Hexed

In this second installment of The Iron Druid Chronicles, 2,100-year-old Druid Atticus O'Sullivan faces new challenges in modern-day Arizona. The story picks up in the wake of his victory against a Celtic god, which has drawn unwanted attention from supernatural entities across the realm. Atticus must navigate complex alliances while training his new apprentice and maintaining his cover as a local bookstore owner. His telepathic connection with his Irish Wolfhound Oberon provides moments of levity as he confronts two hostile covens of witches and manages the competing interests of Celtic goddesses. The narrative combines Celtic mythology, urban fantasy, and contemporary American culture into a fast-paced supernatural conflict. Magic, sword fights, and ancient powers clash against the backdrop of suburban Phoenix. The story explores themes of power, responsibility, and the price of fame in the supernatural world, while questioning the true nature of good and evil in a realm where gods and mortals intersect.

Readers view Hexed as an improvement over the first book in the Iron Druid series, with faster pacing and more complex magical conflicts. Readers appreciated: - The witty banter between Atticus and his dog Oberon - Expanded world-building with multiple pantheons - More action sequences and supernatural battles - Character development of the supporting cast Common criticisms: - Some romance elements feel forced - Plot can be predictable - Too many pop culture references - Occasional juvenile humor Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.17/5 (58,893 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (1,026 ratings) From reader reviews: "The dialogue between Atticus and Oberon saves even the slower parts" - Amazon reviewer "Less focused than book one, but more entertaining" - Goodreads user "Fight scenes are better choreographed but the jokes sometimes miss" - LibraryThing review "Mythology deep-dive makes up for the basic plotline" - Goodreads reviewer

Storm Front by Jim Butcher A wizard detective in Chicago battles supernatural forces while maintaining a sarcastic wit and dealing with mythological beings.

American Gods by Neil Gaiman Old gods and new gods clash in modern America through the eyes of an ex-convict drawn into their hidden world.

Monster Hunter International by Larry Correia A monster hunter fights supernatural creatures while navigating bureaucracy and ancient powers in a world where the monsters are real.

Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch A London police constable learns magic and investigates supernatural crimes while balancing police procedure with ancient magical laws.

Nice Dragons Finish Last by Rachel Aaron A dragon shapeshifter navigates modern Detroit's magical underworld while dealing with family obligations and magical contracts.

🌿 Celtic Druids historically served as priests, teachers, and judges in ancient Celtic society, though their practices were largely lost due to lack of written records. 🐕 Irish Wolfhounds, like Oberon in the book, were originally bred as war dogs and were so valued in medieval Ireland that only kings and nobles were permitted to own them. 📚 Author Kevin Hearne worked as a high school English teacher for 17 years before becoming a full-time writer, often incorporating his love of mythology into his teaching. 🗺️ The book's setting of Arizona was chosen specifically because it's one of the few places in America where Celtic mythology hadn't been previously explored in urban fantasy. 🎭 The Iron Druid Chronicles series title refers to iron's traditional role in folklore as a deterrent to faeries and other supernatural creatures, who were believed to be vulnerable to the metal.