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The Colin McCool series #1
Junkyard Druid
6 hrs 10 mins
A cursed druid, blackmailed by a faery queen to find a missing magic rock. Let's just hope they don't hack the druid off... for everyone's sake.
Name's Colin McCool. Folks call me the Junkyard Druid. I hate that name.
Despite my last name, I'm not "cool" like the other hunters in town. I don't run an occult bookstore, I've never owned a Harley, and I didn't inherit a family fortune passed down through generations of hunters before me.
And I kind of have this curse on me that's messed up my life.
So, things have gone to hell since I was cursed. I live in a junkyard, my mentor Finn is a heroin addict, I've got the Cold Iron Circle breathing down my neck, and the local Fae Queen Maeve is blackmailing me into doing her dirty work.
Now I'm in way over my head trying to retrieve Maeve's stolen magic rock, all while helping my friend Belladonna solve a series of murders that may or may not involve the local werewolves.
And did I mention that my girlfriend is a ghost?
If I can just get the Faery Queen's tathlum back, and help Belladonna solve the murders...
Then I just might live long enough to finish my first year of college.
A cursed druid, blackmailed by a faery queen to find a missing magic rock. Let's just hope they don't hack the druid off... for everyone's sake.
Name's Colin McCool. Folks call me the Junkyard Druid. I hate that name.
Despite my last name, I'm not "cool" like the other hunters in town. I don't run an occult bookstore, I've never owned a Harley, and I didn't inherit a family fortune passed down through generations of hunters before me.
And I kind of have this curse on me that's messed up my life.
So, things have gone to hell since I was cursed. I live in a junkyard, my mentor Finn is a heroin addict, I've got the Cold Iron Circle breathing down my neck, and the local Fae Queen Maeve is blackmailing me into doing her dirty work.
Now I'm in way over my head trying to retrieve Maeve's stolen magic rock, all while helping my friend Belladonna solve a series of murders that may or may not involve the local werewolves.
And did I mention that my girlfriend is a ghost?
If I can just get the Faery Queen's tathlum back, and help Belladonna solve the murders...
Then I just might live long enough to finish my first year of college.
7 pages, Audible Audio
First published October 4, 2016
2572 people are currently reading
2169 people want to read
About the author
M.D. Massey
66 books564 followersM.D. Massey describes himself as the prototypical INTJ. His eclectic background provides him with a rich tapestry of experiences to draw on when crafting fiction, as evidenced by the believable worlds and relatable characters he creates.
As a former Army combat medic (91B), professional martial arts instructor (Krav Maga, JKD, FMA), and women's self-defense instructor, he possesses a unique understanding of close combat, firearms, and criminal violence that few authors can match. This knowledge provides an element of realism to the Druidverse™ novels, setting them apart from other fantasy series.
Mr. Massey lives in the Texas Hill Country with his family and a huge American bulldog that keeps him company while he writes. When he's not in his office or at the local coffee shop writing, you can find him in his garage pummeling inanimate objects or knife-fighting with his friends.
As a former Army combat medic (91B), professional martial arts instructor (Krav Maga, JKD, FMA), and women's self-defense instructor, he possesses a unique understanding of close combat, firearms, and criminal violence that few authors can match. This knowledge provides an element of realism to the Druidverse™ novels, setting them apart from other fantasy series.
Mr. Massey lives in the Texas Hill Country with his family and a huge American bulldog that keeps him company while he writes. When he's not in his office or at the local coffee shop writing, you can find him in his garage pummeling inanimate objects or knife-fighting with his friends.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 376 reviews
February 14, 2018
DiD NOT FINISH
Got an hour into it. Right to meeting Luther and Belladonna. Annnnnnnd I'm done.
This was exceedingly repetitive, and just not that good.
The Iron Druid series by Kevin Hearne is 100% better than this.
The preface by the author immediately set the tone "I got sick of writing YA..." so he then writes New Adult, but half the story so far takes place when the main character is still YA. So... that's fun. *eyeroll*
How did he make it 'grown up'? by using foul language, smattering sex/lust, and making one of the characters addicted to heroine. Oh yeah... that's just great. Oh, and lets not forget the uber cliche gay vampire, but it's okay folks because he's made the vampire gay so the book is super inclusive!!! Thank you for that. *double eyeroll*
I was just done. After 15 minutes of listening, I got bored and listened to music for 4 hours. That's how much I just didn't care about returning to the story. I then gave it another go, and managed to get to just over an hour before I got to the gay vampire and the slut vampire. (two different vampires). At that point, I was just done.
Yeah, I'm going back to the Iron Druid.
Got an hour into it. Right to meeting Luther and Belladonna. Annnnnnnd I'm done.
This was exceedingly repetitive, and just not that good.
The Iron Druid series by Kevin Hearne is 100% better than this.
The preface by the author immediately set the tone "I got sick of writing YA..." so he then writes New Adult, but half the story so far takes place when the main character is still YA. So... that's fun. *eyeroll*
How did he make it 'grown up'? by using foul language, smattering sex/lust, and making one of the characters addicted to heroine. Oh yeah... that's just great. Oh, and lets not forget the uber cliche gay vampire, but it's okay folks because he's made the vampire gay so the book is super inclusive!!! Thank you for that. *double eyeroll*
I was just done. After 15 minutes of listening, I got bored and listened to music for 4 hours. That's how much I just didn't care about returning to the story. I then gave it another go, and managed to get to just over an hour before I got to the gay vampire and the slut vampire. (two different vampires). At that point, I was just done.
Yeah, I'm going back to the Iron Druid.
May 6, 2017
I couldn't get past the first few chapters, this book reads like it was written by a middle school child trying to sound like an adult. The dialogue was atrocious, the characters were less than one dimensional the plot was stereotypical except it's been done better in other books.
