Hounded

Good, but not great

Would you listen to Hounded again? Why?

To be honest I really struggled to get through the story, i dont know if i would do so again.

Did Christopher Ragland do a good job differentiating each of the characters? How?

No, the characters are all a little 'kiddy' and over the top. Rather than putting on serious voices for the other characters they feel a bit like Scooby Doo characters. Asides from that the narration is good, the main characters inner monologue sits nicely with the character.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, in fact often in jarred me out of listening to it.

Any additional comments?

The actual story line was great, the characters felt interesting and not too 1 dimensional; however the book is full of little back tracks through history that are completely inaccurate (I know this is a fantasy book, but when a character is supposed to have lived 2 millennia then you would like him to actually know what he is talking about during the past- if not you want an explanation of how this world differs from ours). It all just needs a bit more research OR an explanation to why history is wrong.

I was hoping for something to keep me busy while waiting for the next Dresden Files book, but I think I was setting my scopes to high.

All in all the book isn't bad, in fact its quite good - but not as good as others in this genre/style.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

I love finding a great new series

I found this by accident, and I've fond a series which is involving, read brilliantly, makes me smile and makes me want to listen whenever I can - the ideas that Kevin Hearne has introduced extends what I thought most of the magic based books cover, but this one really does add new ideas

The book is read amazingly, adding a new narrator to my "must listen" list, he adds intensity to the characters, really giving each part of the story just the right amount of energy for the action in the story

If you enjoy well read books that have interesting storylines, then this is definietely a book for you to try, and if you're as impressed as I was, then you'll have found a new series to definiely continue listening to!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Comic fantasy in Pratchett's league!

Combine a 2000 year old Druid, coven of witches, a pack of werewolves, a vampire, and a semi-telepathic Irish wolfhound... Mix in a small American town, and toss in a few angry Irish gods.
This is obviously the recipe that Kevin Hearne followed writing this book, and it's bloody brilliant! (I use the word "Bloody" as an adjective in this case as there are a fair number of sword fights and other violent episodes in this book!)
The characters are believable (I believe that if I knew a 21 year old who happened to be a 2000 year old Druid, he'd act this way!) and the story keeps clipping along.
All in all, well worth a read, and well worth 5 stars!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Oh no - another addictive series

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I love Atticus and his friends - escapist adventure story which captured my imagination immediately. This book finished all too quickly for me - so I had to buy the next two right away to see what would happen next.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I love Atticus and also The Widow Lady.

Have you listened to any of Christopher Ragland’s other performances? How does this one compare?

This was the first book I have heard narrated by Christopher Ragland - he captured the characters wonderfully and the different voices match very well - though I did have to stop my sewing machine whenever the vampire voice was on - great sibilant whispery effect, but impossible to hear over the machine - will have to buy good headphones to use for the next book. I would definitely look for books narrated by Christopher Ragland - he absolutely understands the author's expression.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Atticus - last of the Druids - man of mystery and magic - a hero with RED hair??

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

Love these books

I've listened to the three books in this series available on Audible in very quick succession, enjoying every moment. The stories are fun, the characters compelling and interesting and the narrator brilliant. I came to them via The Dresden file books which are similar but a bit more serious. I loved the regular Star Trek references and agree totally with Atticus that Neil Gaiman in the man. Now I'm waiting impatiently for the rest of the books to be made available here.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Brilliant start to a great series

The Good

I enjoyed Kevin Hearne's writing style, it was funny, clever, and entertaining. As an author, he is very knowledgeable on his subject matter and you realise that he has either done a mass of research or is already an enthusiast in Fae lore and various mythologies. With this in mind his writing style is effective in that it uses his knowledge to enrich his story weaving an interesting tapestry of characters and interactions. His love of literature also shines through which he peppers his story with and this also enriches the flavour of the tale and allows the listener to become immersed; his writing has the flavour of authenticity that is all too often missing from many such tales.

In the hands of a less skilled writer, the lead character Atticus would be overly aggressive, unlikeable, intellectually challenged, and "obvious" as too many heroes are. However Kevin Hearne is a great story teller and manages to create a many faceted character. The comedic nature of Kevin's writing also shines through, and he manages to give Atticus a robust sense of humour which only seems to add some realism since humour would probably be important for a person to live as long as he had and still be thriving.

The Bad

As with many (all?) fiction/fantasy stories there are some inconsistencies, but these were not so great as to jar me from the tale.

Atticus may have been given too many powers; if you make your character pretty much invincible its hard to really fear for his safety unless you ramp up the danger factor to incredible proportions but on balance the great danger factor does make things more interesting and is done in such an entertaining and dramatic way that I love it all the same.

This book is also not sexually explicit or lurid which is good, I have read too many fantasy books that triggered a gag reflex. However Atticus's taste in women is that of a teen describing pin-up models which I found a little bit facile and lacking in depth for a 2000 year old druid.

The Narrator

Christopher Ragland's reading was great. Not only clear but also giving brilliant performances for each character in keeping with the style and tone of the tale. I enjoyed his portrayal of Oberon. As a character Oberon provides much mirth and jocularity in the tale.

Summary

If you are looking for a substitute for the Dresden Files, this is not it. This book is light hearted, funny and very entertaining.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

It's like a mini Dresden in many ways.

If you're hoping for some fill before the next Dresden Files comes out, this will pass the time. It's the same kind of deal, but far less detailed, exciting and engaging than the real deal. Shop brand Cola versus Coke. But still a fun listen.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Enjoyably fun start to a series

What a fun book. It was fast paced, fairly short, with some really enjoyable characters. I have been reading a lot of epic fantasy, sci-fi and history books recently and wanted something a little different - but fairly quick. Up popped Hounded, the first book in a series by Kevin Hearne.

Atticus is over 2000 years old, and is a Druid. He has made some enemies over the years, and one of them wants what he thinks is rightfully his. Thus starts the book and the series.

There is a lot of information being dumped on the reader. After all, Druid, Witch and God lore all needs to be dished out - as well as character development.

It has some fun humour in it as well, including some pop culture references.

The best humour comes from Oberon, an Irish Wolfhound with a thing for French Poodles and Sausages.

The narration was clear, despite some Irish accents. Its a series that i will most certainly continue in reading.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

A great start to the series

If you could sum up Hounded in three words, what would they be?

I bought the book through one of the special offers, and absolutely delighted that i did... it's a great book, easy to read with great characters! In fact, I couldn't wait to find a few moments to listen, even while cooking dinner! the characters are likeable, especially Oberon - Atticus's dog, the side kick of the story. I bought the next two within days of starting the first one :) THANKS!

Have you listened to any of Christopher Ragland’s other performances? How does this one compare?

this was my introduction to his performance - but would highly recommend him. His interpretation of Oberon was classic!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Definitely - I just wish that I'd started it on a friday evening, so that I didn't have to worry about going to work!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Light enjoyable listen

Hounded by Kevin Heard introduces a new world of magic creatures. A powerful druid, confusing gods and a stunning wolfhound. A tale of magical weapons, spells and lore. I was captivated . Light, easy and enjoyable.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful