The protagonist and narrator. He is a Druid who draws power directly from the earth, can shapeshift into various animals, and wields Fragarach. Despite his immense age, he projects a youthful, irreverent personality. He is resourceful, witty, and deeply protective of those he considers his own.
Atticus's age of 2,100 years is not merely a gimmick. Hearne uses it to explore the loneliness of immortality, the weight of accumulated memories, and the wisdom—and occasional arrogance—that comes with surviving for millennia. Atticus has seen civilizations rise and fall, which shapes his worldview and his strategic thinking.
Hounded introduces us to Atticus O’Sullivan, the last of the Druids. But this is not the stoic, nature-bound wizard of ancient legends. Atticus looks like a twenty-something hipster running a New Age bookstore in Tempe, Arizona. In reality, he is 2,100 years old.
His support system includes a vampire and a werewolf who serve as his lawyers, and The Morrigan , the Celtic goddess of war. "Deep Piece" Themes & Analysis The protagonist and narrator
: The Irish gods play an active role in the plot. Aenghus Óg is the primary antagonist, but other deities are involved. The Morrigan, the Celtic Chooser of the Slain, is on Atticus's side, as is Brighid, First Among the Fae [15†L19-L20].
4.5/5 Stars Best for: Fans of American Gods (Neil Gaiman) mixed with Buffy the Vampire Slayer . Warning: You will immediately want to buy Book Two: Hexed .
The story follows Atticus O'Sullivan, a 2,000-year-old druid who has been living in modern-day Arizona under the alias "Atticus O'Sullivan." He's a retired druid who has been hiding from various supernatural creatures and trying to live a peaceful life. However, his plans are foiled when he's discovered by various entities, including werewolves, vampires, and Celtic gods. He is resourceful, witty, and deeply protective of
Additionally, the collection (released July 2017) is considered 8.5 in the series, gathering nine short stories narrated by Atticus, his archdruid Owen Kennedy, his apprentice Granuaile, and the Slavic god Perun.
Hounded hits the ground running. There is no "training montage" or discovery of powers. Atticus is a master from page one, which is a refreshing take for veterans of the genre.
However, some critics noted:
While Tempe's dry climate usually keeps the Fae—who require oak, ash, and thorn to travel—at bay, Aenghus Óg has finally tracked Atticus down, forcing the Druid to stop running and finally make a stand. A Diverse Cast of Mythological Proportions
The plot is ignited by a very old piece of jewelry: a magical sword called (or "The Answerer"). Atticus stole this weapon from the Irish god of love and war, Aenghus Óg, two millennia ago. For centuries, he has lived off the grid, changing his identity every few decades to evade the Tuatha Dé Danann (the Irish pantheon).