August 22, 2017
To say that this was disappointing is an understatement. The preface states that the author wanted to get away from YA novels and do something more adult, except he doesn't seem to achieve this. The story line felt over simplistic and childish. Throwing a few swear words and references to sex into a novel does not make it adult. The main character lacked depth and his "tragedy" had me wishing
he
had died.
When you compare it to other urban fantasy, which is hard not to, it clearly does not stack up. If you are looking for a druid series to start, I would avoid this and go for The Iron Druid Chronicles, it's written better and has more interesting characters.
When you compare it to other urban fantasy, which is hard not to, it clearly does not stack up. If you are looking for a druid series to start, I would avoid this and go for The Iron Druid Chronicles, it's written better and has more interesting characters.
October 15, 2017
OK, it's really hard not to read any urban fantasy about modern-day druidry and not think about Kevin Hearne and the Iron Druid Series, and no one is going to come off favorably in that comparison. However, it's not a bad series, and they do get betteras he goes along and seems to find more of his own voice. Definitely worth reading from a brain candy perspective, and there are some twists that even I didn't expect.
December 20, 2017
This was abysmal. Such a pity, I had so many expectations for this book.
HERE BE SPOILERS: 1% The book starts with a preface by the author basically flailing about how he wanted to write about an urban fantasy druid and he had this amazing idea but he's a piece of shit and never finishing anything he writes. Being a piece of shit who also never finishes what she writes I sympathized. Then he goes on about how DAMMIT WOE IS ME WHEN I GOT OFF MY ASS KEVIN HEARNE WAS SUDDENLY OUT THERE WRITING ABOUT A DRUID (pause to say he's not salty he read it and found it excellent, cue me squinting). Cue his decision to write about this druid as YAlit and FOLLOWED BY HOW MUCH HE HATES WRITING YALIT AND HOW HE WANTED TO WRITE DARKER GRITTIER STUFF (newsflash: you don't have to be dark&gritty to write UF--see the aforementioned Kevin Hearne). Then plugs his other series like 4 times
and then says that "Colin wrote himself into that story" and readers wanted more Colin so he wrote this book. The druid is named McCool. Given how often Massey likes to use the word ‘cool’ while writing I’m calling Awesome McCoolname (like come on dude there’s even a trope about it) 4% Oodles of male gaze and Manpain™ 16 minutes in. There's almost a page describing his girlfriend Jesse and how she's the love of his life and how he's planning to tell her he loves her and show her the key to a flat to move in together and all the standard genre things of curves and athletic muscle and shit
And then!!!! "that was when my life turned to shit"
Boom dead spunky girlfriend
Seriously Mr. McCool I don't know either you or your gf enough to give a shit. Hopes still up even though rapidly diminishing. Please don't disappoint me I was so hopeful.
6% What the fuckin sort of shit therapist would ever say "Not a single soul has the right to blame you for not wanting to go on"? Wtf
7% "journal entry. 8 months 3days a.j. (after Jesse)" Kill me. All the chapters begin like this from here on. 16% Describing his fae or half fae friend, Sabine (sorry I am literally ready to chuck the book so I wasn’t paying exact attention to her species) 16% This is really disjointed in writing. It goes from a promising scene to awkward high school fanfic level. Also there’s a bit where he's trying to prove he's not a chauve and it's way too awkward. 17% I swear to GOD I am going to buy this book so I can set it on fire.
20% Where I stop giving fucks about percentages or where I am in this book and only wish I can set it on fire.
HERE BE SPOILERS: 1% The book starts with a preface by the author basically flailing about how he wanted to write about an urban fantasy druid and he had this amazing idea but he's a piece of shit and never finishing anything he writes. Being a piece of shit who also never finishes what she writes I sympathized. Then he goes on about how DAMMIT WOE IS ME WHEN I GOT OFF MY ASS KEVIN HEARNE WAS SUDDENLY OUT THERE WRITING ABOUT A DRUID (pause to say he's not salty he read it and found it excellent, cue me squinting). Cue his decision to write about this druid as YAlit and FOLLOWED BY HOW MUCH HE HATES WRITING YALIT AND HOW HE WANTED TO WRITE DARKER GRITTIER STUFF (newsflash: you don't have to be dark&gritty to write UF--see the aforementioned Kevin Hearne). Then plugs his other series like 4 times
and then says that "Colin wrote himself into that story" and readers wanted more Colin so he wrote this book. The druid is named McCool. Given how often Massey likes to use the word ‘cool’ while writing I’m calling Awesome McCoolname (like come on dude there’s even a trope about it) 4% Oodles of male gaze and Manpain™ 16 minutes in. There's almost a page describing his girlfriend Jesse and how she's the love of his life and how he's planning to tell her he loves her and show her the key to a flat to move in together and all the standard genre things of curves and athletic muscle and shit
And then!!!! "that was when my life turned to shit"
Boom dead spunky girlfriend
Seriously Mr. McCool I don't know either you or your gf enough to give a shit. Hopes still up even though rapidly diminishing. Please don't disappoint me I was so hopeful.
6% What the fuckin sort of shit therapist would ever say "Not a single soul has the right to blame you for not wanting to go on"? Wtf
7% "journal entry. 8 months 3days a.j. (after Jesse)" Kill me. All the chapters begin like this from here on. 16% Describing his fae or half fae friend, Sabine (sorry I am literally ready to chuck the book so I wasn’t paying exact attention to her species) 16% This is really disjointed in writing. It goes from a promising scene to awkward high school fanfic level. Also there’s a bit where he's trying to prove he's not a chauve and it's way too awkward. 17% I swear to GOD I am going to buy this book so I can set it on fire.
20% Where I stop giving fucks about percentages or where I am in this book and only wish I can set it on fire.
