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The Iron Druid Chronicles #0.6
Kaibab Unbound
A short story in The Iron Druid series that occurs two weeks before the events of the first book.
*Short story bundled with "Clan Rathskeller" (another short story) at the back of the ebook "Hounded," Iron Druid Chronicles Book 1.
*Short story bundled with "Clan Rathskeller" (another short story) at the back of the ebook "Hounded," Iron Druid Chronicles Book 1.
17 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2011
12 people are currently reading
4854 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Hearne
70 books12.8k followersKevin is the NYT bestselling author of the Iron Druid Chronicles, as well as The Seven Kennings, an epic fantasy trilogy, and the Tales of Pell, a humorous fantasy series co-authored with Delilah S. Dawson. INK & SIGIL, a new urban fantasy series set in the Iron Druid universe, will be out in 2020.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews
July 1, 2017
I remember I had this story at the back of Hounded and I decided I wouldn't mind a short funny UF story. It was ok, in the same stlye as the novel, not as funny. Ok to read if you have it, not worth buying.
June 14, 2019
A very early Iron Druid story.
Published in 2011, in a bundle with the Hounded ebook, Kevin Hearne adds to his Atticus O’Sullivan mythos. Still fresh and new for urban fantasy fans, Hearne spends some time explaining his vision of Atticus’ story in this fun little short story.
Atticus and Oberon, his wisecracking Irish Wolfhound, run into a trio of witches in a scenario that takes place a couple of weeks before the action in Hounded. We get to learn some about the druid's interaction with an elemental.
Well written and fun, this is good as a backstory for Atticus fans and helps to shed some light on Hearne’s creation.
Published in 2011, in a bundle with the Hounded ebook, Kevin Hearne adds to his Atticus O’Sullivan mythos. Still fresh and new for urban fantasy fans, Hearne spends some time explaining his vision of Atticus’ story in this fun little short story.
Atticus and Oberon, his wisecracking Irish Wolfhound, run into a trio of witches in a scenario that takes place a couple of weeks before the action in Hounded. We get to learn some about the druid's interaction with an elemental.
Well written and fun, this is good as a backstory for Atticus fans and helps to shed some light on Hearne’s creation.
June 19, 2025
This is a short story that is part of a series. It takes place before the first novel. That being said I would read the novel first to get a good idea about this universe. In this one Atticus and Oberon decide to take a little road trip. Unfortunately they run into some witches that are trying to harness power that does not belong to them.
I was surprised how much I enjoyed this short story. I am not surprised by the quality of the writing. I was surprised because it is really short coming in around twenty pages. I didn't think there would be much meat to the story. There is and it was a welcome surprise. I thought the author did a wonderful job capturing the essence of this universe. It displays our hero Atticus being a Druid and protector of what he believes that needs protecting. While doing this it has the humor I expect from this series while still having the topical references that I adore. How can I not adore them as I picture Oberon watching movies like Star Wars. And while doing this it has a nice little message about the power of nature and using it for one's own personal gains.
For such a short story that one had some punch to it. It easily exceeded my expectations. I smiled with its humor while I cheered at the culmination with the victim striking back. I really liked how it showcased what the overall series is about. This is a definite recommend if you have read other offerings in this series. It was a great way to kill a short period of time.
I was surprised how much I enjoyed this short story. I am not surprised by the quality of the writing. I was surprised because it is really short coming in around twenty pages. I didn't think there would be much meat to the story. There is and it was a welcome surprise. I thought the author did a wonderful job capturing the essence of this universe. It displays our hero Atticus being a Druid and protector of what he believes that needs protecting. While doing this it has the humor I expect from this series while still having the topical references that I adore. How can I not adore them as I picture Oberon watching movies like Star Wars. And while doing this it has a nice little message about the power of nature and using it for one's own personal gains.
For such a short story that one had some punch to it. It easily exceeded my expectations. I smiled with its humor while I cheered at the culmination with the victim striking back. I really liked how it showcased what the overall series is about. This is a definite recommend if you have read other offerings in this series. It was a great way to kill a short period of time.
July 9, 2025
Było okej, nic specjalnego. 2,5⭐
May 6, 2019
I was beginning to worry that Hearne really really sucked at short stories. This was a little bit of a longer short story & was better. My favorite line was "naked women rarely welcome the approach of strange naked men, except in porn movies".
Atticus is taking a short vacation with Oberon when they encounter some witches who are up to no good (of course).
A quick read & entertaining.
If you go here, you can click on 'preview' to read the whole thing*:
http://www.ebooks.com/829574/kaibab-u...
*edit: the whole story is no longer available for free. You'll be able to read the first 6 pages.
