Staked by Kevin Hearne

Atticus is finding out that actions have consequences, and not just for him.

Title: Staked
Author: Kevin Hearne
Series: Iron Druid Chronicles Book 08
Publish Date: January 26, 2016
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Source: Purchased

Publisher’s Description: Iron Druid Atticus O’Sullivan, hero of Kevin Hearne’s epic New York Times best-selling urban fantasy series, has a point to make – and then drive into a vampire’s heart.

When a Druid has lived for 2,000 years like Atticus, he’s bound to run afoul of a few vampires – make that legions of them. Even his former friend and legal counsel turned out to be a bloodsucking backstabber. Now the toothy troublemakers – led by power-mad pain-in-the-neck Theophilus – have become a huge problem requiring a solution. It’s time to make a stand.

As always, Atticus wouldn’t mind a little backup. But his allies have problems of their own. Ornery archdruid Owen Kennedy is having a wee bit of troll trouble: Turns out when you stiff a troll, it’s not water under the bridge. Meanwhile, Granuaile is desperate to free herself of the Norse god Loki’s mark and elude his powers of divination – a quest that will bring her face to face with several Slavic nightmares.

As Atticus globetrots to stop his nemesis, Theophilus, the journey leads to Rome. What better place to end an immortal than the Eternal City? But poetic justice won’t come without a price: In order to defeat Theophilus, Atticus may have to lose an old friend.

Possible spoilers beyond this point.

Percy Procrastinator says…

Things I didn’t like: I think I would like to see some follow up with Jesus and some of the others who warned Atticus. Just to get closure with them. This is a very minor thing, though, and could still happen.

Things I liked: The whole book. Again, Kevin Hearne has created a intricate world. As with some of the previous books, Atticus’ choices are coming back to haunt not only him but his former archdruid now. Owen is trying to set up his own grove to teach some apprentices, and he has found some, but things go bad when he is attacked in retaliation for Atticus’ actions! I really wondered how it was going to end between those two but it was done well. Meanwhile, Granuaile is showing that she is also a force to be reckoned with in her own right. I liked her own growth and direction in the book.

For most of the book, each of the main characters is on their own. It’s really fun to read how they missed each other by only a day as they check in at standard places. It’s fun to read Owen’s perspective on the modern world and to see his iron age views. I also like that Granuaile has come into her own and has her own agenda and things she wants to do. I like her pushing Atticus to think about things he couldn’t when he was still running from Angheas Og. And now that he doesn’t have to anymore, I wonder what he might choose to do? Well, assuming he survives the next book!

I really enjoyed reading about each of their own adventures and how it came together in the end. The author continues to amaze and fascinate me with the world and the characters in it.

Invested Ivana says…

What drew me to this book: I am in love with this series, particularly in audio! It pains me that it took me a few months to fit listening to Staked into my schedule. But I finally did, and the wait was worth it.

Why I kept reading: Because Kevin Hearne and Luke Daniels are awesome. Because these stories keep getting deeper and more thought-provoking with each book. Because I like Owen way more than I thought I would originally. Because Oberon and Orlaith are irresistible and I just want to rub their bellies!

Does anyone else remember the short-lived but wonderful TV show called Daybreak, starring the oh-so-beautiful Taye Diggs? It was a serious thriller version of Groundhog Day. The antagonist in that show would whisk Diggs’s character away at the end of a particularly disastrous event and say, in a wise and arrogant tone, “Action, consequence.” The idea is that Diggs, and the viewer, get to see what consequence his actions have because he’s replaying his day over and over again, acting differently to get different results.

The Iron Druid Chronicles is not Groundhog Day, but the phrase, “Action, consequence,” runs through my mind often as I read this series. In the beginning, Atticus had just himself to worry about, and a small number of friends. Once action after another increases his circle of close companions, but also increases the complexity of his life and the seriousness of the consequences coming at him. The message that we are all connected and our actions have consequences on everyone grows stronger with each novel, even as the entertainment value stays strong.

Why I recommend it: This is one damn good book in a damn good series. If you like audiobooks, Luke Daniel’s narration is really the best way to experience these characters. It’s laugh-out-loud funny, deeply meaningful, and a whopping good time!

Our reviews in this series…