''Hounded'' is the first novel in
Kevin Hearne
Kevin Hearne is an American urban fantasy novelist born and raised in Arizona.
Hearne is the author of nine novels published by Del Rey Books, Del Rey in the fantasy book series ''The Iron Druid Chronicles'', plus the 2015 ''Star Wars'' novel ' ...
's urban fantasy series,
The Iron Druid Chronicles. It was released on May 3, 2011. The sequel,
''Hexed'' was released on June 7, 2011.
Plot introduction
''Hounded'' introduces the character of Atticus O'Sullivan and his world, a secret history where magic, vampires, werewolves, gods, and other supernatural elements exist (albeit in hiding). O'Sullivan, the last Druid and proprietor of Third Eye Books and Herbs occult shop, comes into contact with many of the supernatural characters of his home city of
Tempe, Arizona
, settlement_type = City
, named_for = Vale of Tempe
, image_skyline = Tempeskyline3.jpg
, imagesize = 260px
, image_caption = Tempe skyline as se ...
. He draws his power from the earth, possesses a sharp wit, and wields an even sharper magical 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.
And for ''Hounded'' (book one), this particular sword sets off a series of godly events. The novel blends elements of mythology and urban fantasy.
Characters
* Atticus O'Sullivan: The last of the
Druids.
* Oberon: Atticus's
Irish Wolfhound; he can communicate telepathically with Atticus.
*
The Morrígan
The Morrígan or Mórrígan, also known as Morrígu, is a figure from Irish mythology. The name is Mór-Ríoghain in Modern Irish, and it has been translated as "great queen" or "phantom queen".
The Morrígan is mainly associated with war and ...
: Celtic Chooser of the Slain and goddess of art.
*
Aenghus Óg: Celtic god of love who has been pursuing Atticus to retrieve Fragarach.
*
Flidais
Flidas or Flidais (modern spelling: Fliodhas, Fliodhais) is a female figure in Irish Mythology, known by the epithet ''Foltchaín'' ("beautiful hair"). She is believed to have been a goddess of cattle and fertility.
Mythology
Flidas is mentioned ...
: Goddess of the hunt.
* Radomila: Leader of the Tempe Coven
* Emily: The youngest of the thirteen witches in the Tempe Coven.
* Malina Sokolowski: Witch of the Tempe Coven, guardian of Emily.
* Gunner Magnusson: Alpha leader of the Tempe, Arizona
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 ...
pack.
* Hallbjörn “Hal” Hauk: Atticus's daytime lawyer, a werewolf.
* Leif Helgarson: Atticus's nighttime lawyer, a
vampire
A vampire is a mythical creature that subsists by feeding on the vital essence (generally in the form of blood) of the living. In European folklore, vampires are undead creatures that often visited loved ones and caused mischief or deat ...
.
* Widow MacDonagh: Atticus's neighbor and friend.
* Granuaile: Bartender at Rúla Búla who is possessed by an Indian witch.
*
Brighid: Goddess of poetry, fire, and the forge; Aenghus Óg's sister and Bres’ wife.
*
Bres
In Irish mythology, Bres (or Bress) was a king of the Tuatha Dé Danann. He is often referred to by the name Eochaid / Eochu Bres. He was an unpopular king, and favoured his Fomorian kin.
Name
''Eochu Bres'' has been translated as "beautiful ho ...
: Brighid's husband and former king of the
Tuatha Dé Danann
The Tuath(a) Dé Danann (, meaning "the folk of the goddess Danu"), also known by the earlier name Tuath Dé ("tribe of the gods"), are a supernatural race in Irish mythology. Many of them are thought to represent deities of pre-Christian Gae ...
.
*
Coyote: Native American trickster god.
Reception
The book was received well by critics. Publishers Weekly called it, “a superb urban fantasy debut.”
Several other authors have also praised Hearne's first book. Nicole Peeler said that Kevin breathed “new life into old myths,” and created “a world both eerily familiar and startlingly original.”
Ari Marmell called it “a page-turning and often laugh-out-loud funny caper through a mix of the modern and the mythic.”
References
{{Authority control
2011 American novels
Urban fantasy novels
Novels set in Arizona
Tempe, Arizona
Del Rey books