Atticus is taking a short vacation with Oberon when they encounter some witches who are up to no good (of course).
A quick read & entertaining.
If you go here, you can click on 'preview' to read the whole thing*:
http://www.ebooks.com/829574/kaibab-u...
*edit: the whole story is no longer available for free. You'll be able to read the first 6 pages.
July 1, 2014
Rating: 4* of five
The Publisher Says: A short story in The Iron Druid series that occurs two weeks before the events of the first book.
My Review: A few things I'd wondered about were answered in this short. It's worth reading just for a small bit of background developed in a satisfying way.
Atticus and Oberon, both in wolfhound form, running through the gorgeousness of the Kaibab Plateau...that, by itself, is enough reason to read the story. If you've been to the Grand Canyon, this vignette will bring back a sharp, tangy sense memory. If you haven't, what the devil are you waiting for?! No one's gettin' any younger and by the end of this decade travel will be vastly more difficult and expensive than it is now.
Ahem.
So, anyway, Atticus the Druid saves the elemental Kaibab from a trio of vile women. I liked that.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
The Publisher Says: A short story in The Iron Druid series that occurs two weeks before the events of the first book.
My Review: A few things I'd wondered about were answered in this short. It's worth reading just for a small bit of background developed in a satisfying way.
Atticus and Oberon, both in wolfhound form, running through the gorgeousness of the Kaibab Plateau...that, by itself, is enough reason to read the story. If you've been to the Grand Canyon, this vignette will bring back a sharp, tangy sense memory. If you haven't, what the devil are you waiting for?! No one's gettin' any younger and by the end of this decade travel will be vastly more difficult and expensive than it is now.
Ahem.
So, anyway, Atticus the Druid saves the elemental Kaibab from a trio of vile women. I liked that.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
February 27, 2018
Originally reviewed at Bookwraiths.
Kaibab Unbound is a short story following the misadventures of Atticus O’Sullivan and his wolfhound Oberon. Naturally, the tale is targeted toward those who are already loyal followers of The Iron Druid Chronicles, so readers interested in trying out the series should probably start with Hounded, not this piece.
For those unfamiliar with Atticus, he is the last of the ancient druids and has lived for twenty-one-centuries. Thankfully, for him, he has discovered a way to retain his youthful appearance, so he seems nothing more than a fairly handsome, twenty-something year old, Irish guy. Atticus’ attitude matches his demeanor, which allows him to perfectly fit into his Tempe, Arizona home. The only time his normal life gets crazy is when ancient Celtic gods, goddesses, and mystical creatures show up causing complications.
In this story, Atticus and Oberon are on the road to do some hiking near the Grand Canyon. On the way, however, they stumble upon a coven of witches that the ancient druid immediately assumes is up too no good. (As if witches ever did anything else.) Naturally, Atticus’ gut instinct is proven correct, and the rest of the story centers on the confrontation with these witches and their prey.
All in all, Kaibab Unbound is a nice diversion for a half hour or so, but it lacked the usual funny banter between Atticus and Oberon, was barren of any Celtic gods, and focused instead on the confrontation with the witch’s coven.
Kaibab Unbound is a short story following the misadventures of Atticus O’Sullivan and his wolfhound Oberon. Naturally, the tale is targeted toward those who are already loyal followers of The Iron Druid Chronicles, so readers interested in trying out the series should probably start with Hounded, not this piece.
For those unfamiliar with Atticus, he is the last of the ancient druids and has lived for twenty-one-centuries. Thankfully, for him, he has discovered a way to retain his youthful appearance, so he seems nothing more than a fairly handsome, twenty-something year old, Irish guy. Atticus’ attitude matches his demeanor, which allows him to perfectly fit into his Tempe, Arizona home. The only time his normal life gets crazy is when ancient Celtic gods, goddesses, and mystical creatures show up causing complications.
In this story, Atticus and Oberon are on the road to do some hiking near the Grand Canyon. On the way, however, they stumble upon a coven of witches that the ancient druid immediately assumes is up too no good. (As if witches ever did anything else.) Naturally, Atticus’ gut instinct is proven correct, and the rest of the story centers on the confrontation with these witches and their prey.
All in all, Kaibab Unbound is a nice diversion for a half hour or so, but it lacked the usual funny banter between Atticus and Oberon, was barren of any Celtic gods, and focused instead on the confrontation with the witch’s coven.
December 28, 2011
This novella/short story is similar to the previous in that it has a wonderful dialogue between Atticus and Oberon. It also has a very strong moral tale about the consequences of power. I enjoyed it!
