Tricked (The Iron Druid Chronicles, Book Four) (utgåvan 2012)

I'm continuing to enjoy reading this series, and someone concerned to find out that the next volume is the last published so far, although it looks like the one after that is due out soon. In this volume, Atticus and Granuaille go into hiding on the Navaho reservation, and immediately get into more trouble than they can handle.

Atticus, despite ignoring the excellent advice he was receiving from all kinds of deities that he shouldn't invade Asgaard, was smart enough to realize that if he survived, he was likely to make a lot of enemies. Therefore, he made a deal with Coyote to fake his own death. This worked well, not least because he was "killed" by a consortium of thunder gods avenging Thor, and thunder gods are not known to be especially bright. However, it also put him in debt to Coyote, which is not a good place to be.

Coyote is one of the best characters of the series so far. In each appearance, he convinces Atticus to do something that is clearly to Coyote's benefit. Atticus agrees, in exchange for something, and finds out that the deal is more to Coyote's benefit than he thought after he's in too far to back out. Why being tricked by a Trickster God always comes as an unpleasant surprise I don't know, but Atticus likes to think of himself as a deeply paranoid man who always plans for every contingency (he isn't, and he doesn't - whether Hearne is aware that Atticus is an unreliable narrator in this regard isn't clear), and it wounds his sense of self and really makes him mad.

This seems to be at the core of the feud between Atticus and his former friend and attorney, Leif Helgarson. Atticus knew Leif was a very long-lived vampire, knew the traits of that species, and thought that he had set up safeguards and that he was the one in control of that relationship. Finding out that it wasn't true, that Leif had thought further ahead than he had, sent him off the deep end. His anger isn't necessarily logical, but it makes sense in terms of his character.

I've given up complaining about the language, so I'll go to my complaint about Granuaille. She FINALLY does something that is less than perfect, but it is offscreen, and we don't really know why, or what effect it had on her. In addition, the incident is used to show how Atticus Is Always Right. She still needs to grow a personality, and the very obivious hints that she is in love with Atticus are not a plus. Atticus tells her his sad romantic history, so we have a decent romance novel set-up here, but in a good romance, each party has to learn and grow. That will require a lot more than the cardboard cut-out Granuaille that we've had so far.

My biggest complaint about this book is a scene toward the end, where Atticus is having a conversation with Frank, a Navaho hatali. I appreciated that, during this adventure with the Navaho mythos, Atticus repeatedly stressed that he was not an expert, that he didn't know a lot about it, that he needed help and guidance from the actual Navaho practitioners to get anything done. Frank did most of the magical work, with Atticus willingly playing a supporting role. However, in this scene, Atticus offers to bind his "fairy-specs" vision to Frank's, so that Frank can see something no one else has ever seen - the chindi of the newly deceased. First, why does Atticus assume that no one has seen one? It's part of traditional Navaho belief. Does it not occur to him that they are reporting what they see? Does it not occur to him that the Navaho may have some equivalent of his spirit vision? And I really didn't like the way Frank responded - gratitude and amazement. The whole thing came down a little too hard on the Mighty Whitey trope, especially after nicely avoiding it for so long.

I also walked away with a lot of questins about Hel, primarily, how did she know at the end of Hammered that the Widow McDonough was connected to Atticus? And why hasn't she spread the word that he's still alive?

I do want to say a quick word about one of the really strong points of this series, namely that it is a series, and shows strong signs of having been actually carefully plotted. Things hang together from volume to volume. Things referenced in one volume show up in another. Characters grow and change in consistent ways. There is clearly an overarching plot that is moving events along.

One problem that I see in many series is the idea that the protagonist gets more and more powerful with each volume, and therefore each antagonist gets bigger than the one before, and the stakes have to keep rising. This gets repetitive and ridiculous - how many times can one character save the world? In this series, Atticus is about as strong as he's going to be, and he meets new antagonists either because he goes to new places, or he ticked them off in previous volumes. I think I know what the overall climactic conflict will be, and this is building nicely.

Overall, a well-done series. ( )

Overall, I thought this installment was a good transitional book in the series. Book 5 is already out and it looks like it takes place 12 years after this one. Even if I didn’t know that you can tell Hearne is moving the series along with the events that occur in Tricked. I really like that he is doing this because I can’t wait to see Granuaile finish her training so she can kick some ass.

In Tricked Hearne focuses on Navajo beliefs which to me was interesting. Predictably, Coyote plays a more predominant role. I always thought he was an interesting character in the previous books. You just never really know with him. I expected Atticus to be smarter in his dealings with Coyote, but of course Coyote gets the better of him. It was an interesting premise, but I admit it got a little redundant in some sections.

The conclusion with Hel left a lot to be desired. I thought there was going to be more to it and maybe there is in this next book. However, Tricked it felt like the matter was resolved too quickly and easily.

The betrayal was so heavily foreshadowed I was surprised neither Atticus nor Oberon predicted it. I guess when it comes to friends you try to believe in the best, but Atticus has been around the block a few times and I just expected better of him.
( )

After faking their own deaths, Atticus and Granuaile head to the Navajo reservation to help Coyote with a project. They run into trouble with some skinwalkers, which they have to get rid of. I enjoyed this. The conversations between Atticus and Oberon the dog are especially amusing. ( )

Tricked
Iron Druid Chronicles Book Four
By Kevin Hearne
Narrated by Luke Daniels

Atticus O’Sullivan is back, this time he is paying a debt to the Navajo trickster god Coyote after Coyote takes on Atticus’ form to help him fake his death. Atticus must move some earth, in this case gold. But as is the norm for a trickster god the simple task of moving some earth comes with a twist.

This is not one of those books that will forever change your life after you read it but it will however entertain you immensely for eleven hours as you listen to the quirky commentary, fast paced action, and absurd scenarios all brought to life by Luke Daniels amazing narration. Kevin Hearne has created a series that is absolutely hilarious yet has intense action scenes as the Druid seems to always find himself in trouble. This novel has a certain twist, which I must keep to myself as it will most definitely spoil a part of the book, that is so unexpected yet you wonder why you didn’t think of it in the first place. I love this series, but the best experience I have had is in listening to the narration. Luke Daniels is phenomenal in bringing to life each of the characters with his ability to seamlessly switch from one voice to the next, from the western accent to Oberon’s voice this is a must listen.

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I love this series, each book is better than the last.
I mean what is not to love these books have sarcasm in plenty, food, drink, and lots of action.
I am not even going to get started on the pop culture references.
So here I am reading this book and finding out that there are going to be skin walkers in it I was all.

I couldn't wait to see Herne's take on the myth, and I wasn't disappointed.

I was also glad to see Coyote back, I find him extremely exciting. Its fun to be on the edge of you seat reading waiting to see Atticus get once again pwned by Coyote.

Candy from a baby. ( )