I found this book to be a solid installment in the series and I had a great time with it.
Atticus, Granuaile, and Oberon are still together when this book picks up twelve years after the events of the previous installment. Atticus has been training Granuaile this whole time and she is finally ready to become a Druid. To become a Druid, they must complete a lengthy binding ceremony. Unfortunately, there is a group that would like to see them dead before the ceremony draws to a close.
I found this to be a very exciting story. There was plenty of action dispersed throughout the book. I loved seeing how much Granuaile has learned during her training and the binding ceremony was very interesting. I loved seeing how the relationship between Atticus and Granuaile has changed during the past twelve years and I was really excited to see things really start to develop. Oberon was as awesome as ever.
Luke Daniels is the perfect narrator for this series. He handles all of the different character voices incredibly well. The voice of each character has been consistent throughout the series. I adore the way that he is able to bring Oberon to life. I think that he really takes this story to the next level and I am sure that I have enjoyed this series just a bit more because I made the decision to listen to the audio.
I would recommend this series to others. This is the fifth book in the Iron Druid Chronicles which is a series that should be read in order. I found this to be a pivotal book in the series and cannot wait to read the next book!
Initial Thoughts
I enjoyed this audiobook quite a bit. This book jumps ahead 12 years which worked out well since it's been a year since I listened to the previous book in the series. Granuaile is ready to be bound to the earth as a druid and is pretty kick-ass from her years of training. Her relationship with Atticus has also progressed over the years. Oberon is just as awesome as ever. I thought that the book was rather exciting and I found this to be a really easy listen. Luke Daniels did a fabulous job with the narration.
Book Source: Purchased
I enjoyed this audiobook quite a bit. I have been slowly working my way through the Iron Druid Chronicles during the past couple of years and have really been enjoying myself. I did take a bit of a break in my listening which seemed to work out well since this book picks up twelve years after the previous book. I found this book to be a solid installment in the series and I had a great time with it.
Atticus, Granuaile, and Oberon are still together when this book picks up twelve years after the events of the previous installment. Atticus has been training Granuaile this whole time and she is finally ready to become a Druid. To become a Druid, they must complete a lengthy binding ceremony. Unfortunately, there is a group that would like to see them dead before the ceremony draws to a close.
I found this to be a very exciting story. There was plenty of action dispersed throughout the book. I loved seeing how much Granuaile has learned during her training and the binding ceremony was very interesting. I loved seeing how the relationship between Atticus and Granuaile has changed during the past twelve years and I was really excited to see things really start to develop. Oberon was as awesome as ever.
Luke Daniels is the perfect narrator for this series. He handles all of the different character voices incredibly well. The voice of each character has been consistent throughout the series. I adore the way that he is able to bring Oberon to life. I think that he really takes this story to the next level and I am sure that I have enjoyed this series just a bit more because I made the decision to listen to the audio.
I would recommend this series to others. This is the fifth book in the Iron Druid Chronicles which is a series that should be read in order. I found this to be a pivotal book in the series and cannot wait to read the next book!
Initial Thoughts
I enjoyed this audiobook quite a bit. This book jumps ahead 12 years which worked out well since it's been a year since I listened to the previous book in the series. Granuaile is ready to be bound to the earth as a druid and is pretty kick-ass from her years of training. Her relationship with Atticus has also progressed over the years. Oberon is just as awesome as ever. I thought that the book was rather exciting and I found this to be a really easy listen. Luke Daniels did a fabulous job with the narration.
Book Source: Purchased
January 31, 2024
*** 3.44 ***
I am enjoying the series quite a bit, so I was surprised at this one not being as satisfying as the ones before have been. I love Oberon and the Elementals, I enjoy all the shenanigans of the main character and like the mixture of all the pantheons and how they relate to our day. But there were two things that made it a bit less enjoyable for me. One - there is no chemistry in the romance. I understand, the majority of Fantasy/Urban Fantasy authors suck at romance, but usually they succeed at the closeness implied by a budding relationship, and here it just didn't hit the spot. The second issue I had was the structure of the story as a whole. It was choppy and random, and I feel the author is better than this, thus the feeling that he kind of mailed this one in, surprised me...
As I said, the 2300 year old Druid who looks like a young man and has the sense of humor and understanding of consequences of a pre-teen, is entertaining and has one of the best sidekicks in his dog, Oberon, is entertaining and I will be coming back for more of the story for sure!!! 👍😊
I am enjoying the series quite a bit, so I was surprised at this one not being as satisfying as the ones before have been. I love Oberon and the Elementals, I enjoy all the shenanigans of the main character and like the mixture of all the pantheons and how they relate to our day. But there were two things that made it a bit less enjoyable for me. One - there is no chemistry in the romance. I understand, the majority of Fantasy/Urban Fantasy authors suck at romance, but usually they succeed at the closeness implied by a budding relationship, and here it just didn't hit the spot. The second issue I had was the structure of the story as a whole. It was choppy and random, and I feel the author is better than this, thus the feeling that he kind of mailed this one in, surprised me...
As I said, the 2300 year old Druid who looks like a young man and has the sense of humor and understanding of consequences of a pre-teen, is entertaining and has one of the best sidekicks in his dog, Oberon, is entertaining and I will be coming back for more of the story for sure!!! 👍😊
December 5, 2012
2,5/5
Butcher keeps raising the bar for Urban Fantasy, and Hearne just provides more of the same..
This series keeps getting more and more uninteresting, 90 % of the characters in the books are gods..
Not humans, but superhumans with awesome powers.. However all the gods seems stupid, immature, and petty (and not at all powerful compared to Atticus..)
It's not that i have a problem with the amount of respect Hearne shows for his subject matter (which is close to non-existing, but what do i care), it's just makes me not give a shit about anything that happens..
All the Norse gods fall over dead ? Who Cares..