February 27, 2017
Set in the days before meeting Granuaile, Atticus battles some witches who want to trap an elemental. Great short story!
January 8, 2012
Besides being a great story on its own, I think this would work perfectly for anyone trying to decide whether to read this series, since it highlights many of the things you'll find in it (well, the first book, at least). The magic system and how the main character fits into it; he's attitude toward violence, punishment, and death; the amount and type of violence to expect; but most important of all, Oberon, his dog. I'm sure that for some people he may be a bit over the top, but I found him hilarious.
It's too short for 5 stars, though.
It's too short for 5 stars, though.
August 10, 2012
Kevin, you have done it again.
I love these stories, they make me laugh.
This one has cute squirrels in it that I had too google,they are too cute.
I love these stories, they make me laugh.
This one has cute squirrels in it that I had too google,they are too cute.
June 8, 2016
*** NOTE MY REVIEWS OFTEN CONTAIN SPOILERS***
In this story Atticus and Oberon take a trip to Kaibab Plateau for some running and hunting. On the way they stop at a coffee shop where the come across an unknown witch that attracts Atticus's attention just basically because she is a witch and he doesn't trust them. The story apparently occurs a considerable amount of time before Hounded as Oberon has no idea yet about all the dangers in his owner's life. When they reach the Plateau, Atticus communes with the elemental Kaibab who later in the story requests Atticus's help to be saved from the same witch and her friends from the coffee shop.
For a short story this was a very entertaining and enjoyable read. Hearne again introduces a variety of different beings, explaining them quickly and efficiently. He creates well-rounded characters and has an engaging plot. However as I've mentioned before I'm not really a fan of the short story because the goals of it are never as heavy or intense as you'd find in a novel. There's just not enough room for that to occur. Considering the length of this story, the stakes were above the norm and the action was intense.
The only thing I'm starting to wonder about after having read three stories by this writer is if he's one of those anti-women guys. I've yet to meet a female character in his novels who is 100% good guy. Each has their own motives and nefarious means. They may not each be all bad, but they are each have considerably more in the negative sides of their agenda than the male characters do. It gives the impression that all women are manipulative and power seeking. I'm hoping in future works Hearne will introduce a female character who is Atticus's equal at least on the honor front. Meaning she doesn't need to have the same amount of power he does, but she needs to be a character that doesn't have some negative hidden agenda. Just my thoughts.
Another thing I like about this story is the way Hearne is able to express views on the general social culture in society through Atticus's thoughts and conversations. What's neat about it is when he says it it doesn't sound like he's bitching about what happened to the world today, it sounds more like an observation that the reader has trouble not agreeing with just because of the way its voiced. He insults the American public and their general intelligence repeatedly throughout his work and somehow manages to make it not sound like he's bashing on all the people potentially reading his book. I find that pretty impressive and I have to say that I've really enjoyed reading what I've picked up by this author so far.
Overall if you like Urban Fantasy and you enjoy short stories this one is definitely one worth reading.
In this story Atticus and Oberon take a trip to Kaibab Plateau for some running and hunting. On the way they stop at a coffee shop where the come across an unknown witch that attracts Atticus's attention just basically because she is a witch and he doesn't trust them. The story apparently occurs a considerable amount of time before Hounded as Oberon has no idea yet about all the dangers in his owner's life. When they reach the Plateau, Atticus communes with the elemental Kaibab who later in the story requests Atticus's help to be saved from the same witch and her friends from the coffee shop.
For a short story this was a very entertaining and enjoyable read. Hearne again introduces a variety of different beings, explaining them quickly and efficiently. He creates well-rounded characters and has an engaging plot. However as I've mentioned before I'm not really a fan of the short story because the goals of it are never as heavy or intense as you'd find in a novel. There's just not enough room for that to occur. Considering the length of this story, the stakes were above the norm and the action was intense.
The only thing I'm starting to wonder about after having read three stories by this writer is if he's one of those anti-women guys. I've yet to meet a female character in his novels who is 100% good guy. Each has their own motives and nefarious means. They may not each be all bad, but they are each have considerably more in the negative sides of their agenda than the male characters do. It gives the impression that all women are manipulative and power seeking. I'm hoping in future works Hearne will introduce a female character who is Atticus's equal at least on the honor front. Meaning she doesn't need to have the same amount of power he does, but she needs to be a character that doesn't have some negative hidden agenda. Just my thoughts.
Another thing I like about this story is the way Hearne is able to express views on the general social culture in society through Atticus's thoughts and conversations. What's neat about it is when he says it it doesn't sound like he's bitching about what happened to the world today, it sounds more like an observation that the reader has trouble not agreeing with just because of the way its voiced. He insults the American public and their general intelligence repeatedly throughout his work and somehow manages to make it not sound like he's bashing on all the people potentially reading his book. I find that pretty impressive and I have to say that I've really enjoyed reading what I've picked up by this author so far.
