Hammered discussion

How many of you who have read Iron Druid series of books (Hounded, Hexed and Hammered) relate to the concept of druidism as portrayed in this series?

It's an interesting take on this particular form of Paganism. It read like the author might have done some research on Druids before he put his own special twist on it.

Holly: "It's an interesting take on this particular form of Paganism. It read like the author might have done some research on Druids before he put his own special twist on it." I agree it's an interesting take, especially the tattoo/earth connection concept. Sure more appealing that a crowd of people gathering at Stonehenge once a year (grin).

I have read all three and just adore Kevin Hearne's work. It is clear he did a lot of research writing the series. Just look at the swords and his descriptions of Norse mythology.

Not to sound pedantic, but as Hearne himself pointed out (somewhere), nobody really knows anything about the druids. They had an alphabet of sorts, but all of their knowledge was transmitted orally and so their rituals, practices, cosmology/theology is practically unknown. Many of the druids were wiped out by the Romans in Britain and France or just became rejected from their own culture in Ireland due to St. Patrick bringing Christianity to the Emerald Isle. The "snakes" he supposedly drove out of Ireland is a reference to the Druids. One of the few direct eye-witness accounts available is Julius Ceaser's Conquest of Gaul (France). He dwells a lot on the Gaul's use of human sacrifice and use of magic, but doesn't give a lot of details about either.

Wouldn't it be nice if there were some Hearne-ish Druids roaming about? I definitely felt a kind of wistful kinship with Atticus regarding his connection to the Earth. As far as I am concerned, we all need to be more focused on our connection to the Earth.

I really enjoy the Iron Druid Universe that Hearne has created.

It was a belief that they did actually tattoo themselves in that way, and since they used needles "of the earth" (sharpened splinters, pine, etc) and did it by hand to cover massive parts of their body, it would have taken months. They used natural pigments (it was said) so they felt this connected them to the earth. Of course these are all assumptions, and the only people who know anything about actual druidism live somewhere around Scotland or Britain. And if they are actual descendants of druids, they wouldn't be permitted to speak of what happens within the group or families. It all sounds very conspiracy theorist I understand, but this again, is what historians and the more educated religious leaders of the druidic groups have shared or discovered.

I know this is an old thread...but if you guys are curious about "modern-day" Druids, there are a couple organizations of exactly that. For the most part, none of them claim to know what the Druids of pre-Roman times did, but there's a pretty lively tradition of what you might call "neo-Druidry" that dates back to about the 1700s.

The main organization is the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids, based in the UK, but there are also a couple American organizations as well.

Cool :-) thanks Elizabeth.

Honestly, these books are one of my favorite works built around pagan religion. There is some part of me that really wants the concept of Druids (the way Hearne depicts) to be real, always enjoyed the mystical appeal. (Then again it could be possible, I mean really who knows?)Overall, these books have great appeal to anyone wanting to learn some history about Celtic Mythology even if some of it is filler information that is still unknown, it paints a wonderful picture.

Love this series. One of the few authors that makes me laugh out loud & dazzles me with the depth of his research into Celtic, Norse & Czech history/mythology.

Has everyone already read Shattered? I'm saving it.

I just received it in the mail and as such, it will be my very next book to read.

One of my favorite SERIES EVER!!!!

Kimberly,

Do you not thoroughly enjoy these books. The wit, jokes and action. It is never a dull moment with Atticus, Granuaile and Oberon.

VERY MUCH - I actually do the AUDIBLE version of the books-the narrator Luke is PERFECT with his accents and is just perfect for Kevin's books...
The only other author that I feel has come close to Kevin's UF books for this Genre is Ben Hale, author

The publicised orders of Druids are I believe really people inspired by druids, so called themselves druids and tried to invent the lore arround themselves. And a lot of the nutjobs at stonehenge claiming to be Druids have been proven to be nutters and recorded in discussions trying to compose rites and traditions they later tried to tell the press was handed down to them for generations... one even believes himself to be King Arthur reborn, claims to be the king of England but actually claims excalibur is a crystal he holds whilst he has group orgies with middle aged women and smokes pot.

Its believed/or a myth, that Druids may still exist in places like the Isle of Mann or Ireland, but they are a very secretive order and their lore is oral. If you are not born into it you are not included. More is known about the celtic people and their mythologies than is actually known about the Druids themselves. What we do know comes from Romans who were trying to wipe them out so may have been using propaganda. (the romans claim druids practiced human sacrifice) The only thing scholars are sure of is "Next to nothing is known for certain about their cultic practice, except for the ritual of oak and mistletoe as described by Pliny the Elder." He was a Roman with Julius Caesar when then invaded the UK.

The only thing we know/believe is throughout history Druids are portrayed and recalled as aligned with the earth, Gia, and nature. Herbalists, healers and wise men. Often associated with specific groves of trees. Specualted but not proven to be associated with the stone henges (there are more than one) But if you look at the stone henges in scotland they seem more likely aligned with norse gods with some of the stones being named after the norse pantheon. Much else is speculation. Myths also associate the celtic peoples tattos as connecting them with the earth.

I think The Iron Druid is an excellent series, and he's really researched the Celtic Myths and the beliefs about Druids. His portrayl seems spot on to me, and I love it.

