Title: Clan Rathskeller
Author: Kevin Hearne
Series: The Iron Druid Chronicles #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Celtic, Magic, Mythology, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 10th July 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Free online short story
Publisher: Kevin Hearne
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Or me, if you want to get fussy with the definition.

This is short story that takes place ten months before the events of “Hounded”, the first book in the Iron Druid Chronicles, coming 2011 from Del Rey.

This is a fun short story. One that had me laughing and giggling all throughout. Particularly the fact that it’s gnomes pretending to be humans pretending to be elves. Or something along those lines. A little bizarre. A little unique. And just generally enjoyable and funny.

While I was reading this, I did read a lot of the sentences out to my partner. He was confused about what I was reading, but even my little titbits made him laugh. There is just something very satirical and fun about Hearne’s writing that makes me itch to dig out Hounded.

This was a great short story. One which helped to not only whet my appetite for the Iron Druid Chronicles series. It also introduced some of the characters that I’m sure are likely to be a major part of the series (such as the lead character and his trusty sidekick). And now… now I just have to finish a few books before I start a new one…

Image source: Goodreads

Title: Grimoire of the Lamb
Author: Kevin Hearne
Series: The Iron Druid Chronicles #0.4
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Celtic, Magic, Mythology, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 13th July 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: I backed out of the cage and left the door open, speaking to him from freedom.

There’s nothing like an impromptu holiday to explore the birthplace of modern civilisation, but when Atticus and Oberon pursue a book-stealing Egyptian wizard – with a penchant for lamb – to the land of the pharaohs, they find themselves in hot, crocodile-infested water.

The trip takes an even nastier turn when they discover the true nature of the nefarious plot they’ve been drawn into. On the wrong side of the vengeful cat goddess Bast and chased by an unfathomable number of her yowling four-legged disciples, Atticus must find a way to appease or defeat Egypt’s deadliest gods – before his grimoire-grabbing quarry uses them to turn him into mincemeat.

As with the other two Iron Druid Chronicles short stories that I’ve read. This was humorous, funny and something that I really enjoyed. Partly, Oberon managed to carry a lot of this. I don’t think I’ve enjoyed a scene in a story as much as his outrage at running from Bast’s cat minions. There was something ironic, funny and a little bit witty about such a moment. Which perfectly sums up this entire short story.

I love that Atticus has a rare books bookshop. And that in this bookshop, there are a series of grimoires that have a lot of potential to really screw things up for the world. The fact that the grimoire that takes centre stage in this short story was thought to be just a series of lamb recipes… like I said, I found this a very humorous book. One that had me giggling throughout.

There was a great mix of mythologies in this. There was Atticus’ Druid nature and ties to the earth. Then there were all of the Egyptian deities running around helping to cause havoc. Definitely a pantheon that I found a little intimidating. Particularly with Hearne’s focus on the more bloodthirsty aspects of this mythology… now I am actually going to start reading Hounded…

Image source: Goodreads