“Here we have this bar that is a supernatural hangout where I go bc they have very cool cold brew even though I want to avoid the supernatural like the plague. I also regularly hang out with a half-fae (who probably fancies him) and two vampires, one of which is hitting on me p badly. DID I MENTION IT’S AN LGBTQ HAVEN AS WELL? ARE YOU READING THIS TUMBLR? THIS IS HELLA REPRESENTATION EVEN IF I STEREOTYpED THE FUCK OUT OF THIS GAY MAN I PUT IN CALLING EVERYONE SUGAR AND HONEY! I’M ACCEPTING! LOOK AT ME!”
EVERY WOMAN WE’VE MET SO FAR IS A HOLE FOR COLIN MCCOOL.
Then Colin McNotCool refers to the LGBTQ community as “alternate lifestyles”.
Yeah.
Sample:
Luther was a vampire and the de facto leader of the vampires in Austin. He was also a fixture in the local LGBTQ community so 'La creme' was pretty much a place where everyone was welcome to hang out. And like a lot of older Vamps, he might have swung either way depending on what century it was. Most old Vamps like to try new things which meant a lot of older bands were pretty accepting of so-called alternate lifestyles society in Austin.
Luther had become heavily involved in the gay and lesbian community in the last several decades. And just why would a 300-year-old vampire choose to blend in among the LGBTQ community?
Here it would have been sufficient to say Luther's gay.
BUT NOPE. Mr. Massey instead of just telling us why, he's quoting Luther, probably to increase his word count.
"Well to put it in Luther's words "Nobody screws with the Velvet Mafia, no one. I'm a gay black man and a vampire. That gives me a lot of enemies but for the first time in history I can live a public life and not have to worry about being singled out for being gay or found out for being a vamp. So hooray for strength in numbers. "
YEAH.
Redundant Paras R' UsThen the other vamp who's been hitting on Colin turns to Luther and
"You sure you don't swing head around every now and again, babe?"
He looked her up and down and gave his best Mae West grin "Not in the last hundred years or so but in your case I might be tempted sweet thang."
Sooooo not only Luther’s at least bisexual, it’s obvious Mr. Massey has the idea that all gay men talk like an Alabaman grandma.
Then, Colin decides to go to his classes and whatnot where he meets Sabine. There we are told, not shown, that his friend Sabine has "agoraphobia and social anxiety" however Sabine not only had been waiting for him alone in a crowded classroom but also proceeds to face down a bitchy fae with snark worthy of Chandler Bing.
The book keeps being uninteresting and gross at points And then we have this, about Queen Maeve (Fae)
"Like Martha Stewart in her pre-prison days, Maeve’s glamour had been designed to radiate a subtle vibe of the ultimate milf. [...] to most humans she seemed simultaneously sexual and motherly. A combination that few men can resist."
There are several gems like that throughout the book. Mr. Massey obviously assumed that making the McCool books grittier and darker meant he had to include lots of juvenile jokes about sex, sex mentions, and mea culpa to put even a very known Chicago Wizard to shame.
For example:
"[something something] I didn’t want to deal with those Circle jerks. Circle jerks, hah, see what I did there?"
Yes, Colin, I saw. I’m trying to pretend i didn’t.
There was a also bit like "dad had learned not to enter into the bathroom without knocking after he walked in on me... I know gross, but everyone's doing it"
a) I would have felt better about this sentence if he had ended it at 'walked in' b) If you think a natural process that most creatures engage in is gross then idk what to tell you. c) I didn't need to know that
There are several more examples of why this book is definitely something to avoid but I hope those points above, along with the childish plot, the cardboard characters, and the minimal to zero worldbuilding, are enough
0/10Rating: I haven’t ranted like that about a book since the “Iron Fey”
December 16, 2017
Holy sh!tballs Batman
okay. Okay. OKAY. I FRICKEN LOVED THIS BOOK.
I love Colin and his pragmatic outlook on life and all things spooky. I love Bella and her badass self (I really hope something happens there...) I love Jesse and also hate her situation. I want to know more and see more about the whole Junkyard Druid thing. Obviously something had to happen for him to be called that. It's a great moniker 🖤
This is a terrible review, I know. But I needed to tell someone about how much I enjoyed this without going into weird tangents soooo, here. Oops.
Y'all should totally pick up this book if you enjoy the Iron Druid series, the Mercy Thompson series, and books of that ilk. Highly recommend. Two thumbs WAY WAY up!
okay. Okay. OKAY. I FRICKEN LOVED THIS BOOK.
I love Colin and his pragmatic outlook on life and all things spooky. I love Bella and her badass self (I really hope something happens there...) I love Jesse and also hate her situation. I want to know more and see more about the whole Junkyard Druid thing. Obviously something had to happen for him to be called that. It's a great moniker 🖤
This is a terrible review, I know. But I needed to tell someone about how much I enjoyed this without going into weird tangents soooo, here. Oops.
Y'all should totally pick up this book if you enjoy the Iron Druid series, the Mercy Thompson series, and books of that ilk. Highly recommend. Two thumbs WAY WAY up!
December 3, 2017
With a dash of Odd Thomas and a pinch of Dresden Files, Junkyard Druid is just my type of urban fantasy series. Throw in a splash of Constantine, and we're cookin' with gas! And don't get me started on the hero, Colin McCool. He's my kind of Druid — sharp-witted, sweet and a little bit dangerous.
Junkyard Druid is the perfect brew to quench any urban fantasy lover's thirst!
Junkyard Druid is the perfect brew to quench any urban fantasy lover's thirst!
May 27, 2021
I finished it, but I'm not interested in reading more of the series.
October 6, 2024
I absolutely adored this book, i was unaware about this author before i read this book and i voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book and i am so unbelievably glad that i did. I will definately be following this authors work from now on.
