Title: Hexed

Author: Kevin Hearne

Series: Iron Druid #2

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Rating: 4/5 stars

The Overview: Atticus O’Sullivan, last of the Druids, doesn’t care much for witches. Still, he’s about to “make nice” with the local coven by signing a mutually beneficial non-aggression treaty—when suddenly the witch population in modern day Tempe, Arizona, quadruples overnight. The new girls are not just bad, they’re badasses with a dark history on the German side of WWII.

With a fallen angel feasting on local high school students, a horde of Bacchants blowing in from Vegas with their special brand of deadly decadence, and a dangerously sexy Celtic goddess of fire vying for his attention, Atticus is having trouble scheduling the witch-hunt. But aided by his magical sword, his neighbor’s rocket-propelled grenade launcher, and his vampire attorney, Atticus is ready to sweep the town and show the witchy women they picked the wrong Druid to hex.

The Review:

I am happy to report that the second novel had all of the elements I loved about the first one (Hounded). The series is the unique voice in the urban fantasy genre and opens up possibilities for more than just the same old werewolf and vampire plots (as good as they may be). There are so many things done well – world building, character, pacing, adventure, and humor (to name a few) – that I almost have to get nitpick to find any fault with it.

I might be just getting a little impatient but I’m still waiting for some sort of profound character growth and development with the main protagonists. Thus far, he’s kept us readers at arm’s distance and we really haven’t seen him get overly involved emotionally in anything yet. It’s always a “just another day at the job” attitude emitting from him, and he’s such a great character that the author would need to add only a little to make him outstanding.

I think this is sort of why I’m still hoping for a love story to develop – I crave some of that internal conflict to help me really feel for this character. Heck, I would even settle for a sex scene with someone he actually, you know, gives a crap about. At the very least, I want the author to “hang a lantern” on why the protagonists isn’t seeking a mate. Whether it’s fear of losing them or just plain enjoyment of his promiscuity, I want to know. you would think someone who’s been alive for so long would have had love in his past, and I think it’s a too important element of story to continue ignoring completely.

Overall, this has been a highly entertaining series so far and I fully intend to keep recommending it to urban fantasy lovers looking for something different. The concerns in my review are really only minor ones when compared to the whole scheme of things, and the author still has plenty of time to address them in future books. For a more thorough evaluation of the series as a whole (so far), click the link above to read my thoughts on book one.

Recommendations: Hey, all you Harry Dresden fans – I think I just found your next series. :-)

by Niki Hawkes

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