What do you think?
Rate this book
The Trickster Cycle #3
Druid's Bane
When Colin is called back to Austin by his mystical mentor, he’s faced with a new threat–a bevy of Greek gods who threaten to take over his beloved city!
Colin McCool here, everyone’s favorite smart-aleck druid and all-around trouble magnet. Something supernaturally weird is going on in my town. I leave for six months to another timeline, and the place is on fire when I get back.
As in, literally… on… fire.
Now my girlfriend is missing, the vampire and werewolf factions are at war, the local fae queen has become a lock-in, and a strange cult has popped up that’s somehow connected to this whole mess.
Looks like it’s up to me to lift the curse, keep the factions from killing each other, rescue the queen, and find my missing girlfriend. While I’m at it, maybe I’ll figure out who’s trying to burn my town to the ground—and return the favor.
Sounds like just another Tuesday for Austin’s most eligible over-caffeinated druid. A little kicking butt and taking names, and I'll have this mystery wrapped up in no time. Dimes to donuts, I’ll be back at my pad sipping Ben Milam by the evening whistle…
Colin McCool here, everyone’s favorite smart-aleck druid and all-around trouble magnet. Something supernaturally weird is going on in my town. I leave for six months to another timeline, and the place is on fire when I get back.
As in, literally… on… fire.
Now my girlfriend is missing, the vampire and werewolf factions are at war, the local fae queen has become a lock-in, and a strange cult has popped up that’s somehow connected to this whole mess.
Looks like it’s up to me to lift the curse, keep the factions from killing each other, rescue the queen, and find my missing girlfriend. While I’m at it, maybe I’ll figure out who’s trying to burn my town to the ground—and return the favor.
Sounds like just another Tuesday for Austin’s most eligible over-caffeinated druid. A little kicking butt and taking names, and I'll have this mystery wrapped up in no time. Dimes to donuts, I’ll be back at my pad sipping Ben Milam by the evening whistle…
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 14, 2022
196 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
M.D. Massey
65 books570 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 28, 2022
Great as always!!
As ever my only complaint is they end too soon and the next book is always too far away! I love all the Junkyard Druid related books and eagerly await more. Thank you, Massey, for giving us a good strong male protagonist who isn't rippling muscles, saving a bimbo, or trying to out list the descriptive words for bodily fluids. Not one mention of glistening chests, heaving bosoms or ridiculous euphemism for female anatomy. The characters feel all the more real for the lack of the more intimate details detailing the characters' relationships. That said, there's no lack of description or detail in the rest of the characters' stories and worlds.
I'll try to be vague and not create a spoiler but a specific reference follows.
I loved the stronger presence of the old man here. I miss him terribly and I'm hoping this stronger presence and his very brief pop in are indications of the old man's return in some way?!
All in all great read and can't wait for the rest!! Hats off Mr. Massey
As ever my only complaint is they end too soon and the next book is always too far away! I love all the Junkyard Druid related books and eagerly await more. Thank you, Massey, for giving us a good strong male protagonist who isn't rippling muscles, saving a bimbo, or trying to out list the descriptive words for bodily fluids. Not one mention of glistening chests, heaving bosoms or ridiculous euphemism for female anatomy. The characters feel all the more real for the lack of the more intimate details detailing the characters' relationships. That said, there's no lack of description or detail in the rest of the characters' stories and worlds.
I'll try to be vague and not create a spoiler but a specific reference follows.
I loved the stronger presence of the old man here. I miss him terribly and I'm hoping this stronger presence and his very brief pop in are indications of the old man's return in some way?!
All in all great read and can't wait for the rest!! Hats off Mr. Massey
July 21, 2022
Colin is really hitting his stride!
As this series has progressed Colin has grown and matured and his adventures have become all the crazier. How one person can so innocently get on the wrong side of so many makes for amazing adventures and storytelling. Really looking forward to the continuation of this series! Each book is easy to enjoy on it's own, but the overall overarching storyline is slowly building and promises some great twists and turns.
