Hounded

Another intriguing new series discovered...the Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne. Atticus O'Sullivan--a take off on his original Irish name, Siodhachan  Ó Suileabháin, is the last living Druid. He lives as a 21-year-old book and tea store owner in Tempe, Arizona. And he is 21--centuries, that is. He has spent over 700 of those years perfecting a set of magic charms that allow him to do everything from breathing underwater to resisting the magic of other creatures--fae, gods, demons, etc. And he wields a magical sword, Fragarach, stolen in battle long ago, that is desperately wanted in a vicious takeover bid of the magical worlds. He has learned to communicate with his Irish Wolfhound, Oberon, who is his best friend, aside from the aged Irish woman around the block for whom he mows the lawn. All gods (from Jesus to Thor) get equal cred in this lively and entertaining tale. In this book, a particularly annoyed Celtic god has finally tracked Atticus down and is sending all manner of supernatural thugs to kill him. But Atticus has allies--werewolves, witches, vampires and even the god of the dead, Morrigan--who have all taken refuge in this part of the world that is as far as possible from the politics of Old World squabbles. Well worth the time if you are a fan of supernatural tales.