by Kevin Hearne
Series: Iron Druid Chronicles #9
Narrator: Luke Daniels
Length: 8 hours and 46 minutes
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 5 cups
The ancient gods are alive and well in the modern world in this hilarious, action-packed collection of original short stories featuring Atticus O'Sullivan, the handsome, tattooed, 2,000-year-old Irishman with extraordinary magic powers from Kevin Hearne's New York Times best-selling Iron Druid Chronicles.
As I continued my binge of the Iron Druid Chronicles, I wasn’t sure if I would grab all the novellas on audio or in fact even read them, but Besieged is a large collection and after Staked I wasn’t quite ready to leave this world or wait for the next book in April so I decided to download this collection. Brilliant, funny, sad, and interesting, I delighted in these tales shared around a campfire.
Atticus, Granuiale, and Oberon are enjoying a quiet evening around the campfire at their Colorado cabin when Oberon and Granuiale beseech Atticus to tell them a story. I loved the setup and clear indicators Hearne shared with us where each story falls in the Iron Druid Chronicles timeline. This book encompassed the following novellas #4.1, 4.2, 4.6, 4.7, 8.1, 8.2, 8.6, 8.7, 8.9.
- THE EYE OF HORUS- This short story predates the Druid Chronicles stories and takes place before Atticus was the last Druid. Atticus is speaking with an old English dialogue and I had fun listening to Luke Daniels’ interpretation of his accent. This tale takes us to ancient Egypt, where Atticus agrees to steal an artifact for a god in exchange for a favor. For fans of the series, this story offered a rare treat and answers how Atticus came to learn of things that allowed him to in essence to become the Iron Druid. Eep! Feral cats, angry gods and more await you in this most excellent tale. 5 cups
- GODDESS AT THE CROSSROADS- Shakespeare fans will love this tale, as Atticus shares his encounter with the great playwright and explains his distrust of witches. I loved how Hearne weaved Atticus’s influence and regarding the play, Macbeth. Humor, demons and more await you in this tale. 5 cups
- THE DEMON BARKER OF WHEAT STREET – I was glad to see this tale originally published in the Cariepunk anthology. This takes place during Granuiale’s training and shares a trip the trio took to Kansas so that she could check on her mother. They end up at a carnival and the story quickly turns dark. Demons, ghouls and an angry elemental offered an engaging, if not gory, tale. Oberon, of course, stole the show on more than one occasion. 4 cups
- GOLD DUST DRUID- This was such a fun tale that takes place during the gold rush in this western short. An elemental seeks Atticus’s help with a demon and soon he is carrying a cane and posing as an English detective of sorts and joins forces with the local sheriff. Suspense, greed and Oberon’s interruptions with star ratings of the tale had me giggling aloud. A clever tale that showcased Atticus’s skills. 4.5 cups
- THE BOGEYMAN OF BOORA BOG- We are treated to the story of how Owen came to be Atticus’s teacher. He is relating the tale to Greta during pillow talk. I really like Owen and enjoyed hearing about his past. Someone or something is kidnapping children along the bog’s borders, and what Owen discovers shakes him. During this time, he has a chat with the Morrigan and we see some foreshadowing. 4 cups
- CUDDLE DUNGEON – Perun, the Slavic God of Thunder and Flidais, visits a sex club where Flidais assumes the role of Dom. This was an interesting tale delivered from Perun’s perspective. While Perum assumes they are having fun to spice up their love life, it appears Flidais has other plans and it will cost her. 4.5 cups
- BLOOD PUDDING- We are in Poland with Granuiale as she trains with the witches and tends bar. An encounter with a stranger soon has her working with Leif to eradicate a vampire nest. While Granuiale sometimes annoys me, I give the girl credit for her dating criteria. 4 cups
- HAUNTED DEVILS- I loved this story. This story takes place after, Staked but before Scourged the final book. The elementals ask Owen for help to save a species and he takes his apprentices along with him where they bump into Atticus and Oberon. Greta is none too pleased, but the tale itself was fascinating and involved a virus and ghostly spirits. I loved the growth Owen made in this story regarding Atticus and shed a tear at his words. 4.5 cups
- THE END OF IDYLLS- The Morrigan warns Atticus that Ragnorak has begun. This prompts Atticus to send Oberon home, but before he does, he shares the story of his first companion. I love how Hearne ties stories together and this one references Big Foot. The conversation between Oberon and Atticus was touching and the story a sad one. 5 cups
I devoured Besieged and appreciated what each tale brought to the Iron Druid world and its characters. It also made my pockets a little lighter. I went and bought all the audio novellas ranging in length from one and a half hours to four.
Besieged by Kevin Hearne-A delightful collection of shorts any Iron Druid fan will love. #audiobooks Share on XAbout Kevin Hearne
Kevin is the NYT bestselling author of the Iron Druid Chronicles, as well as two forthcoming series: The Seven Kennings, an epic fantasy trilogy, and Tales of Pell, a fantasy series co-authored with Delilah S. Dawson.