Overall if you like Urban Fantasy and you enjoy short stories this one is definitely one worth reading.
August 1, 2017
Another quick short story included in with book one. I really enjoyed this elemental story.
March 13, 2021
This was a fun little back story into Atticus' life before it became hectic and I liked it quite a bit.
May 13, 2018
For such a short story, it packed a powerful punch. I loved it.
January 5, 2022
A couple of these short stories were included at the end of the "Hounded" ebook. At the end. I'm glad I clued in to what was going on.
Atticus and Oberon go to the Grand Canyon! This was my favorite short story for that reason. These little stories are self-contained and very fun. This one describes a little more how Atticus' magic worked and I liked that.
Atticus and Oberon go to the Grand Canyon! This was my favorite short story for that reason. These little stories are self-contained and very fun. This one describes a little more how Atticus' magic worked and I liked that.
April 6, 2018
Normally I'd rate such a short story a 3, but as I liked it best of all the short stories so far, I thought I'd bump it up one. It was really cute, quick and engaging.
September 12, 2022
This is by far the best of the prequel novellas and a great little introduction to the series.
July 21, 2019
This short delves more deeply into Atticus’s relationship with elementals and his official duties as a Druid. It takes place two weeks before the events of Hounded, so you get to see what Atticus’s life is like before his world goes "kablooey". I have used several quotes to help explain scenes better.
This is a reread of this series, and I had forgotten how fun it is! If you're reading the series in chronological order, you should have read The Grimoire of the Lamb and Clan Rathskellar, having met Atticus O'Sullivan and his Irish wolfhound, Oberon. If not...
Atticus is the last of the Druids, living in Tempe, Arizona for the last ten years. He owns Third Eye Books and Herbs, a rare book & antiquities store. His primary responsibility as a Druid is to protect the earth’s elementals from any sort of magical attack. Through the centuries, he created a cold iron amulet, which he bound to his aura. It also carries 10 charms, enabling him to cast certain spells immediately, including a bear charm that stores energy from the Earth allowing him to replenish his power, a healing charm, charms for the four animal forms he can bind himself to, one that allows him to see in the magic realm, and one for night vision. When injured or in need of replenishing his power, he must place his tattoos in direct contact with the Earth. Though over two thousand years old, he looks like he's twenty one, using that and an affected clueless-American tone. He's got a wicked sense of humor, the books full of sarcasm, jokes, and mockery. The conversations between Atticus and Oberon are hilarious, often causing me to laugh out loud.
Oberon is an Irish wolfhound, whose consciousness has been bound to Atticus's.Oberon gradually picked up language from the link with Atticus and is great about picking up new words, improving his speech all the time. When he wants to tell him something, he says it in his mind, and Atticus hears it in his. He has difficulty holding on to concepts of time, and any number larger than twenty was simply “a lot” to him. His remarks are one of the best parts of the books.
The story begins with Atticus reflecting on what he would have missed had he died when he was supposed to, before Jesus walked the earth, such as an iPad, iPhone, or email, as well as literature and toilet paper. After he decides it’s the little things that make life worth living for such a long time, and keep you grounded in the present and loving it, like hunting with Oberon, we learn they are headed to the Kaibab Plateau, a unique ecosystem north of the Grand Canyon.
Oberon asks Atticus why they can't get away more often, and the true answer is an Irish god, Aenghus Óg, wants him dead for getting the better of him two millennia ago. Fae scour the earth looking for him, meaning he can’t spend too much time in the forests because he leaves traces of his presence. Therefore Atticus has to hide out in cities. The Fae don’t like to visit places full of iron, making Arizona, in particular, nice because the Phoenix metro area is a vast, sprawling city that the Fae find revolting. They travel via oak, ash, and thorn, and there are only a couple of places in the state where they grow together, far from the city. Staying in town was simply safer. Not wanting to worry Oberon, Atticus simply uses the store as the reason.
During a stop in Flagstaff at a coffee shop, they run into a witch. Witches and Atticus generally don’t get along. **** "Druids look at the tapestry of nature and try to make sure the weave of it remains strong, reinforcing the binding amongst all living things and sewing up the threads on the edges that fray and unravel. Witches, on the other hand, often punch holes in the tapestry in the pursuit of personal power, making deals with dark, supernatural forces that want nothing more than to see nature perverted and destroyed." ****
Just before they left town, Atticus notices the witch from the coffee shop in a maroon Honda Civic waiting for an opportunity to pull out of a gas station. They pull out behind him, and he studies her companions in the rearview mirror. He thinks they're witches as well, but can't tell due to the distance. Worrying if they figured out he isn't what he presents, or are sent by Aenghus Óg, he determines he is now paranoid. Oberon's reply is hilarious.
