I don't usually get overly effusive in my book reviews, but d*mn, this was a fun book! I'm an urban fantasy junkie and have logged a lot of reading hours in that genre, and with every writer and his/her brother jumping into the field to take advantage of its current popularity, I've thrown a lot of books at the wall because they're not worth the paper they are printed on. "Hounded" is definitely one of those books that you place down carefully, and remember where you stored it in your bookcase because you know that you'll be re-reading it sooner or later. It's definitely a keeper!
Quick synopsis: Atticus O'Sullivan is a 2100-year old Druid, supposedly the last of his kind. His appearance is that of a 21 year old, good-looking Irish guy. He lives in Tempe AZ, and runs a New Age-y herbal and book store. He's got an enemy who is the Celtic god of love who wants a mystical sword that Atticus took from him in a battle centuries ago, and who also wants Atticus dead. Periodically, as the god has located Atticus, he sends minions after him to kill him. In this story, he has located Atticus again, and decides to kill him personally.
The usual urban fantasy suspects exist: the Tuatha De Danann, werewolves, vampires, witches, ghouls, gods, goddesses, demons, etc., though they are not "out" to the general human population. So far, this doesn't sound like anything special, does it? The key differences between this book and most of the others in this genre is that it is extremely well-written (and even though I was reading the Advance Reader's Edition, it didn't have the spelling errors that are so common now in books), the characters are fleshed-out and interesting, and most of all, there is a sense of humor and fun in this book. The plot has some nice twists and turns, and seemingly impossible things are given logical explanations so the reader doesn't get hung up on implausibilities. I'm sure there are going to be comparisons to the Harry Dresden series, and I would say that if you like that series you're going to like this one. I would say, though, that Atticus O'Sullivan doesn't have the nebbish quality that sometimes annoys me with Dresden. This is a character who has been alive for millennia and he has learned something over those years and retained life's lessons; I like that Mr. Hearne portrayed him that way - a very old soul in a young-appearing body, and someone who has kept pace with the culture in which he lives.
This book also has one of the best dog characters that I've every read - Oberon, Atticus' pet Irish Wolfhound. He and Atticus are able to communicate mentally and their conversations are hilarious:
<Well, give her back her check and send her packing! We don't need to play her witch's games. They always want to get you and your little dog, too!>
"I knew I should have never let you watch the Wizard of Oz."
<Toto didn't deserve that type of trauma. He was so tiny.>
Another good character is the Widow MacDonaugh, an elderly woman that Atticus has befriended (or is it vice versa?), a survivor of the sectarian conflicts in Northern Ireland and who is the kind of old lady I would like to turn into - one who offers her backyard for body disposal and tries to chase werewolves off her lawn. She's funny but she's not a caricature of an old lady, a fine line that not every writer manages not to cross.
Although the main focus of the story in this book was mainly the Celtic mythological pantheon, I really liked that elements of Native American, Slavic, Nordic and Indian mythologies were also included. I always wonder why more writers don't do that; there is such a wealth of mythological material in other cultures. I was glad to see it mentioned in this book; it made it that much more interesting to me. In his acknowledgments, Mr. Hearne jokes about giving the impression that his "backstory is remarkably thorough and well-researched", but in reality, that's exactly the impression the book gives without being the least bit pedantic.
This is one of those books that you want to read to the end once you start it. I know that I will definitely be getting the next two books in the series when they are released, supposedly in monthly increments after the first one. Thank you, thank you Del Rey for deciding to issue the books one right after the other!
UPDATE: I just wanted to add that I'm listening to the unabridged audiobook version of this book (via Audible) and that I'm getting as much enjoyment from that version as I did from reading the book. The narrator does a fine job of voicing Atticus and keeping to the rhythm of the writing in the book. He doesn't try to give all the characters unique voices - with the number of secondary characters in the book I would think that that would become distracting, rather than adding to the narration. Instead he gives unique voices to a select few, characters who deserve to have their own distinct "voice" - such as Oberon, the Polish witch, and the Widow MacDonaugh, while the others are differentiated by the tone of their voices. It works well, IMO. So I'd give the audiobook version five stars too, because I think that if you get this novel in either print, electronic or audio format you're going to have fun time.