About Luke Daniels
Luke Daniels has narrated over 250 audiobooks, has been the grateful recipient of thirteen AudioFile Earphones Awards, and has earned three Audie nominations. His background is in classical theater and film. Luke has performed at repertory theaters around the country, but now he resides in the Midwest with his pack.
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
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Testing comments.
MarthaE
Glad you are still enjoying the series. I think I’ll add the next one on my list soon.
Happy listening!
Kimberly
Sweet! Enjoy Martha 🙂
Melanie Simmons
I really loved the stories in this book. I also loved seeing some of these stories mentioned in the last book. The last story about Atticus’s first companion was my favorite.
Kimberly
I did too and yep, made me cry.
Anna
I might have to follow in your footsteps. A bunch of related shorts might be just the ticket. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
Kimberly
This series is fantastic Anna 🙂
Aleen @ Lampshade Reader
The Shakespeare part sounds like fun. Love that you binged read these because that just means it’s really good. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Kimberly
This series is epic-ly awesome 🙂
Angela Adams
“Brilliant, funny, sad, and interesting…” — something to satisfy every reader’s taste. Awesome!
Kimberly
Agreed. Thanks Angela
Blodeuedd
One day!
Kimberly
Hehe.. I cannot wait to see you kicking yourself for not doing it sooner 🙂 At least you can devour them all at once.
Mary Kirkland
I haven’t read these but I did enjoy your review.
Kimberly
Thank you, Mary!
Heidi
That last story got to me too. I am not sure I am ready for the last book. I have been reading this series since 2011, and I am not ready to say goodbye.
Kimberly
I cried. I plan to devour the audio this week and then weep. I cannot imagine how you feel.
Kristin @ AddictedtoHEA
Dang, last book is tomorrow… I need to go back a book and start back up on this series again. Up to this point, I’ve read everything, even the novellas, in order. I’m not sure what to do now: get caught up on the books (minus tomorrow’s) and then read Besieged or continue trying to read them order as best as I can. Any advice on that now?
I love the detail on each stories – THANK YOU!! Great review, chica!
Kimberly
I think this book could be read at any time but will let you know after I devour the final book tomorrow!
Jenea’s Book Onsession
I think it’s amazing how much you’ve enjoyed this series! It is one that I’m going to have to give a try.
Kimberly
The final book releases tomorrow. WAAAH!
Sophia Rose
This looks like a feast for fans and I love the colorful settings and eras.
Kimberly
It really was:)
Debbie Haupt
Binge is definitely the right word for you and this series Kim, which is definitely on my list. Thanks
Kimberly
Tommorrow the last book releases and then there will be mourning.
Debbie Haupt
hmmm, I see a re-read in your future after the proper mourning duration that is.
Laura Thomas
You sure are loving this series, Kim! Great review:) I just finished the first book and you can bet I’m moving on to more of them!
Kimberly
Wahoo! Glad you enjoyed it Laura 🙂
Tyler H. Jolley
This is very interesting. You said it covers a span of novellas, but is it in place of already published ones, or is this all new?
Kimberly
Some are stories referenced in the series, others are adventures that took place between book releases. All of these novellas work as standalone.
kindlemom1
Yay! So glad this series is so good. I finally read the next book in my list and can’t believe it took me so long to get back to it. I definitely need to read more of them.
Kimberly
Yes. I am glad you are getting back into them
Nadene
I see your money was well spent. 🙂
Kimberly
Indeed it was.
Mary @StackingMyBookShelves!
I am glad it was around a campfire – I like thinking of it that way. I have the first as you know to start this series – just a few review books ahead of this one. I am super glad you enjoyed these, I just have a feeling I will love them also. Great review!
Kimberly
I am so excited to hear your thoughts Mary 🙂
Ailyn Koay
oh this is 8.5! great review, but what are they looking at with the expression is what I want to know most
Kimberly
Hmm could be ghosts, demons or angry gods
Ailyn Koay
interestingly you didn’t say angry demonic girlfriends. I sigh in disappointment
Melliane
Oh that’s a great one!
Kimberly
Yay glad you loved it too
Felicia GeekyBlogger (@thegeekyblogger)
Yep Luke will do that to you. Make you have to have his voice while getting this cast of characters 🙂
Kimberly
Haha yes! Only one novella was unavailable on audio and I swear as I read it I heard Luke’s voice in my head!
Cindy
This sounds delightful and I love Shakespeare! I really have not read a short story in years and thinking that it is time. Thanks for your in depth and as always awesome review!
Kimberly
This series has been amazing and I loved all these little adventures.
verushka
Ahhhh, thank oyu for such a detailed view on this book! I love the iron druid chronicles, but I am somewhat hesitant when ti comes to short stories until I know enough that is. Awesome review!
Kimberly
Hearne is really good at short stories Vershka.