**** Oberon observed. ****
The matching outfits and identical auras suggested a unity of purpose for which covens are known. They follow him for awhile before continuing straight, presumably to visit the inn above the lake, when he turned towards the forest. Once parked and out of the car, Atticus sends a greeting to the earth through his knotted tattoos, which are much more than personal decoration: They are the visual evidence of his magical bond to the earth. It began on the back of his right hand, then traveled up his arm, circled beneath his shoulder, and continued down his right side all the way to the sole of his foot. While in contact with the earth, he had all its power on tap if needed, for as he is bound to the earth, it is bound to him. Atticus asks permission to hunt and play in Kaibab's forest, and after it being granted, he takes the form of a wolfhound (his earthbound form) to play with Oberon. While resting after their hunt, Kaibab calls for help. There is trouble at Jacob Lake. Actually a dissolution sinkhole formed in the limestone of the plateau, Jacob Lake is surrounded by a large meadow. It is on the west side of the lake where Atticus spots three familiar naked women, who are all witches beyond a doubt now. They are clustered around something on the ground, arguing. Quietly casting camouflage on himself, which is the nearest he can come to invisibility, Atticus moves closer to see. Camouflage binds his pigment to his surroundings, so that he becomes practically invisible when he remains still, though people can see him if he moves quickly.
Somehow, the witches had succeeded in capturing and binding a forest elemental. Within the cage they are surrounding is a frenzied Kaibab squirrel in exquisite pain, because it is trying to contain the spirit of the entire forest in its little body. Kaibab squirrels are unique to the plateau, having evolved there in geographic isolation, occupying a vital ecological niche.
The witches carved the Seal of Arielis, a pernicious seal from the Seventh Book of Moses originally intended to bindone of the Seven Great Princes of Hell, into the bark of a ponderosa, and traced it with crushed knotweed, a common herb used in binding spells. Witches had been using the Seal to bind all manner of spirits and to compel their obedience since it was published. The same Seal was printed on a piece of parchment resting underneath the squirrel’s cage. Still camouflaged, Atticus warns the witches of angering an Elemental, receiving a hostile response. **** "Who I am doesn’t matter. What I am is a Druid, and you’ve broken Druidic law by bindingan elemental against its will.” ****
Their spell work is evidence of their ability, they were probably much older than they looked too: **** "These were witches of the Old World come here to take on the power of the New." **** Atticus needs to knock them down and try to get by them, hoping he can break Kaibab out of the circle. Once all three were on the ground, he changed to a sea otter to get by them, his mass now different for when they retaliate with spells. The circle is warded and using martial arts on them hadn’t worked, so he switches back to his human form and dug his toes into the ground.
**** "I concentrated on the soil underneath the circle of rocks and felt its substance through my bond to the earth. I heard the witches approaching on my six, but I couldn’t let that distract me. I spoke in Irish, the language used centuries ago in the ritual that bound me to the earth, and thus the language I use to work my magic on it: “Tabhair uaidh,” I breathed, sending the command down through my tattoos, and upon my word the soil caved in, spilling the rocks in all directions as the earth shifted, breaking the circle. A loud whump and a shock wave of compressed air announced the escape of Kaibab from the circle." ****
Aware of Kaibab's rage, Atticus again warns them of the penalty for messing with elementals. Trying to lie to save themselves and then showing their ignorance of the responsibility of Druids, they are unaware of Kaibab's vengeance beginning.
**** “No, that’s only part of what I do. As the earth is bound to me, so I am bound to it, and I must answer when it calls. Normally I’d sentence and punish you, too, because elementals aren’t supposed to touch humans, but there’s a self-defense clause in the rules of engagement, and I’m afraid you’ve triggered it. Kaibab can do whatever it wants to you now.” ****
The earth opens up beneath the feet of one of the witches, and swallows her whole, the crust then collapsing shut, choking off her screams with finality. Though the other two try to run, they cannot escape Kaibab's anger.
The other two witches’ eyes bugged and they took that as their cue to run, cryingout for mercy as they fled the forest, heading for the meadow surrounding the lake—believing, perhaps, that it would be safer than staying underneath the trees. As witch number two runs, branches from the surrounding ponderosas swung down, whipping and tearing at her bare skin. Eventually the tip of a well-aimed branch pierced her through one eye, killing her.
