Trapped by Kevin Hearne

The Iron Druid Chronicles #5
Published November 2012 by Del Rey
290 pages
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Genre: Adult Urban Fantasy
Series: 1. Hounded 2. Hexed 3. Hammered 4. Tricked 5. Trapped* 6. Hunted (2013)
Source: Purchased
Rating: Loved It

After twelve years of secret training, Atticus O’Sullivan is finally ready to bind his apprentice, Granuaile, to the earth and double the number of Druids in the world. But on the eve of the ritual, the world that thought he was dead abruptly discovers that he’s still alive, and they would much rather he return to the grave.

Having no other choice, Atticus, his trusted Irish wolfhound, Oberon, and Granuaile travel to the base of Mount Olympus, where the Roman god Bacchus is anxious to take his sworn revenge—but he’ll have to get in line behind an ancient vampire, a band of dark elves, and an old god of mischief, who all seem to have KILL THE DRUID at the top of their to-do lists. (Source: Goodreads)

Upon diving into the newest saga in The Iron Druid Chronicles, I receive a facebook comment from a friend. I am going to share our exchange.

So I did. Kevin Hearne sure knows how to write a book that I can gobble up and has me checking the date for the next release upon closing the back cover. With Granuaile on the cover, I knew she would definitely be playing a bigger role that in the past. So going in I was hoping for a Love Connection of EPICness. OK. Time to stop speculating and tell what is between the covers.

A large part of the addition to the series is spent trying to bind Granuaile to the earth. This requires a long and painful process of Atticus tattooing Gaia-inspired tattoos over Granuaile’s body. Hearne does a superb job explaining this process and ramping up the anxiety. Granuaile’s body has Atticus  more than a little distracted with no help from her. The tension builds, but they navigate it well as sensei and apprentice. Only when this is complete will she be a full Druid. Of course, they keep getting interrupted delaying her arrival into Druid-hood. I love Granuaile’s voice and excitement as she gets to play with her new shifting forms after becoming a full Druid.

I enjoy this trio when they are all together. I find the books when they are all together are my favorite. Atticus, Oberon and Granuaile create the best situation for witty, laugh-out-loud dialogue. Fans of the series will not be disappointed, because it delivers on what I feel is the hallmark of the series.

The areas I wanted MOAR of were Druid Love and Bacchus. I want DETAILS and Hearne kind of cock-blocks us, hence my friends comment “a bit quick” and “MUAHAHAHA”. *crosses arms, taps foot and pinches forehead* Also the problem with Bacchus has been lingering and building through a few of the books and when it gets down to it, I felt Atticus is able to undo him fairly easily. Maybe, maybe not.

What will the world be like with 2 Druids?