7 Answers
On quieter nights when I re-read parts of the series, 'Hexed' feels like a recipe: a base of Celtic myth, a generous splash of urban fantasy tropes, and a handful of personal touches from the author. Kevin Hearne wrote the book, and his primary inspiration for the plot was taking those ancient myths — the machinations of gods, the stubbornness of fae, the moral grey of druids — and dropping them into a modern, often hilarious framework. The conflict comes from tradition confronting modernity, and Hearne mines that for both drama and comedy.
I also sense the author pulling from his own reading and listening habits; the narrative voice in 'Hexed' is pop-culture-friendly, full of quick comparisons and riffs that make the supernatural feel oddly domestic. Beyond the main mythic thrust, themes like mentorship, found family, and the costs of living a very long life thread through the plot. It’s not just about monsters and fights — it’s about identity and the choices someone with centuries of memory has to make. That blend is what keeps me coming back to Atticus’s world.
Reading 'Hexed' feels like watching mythology get a modern-style remix, and Kevin Hearne is the person behind that remix. The main plot springs from his decision to place an ancient druid in a twenty-first-century setting and then let the consequences ripple outward. Hearne draws on Celtic mythology most visibly, but the plot’s inspirations are broader: folklore conventions, urban fantasy mechanics, and a desire to humanize legendary beings so their quarrels and grudges produce real narrative tension.
What I find compelling is how the inspiration manifests in concrete plot beats — Atticus juggling threats from witches and pantheons, training an apprentice, and navigating personal codes of honor that clash with the lawless tendencies of gods. The pacing and episodic conflicts feel influenced by comic-book arcs and serialized adventure tales, which means fights and revelations pop at regular intervals. On a thematic level, Hearne seemed motivated to explore mentorship, legacy, and what it takes to carry on traditions in a changing world, and that gives 'Hexed' some surprising heart beneath the one-liners.
'Hexed' was written by Kevin Hearne, and the main plot springs from his idea of ancient mythologies — especially Celtic and other European pantheons — bumping up against modern life. Hearne wanted to play with classic mythic characters in familiar settings, exploring how gods, witches, and druids would act when pizza and smartphones exist. The book mixes fast dialogue, humor, and genuine stakes: you get action scenes derived from folklore and quieter moments about passing on knowledge, plus the odd cultural reference to keep things fun. Reading 'Hexed' always leaves me grinning at how the ancient and the everyday collide, and I love that the story never forgets to be clever and warm.
'Hexed' was written by Kevin Hearne, and the core of its plot comes straight from the idea of ancient magic bumping into modern life. Hearne was inspired by Celtic myth and the chaotic personalities of gods and witches, then tossed them into settings like roadside bars and suburban streets so the stakes are both epic and oddly domestic. That mix is the engine of the story: supernatural politics meet everyday inconveniences.
What really sold me was the chemistry between mythic scale and small, human moments — the kind of inspiration that turns curses into moral puzzles and duels into character study. It’s a fun, sharp ride that still manages to care about loyalty and consequence, which left me smiling long after the final page.
If you like urban fantasy that zips along with a grin, you're talking about 'Hexed' by Kevin Hearne. I got hooked on the Iron Druid Chronicles because Hearne writes Atticus O'Sullivan with this perfect blend of snark, sorrow, and genuine mythic weight — and 'Hexed' is the second ride in that series. The basic what-and-who is simple: Kevin Hearne is the author, and the story keeps poking at what happens when ancient gods and old magic crash into modern life. Atticus, the last of the Druids, runs into all sorts of supernatural headaches while balancing immortality, mentorship, and an adorably judgmental Irish wolfhound named Oberon.
What inspired the main plot reads like a love letter to folklore and pop culture glued together. Hearne wanted to reframe Celtic and Norse myths in a contemporary setting: gods, fae, witches, and old curses showing up in coffee shops and bars. He layers in rock-and-roll tastes, snappy banter, and the logistical questions an immortal would face — training apprentices, dealing with pantheons, and surviving modern legalities. If you enjoy the collision of myth and mundane with a sharp sense of humor, you can see how Hearne’s interests in mythology, music, and witty dialogue shaped 'Hexed'. I always come away from it smiling and oddly inspired to read more myths with my headphones on.
I still grin when I tell friends that 'Hexed' was written by Kevin Hearne. The book continues the fast-talking adventures of Atticus, and what inspired the main plot is basically Hearne’s fascination with mixing mythological knotwork with everyday life. He takes Celtic myth as a backbone but sprinkles in other traditions and modern annoyances — like bureaucratic gods and feuding witches — so the conflicts feel both ancient and absurdly up-to-date.
The driving premise in 'Hexed' is simple but satisfying: ancient powers don’t just fade away, they adapt and make trouble in the present, especially for someone like Atticus who’s still around to be blamed. Hearne’s sense of humor, love of lore, and talent for quick dialogue all shape the plot’s momentum. For me, the book reads like sitting in on a lively pub argument between gods — you get mythology, mayhem, and a surprisingly tender mentor-student thread that keeps it grounded.
I fell hard for 'Hexed' the moment I finished it — Kevin Hearne is the author, and it's the second book in his Iron Druid Chronicles. What hooked me was how Hearne blends ancient myth with modern sarcasm: Atticus O'Sullivan, the last druid, keeps getting dragged into trouble by gods, witches, and anyone else who thinks immortality should be contested. The main plot of 'Hexed' grows out of that collision between old-world magic and contemporary life; Hearne draws heavily on Celtic mythology and a buffet of other legendary traditions to populate his world.
Beyond pure myth, you can feel Hearne's love for pop culture, fast-paced banter, and comic-book timing in the book’s DNA. The inspiration for the plot seems twofold: a fascination with ancient deities and their messy interactions with humans, and a deliberate choice to place those conflicts in mundane settings (bar fights, tattoo parlors, hiking trails). Add a cigar-chomping Irish druid with a telepathic Irish wolfhound and you get a story that's equal parts folklore and buddy-comedy. Personally, I loved how the stakes feel mythic but the moments are delightfully human — it made me laugh and lean in at the same time.