Scourged: The Iron Druid Chronicles, Book Ten

This book felt like the author was ready for the series to end and rushed towards the finish line. I can't believe that is how the main character is left at the end. Spoiler alert: As for relationships where love has been stated and shown, it only takes 1 slip up for a person walk away, that's bull. Also comparing what Atticus did to Granuaile to what Fidales did to Perun is a superficial look of their actions. Yes they both manipulated thier significant other without their knowledge, but one was out of love and fear for thiers soulmates safety and life while the other was a case of someone being used as a tool or a means to an end without thier knowledge. That's just one of my issues with this book. The final battle of Ragnarok was anticlimatic, the world serpents death was nothing, Atticus is made to duel a god without access to Earth's power. I read books as enjoyable entertainment not to be pissed off at the end when the main character is screwed over. Yes there is a possibility he'll get his arm and tattoos back maybe and who knows when. Then we are told his story is over, so please read my new sieres. I will never read a Kevin Hearne book again. The first 8 books were great, if over priced. I feel cheated of the $100 investment in this series. There are authors just good that sell ebooks for $5 instead of $15. I don't think a book or book series has ever left me this disappointed and mad.

I have now completed book 9 and have mixed feelings on whether this author should continue this series, or maybe writing in general. His narrative decisions make no sense, his characters are really starting to make no sense, and he's now constantly preaching from the pulpit. I feel like Mr. Hearne stopped having fun writing these books around book 6. I tried reading a couple other of his adjacent books in the same storyline, and I think maybe he's just lost the passion for writing in general. Hearne's tried to spice things up by trifurcating the narratives in the story, but instead of letting the reader down only 1 way, he now does it 3 ways, simultaneously. Lesson learned, I'll be leaving Mr. Hearne's newer books on the shelves.

I've read this series several times and I've thoroughly enjoyed each and every time... with the exception of this book. You'll read it in several reviews if you look around but (without spoilers) several of the major plot elements are abruptly resolved with zero conflict. The book is rushed towards the ending and weighs very close to novella length. This book kind of killed the whole series for me, probably won't read it again, which is a shame... Like I said, I've been a huge fan.