Staked by Kevin Hearne Series: Iron Druid Chronicles #8
Published by Del Ray on September 13, 2022 (originally January 26, 2016)
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 336
Format: eBook
Source: Library
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
When a druid has lived for two thousand 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?
Three druids. Three adventures. Three magical fae stakes. But all roads lead to Rome.
The Iron Druid Chronicles series plot is drawing in tighter and more intense as Atticus and his allies are aligning against Loki and those who have sided him when, in the near future, the crazy god unleashes Ragnarok on earth and the other plans. First there are a few loose ends that face the druids and a great price is extracted before all is said and done.
Staked is the eighth of the Iron Druid Chronicle novels in an urban fantasy series that must be taken in order for the storylines to make sense.
After Hunted and the short story, A Prelude to War, we see Granuaile face off with Loki and determine that she must remove his mark at all cost and we see Atticus take the advice of a seer that the escalating vampire trouble with Theophilus and Werner must be addressed before he readies for the final battle.
So, Staked opens with Atticus headed to Toronto to do what he must to bring a confrontation with Theophilus and his vampires to a head, Granuaile consulting with the Norse gods and a Polish witch coven about dealing with Loki’s mark and finding a way to hide from godseer sight, and Owen is preparing to start a new school for druidry near the Flagstaff Pack.
Staked is told in three alternating points of view- Atticus, Granuaile, and Owen. They have separate adventures through much of the book until the intense and action-packed grand finale when it’s all hands on deck.
Through much of the series, I’ve liked Atticus, but still found him annoying, too. But, since the intro to Owen, his archdruid, into the mix, I’ve found unadulterated pleasure in all three characters. In fact, this book had me feeling deep sympathy for Atticus at one moment and resentful of those who pushed all guilt and blame on him and he took all that on himself. Atticus was following the advice of the Morrigan and a powerful African seer when he did what he did and he carefully alerted others to potential danger, too. He’s made mistakes, but others are out to destroy the world or out for their own gain and he’s trying to stop all that and has over and over been in danger for it. I can’t feel he is at fault when an evil person chose a bloody, deadly action. I’ll leave that be now after having my say since this is spoiler territory.
There was an obvious tone of preparation for the end of the series even as there are current struggles all three druids are handling separately. Owen knows the big battle must be fought, but he’s putting his energy into his new apprentices and into a relationship with Greta and letting Atticus do all the running around for now. Granuaile has a big adventure first dealing with her mark and then completing a tough magical task for the Polish witches to get their help. A surprise is discovered in the fae situation which has big repercussions for Owen and draws him back into the central conflict. On a side track, Granuaile has had her step-dad’s treatment of her and his environmental indifference stuck in her craw since she was introduced and it was interesting to see that come to a head. Was revenge sweet or not all it is cracked up to be? Meanwhile, Atticus is facing off with the vampires and wondering about Leif’s friendship still and he’s working with his other allies to bring the dark fae to their side though he’s pretty sure they’d just rather end him.
I found the conversation Granuaile has with Atticus about what they will do after the war insightful and, here, for the first time, I really felt his age. Even Owen feels younger because of all that time he missed while frozen in time. Granuaile and Owen want Atticus to take on environmental superhero roles with them on behalf of the earth and his tired response irks them. He’s been at it a long time and seen so much that he just wants to be left alone and at peace. He’s been where they are and eventually had to come to terms with certain matters because he’s just been trying to survive. Of course, their point that he can go beyond just surviving is hopeful, too.
Altogether, Staked was another wonderful blend of action and twists, fun times with the hounds, and time well spent with the druids and their adventures. Looking forward to what Besieged has to offer after getting a taste of that story collection with one story added to the back of Staked as a bonus. Those who enjoy exciting urban fantasy don’t want to miss this series.
Listen to a clip: HERE
Share your review/ thoughts on Shattered:
I thought it might be fun to link up reviews so we can find them all easily. It can be a link to Goodreads or a blog, or wherever you have a review (short or long).