The storyline of this book was extremely unexpected and definately a surprise, it was not what i thought it was going to be, the surprise was definately a good one! The storyline is such an addictive and compelling read, you will definately find yourself keeping on turning pages just to find out what happens next! There is so much that goes on in this book but it doesnt feel like its rushed or that there is too much going on, it makes sense the way it is written. The one thing i have to mention that i loved about the book is how the story of the past is written through a journal, it written this way tells the story of the past and why the characters are the way they are and it doesnt feel confusing at all. I cant explain how much i loved this story, there are twists and turns throughout as well as pain, healing and love. You feel all the emotions of the characters and to me that shows an amazing writer to make you feel the emotions alongside them.
Colin is a brilliant character, he is extremely complex and that is due to everything he has been through and the world around that he trained for. A lot of him is filled with pain, guilt and regret but he is trying to heal himself. He is a very realistic and human character in his hopes and fears and i think that makes me a reader like him even more. There are quite a lot of characters in this book and i loved every one, they each had completely unique characters, i don't want to mention any more as i don't want to spoil this story for anyone.
This is an amazing world class book that is a definite must read for everyone! I honestly cant rate this high enough!! I absolutely loved and adored this!!!
The storyline of this book was extremely unexpected and definately a surprise, it was not what i thought it was going to be, the surprise was definately a good one! The storyline is such an addictive and compelling read, you will definately find yourself keeping on turning pages just to find out what happens next! There is so much that goes on in this book but it doesnt feel like its rushed or that there is too much going on, it makes sense the way it is written. The one thing i have to mention that i loved about the book is how the story of the past is written through a journal, it written this way tells the story of the past and why the characters are the way they are and it doesnt feel confusing at all. I cant explain how much i loved this story, there are twists and turns throughout as well as pain, healing and love. You feel all the emotions of the characters and to me that shows an amazing writer to make you feel the emotions alongside them.
Colin is a brilliant character, he is extremely complex and that is due to everything he has been through and the world around that he trained for. A lot of him is filled with pain, guilt and regret but he is trying to heal himself. He is a very realistic and human character in his hopes and fears and i think that makes me a reader like him even more. There are quite a lot of characters in this book and i loved every one, they each had completely unique characters, i don't want to mention any more as i don't want to spoil this story for anyone.
This is an amazing world class book that is a definite must read for everyone! I honestly cant rate this high enough!! I absolutely loved and adored this!!!
March 10, 2019
Bubble Gum Druid (and his magical Mary Poppins bag)This was "cutesy", but it was still a "fun" read.
Here's the thing about writing a druid book....you got to have druid things. Not until 71% do I finally get a bit of druid mojo. The story has a wonderful abundance of fae creatures. I really like Hemi the Maori and his haka dance.
Junkyard Druid was an enjoyable read. Massey's writing had an easy flow to it and very entertaining. If anything, it's the humor that kept me engaged and will bring me back for more.
August 16, 2021
An excellent beginning!
Love the world building in this book, it is quite unique. The sheer volume of characters was rather daunting and it took nearly till the end of the bok for me to sort them out!
Love the world building in this book, it is quite unique. The sheer volume of characters was rather daunting and it took nearly till the end of the bok for me to sort them out!
February 5, 2020
I wanted to drop this. I should've dropped this. Why?
This book has got to be one of the worst things I have ever read. I've read better stories up on Wattpad.
I really felt lied to, based on the blurb and cover and title. I really thought this was some semi-original story that has been hiding in the fringes of the urban fantasy market and was going to be really enjoyable. I was hoping that it was really enjoyable.
I was wrong. And here are all the reasons I found this to be an unenjoyable book.
It was plenty repetitive, to the point that it wasn't just annoying but it was patronising. On that note, this whole book felt like I was being mansplained on what the magic world is, what magic beings are, and just everything in general. It was all tell, no show. Literally everything was just told to the reader, nothing was explained or described. For that reason, it wasn't exciting. I was so so bored. It was a very slow progressing plot where barely anything happened, or it just felt that way because everything was told and none of the characters' emotions were outlined and the stakes weren't established. There was no rising action. Everything just missed the mark of making an emotional impact on the reader (which is what you want). The flow of the storyline was also disrupted by the "diary entries" at the beginning of each chapter. I feel like if these weren't there, a lot of the space that it took up could have been used to actually build a stronger plot, to create tension, to establish stakes and raise them, to build relationships between characters and show the friction of differences. The only scene that got close was the first scene between Colin and Crowley; even still, it could have been a lot better. For me, almost none of this book had a true reason for it occurring. And it almost doesn't make sense for why, there's hardly a build up for "bigger things coming". And a lot of it occurs out of sheer plot convenience.
Now that I've mentioned the characters, they were dull. They barely had any personality. I wish I could say at the very least that Colin, the main character, was whiny and annoying, but he wasn't. He was barely anything, as he just moved along scene to scene, seemed to not have any desires or real motivations for doing anything. If graduating from college was his desire and Maeve disrupts his plans, why not stack on his reluctance? Why not go into what his motivations are for doing work for Maeve (which it seemed like she already had everything figured out and didn't tell Colin it)? He just bends, like a piece of paper, absolutely no resistance, no friction to majority of what happens to him and what he goes through. He's like a paper doll: blank and doesn't reflect the true nature and complexities of human beings (which all great characters do).
