By: Cynthia Ayala
Atticus O’Sullivan, the last remaining Druid, isn’t particularly fond of witches. However, that doesn’t mean he’s opposed to making nice with the ones who didn’t want to take his life. Then suddenly, the witch population quadruples overnight in Tempe, Arizona. And these aren’t nice Witches, these are German Hexen who have a dark history with Atticus and want him and the Tempe Witch Coven dead. Now the two must team together to bring down these witches before they put a hex on him.
Hexed is the second novel in the Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne was published June 7th 2011 by Del Rey and combines the Urban Fantasy genre with the paranormal into an adventurous and comedic tale.
Kevin Hearne has done it again with this new story, with this new addition to the Iron Druid Chronicles. Picking up where the first novel left off, the main protagonist, Atticus is just trying to get back to his old life. However, that is easier said than done considering he just took down a god and now has everyone wants him to take on Thor. Of course, that is not the only problem that has put this character into a bind. Hexen are coming, with demon babies in their wombs. Moreover, they are trying to kill him and his witchy comrades.
This was such an entertaining novel. The comical value behind the novel was so well constructed and thought out that it brings the characters to life. Atticus and is Irish wolfhound are both incredibly captivating characters because of their narrative and because of the humor that is interwoven with their narrative and dialogue. These characters are so comical and full of incredible life that they just make the novel so enjoyable. Oberon, the Irish wolfhound is amazing. Hearne gives him the best one-liners in the novel that really have nothing to do with the plot but work to show the connectivity between the characters. He is not just a dog but is also a friend and part of the family. For any readers who have pets, they will be able to connect to this deeply.
What makes Oberon so remarkable is the fact that he is a dog that is not anthropomorphized; he remains the little hound that he is. Hearne took the opportunity to delve into the cute little guys’ psyche and build off of that. He – Oberon – reads so well and thoughtfully, that at times, Atticus is forgotten as the main character and the readers just want more Oberon. And Hearne delivers just that with interesting scenarios and fun adventures.
One of the deterrent aspects of the novel is the sub-adventure that takes place in the novel. While it’s obvious Hearne has set it up as a story to be developed in future novels, at the moment what it does is detract from the overall plot. The fight with the fallen angel drew a full conclusion to the plot in the previous novel while the adding to the overall plot of this novel while the fight with the Bacchants just came off as irrelevant. Not only that, but the lead to it and the development of it, seemed rushed. The charisma that is within the overall novel was lacking in this one chapter of the book.
Still, Oberon makes everything worthwhile. ★★★☆☆ | B