Shattered

The Iron Druid Chronicles, Book 7

By: Kevin Hearne

Narrated by: Christopher Ragland

For nearly two thousand years, there was only one Druid left walking the Earth - Atticus O'Sullivan, the Iron Druid, whose sharp wit and sharp sword kept him alive while pursued by a pantheon of hostile deities. Now he's got company. Atticus's apprentice Granuaile is finally a full Druid herself. What's more, Atticus has defrosted an archdruid long ago frozen in time, a father figure (of sorts) who now goes by the modern name Owen Kennedy. And Owen has some catching up to do.

Atticus takes pleasure in the role reversal, as the student is now the teacher. Between busting Atticus's chops and trying to fathom a cell phone, Owen must also learn English. For Atticus, the jury's still out on whether the wily old coot will be an asset in the epic battle with Norse god Loki - or merely a pain in the arse. As the trio of Druids deals with pestilence-spreading demons, bacon-loving yeti, fierce flying foxes, and frenzied Fae, they're hoping that this time...three's a charm.

The Iron Druid Chronicles:

Hounded

Hexed

Hammered

Tricked

Trapped

Hunted

Shattered

Staked

Scourged

Besieged (short stories)

©2014 Kevin Hearne (P)2014 Hachette Audio

It is Atticus' story - not Granuaile's

Really enjoyed the book, and the four stars are credited to the story of Atticus, Owen and Oberon. They are truly fun characters. It feels like Kevin Hearne has some real life characters he can look at when writing their stories. They are truly funny, and I like the addition of Atticus' arch druid. Owen Kennedy is brilliant in his simple approach to everything. Oberon is as always funny with his sausages, and his self proclaimed poodle addiction really made me laugh hard. They are worth listening to.

That is not the case with Granuaile.

Granuaile is boring. I do not get why she is there, and the story about her father quickly becomes a little annoying. The way her story is tied back into Atticus' story does not really give anything. She is a character that is needed for giving the reader background information.

The real action comes with the three males of the story.

Christopher Ragland is really really good as narrator. He can do all the voices excellent. Unfortunately there are a bit too many "lead" characters - three persons and two dogs.

So next time more Atticus, Oberon and Owen. Less Granuaile and her dog.

Great story

Great story, and Ragland is always a pleasure to listen to. Real voice actors who actually put effort and emotion into their work make such a difference.

FINALLY MADE IT!

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

A chronicle of the druid, centered on the druid, not on the female druid, which every appearance was cheesy, boring, and tiresome. I fast forwarded a lot....

What do you think your next listen will be?

I do not know, but not from Kevin Hearne

Have you listened to any of Christopher Ragland’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

As a narrator, he is pretty good, but the story is not

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Shattered?

I would not have published this book at all!
It has became a soap opera.

Any additional comments?

He finally did it, I'm out of here! no more druids, and no more Kevin Hearne.