Some horny, shit-for-brains wine-god is hunting Atticus again.. YAAAAWN ... why should i care ?
Oberon wants to be fed, and hunt squirrels.. Haha.. Year laughed about that in the first two books, now it's getting pretty old...
I like Hearnes humour, and at times i've enjoyed the iron druid a lot, but this is becoming more and more like a sitcom, where you dont care about anything that happens, but sit-by waiting patiently for the one-liners.. which is provided almost solely by Oberon..
I wish Hearne would scrap this series, and try his luck with something a bit more serious and substantial.. We need more good UF series..
Butcher keeps raising the bar for Urban Fantasy, and Hearne just provides more of the same..
This series keeps getting more and more uninteresting, 90 % of the characters in the books are gods..
Not humans, but superhumans with awesome powers.. However all the gods seems stupid, immature, and petty (and not at all powerful compared to Atticus..)
It's not that i have a problem with the amount of respect Hearne shows for his subject matter (which is close to non-existing, but what do i care), it's just makes me not give a shit about anything that happens..
All the Norse gods fall over dead ? Who Cares..
Some horny, shit-for-brains wine-god is hunting Atticus again.. YAAAAWN ... why should i care ?
Oberon wants to be fed, and hunt squirrels.. Haha.. Year laughed about that in the first two books, now it's getting pretty old...
I like Hearnes humour, and at times i've enjoyed the iron druid a lot, but this is becoming more and more like a sitcom, where you dont care about anything that happens, but sit-by waiting patiently for the one-liners.. which is provided almost solely by Oberon..
I wish Hearne would scrap this series, and try his luck with something a bit more serious and substantial.. We need more good UF series..
September 11, 2015
After the last Iron Druid book I read I wasn’t super excited for the next book in the series. I cannot actually remember what went wrong, but it still got 3 stars. No review though.
*tries to remember…
Nope. It’s not coming back. This book does pick up where the last left off so I wasn’t left wondering on that account, but not sure why I didn’t rate it higher. Either way I couldn’t find anything wrong with this one.
Action packed, humorous, well written and fun all the way. If you have read any of the previous installments you know what I’m talking about. I mean EVIL ELF CLOWNS. A badass Druid. A talking hound with a poodle & sausage problem. A badass druidess. But I digress. I already had you at EVIL ELF CLOWNS right?
I’m never staying away from this series that long again.
If you have not read this series yet, grab the first book, dig in, and let the good times roll.
*tries to remember…
Nope. It’s not coming back. This book does pick up where the last left off so I wasn’t left wondering on that account, but not sure why I didn’t rate it higher. Either way I couldn’t find anything wrong with this one.
Action packed, humorous, well written and fun all the way. If you have read any of the previous installments you know what I’m talking about. I mean EVIL ELF CLOWNS. A badass Druid. A talking hound with a poodle & sausage problem. A badass druidess. But I digress. I already had you at EVIL ELF CLOWNS right?
I’m never staying away from this series that long again.
If you have not read this series yet, grab the first book, dig in, and let the good times roll.
March 6, 2017
Granuaile finally gets to shine! And proves that wolfhound Oberon is correct in calling her Clever Girl.
To me, it feels like this series is kind of getting back on track, although Atticus is still working through the repercussions of poor choices made back in book 3 (Hammered).
However, Granuaile has finally become a Druid in her own right and hopefully will continue to be a steadying influence on Atticus. You’d think a guy as old as he is wouldn’t need steadying, but she keeps him focused on better outcomes.
Now that the supernatural world knows that they are still alive, perhaps they can re-gather a circle of friends that made the first two novels work so well for me.
To me, it feels like this series is kind of getting back on track, although Atticus is still working through the repercussions of poor choices made back in book 3 (Hammered).
However, Granuaile has finally become a Druid in her own right and hopefully will continue to be a steadying influence on Atticus. You’d think a guy as old as he is wouldn’t need steadying, but she keeps him focused on better outcomes.
Now that the supernatural world knows that they are still alive, perhaps they can re-gather a circle of friends that made the first two novels work so well for me.
July 15, 2018
While this is an enjoyable series, sometimes there's just a bit too much ass-kicking upon the heroes. Such is the case here. 6 of 10 stars
June 19, 2014
When I got the email that I was accepted for a advance copy of Trapped I almost didn’t believe it. I stared at the email for a few minutes then quickly downloaded it to my kindle just in case they changed their minds.
At that point I hadn’t read Tricked yet, I have a very bad habit of hoarding series books that I love. I bounce back and forth from wanting to read it terribly to wanting to wait because as soon as I read it I will have to wait FOREVER for the next installment.
So after finishing Tricked, and finding out that there was going to be a time gap I got a little worried. In my memory I cannot think of this working, it’s like putting a baby on a sitcom to save a sinking ship, a really bad idea.
I really didn’t have to worry though, Hearne pulled it off, and in my opinion making this the best book of the series so far.
I LOVED this book so very, very much. It was a chaotic ride of sarcasm, pop culture references, sex, and magic bacon. How can you not love a book with magic bacon in it?
I surely cant, and that wasn’t even the best part for me.
I am a sucker for twists at the end of stories and a good running theme or gag and in this story Herne pwned it!
I was tickled pink, grinning from ear to ear, dancing with joy, happy in the pants, and all that jazz. I mean if there is a euphemism for being in love with the book, I was the embodiment of it.
I loved how Herne made some serious mistakes Atticus has made in the past come and bite him in the ass. Atticus is not perfect, far from it, he still makes mistakes in this book, some fatal ones. I can’t wait for the next book to see how he is going to start his atonement, all he has done cannot be forgiven though, and I want to see how Herne goes with this story arc.
I only had one disappointment with this story, it was a minor thing , but it just felt off to me. The fight at the end went just a bit too smoothly, it was an easy battle when it shouldn’t have been. Maybe it’s just me, but it should have been a bit more difficult and had a higher body count.
