Iron Druid Chronicles fans?

[VKALFIERI]

Are there any of you about? The series is one of my favourite to date, and by gosh if no-one here has heard of it you should all go out and get it. They're a series of books involving a druid, an irish wolfhound, magic, mayhem, Gods from about 5 or so pantheons, and vampires, werewolves, and witches!

Plus as an added extra bonus, they don't take themselves too seriously and are a cracking read!

The Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne (Also the author of Heir to the Jedi), do yourself a favour and get them read!

 

[WaylanderToo]

you're not the only one - IMO the guy can't write them fast enough (Oberon just creases me up)

 

[Gonk the Insane]

Here and present! Discovered the series a year or two ago - Amazon kept putting it in my "you might like these books" list (or whatever it's called) and I finally caved and read the first. I thought it was good but read the second in the series and was totally hooked.

 

[WaylanderToo]

new one is out...

Staked

 

[Caledfwlch]

Big, Big Fan here too!

My only complaint is one that generally applies to the majority of Fantasy, especially Urban Fantasy written by American Authors. If an Alien with no knowledge of earth landed in New York, and read a lot of these books, he could be forgiven for making the mistake that the only Celtic culture that exists, and existed is/was Irish! it is Always Irish, never a mention for us poor Welsh, the Scots, the Bretons or the Mannin. At least in the case of the Scots, being descended from the Irish, they share a lot of the same celtic past and 2 dialects of the same language

It does appear to be quite a startling omission in comparison to European Authored Fantasy Fiction. Even the brilliant Polish author, Andrzej Sapkowski who began writing his fantastic Witcher novels during the Cold War took a leaf out of JRR Tolkien's book and took and takes lots of inspiration from Welsh, Scottish and Breton Myths and language, along with mining Polish/Slavic, Dutch & other European languages and myths. The English language Witcher Games also take great care in voicing characters - Characters from the part of the Witcher world influenced by the Dutch have Dutch accents, the people of the Kingdom of Aedrin and Druid characters have Welsh accents, Dwarves have Scottish, and various other Regional British accents are used.

I wish they would stop labelling those stupid Twilight style erotic novels for teenage girls as "Urban or Dark Fantasy" they aren't they are just mild erotic horror for kids, basically. For me, Urban Fantasy Is stuff like Iron Druid Chronicles, the Dresden Files, stuff like that. The Witcher novels and games would very much fit Dark Fantasy, in the sense of High Fantasy, with Elves and so on, but being quite dark in content sometimes.

 

[WaylanderToo]

I wish they would stop labelling those stupid Twilight style erotic novels for teenage girls as "Urban or Dark Fantasy" they aren't they are just mild erotic horror for kids, basically. For me, Urban Fantasy Is stuff like Iron Druid Chronicles, the Dresden Files, stuff like that.

thank God it's not just me thinks that!! I've lost count of the amount of times I've picked up an "Urban or Dark Fantasy" novel only to read on the dust-cover it's some turgid sub-Mills&Boon rom-trash

 

[Caledfwlch]

thank God it's not just me thinks that!! I've lost count of the amount of times I've picked up an "Urban or Dark Fantasy" novel only to read on the dust-cover it's some turgid sub-Mills&Boon rom-trash

The existence of stuff like Twilight makes it clear that Parents should be paying a lot more attention and research into what their daughters are reading, especially as I bet 11/12 year olds are reading them - Twilight, apart from the disgraceful fact the whole storyline is about a Predatory Paedophile who infiltrates schools to stalk children to sexually assault - the fact that Mr Vampire looks only 15 does not stop him from being a paedophile, as he only looks 15, he is an old man with a young face, and that is bad enough and I wonder how many parents realise that is what is going on/make the connection, but even worse, those books are telling impressionable and vulnerable teenage girls that is ok, and a good thing if your boyfriend is violent towards you, it means he really, really loves you! Utterly disgraceful, I would never allow a child of mine to read it, and I suspect lots of the others are of similar content.

It is especially amazing that it hasn't caused outrage in the States, considering the crap storm that the innocent Harry Potter books walked into with fundy christian loons screaming blue murder about "evil" witchcraft corrupting the kids.

In some US States the Age of Consent is 18, and even in States where it is 16, or 17, if one of the partners is more than 3 years older than someone who is at their first year of legal consent, then that partner is considered to be Committing Statutory rape, and dealt with harshly, the same as a 18 or 19 year old sleeping with a 14 year old.

 

[The Big Peat]

I've heard of them but yet to read them. What would you guys compare them to?

 

[Lafayette]

I have read only read one and that was the first one which I liked. I plan on reading more. Living in Phoenix I like the fact that the stories take place in Tempe. I've been in Tempe a few times and like the place and Hearne does a good job of describing it. Using Tempe as a base of operation makes it seem real and stirs up my imagination.

The other thing that stirs my imagination is the telepathic dog. I really think it would be neat if we could communicate with dogs and cats and maybe horses and birds. Though they may not think so.

As a rule I stay away from urban fantasy. I like my stories set before, during, and after the middle ages when the world was more simple (?), but the Iron Druid is the exception.

I am truly sorry to hear about Urban or Dark Fantasy and the pedophilia involved. I will have to warn my brother about this he has a young daughter. She is a good kid and we don't want her get messed up reading this kind of evil.

There is one writer that wasn't mention employing Celtic background in his stories and that is Dennis McKiernan.

