Review: Tricked by Kevin Hearne

Tricked (The Iron Druid Chronicles #4) by Kevin Hearne
Format: paperback
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: February 2013

The Iron Druid Chronicles
0.4. Grimoire of the Lamb
0.5. Clan Rathskeller (Goodreads review)
0.6. Kaibab Unbound (Goodreads review)
1. Hounded
2. Hexed
3. Hammered
3.5. A Test of Mettle (Goodreads review)
4. Tricked - Paperback | Kindle
4.5. Two Ravens and One Crow
5. Trapped
6. Hunted
7. Shattered
8. Staked
9. Besieged
10. Scourged

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
Ink & Sigil
1. Ink & Sigil

Oberon's Meaty Mysteries
1. The Purloined Poodle

Kevin Hearne
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (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.

My Thoughts: Holy crumb! This series just consistently blows my mind. I mean, even though Atticus was hardly naked in it, this book was still sooooooo good. There's deceit and trickery, hijinks and breakfast meats -- a sure-fire recipe for awesomeness whenever everybody's favorite #NakedDruid is around.

Let's talk about the simmering sexual tension between Atticus and Granuaile. Dude. Duuuuuude. I love that Atticus gets lost staring at her freckles and likes to watch her hair shine in the sun. SO FREAKING CUTE, MAN! SO FREAKING CUTE! I also love that Granuaile is flirty even after Atticus warns her off. Girl knows what she wants and it's not for Atticus to tell her how to run her love life. Maybe things won't happen between them, but it sure is fun to watch Atticus think as hard as he can about baseball when Granuaile gets all distracting with her touches and pale skin.

Anyway. Coyote. I wasn't his biggest fan when he popped up in book 2. Yeah, I get that he's a trickster and his M.O. is to play tricks on those he comes into contact with but it must be exhausting trying to keep track of what he's up to. Or to try to figure out how he's going to screw you over this time. If Atticus hadn't needed his abilities so badly, I'd almost question why he bothered making a deal with the guy. Buuuut.... Coyote did do what he said he'd do and he got Atticus out of more than one sticky situation. Hmmph. While he has his moments, I don't think I'd turn my back on him if I were Atticus.

I really do love the overriding arc. Atticus is still dealing with the fallout of his journey into Asgard and it looks like things are going to get much worse before they get better. MUCH worse. Here's to hoping he avoids the rain of fire or burning worlds (or whatever it is that's heading in his direction) long enough to initiate Granuaile as a Druid.