I received this book for free from the author as a free story in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Source: the author as a free story
"Gotcha"
by
Faith Hunter
It is part of the Soulwood #6.5, series and is a paranormal fantasy in a PDF edition that was published by the author on October 16, 2024 and has 2 pages.
Other books in this series include [books_series]
Other books by this author which I have reviewed include Raven Cursed, An Apple for the Creature, Death's Rival, Blood Trade, Kicking It, Blood in Her Veins, Mercy Blade, Shadow Rites, Bloodring, Seraphs, Dark Queen, Shattered Bonds, Black Arts, Broken Soul, Dark Heir, Cold Reign, Blood of the Earth, Curse on the Land, "Water Witch", "Explosion On King's Street", Skinwalker, Dirty Deeds, "Shiloh and the Brick", "Black Friday Shopping with Nell and Occam", Circle of the Moon, Blood Cross, Spells for the Dead, "Easy Pickings", True Dead, Dirty Deeds 2, Trials, Junkyard Cats, Rift in the Soul, Junkyard Bargain, Junkyard War , Junkyard Roadhouse, Flame in the Dark, Host
A free short story in the Soulwood paranormal fantasy series usually revolving around Nell Nicholson. This time the focus is on Mindi “Mud” Nicholson.
This freebie is from Hunter’s “Tea With Faith Hunter” in October 2024.
My Take
It’s all about loneliness, friends, and being picked on. And an interesting insight into Angie Trueblood.
I suspect it was the shower prank that caught Angie out. Mean.
I wouldn’t have thought Angie would feel so alone, but it does make sense. As for Mud, yep, she may be strong in herself, and I suspect she’ll be a good friend for Angie, but I can see where she’d feel alone as well.
It feels like Hunter is using third person objective point-of-view with a noninvolved observer’s perspective, a kind of fly-on-the-wall view of the narrator’s interpretation of what and how the two girls are thinking and feeling.
There’s not any real action, just a short conversation between two girls.
The Story
A warm shower can open a person up to their concerns, and that’s just what Angie does with Mud.
The Characters
Mindi “Mud” Nicholson is a plant-woman and Nell Nicholson’s full sib.
Angie Trueblood, Molly Everheart and Big Evan Trueblood’s daughter, is also the Dark Queen’s godchild. And powerful in her magic.
Jane Yellowrock is the Dark Queen from Jane Yellowrock.
Koun is a master vampire and Jane’s chief strategist.
The Cover and Title
The cover image was borrowed from Hunter’s newsletter and has a gray block background with the red-haired Mud in a dark-green polo holding up a white sign with her name. The title and author’s name are at the top in white while the series info is at the bottom right.
All I can think of for the title is that the mean girls “Gotcha” with that prank in the shower.
