Book 96, 2024
Three Half Goats Gruff by Kim McDougall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I took my Kindle on vacation and read a novella--Three Half Goats Gruff by Kim McDougall. It's the prequel to the author's "Valkyrie Bestiary" urban fantasy series. The main character is Kyra, a Valkyrie who specializes in "pest control".
Kyra is summoned to a middle school to rid it of an infestation of satyrs. Once she arrives, Kyra observes the satyrs clattering back and forth over a bridge that spans a creek behind the school. A stranger is already there, and he warns Kyra that the satyrs' antics have awoken a troll. It will take the two of them working together, along with the help of a misplaced cephalopod, to subdue the troll.
This was short enough I read it over the course of two evenings. Since it was a prequel, there was minimal backstory provided, and characters weren't fully realized. Nevertheless, I found it enjoyable. The naughty satyrs provided plenty of comic relief, and there was certainly some attraction between Kyra and the handsome gargoyle who assisted her.
Favorite lines:
♦ Satyrs loved a good bridge to dance across.
♦ I looked like the third act of a horror show.
Brief but interesting, and I look forward to reading more. Four stars.