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hirvimaki's review against another edition
2.0
Plah. I really thought Tricked was an indication of a an upswing for this series, but Trapped was by far the weakest. Might be the end of the Iron Druid stories for me. Atticus is just too immature and too powerful - easily defeating everyone and everything.
kathydavie's review against another edition
4.0
Fifth in the Iron Druid Chronicles and revolving around a 2,100-year-old Druid with his apprentice and talking dog.
My Take
I'm still of two minds about this series. I love that Hearne writes of Druids and their connection to the earth, but while I love the concept of Atticus' character, I have a hard time believing he's 2,100 years old. No, it's not the ease with which he absorbs contemporary culture, but his immaturity. After that many years, I do expect him to be wiser.
This particular story feels like an introduction to the next bit of adventuring for Atticus and Granuaile. Sure, there's lots of practically non-stop action, but it doesn't really go anywhere and...Atticus continues to display that immaturity that bugs me. Granuaile also displays an unexpected level of immaturity, more than she did twelve years ago. Is it learning to be a Druid that does this? Granuaile also learns of the existence of the timestream. And seems to be unreasonably pissy about this and other future events. Of course, part of her frustration is Atticus' denial of his attraction to her. I don't know what he's waiting for now.
Oberon is different in this one. His mindspeech is much more like an older teen's. His views aren't as dog-like, which is a bit disappointing. Although I did enjoy his observation about the growing tension between Brighid and Atticus: "...I would totally want a bag of popcorn right now."
Interesting back history on the Álfar and the evolution of the Svartálf and the distinction between them and the Ljósálfar.
Hearne does have his fun when Oberon mentions the religion he would like to start:
Wow, the detail involved in binding Granuaile to Gaia is intense. And painful! Fortunately, they did get help from the expected and some unexpected. I do like Hearne's treatment of the various pantheons, as if they were just different neighborhoods or gangs.
Hearne does enjoy poking fun at all sorts of things: popular culture, flannel shirts, clowns, cultural expectations, the metaphysical, sports references with a suggestion of Holy BIF, BAM, POW, Batman to it.
The Story
It's been twelve years since Atticus "died" and now Loki has escaped, destroyed the Slavic plane, and chased Perun onto earth's. Atticus is determined to get him off earth's plane and into another, but Loki is determined to kill Perun for depriving him of his dream.
Their flit lands them in Tír na nÓg and most of the Fae will do what they can to hurt Atticus for he is sorely out of favor with the Court, even though some of the Fae look forward to more Druids in their world.
And more Druids seem to be an impossibility as Atticus cannot bind Granuaile to Gaia anywhere but in Europe and the Slavic plane's collapse has closed everywhere but an area below Mount Olympus. Within reach of Bacchus. And Bacchus has acquired a variety of assassins to take Atticus out. It's a game of tag with murder as the it.
Then there is the Norse pantheon. They're furious with Atticus for his carelessness and set him a terrible task to put right his wrongs.
The Characters
Atticus Siodhachan Ó Sueleabháín is the last surviving Druid, 2,100-years-old, and events from his more distant past, Hexed, and Hammered have caught up to him. Along with the catty remarks he's dropped here and there. His dog, Oberon, is quite chatty thanks to a spell enhancement that allows him to mindspeak with Atticus. Granuaile MacTiernan is his first student in centuries and she has finished her Druid training and, well, let's just say her "graduation" ceremony is quite different from the usual. Perun is one of the thunder gods we first encountered in Hexed.
Kaibab is the elemental in Arizona; Olympia the one at Mount Olympus; and, Apuseni is the Romanian one. I think the elementals are extensions of Gaia to whom Granuaile must be bound.
The Tuatha Dé Danann
The Morrigan (the Celtic Chooser of the Slain) may have a proprietary interest in Atticus, but she's quite content to force Atticus to work at staying alive. The yewmen supposedly serve the Morrigan; guess they didn't get the memo. Flidais is the Irish goddess of the hunt. Brighid is first among the Fae and irritated with Atticus for turning her down and paranoid about a coup from the Morrigan. Manannan Mac Lir, a god of the sea, and his wife Fand seem to like Atticus. Enough to provide refuge as needed. Ogma (he invented Ogham) is a fighting champion for the Fae. Goibhniu is a master smith and brewer and one of Brighid's sons. Dubhlainn Óg of Shannon Heath is a faery assassin.
The Svartálf or Dark Elves are anxious to pay Atticus back.
Leif Helgarson is an opportunistic vampire and used to be Atticus' lawyer until events in Hexed. Now Atticus will kill him if he sees him. Theophilus is THE head vampire and is forcing Leif to his will. Hal Hauk, a werewolf, is Atticus' attorney.
