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The Trickster Cycle #1
Druid's Folly
One druid against the apocalypse. Hell on earth doesn’t stand a chance.
Now that I’ve dealt with Badb and proven to the Celtic gods that I’m a force to be reckoned with, it’s time to address some unfinished business...
The Hellpocalypse.
Just thinking about that place makes me break out in a cold sweat, and since I started planning this journey, the nightmares have come back with a vengeance.
Do I really want to revisit that hellhole? Absolutely not, but folks there are depending on me—innocents who won’t survive unless I return to protect them.
Besides, it’s my fault that the Hellpocalypse exists, so it’s my responsibility to fix it.
Of course, this time it’ll be different.
When Gwydion stranded me there, I had no warning or time to prepare. But for cripes’ sake, I’m a master druid now—a little ol’ paranormal apocalypse will be a cake walk.
I’ll just zip in, kill some master vampires, stop the spread of the vyrus, and be back in time for dinner with my girlfriend.
In short? It’s time to cast magic and chew bubblegum… and I’m all out of bubblegum.
- - -
Druid’s Folly is an urban fantasy romp through present-day Austin, Texas and an alternate history, post-apocalyptic version of The Lonestar State.
If you enjoy paranormal action & adventure novels that are full of magic, guns, explosions, vampires, werewolves, ghouls, zombies, and necromancers, you’ll love this first book in the Colin McCool Trickster Cycle trilogy.
Grab your copy today and find out what 200,000+ book lovers already know… that M.D. Massey’s Druidverse is a world tailor-made for fans of urban fantasy and paranormal suspense.
Review
"M.D. Massey's skillful storytelling and entertaining plot twists combine to deliver a page-turning experience that's sure to delight urban fantasy fans everywhere. If you're looking for your next riveting, supernatural adventure, this series delivers in spades!"
~ New York Times bestseller Joseph Nassise
"M.D. Massey's action-packed novels take the reader on a rollercoaster ride into an immersive universe of quirky gallows humor, nightmarish supernatural creatures, and high octane urban fantasy adventures. The pages are filled with paranormal suspense and a host of monstrous grotesques in plots that teem with twists and turns. And in all this perfectly streamlined chaos, one thing's for sure; Colin McCool's never going to stop fighting until he's saved Austin, Texas, and most likely the entire world."
~ Kit Hallows, Author of The Order of Shadows Series
"MD Massey's Druidverse is the perfect playground for urban fantasy fans who enjoy what we've come to expect in excellent storytelling from the genre. Fast pacing. Relatable characters you want to root for. 'Bad guys' you love to root against. With plenty of supernatural elements, mythology, and non-stop action, his world is richly crafted and complex, never feeling bogged down in the details--just how urban fantasy should be told. Master storytellers are able to balance excitement, anticipation, and suspense over a long series--and that's exactly what MD does in the Colin McCool books. A must-read!"
~ Paul Sating, Author of the Zodiac series
"M.D. Massey offers bantering humor and action-packed adventure reminiscent of Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files... a wonderful read with a snarky hero, quirky characters, bizarre creatures, and dangerous situations."
~Liz Konkel, Readers' Favorite Reviews
Now that I’ve dealt with Badb and proven to the Celtic gods that I’m a force to be reckoned with, it’s time to address some unfinished business...
The Hellpocalypse.
Just thinking about that place makes me break out in a cold sweat, and since I started planning this journey, the nightmares have come back with a vengeance.
Do I really want to revisit that hellhole? Absolutely not, but folks there are depending on me—innocents who won’t survive unless I return to protect them.
Besides, it’s my fault that the Hellpocalypse exists, so it’s my responsibility to fix it.
Of course, this time it’ll be different.
When Gwydion stranded me there, I had no warning or time to prepare. But for cripes’ sake, I’m a master druid now—a little ol’ paranormal apocalypse will be a cake walk.
I’ll just zip in, kill some master vampires, stop the spread of the vyrus, and be back in time for dinner with my girlfriend.
In short? It’s time to cast magic and chew bubblegum… and I’m all out of bubblegum.
- - -
Druid’s Folly is an urban fantasy romp through present-day Austin, Texas and an alternate history, post-apocalyptic version of The Lonestar State.
If you enjoy paranormal action & adventure novels that are full of magic, guns, explosions, vampires, werewolves, ghouls, zombies, and necromancers, you’ll love this first book in the Colin McCool Trickster Cycle trilogy.
Grab your copy today and find out what 200,000+ book lovers already know… that M.D. Massey’s Druidverse is a world tailor-made for fans of urban fantasy and paranormal suspense.
Review
"M.D. Massey's skillful storytelling and entertaining plot twists combine to deliver a page-turning experience that's sure to delight urban fantasy fans everywhere. If you're looking for your next riveting, supernatural adventure, this series delivers in spades!"