Thank you Net Galley and Del Rey for letting me enjoy this book!
At that point I hadn’t read Tricked yet, I have a very bad habit of hoarding series books that I love. I bounce back and forth from wanting to read it terribly to wanting to wait because as soon as I read it I will have to wait FOREVER for the next installment.
So after finishing Tricked, and finding out that there was going to be a time gap I got a little worried. In my memory I cannot think of this working, it’s like putting a baby on a sitcom to save a sinking ship, a really bad idea.
I really didn’t have to worry though, Hearne pulled it off, and in my opinion making this the best book of the series so far.
I LOVED this book so very, very much. It was a chaotic ride of sarcasm, pop culture references, sex, and magic bacon. How can you not love a book with magic bacon in it?
I surely cant, and that wasn’t even the best part for me.
I am a sucker for twists at the end of stories and a good running theme or gag and in this story Herne pwned it!
I was tickled pink, grinning from ear to ear, dancing with joy, happy in the pants, and all that jazz. I mean if there is a euphemism for being in love with the book, I was the embodiment of it.
I loved how Herne made some serious mistakes Atticus has made in the past come and bite him in the ass. Atticus is not perfect, far from it, he still makes mistakes in this book, some fatal ones. I can’t wait for the next book to see how he is going to start his atonement, all he has done cannot be forgiven though, and I want to see how Herne goes with this story arc.
I only had one disappointment with this story, it was a minor thing , but it just felt off to me. The fight at the end went just a bit too smoothly, it was an easy battle when it shouldn’t have been. Maybe it’s just me, but it should have been a bit more difficult and had a higher body count.
Thank you Net Galley and Del Rey for letting me enjoy this book!
July 2, 2023
I was excited to see Atticus was ready to bind Granuaile with Gaia making her the first new Druid in over 2,000 years. Unlike, Atticus who carries an ancient sword, Granuaile has a tricked out staff thanks to some crafty Fey. We see significant growth in this feisty, fearless young woman who smells like strawberry lip gloss. It was exciting to see what animals forms she would receive and watching her experience each for the first time was both humorous and amazing.
Of course, Hearne brought danger to Trapped in the form of dark elves, angry gods, and pesky vampires. One of my favorite things about the Iron Druid Chronicles is the extensive world-building using lore, myths, and gods. Hearne shares the history of the dark elves, something I was truly looking forward to. We learn more about Roman Gods, Norse Gods, Celtic Gods and even Hell. The author skillfully provided imagery that brought the stories Atticus shares to life all while our Druids and Oberon attempt to avoid death.
Thing heat up a little in Trapped and I loved these moments. Atticus has a thing for Granuaile, but as her teacher, he never acted. The binding scenes made me laugh and I loved how things evolved.
Never have I wanted an Irish Wolfhound as much as Oberon makes me want one. Getting his POV is an absolute treat and added humor during the darker moments. And we see plenty of dark times with action scene after action scene. Granuaile was a total badass, and the scene with the killer clowns was epic!
If you haven't begun the series, I recommend listening. Never tried an audio? This is the perfect series to test the waters. Hearne's story comes to live with the voices Luke Daniels creates. He has fast become one of my favorite narrators. His voice for Oberon is perfection. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Update: Relisten for Read-Along. Oberon an Granuaile shine and so does Luke Daniels. I am really enjoying these the second time around and know I will visit them again.
Of course, Hearne brought danger to Trapped in the form of dark elves, angry gods, and pesky vampires. One of my favorite things about the Iron Druid Chronicles is the extensive world-building using lore, myths, and gods. Hearne shares the history of the dark elves, something I was truly looking forward to. We learn more about Roman Gods, Norse Gods, Celtic Gods and even Hell. The author skillfully provided imagery that brought the stories Atticus shares to life all while our Druids and Oberon attempt to avoid death.
Thing heat up a little in Trapped and I loved these moments. Atticus has a thing for Granuaile, but as her teacher, he never acted. The binding scenes made me laugh and I loved how things evolved.
Never have I wanted an Irish Wolfhound as much as Oberon makes me want one. Getting his POV is an absolute treat and added humor during the darker moments. And we see plenty of dark times with action scene after action scene. Granuaile was a total badass, and the scene with the killer clowns was epic!
If you haven't begun the series, I recommend listening. Never tried an audio? This is the perfect series to test the waters. Hearne's story comes to live with the voices Luke Daniels creates. He has fast become one of my favorite narrators. His voice for Oberon is perfection. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Update: Relisten for Read-Along. Oberon an Granuaile shine and so does Luke Daniels. I am really enjoying these the second time around and know I will visit them again.
December 10, 2022
I was truly eager to read this book, so I had a really fantastic time with it.
But I'm also not entirely blind to the fact that this book is a bit of a bridge between what has happened in the previous books and what is likely to happen in the next ones. A necessary bridge, but probably not that interesting for many readers. For me, it was not a problem because, as I said, I really wanted to read this story, and it was a pleasure to meet these characters again.
But it's a short book, and the plot isn't very extensive either. Many things do happen - Granuaile becomes a full-fledged druid, and her relationship with Atticus also changes. Plus, of course, there's also the main storyline where someone is trying to kill Atticus, as always, and in the background we have a great conspiracy of the gods, also as always. But even I must admit that it's not as interesting as it was in the previous books. Though there's a decisive battle at the end of the book.
It was nice to be back in this world. I remembered how much fun I had reading about Atticus' exploits. I don't know exactly how much time has passed since I read the last book in this series, but it was the perfect time to come back. This was exactly what I needed right now - not an overly complicated story, good humor and a sarcastic druid in a rather unique world. I was reminded of why I like this series.
