I've off and on been enjoying this Dresden-Lite series. Like much hero-based lit, the protagonist's powers can creep to ridiculous levels. Mortals facing deities is always silly. Ending a series in Ragnorak is silly too. Even so, the author managed to hit a reset at the end that might allow for enjoyable short fiction in this milieu. ( )

3.5 stars
What a bittersweet ending to the series. Some good may have come out of Atticus' inability to be an adult, but since this is the last book in the series, there's no telling what will happen in the end. The gods all got their recompense for his immaturity, but it was a steep price to pay.

Of the three druids, I liked Owen Kennedy (Oaken Druid) the best. He's cantankerous and growly, but underneath it all, he genuinely cares for the people, creatures, and the Earth under his care.

While I don't see this series as a successor to Harry Dresden (that honour went to [b:Fated|11737387|Fated (Alex Verus, #1)|Benedict Jacka|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1330906653s/11737387.jpg|16686573]), it is a nice addition to the genre in general. ( )

Oooof, oof, oof, oof. Kevin Hearne, why? I mean, I get that you feel you need to end this series. I get that Atticus' longstanding story arc couldn't just continue indefinitely, but couldn't it have resolved and then a new arc started? I am going to miss these characters so much, and while I think that ultimately your ending makes sense and is perfectly fair in a hard-core sort of way, I really miss the lighthearted chaos of the first adventures, when everyone wasn't such a responsible adult. Strong ending to a strong series, and trust me you won't be disappointed when the adventure sloth takes the field.

Advanced Reader's copy provided by Edelweiss. ( )

The final Iron Druid book? Not likely! I didn't care for this one as much as the others, after many books avoiding the plot he created, I didn't like the way that Hearne wrapped this one up. It felt abrupt and unsatisfying. ( )

I bought a signed copy of this book around the time it came out, before I heard that the general conclusion of other readers’ was disappointment. It sat on my TBR shelf neglected ever since. But recently I read a review for the second book in his new series, which is winging its way to me as I write this and in that review it’s mentioned that Atticus and Oberon play a part and they get the ending they deserve.

Well, in order to appreciate the ending they deserve, I needed to know about the ending they got, so, being in a very bad mood yesterday anyway, I grabbed this book and thought “let’s get this over with”.

And it turned out, I guess because I was braced for the worst, that I didn’t think it was so bad after all. Yes, if you agree with the premise that not all promises are meant to be kept, Atticus’ ending was pretty dire in consequence of keeping that ill-fated promise. And no, I didn’t really enjoy all the self-flagellation Atticus had going on, nor did I think Granuaile’s reaction at the end entirely proportional. But over everything else was kind of fun. I enjoyed seeing all the pantheons show up, and I liked the humour and the ever-so-subtle oneupmanship between them. And as much as I love Oberon, I wasn’t unhappy with his smaller role in this book. There’s a fine line, I think, between Oberon being adorable and funny, and Oberon being insanely obnoxious, and this book found that line before it crossed it.

I’m not sorry to see the series come to a conclusion, though I’ll miss the characters. I am glad I read it too, because I’m really looking forward to what I can only guess is Atticus’ redemption in the new series, Blood and Ink. ( )