~ New York Times bestseller Joseph Nassise
"M.D. Massey's action-packed novels take the reader on a rollercoaster ride into an immersive universe of quirky gallows humor, nightmarish supernatural creatures, and high octane urban fantasy adventures. The pages are filled with paranormal suspense and a host of monstrous grotesques in plots that teem with twists and turns. And in all this perfectly streamlined chaos, one thing's for sure; Colin McCool's never going to stop fighting until he's saved Austin, Texas, and most likely the entire world."
~ Kit Hallows, Author of The Order of Shadows Series
"MD Massey's Druidverse is the perfect playground for urban fantasy fans who enjoy what we've come to expect in excellent storytelling from the genre. Fast pacing. Relatable characters you want to root for. 'Bad guys' you love to root against. With plenty of supernatural elements, mythology, and non-stop action, his world is richly crafted and complex, never feeling bogged down in the details--just how urban fantasy should be told. Master storytellers are able to balance excitement, anticipation, and suspense over a long series--and that's exactly what MD does in the Colin McCool books. A must-read!"
~ Paul Sating, Author of the Zodiac series
"M.D. Massey offers bantering humor and action-packed adventure reminiscent of Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files... a wonderful read with a snarky hero, quirky characters, bizarre creatures, and dangerous situations."
~Liz Konkel, Readers' Favorite Reviews
302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2021
381 people are currently reading
233 people want to read
About the author
M.D. Massey
65 books564 followersM.D. Massey describes himself as the prototypical INTJ. His eclectic background provides him with a rich tapestry of experiences to draw on when crafting fiction, as evidenced by the believable worlds and relatable characters he creates.
As a former Army combat medic (91B), professional martial arts instructor (Krav Maga, JKD, FMA), and women's self-defense instructor, he possesses a unique understanding of close combat, firearms, and criminal violence that few authors can match. This knowledge provides an element of realism to the Druidverse™ novels, setting them apart from other fantasy series.
Mr. Massey lives in the Texas Hill Country with his family and a huge American bulldog that keeps him company while he writes. When he's not in his office or at the local coffee shop writing, you can find him in his garage pummeling inanimate objects or knife-fighting with his friends.
As a former Army combat medic (91B), professional martial arts instructor (Krav Maga, JKD, FMA), and women's self-defense instructor, he possesses a unique understanding of close combat, firearms, and criminal violence that few authors can match. This knowledge provides an element of realism to the Druidverse™ novels, setting them apart from other fantasy series.
Mr. Massey lives in the Texas Hill Country with his family and a huge American bulldog that keeps him company while he writes. When he's not in his office or at the local coffee shop writing, you can find him in his garage pummeling inanimate objects or knife-fighting with his friends.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
December 2, 2022
As I began my rewrites (my commenters seem to think them not up to snuff), I noticed changes to my pages. I thought originally that Kristine's review would give a better overview than mine, so I will suggest it still. A "rogue" Goodreads tech currently does not "Allow" me to see others' reviews, does not "Allow" me to remove my last lurker, does not "Allow me me to see my commenters' names, sometimes grays out "like" buttons and will not respond to query or complaint. 🤔🤔🤔
I closed my pages and removed all lurkers but one. Goodreads will not "Allow" to remove Dr Susan Hamilton (a Maths professor at University of Tennessee?). She posted nothing for the two years since her friend request and has not responded to five requests that she unfriend me. 🤔
I hope that she does not find me fascinating. As my siblings will attest, I am just not that interesting. 😊😊
I write one brutally negative review of a "sorry salute to the January 6, 2021 hero" and suddenly a "rogue" Goodreads tech decides that my being a communist is a bad thing. Go figure. 🤗🤗
For more Goodreads, see my review of "Mutineer" a racist/misogynistic space adventure or Powers of the Earth (a sorry salute to the January 6, 2021 hero) written by a racist and comments from a Claes Rees, Jr/cgr710 (a self-identified NeoNazi and US patriot).
Claes Rees, Jr/cgr710
Don't be a numpty. Be a smarty. Come and join the Communist Party.
I saw a recent clip of a patriotic US congresswoman, Marjorie Taylor Green chanting "Putin" along with her supporters. I wonder how these patriots reconcile that with the several threats he has made of launching a nuclear attack on their own country. In any case.
GLORY TO UKRAINE !!! And GLORY TO ITS PEOPLE !!!
There are 25 books in the series. Each can be read as a standalone but to start at Book One is a wonderful experience. Some books focus on characters who are if not peripheral, are minor characters in most of the books. That allows for development of interesting characters without tying up the main character stories.
This book almost requires some previous exposure to the Druidverse. It is especially true because he has changed from the apprentice unsure of himself to a more forceful adult. The world building is complete enough that the dangers and his goals are both clear. The blurb presents him as a bit more cocky than the character is in the book.
Reading this volume will convey a lot of information about the magical background in the real world. He has a complicated relationship with vampires in both worlds and his difficulties are intense in each. There is almost as much strategy and gamesmanship involved in the hellscape as there are direct confrontations in this book.
