Hounded

Atticus O'Sullivan is the last living Druid in the modern world, running an occult bookshop in Tempe, Arizona. He has lived for over two thousand years, draws power from the earth, and maintains a low profile among the supernatural beings who share his city. The plot centers on an ancient Celtic sword in Atticus's possession that has drawn the attention of an angry god. His attempts to protect the sword involve him with a cast of supernatural characters including goddesses, witches, werewolves, and his own telepathically-connected Irish wolfhound. The story unfolds in contemporary Arizona but incorporates elements from Celtic mythology, Native American lore, and various supernatural traditions. The narrative moves between action sequences, magical encounters, and moments of interaction between Atticus and his supernatural allies and enemies. This urban fantasy novel explores themes of loyalty, power, and the complex relationships between ancient beings living in the modern world. The book balances serious mythological elements with humor and contemporary cultural references.

Readers describe Hounded as a fast-paced urban fantasy that balances humor with action. Many compare it favorably to Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series. Readers appreciate: - The Irish mythology elements and historical details - Oberon the wolfhound's wit and personality - Clear magic system rules and limitations - Quick pacing without overwhelming exposition Common criticisms: - Main character comes across as overpowered - Female characters feel one-dimensional - Some find the humor forced or juvenile - Plot resolution feels too easy Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (84,873 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (1,647 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.9/5 (712 ratings) Reader quote: "Like Dresden Files minus the noir, plus a talking dog." - Goodreads reviewer Several readers note they almost gave up in the first few chapters but ended up enjoying the series after pushing through the initial setup.

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🍀 Ancient Celtic Druids were known as the scholars and spiritual leaders of their society, maintaining oral traditions as they believed writing down sacred knowledge was forbidden. 🐕 Irish Wolfhounds, like Oberon in the book, are the tallest of all dog breeds and were historically used by Celtic warriors to pull men off horses and chariots in battle. 🗺️ Tempe, Arizona, where the story is set, gets its name from the Vale of Tempe in Greece, chosen by pioneer Darrell Duppa for the area's similar geographic features to the ancient Greek valley. ⚔️ The concept of magical swords in Celtic mythology often appears in tales like that of Cúchulainn's Gae Bulg and the legendary sword Fragarach, which could pierce any armor. 📚 Kevin Hearne taught high school English for 17 years before becoming a full-time writer, and wrote the first draft of "Hounded" during his lunch breaks at school.