spootilious's reviews
123 reviews

Hunted by Kevin Hearne

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adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Read: January 3, 2023
Title: Hunted
Series: The Iron Druid Chronicles #6
Author: Kevin Hearne
Genre: Urban Fantasy / Paranormal
Rating: 3/5
Review:
Book six is definitely longer than it needs to be and has a strange disconnect after the man story ‘the chase’ comes to an end. Atticus runs off to do some solo shenanigans that don’t make any sense really and doesn’t add to the story. Actually, for once it might be better if Hearne had told about the death of the individual at the end of the book when Atticus returns to the other plane rather than have him involve. It added quite a chunk to the book that was completely unnecessary.
The shift in povs was also very odd and out of place. However, I will admit that Hearne makes each pov unique. It makes me curious as to whether or not he will shift povs to other characters though. I’m not sure how I feel about that.
Atticus has become quite hypocritical, which I have mentioned previously with incidents like Freya and the Frost Giants which makes the whole ‘hero’ thing really rough to swallow. The superman Syndrome is still ever present but now it has overflowed to his apprentice.
There are some good points to the book however. The Morrigan was a nice change I suppose (though everyone falling in love with the MC is annoying). The change of pace from battle after battle to a longer chase was nice. The storyline stretch a bit more solidly over multiple books was a good call.
Overall, a solid book just like the others. Hearne’s writing style is getting better; he seems to be finding his stride… The story and characters are just falling a bit flat after so long and so much repetitive plot.

Quotes:
“Depression is a prison to which you have the key except you never think to look for it.”
“Missing people in our lives are like wounds we reopen with thoughts.”
“Our minds are all that defend us from the horror of the void. The majority of the time we simply think about something-anything-else, and that itself is an act of defiance against the vast nothing of the universe.”

Trapped by Kevin Hearne

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

 
Read: January 2, 2023 
Title: Trapped 
Series: The Iron Druid Chronicles #5 
Author: Kevin Hearne 
Genre: Urban Fantasy / Paranormal 
 
 
 
Rating: 2.5/5 
Review: 
All of the downsides I have mentioned about this series previously continue. In addition to those, this book has a bad habit of ‘telling’ things rather than ‘showing’ them. In other words, there is a stark disconnect in many aspects of the story that pulls the ready out of it. The romance between Atticus and his apprentice for example is explained repeatedly by the main character but is never really allowed to be shown in a natural way to allow the reader to feel it. 
 
There is also as whole parade of forgettable bad guys that makes the story feel generic rather than unique and while the first book’s dialog was funny and witty it has become a bit forced with the repetition of one liners with Atticus and his hound. 
 
I suppose the thing I disliked the most about this installment was the fact that I was forced to go back and read the novellas to really understand what was happening, when there wasn’t much in the novella to begin with that couldn’t simply be added to Trapped, considering much of the story is Atticus retelling something that had happened in the past. 
 
The story is still funny however, and the characters are as loveable as ever. Hearne has also managed to sew up a few of the more glaring  plot holes of the series. 
 
Quotes: 
N/A 
 

Carniepunk: The Demon Barker of Wheat Street by Kevin Hearne

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adventurous dark funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

 
Read: January 1, 2023 
Title: The Demon Barker of Wheat Street 
Series: The Iron Druid Chronicles #4.6 
Author: Kevin Hearne 
Genre: Urban Fantasy / Paranormal 
 
 
 
Rating: 3.5/5 
Review: 
Ignoring the plot holes, female representation, and the descriptors of some of the characters in this novel… I have to say that I enjoyed this story the most out of the series. 
 
I realize that it is perhaps the shortest of all the installments and the one most disconnected from the main story line, but it was perhaps the most well written as well. 
 
Hearne’s pace seemed to work well with the grotesque imagery he paints in the minds of his readers allowing for a disturbing picture that will no doubt remain for a long while. The story itself was also original even within the iron druid series. 
 
 
Quotes: 
N/A 
 

Two Ravens and One Crow by Kevin Hearne

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

 
Read: January 1, 2023 
Title: Two Ravens and a Crow 
Series: The Iron Druid Chronicles #4.5 
Author: Kevin Hearne 
Genre: Urban Fantasy / Paranormal 
 
 
 
Rating: 3/5 
Review: 
As usual Kevin Hearne delivers a hilarious story filled with action and sex appeal. Fast paced and with lovable characters its much of the same as the rest of the series. 
 
That being said there was a lot of redundancies in this novel and plenty of scene (specifically the sex scenes with the Morrigan) that could be cut out which no effect to the story. 
 
In fact, the entire novel could have been scrapped and retold in ‘Trapped’ from Atticus’ pov just as he told all his other stories and it would have flown better. 
 
Still a solid read. 
 