The magic is straight forward but the limits are not fully detailed. The fuzzy edge of the magic is a mixture of personal growth, maturity and unlocking as well as mastering additional power. The key to the magic is the unpredictability inherent in the nature of and the limitations of ancient gods.
I do not want to move into spoiler territory. You will have to read the book to discover the how and why of it. The magical creatures are well drawn and vital. The writer imbues even monsters with distinct personalities and motivations in all his books. This book is no exception.
The battles are really well written with real-world feeling and stakes. The action can be brutal and bloody but not one fight scene was unnecessary or drawn out beyond the story's requirements.
All the books advance the series storyline but they sometimes take surprising, small side trips. It is a wonderful series no matter where you start. But start at the beginning. 😊😊
There is some very decent urban fantasy available on Amazon. I had not read much fantasy for years and now I think of this universe, the Dresden universe and the DFZ/Heartstriker universe when I think of urban fantasy.
Amazon's selection of urban fantasy, whether free or not can be hit or miss. It is generally good and some of it is stellar. However, the low end of the fantasy and the science fiction is hard to read and have cost me much of my interest in Amazon's print selection.
I now tend to watch Netflix and other streaming services for all my fiction, especially science fiction. Strangely the fantasy on the streaming services seems inferior to the print. Regardless, with such a huge library of film from so many countries, there must be something perfect to any taste or mood.
I started searching YouTube about two years ago for science fiction news and recommendations. The site introduced me to the educational video sites and special interest areas that I had not known existed.
For me Curiosity Stream/Nebula was perfect at a cost of about $15 USD, for a year's subscription. These sites are all worth a look.
I am grateful for stumbling onto the book tubers. The reader communities all seem to have varied tastes and interests but are engaged and enjoy all things bibliophilic. 😍😍 I recommend that any reader visit several book channels and I have listed some be!ow.
My YouTube picks of the moment.
Penney Sound, Brittany Page, Chugging Along, Sarah Z, Sarah Millican, Tom Nicholas, Mrs Betty Bowers, Owen Jones, Pentatonix, Philosophy Tube, No Justice MTG, Historigraph, Kelly loves Physics and History.
As for Goodreads, please consider treating the site as potentially hostile. 😐
My solutions were simple enough. I minimized my profile information, removed all lurkers, exchange emails rather than messages and accepted that no query will be answered. 🙂
Seriously, please protect yourself and may we all enjoy Good Reading. 😊😊
Some of my favorite channels are.
Tara Mooknee, Some More News, Munecat, Ship Happens, Mark Felton Productions, Chloe Stafler, The Mindful Narrowboat, The Narrowboat Pirate, Kathy's Flog in France, Novara Media, Eleanor Morton, The Juice Media, Sarah Z, Second Thought, Three Arrows, Beautifully Bookish Bethany, Tulia, Mrs Betty Bowers, Double Down News, France 24, Alize, Alice Cappelle, Jessica Gagnon, Crecganford, DW News, Owen Jones, Lily Alexander, With Olivia, Tulia, The Armchair Historian, Sabine Hossenfelder, The Paranormal Scholar, Cruising Alba, Camper Vibe, Joe Scott, WION, Tibees, Mythic Concepts, The Piano Guys, Dan Davis History, Brittany the Bibliophile, Lady of the Library, Renegade Cut, Channels Television, Joe Scott, Reading Wryly, Katie Colson, Karolina Zebrowska, Big Joel, Dead Good Books, Lilly's expat life, A Clockwork Reader, Vlad Vexler, Thirdworld Booknerd, Bookleo, Anton Petrov, Traveling K, Nikolay Kutuzov, Tom Nicholas, Mythology and Fiction Explained, Writing with Jenna Moreci, TIKHistory, Ben and Emily, Kings and Generals, We're in Hell, Knowing Better, AstronautX, A Cup of Nicole, Real Engineering, Kent, The People Profiles, Alayna Joy, Sort of Interesting, Holly the Cafe Boat, Boat Time, Tom Nicholas, Cone of Arc, John Michael Godier, Lady knight the Brave, Swell Entertainment, Serena Skybourne, Noelle Gallagher, Adult Wednesday Addams, DUST, Noah Samsen, Natasha's Adventures, Cold Fusion, Denys Davydov, Spacedock, The Gravel Institute, Between the Wars, The Great War, World War Two, The Chieftain, Sufficiently Advanced Lena, Depressed Russian, Hello Future Me, Media Death Cult, A Life of Lit, Prime of Midlife, Jill Bearup, IzzzYzzz, Patrick is a Navajo, Books with Emily Fox, Merphy Napier, Elena Taber, Petrik Leo, Book Odyssey, Psychology Tube, Max Joseph, Ask a Mortician, The Irish Reader, The Templin Institute, Chill Goblin, Dr Becky, Jack in the Books, Avalishvili, Celtica, Sabaton History, Between the Lines, Overly Sarcastic Productions, Invicta, Euronews, Ana Psychology, UA Courage, Philosophy Tube, Diane Callahan Quotidian Writer, The Leftist Cooks, Linguoer Mechanic.
