So, this is week two of our readalong of Hounded by Kevin Hearne.   I’m enjoying the readalong and getting to chat with all these other bloggers who are also enjoying the series.   Last week we all discussed the meaning of names and it made for some interesting reading.  I didn’t know what my name meant before that and quite fittingly, giving this is the Druid Chronicles, it’s Celtic and means waterfall.  There were some really interesting comments and if you’re interested in joining I’ve put the schedule below.  Just go and check any of these out.

April 06th: Special interview with Kevin Hearne & announcement of winners!

1. In Chapter 6, Atticus goes hunting with Oberon and Flidais. What was supposed to be a fun hunting trip turned rather disastrous. Were you expecting something like this to happen or did it catch you by surprise? Have you ever had something that should have been fun turn disastrous or nearly disastrous?

I did expect something to go wrong on the hunting trip but I didn’t see the direction that would take and I really didn’t take into account just how very ruthless Flidais would turn out to be.  Speaking personally of disasters (or near ones) I think the closest – was a highly anticipated trip to Venice where we completely mistimed the travel time to get to the airport and as we set out not only had darkness set in, it was rush hour and fog had also descended.  That was a fairly torturous journey which wound up with us making a mad run through the airport and barely making it onto the plane (it felt like a scene from a Home Alone movie).

2. We are only briefly introduced to the witches (or, a witch) in chapter 7. What are your first impressions? How much would you trust the witches? Why?

It’s difficult to answer this because I’ve already read the book and don’t want to give away spoilers for others who haven’t.  I can remember not liking the first witch we were introduced to – she didn’t behave very well but fortunately she underestimated Atticus.  I think it would be difficult to trust somebody when you were constantly having to be on your guard and make sure you didn’t have any stray hairs that could be picked up and used against you!

3. Oberon says, “With dogs you just go up and smell their asses and you know where you stand. It’s so much easier. Why can’t humans do that?” Do you ever wish there was an easier way to find out where you stand with someone (besides Oberon’s suggestion, of course)? In what cases would it be easier or better to hide your true feelings?

What is that about with dogs smelling each others behinds – I thought they had a good sense of smell and I can’t think of many things that could be more unpleasant!  I have mixed feelings about having a way to know where I stand with someone – it could be a real blow after all.  You could end up finding out somebody was thinking really mean things about you or worse still that they’ve never liked you!  That being said I suppose I’d sooner know if somebody didn’t like me.  I think I would settle for a compromise – a bit like Atticus being able to see somebody’s aura and be able to tell from that what sort of mood they’re in.

4. Chapter 9 makes Atticus’ life much more difficult: the witches are in some way working with Aeghus Og, Bres comes after Atticus, and more trouble appears at the end of the chapter. Have you made sense of what has happened thus far? Any predictions for what might happen?

Similar to above I won’t answer this as I’ve already read and don’t want to blurt!  Although I will admit that I definitely didn’t predict how things would wind up.

5. Atticus has had plenty of time to cultivate attitudes and ethics that would allow him to live a very long time. What do you think it is about Atticus that has allowed him to live for as long as he has?

This is an interesting question.  There are obviously other characters in the book who have also lived for a long time but they clearly have less of an ability to adapt and fit in.  This appears to be the answer to Atticus’s longevity – he adapts.  As the times change so does he.  He alters his lifestyle, his attidue, his way of speech and quite often his place of abode.  He’s tried to stay one step ahead of his enemies and of course he does have a few allies and he plays his cards close to his chest and never gives too much away.  I like the fact that he’s over 2000 years old but he isn’t cynical.  He still manages to capture the essence of youth but without seeming immature.  Plus he is able to brew that remarkable tea of his which has helped him to last for so long.  Thinking of which I have a small amendment to my answer to question No.1 It would be really good to be able to read minds, you could pick up the recipe for the tea Atticus drinks – you could then live for 2000 years and get to carry out your wildest dreams from questions No.1 of last week’s questions!

Hope everyone is enjoying the book so far!

Lynn 😀