Quotes: 
N/A 
 


The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith

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funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

 Read: December 30, 2022
Title: The Wonky Donkey
Author: Craig Smith
Genre: Childrens Picture Book
Rating: 3/5
Review:
There isn’t much to say about this one. It was cute and funny, the illustrations were great. Super Silly. I would advise this is much better if it’s read to a rhythm, maybe some music with is both an upside and downside. Overall Short and enjoyable. Good for a chuckle.
Quotes:
N/A 
Tricked by Kevin Hearne

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

 
Read: December 30, 2022
Title: Tricked
Series: The Iron Druid Chronicles #4
Author: Kevin Hearne
Genre: Urban Fantasy / Paranormal
Rating: 3/5
Review:
Everything I didn’t like about this book has already been said so I won’t waste time on it. 
I will say, however, that out of the series so far, I enjoyed this book the most. The flow of it seemed a bit more natural. While it was extremely predictable, I found the straighter forward story line to be nice compared to the usual disjointed and thrown together scenes of the previous books. 
The series is still a delight and hilarious. 
Quotes:
N/A 
Hammered by Kevin Hearne

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

 
Read: December 28, 2022 
Title: Hammered 
Series: The Iron Druid Chronicles #3 
Author: Kevin Hearne 
Genre: Urban Fantasy / Paranormal 
 
Rating: 3/5 
 
Review: 
I feel as if my reviews for this series is becoming repetitive so I will keep this one brief. 
 
I find the humor funny, the characters lovable, the mythology mix interesting, the female representation a bit sexist, the superman syndrome boring and the plot holes to be expected. 
 
Now, what really sets this book apart from the others are two specific scenes. 
 
First off, there is a scene which a number of characters discuss their backgrounds which was written shockingly well, and I admit is my favorite scene throughout the entire series thus far. Hearne surprised me in his ability to take matters in a more serious direction and pulled at my heart strings a bit. 
 
Secondly, there is a scene were frost giants take a person as a prize and the main character had agreed to this which I find shockingly out of place considering that the entire book is based on he and his friends taking revenge on an asshat god who treated people as if they were nothing and now, they agree to doing the same with nothing more than… ‘I kinda sorta feel guilty’ moment, after condemning that person to an eternity of rape… Kinda ruins the whole ‘hero’ thing for me with Atticus… 
 
Still a fun serious, though things are beginning to feel a bit cookie cutter as I get further into the series… but we’ll see how it goes. 
 
 
Quotes: 
N/A 
 

Hexed by Kevin Hearne

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

 
Read: December 26, 2022 
Title: Hexed 
Series: The Iron Druid Chronicles #2 
Author: Kevin Hearne 
Genre: Urban Fantasy / Paranormal 
 
Rating: 3/5 
 
Review: 
Just as the first book in this series I found Hexed to be delightful. However, there were a few things in book 1 that I felt if continued would be things I didn’t much care for in the book if they grew into fruition…. Which unfortunately they did… 
 
Namely, the fact that there are only two females in the series so far that aren’t sexualized beyond belief: An old widow (though there is a comment about how disgusting it would be to sleep with her) and a schoolteacher which was implied that she’s not very attractive and there for must not have a lot of sex (I am not including the chubby witch obsessed with food in this because she was so brief and there is a whole other issue there). Otherwise, every woman in the story is drop dead gorgeous and barely clothed and all of them want to sleep with the main character (or act as if they do). 
 
Then there is the ‘Superman Syndrome’ (as I like to call it). The main character is very old and that makes him powerful, and I get that. But more powerful than his own god which is older than he is? Granted… Maybe but it seems that every time there is a new big bad he just happens to have the ability to beat them just as superman always discovers a new ability as soon as he needs it. 
 
All of that plus the plot holes and the try to hard humor (in some cases) do NOT make this a bad book. In fact, I loved it and can’t wait to read book three. However, these things are downsides to the series and prevent it from being as good as it could be in my eyes. 
 
As for the wonderful things about this book: Just like book 1 the characters are all lovable and hilarious, the humor is always present and has had my sides splitting at times, the magic system is unique and interesting and my favorite thing about the series is the mix of mythology and faith throughout. 
 
I’m loving the series and definitely recommend (with the warning of the above issues). 
 
Quotes: 
N/A 
 

Hounded by Kevin Hearne

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

 
Read: December 23, 2022 

Title: Hounded 

Series: The Iron Druid Chronicles #1 

Author: Kevin Hearne 

Genre: Urban Fantasy / Paranormal 

Rating:  3.5/5 

Review: 

This book was delightful! 

Every page had me laughing or at least grinning. It certainly wouldn’t win any literary awards for me, but I enjoyed it immensely. 

The entire journey was fun and hilarious with a mix of different mythologies that made the entire thing fascinating, loveable characters and a fast pace to keep everyone on their toes. 

Granted there are quite a few plot holes, and the main characters can be a bit… ‘too awesome’ at times and the writing can be a bit forced in places. But this is definitely going on my shelf as a reread for when I need a pick me up and I’m already ¾ of the way through the next book. 

Definitely recommend. 

Quotes: 

N/A 

Beastly Bones by William Ritter

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adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

 
Read: December 17, 2022 
Title: Beastly Bones 
Series: Jackaby #2 
Author: William Ritter 
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy 
 
 
Rating:  3.5/5 
Review: 
Just as he did the first book, William Ritter delivered another charming and fun adventure for Ms. Abigail Rook and Mr. R.F. Jackaby. 
 
Unlike book one Beastly Bones is a bit drier than expects and has a far slower pace. I don’t believe this is a downside, however, considering it is a young adult novel, I can see where this is not idea. The book also focusses quite a bit on Ms. Rook’s love life and while I found that endearing because of the loveable characters I felt it was unnecessary. 
 
Overall, however, the book was just as fun as the last, with charming interactions, strong female characters, an action-packed ending, and hilarious missteps. 
 
I also found this book to be less predictable than the first, which surprised me considering I had all the pieces and knew where they were going to tie together but couldn’t for the life of me figure out how… Which is a rare thing indeed. 
 
 
Quotes: 
N/A