Witch number three makes it out to the meadow, discovering that she isn't any safer in open space. The animals of the forest are sent after her, bird pecking at her head, distracting her to give the larger animals time to arrive. She kills several of them, but there were too many, and she got no respite. A coyote and a bobcat, the only predators nearby, attack her, but she manages to kill them both before they could take her down. They were all a distraction, masking the charge of a magnificent bull elk from the south, who rams full speed into her back and sends her flying a good twenty feet or so. Wild horses he'd seen grazing by the lake earlier followed the elk, trampling her to death.
Atticus releases the squirrel, and then cleans up after the witches, burying their clothes, some bags of herbs and the Seal of Arielis that had rested underneath the squirrel’s cage. Before leaving with Kaibab's gratitude, in his wolfhound form, Atticus pees on the seal carved into the ponderosa, ruining the smeared knotweed and dissolving any remnants of magical power it held.
The story ends with playful banter between Atticus and Oberon, as usual, on their way home.
This is a reread of this series, and I had forgotten how fun it is! If you're reading the series in chronological order, you should have read The Grimoire of the Lamb and Clan Rathskellar, having met Atticus O'Sullivan and his Irish wolfhound, Oberon. If not...
Atticus is the last of the Druids, living in Tempe, Arizona for the last ten years. He owns Third Eye Books and Herbs, a rare book & antiquities store. His primary responsibility as a Druid is to protect the earth’s elementals from any sort of magical attack. Through the centuries, he created a cold iron amulet, which he bound to his aura. It also carries 10 charms, enabling him to cast certain spells immediately, including a bear charm that stores energy from the Earth allowing him to replenish his power, a healing charm, charms for the four animal forms he can bind himself to, one that allows him to see in the magic realm, and one for night vision. When injured or in need of replenishing his power, he must place his tattoos in direct contact with the Earth. Though over two thousand years old, he looks like he's twenty one, using that and an affected clueless-American tone. He's got a wicked sense of humor, the books full of sarcasm, jokes, and mockery. The conversations between Atticus and Oberon are hilarious, often causing me to laugh out loud.
Oberon is an Irish wolfhound, whose consciousness has been bound to Atticus's.Oberon gradually picked up language from the link with Atticus and is great about picking up new words, improving his speech all the time. When he wants to tell him something, he says it in his mind, and Atticus hears it in his. He has difficulty holding on to concepts of time, and any number larger than twenty was simply “a lot” to him. His remarks are one of the best parts of the books.
The story begins with Atticus reflecting on what he would have missed had he died when he was supposed to, before Jesus walked the earth, such as an iPad, iPhone, or email, as well as literature and toilet paper. After he decides it’s the little things that make life worth living for such a long time, and keep you grounded in the present and loving it, like hunting with Oberon, we learn they are headed to the Kaibab Plateau, a unique ecosystem north of the Grand Canyon.
Oberon asks Atticus why they can't get away more often, and the true answer is an Irish god, Aenghus Óg, wants him dead for getting the better of him two millennia ago. Fae scour the earth looking for him, meaning he can’t spend too much time in the forests because he leaves traces of his presence. Therefore Atticus has to hide out in cities. The Fae don’t like to visit places full of iron, making Arizona, in particular, nice because the Phoenix metro area is a vast, sprawling city that the Fae find revolting. They travel via oak, ash, and thorn, and there are only a couple of places in the state where they grow together, far from the city. Staying in town was simply safer. Not wanting to worry Oberon, Atticus simply uses the store as the reason.
During a stop in Flagstaff at a coffee shop, they run into a witch. Witches and Atticus generally don’t get along. **** "Druids look at the tapestry of nature and try to make sure the weave of it remains strong, reinforcing the binding amongst all living things and sewing up the threads on the edges that fray and unravel. Witches, on the other hand, often punch holes in the tapestry in the pursuit of personal power, making deals with dark, supernatural forces that want nothing more than to see nature perverted and destroyed." ****
Just before they left town, Atticus notices the witch from the coffee shop in a maroon Honda Civic waiting for an opportunity to pull out of a gas station. They pull out behind him, and he studies her companions in the rearview mirror. He thinks they're witches as well, but can't tell due to the distance. Worrying if they figured out he isn't what he presents, or are sent by Aenghus Óg, he determines he is now paranoid. Oberon's reply is hilarious.