Onto the female characters. OH BOY, should've just left them out. They were hardly presented in a way that was realistically female. They were written from either the perspective of someone who doesn't know women really well, or someone who is a misogynist. I'm serious. They were all catty (something that's definitely not true for all women), most of them were falling over each other to be close to Colin (he was not a charming character and women do not share the same attractions most of the time), literally all of them were all overly sexualised (do I even have to point out what the issue is with this one?). This is just naming some of the issues I had with the female characters. There was a moment were one of the girls gets shaking mad, furious at some college-type posters of girls in the werewolves' "den" and it is described by the main character as her being a "typical feminist". Two things that annoy me. 1. This reaction is not a "typical feminist" reaction, this is to an extent an overreaction. And sure, there are some extreme feminist that would act this way, but this is not a typical one. They're just posters, in a club almost exclusively filled with men, that are described as being filled with testosterone. I seriously doubt that having these posters are an unexpected thing. Even so, it's almost as if it's wrong for a woman to not want women to be over-sexualised and drooled upon by men who treat women like meat. (How dare you, Belladonna; don't you know that a woman's single purpose in life is to serve man?) Overall, I feel like a "typical feminist" reaction would be an eye roll, as those posters are worth an eye roll, and having this unfold in the scene added nothing to it. 2. You could hear the author's eyes roll when writing this scene. I'm sorry, but how dickish does a person have to be with their writing where a reader can hear an eye roll? Adding to this clear misogyny, there is another female character who has intense body issues. Okay, yeah, that sounds like a normal issue a girl would be dealing with. Body issues all because she has big boobs. Sure, I can still see that. This happens all the time with young girls. And now this girl is putting a glamour on herself to make herself appear ugly and with a giant birds nest tangle in her hair which causes people to look at her. So, you're telling me that a girl with extreme self-image issues, who doesn't like or want people to look at her, gives people even more of a reason for people to look at her? How in the heck does this even make sense? (Careful, your lack of knowledge on body image is showing.) Most young girls, even in college ages girls, that I've been around who have these sorts of issues do things to HIDE themselves away, not drag attention towards themselves. Seriously, having a character like this is harmful and is a sure way to alienate any young girls who could've aligned themselves with this character. There is more that I could say on the women in this book but I just can't go on anymore.
Often one of the great things about fiction, and in particular urban and high fantasy, is that it is a reflection of our world that gives readers a safe place to see themselves in situations that they would never find themselves in usually and see how it unfolds. This is one of the reasons why it is important to have a diverse cast of characters. It is important for readers to see themselves reflected in what they are consuming in a positive way. Does this book do that? With female characters, no. With race and nationalities, very barely but I wouldn't call this a pass. With different body shapes, no. Oh, but there is that one gay character. Yeah, a token gay, who barely has any impact on the story and could have literally been written without him. This is what I call insufficient representation.
I seriously wish that I hadn't been motivated to finish reading this book by wanting to give it a bad review. But after all the time I wasted on reading it, this was all it had to offer me.
This book has got to be one of the worst things I have ever read. I've read better stories up on Wattpad.
I really felt lied to, based on the blurb and cover and title. I really thought this was some semi-original story that has been hiding in the fringes of the urban fantasy market and was going to be really enjoyable. I was hoping that it was really enjoyable.
I was wrong. And here are all the reasons I found this to be an unenjoyable book.
It was plenty repetitive, to the point that it wasn't just annoying but it was patronising. On that note, this whole book felt like I was being mansplained on what the magic world is, what magic beings are, and just everything in general. It was all tell, no show. Literally everything was just told to the reader, nothing was explained or described. For that reason, it wasn't exciting. I was so so bored. It was a very slow progressing plot where barely anything happened, or it just felt that way because everything was told and none of the characters' emotions were outlined and the stakes weren't established. There was no rising action. Everything just missed the mark of making an emotional impact on the reader (which is what you want). The flow of the storyline was also disrupted by the "diary entries" at the beginning of each chapter. I feel like if these weren't there, a lot of the space that it took up could have been used to actually build a stronger plot, to create tension, to establish stakes and raise them, to build relationships between characters and show the friction of differences. The only scene that got close was the first scene between Colin and Crowley; even still, it could have been a lot better. For me, almost none of this book had a true reason for it occurring. And it almost doesn't make sense for why, there's hardly a build up for "bigger things coming". And a lot of it occurs out of sheer plot convenience.
Now that I've mentioned the characters, they were dull. They barely had any personality. I wish I could say at the very least that Colin, the main character, was whiny and annoying, but he wasn't. He was barely anything, as he just moved along scene to scene, seemed to not have any desires or real motivations for doing anything. If graduating from college was his desire and Maeve disrupts his plans, why not stack on his reluctance? Why not go into what his motivations are for doing work for Maeve (which it seemed like she already had everything figured out and didn't tell Colin it)? He just bends, like a piece of paper, absolutely no resistance, no friction to majority of what happens to him and what he goes through. He's like a paper doll: blank and doesn't reflect the true nature and complexities of human beings (which all great characters do).
Onto the female characters. OH BOY, should've just left them out. They were hardly presented in a way that was realistically female. They were written from either the perspective of someone who doesn't know women really well, or someone who is a misogynist. I'm serious. They were all catty (something that's definitely not true for all women), most of them were falling over each other to be close to Colin (he was not a charming character and women do not share the same attractions most of the time), literally all of them were all overly sexualised (do I even have to point out what the issue is with this one?). This is just naming some of the issues I had with the female characters. There was a moment were one of the girls gets shaking mad, furious at some college-type posters of girls in the werewolves' "den" and it is described by the main character as her being a "typical feminist". Two things that annoy me. 1. This reaction is not a "typical feminist" reaction, this is to an extent an overreaction. And sure, there are some extreme feminist that would act this way, but this is not a typical one. They're just posters, in a club almost exclusively filled with men, that are described as being filled with testosterone. I seriously doubt that having these posters are an unexpected thing. Even so, it's almost as if it's wrong for a woman to not want women to be over-sexualised and drooled upon by men who treat women like meat. (How dare you, Belladonna; don't you know that a woman's single purpose in life is to serve man?) Overall, I feel like a "typical feminist" reaction would be an eye roll, as those posters are worth an eye roll, and having this unfold in the scene added nothing to it. 2. You could hear the author's eyes roll when writing this scene. I'm sorry, but how dickish does a person have to be with their writing where a reader can hear an eye roll? Adding to this clear misogyny, there is another female character who has intense body issues. Okay, yeah, that sounds like a normal issue a girl would be dealing with. Body issues all because she has big boobs. Sure, I can still see that. This happens all the time with young girls. And now this girl is putting a glamour on herself to make herself appear ugly and with a giant birds nest tangle in her hair which causes people to look at her. So, you're telling me that a girl with extreme self-image issues, who doesn't like or want people to look at her, gives people even more of a reason for people to look at her? How in the heck does this even make sense? (Careful, your lack of knowledge on body image is showing.) Most young girls, even in college ages girls, that I've been around who have these sorts of issues do things to HIDE themselves away, not drag attention towards themselves. Seriously, having a character like this is harmful and is a sure way to alienate any young girls who could've aligned themselves with this character. There is more that I could say on the women in this book but I just can't go on anymore.