I wish you a splendid morning, a pleasant afternoon, a fun evening, a superb night and may we all keep learning.
Hope is a sword and Fear is a shield.
Mantra, Children of the Raven
I closed my pages and removed all lurkers but one. Goodreads will not "Allow" to remove Dr Susan Hamilton (a Maths professor at University of Tennessee?). She posted nothing for the two years since her friend request and has not responded to five requests that she unfriend me. 🤔
I hope that she does not find me fascinating. As my siblings will attest, I am just not that interesting. 😊😊
I write one brutally negative review of a "sorry salute to the January 6, 2021 hero" and suddenly a "rogue" Goodreads tech decides that my being a communist is a bad thing. Go figure. 🤗🤗
For more Goodreads, see my review of "Mutineer" a racist/misogynistic space adventure or Powers of the Earth (a sorry salute to the January 6, 2021 hero) written by a racist and comments from a Claes Rees, Jr/cgr710 (a self-identified NeoNazi and US patriot).
Claes Rees, Jr/cgr710
Don't be a numpty. Be a smarty. Come and join the Communist Party.
I saw a recent clip of a patriotic US congresswoman, Marjorie Taylor Green chanting "Putin" along with her supporters. I wonder how these patriots reconcile that with the several threats he has made of launching a nuclear attack on their own country. In any case.
GLORY TO UKRAINE !!! And GLORY TO ITS PEOPLE !!!
There are 25 books in the series. Each can be read as a standalone but to start at Book One is a wonderful experience. Some books focus on characters who are if not peripheral, are minor characters in most of the books. That allows for development of interesting characters without tying up the main character stories.
This book almost requires some previous exposure to the Druidverse. It is especially true because he has changed from the apprentice unsure of himself to a more forceful adult. The world building is complete enough that the dangers and his goals are both clear. The blurb presents him as a bit more cocky than the character is in the book.
Reading this volume will convey a lot of information about the magical background in the real world. He has a complicated relationship with vampires in both worlds and his difficulties are intense in each. There is almost as much strategy and gamesmanship involved in the hellscape as there are direct confrontations in this book.
The magic is straight forward but the limits are not fully detailed. The fuzzy edge of the magic is a mixture of personal growth, maturity and unlocking as well as mastering additional power. The key to the magic is the unpredictability inherent in the nature of and the limitations of ancient gods.
I do not want to move into spoiler territory. You will have to read the book to discover the how and why of it. The magical creatures are well drawn and vital. The writer imbues even monsters with distinct personalities and motivations in all his books. This book is no exception.
The battles are really well written with real-world feeling and stakes. The action can be brutal and bloody but not one fight scene was unnecessary or drawn out beyond the story's requirements.
All the books advance the series storyline but they sometimes take surprising, small side trips. It is a wonderful series no matter where you start. But start at the beginning. 😊😊
There is some very decent urban fantasy available on Amazon. I had not read much fantasy for years and now I think of this universe, the Dresden universe and the DFZ/Heartstriker universe when I think of urban fantasy.
Amazon's selection of urban fantasy, whether free or not can be hit or miss. It is generally good and some of it is stellar. However, the low end of the fantasy and the science fiction is hard to read and have cost me much of my interest in Amazon's print selection.
I now tend to watch Netflix and other streaming services for all my fiction, especially science fiction. Strangely the fantasy on the streaming services seems inferior to the print. Regardless, with such a huge library of film from so many countries, there must be something perfect to any taste or mood.
I started searching YouTube about two years ago for science fiction news and recommendations. The site introduced me to the educational video sites and special interest areas that I had not known existed.
For me Curiosity Stream/Nebula was perfect at a cost of about $15 USD, for a year's subscription. These sites are all worth a look.
I am grateful for stumbling onto the book tubers. The reader communities all seem to have varied tastes and interests but are engaged and enjoy all things bibliophilic. 😍😍 I recommend that any reader visit several book channels and I have listed some be!ow.
My YouTube picks of the moment.
Penney Sound, Brittany Page, Chugging Along, Sarah Z, Sarah Millican, Tom Nicholas, Mrs Betty Bowers, Owen Jones, Pentatonix, Philosophy Tube, No Justice MTG, Historigraph, Kelly loves Physics and History.
As for Goodreads, please consider treating the site as potentially hostile. 😐
My solutions were simple enough. I minimized my profile information, removed all lurkers, exchange emails rather than messages and accepted that no query will be answered. 🙂
Seriously, please protect yourself and may we all enjoy Good Reading. 😊😊
Some of my favorite channels are.
