Atticus has brought his old Archdruid to the 21st
century. Owen faces a near impossible task – adapting to the last 2,000 years
of history, not least of which the various shenanigans his apprentice has got
up to (and, perhaps, questioning his own teaching style with him, looking at
what Atticus as become).
Granuaile is clear of Owen – but Laksha calls for help.
Granuaile’s father is in India on an archaeological dig and has been possessed
by a very dangerous, worrisome creature. With Atticus busy, new druid Granuaile
is ready and able to set off and handle this herself.
While Atticus, in between helping Owen, is still facing
Ragnarok and Loki’s ongoing plotting. He has the support of a number of deities
from different pantheons, but he needs to know what help they can give, what is
motivating them and, basically, what is going on and what his next move should
be. He’d also quite like to know which of the Tuatha de Danann is trying to
kill him – that would be helpful, but he ends up uncovering something far
larger than expected
Set the Fanpoodles to drool!
Honestly, I’ve started writing the review 3 or 4 times
because I didn’t even know where to start. There was so much I loved so I’m
just going to throw gushing praise at a page.
I loved the three characters with the different voices. Atticus,
Granuaile and Owen all have their own separate but connected storylines and
they all sound very different. Atticus’s style is something I always love – his
age peaking through his general fun and light hearted exterior. Granuaile has a
much more formal, even poetic way of thinking and speaking and I think it still
resonates with how she approaches druidism, her deep and abiding reverence for
the Earth that led her to choose druidry over witch magic. And then there’s
Owen – crotchety, ornery but with bits of wisdom poking through his general
rough and readiness. He’s dealing with a major case of culture shock but he’s
dealing with it in a way that is both very druidic (with its focus on learning)
and shows just how tough he is. I also like the byplay between Owen and Atticus
– he still sees Atticus as his young apprentice but every now and then realises
that Atticus is literally 2 thousand years older than him
It’s interesting to see a book from multiple points of
view because it not only lets you see the different characters through
different lenses but if the author can pull off the different voices and make
them authentic it really carries so much to the characterisation.
I also loved that they were doing their own thing. It’s
not just the Atticus show – Granuaile is a grown woman, a full druid and fully capable
of doing things by herself. She doesn’t need to check in with Atticus all the
time, she doesn’t need his permission or his guidance. He’s definitely the
better druid – 2,000 years experience and all that – but she still has skills
and talents he doesn’t and she doesn’t need a babysitter. I love that, now her
training is finished, she is definitely more than a sidekick; she’s a character
in her own right. And she will do her own thing. No, she’s not always
successful, yes she faces tragedy and set back – but she also gets to be the
hero and save Atticus and a considerable amount of the day as well – so her set
backs are not even remotely linked to
her being lesser.