 

[WaylanderToo]

The existence of stuff like Twilight makes it clear that Parents should be paying a lot more attention and research into what their daughters are reading, especially as I bet 11/12 year olds are reading them - Twilight, apart from the disgraceful fact the whole storyline is about a Predatory Paedophile who infiltrates schools to stalk children to sexually assault - the fact that Mr Vampire looks only 15 does not stop him from being a paedophile, as he only looks 15, he is an old man with a young face, and that is bad enough and I wonder how many parents realise that is what is going on/make the connection, but even worse, those books are telling impressionable and vulnerable teenage girls that is ok, and a good thing if your boyfriend is violent towards you, it means he really, really loves you! Utterly disgraceful, I would never allow a child of mine to read it, and I suspect lots of the others are of similar content.

that is quite a dark way of looking at it.... and spot on when you think about it

 

[WaylanderToo]

I've heard of them but yet to read them. What would you guys compare them to?

try both the Benedict Jacka (Alex Versus) series or Jim Butcher (Harry Dresden) for a similar feel

 

[Ignited Moth]

Ah! This is a series I really need to read more of. My best friend is a huge IDC fan and has read all of them so far and she loaned me the first novel to read in 2015. It was great. I love Hearne's sense of humor. (Oberon is fantastic!)
I actually got to meet Kevin Hearne (and his audio book narrator, Luke Daniels) when he came to Michigan for a book tour to sell/promote Staked. Really nice guy, and just as hilarious in real life. They were kind enough to sign things and take photos with everyone, so here I am between Luke Daniels and Kevin Hearne just about a year ago. Pardon my dorky smile, I was really excited and nervous. lol

 

[WaylanderToo]

Hmmm - well I'm not sure I can actually give that a 'like' lmao - seriously though it is nice to hear tales about successful people who aren't asshats ;-)

BTW - what's on the tee looks like it could be interesting?

 

[Ignited Moth]

Hmmm - well I'm not sure I can actually give that a 'like' lmao - seriously though it is nice to hear tales about successful people who aren't asshats ;-)

BTW - what's on the tee looks like it could be interesting?

Yeah, I agree, it's always nice to have good interactions with people when you get to meet them. Especially when you admire their work so much. My friend got to meet an author a few months back who she had been wanting to meet for like 13 years so I was very relieved to hear that it went well for her when all was said and done. I would have felt so bad if he'd wound up being rude or really snobbish or something. lol
Oh, and the design on the tee you mentioned is a really detailed skull (though it's pretty much impossible to tell in the picture).
I have an interest in anatomy so I really liked the design, plus it was printed on a big, comfy sweater so I was basically sold the moment I saw it on the rack.

 

[Beamer01]

I enjoyed them, just recently read Staked, and Oberon's Meaty Mysteries: The Purloined Poodle. Read the rest of the set a couple years ago.

 

[Ignited Moth]

Anyone else here excited for Kevin Hearne's upcoming epic fantasy, A Plague of Giants?

He does Urban Fantasy so well with The Iron Druid Chronicles so I think it will be really interesting seeing him go all full-blown epic fantasy on this. He's sounded pretty excited about it himself as he's been working on it so it will be really cool to get to read it when it comes out in October.

 

[Gonk the Insane]

Thanks, @Ignited Moth , I hadn't heard about his new series. It's also reminded me I haven't read the latest Iron Druid novel either (been saving it for a rainy day). Do you know if he's still contuining with Chronicles, or has he finished the series and moved onto this new one instead?

 

[TWErvin2]

I and my family enjoy the Iron Druid Chronicles, both reading and the audiobook format narrated by Luke Daniels (he does an excellent job bringing the stories and characters to life).

I imagine this series will be good as well, different but likely worthwhile to pick up.

 

[Ignited Moth]

Thanks, @Ignited Moth , I hadn't heard about his new series. It's also reminded me I haven't read the latest Iron Druid novel either (been saving it for a rainy day). Do you know if he's still contuining with Chronicles, or has he finished the series and moved onto this new one instead?

No problem! Glad I posted this then.
I'm thinking he'll still be working on IDC as well, I haven't read anything yet about him ending it any time soon.

I and my family enjoy the Iron Druid Chronicles, both reading and the audiobook format narrated by Luke Daniels (he does an excellent job bringing the stories and characters to life).

I imagine this series will be good as well, different but likely worthwhile to pick up.

I agree, Luke Daniels is a great narrator. You can tell he really loves what he does with how much he gets into it, and his Oberon voice is hilarious.
That's awesome that your whole family is into it so you can share in the joy of it.

 

[TWErvin2]

No problem! Glad I posted this then.
I'm thinking he'll still be working on IDC as well, I haven't read anything yet about him ending it any time soon.



I agree, Luke Daniels is a great narrator. You can tell he really loves what he does with how much he gets into it, and his Oberon voice is hilarious.
That's awesome that your whole family is into it so you can share in the joy of it.

This reviewer enjoys the Iron Druid Chronicles, although at the beginning of the vid, she mistakes Hammered for Hexed. I do know that Atticus having a goatee annoys her (mentioned in previous video reviews).

Link to Review: Bookshelf Haven: Really Really Late December Wrap Up!

Plus, the cover to the new set of stories was released by Keven Hearn. Link to his blog post From January 19th: Besieged cover reveal