I don't know when I will read the next book in this series, but this experience reminded me that sometimes it is not worth pushing myself and it is better to wait for the perfect moment when I can be sure that I will enjoy the story.
But I'm also not entirely blind to the fact that this book is a bit of a bridge between what has happened in the previous books and what is likely to happen in the next ones. A necessary bridge, but probably not that interesting for many readers. For me, it was not a problem because, as I said, I really wanted to read this story, and it was a pleasure to meet these characters again.
But it's a short book, and the plot isn't very extensive either. Many things do happen - Granuaile becomes a full-fledged druid, and her relationship with Atticus also changes. Plus, of course, there's also the main storyline where someone is trying to kill Atticus, as always, and in the background we have a great conspiracy of the gods, also as always. But even I must admit that it's not as interesting as it was in the previous books. Though there's a decisive battle at the end of the book.
It was nice to be back in this world. I remembered how much fun I had reading about Atticus' exploits. I don't know exactly how much time has passed since I read the last book in this series, but it was the perfect time to come back. This was exactly what I needed right now - not an overly complicated story, good humor and a sarcastic druid in a rather unique world. I was reminded of why I like this series.
I don't know when I will read the next book in this series, but this experience reminded me that sometimes it is not worth pushing myself and it is better to wait for the perfect moment when I can be sure that I will enjoy the story.
November 8, 2019
Now that I am caught up to real-time with this series, it seems like a good point to assess it as a whole. In previous reviews, I have praised two things that are starting to become formulaic, and hence losing their luster:
First is the idea that Atticus's actions have consequences. While I still love that there is significant plot development and that everything does not just "reset" to normal at the end of each book, I am starting to see a plot loop that looks something like this:
A third complaint I have is that Atticus has to be the worst druid ever. He never seems to do anything for the earth unless it will directly benefit him in some way, and he draws his power from the earth constantly, often to help him kill gods or take other actions that imbalance the fate of the world.
As for this book specifically, let me start by repeating how much I like that certain things are progressing, particularly, Granuaile's progress into a full druid. But for all that, Atticus doesn't seem to have evolved at all, and the evolution of his relationship with Granuaile just doesn't work -- saying they have these mystical bonds of love, and showing the characters act like they are in love are two different things. Another irk I have -- and of course this happens in the book where I catch up to the author writing them -- is that the epilogue of this book ended on a cliffhanger.
For all my griping, I am looking forward to Hunted, although I am hoping for a return to the earlier book's magic and whimsy, as well as the return to some of the great supporting characters they featured, in addition to the action and mythology found throughout the series.
First is the idea that Atticus's actions have consequences. While I still love that there is significant plot development and that everything does not just "reset" to normal at the end of each book, I am starting to see a plot loop that looks something like this:
1) Atticus needs help in conflict with Big Bad God.Second is the interspersed short stories. When characters sat around the campfire in Hammered and gave their back stories, I thought it was an organic, unexpected way to develop each of the characters while giving some exposition on the book's antagonist. But since then, there have been similar stories in Tricked, Two Ravens and One Crow, and this book, and they are reading as more of a crutch than an unexpected treat.
2) Supporting character promises help in return for future favor.
3) Atticus completes said favor, angering another Big Bad.
4) Go back to (1).
A third complaint I have is that Atticus has to be the worst druid ever. He never seems to do anything for the earth unless it will directly benefit him in some way, and he draws his power from the earth constantly, often to help him kill gods or take other actions that imbalance the fate of the world.
As for this book specifically, let me start by repeating how much I like that certain things are progressing, particularly, Granuaile's progress into a full druid. But for all that, Atticus doesn't seem to have evolved at all, and the evolution of his relationship with Granuaile just doesn't work -- saying they have these mystical bonds of love, and showing the characters act like they are in love are two different things. Another irk I have -- and of course this happens in the book where I catch up to the author writing them -- is that the epilogue of this book ended on a cliffhanger.
For all my griping, I am looking forward to Hunted, although I am hoping for a return to the earlier book's magic and whimsy, as well as the return to some of the great supporting characters they featured, in addition to the action and mythology found throughout the series.
June 24, 2013
note : all phrases in brackets [ ] are thoughts from my favorite dog, Oberon.
FINALLY. There were a few big 'finally' moments in Trapped. One of the biggest finally moments I refuse to spoil for you, but I think it's safe to mention that Granuaile finally became a full-fledged druid in this book because we've been waiting for it a long time and knew it was going to happen eventually. Yay for her getting her animal forms!
The entire section of the book (and following section immediately afterward) where Granuaile was getting bound to the earth was a massive payout for the fans. Emotional blue balls = gone. I'm happy now.
Hearne delivers on the wit, per usual. I am infatuated with this man's brain because the stuff that comes out of his head and flows onto the paper (or screen in my case) is brilliant.
I love that it's easier to sell someone on reading the series through quotes than actually writing out your feelings about the books. Makes my job a lot easier!
Onward to book 6.
FINALLY. There were a few big 'finally' moments in Trapped. One of the biggest finally moments I refuse to spoil for you, but I think it's safe to mention that Granuaile finally became a full-fledged druid in this book because we've been waiting for it a long time and knew it was going to happen eventually. Yay for her getting her animal forms!
Granuaile's joy at this new (form) elicited an extremely loud road, startling Oberon and me and the surrounding woods into silence.
[I think every creature near enough to hear that just pooped.]
The entire section of the book (and following section immediately afterward) where Granuaile was getting bound to the earth was a massive payout for the fans. Emotional blue balls = gone. I'm happy now.
Hearne delivers on the wit, per usual. I am infatuated with this man's brain because the stuff that comes out of his head and flows onto the paper (or screen in my case) is brilliant.
Dark tangles of hair, groomed by static or maybe playful kittens.
"Stop staring at the meat. Look around for who put it there."
