Staked

January 1, 2016
This is the eighth entry in the wildly imaginative, mythologically driven Iron Druid Chronicles, featuring the drop-dead gorgeous badass, Atticus O'Sullivan, who looks like a modern rock star but is actually a 2,000-year-old Druid with intense magical powers. In this series entry, Atticus, just trying to survive in the modern urban world, finds himself in Toronto, well outside his familiar Arizona confines, and forced to engage in a final battle against a vicious band of vampires, led by his former best friend. But it is not the specifics of plot that make this series stand out, but, rather, it's the unique combination of characters from world mythology mixed with more traditional supernatural fare (such as shapeshifters and vampires); the fast-paced action; and the laugh-out-loud wit sprinkled throughout. Beginning with an author's note and a series recap to orient the legions of new readers who flocked to the series after the success of Shattered (2014), this story will certainly add to Atticus' rising popularity. A great option for urban-fantasy fans of Kelley Armstrong, F. Paul Wilson, and Jim Butcher.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2016

In the follow-up to Shattered, Druid Atticus O'Sullivan is set to fight the ancient vampire Theophilus, while his apprentice Granuaile recovers from her binding with Loki. Archdruid Owen Kennedy also faces internal strife as he prepares to take on some of the youngsters from the Tempe werewolf pack as Druid apprentices and adapts to the modern world after being frozen in time for 2,000 years. As their individual quests lead them to a final standoff in Rome, Atticus finds that defeat comes in many forms and death is kind to no one. VERDICT As Hearne unpacks his characters' lives, he delivers an action-packed story filled with multiple pantheons and modern earth issues. Alternating chapters told by Atticus, Granuaile, and Owen keep the plot moving.--KC

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2015

Hearne left paperbacks behind with last year's Shattered, which reached No. 17 on the New York Times hardcover best sellers list and No. 6 on the ebook list. This continues the "Iron Druid Chronicles," starring tattooed Irishman Atticus O'Sullivan, who looks like a dreamy young rock star but is really a 2,000-year-old Druid with kick-ass magic powers. Here, he's fighting vampires that include a former best friend.

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.