As this series has progressed Colin has grown and matured and his adventures have become all the crazier. How one person can so innocently get on the wrong side of so many makes for amazing adventures and storytelling. Really looking forward to the continuation of this series! Each book is easy to enjoy on it's own, but the overall overarching storyline is slowly building and promises some great twists and turns.
July 30, 2022
When Colin returns from the Hellpocalyse timeline he thought he'd only been gone for a few days. Turns out it's been 6 months and Austin has become a place of madness.
Colin and friends go to finding who's behind it and set to do something about it.
An excellent, tongue firmly in cheek adventure with their loved ones all in danger. The Greeks have come to town.
Colin and friends go to finding who's behind it and set to do something about it.
An excellent, tongue firmly in cheek adventure with their loved ones all in danger. The Greeks have come to town.
July 18, 2022
Colin never catches a break, although a book about Colin having an easy life wouldn’t be that interesting. He back in Austin in his own timeline, but things have gone wonky while he’s been away. The Greeks have started causing trouble and it’s affecting the whole of the city.
As usual the book is well written. I like the introduction of Heracles and we get a better look at The King Under The Mountain. The story moves along at a good pace and I was very much “just one more chapter”.
As usual the book is well written. I like the introduction of Heracles and we get a better look at The King Under The Mountain. The story moves along at a good pace and I was very much “just one more chapter”.
August 4, 2022
Good but not his best
Does far better than most at keeping life in a long running series. But this release is not quite up to his own best efforts in this series in terms of clever plot progression, humor and adventurous excitement. But it's definitely essential and worthwhile if you liked any of his Colin McCool books. Definitely has the main character acting less brain dead and aimless. At the end it's easier to follow Colin because he has multiple plans going past the next hour starting up...ending the book with a proper cliffhanger rather than just a crisis and no clue as to the future direction of solution
Does far better than most at keeping life in a long running series. But this release is not quite up to his own best efforts in this series in terms of clever plot progression, humor and adventurous excitement. But it's definitely essential and worthwhile if you liked any of his Colin McCool books. Definitely has the main character acting less brain dead and aimless. At the end it's easier to follow Colin because he has multiple plans going past the next hour starting up...ending the book with a proper cliffhanger rather than just a crisis and no clue as to the future direction of solution
August 24, 2022
Violence 3.75*s. Instead of planes, trains, and automobiles, Collin and friends use Druid-mobiles, wyverns, tree-asisted teleports, and a sentient fun-house like hall in this questing road-trip, meeting unusual characters and taking on challenges as best they can.
This series episode seems to be an homage to the Herculean quests, so it makes sense that Hercules (or his Germanic version) has a cameo roll inTrickster part three. As a dyslexic reader, who has also tried learning Hebrew (which reads right to left) I appreciate the Trickster that speaks "backward". H... doesn't make much sense for those reading via Audible at first, but thanks to TTS, the readers with written copies may have the advantage THIS time. I will also look at a " church key" (can/ bottle opener?) with new respect, thanks to the Femorian's employment of the thing. Certainly an out-side-the-box use for an ordinary kitchen tool. Bravo! Mr. Tarantino would be proud. I look forward to book 4 of this series, hopefully soon. Never a dull moment.
*This is my honest, voluntary review as a KU subscriber, read via TTS.
This series episode seems to be an homage to the Herculean quests, so it makes sense that Hercules (or his Germanic version) has a cameo roll inTrickster part three. As a dyslexic reader, who has also tried learning Hebrew (which reads right to left) I appreciate the Trickster that speaks "backward". H... doesn't make much sense for those reading via Audible at first, but thanks to TTS, the readers with written copies may have the advantage THIS time. I will also look at a " church key" (can/ bottle opener?) with new respect, thanks to the Femorian's employment of the thing. Certainly an out-side-the-box use for an ordinary kitchen tool. Bravo! Mr. Tarantino would be proud. I look forward to book 4 of this series, hopefully soon. Never a dull moment.
*This is my honest, voluntary review as a KU subscriber, read via TTS.