The Greek/Roman Pantheon
Bacchus is the god of wine and anxious for Atticus' death. His followers, the Bacchants are maenads, young men and women, who can smell magic and delight in brutality. The Roman Faunus is the Greek Pandemonium. Artemis and Diana are the Greek and Roman goddesses of the hunt.
The Norse Pantheon
Loki is a Norse trickster god; his release is the signal for Ragnarök to begin. Hel is Loki's daughter and the queen of death who rules over Nilheim. The draugar are the dead, soldiers for Hel. Sigyn is Loki's wife who holds the bowl over his face to catch the venom. Frigg is Odin's wife and not one of Atticus' admirers. Odin is desperate to prevent Ragnarök, an event made more possible by Atticus' actions in Hexed. Hugin and Munin are crows and Odin's spies. Fenris is Odin's bane; the devourer of gods. Freyja is the wife of Ód and a goddess of love and fertility.
The Stonearms are the dwarf king of Nidavellir's own hammers and Runeskald Fjalar is expected create armor to thwart all. And not kill Atticus.
The Cover
The cover is blue-grays, oranges, and a bright yellow in the background. The curly-haired and redheaded Atticus is in well-worn bluejeans and a tight-fitting v-necked gray T and wearing his protection around his neck as his body faces front while his face is tilted down, looking at Oberon. Granuaile is sideways behind him but her face looking towards us, her eyes looking to our right. It's definitely the three of them together.
The title is Bacchus' plan, to ensure that Atticus is Trapped.
My Take
I'm still of two minds about this series. I love that Hearne writes of Druids and their connection to the earth, but while I love the concept of Atticus' character, I have a hard time believing he's 2,100 years old. No, it's not the ease with which he absorbs contemporary culture, but his immaturity. After that many years, I do expect him to be wiser.
This particular story feels like an introduction to the next bit of adventuring for Atticus and Granuaile. Sure, there's lots of practically non-stop action, but it doesn't really go anywhere and...Atticus continues to display that immaturity that bugs me. Granuaile also displays an unexpected level of immaturity, more than she did twelve years ago. Is it learning to be a Druid that does this? Granuaile also learns of the existence of the timestream. And seems to be unreasonably pissy about this and other future events. Of course, part of her frustration is Atticus' denial of his attraction to her. I don't know what he's waiting for now.
Oberon is different in this one. His mindspeech is much more like an older teen's. His views aren't as dog-like, which is a bit disappointing. Although I did enjoy his observation about the growing tension between Brighid and Atticus: "...I would totally want a bag of popcorn right now."
Interesting back history on the Álfar and the evolution of the Svartálf and the distinction between them and the Ljósálfar.
Hearne does have his fun when Oberon mentions the religion he would like to start:
'What's this religion going to be called?'
<Poochism.>
'And the name of the holy writ I will be typing for you?'
<The Dead Flea Scrolls: A Sirius Prophecy.>
Wow, the detail involved in binding Granuaile to Gaia is intense. And painful! Fortunately, they did get help from the expected and some unexpected. I do like Hearne's treatment of the various pantheons, as if they were just different neighborhoods or gangs.
Hearne does enjoy poking fun at all sorts of things: popular culture, flannel shirts, clowns, cultural expectations, the metaphysical, sports references with a suggestion of Holy BIF, BAM, POW, Batman to it.
The Story
It's been twelve years since Atticus "died" and now Loki has escaped, destroyed the Slavic plane, and chased Perun onto earth's. Atticus is determined to get him off earth's plane and into another, but Loki is determined to kill Perun for depriving him of his dream.
Their flit lands them in Tír na nÓg and most of the Fae will do what they can to hurt Atticus for he is sorely out of favor with the Court, even though some of the Fae look forward to more Druids in their world.
And more Druids seem to be an impossibility as Atticus cannot bind Granuaile to Gaia anywhere but in Europe and the Slavic plane's collapse has closed everywhere but an area below Mount Olympus. Within reach of Bacchus. And Bacchus has acquired a variety of assassins to take Atticus out. It's a game of tag with murder as the it.
Then there is the Norse pantheon. They're furious with Atticus for his carelessness and set him a terrible task to put right his wrongs.
The Characters
Atticus Siodhachan Ó Sueleabháín is the last surviving Druid, 2,100-years-old, and events from his more distant past, Hexed, and Hammered have caught up to him. Along with the catty remarks he's dropped here and there. His dog, Oberon, is quite chatty thanks to a spell enhancement that allows him to mindspeak with Atticus. Granuaile MacTiernan is his first student in centuries and she has finished her Druid training and, well, let's just say her "graduation" ceremony is quite different from the usual. Perun is one of the thunder gods we first encountered in Hexed.