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The chat will be Sunday, October 8th
COYER Challenge is adopting our Read-along. You can read about COYER and join that challenge or just the Facebook community chat HERE. On the Sunday after the review posts, they will host a FB room (like we do for COYER book club) at 12 PT, 2 CT, 3 ET and 9pm Europe, for a one hour chat. You do not have to join the COYER challenge to participate, only the Facebook group.
Here’s your to-do list:
- Find your copies of these books, borrow them from a friend, get them at the library or buy them
- Read book 9, Besieged by November 3. Pacing schedules will be up on Facebook. In the ebook, The 8.8 Naughtiest Cherub is included (about 13 pages). For audio, it is in the First Dangle anthology, chapters 3-4, which is Audible only.
- Don’t forget to enter questions for the Q&A with Kevin into the rafflecopter! I have to send them in mid-November.
- Make note of a favorite quote or two as you read the book.
- If you haven’t read the books before, make a list of questions you have for the discussion. If you have read them, please don’t spoil new readers.
- Enter the giveaways!
Interviews with Kevin:
2016- Jan 28: Natfluence interview
2016-Feb 9: Fantasy Literature interview
2016-Apr 2: Eat Your Comics interview
2016-Oct 3: Tales from the Fandom podcast
Games:
Who said (enter the answer in the Rafflecopter, don’t put in the comments)
Who said “I suppose what I want is fair warning if something horrible is going to happen here. You and horrible go together like pickle spears and sandwiches. ”
There are other options in the rafflecopter for you to enter discussion questions and quotes to share.
The quote for Who said “You won’t find me dealing with witches or vampires ” in Shattered is Owen.
The villain was Fand and Loki.
Observations and questions you shared from Shattered:
(Thank you so much for sharing!) If you can answer any of these questions, you can do so in a comment.
- I didn’t expect to like Owen so much, but he’s a great character. I hope we’ll see more of him.
Quotes you readers shared from Shattered:
“It’s not polite to ask if a man has a big salami in his pants, okay?”
“Don’t hate the Meat Lord, Atticus. Just offer him steak sauce and words of praise.”
“The garden of sarcasm is watered with impatience.”
“I’d been pushing so hard to find harmony when it wasn’t there to be found. It was much better to be still and let it find me.”
Be sure to enter the giveaways!!!
Giveaway:
For US Audible audio version of Besieged, and for Intl a paperback from Better World Books. The giveaway is international, as long as Better World Books ships there free of charge (find that out here!)
Grand-Prize Giveaway:
For a US / Canadian winner, this will be a full set of SIGNED trade paperbacks by Kevin Hearne.
For an Intl winner, it will be $50 at Better World Books. The giveaway is international, as long as Better World Books ships there free of charge (find that out here!)
Time to start reading Besieged by Kevin Hearne for the 2023 Read-along! #giveaways #giveaway @BooksofMyHeart Click To Tweet
Schedule:
We are doing one book every 4-5 weeks, posting on Fridays. We will have a review with the team here at Books of My Heart plus some of our friends.
Mar 3: Hounded – Stephanie @ Once Upon A Chapter
Mar 31 Hexed – Lillian @ Mom with a Reading Problem
May 5: Hammered – Jen @ That’s What I’m Talking About
Jun 2: Tricked – Terrie @ Bookshelf Journeys
Jul 7: Trapped – Rachel @ Waves of Fiction
Aug 4: Hunted – KC @ Books of My Heart
Sep 8: Shattered – Berls @ Because Reading
Oct 6: Staked – Sophia @ Books of My Heart
Nov 3: Besieged – Kimberly @Caffeinated Reviewer
Dec 1: Scourged – Anne @ Books of My Heart
Dec 17: Q & A with Kevin Hearne
About Kevin Hearne
Kevin Hearne lives with his wife, daughter, and doggies in Canada. Kevin hugs trees, pets doggies, and rocks out to heavy metal. He also thinks tacos are a pretty nifty idea. He is the author of the New York Times bestselling series the Iron Druid Chronicles, the Seven Kennings trilogy that begins with A PLAGUE OF GIANTS, and co-author of the Tales of Pell with Delilah S. Dawson.