July 16, 2022
Loved it! Loved the made up words! Great storytelling! Poor Colin really has a mess to try and untangle on many fronts as there are goddesses and tricksters causing mayhem in his city while he was out of town. Maeve is trapped in her mansion, the werewolves and the vampires are skirmishing, and the city is tearing itself apart and its all due to the two troublemakers on the loose that he comes home to. He also learns of some plans that Finnegas had for him for long term that he wants to put into play when he gets things settled. Another great tale!
September 4, 2022
The Junkyard Druid has matured from being the reluctant, often irritating, young druid in the first book in the series to now. Author M.D. Massey has taken his character, Colin, from being an immature, untrained druid to an accomplished magic wielder who takes his obligations seriously. As Colin has grown, so has his challenges and his enemies.
There are not very many slow places in Druid's Bane. It is an entertaining story that will transport you quickly through the latest challenge for the Junkyard Druid.
There are not very many slow places in Druid's Bane. It is an entertaining story that will transport you quickly through the latest challenge for the Junkyard Druid.
July 27, 2022
Awesome as per usual 😁😁
Sooooooo, Collin has come back way after he should have, six months to be exactly!
Not good.
In that time it seems the this timeline has gone super crazy.
Everyone's fighting each other and others are after Collin 🤔🤔
He finds out the Goddess of cray, cray is in the house and sending his friends and even the Fae Queen into a meltdown.
Can he, Hemi and Fallon set the world back to the way it was?????
Great characters and brill writing.
Sooooooo, Collin has come back way after he should have, six months to be exactly!
Not good.
In that time it seems the this timeline has gone super crazy.
Everyone's fighting each other and others are after Collin 🤔🤔
He finds out the Goddess of cray, cray is in the house and sending his friends and even the Fae Queen into a meltdown.
Can he, Hemi and Fallon set the world back to the way it was?????
Great characters and brill writing.
August 2, 2022
So good you hate to finish it!
Colin sets of with Hemi and Fallyn to be his city. Click pops in and out to add to the fun. Maeve, Sampson and Luther need Colin's intervention once he catches up on the six months he was missing. Lots of monsters, mayhem and magical beings. Who knew a church key could save the city? I can't wait for the next book.
Colin sets of with Hemi and Fallyn to be his city. Click pops in and out to add to the fun. Maeve, Sampson and Luther need Colin's intervention once he catches up on the six months he was missing. Lots of monsters, mayhem and magical beings. Who knew a church key could save the city? I can't wait for the next book.
January 8, 2023
zombies, god’s, deomons etc
Different time lines different curses different problems that’s where this book lies -poor Druid has a fight on every front and many different dimensions he can’t turn around without having to fight kill or fix something but for all the strange requests we find out in the end that some of these things are for his own good
Different time lines different curses different problems that’s where this book lies -poor Druid has a fight on every front and many different dimensions he can’t turn around without having to fight kill or fix something but for all the strange requests we find out in the end that some of these things are for his own good
June 17, 2023
Lots of action and fun
This book was filled with action and fun, magic, wyverns, and all sorts of other fun. The characters are being more filled out over time, the stories get more engaging, the world more interesting and overall a great book and series. I definitely recommend this book and series.
This book was filled with action and fun, magic, wyverns, and all sorts of other fun. The characters are being more filled out over time, the stories get more engaging, the world more interesting and overall a great book and series. I definitely recommend this book and series.
July 9, 2024
Colin’s Adventure Continues…
Colin has made his return to Austin as chaos ensues. The conflict in this installment is much larger than usual, affecting the world around Colin much more directly.
Side note: Something I’ve come to learn about reading the Colin McCool series is each quartet of books are best seen as one larger story, rather than four individual ones.
Colin has made his return to Austin as chaos ensues. The conflict in this installment is much larger than usual, affecting the world around Colin much more directly.
Side note: Something I’ve come to learn about reading the Colin McCool series is each quartet of books are best seen as one larger story, rather than four individual ones.