Often one of the great things about fiction, and in particular urban and high fantasy, is that it is a reflection of our world that gives readers a safe place to see themselves in situations that they would never find themselves in usually and see how it unfolds. This is one of the reasons why it is important to have a diverse cast of characters. It is important for readers to see themselves reflected in what they are consuming in a positive way. Does this book do that? With female characters, no. With race and nationalities, very barely but I wouldn't call this a pass. With different body shapes, no. Oh, but there is that one gay character. Yeah, a token gay, who barely has any impact on the story and could have literally been written without him. This is what I call insufficient representation.
I seriously wish that I hadn't been motivated to finish reading this book by wanting to give it a bad review. But after all the time I wasted on reading it, this was all it had to offer me.
September 22, 2017
Great story and characters
M.D. Massey does a great job in Junkyard Druid.
When I first picked Junkyard Druid I thought it might be a fun little diversion but I figured it was going to be a copy of Kevin Hearn's Iron Druid series. Happily I found I was wrong.
Massey's druid series is a stand alone, independent storyline that doesn't borrow from Hearn one bit. Colin, the druid, is a young man with a drug addict mentor he hated and carries a curse that he has to control because it has already destroyed the most important thing in his life.
If there was anything I would change about the book it's that Massey spoon feeds the reader the story and background way too much at the beginning. I could have figured out much of the background with the journal entries at the beginning of each chapter.
But, even with that small problem, I still enjoyed the book very much and would recommend it to anyone looking for a quick, light read in the urban fantasy genre.
Pick it up and take a chance.
M.D. Massey does a great job in Junkyard Druid.
When I first picked Junkyard Druid I thought it might be a fun little diversion but I figured it was going to be a copy of Kevin Hearn's Iron Druid series. Happily I found I was wrong.
Massey's druid series is a stand alone, independent storyline that doesn't borrow from Hearn one bit. Colin, the druid, is a young man with a drug addict mentor he hated and carries a curse that he has to control because it has already destroyed the most important thing in his life.
If there was anything I would change about the book it's that Massey spoon feeds the reader the story and background way too much at the beginning. I could have figured out much of the background with the journal entries at the beginning of each chapter.
But, even with that small problem, I still enjoyed the book very much and would recommend it to anyone looking for a quick, light read in the urban fantasy genre.
Pick it up and take a chance.
March 19, 2020
By M.D. Massey's
Narrated by Steve Barnett
I know it's not fair, but when I saw "Druid", I immediately thought this would be like The Iron Druid. I came in ready to go. Popcorn and lemonade on the nightstand.
This was supposed to be an adult novel however it still reads like YA (Young Adult). Actually some of the writing seems geared towards an even younger crowd. Maybe Middle School kids.
For example, the main character makes a statement like: "Crowley is a more powerful magic user but I'm better looking..."
What the heck does being better looking have to do with a fight? 😒 Idiot!
The core story I liked, which is why this is getting 3 stars. A Druid who hunts down misbehaving magical creatures while dealing with the politics of different factions. Good story, but this book isnt focused on that.
There are too many unnecessary details and repeating of the backstory. How many times do we have to be told about the same event? Again, it's a reminder that this wasn't geared towards my age group. But I'm almost incapable of starting a series and not finishing it.
For a YA book I thought it was good. As a New Adult or Grown Up novel... it's ok.
I think teenagers will love "McCool" 🤦🏽♀️. Oh yea, the characters name is actually McCool... cause he is so cool 🤣!!! The author explains what he was trying to achieve but I dont think he fully moved into the Adult Urban Fantasy.
The narrator really helps the book out. If he wasnt as good, I dont know if I could have continued. I would love to read this in adult format. But I liked the concept enough that I'm gonna give Book 2 a try.
Narrated by Steve Barnett
I know it's not fair, but when I saw "Druid", I immediately thought this would be like The Iron Druid. I came in ready to go. Popcorn and lemonade on the nightstand.
This was supposed to be an adult novel however it still reads like YA (Young Adult). Actually some of the writing seems geared towards an even younger crowd. Maybe Middle School kids.
For example, the main character makes a statement like: "Crowley is a more powerful magic user but I'm better looking..."
What the heck does being better looking have to do with a fight? 😒 Idiot!
The core story I liked, which is why this is getting 3 stars. A Druid who hunts down misbehaving magical creatures while dealing with the politics of different factions. Good story, but this book isnt focused on that.
There are too many unnecessary details and repeating of the backstory. How many times do we have to be told about the same event? Again, it's a reminder that this wasn't geared towards my age group. But I'm almost incapable of starting a series and not finishing it.
For a YA book I thought it was good. As a New Adult or Grown Up novel... it's ok.
I think teenagers will love "McCool" 🤦🏽♀️. Oh yea, the characters name is actually McCool... cause he is so cool 🤣!!! The author explains what he was trying to achieve but I dont think he fully moved into the Adult Urban Fantasy.
The narrator really helps the book out. If he wasnt as good, I dont know if I could have continued. I would love to read this in adult format. But I liked the concept enough that I'm gonna give Book 2 a try.