**** Oberon observed. ****
The matching outfits and identical auras suggested a unity of purpose for which covens are known. They follow him for awhile before continuing straight, presumably to visit the inn above the lake, when he turned towards the forest. Once parked and out of the car, Atticus sends a greeting to the earth through his knotted tattoos, which are much more than personal decoration: They are the visual evidence of his magical bond to the earth. It began on the back of his right hand, then traveled up his arm, circled beneath his shoulder, and continued down his right side all the way to the sole of his foot. While in contact with the earth, he had all its power on tap if needed, for as he is bound to the earth, it is bound to him. Atticus asks permission to hunt and play in Kaibab's forest, and after it being granted, he takes the form of a wolfhound (his earthbound form) to play with Oberon. While resting after their hunt, Kaibab calls for help. There is trouble at Jacob Lake. Actually a dissolution sinkhole formed in the limestone of the plateau, Jacob Lake is surrounded by a large meadow. It is on the west side of the lake where Atticus spots three familiar naked women, who are all witches beyond a doubt now. They are clustered around something on the ground, arguing. Quietly casting camouflage on himself, which is the nearest he can come to invisibility, Atticus moves closer to see. Camouflage binds his pigment to his surroundings, so that he becomes practically invisible when he remains still, though people can see him if he moves quickly.
Somehow, the witches had succeeded in capturing and binding a forest elemental. Within the cage they are surrounding is a frenzied Kaibab squirrel in exquisite pain, because it is trying to contain the spirit of the entire forest in its little body. Kaibab squirrels are unique to the plateau, having evolved there in geographic isolation, occupying a vital ecological niche.
The witches carved the Seal of Arielis, a pernicious seal from the Seventh Book of Moses originally intended to bindone of the Seven Great Princes of Hell, into the bark of a ponderosa, and traced it with crushed knotweed, a common herb used in binding spells. Witches had been using the Seal to bind all manner of spirits and to compel their obedience since it was published. The same Seal was printed on a piece of parchment resting underneath the squirrel’s cage. Still camouflaged, Atticus warns the witches of angering an Elemental, receiving a hostile response. **** "Who I am doesn’t matter. What I am is a Druid, and you’ve broken Druidic law by bindingan elemental against its will.” ****
Their spell work is evidence of their ability, they were probably much older than they looked too: **** "These were witches of the Old World come here to take on the power of the New." **** Atticus needs to knock them down and try to get by them, hoping he can break Kaibab out of the circle. Once all three were on the ground, he changed to a sea otter to get by them, his mass now different for when they retaliate with spells. The circle is warded and using martial arts on them hadn’t worked, so he switches back to his human form and dug his toes into the ground.
**** "I concentrated on the soil underneath the circle of rocks and felt its substance through my bond to the earth. I heard the witches approaching on my six, but I couldn’t let that distract me. I spoke in Irish, the language used centuries ago in the ritual that bound me to the earth, and thus the language I use to work my magic on it: “Tabhair uaidh,” I breathed, sending the command down through my tattoos, and upon my word the soil caved in, spilling the rocks in all directions as the earth shifted, breaking the circle. A loud whump and a shock wave of compressed air announced the escape of Kaibab from the circle." ****
Aware of Kaibab's rage, Atticus again warns them of the penalty for messing with elementals. Trying to lie to save themselves and then showing their ignorance of the responsibility of Druids, they are unaware of Kaibab's vengeance beginning.
**** “No, that’s only part of what I do. As the earth is bound to me, so I am bound to it, and I must answer when it calls. Normally I’d sentence and punish you, too, because elementals aren’t supposed to touch humans, but there’s a self-defense clause in the rules of engagement, and I’m afraid you’ve triggered it. Kaibab can do whatever it wants to you now.” ****
The earth opens up beneath the feet of one of the witches, and swallows her whole, the crust then collapsing shut, choking off her screams with finality. Though the other two try to run, they cannot escape Kaibab's anger.
The other two witches’ eyes bugged and they took that as their cue to run, cryingout for mercy as they fled the forest, heading for the meadow surrounding the lake—believing, perhaps, that it would be safer than staying underneath the trees. As witch number two runs, branches from the surrounding ponderosas swung down, whipping and tearing at her bare skin. Eventually the tip of a well-aimed branch pierced her through one eye, killing her.
Witch number three makes it out to the meadow, discovering that she isn't any safer in open space. The animals of the forest are sent after her, bird pecking at her head, distracting her to give the larger animals time to arrive. She kills several of them, but there were too many, and she got no respite. A coyote and a bobcat, the only predators nearby, attack her, but she manages to kill them both before they could take her down. They were all a distraction, masking the charge of a magnificent bull elk from the south, who rams full speed into her back and sends her flying a good twenty feet or so. Wild horses he'd seen grazing by the lake earlier followed the elk, trampling her to death.