July 30, 2022
Another Cliffhanger
One Adventure after the Next. Hard to believe Colin always seem to Triumph. The Bad Guys keep trying and I’m anxious to see how he wiggles out of the next Catastrophe.
One Adventure after the Next. Hard to believe Colin always seem to Triumph. The Bad Guys keep trying and I’m anxious to see how he wiggles out of the next Catastrophe.
August 17, 2022
Great read!
I really enjoyed this addition to the Trickster Cycle.. Colin is one of my favorite characters! I enjoy the predicaments he gets into and out of with his band of friends!
I really enjoyed this addition to the Trickster Cycle.. Colin is one of my favorite characters! I enjoy the predicaments he gets into and out of with his band of friends!
July 15, 2023
Great as always
Another great Junkyard Druid adventure. It's great to see the adventures moving outside just the Celtic mythology, though I do love that part. Massey continues to do a great job of grabbing your attention early and moving the plot forward at just the right pace.
Another great Junkyard Druid adventure. It's great to see the adventures moving outside just the Celtic mythology, though I do love that part. Massey continues to do a great job of grabbing your attention early and moving the plot forward at just the right pace.
July 16, 2022
Loved it ! Colin comes home to trouble and yet again has to go off to save the day. As usual MD Massey has grabbed us from the first chapter and hasn’t let go. Absolutely riveting series.
July 20, 2022
Great Story
Colin remains a HUGE enigma at the close of this story. Overall I found this to be an entertaining read and look forward to the rest of the series!
Colin remains a HUGE enigma at the close of this story. Overall I found this to be an entertaining read and look forward to the rest of the series!
July 22, 2022
A fun read
Massey once again tells a fun tale. The character grows and learns while still having a good dose of humor in the mix. Well done good sir!
Massey once again tells a fun tale. The character grows and learns while still having a good dose of humor in the mix. Well done good sir!
July 23, 2022
Poor Colin
This more of Colin's adventure in his very trouble filled life that he leads. When is the next chapter going to be out, I am really looking forward to it.
This more of Colin's adventure in his very trouble filled life that he leads. When is the next chapter going to be out, I am really looking forward to it.
July 28, 2022
good book!!
I really enjoyed reading this book. It is another great story in the Druidverse saga! I highly recommend this series to anyone that loves urban fantasy!!
I really enjoyed reading this book. It is another great story in the Druidverse saga! I highly recommend this series to anyone that loves urban fantasy!!
August 15, 2022
A fine read
!massey did not disappoint. Truly engaged so the way thru
Am excited for the next book
Thanks for the joy ride
!massey did not disappoint. Truly engaged so the way thru
Am excited for the next book
Thanks for the joy ride
August 16, 2022
Loved it!
Loved the new dimensions, bad guys, seeing the way the Trickster Cycle is going headlong into crazy. Can’t wait for the finale!
Loved the new dimensions, bad guys, seeing the way the Trickster Cycle is going headlong into crazy. Can’t wait for the finale!
August 16, 2022
Love this series. Will keep you entertained throughout the book.
October 24, 2022
Another very good book in McCool series.
December 22, 2022
I love this series. I patiently waiting for the next book.
January 14, 2023
funny as 🤣
Colin has fast become my favorite character, and Massey my favorite author. I have lost so much sleep 😴 where I can’t put the book’s down 🤣
Colin has fast become my favorite character, and Massey my favorite author. I have lost so much sleep 😴 where I can’t put the book’s down 🤣
February 5, 2023
Magical rabies? Really.
I generally enjoy this series but not so much this one. It seemed disjointed, lots of plot twists going nowhere. The characters seemed flat too. Sorry dude.
I generally enjoy this series but not so much this one. It seemed disjointed, lots of plot twists going nowhere. The characters seemed flat too. Sorry dude.
April 5, 2023
This spin off series is actually better than the original
March 14, 2024
Great read
This was an enjoyable read the use of characters from legend and myth entwined in reality is interesting and entertaining ,I look forward to the next book in the series
This was an enjoyable read the use of characters from legend and myth entwined in reality is interesting and entertaining ,I look forward to the next book in the series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews