Nocturnal Book Reviews: Review: Tricked by Kevin Hearne

Review: Tricked by Kevin Hearne

Wednesday, May 30, 2012 | Posted by kara-karina@Nocturnal Book Reviews

Tricked by Kevin Hearne (Iron Druid Chronicles #4)

Egalley thanks to Random House Publishing Group

Synopsis from Goodreads
Druid Atticus O’Sullivan hasn’t stayed alive for more than two millennia without a fair bit of Celtic cunning. So when vengeful thunder gods come Norse by Southwest looking for payback, Atticus, with a little help from the Navajo trickster god Coyote, lets them think that they’ve chopped up his body in the Arizona desert.

But the mischievous Coyote is not above a little sleight of paw, and Atticus soon finds that he’s been duped into battling bloodthirsty desert shapeshifters called skinwalkers. Just when the Druid thinks he’s got a handle on all the duplicity, betrayal comes from an unlikely source. If Atticus survives this time, he vows he won’t be fooled again. Famous last words.

Amazon US/UK | Amazon kindle US/UK | The Book Depository US/UK | Fishpond (£2.76!)

9/10

* * *

You have to admire the sheer amount of author's talent! Kevin Hearne pulls it off brilliantly every bloody time!

*SPOILERS FOR PREVIOUS BOOKS AHEAD*

First of all I didn't know what to expect after the spectacular showdown in last book. Atticus went into hiding if you remember? Well, it didn't quite go as planned.

He made a deal with Coyote, Navaje trickster God, who impersonated the druid to make him look like he died. In turn Atticus would help the latter to create a gold mine on the land of his people from which they will draw money to build a source of alternative renewable energy in Arizona desert. Sounds like a fair deal?

Not really, if you remember that a deal with a trickster God will always mean that you will be somehow... you know... tricked? Instead of swiftly creating a gold mine, Atticus is drawn into a territorial conflict with two extremely dangerous and powerful skinwalkers, who are not only pissed off by Navaje invading their hunting ground, but spelled by a Norse Goddess, Hel, (a charming lady she is not) not to stop until they devour Atticus's flesh as a punishment for not joining Loki's army of supporters of Ragnarok.

No, really, I'm not kidding. Poor Atticus can't stop gaining enemies no matter where he goes.

Oberon is ever so charming and funny, Granuialle is continuing her studies as Atticus's apprentice, but there is so much tension and brutal savagery in frequent conflicts in Tricked, that these brief moments of calm feel like a breath of fresh air.

The book is pretty straightforward and mostly happens in one small town in Arizona, but it's so full of high-octane action, that you will keep feverishly turning pages until the very end. There is also a nasty surprise closer to the end, which forces you to reevaluate your opinion about one of the main characters.

What I also respect and like very much about Kevin Hearne is that each book manages to tell us about mythology, beliefs and traditions of different cultures (in this case, Navajo), and that, my dear readers, is priceless. Highly recommended.

Hounded - 9/10
Hexed - 9.5/10
Hammered - 9/10

* * *

Как всегда, книга у Кевина Хеарна вышла брутальная, энергичная и безумно интересная. Честно говор, вся его серия - это пример того, каким должно быть городское фэнтэзи - жёстким, взрывным с интересной мифологией, блестящими схватками, искрящимся юмором и задорными диалогами. А, я забыла нехилое развитие второстепенных персонажей.

Вот просто здорово! Страницы переворачивались сами собой, пока Аттикус вертелся как белка в колесе, пытаясь решить проблемы Койота, который заключил с ним сделку, по которой Койот притворится друидом и позволит себя убить, чтобы инсценировать смерть Аттикуса, а тот взамен перетащит золотые жилы в горы на территории племени Навахо. Добыча золота позволит тем построить фабрику экологических источников энергии. Только вот всё не так уж и просто, если заключаешь сделку с пересмешником Койотом.

Кроме золотой жилы, Аттикусу приходится разделаться с чрезвычайно опасными оборотнями, на чьей территории, племя Навахо пытается построить фабрику. Плюс, к тому неожиданное предательство со стороны друга чуть ли не приканчивает бедного друида. Меня оно кстати очень неприятно поразило!

Добавьте продолжающееся обучении его ученицы- Грануаль, заботу об Обероне, утихомиривание земного элемента, с которым Аттикус работает, Хель, которая обидевшись на друида за то, что тот отказался вступить в армию Локи, наводит заклятие на оборотней, чтобы те его съели, и получите непрекращающееся действие с фантастическим юмором! Очень рекомендую.

Tags: 9/10, kevin hearne, magic, urban fantasy, городское фэнтези, магия

5 comments:

Aleksandra Dee said...: I haven't heard of this series before and to be honest it doesn't look like something I would pick up right away but now your review makes me want to read it, so I might actually check it out. :) Thanks!

Aleksandra @ Divine Secrets of a Little Bookworm; 30 May 2012 05:42
Melliane said...: I'm always so ashamed when I think I haven't started this series mainly when I have hounded. I really hope I'll like it as much as you did.; 30 May 2012 08:42
kara-karina@Nocturnal Book Reviews said...: Alexandra, I really recommend trying! Despite the gravity of the most situations in the series, atticus is a guy, with a guy thinking and very amusing, even geeky sense of humour, and he talks to his dog all the time which is hilarious. The series is worth trying!

Melliane, drop your next read and try it - I think it's perfect for summer and full of fantastic humour. As an urban fantasy junkie you will love it just as much as I did (I hope)!; 30 May 2012 11:44
Blodeuedd said...: Every reviews seems to be trying to get me to review this book..trust me, every single one :); 30 May 2012 21:07
kara-karina@Nocturnal Book Reviews said...: Blodeuedd, I think this series is fabulous, and if you haven't read it at all, first book Hounded is currently on Netgalley :); 1 June 2012 16:00