[Aw! Wait! How did you know?]
"Canine Psychology 101. Seriously, don't look at it. Look for the dastardly villain."
[Gah! It's so hard to tear my gaze free! It must have a tractor beam!]
"Oberon. It's dead meat. You are stronger than other dogs. Look away."
[I can't! It's got me! Atticus, it's got me!]
I love that it's easier to sell someone on reading the series through quotes than actually writing out your feelings about the books. Makes my job a lot easier!
Onward to book 6.
July 3, 2016
I’ve really been enjoying the Iron Druid Chronicles series. If nothing else, just the dialog between Atticus and his wolfhound Oberon has made the books worth the read.
Unfortunately book five, Trapped, was a bit of a disappointment. Atticus’ apprentice, Granuaile, has finally finished her training and is ready to be bound to the Earth and become a full fledged druid. But when his many enemies learn that he’s not as dead as they all thought he was, his life gets complicated.
So what did I not like about Trapped? The plot. Atticus needs to bind Granuaile to the Earth which is a long process. A process that can’t be interrupted except at “certain” points. So of course they start the process and they get interrupted conveniently at one of those “certain” points. So it’s do some of the binding, fight, binding, fight, binding, fight, story ends. The plot just never built up to anything I cared about.
Also, it was pretty obvious as soon as Granuaile showed up back in book one that sooner or later they’d sleep together. Despite Atticus’ many efforts, usually baseball related, to avoid even thinking about it. But when the time came he just seemed to fold way to easily. Nope can’t go there, just wouldn’t be right, not even going to think about it, okay lets get a hotel room with a big bed and go at it for days on end. Sorry, just made no sense at all.
So I guess that’s my chief complaint. Everything was just way too easy.
April 13, 2017
Its been a while old friend! AND 12 years has passed for Attacus too since his last adventure. It starts with an old friend dropping in on them like a bolt from the blue who finds them easy as..... its ok he didn’t know they were supposed to be dead he’d been an Eagle for a while now...... plot hole solved.
Then we’re reintroduced to a few Irish Gods & fae folk which isn’t apparently clear as to why & then a Norse god comes a calling...... it goes around a bit until we get to the nub of the story & then the action begins to increase & the story flows.... phew.... ive had a few lame ducks already this year & would hate to kill of this series which i for the most part enjoy as a change-up. Oberon (a talking dog, well more a mind meld sort of talking) is masterful as always & made me chuckle a lot...... but despite the pick-up it then plateaus somewhat with just a tale about a Druid, his apprentice & there dog against one or two arch villains who turn out to be easily dispatchable & its all a bit lame tbh.
The real down side..... the relationship between master & apprentice has changed...... which was one I feared looking at the book cover & will likely change the dynamics of the books going forward......(very much as happened with Red Dwarf when they added a woman which ruined the dynamics!) I fear paranormal romance is on the horizon so this could be the end for me. It was also a very short read & nothing really very much happened & is written so that the next in the series will likely reveal a conclusion to this tale.
High 2.* rounded upto three, probably the least enjoyable of the series so far.
Then we’re reintroduced to a few Irish Gods & fae folk which isn’t apparently clear as to why & then a Norse god comes a calling...... it goes around a bit until we get to the nub of the story & then the action begins to increase & the story flows.... phew.... ive had a few lame ducks already this year & would hate to kill of this series which i for the most part enjoy as a change-up. Oberon (a talking dog, well more a mind meld sort of talking) is masterful as always & made me chuckle a lot...... but despite the pick-up it then plateaus somewhat with just a tale about a Druid, his apprentice & there dog against one or two arch villains who turn out to be easily dispatchable & its all a bit lame tbh.
The real down side..... the relationship between master & apprentice has changed...... which was one I feared looking at the book cover & will likely change the dynamics of the books going forward......(very much as happened with Red Dwarf when they added a woman which ruined the dynamics!) I fear paranormal romance is on the horizon so this could be the end for me. It was also a very short read & nothing really very much happened & is written so that the next in the series will likely reveal a conclusion to this tale.
High 2.* rounded upto three, probably the least enjoyable of the series so far.
June 18, 2017
12 years later...
I love the cover for this; it's so nice to see Granuaile on there. And it was great to be back with the trio again (adding in Oberon, of course) but I have to say this was probably my least favourite book in the Iron Druid Chronicles so far.
I don't know if maybe it was me not paying close enough attention or if it was just a bit all over the place, but I spent much of the book a bit lost and confused, if I'm honest. Just sort of letting the words wash over me rather than fully comprehending them. And whereas I usually like Hearne's little sojourns off into different mythology stories, this time they felt more self-indulgent and a bit teacher/student-y... if that even makes any sense. I felt like I was being taught mythology rather than living it through the characters. Still incomprehensible? Oh well, I tried.
I'm also somewhat confused about Granuaile and Atticus. At one particular point I'm not sure if I was meant to read something between the lines, or...what. And that's annoying because that's what I was hoping for most of all—development between those two. I mean, it's been twelve freakin' years, people!
Anyway, the plot follows Atticus, Granuaile and Oberon as they try to find a safe a quiet and place to bind Granuaile to the earth as a new Druid. The ceremony will take three months to complete (it involves extensive tattooing), so it's important to find somewhere they won't be interrupted. Easier said than done as people seem to have cottoned on to the fact that neither of them are, in fact, dead as they led everyone to believe, which is something a few people would like to swiftly rectify.
I was nice to see Granuaile's badassery on display. She's going to make an awesome druid— she's had an awesome teacher, after all— I just still wanted more in terms of character relationship development. I've been saying this same thing since book one and now at book five I'd really got my hopes up that it might happen, but was ultimately left unsatisfied again. So that may well be another reason I'm slightly underwhelmed by this instalment.
But, hey, it's got Oberon. The only mind-speaking druid ninja dog in existence. So what more do you want?