Tara Mooknee, Some More News, Munecat, Ship Happens, Mark Felton Productions, Chloe Stafler, The Mindful Narrowboat, The Narrowboat Pirate, Kathy's Flog in France, Novara Media, Eleanor Morton, The Juice Media, Sarah Z, Second Thought, Three Arrows, Beautifully Bookish Bethany, Tulia, Mrs Betty Bowers, Double Down News, France 24, Alize, Alice Cappelle, Jessica Gagnon, Crecganford, DW News, Owen Jones, Lily Alexander, With Olivia, Tulia, The Armchair Historian, Sabine Hossenfelder, The Paranormal Scholar, Cruising Alba, Camper Vibe, Joe Scott, WION, Tibees, Mythic Concepts, The Piano Guys, Dan Davis History, Brittany the Bibliophile, Lady of the Library, Renegade Cut, Channels Television, Joe Scott, Reading Wryly, Katie Colson, Karolina Zebrowska, Big Joel, Dead Good Books, Lilly's expat life, A Clockwork Reader, Vlad Vexler, Thirdworld Booknerd, Bookleo, Anton Petrov, Traveling K, Nikolay Kutuzov, Tom Nicholas, Mythology and Fiction Explained, Writing with Jenna Moreci, TIKHistory, Ben and Emily, Kings and Generals, We're in Hell, Knowing Better, AstronautX, A Cup of Nicole, Real Engineering, Kent, The People Profiles, Alayna Joy, Sort of Interesting, Holly the Cafe Boat, Boat Time, Tom Nicholas, Cone of Arc, John Michael Godier, Lady knight the Brave, Swell Entertainment, Serena Skybourne, Noelle Gallagher, Adult Wednesday Addams, DUST, Noah Samsen, Natasha's Adventures, Cold Fusion, Denys Davydov, Spacedock, The Gravel Institute, Between the Wars, The Great War, World War Two, The Chieftain, Sufficiently Advanced Lena, Depressed Russian, Hello Future Me, Media Death Cult, A Life of Lit, Prime of Midlife, Jill Bearup, IzzzYzzz, Patrick is a Navajo, Books with Emily Fox, Merphy Napier, Elena Taber, Petrik Leo, Book Odyssey, Psychology Tube, Max Joseph, Ask a Mortician, The Irish Reader, The Templin Institute, Chill Goblin, Dr Becky, Jack in the Books, Avalishvili, Celtica, Sabaton History, Between the Lines, Overly Sarcastic Productions, Invicta, Euronews, Ana Psychology, UA Courage, Philosophy Tube, Diane Callahan Quotidian Writer, The Leftist Cooks, Linguoer Mechanic.
I wish you a splendid morning, a pleasant afternoon, a fun evening, a superb night and may we all keep learning.
Hope is a sword and Fear is a shield.
Mantra, Children of the Raven
June 29, 2022
A wonderful short visit with the main line and then a thrilling adventure in an urban fantasy apocalypse.
January 14, 2022
This book was in my Audible library for a little while and when I hit play, I don't think I realized that it was the start of a new trilogy. I have already invested in the previous 12 books in the Colin McCool series so it wasn't hard to decide to continue on.
This series seemed like it was going to center on the storyline of Colin apprenticing (not necessarily by choice) with Click and learning more about his Chronomancy abilities. With that being said, this first book doesn't even really spend ANY time on that with the exception of like the first chapter, so that is a bit odd.
Chronomancy is discussed in the beginning, and then the very end - other than that, Colin has decided to head back to a different timeline that he left to try to fix the things .....well, no spoilers so let's just say that he is going back to the Hellpocolypse.
Did I like it? Yes. For the most part. It is interesting to see how characters are still mostly the same - personality wise - , even if they are in a different dimension and timeline. I listened to this on audio and Steven Barnett did a fine job with the narration. (Especially when he does Colin's voice when he shifts....it gets REALLY low and it's fun to listen to)
Can this be read as a standalone? Probably. I think things will make sense at a purely superficial level, but to really understand the relationships and the many odd ball things (like him looking for his Oak) you would really need to start with his original Colin McCool series.
This series seemed like it was going to center on the storyline of Colin apprenticing (not necessarily by choice) with Click and learning more about his Chronomancy abilities. With that being said, this first book doesn't even really spend ANY time on that with the exception of like the first chapter, so that is a bit odd.
Chronomancy is discussed in the beginning, and then the very end - other than that, Colin has decided to head back to a different timeline that he left to try to fix the things .....well, no spoilers so let's just say that he is going back to the Hellpocolypse.
Did I like it? Yes. For the most part. It is interesting to see how characters are still mostly the same - personality wise - , even if they are in a different dimension and timeline. I listened to this on audio and Steven Barnett did a fine job with the narration. (Especially when he does Colin's voice when he shifts....it gets REALLY low and it's fun to listen to)
Can this be read as a standalone? Probably. I think things will make sense at a purely superficial level, but to really understand the relationships and the many odd ball things (like him looking for his Oak) you would really need to start with his original Colin McCool series.