Kaibab is the elemental in Arizona; Olympia the one at Mount Olympus; and, Apuseni is the Romanian one. I think the elementals are extensions of Gaia to whom Granuaile must be bound.
The Tuatha Dé Danann
The Morrigan (the Celtic Chooser of the Slain) may have a proprietary interest in Atticus, but she's quite content to force Atticus to work at staying alive. The yewmen supposedly serve the Morrigan; guess they didn't get the memo. Flidais is the Irish goddess of the hunt. Brighid is first among the Fae and irritated with Atticus for turning her down and paranoid about a coup from the Morrigan. Manannan Mac Lir, a god of the sea, and his wife Fand seem to like Atticus. Enough to provide refuge as needed. Ogma (he invented Ogham) is a fighting champion for the Fae. Goibhniu is a master smith and brewer and one of Brighid's sons. Dubhlainn Óg of Shannon Heath is a faery assassin.
The Svartálf or Dark Elves are anxious to pay Atticus back.
Leif Helgarson is an opportunistic vampire and used to be Atticus' lawyer until events in Hexed. Now Atticus will kill him if he sees him. Theophilus is THE head vampire and is forcing Leif to his will. Hal Hauk, a werewolf, is Atticus' attorney.
The Greek/Roman Pantheon
Bacchus is the god of wine and anxious for Atticus' death. His followers, the Bacchants are maenads, young men and women, who can smell magic and delight in brutality. The Roman Faunus is the Greek Pandemonium. Artemis and Diana are the Greek and Roman goddesses of the hunt.
The Norse Pantheon
Loki is a Norse trickster god; his release is the signal for Ragnarök to begin. Hel is Loki's daughter and the queen of death who rules over Nilheim. The draugar are the dead, soldiers for Hel. Sigyn is Loki's wife who holds the bowl over his face to catch the venom. Frigg is Odin's wife and not one of Atticus' admirers. Odin is desperate to prevent Ragnarök, an event made more possible by Atticus' actions in Hexed. Hugin and Munin are crows and Odin's spies. Fenris is Odin's bane; the devourer of gods. Freyja is the wife of Ód and a goddess of love and fertility.
The Stonearms are the dwarf king of Nidavellir's own hammers and Runeskald Fjalar is expected create armor to thwart all. And not kill Atticus.
The Cover
The cover is blue-grays, oranges, and a bright yellow in the background. The curly-haired and redheaded Atticus is in well-worn bluejeans and a tight-fitting v-necked gray T and wearing his protection around his neck as his body faces front while his face is tilted down, looking at Oberon. Granuaile is sideways behind him but her face looking towards us, her eyes looking to our right. It's definitely the three of them together.
The title is Bacchus' plan, to ensure that Atticus is Trapped.
sweetblood17's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
laureenreads's review against another edition
4.0
Trapped by Kevin Hearne is the fifth book in his Iron Druid Chronicles. It's been many years since we last saw Atticus and Granuaile, but now Atticus is ready to bind her to the earth.
Of course, this means that everything needs to go completely wrong, and the world is in need of its saviour once again. After all, it's hard to bind an apprentice to the earth to make her a complete druid if every other god out there is set on killing everyone involved. Including hiring shadowy elves and vampires to do the dirty work.
This story, more than any of the earlier ones, has two over-arching story lines. There's the gods and vampires and shadowy elves are out to kill Atticus, and then there's also the upcoming Ragnarök. Honestly, this worried me. Two major plots can't possibly be wrapped up in one book. And they weren't. Instead, the loose ends are tied up enough that there's still an upcoming story in the next book when that comes out.
The reason why I'm such a huge fan of this series (other than the really awesome magic and fun fight scenes and interesting story) is the language. I spend far too much time amazed that these books are published because of the language. Not in a bad way, though. I've never seen another book where the lead character can use words like "dude" and "pontificate" without seeming strange. Except for Atticus, who uses that kind of language all the time. He modifies his speech based on who he's speaking with, while still retaining his own voice, which is difficult to do, but works so well. It always seems natural.
As usual, Oberon stole the story though. The Irish Wolfhound who has been Atticus' treasured companion for years is still alive through the use of Immortali-Tea, and he's still as charming and off the wall as ever. My favourite scene is where Oberon tells Atticus a story while Atticus is bathing, a turnabout from the norm. The close bond between the two is obvious and very touching.
*I requested this story from NetGalley, then wound up buying a copy of it anyway while waiting. So, there you have it? Either way, it's an honest review.*
Of course, this means that everything needs to go completely wrong, and the world is in need of its saviour once again. After all, it's hard to bind an apprentice to the earth to make her a complete druid if every other god out there is set on killing everyone involved. Including hiring shadowy elves and vampires to do the dirty work.