About Sophia
Reviewer at Books of My Heart
Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, piano-playing, and gardening. Road trips and campouts, museums and monuments, restaurants and theaters are her jam. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing. Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators. Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance. Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 23-COYER
I had a blast re-listening to this. It was fun getting some time with each of them. Great review!
I really loved this one. Sophia did a really wonderful job with her review. If you look at my review on Goodreads, I was very spoilery and mad for how people are treating Atticus.
I agree! I was wary when Owen’s voice got tossed into the mix earlier, but he’s a welcome third narrator and I anticipate his storyline these days. Fun that you’re doing a relisten of them, Kimberly!
Thank you Sophia. You have written a great review. I’m so happy you have been able to read with us and share your thoughts.
I’m so glad you picked this series and motivated me to go on and finish from where I left off. It gets so much stronger as it goes, to me. I enjoyed guest reviewing and thanks for hosting, Anne. 🙂
I loved it!
Woohoo! This was sensational, Megan!
Eek! I really need to get back to this series. I am so glad that you enjoyed this installment.
Yes! Join us. This might be my favorite one in the series so far. The Meaty Mysteries are also a hoot!
I was so glad the readalong came along. I stalled out on book three last time and now I see that they just got better and better as they went. Hope you get the chance, Carole. 🙂
I love reading everyone’s thoughts. This one was much darker and being the second time I listened to it, I picked up on a lot more. This is a great series, but it’s not an easy one!
I loved this one. I’m so glad to have you reading with us.
Yeah, the further into the series Hearne ups the ante on the troubles they face. So exciting, Jen!
I am currently reading this one, trying to finish in time for tomorrows chat! I just finished Shattered and the novella Prelude to War in Three Slices last night. We’ll see if I can manage it. 🙂
I hope so because we love to have you. Have you read this before though? It’s a really good one.
I had read this before but it was so long ago. Almost 10 years so I’ve forgotten a lot. It comes back as it’s going, though. I enjoyed our chat today! I’ll be listening to The Purloined Poodle after I shut my computer off.
If you’re like me, you’ll be whipping through the pages once this one gets rolling. 🙂
I wholeheartedly agree with you about being resentful how everyone is blaming Atticus over retributions he couldn’t control! I think it’s unfair that Greta and the pack blame him exclusively! He did warn Owen that hell could be coming their way and Owen is a Druid as well! The vampires have it out for him too so he’ll be a target no matter if Atticus was around or not. I think you would’ve enjoyed our chat today, Sophia! I would’ve enjoyed your insights! Wonderful review!
Rachel I really appreciated your thoughts on the chat. It isn’t a question of liking Atticus or Owen more. I like them both. I just don’ think Atticus is to blame for everything. In fact, his dedicated efforts to building protections has saved the druids from extinction. He has been a huge benefit to Owen in making his reentry into the world easer and yet Owen still puts the blame on him.
Exactly! The vamps were after all of them so it was just timing, really. In fact, this seems even more clear as I read the short story follow up in Besieged from Granuaile’s POV with ongoing vamp troubles.
Thanks, Rachel!
Great review! I enjoyed this book, though not as much as Shattered.
Shattered was a big one for me, too. I think it was the first book in the series to resonate fully with me. Thanks, Janie!
I think I liked this one better than Shattered but really they are both very good.
I still have to read this one, but I feel the same about Atticus – I like him, but he is annoying. I keep waiting for him to grow somehow, but every time he does a little bit and then reverts back to where we started. Good to know that he seems to be making some bigger changes.
This was the first book that I really felt Atticus as an ancient, powerful druid who had learned a thing or two. I think it helps seeing him through Owen’s eyes, too, Role’. 🙂