Atticus releases the squirrel, and then cleans up after the witches, burying their clothes, some bags of herbs and the Seal of Arielis that had rested underneath the squirrel’s cage. Before leaving with Kaibab's gratitude, in his wolfhound form, Atticus pees on the seal carved into the ponderosa, ruining the smeared knotweed and dissolving any remnants of magical power it held.
The story ends with playful banter between Atticus and Oberon, as usual, on their way home.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2015
On a road trip with Oberon, Atticus notices three witches in a car who look as if they are up to no good. When he follows them, he realises they are using a spell to trap a forest elemental and doesn't hesitate to go to the rescue.
I liked this story. It is short so saying anything much about it would be a spoiler but it was nice to see what the forest can do when it is attacked by bitch witches!
I liked this story. It is short so saying anything much about it would be a spoiler but it was nice to see what the forest can do when it is attacked by bitch witches!
January 16, 2013
Ohmigosh! I love Atticus and his trusty hound so much. SO MUCH. I just love these little snippets that let us peek back into their world. The vengeance and bloodshed was fun, too!
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Kaibab Unbound was a free online read as of 1/10/13.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Kaibab Unbound was a free online read as of 1/10/13.
September 21, 2015
This one felt a bit different then the other stories. I kind of felt like reading a mash up of Harry Dresden and Atticus. Since I do love Butchers stories too, that was nothing t upset me though ;) I ploughed through this short story in no time, and was very well entertained. I just wish it would have been longer ;)
January 22, 2012
I really enjoyed this. My pleasure warrants more than 3 start but the story and characters weren't particularly complex. It's a delightful and well written interlude between longer, more serious books though.
June 18, 2012
very good,really enjoyed how Atticus saves a squirrel.
June 25, 2013
Another free short story, set before the first book of the Iron Druid series. Nicely written, pretty short, doesn't really add much to the overall picture. Not essential reading to the series.
March 3, 2024
Atticus helps a nature spirit in Arizona...
May 24, 2018
Actual rating: 3.25
February 2, 2023
The job of a Druid and the might of an elemental.
June 16, 2018
"Kaibab Unbound" is a short story from The Iron Druid Chronicles series written by Kevin Hearne. This short story takes place a fortnight before Hounded and deals with an unexpected meeting of a trio of witches that are playing with powers that they shouldn't be playing with.
Atticus O'Sullivan is his wolfhound form is running with Oberon, his dog, through the gorgeousness of the Kaibab Plateau when suddenly nature cries out to him. An elemental is being trapped and tortured by three witches that are just testing their powers for fun. As the last remaining Druid, he couldn't let this slide without intervention – and intervention he did in a spectacular manner.
"Kaibab Unbound" is written rather well and extremely humorous – I can't describe my love of Oberon – his interactions with Atticus O'Sullivan is just wonderful. It is also a rather somewhat good introduction to Atticus O'Sullivan and his faithful companion, Oberon, his wolfhound to the uninitiated or someone new to the series.
All in all, "Kaibab Unbound" is a wonderfully written short story about a day in the life of Atticus O'Sullivan – until it wasn't and the mythical gets in the way. It is also a worthy addition to The Iron Druid Chronicles universe – enriching it just a tad more.
Atticus O'Sullivan is his wolfhound form is running with Oberon, his dog, through the gorgeousness of the Kaibab Plateau when suddenly nature cries out to him. An elemental is being trapped and tortured by three witches that are just testing their powers for fun. As the last remaining Druid, he couldn't let this slide without intervention – and intervention he did in a spectacular manner.
"Kaibab Unbound" is written rather well and extremely humorous – I can't describe my love of Oberon – his interactions with Atticus O'Sullivan is just wonderful. It is also a rather somewhat good introduction to Atticus O'Sullivan and his faithful companion, Oberon, his wolfhound to the uninitiated or someone new to the series.
All in all, "Kaibab Unbound" is a wonderfully written short story about a day in the life of Atticus O'Sullivan – until it wasn't and the mythical gets in the way. It is also a worthy addition to The Iron Druid Chronicles universe – enriching it just a tad more.
January 30, 2023
A short introductory stories, taking place just before Hounded. With just enough explanations of Atticus' druid powers and world, the story builds up on world history and set Atticus up against a small coven of witches.
Enjoying the reviews, but wondering who the heck is that Felix fellow? Glad you asked! He's the protagonist of the Togas, Daggers, and Magic series, an historical-fantasy blend of a paranormal detective on the background of ancient Rome.
Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
Enjoying the reviews, but wondering who the heck is that Felix fellow? Glad you asked! He's the protagonist of the Togas, Daggers, and Magic series, an historical-fantasy blend of a paranormal detective on the background of ancient Rome.
Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
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