May 3, 2021
I only recently started reading books by this author, and quickly went through the entire back catalogue in just a few weeks. I'm now eagerly waiting for the next book in this series.
The book itself was well written as always, and had M.D Massey's knack for making the reading seem effortless and entirely engrossing, bringing you into the world of it's telling.
I don't want to post any spoilers for anybody that reads this review, so will just say that this book is as per usual with the authors works and don't think anyone would be disappointed by it in any way, shape, or form.
M.D Massey has joined the ranks of my favourite authors in this genre, such as Jim Butcher, Ilona Andrews, Kevin Hearne and Richard Kadrey, to name a few of the greats.
The book itself was well written as always, and had M.D Massey's knack for making the reading seem effortless and entirely engrossing, bringing you into the world of it's telling.
I don't want to post any spoilers for anybody that reads this review, so will just say that this book is as per usual with the authors works and don't think anyone would be disappointed by it in any way, shape, or form.
M.D Massey has joined the ranks of my favourite authors in this genre, such as Jim Butcher, Ilona Andrews, Kevin Hearne and Richard Kadrey, to name a few of the greats.
May 15, 2021
Good read like the other druid books by Massey. It leaves off leading to the next book. Only problem I have is to figure out read order as he doesnt keep them all druid 1, 2, 3 and so on as this book is called something like the trickster series and then a spin off on Crowley with simular name as book 2 of trickster but thats not out yet so I am starting a spin off instead of reading book 2 of the trickster series. Many authors have this problem of continuity over the whole entirety of their works. Very few misspellings or run on sentences, Someone did a good job of proof reading before publish.
May 16, 2024
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
The purpose of Thrifty Thursday is to read a book which was free (at some point).
Kindle freebie on September 3, 2022 (currently $4.99 at Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited as of writing this post)
2.5 hearts
I listened to the first book in the Colin McCool Junkyard Druid series - I own it - and I liked it. That series seems to be the predecessor to this Trickster Cycle series. Skipping the 11 books (at least) between the two books Junkyard Druid and Druid's Folly was a bad idea. I didn't even release the series were related until I was into this one. In Junkyard Druid, it seems like Colin was just living like an ordinary guy but with more knowledge and a few skills. Somewhere in between he got full druid training.
Druid's Folly is story of time portals and wars between supernatural creatures. I believe Colin is using his skills and knowledge to influence things in the past to correct the future issue. Mostly it is fast paced action and battles, without much in the way of understanding about the world. I accept that may be because I didn't read the previous series, as my fault.
The plot however was strange. Only Colin knew his plans and actions and the meaning to them as he races from battle to fight. I am sure I would have enjoyed this much more with the other stories and if this had a little more understanding for the reader about the motivation for Colin's actions.
The purpose of Thrifty Thursday is to read a book which was free (at some point).
Kindle freebie on September 3, 2022 (currently $4.99 at Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited as of writing this post)
2.5 hearts
I listened to the first book in the Colin McCool Junkyard Druid series - I own it - and I liked it. That series seems to be the predecessor to this Trickster Cycle series. Skipping the 11 books (at least) between the two books Junkyard Druid and Druid's Folly was a bad idea. I didn't even release the series were related until I was into this one. In Junkyard Druid, it seems like Colin was just living like an ordinary guy but with more knowledge and a few skills. Somewhere in between he got full druid training.
Druid's Folly is story of time portals and wars between supernatural creatures. I believe Colin is using his skills and knowledge to influence things in the past to correct the future issue. Mostly it is fast paced action and battles, without much in the way of understanding about the world. I accept that may be because I didn't read the previous series, as my fault.
The plot however was strange. Only Colin knew his plans and actions and the meaning to them as he races from battle to fight. I am sure I would have enjoyed this much more with the other stories and if this had a little more understanding for the reader about the motivation for Colin's actions.
April 18, 2021
Oh people.... what has Colin got himself into.
We’ve previously seen a small slice of the Hellpocalypse but it’s worse out there in the wider world. We get to see the alternate versions of Dallas and Austin and they’re not what we’re used to.
Colin wants to go back and fix the alternate world that he was dumped in previously and ran out on. Even as a Master Druid though, Colin creates as nearly as many problems as he fixes.
Great UF with lots of the familiar stuff from Junkyard Druid turned on it head. It’s written in such a way that you don’t necessarily have to have read the previous series.
Love it... want more.
We’ve previously seen a small slice of the Hellpocalypse but it’s worse out there in the wider world. We get to see the alternate versions of Dallas and Austin and they’re not what we’re used to.
Colin wants to go back and fix the alternate world that he was dumped in previously and ran out on. Even as a Master Druid though, Colin creates as nearly as many problems as he fixes.