October 30, 2017
The mystical and magical creatures are NOT the fluffy bunny cartoon characters that occupy the pages of so many books. This is a darker version of the classic fairy tale, a bit gruesome, a bit violent (without being overly graphic) and definitely shows a more twisted side of the fae coin.
The book flows smoothly, the human characters come across very realistically and 3 dimensional. The action scenes are exciting without being overloaded with graphic and gory details, despite the violence and bloodshed, a fact that makes it obvious that the author does not need to rely on any shock value tactics to impress and hold the reader.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story, and was completely entertained all the way through.
Colin McCool is descended from a long line of druids, but having druid’s blood doesn’t seem to be the answer to any problem. In fact, it’s more like having a trouble magnet flowing through your veins. He’s cursed by a long ago enemy, and he’s lost the love of his life, and everything else that made his life worth living. The Fae have him trapped, and he’s stuck babysitting his old mentor, who has fallen into a life of drunkenness and addiction. What on earth is a poor druid to do? To answer that, you'll need to read the book. You won't be sorry.
The book flows smoothly, the human characters come across very realistically and 3 dimensional. The action scenes are exciting without being overloaded with graphic and gory details, despite the violence and bloodshed, a fact that makes it obvious that the author does not need to rely on any shock value tactics to impress and hold the reader.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story, and was completely entertained all the way through.
Colin McCool is descended from a long line of druids, but having druid’s blood doesn’t seem to be the answer to any problem. In fact, it’s more like having a trouble magnet flowing through your veins. He’s cursed by a long ago enemy, and he’s lost the love of his life, and everything else that made his life worth living. The Fae have him trapped, and he’s stuck babysitting his old mentor, who has fallen into a life of drunkenness and addiction. What on earth is a poor druid to do? To answer that, you'll need to read the book. You won't be sorry.
January 5, 2018
I love urban fantasy, but I don't think I'm the target age range for this book. I'm old enough to be Colin's mother and all I kept thinking was if he was my kid, I'd kick his ass. While the plot is interesting, Colin ruined for me. He's self-centered, selfish, and immature. Sure, edgy college-age guys make jokes about sex, but Colin isn't edgy, he's just annoying. There's nothing inherently "bad" about Colin, but he's that early 20's-year-old guy who never really matured past 15 or 16. All the worst parts of the millennial stereotype. If all "new adult" characters are like this, I now know to stay far away from that genre.
The story may also have been more interesting if 70% of it wasn't told in exposition. I'm sure the backstory of every single character we meet and every event and locale is very important, but it read like a dry history book that detracted from what was actually going on. What should have been an interesting premise didn't carry through for me. All in all, it just wasn't my thing.
The story may also have been more interesting if 70% of it wasn't told in exposition. I'm sure the backstory of every single character we meet and every event and locale is very important, but it read like a dry history book that detracted from what was actually going on. What should have been an interesting premise didn't carry through for me. All in all, it just wasn't my thing.
December 30, 2017
I enjoy druids so I thought I'd try listening to this.
Gave up after about an hour.
The problem? The author wanted us to keep hearing the same story over and over.
Guy kills his GF. Sad. We hear about it as it happens.
Guy goes to a shrink about killing his girlfriend. We hear about it yet again as he tells it to her.
Shrink encourages him to write it down. We are forced to listen to the same crap yet again.
Guy agonizes over it. Same shit. Again.
Eventually, I got to feel like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0YIJ...
That was my main problem.
Minor problem with the name. McCool sounds like something a thirteen year old would name himself. Later, he would feel like McTool.
There are a lot of good Irish names. That one was in the 'were you writing for parody?' category.
My guess would be that the author chose it when trying to write this as YA. I don't recommend it even for YA. Now, he's stuck with it.
Gave up after about an hour.
The problem? The author wanted us to keep hearing the same story over and over.
Guy kills his GF. Sad. We hear about it as it happens.
Guy goes to a shrink about killing his girlfriend. We hear about it yet again as he tells it to her.
Shrink encourages him to write it down. We are forced to listen to the same crap yet again.
Guy agonizes over it. Same shit. Again.
Eventually, I got to feel like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0YIJ...
That was my main problem.
Minor problem with the name. McCool sounds like something a thirteen year old would name himself. Later, he would feel like McTool.
There are a lot of good Irish names. That one was in the 'were you writing for parody?' category.
My guess would be that the author chose it when trying to write this as YA. I don't recommend it even for YA. Now, he's stuck with it.
January 19, 2017
I picked this up via Kindle Unlimited and it took me awhile to get around to it and longer to get into it. I was undecided on how I felt about it, but then the narrator mentioned Chuck Norris and how powerful and comforting he is and that made me love it. You could tell the protagonist was just thinking of all the times on Walker: Texas Ranger where Walker would stare down a wolf or a bear or something and use his Cherokee powers to psychically dominate the animal and force it to submit to Walker's commands. I'm looking forward to the next one and I hope the author explores this side of the character more
August 16, 2017
Funny Fae Read!
I honestly didn't expect to thoroughly enjoy this book. It was funny and interesting to read. a real page turner for sure. I thought Colin reminded me of Nathan Drake from Uncharted and Deadpool. The smart mouth that got them in trouble? Check! I specially enjoyed the Irish lore and all the fae talk. It reminded me a lot of the fae in Patricia Briggs books. (Obviously both came from the Irish lore) Definitely a fun and good read, if you like Irish lore, faes AND smart mouthed people this is the book for you!
I honestly didn't expect to thoroughly enjoy this book. It was funny and interesting to read. a real page turner for sure. I thought Colin reminded me of Nathan Drake from Uncharted and Deadpool. The smart mouth that got them in trouble? Check! I specially enjoyed the Irish lore and all the fae talk. It reminded me a lot of the fae in Patricia Briggs books. (Obviously both came from the Irish lore) Definitely a fun and good read, if you like Irish lore, faes AND smart mouthed people this is the book for you!
