The Great Big Bear and Other Stories of the Iron Druid Chronicles

The Iron Druid Chronicles

by Kevin Hearne

Dive into twelve all-new stories of the Iron Druid Chronicles featuring Atticus, Owen, Granuaile, and some very good dogs!

The return of the Morrigan isn’t such bad news for Atticus O’Sullivan, but the possibility that his old enemy, Aenghus Óg, might find a way to escape hell is the worst possible development. Fortunately, his Irish Wolfhound, Oberon, keeps him entertained with an all-encompassing Sausage Theory and a new Gravy Viscosity Scale.

Owen Kennedy finally finds a good use for his marine form after two thousand years, and he also reunites with his Murder Sloth, Slomo, for a raucous adventure in Ecuador.

Granuaile’s training with Sun Wukong reaches a turning point as she confronts an alchemical menace that threatens to engulf the world.

And Gladys—the chosen name of the avatar of Gaia—meets the Mothman and other cryptids because that’s the sort of thing she loves to see.

Perfect for bedtime stories (and all other times), this collection of tales will delight fans of the Iron Druid Chronicles.

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Short Stories, Audiobook, Adventure, Fiction, Supernatural

140 pages, Paperback

Published April 7, 2026

About the author

Kevin 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.

Reviews

[Brent Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

They were interesting short stories but I hope they're possibly working towards a new entire book in the series.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it when he releases anything in the Iron Druid world. Such good characters and stories.

[Mhollie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful! Love visiting with these amazing characters. It has been awhile. I look forward to anything Iron Druid or Ink & Sigil. Keep them coming!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harmony finds you

These stories are funny, sad, heartwarming… what they have in common is that they leave you with the sense that things can be better, and that they can get better, and goodness happens.

[Jim Gorman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun collection of short stories based on the characters that have populated Kevin Hearne's other books. They are short stories, and fun little reads. It only took me a few hours to read this. Perfect if you are a fan of his and have to take a train or plane somewhere and will be stuck with nothing to do. It is pretty much what to expect if you have read some of his other short story collections.

[Jen (That's What I'm Talking About) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Great Big Bear and Other Stories of the Iron Druid Chronicles is a treat for fans of the series. The anthology includes short stories shared from the three druids of the original series, plus several stories from Gladys Who Has Seen Some Shite, who is a supporting character in the spinoff Ink & Sigil series. Most of the stories fall chronologically after the end of the series and spinoffs, which is what makes them so wonderful. They are short little adventures that share how Atticus, Granuaile, and Owen are doing. We also get glimpses of our favorite hounds and a special tale with Slomo the Murder Sloth. I also enjoyed the stories about Gladys, including her origin story.

While the mini-adventures are mostly standalone, they are really meant for and will be enjoyed most by fans of the series. There are no lengthy backstories and it is assumed readers will understand what is going on. Another great feature is that there are is room open for future tales based on new threats, old enemies, and necessary changes.

Narration: The Iron Druid Chronicles wouldn’t be what it is without the amazing narration by Luke Daniels. A cast of dozens couldn’t do better. Mr. Daniels has honed and refined his voices over the course of the series and spinoffs, and I am still amazed at how many he has. From big to small, from old to young, from human to god, from sloth to dog… he captures the essence of Mr. Hearne’s characters and brings them to life. He fills each with emotion, therefore making the events that much more memorable and real.

I highly recommend The Great Big Bear and Other Stories of the Iron Druid Chronicles for fans of the Iron Druid Chronicles, but make sure you are up to speed (including the Ink & Sigil series and the Oberon stories) or you may be spoiled.

My Ratings:
Story: A
Narration: A+

Note: These stories were originally shared monthly in 2025 via the author's newsletters for paying subscribers. Those subscribers each received a complimentary audiobook version. I am a paying subscriber.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short fiction collection is absolutely a gift to longtime Iron Druid Chronicles fans.

Each brief story is told in first person and you are on your own figuring out who the narrator is. (I will give you a hint: it will be one of the three Druids in this series or it will be the avatar of Gaia.)

The best part is that these stories take place AFTER the final book in the series and I, for one, was delighted to check in with these characters and see what their lives are like now.

Druids are dedicated to Gaia (literally the Goddess of the planet Earth). When something has gone wrong, a Druid is dispatched to solve the problem and set things right. (And yes, magic is normally involved.)