3 Stars ★★★
I love the cover for this; it's so nice to see Granuaile on there. And it was great to be back with the trio again (adding in Oberon, of course) but I have to say this was probably my least favourite book in the Iron Druid Chronicles so far.
I don't know if maybe it was me not paying close enough attention or if it was just a bit all over the place, but I spent much of the book a bit lost and confused, if I'm honest. Just sort of letting the words wash over me rather than fully comprehending them. And whereas I usually like Hearne's little sojourns off into different mythology stories, this time they felt more self-indulgent and a bit teacher/student-y... if that even makes any sense. I felt like I was being taught mythology rather than living it through the characters. Still incomprehensible? Oh well, I tried.
I'm also somewhat confused about Granuaile and Atticus. At one particular point I'm not sure if I was meant to read something between the lines, or...what. And that's annoying because that's what I was hoping for most of all—development between those two. I mean, it's been twelve freakin' years, people!
Anyway, the plot follows Atticus, Granuaile and Oberon as they try to find a safe a quiet and place to bind Granuaile to the earth as a new Druid. The ceremony will take three months to complete (it involves extensive tattooing), so it's important to find somewhere they won't be interrupted. Easier said than done as people seem to have cottoned on to the fact that neither of them are, in fact, dead as they led everyone to believe, which is something a few people would like to swiftly rectify.
I was nice to see Granuaile's badassery on display. She's going to make an awesome druid— she's had an awesome teacher, after all— I just still wanted more in terms of character relationship development. I've been saying this same thing since book one and now at book five I'd really got my hopes up that it might happen, but was ultimately left unsatisfied again. So that may well be another reason I'm slightly underwhelmed by this instalment.
But, hey, it's got Oberon. The only mind-speaking druid ninja dog in existence. So what more do you want?
3 Stars ★★★
July 30, 2015
As usual, this was exciting book, full of interesting action and unexpected twists but I got mad by the way the business with Atticus and Granuaile got resolved. When I read a book in the first person, I expect to know something about that person's emotions but the author spent more time on wisecracks that on really revealing Atticus' feelings.
I don't know why I keep getting disappointed with the continued lack of emotional disclosure by Atticus. It's clear that the author is just not going there with him. At first I thought the author didn't want to alienate the male audience by getting "mushy" but now I'm starting to believe the author is just not capable to take his characters in that direction. I won't blame this on the author being a guy because men are capable of developing badass male characters with emotional depth (see Barry Eisler and John Rain). Please note I'm not upset because the love scenes were the fade to black type but because there wasn't any discussion about his feelings. If you've loved a woman for a long, long time and you finally get to have her, I expect to hear at least a "Yay!!" to convey how you feel about the situation.
Atticus has tons of potential but I feel as if there's a wall between this inner core and the way he behaves in public that not even the reader can see. At some point, he tells Granuiele that after a person gets to a certain age he starts acting in front of others and it seems this "acting" extends to the reader. Which is weird to me because if you want to keep an important side of your character completely hidden, why write in the first person?
One thing I liked about their relationship was that once he wasn't her instructor, he treated her like an adult and allowed her to make her own decisions. He didn't go all caveman or pretended that he had all the answers. He gave her the lowdown and once she made her choice, there wasn't any boorish behavior (see why I say he has potential?)
Right now I'm feeling like giving up on the series but I know that once it gets closer to the release of the next book, I'll be sure to change my mind.
I don't know why I keep getting disappointed with the continued lack of emotional disclosure by Atticus. It's clear that the author is just not going there with him. At first I thought the author didn't want to alienate the male audience by getting "mushy" but now I'm starting to believe the author is just not capable to take his characters in that direction. I won't blame this on the author being a guy because men are capable of developing badass male characters with emotional depth (see Barry Eisler and John Rain). Please note I'm not upset because the love scenes were the fade to black type but because there wasn't any discussion about his feelings. If you've loved a woman for a long, long time and you finally get to have her, I expect to hear at least a "Yay!!" to convey how you feel about the situation.
Atticus has tons of potential but I feel as if there's a wall between this inner core and the way he behaves in public that not even the reader can see. At some point, he tells Granuiele that after a person gets to a certain age he starts acting in front of others and it seems this "acting" extends to the reader. Which is weird to me because if you want to keep an important side of your character completely hidden, why write in the first person?
One thing I liked about their relationship was that once he wasn't her instructor, he treated her like an adult and allowed her to make her own decisions. He didn't go all caveman or pretended that he had all the answers. He gave her the lowdown and once she made her choice, there wasn't any boorish behavior (see why I say he has potential?)
Right now I'm feeling like giving up on the series but I know that once it gets closer to the release of the next book, I'll be sure to change my mind.
April 26, 2023
As other reviewers have noted, this is really more of a novella and a short story stapled together. Both have much of the humor and liveliness we've come to expect from the Iron Druid, whether he goes by Atticus O'Sullivan or Siodhachan plus the authentic Irish original of Sullivan, which doesn't work on this keyboard.
But the short story comes after the novella, so it's lost in spoiler-land in its entirety, and the blurb (reprinted up above) gives no hint of what's to come after that satisfying conclusion two-thirds of the way through the book. You'll just have to read it.
What the blurb does hint at, vaguely, is a conflict with the Roman god Bacchus, and of course his drunken followers the Bacchants. In this book, even more so than in the earlier books of the Iron Druid series, we get an incredible mashup of pre-Christian European deities and other mythical entities--Irish, of course; Nordic; poor Perun the lost Slavic god; and the Olympians.
Here the author makes a strong point that I haven't really seen elsewhere. He casts the Greek gods as eminently civilized and their Roman counterparts as ruffians, not just Latin names for the Greeks as so many suppose. As a person who chose Greek over Latin in college, I was mightily tickled by the way, for example, Hermes and Mercury show up as an ill-matched pair. The gimmick is that the Roman gods had to flee to Olympus from the Christians, so the two sets of deities have had to put up with each other for a very long time.
