I’ve been enjoying the Iron Druid series, more or less binge-reading it.

What to Expect

Trapped takes place 12 years after the previous one, Tricked. Granuaile has finished her training, and it’s time to bind her to the earth and make her a full druid. Nothing goes to plan, of course, and despite Atticus’ best effort they are constantly interrupted.

Expect the usual romps involving gods of various pantheons – notably the Celtic, Norse, and Greek – as well as their associated mythological monsters, snarky comments from Atticus’ hound Oberon, and general shenanigans.

The book ends on a cliffhanger, and the next novel, Hunted, resumes right where Trapped ended. In it, Atticus and Granuaile literally running across Europe, in an attempt to escape some of the fall-out of the previous books — not to mention being chased by various Greek deities, aided and abetted by the old Irish one, observed from the sidelines by the Norse (and shadowy others), while fighting various mythological and vampiric minions. All in an attempt to not start Ragnarok.

Very interestingly, it also features several chapters sprinkled throughout in Granuaile’s voice. These provide both insights and depth to her character, as well as dramatic tension and high entertainment.

What I liked

By this point I love the series, Atticus and the rest of the cast are highly entertaining. Hearne does a great job balancing an intelligent man who knows history cause he’s been there and remember Shakespeare’s plays by heart, with an irreverent, mischievous miscreant of a druid. The story flows quickly, and in engaging on multiple levels.

What to be aware of

This is novel number 5 in the series, and a lot of the plot drivers are events in previous books. You shouldn’t jump in here, but read from the start.

Also, there are quite a few short stories in the intervening 12 years. These appears in various collections, notably the ‘Besieged’ collection. They are not essential, but are both fun to read and will help you get some of the references. (If you read Besieged, note that half the stories are in between book 4 and 5, and the other half are after book 8; don’t blindly read cover to cover).

Lastly, as Trapped ends in a cliffhanger, do plan to read the next novel – Hunted – immediately after. Events are pretty much along the same arc, and it will make little sense to read them separately.

Felix’s Review

Felix enjoys the balancing of multiple pantheons in the series. He takes offence when the Roman gods are described just as Greek counterparts with a change name, but realises that people who lived only past the Roman empire don’t truly understand the nuances.

Other than that quibble, he’s very much enjoying Atticus’ escapades. He commented that it’s good that he’s so well protected magically, because any one else who would have gone down the same path of angering the gods would have ended as burnt offering long ago.

Summary

Excellent urban-fantasy series involving old-world mythologies. Take this as reminder to get back into it, or get into it from the very start.

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