Great UF with lots of the familiar stuff from Junkyard Druid turned on it head. It’s written in such a way that you don’t necessarily have to have read the previous series.
Love it... want more.
April 26, 2021
This author gave us back Colin, now a master druid. Colin has unfinished business and he makes a deal with Click. He will join the Trickster's Union #113 as long as Click teaches him how to tread timelines. You see, Colin wants to go back to Hellacopalyse to save Anna and the kids. The author's special humor makes the horrors that are put before us to read a little less daunting. Colin grows magically and as a Druid in the book and as you can guess, there is a ton of violence, new and old rivals and new and old friends. The book ends in a cliffhanger that...well...leaves you hanging and panting for the next to be already on its way to us...but it's not. So patience my friend, patience.
April 22, 2021
Tricksters Local #113! OMG!! I wonder who comes and supervises their elections. I nearly died laughing as I grew up on a Union family and have been a member of a Teachers Union for over 3 decades.
This book was fast paced and hilarious, as usual. There are some sobering moments, and Colin’s despair at leaving the kids in danger came through.
Each installment of Colin’s adventures brings new aspics of his character into deeper focus. A truly good book with great dynamic characters that are engaging and fun to read about.
This book was fast paced and hilarious, as usual. There are some sobering moments, and Colin’s despair at leaving the kids in danger came through.
Each installment of Colin’s adventures brings new aspics of his character into deeper focus. A truly good book with great dynamic characters that are engaging and fun to read about.
May 3, 2021
I enjoyed this book much as I did all the other Colin books. There are a few parts I did not like, but I'd have to say I loved most of it.
My only real complaint is that it wasn't nearly long enough. I would like to see more of what exactly happened with the characters we have no confirmation of in the Alternate Timeline, but that I think is a not very big deal either way... mostly because I'm sure his next entry will answer at least some of it.
My only real complaint is that it wasn't nearly long enough. I would like to see more of what exactly happened with the characters we have no confirmation of in the Alternate Timeline, but that I think is a not very big deal either way... mostly because I'm sure his next entry will answer at least some of it.
May 4, 2021
Ah Mcool
How I've missed these books.
I'm so glad we now follow Collin into another direction as a Trickster.
This book is fast paced and wonderfully written as normal.
I adore Collin and his 'other' side lol.
I can't wait to see who else will still be alive in this timeline.
Also his backside is toast when he gets 'home', six months he's been gone, Fallon is going to hurt him 😉
How I've missed these books.
I'm so glad we now follow Collin into another direction as a Trickster.
This book is fast paced and wonderfully written as normal.
I adore Collin and his 'other' side lol.
I can't wait to see who else will still be alive in this timeline.
Also his backside is toast when he gets 'home', six months he's been gone, Fallon is going to hurt him 😉
May 11, 2021
Another Druid book adventure
Colin goes back to the Hellpocalypse to set things right, because setting things right is what he sees as his mission. As the story progresses he finds out that him “making things right” may be the problem. Colin and many characters of the series are busy in this book bringing the Druid universe to life once again and setting up the next book in the Trickster series.
Colin goes back to the Hellpocalypse to set things right, because setting things right is what he sees as his mission. As the story progresses he finds out that him “making things right” may be the problem. Colin and many characters of the series are busy in this book bringing the Druid universe to life once again and setting up the next book in the Trickster series.
June 16, 2023
Love these characters and this universe
These books are so fun to read. I love the characters, the action, the myth and magic, and everything about it. I like how the world in the second half of the book made the main character step back and work harder to get through the world. I definitely recommend this book, series and universe. I look forward to the other books in the series.
These books are so fun to read. I love the characters, the action, the myth and magic, and everything about it. I like how the world in the second half of the book made the main character step back and work harder to get through the world. I definitely recommend this book, series and universe. I look forward to the other books in the series.
May 23, 2024
Ah it’s good to be back in the Druidverse proper. I’ve loved every single book in the Colin McCool series thus far, and the first installment in The Trickster Cycle does not disappoint. My experience with this book is only enhanced after just finishing the THEM series, as this book takes place in that universe. Colin is as funny and cunning as ever, even in a much more dark timeline. I really enjoyed this story and where it leaves off and I’m looking forward to the next.
May 10, 2021
Always a good read
I absolutely love the Violin McCool books. Favorite series next to the Dresden Files. SPOILER ALERT going forward: My only complaint is the whole Hellpocalypse. I really didn't care for that part in the previous series and now this book takes place pretty much entirely there. The story and plot are great. I just don't like the setting. Small complaint.
I absolutely love the Violin McCool books. Favorite series next to the Dresden Files. SPOILER ALERT going forward: My only complaint is the whole Hellpocalypse. I really didn't care for that part in the previous series and now this book takes place pretty much entirely there. The story and plot are great. I just don't like the setting. Small complaint.