And (I hope not a spoiler here) the slope of Olympus happens to be the only viable place for Atticus to bind Granuaile to the earth and complete her twelve-year training to become the world's only other living Druid besides Atticus himself. So both pantheons, Greek and Roman, make that a dangerous quest, but . That's the main adventure, as best I can tell on this chaotic ride through various earthly lands and otherworldly "planes."
I was glad to see that Atticus, who narrates as usual, readily credits Granuaile with powers that sometimes outstrip his own. Her personality is coming a little more into focus, and it's a little easier to see her as Druid material. But can Atticus keep his feelings for her from spoiling everything? How much frustration can romance fans take, anyway? Maybe the short story that follows the novella will tell us.
Oh, yes, as another reviewer pointed out, Oberon sounds much more like a buddy and much less doggy this time around. He's still quite often the only player who can give Atticus and Granuaile a measure of balance amid the countless mythical beings who flood the stage here. Once again, hurray for Oberon. And a little more wisdom, please, for Atticus/Siodhachan?
But the short story comes after the novella, so it's lost in spoiler-land in its entirety, and the blurb (reprinted up above) gives no hint of what's to come after that satisfying conclusion two-thirds of the way through the book. You'll just have to read it.
What the blurb does hint at, vaguely, is a conflict with the Roman god Bacchus, and of course his drunken followers the Bacchants. In this book, even more so than in the earlier books of the Iron Druid series, we get an incredible mashup of pre-Christian European deities and other mythical entities--Irish, of course; Nordic; poor Perun the lost Slavic god; and the Olympians.
Here the author makes a strong point that I haven't really seen elsewhere. He casts the Greek gods as eminently civilized and their Roman counterparts as ruffians, not just Latin names for the Greeks as so many suppose. As a person who chose Greek over Latin in college, I was mightily tickled by the way, for example, Hermes and Mercury show up as an ill-matched pair. The gimmick is that the Roman gods had to flee to Olympus from the Christians, so the two sets of deities have had to put up with each other for a very long time.
And (I hope not a spoiler here) the slope of Olympus happens to be the only viable place for Atticus to bind Granuaile to the earth and complete her twelve-year training to become the world's only other living Druid besides Atticus himself. So both pantheons, Greek and Roman, make that a dangerous quest, but . That's the main adventure, as best I can tell on this chaotic ride through various earthly lands and otherworldly "planes."
I was glad to see that Atticus, who narrates as usual, readily credits Granuaile with powers that sometimes outstrip his own. Her personality is coming a little more into focus, and it's a little easier to see her as Druid material. But can Atticus keep his feelings for her from spoiling everything? How much frustration can romance fans take, anyway? Maybe the short story that follows the novella will tell us.
Oh, yes, as another reviewer pointed out, Oberon sounds much more like a buddy and much less doggy this time around. He's still quite often the only player who can give Atticus and Granuaile a measure of balance amid the countless mythical beings who flood the stage here. Once again, hurray for Oberon. And a little more wisdom, please, for Atticus/Siodhachan?
November 15, 2020
It’s been 12 years since Atticus faked his own death in order to give himself time to train Granuaile. Now she has completed her apprenticeship and needs to be tied to the Earth. Only problem is, his enemies have figured out his plan and made it so that the base of Olympus is the only place he can perform the ritual.
I feel like this book is just a bridge from the past to the future. I was a little surprised that it jumped forward 12 years from book 4. I would have thought that training Granuaile to be a Druid would have been more interesting and at least a book or two would be devoted to her training lessons. I guess not. Most of this book is just them running around trying to perform the ritual before Atticus is blackmailed into performing another feat to assuage his sense of honor. I’m a little worried I’m getting tired of the series despite what I’ve liked about previous books. I’m going to give it one more book and see how I feel about continuing.
I feel like this book is just a bridge from the past to the future. I was a little surprised that it jumped forward 12 years from book 4. I would have thought that training Granuaile to be a Druid would have been more interesting and at least a book or two would be devoted to her training lessons. I guess not. Most of this book is just them running around trying to perform the ritual before Atticus is blackmailed into performing another feat to assuage his sense of honor. I’m a little worried I’m getting tired of the series despite what I’ve liked about previous books. I’m going to give it one more book and see how I feel about continuing.
March 1, 2018
Five books into The Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne and it continues to be just as awesome as when I first began the series. This time I'm reading the book in print, but I can still remember exactly how Luke Daniels, the audiobook narrator, sounds in my head. There are so many awesome moments in this installment, but I'm so happy that after twelve years of training Granuaile has finally become a druid! Go, Granuaile! There are so many things that she can now finally do - from shifting planes, hearing Oberon, and shapeshifting. Of course, things don't go all that smootly at first for a variety of reasons, but it's wonderful to start to see her figure everything out.
November 15, 2012
See this review and others like it at BadassBookReviews.com!
This book was fun “trapped” between a cover! I was skeptical when I saw Trapped would take us twelve years in the future, but I’ve learned not to doubt Kevin Hearne. This book was exciting, sexy, hilarious, tense, and everything in between. It is definitely one of the stronger entries in a consistently strong series.
We find Atticus and Granuaile still in hiding, but Granuaile has completed her druidic training and is ready to be bound to the earth. When Perun shows up with an enraged Loki on his tail, our crafty druids must flee. They end up in Tír na nÓg and of course the Tuatha Dé Danann have to get involved. They inform Atticus that Granuaile can only be bound in the old country, i.e. Europe. The only problem is all the “doors” to Europe have been closed except one and that one happens to be right near Olympus and a crazy god, Bacchus, who just happens to hold a grudge against Atticus.
