By: Cynthia Ayala

❝Druid Atticus O’Sullivan hasn’t stayed alive for more than two millennia without a fair bit of Celtic cunning. So when vengeful thunder gods come Norse by Southwest looking for payback, Atticus, with a little help from the Navajo trickster god Coyote, lets them think that they’ve chopped up his body in the Arizona desert.

But the mischievous Coyote is not above a little sleight of paw, and Atticus soon finds that he’s been duped into battling bloodthirsty desert shapeshifters called skinwalkers. Just when the Druid thinks he’s got a handle on all the duplicity, betrayal comes from an unlikely source. If Atticus survives this time, he vows he won’t be fooled again. Famous last words.❞

• Synopsis provided by Goodreads

Tricked is the fourth novel in the Iron Druid Chronicles published on April 24, 2012 by Random House Publishing Group. The novel itself rife with humor as it builds the story of the last druid and his apprentice as they dive under the radar and try to escape the notice of the numerous gods who want Atticus dead.  That, of course, is easier said than done as a certain coyote has lured and tricked Atticus into doing his dirty work.

Kevin Hearne takes a lighter step in his fourth novel in the iron druids chronicles, a much needed break from the seriousness that dampened his previous novel. While the serious note remains in this novel, the humor that makes Atticus a fun character that captivates readers’ returns in bounds. Hearne creates this easy to read novel with his fun characterization.  Overall, it is the characterization that makes the novel shine; each character is not only given a great set of detail, but they are also given these down to earth personalities, building a strong dynamic between the characters.

With that being said, admittedly this novel does become a little tedious and more explanatory as it develops the scenes and the scene specifics that it doesn’t leave much room for the imagination and will, at times, make the reader somewhat sleepy.  The novel takes these scenes and stretches them out to fill the pages, stripping away the charm of the scenes and dragging the jokes on turning them from funny to dull.  As for the sadder and serious parts of the novel, while they build the story and build the characters, giving them the substance that they need to continue to grow.

This novel is by no means written badly, the only downside is that it’ is obvious that the author is stretching his ideas so that the story fills the pages.  However, what’s most commendable about the novel is the research that Hearne has done for the novel in regards to the various mythologies and religions.  Hearne pays such wonderful respect to the respective religions in this novel giving it a sense of worth. (★★★☆☆ | C+)