Hexed

Kevin Hearne

Harper Voyager (2011)

Hexed is an entrant in the newish genre of Urban Fantasy, in which old-style characters like werewolves and vampires are brought into the modern world. The genre has appeal to teenagers particularly – something about having these supercool powers, knowing you have them, but keeping them hidden from others. We see a similar feel in the teenager superhero films and novels. Some live up to their promise and become a good story, others are becoming clichéd. Hexed is a highly detailed story that doesn’t stray too much into cliché. It still has a slight teenager look but is a top read for adults as well.

Atticus O’Sullivan is a Druid, the last survivor of the Church’s pogrom against all spiritual leaders except their own. He is very much an earth spirit, drawing his strength from the earth and feeling an obligation to heal the land wherever it has been damaged. He has a range of magical powers available to him, but as befits a Druid he does not have a single killing spell. For that he has a very powerful sword.

Things are restless in the supernatural plane. Atticus has had to kill one of the leading gods who threatened to release the demons into the world. The killing has made him a target for the rest of the gods. They either want to kill him in revenge or they want him to assassinate more gods for them. Supernatural politics are becoming interesting.

Atticus lives in Tempe, Arizona, a small American city where he runs a bookstore specialising in the occult, and he does herbalist work as well. Although he is still young (in human terms) he is 2100 years old due to an anti-aging potion he can make. He is regarded as a bit of a harmless eccentric by the townspeople. This impression is reinforced as he pedals around town with his huge sword strapped to his back

He is not the only supernatural in town. The local Indians have their own spirit, there is a coven of witches living in town, his solicitor is a werewolf from the local pack and the junior solicitor is a vampire. The town has its own population of ghouls and other creatures, but is generally quiet. The witches are his biggest problem – traditionally druids and witches do not get on - and he is about to sign a non-aggression pact with them, so all seems well.

Then a new coven begins to move into town. They are a nasty bunch who were on Hitler’s side during World War II and now they are after Atticus. There are two strangers dressed as a rabbi and a priest who are also taking an interest in him. A fallen angel is eating kids at the local school. Two randy Celtic goddesses are competing for power and both want his body. At least they don’t want it dead – yet.

Atticus is left to try to organise resistance against the new coven and sort out the other newcomers. He will get some help from the locals but his powers are better suited to mass slaughter. He is involuntarily helped in this by his suspicious next door neighbour who is an arms dealer.

There is a lot going on throughout the book, which is fast-paced all the way. It only slows a little to explain the different powers and spells of the protagonists and this just gives us a better understanding of the story rather than slow it down much. There are even touches of humour, especially when Atticus is talking telepathically to his hound, Oberon. Oberon is not much of a fighter but will defend Atticus to the death if he should be attacked by a chicken-and-apple sausage.

The mythology in the book tends to be very Irish-based and perhaps seeing mentions of characters from Irish folklore is meant to put us at our ease. This doesn’t work, though, as a more treacherous and power-hungry mob of self-servers is hard to imagine.

Hexed is part of a planned six-novel series and much of the story refers back to the first novel, Hounded. This is skilfully handled so we do not need those interminable “what happened before …” stories. Hearne fills in the gaps for us as needed, so the story doesn’t slow down. The bits and pieces of information he doles out not only bring us up to date but help us picture the characters better. I wish I had been able to start with Volume 1, but it’s now on my “To Buy” list. The others will join it as fast as they come out.

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