I've just started shattered - not keen on the bits from Granuaile point of view they seem to me a bit stifled, not as funny, cutting edge or exciting as when he's writing from Atticus's point of view.

I just started shattered also and though ATICUS is my fav character I am enjoying the addition of hearing what she thinks and her new dog...BUT Oberon takes the cake/sausage as always!!!

Grimnir wrote: "The publicised orders of Druids are I believe really people inspired by druids, so called themselves druids and tried to invent the lore arround themselves. And a lot of the nutjobs at stonehenge c..."

Grimnir,

All I can say about what you have provided is "WOW"; you really did some background on this topic before you did this reply. But as to Granuaile's POV; I can see it is necessary that Kevin provides new insights and thought processes from her to more establish her characters background.

Kimberly wrote: "I just started shattered also and though ATICUS is my fav character I am enjoying the addition of hearing what she thinks and her new dog...BUT Oberon takes the cake/sausage as always!!!"

I had planned on reading Shattered as my next book; but it turns out that the copy I received in the mail along with Jim Butchers "Skin Game" were my signed books by the authors that I ordered back in February.

But I can see in my mind "Oberon" asking for the sausage though.

Alan-do u not read signed copies??
Just curious

Kimberly,

To answer your question; No I do not read my signed Hardbacks or my Paperbacks. I buy another book to read from. I know it sounds crazy, but that is what I do.

It does not sound crazy just your preference...I have a kindle so sometimes I may own the Ebook and a paper copy...but rarely...

For me; when I get a signed novel, it is a collectors item for me. I tried the Ebook; but just did not like it that much. I much rather prefer the ole fashioned book that I can hold. Besides, some of the newer novels by authors I read all the time cost me more on Ebook than the actual hardback itself.

I will be going to Book bash here in Orlando this wkend- since I do Ebook most of the time I make up postcards with the authors Picts and book covers and have them sign those -
AND my daughter and I sent in to Kevin the author of the Iron Druid series for a signed book mark he was giving away at the time and she drew him a badass drawing with Oberon and ATICUS and the manticore ect and Kevin sent back a "hand" written letter that Lainey and I were floored to have. I have some signed books by authors I think I will prob never have the chance to meet but I do read them... Hope u have a great wkend coming up

I have written to a couple of authors and got a simple post card back (from their agent)that stated that the author can not do that and I thought that you wee going to say that he did that to you. Glad that was not the case. Which ones have you and your daughter collected so far?

Together her and I only listen to Kevin's books because some of the others have a little more sex in them than is appropriate for her age(10)

And that was a special deal with Kevin...from his FB page or website..

But on my own I have paid a little more for an autographed book by...
-Sherrilyn Kenyon (prob my Fav)
-Lara Adrian
-JR Ward(2nd) Fav
From book signings...
Kendall Grey(#1 indie writer)
RK Lilley

And then I have different signed swag from other authors...

I am hoping to get a book signed by Jennifer Armentrout and Colleen Hoover this weekend-other authors will just sign my picture postcards I made up

Kimberly,

Impressive! I have books signed by Jim Butcher, Clive Cussler, Preston and Child (Fever Dream),Kevin Hearne, Kelly Armstrong, Jenna Black, Cindy Holby and Kari Johnson. My two most favorite are from authors Mark L. Donald (Battle Ready) and James Bradley (Flags of Our Fathers). Mark was a Navy Corpsman like me and went much further than I and became a Navy Seal and then on to become a Doctor. James Bradley is the son of John Bradley who was a US Navy Corpsman in WWII. Have you ever seen images of the service members raising the US Flag on Iwo Jima; he was one of those who helped to raise the flag. So both authors made a very special notation to me, as I had also served as a Navy Corpsman. I humbled to have been a US Navy Corpsman and while I served for over 20 years, I did not do anything like my "fellow" brethren had to endure.

Very very cool!!!

Kimberly,

Did you and your daughter obtain any authors signature this weekend?

Well she only went with me on Friday and she did enjoy but got really tired in the end

And volunteering this year really wore me out BUT I loved it!!!

Anyone interested in this line of thought may want to consider reading The White Goddess: A Historical Grammar of Poetic Myth. It's a love it/hate it kind of book, but whatever you feel for it, the author is very correct in stating it's not something you read when tired.

Oh, thank you, Craig! I don't know how that managed to evade my to-read shelf until now.

Elizabeth wrote: "Oh, thank you, Craig! I don't know how that managed to evade my to-read shelf until now."

You're welcome. You might also enjoy The Reenchantment of the World and Joseph Campbell's Primitive Mythology. Come to think of it, you might also try Homo Necans: The Anthropology of Ancient Greek Sacrificial Ritual and Myth. Take care and enjoy your weekend.

Alan wrote: "Kimberly,

Impressive! I have books signed by Jim Butcher, Clive Cussler, Preston and Child (Fever Dream),Kevin Hearne, Kelly Armstrong, Jenna Black, Cindy Holby and Kari Johnson. My two most fav..."

Alan,with your professional history and your liking for fantasy, you might try The Knight and its sequel The Wizard. Despite some truly atrocious cover art, I think you could relate to them.