April 16, 2021
Wow! This one was all Colin, and what an adventure. Back to zombieland and fighting for survival, trying to keep Anna and the kids safe. Learning friends are alive and in danger, needing rescued gives Colin new goals to arrive for in this alternate universe. Loved it!
April 25, 2021
Another Druid success!
Another excellent Druid novel. Colin has unfinished business in the alternate reality created by the Trickster Click and Colin is a druid on a mission to set things right. The first of three novels, do not miss part one of the trilogy.
Another excellent Druid novel. Colin has unfinished business in the alternate reality created by the Trickster Click and Colin is a druid on a mission to set things right. The first of three novels, do not miss part one of the trilogy.
April 26, 2021
Somehow each book is better than the last lol
Excellent from the start. MD ties everything together so well answering old questions and creating new ones. Fast paced and fun read. Love this series!
Excellent from the start. MD ties everything together so well answering old questions and creating new ones. Fast paced and fun read. Love this series!
April 27, 2021
Wish the books were longer!
I always enjoy losing myself in Colin's (mis)adventures. Massey writes great characters and keeps the action high. The occasional twists and cultural references add to the enjoyment.
I always enjoy losing myself in Colin's (mis)adventures. Massey writes great characters and keeps the action high. The occasional twists and cultural references add to the enjoyment.
May 21, 2021
Colin’s back…
The new junkyard Druid arc starts curving; I love this book - its a worthy continuation of Colin McCools story, egged on by Click, Colin returns to the hellpocalypse and it’s getting worse
The new junkyard Druid arc starts curving; I love this book - its a worthy continuation of Colin McCools story, egged on by Click, Colin returns to the hellpocalypse and it’s getting worse
May 26, 2021
Great story continuation
Glad to get more involved in the other timeline, Counteraction Werewolf Apocalypse. Ready for the next. Interesting complications, as always keep the intrigue building.
Glad to get more involved in the other timeline, Counteraction Werewolf Apocalypse. Ready for the next. Interesting complications, as always keep the intrigue building.
July 2, 2021
Nice start to a new cycle of stories about Colin McCool, now a master druid. He joins the Trickster union and with that learns how to travel the timelines and goes back to the Hellocalypse to save some people he met there before. And we're off...
August 14, 2021
How do you get away with telling your fans that the series is only going to be 12 books long and then writing even more books?
You label book 13 as book 1 of a new series, that's how!
once again, MD Massey impresses! looking forward to book 2!
You label book 13 as book 1 of a new series, that's how!
once again, MD Massey impresses! looking forward to book 2!
September 3, 2021
Absolutely brilliant
Take Them. Take the Junkyard druid. Take shadow changing. All of which are fantastic and I love. Smoosh them all together and you get a story that is greater than its parts! Best one yet!
Take Them. Take the Junkyard druid. Take shadow changing. All of which are fantastic and I love. Smoosh them all together and you get a story that is greater than its parts! Best one yet!
October 18, 2021
So "cool"!
I love Colin! He is well written, and he makes me laugh sometimes. He wants to save the worlds. Unfortunately, his methods sometimes fall short. Exciting magical battles, werewolves, and unexpected twists twists in the plot. Fantastic book !
I love Colin! He is well written, and he makes me laugh sometimes. He wants to save the worlds. Unfortunately, his methods sometimes fall short. Exciting magical battles, werewolves, and unexpected twists twists in the plot. Fantastic book !
November 22, 2021
Loved it!!
Colin goes back to the them universe timeline to try to help the people he met while there before. Future versions of a lot of the characters from the druidverse are there as well. MD Massey delivers a great story. I will read everything he publishes.
Colin goes back to the them universe timeline to try to help the people he met while there before. Future versions of a lot of the characters from the druidverse are there as well. MD Massey delivers a great story. I will read everything he publishes.
January 3, 2022
DNF
The story itself moved at a decent pace and was mostly enjoyable. Characters and their dialogue corny and never quite develop. Massey, it seems, tries to write in the style of Kevin Hearne and Richard Kadrey but doesn't pull it off. Gave up 60% through it.
The story itself moved at a decent pace and was mostly enjoyable. Characters and their dialogue corny and never quite develop. Massey, it seems, tries to write in the style of Kevin Hearne and Richard Kadrey but doesn't pull it off. Gave up 60% through it.
January 3, 2023
never falls to please
As always, good twist and turns in the lot, fast paced and just so good to read. Only problem is the loss of sleep as I stayed up til 5am to finish Druid”s folly.
As always, good twist and turns in the lot, fast paced and just so good to read. Only problem is the loss of sleep as I stayed up til 5am to finish Druid”s folly.
April 18, 2021
Loved it ! Left me wanting more - love the insight into Crowleys character, and love the way it’s setting up for some great adventures between him and Colin.
April 25, 2021
Colin is now an alleged master druid. He finds himself back in the Hellpocolypse, this time by choice to wrap up some unfinished business
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