Atticus has made a lot of bad choices and quite a few enemies during his time in Arizona. I liked that Mr. Hearne has made Atticus face the consequences and to try to make amends. The conflict with Thor in the previous books shook the entire structure of the Norse pantheon. It was a horrible decision on his part, but I am glad that Atticus is doing what he can to try and mitigate Ragnarok. That Granuaile decides to lend a hand was a no-brainer for me. She has always proven herself to be a caring and fearless woman and that was on even greater display in this novel.
Speaking of Granuaile, I have to say she stole the show entirely in this book. As much as I enjoy Atticus as a character, Granuaile’s growth was the focal point of this story for me. She became an amazingly strong individual and I totally have a girl crush on her now. She is level-headed, witty, decisive, and can defend herself. She doesn’t need Atticus to take care of her… she just wants him. And what Granuaile wants, Granuaile gets! I appreciate the way their relationship developed slowly and I truly feel that they are on equal footing with each other now.
Oberon was hilarious as usual. My favorite line from him this time was his Rick James ode to Granuaile, “She’s a very Clever Girl, the kind you don’t take home to Ogma. She will never feed you Brussel Sprouts, when she could feed you steak!”
As for the baddies, Bacchus was annoying and I preferred the storylines with the Norse characters and the Dark Elves. The Dark Elves were pretty creepy and I really don’t think we have seen the last of them! I also have a feeling that Ragnarok is on its way, especially if the next book is truly the last in the series. I am much more invested in the Norse plotline than the Olympus one because the Norse characters truly have a reason to blame Atticus. He went on the attack against them and destroyed much of their world unprovoked. With Bacchus and the Olympians in general, Atticus was on the defensive most of the time and his actions were just to protect himself and those he cared about. If the maenads hadn’t come after him in the first place, there wouldn’t have been an issue.
There are a lot of plotlines left loose at the end of this story: Ragnarok, Bacchus, Leif and the vampires, the traitor in Brighid’s court. Atticus still has a lot on his plate and I am eager to see how he handles it all, now with both Oberon and Granuaile by his side. It also looks like the witches will be back in the next book and I am eager for more adventures with Malina and her coven! I can’t wait for the next fun ride through Kevin Hearne’s Iron Druid world.
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Del Ray for providing an ARC copy of this book!
This book was fun “trapped” between a cover! I was skeptical when I saw Trapped would take us twelve years in the future, but I’ve learned not to doubt Kevin Hearne. This book was exciting, sexy, hilarious, tense, and everything in between. It is definitely one of the stronger entries in a consistently strong series.
We find Atticus and Granuaile still in hiding, but Granuaile has completed her druidic training and is ready to be bound to the earth. When Perun shows up with an enraged Loki on his tail, our crafty druids must flee. They end up in Tír na nÓg and of course the Tuatha Dé Danann have to get involved. They inform Atticus that Granuaile can only be bound in the old country, i.e. Europe. The only problem is all the “doors” to Europe have been closed except one and that one happens to be right near Olympus and a crazy god, Bacchus, who just happens to hold a grudge against Atticus.
Atticus has made a lot of bad choices and quite a few enemies during his time in Arizona. I liked that Mr. Hearne has made Atticus face the consequences and to try to make amends. The conflict with Thor in the previous books shook the entire structure of the Norse pantheon. It was a horrible decision on his part, but I am glad that Atticus is doing what he can to try and mitigate Ragnarok. That Granuaile decides to lend a hand was a no-brainer for me. She has always proven herself to be a caring and fearless woman and that was on even greater display in this novel.
Speaking of Granuaile, I have to say she stole the show entirely in this book. As much as I enjoy Atticus as a character, Granuaile’s growth was the focal point of this story for me. She became an amazingly strong individual and I totally have a girl crush on her now. She is level-headed, witty, decisive, and can defend herself. She doesn’t need Atticus to take care of her… she just wants him. And what Granuaile wants, Granuaile gets! I appreciate the way their relationship developed slowly and I truly feel that they are on equal footing with each other now.
Oberon was hilarious as usual. My favorite line from him this time was his Rick James ode to Granuaile, “She’s a very Clever Girl, the kind you don’t take home to Ogma. She will never feed you Brussel Sprouts, when she could feed you steak!”
As for the baddies, Bacchus was annoying and I preferred the storylines with the Norse characters and the Dark Elves. The Dark Elves were pretty creepy and I really don’t think we have seen the last of them! I also have a feeling that Ragnarok is on its way, especially if the next book is truly the last in the series. I am much more invested in the Norse plotline than the Olympus one because the Norse characters truly have a reason to blame Atticus. He went on the attack against them and destroyed much of their world unprovoked. With Bacchus and the Olympians in general, Atticus was on the defensive most of the time and his actions were just to protect himself and those he cared about. If the maenads hadn’t come after him in the first place, there wouldn’t have been an issue.
There are a lot of plotlines left loose at the end of this story: Ragnarok, Bacchus, Leif and the vampires, the traitor in Brighid’s court. Atticus still has a lot on his plate and I am eager to see how he handles it all, now with both Oberon and Granuaile by his side. It also looks like the witches will be back in the next book and I am eager for more adventures with Malina and her coven! I can’t wait for the next fun ride through Kevin Hearne’s Iron Druid world.
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Del Ray for providing an ARC copy of this book!
September 7, 2016
I probably would have at least TRIED to finish this, but I left it at the beach, and have no interest in going to the trouble of finding another copy. The juvenalia type humor would be fine in small doses, but apparently this one wasn't edited, and I kept rolling my eyes at the 'one too many' jokes.
I cant beleive that when I first read Hounded I would have ever wanted Oberon to shut up.....very sad day.
I cant beleive that when I first read Hounded I would have ever wanted Oberon to shut up.....very sad day.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,756 reviews