April 26, 2018
This was fun. I liked the references to books I've loved.
I don't know why I was expecting a bit of a gritty type read. This was more New Adult. Turned out it was a fun ride. I liked Colin. I'm very interested in this other being he turns into from the curse. I hope this aspect grows with the series. Colin's late ex, was important to this story, but I hope it doesn't play as big of a role in the next book.
Promising start. I hope it's one of those series that grows, and improves with each addition.
I don't know why I was expecting a bit of a gritty type read. This was more New Adult. Turned out it was a fun ride. I liked Colin. I'm very interested in this other being he turns into from the curse. I hope this aspect grows with the series. Colin's late ex, was important to this story, but I hope it doesn't play as big of a role in the next book.
Promising start. I hope it's one of those series that grows, and improves with each addition.
March 19, 2019
So yeah, I gave it 5 stars.
Sometimes the book just click or you get exactly what you were looking for. In my case, I was looking for a urban fantasy with magic as the main thingy instead of supernatural, and a MC that wasn't a total powerhouse and as a whole, not too dark (it's closer to young adult than adult).
Did Junkyard Druid deliver? Yes. Was it the best book of its kind? Very much doubt it, I still prefer the Iron Druid Chronicles. However, it was almost perfect for what I wanted at that moment.
So there you have it, that is the reason for the 5 stars. Sometimes there's really nothing more to it.
Sometimes the book just click or you get exactly what you were looking for. In my case, I was looking for a urban fantasy with magic as the main thingy instead of supernatural, and a MC that wasn't a total powerhouse and as a whole, not too dark (it's closer to young adult than adult).
Did Junkyard Druid deliver? Yes. Was it the best book of its kind? Very much doubt it, I still prefer the Iron Druid Chronicles. However, it was almost perfect for what I wanted at that moment.
So there you have it, that is the reason for the 5 stars. Sometimes there's really nothing more to it.
April 20, 2024
It was okay. Light on world building for a new series. The Iron Druid series by Kevin Hearne did much of the heavy lifting, though it isn't the same world. Would have been nice to have, well, everything more fleshed out. As it was, it feels superficial.
I'm not excited to continue so I don't think I will.
I'm not excited to continue so I don't think I will.
May 8, 2018
I want my 67 cents back!
November 19, 2018
Coming soon. Shoot me, should be it.
November 6, 2022
3.5 stars A good start to a series
dropped
September 30, 2023DNF @7%, I might come back to this... but I don't like the main character (or Jessie) and so far it has me 🙄😮💨.
July 1, 2018
Well I have to say that I was not impressed by this book. When I stumbled on the series I thought the book blurb sounded cool so I thought I would have a go at it. Unfortunately the book is not half as good as I hoped it would be. Maybe I should have been a bit more cautious when reading the blurb. After reading the book I get the feeling that the author just whacked together a bunch of stuff that sounded cool and tried to make a book out of it.
The first few pages started of really good actually. Then the author turns everything on its head by introducing this curse. After that the book wen’t downhill rapidly. I mean come on, a book where the “hero” spends all his time being afraid of using his power?
Then we have his mentor who is a far gone heroin addict and so on and so forth. What the hell is so wrong with having characters that actually have their act together? Also, I do not care whether any of the characters are straight, lesbian, gay or any other (reasonable) orientation but I draw the line at having shit like “…a fixture in the local LGBTQ community.” thrown at me.
The book is pretty much like the book blurb. A mixture of stuff thrown together without any clear direction. I personally never felt or cared much for the hero and on the whole the writing is more on young adult level that anything else.
I do not think I will continue reading this series.
The first few pages started of really good actually. Then the author turns everything on its head by introducing this curse. After that the book wen’t downhill rapidly. I mean come on, a book where the “hero” spends all his time being afraid of using his power?
Then we have his mentor who is a far gone heroin addict and so on and so forth. What the hell is so wrong with having characters that actually have their act together? Also, I do not care whether any of the characters are straight, lesbian, gay or any other (reasonable) orientation but I draw the line at having shit like “…a fixture in the local LGBTQ community.” thrown at me.
The book is pretty much like the book blurb. A mixture of stuff thrown together without any clear direction. I personally never felt or cared much for the hero and on the whole the writing is more on young adult level that anything else.
I do not think I will continue reading this series.
March 6, 2018
Surprisingly interesting take on a modern druid
Massey was afraid that Kevin Hearn beat him to the urban druid party, like showing up late to the costume ball wearing the same getup. Actually Kevin's books became a bit of a self absorbed preach fest with only two wheels on the pavement. I stopped reading Hearn and so long as Massey intends to concentrate on entertainment like Jim Butcher then I am in for the whole ride.
4 stars maybe a little generous but I am hopeful that readers of the genre will take a chance and give a talented author a shot. This was a free book and just like crack cocaine the first time is free. Now I'm hooked and will be starting the 2nd book in the series after writing this review.
The story has depth, magic, humor, werewolves, manipulative Fae, and most of all phenomenal potential for future installments.
I read the first book because the price was right. I will continue reading because the story and characters are right.
Massey was afraid that Kevin Hearn beat him to the urban druid party, like showing up late to the costume ball wearing the same getup. Actually Kevin's books became a bit of a self absorbed preach fest with only two wheels on the pavement. I stopped reading Hearn and so long as Massey intends to concentrate on entertainment like Jim Butcher then I am in for the whole ride.
4 stars maybe a little generous but I am hopeful that readers of the genre will take a chance and give a talented author a shot. This was a free book and just like crack cocaine the first time is free. Now I'm hooked and will be starting the 2nd book in the series after writing this review.
The story has depth, magic, humor, werewolves, manipulative Fae, and most of all phenomenal potential for future installments.
I read the first book because the price was right. I will continue reading because the story and characters are right.
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