''Hexed'' is the second novel in Kevin Hearne's urban fantasy series,

The Iron Druid Chronicles ''The Iron Druid Chronicles'' is a series of urban fantasy novels, novellas, novelettes and short stories, written by Kevin Hearne and published by Del Rey Books. All the books, including short stories, have recorded as audiobooks narrated by Luk ...

and is the sequel to '' Hounded''. It was released on June 7, 2011. The third book, '' Hammered'', was released on July 5, 2011.

Plot introduction

''Hexed'' features the continuing adventures of Atticus O'Sullivan, last of the Druids. In his world, an

alternate history Alternate history (also alternative history, althist, AH) is a genre of speculative fiction of stories in which one or more historical events occur and are resolved differently than in real life. As conjecture based upon historical fact, altern ...

where magic, vampires, werewolves, Gods and other supernatural elements exist (albeit in hiding) O'Sullivan is often called upon to quell magical misunderstandings. In the aftermath of his defeat of the Celtic god of love, O'Sullivan has taken up a Druid initiate and hopes that life with his dog Oberon can return to some normalcy. Still wielding the magic sword known as

Fragarach In Irish mythology, Fragarach (or ''Freagarthach''), known as "The Whisperer", "The Answerer", or "The Retaliator", was the sword of Nuada, the first high king. The sword was forged by the gods and was meant to be wielded only by those who posed ...

, the Answerer, O'Sullivan soon discovers that the notoriety that comes with dispatching a deity often does more harm than good. With two Celtic goddesses vying for his affections and allegiance, as well as two covens of witches hell bent on destroying each other O' Sullivan will need more than a magic sword and a quick wit to fend off evil. The novel blends elements of mythology and urban fantasy.

Characters

* Atticus O'Sullivan: The last of the

Druid A druid was a member of the high-ranking class in ancient Celtic cultures. Druids were religious leaders as well as legal authorities, adjudicators, lorekeepers, medical professionals and political advisors. Druids left no written accounts. Whi ...

s. * Oberon: Atticus' Irish Wolfhound; he can communicate telepathically with Atticus. * The Morrigan: Celtic Chooser of the Slain and goddess of war. *

Brighid Brigid ( , ; meaning 'exalted one' from Old Irish),Campbell, MikBehind the Name.See also Xavier Delamarre, ''brigantion / brigant-'', in ''Dictionnaire de la langue gauloise'' (Éditions Errance, 2003) pp. 87–88: "Le nom de la sainte irlandais ...

: Celtic goddess of poetry, fire, and the forge. * Granuaile: Atticus' Druid initiate. * Malina Sokolowski: Leader of the Sisters of the Three Auroras Coven of Witches . * Laksha Kulasekaran: Indian witch that possesses the bodies of others. * Hallbjörn “Hal” Hauk: Atticus’ daytime lawyer who is also a

werewolf In folklore, a werewolf (), or occasionally lycanthrope (; ; uk, Вовкулака, Vovkulaka), is an individual that can shapeshift into a wolf (or, especially in modern film, a therianthropic hybrid wolf-like creature), either purposely or ...

. * Leif Helgarson: Atticus' nighttime lawyer who is also a

vampire A vampire is a mythical creature that subsists by feeding on the Vitalism, vital essence (generally in the form of blood) of the living. In European folklore, vampires are undead, undead creatures that often visited loved ones and caused mi ...

. * Widow MacDonagh: Atticus’ neighbor and friend. * Rabbi Yosef: Member of the Hammer of Gods *

Coyote The coyote (''Canis latrans'') is a species of canis, canine native to North America. It is smaller than its close relative, the wolf, and slightly smaller than the closely related eastern wolf and red wolf. It fills much of the same ecologica ...

: Native American trickster god.

Reception

Publishers Weekly praised Hearne for cranking "out action and quips at a frenzied pace" and called it a "fun and highly irreverent read." My Bookish Ways says that "Hexed is steeped in magic and wrapped in awesome" and that "it really doesn't get much better than this!" Kelly Meding, author of ''Three Days to Dead'' called Hearne's work “A witty new fantasy series.”

References

{{Authority control 2011 American novels Urban fantasy novels Del Rey books