Review for "The Iron Druid Chronicles: Tricked" by Kevin Hearne

This is a review for "The Iron Druid Chronicles: Tricked" by Kevin Hearne, Amazon.com Kindle edition:The Iron Druid Chronicles: Tricked by Kevin Hearne

Author Page: Kevin Hearne on Amazon.com

"The best trick I ever pulled off was watching myself die." -Atticus O'Sullivan

"Tricked" is book 4 in the Iron Druid Chronicles series (IDC for short), set in modern day Arizona and various planes across mythology and belief. Kevin Hearne, an English teacher in Arizona, is one of those seriously underrated authors who've only just come into the spotlight, thanks to the enormous support of his fans. If you haven't heard of his work, I highly suggest you try his first book, "Hounded" or at least the sample of the first few chapters, available on his website and on Amazon's Kindle Store.

Book 4 picks up where "Hammered" left off. Atticus O'Sullivan, the worlds only living Druid, is on the run from vengeful thunder gods and the wrath of the Norse pantheon after aiding and abetting tall-blond-and-Viking vampire Lief Helgarson in the murder of Thor. Don't worry, not that good looking one, this Thor's a real jerk. It seems like whatever Atticus did in the previous months has only encouraged the beginning of Ragnarok, not prevented it, and he's getting some unwanted attention.

"Die angry at maximum volume." Atticus O'Sullivan
In a deal to save his tattooed skin, Atticus agrees to help Navajo deity Coyote in return for faking his own death. Not only would this keep the Tuatha De Dannan off his back, but also the Norse from seeking revenge. Atticus shouldn't have got his hopes up. Coyote wants to provide clean energy for the Dine people, but in order to provide capital for the project, Atticus has to convince the local elemental to provide the gold. And we all know "Whoever has the gold, makes the rules." As soon as the project is started, havoc breaks loose, in the form of amped-up Skinwalkers, the Navajo equivalent of the Boogeyman.

 "Guilt ferrets are bastards." -Atticus O'Sullivan
Add into the mix beautiful and flirty red-headed Granuaile, Druidess-in-Training to Atticus. Book 4 builds on the potential for romance between these two, but getting attacked by Skinwalkers almost every night doesn't leave much time for training. Native American Navajo mythology plays a larger role than the Irish pantheon this time around, but we do get a closer look at Atticus' past, including how he first came to America, the origin (or end?) of Sasquatch, and an emotional journey of his family experiences.

"Bacon is the Way and the Truth. Got it." - Oberon the Wolfhound
This book is definitely more emotional and exhausting this time, you'll feel like you've run miles and swung swords with Atticus, avoiding death-by-vampire only to be chased by Hel itself. Thankfully, Oberon's running commentary keeps it enjoyable, and will make you laugh out loud to the internal dialogue that only Atticus and the reader can hear. Warning: unexplained and unavoidable bouts of laughter will occur, warn your cubicle neighbors during lunch break.

The various shenanigans and political power-plays Atticus finds himself in this time around is a non-stop thrill ride that will leave you wanting more. And Hearne obliges with a preview of "Hunted" as the epilogue, with Ragnarok on it's heels. 

I highly recommend reading Kevin's blog at http://www.kevinhearne.com/writers-grove/

-Burn The Midnight Oil Reader