Welcome back to my Read, Interview, Review series. Last month we gave you the fantastic C.E. Murphy, and continuing along the Urban Fantasy trail, we follow up with the man himself, Kevin Hearne and his Iron Druid Chronicles. I had the lovely opportunity to interview Kevin in January 2013, and then even more fabulously (yes, that’s a word) I got to meet him. In. Person.
He smiled, laughed, and didn’t scowl at me or tell me to get off his grass. In fact, Kevin’s the type of guy you’d want to sit down and enjoy a good meal and brew and while away the afternoon with a sundry of topics.
Alas, this isn’t a personality review, but a review of his writings, so I shall get my hinny back on track post-haste.
Kevin is not only the benevolent being behind the ancient Holy Taco Church (once upon a time Kevin shared yummy recipes with the masses), but he created the worlds of Atticus, ancient Druid-turned-bookstore-owner, and Atticus’s long-haired, bacon-loving, wise companion, Oberon in the Iron Druid Chronicles.
Currently there are 8 full length novels in the series (in addition to those pictured: TRAPPED, HUNTED, SHATTERED, and STAKED), but he’s been kind enough to add in such jewels as his most recent collection of Oberon’s adventures in THE PURLOINED POODLE …
….and his upcoming (in July 2017) gathering of Atticus’s cranky old mentor in BESIEGED.
If you enjoy a rollicking good fantasy, you’re going to want to add Kevin to your reading pile. Before I tumbled into Urban Fantasy, I loved books that took me into worlds of dragons, witches, wizards, magical knights, talking animals, dwarves, pointy-eared elves. Most of today’s UF titles tend to blend in a healthy dose of romance with their modern day setting and magical worlds blend (think Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs, Jennifer Estep, etc.) and I’m not knocking it. But Kevin is pure UF. Biting into his worlds will give you the impression of romance but it won’t sear your taste buds on it.
Iron Druid Chronicles are fast-paced, deliciously snarky, and comfort-food level entertaining. You can easily find yourself going from rib-splitting laughter to tears within the stories pages. Atticus is one of those characters you can’t help but connect with, because, despite all his jaw-dropping abilities, he’s ultimately human in his interactions with others. His shiny edges haven’t been dulled by centuries of living, and then throw in his loyal, bacon-worshipping, modern-day canine philosopher Irish Wolfhound, Atticus, and hang on for the ride of your life.
If you can’t tell, yes, I still read Kevin’s series. In fact, my Knight in Slightly Muddy Armor, who tends toward such storytellers as Patrick Rothfuss, George RR Martin, and Terry Brooks, adores Kevin’s books.
There’s a passage in HAMMERED referencing the great Neil Gaiman, but I think it applies to Kevin as well:
“I think this man might actually possess supernatural powers. He makes people lose their minds and I’m sure some of the do lose bladder control as well.”
Check out his website for all the latest and greatest. If you want to add Kevin’s books to your list, you can find all his books listed on his Amazon page.
Any of Kevin’s fans out there? What are some of your favorite quotes?