It is that most horrible of times: Monday! The day I have to put my big boy suit on and jump back on the corporate escalator to nowhere.
Thankfully, there are books to help me escape these doldrums of everyday life and venture off someplace exciting, and this is my list of the stories that I’m hoping will do such this week.
HOUNDED (THE IRON DRUID CHRONICLES #1) by KEVIN HEARNE
Finishing this one up as I write. My first foray into the world of Urban Fantasy, and while I’ve had to adjust to the lack of “normal” people in the story, I have to say that I really find myself liking Atticus and Oberon — though I am struggling with how anyone twenty-one CEENTURIES old would act like he is still twenty-one YEARS old.
Goodreads description:
Atticus O’Sullivan, last of the Druids, lives peacefully in Arizona, running an occult bookshop and shape-shifting in his spare time to hunt with his Irish wolfhound. His neighbors and customers think that this handsome, tattooed Irish dude is about twenty-one years old–when in actuality, he’s twenty-one “centuries” old. Not to mention: He draws his power from the earth, possesses a sharp wit, and wields an even sharper magical sword known as Fragarach, the Answerer.
Unfortunately, a very angry Celtic god wants that sword, and he’s hounded Atticus for centuries. Now the determined deity has tracked him down, and Atticus will need all his power–plus the help of a seductive goddess of death, his vampire and werewolf team of attorneys, a bartender possessed by a Hindu witch, and some good old-fashioned luck of the Irish–to kick some Celtic arse and deliver himself from evil.
ARTFUL by PETER DAVID
One of my favorite comic writers of all times. Can’t say that I’ve ever read any of his novels, but I’m hoping that it is an interesting diversion from my usual epic fantasy fare.
Goodreads description:
Oliver Twist is one of the most well-known stories ever told, about a young orphan who has to survive the mean streets of London before ultimately being rescued by a kindly benefactor.
But it is his friend, the Artful Dodger, who has the far more intriguing tale, filled with more adventure and excitement than anything boring Oliver could possibly get up to. Throw in some vampires and a plot to overthrow the British monarchy, and what you have is the thrilling account that Charles Dickens was too scared to share with the world.
From the brilliant mind of novelist and comic book veteran Peter David, Artful is the dark, funny, and action-packed story of one of the most fascinating characters in literary history.
With vampires!
STORM FRONT (THE DRESDEN FILES #1) by JIM BUTCHER
Since I’ve jumped into UF with Hounded, I decided why not continue down the rabbit hole with the poster boy for the genre: Harry Dresden – Wizard. I’ve heard this series takes a few books to find its groove, so I’m not going to be too judgmental.
Goodreads Description:
Lost items found. Paranormal Investigations.
Consulting. Advice. Reasonable Rates.
No Love Potions, Endless Purses, or
Other Entertainment.
Harry Dresden is the best at what he does. Well, technically, he’s the only at what he does. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capability, they come to him for answers. For the “everyday” world is actually full of strange and magical things — and most of them don’t play well with humans. That’s where Harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a — well, whatever.
There’s just one problem. Business, to put it mildly, stinks. So when the police bring him in to consult on a grisly double murder committed with black magic, Harry’s seeing dollar signs. But where there’s black magic, there’s a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry’s name. And that’s when things start to get… interesting.
Magic. It can get a guy killed..
What will you be reading this week?
bookwraiths.com 
LOL! ! You really did take the plunge into urban fantasy. I like Hounded more than Storm Front, mostly because I have an aversion to anything that resembles a zombie, vampire or werewolf. Druids I like quite a bit. Oberon … hands down my favorite character. I need to read the next book in that series. Outside of my WWI reading this week, I’m going to try Japanese steampunk with Stormdancer.
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I really like Oberon and Atticus myself. Their constant bantering is the best thing about the book. 🙂
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I agree with you, the biggest reason I stopped reading the Iron Druid series, as fun as they were, was because I just COULD NOT get over the fact a 2000-year-old druid would be talking and acting like a frat boy! I get that it helps him blend in, but he’s like that even in private by himself and I can only take that in small doses. I stopped at book two but with full intention to read book 3 and beyond. Like I said, I enjoyed the books, but I just need to take a break.
I’d also be very interested in seeing what you think of Artful. I saw ads for the book plastered all over Goodreads and I won’t deny I was quite intrigued.
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