[Lorre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains a whole bunch of short stories with characters of the Iron Druid Chronicles and Ink & Sigil series. Although there aren't really any spoilers for both series in the stories, you should read both series first because there is absolutely no world building and charachters don't get introduced.

I loved every short story and was so happy to see Atticus, Oberon, Starbuck, Granuaile, Orlaith, Owen again! The best stories though were with Gladys Who Has Seen Some Shite! We finally get the story of how she became Gladys Who Has Seen Some Shite.

This book is a must read if you loved the Iron Druid Chronicles and Ink & Sigil series!

[Tamara Rickman · Rating 5 out of 5]

such cool characters

Kevin Hearne is too clever; these stories and people are part myth but part real. I jump to google all the time when reading his books to see which place or person I’m reading about is real and which is fiction. It’s great and now I’m on a hunt for anything he’s written that I haven’t already read. Start at book one of the Iron Druid series but don’t skip Ink and Sigil because they’re all tied together, these folk.

[Rex Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun

As a fan of the Iron Druid world, it is always good to return periodically to get your fill of digit agents, druids in training, sausage fixated dogs, and avatars who have seen some shite. This collection does just that. None of the stories is a hard read, and most are transient views into the main characters of the Druid world. Also a good geography lesson about far flung regions. So worth the time

[Private · Rating 2 out of 5]

In the story "No Man's Land", there's a part early in the story where Owen Kennedy rants about borders, like some anti-ICE activist. Whilst it's true that birds migrate across "borders", many animals have their own version of borders: territories which they guard viciously with deadly violence. If you're interested in learning about territorial wars between animals, check out the excellent documentary "Brothers in Blood - The Lions of Sabi Sand"

[Emilie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great to reconnect with characters from the Iron Druid world again. Oberon and Starbuck continue to entertain and it was nice to see some stories from Owen and Granuaile’s perspectives again. Gladys remains hilarious. Looking forward to the third instalment in this yearly series with stories from Owen’s Grove!

[Roger Koo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reconnected with some old friends

It was entertaining to get to know more about Gladys, her character has always been on the periphery. Attics (Connor):is such a favorite hero to me after reading all of the Iron Druid novels that it feels like meeting up with a friend you haven't seen in a while.

[Laurie Bristow · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Iron Druid Chronicles is to date one of my favorite book series. So whenever ilI see a set out auto buy. And I love me some Oboron and Starbuck. Reading about Gladys Who Has Seen Some Shite was a hoot.

[Jeremy Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

As expected from this magnificent author

Kevin Hearn always delivers. A great group of short stories of the lives of the characters I loved in the Iron Druid series. I just with he could pump out more and faster (Like Siodhachan did with the goat).

[michele gorlano · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't waste your money unless you want to be preached too

If I could give this 0 stars I would. I really would like my money back for This awful book. This series has gone downhill. All Kevin seems to do is preach about how bad white people are. I am done with this author

[Gene · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was good to return to the world of the Iron Druid again. This is advertised as a set of stories, which is accurate, but it's better viewed as a collection of chapters in an over-arching book, as the stories are all connected to at least the featured character in each one

[Meghan Talt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Marvelous Tales Continue

I loved the Iron Druid and Sigil Agent series, and was thrilled to read more adventures of some of my favorite characters:). Thank you Kevin! Please keep them coming.

[Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Luke Daniels

Rating: 4.5

This was an enjoyable collection of stories, despite Granuaile having a few with her as the main protagonist. Just goes to show that Kevin has more fuel in the tank when it comes to the Iron Druid.

[Mickey Hyde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short stories.

Kevin, please write more about the Druids. It’s the best! I just wished the stories didn’t go by so fast!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice crop of short stories.

[Roseb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great short stories!

[Jennifer Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just enjoyed this revisit to the world of Iron Druid/Ink & Sigil tremendously. I will always hope for more stories in this world from Kevin Hearne.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun foray into the extended Iron Druid Universe where all dogs are very good dogs.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Morandia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved all of these stories. Old friends, storylines crossing. What fun.

[Rudi Opperman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kevin Hearne is exceptionally good at writing urban fantasy. This is proof of it.

[Tony Fecteau · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really miss reading those Iron Druid novels. These short stories were good and brought back lots of memories.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing as always. I listened the audio and I love that they have started including "bloopers" at the end

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story about where Gladys got her name from made me cry in the best way. For that reason alone, 5 stars. I enjoy the fecking hell out of all the Iron Druid characters. Sausage theory!!!