Atticus O’Sullivan is the protagonist of the Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne. Born Siodhachan O Suileabhain in Iron Age Ireland around 83 BC, he is the last of the ancient Druids and has survived for over two millennia by keeping a low profile and staying one step ahead of the many enemies he has accumulated over the centuries.
When the series begins, Atticus runs Third Eye Books and Herbs, an occult shop in Tempe, Arizona. He appears to be a fit man in his early twenties with red hair and a goatee. In reality, he is one of the most powerful magic users on the planet, bound to the earth itself through Druidic rituals that grant him enhanced strength, healing, and near-immortality.
Powers and Abilities
Atticus draws his power from direct contact with the earth. He can shapeshift into various animals, communicate with elementals, and craft powerful magical bindings. His signature weapon is Fragarach, the Answerer, a legendary sword that compels truth and can cut through any armor.
He is also bound to the earth through a network of sacred trees that allow him to travel instantly between locations worldwide. This ability, combined with centuries of combat training and accumulated magical knowledge, makes him a formidable opponent.
Companions
Atticus’s closest companion is Oberon, an Irish wolfhound with whom he shares a telepathic bond. Oberon provides comic relief throughout the series with his obsession with sausages, his philosophical musings about French poodles, and his running commentary on everything from mythology to pop culture.
Later in the series, Atticus trains Granuaile MacTiernan as his apprentice. She eventually becomes a full Druid, the first new one in centuries, and a significant character in her own right.
Reading Order
See the complete Iron Druid Chronicles reading order for all books in the series.