This story, more than any of the earlier ones, has two over-arching story lines. There's the gods and vampires and shadowy elves are out to kill Atticus, and then there's also the upcoming Ragnarök. Honestly, this worried me. Two major plots can't possibly be wrapped up in one book. And they weren't. Instead, the loose ends are tied up enough that there's still an upcoming story in the next book when that comes out.
The reason why I'm such a huge fan of this series (other than the really awesome magic and fun fight scenes and interesting story) is the language. I spend far too much time amazed that these books are published because of the language. Not in a bad way, though. I've never seen another book where the lead character can use words like "dude" and "pontificate" without seeming strange. Except for Atticus, who uses that kind of language all the time. He modifies his speech based on who he's speaking with, while still retaining his own voice, which is difficult to do, but works so well. It always seems natural.
As usual, Oberon stole the story though. The Irish Wolfhound who has been Atticus' treasured companion for years is still alive through the use of Immortali-Tea, and he's still as charming and off the wall as ever. My favourite scene is where Oberon tells Atticus a story while Atticus is bathing, a turnabout from the norm. The close bond between the two is obvious and very touching.
*I requested this story from NetGalley, then wound up buying a copy of it anyway while waiting. So, there you have it? Either way, it's an honest review.*
yodamom's review against another edition
4.0
3.5
12 years latter...Atticus has finally finished his training of his apprentice Granuaile. Now he must bind her to the earth, there's only one problem. To bind her he must show himself and the gods he angered that think he's dead will know he is alive.
He must deal with the mistakes from his past. He has made many, and there are a lot who want him dead. Karma. Big bad nastiness come looking for Atticus, things get dark. Granuaile, must be binded before...
The relationship between master and student has been flirty for many years but Atticus will not cross that teacher student line. But, Atticus is not going to be her teacher anymore. After all this time can they finally connect.
Oberon, he is the star. He rules this book as he has with all the others. Love him his sausage addiction and his jokes.
I enjoyed the book, although it was not my favorite in the series. It did have a more 'fantasy' feel to it compared to the past books. I felt a bit cheated at the quick flash fade to dark scene, which I have waited for a long time for. It left me feeling unfulfilled.
12 years latter...Atticus has finally finished his training of his apprentice Granuaile. Now he must bind her to the earth, there's only one problem. To bind her he must show himself and the gods he angered that think he's dead will know he is alive.
He must deal with the mistakes from his past. He has made many, and there are a lot who want him dead. Karma. Big bad nastiness come looking for Atticus, things get dark. Granuaile, must be binded before...
The relationship between master and student has been flirty for many years but Atticus will not cross that teacher student line. But, Atticus is not going to be her teacher anymore. After all this time can they finally connect.
Oberon, he is the star. He rules this book as he has with all the others. Love him his sausage addiction and his jokes.
I enjoyed the book, although it was not my favorite in the series. It did have a more 'fantasy' feel to it compared to the past books. I felt a bit cheated at the quick flash fade to dark scene, which I have waited for a long time for. It left me feeling unfulfilled.
carolynkay's review against another edition
5.0
Kevin continues to thrill with Trapped. I loved it all. Kevin makes you want to become a Druid in his world - who doesn't want to shapeshift, talk to the earth and their pets? There's so much depth of character in all his characters, and Oberon continues to be great comic relief.
holl3640's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.25
nadine_booklover's review against another edition
3.0
What to say about a solid 3 stars sequel in "The Iron Druid Chronicles"?
It was nothing special, although fun to read. I enjoyed the adventure no more than the last ones, it was a bit too smooth for my taste, however I was not bored once.
I would have loved to read more about the teaching to become a Druid and I really like the fact that the "love story" does not dominate the whole thing. It's nice that there is something between A and G but it was always there in between the lines, nothing you've not expected to happen.
Anyway, again my most fav character is Oberon. I bet these books where less enjoyable without him. :-D
So, if you are a fan of these Chronicles, stay tuned and look forward to "Hunted" :-)
It was nothing special, although fun to read. I enjoyed the adventure no more than the last ones, it was a bit too smooth for my taste, however I was not bored once.
I would have loved to read more about the teaching to become a Druid and I really like the fact that the "love story" does not dominate the whole thing. It's nice that there is something between A and G but it was always there in between the lines, nothing you've not expected to happen.
Anyway, again my most fav character is Oberon. I bet these books where less enjoyable without him. :-D
So, if you are a fan of these Chronicles, stay tuned and look forward to "Hunted" :-)