Becoming

Undercover Gorgon #0.5

by R.L. Naquin

********This story was included in Transmonstrified and Unfinished Muse. If you’ve already read “Undercover Gorgon” in either of those books, skip this and wait for “Episode #1—Witches War” coming in December 2015.********


Episode #0—Becoming


Patrice has never been comfortable in her own skin. At midnight on her twentieth birthday, her magical Stealth Insurance lapses, leaving her with a headful of live snakes and an aversion to bright light. Now she understands why being human never felt quite right.


Finally in the green skin the gods intended for her, Patrice moves into her new life as a receptionist at the Mt. Olympus Employment Agency. The day job sucks. But sometimes, a problem comes across Patrice’s desk she believes only she can solve. After hours, the magical items in the offices upstairs are left hanging on the walls unused. Who’s going to notice if she borrows a pair of winged sneakers, an arrow tipped with love dust, or a pair of enchanted scissors?


Everything will work out fine—as long as she doesn’t get caught.

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Novella, Mythology, Short Stories, Supernatural

25 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 10, 2015

About the author

Rachel is the author of the urban fantasy Monster Haven series from Carina Press. She believes in magic, the power of love, good cheese, lucky socks, and putting things off until stress gets them done faster at the last minute. Her home is Disneyland, despite her current location in Kansas.
https://www.facebook.com/rlnaquin
Be among the special peeps who get all the R.L. Naquin updates first by signing up for the official newsletter here: http://rlnaquin.us6.list-manage.com/s...

Reviews

[Mlpmom (Book Reviewer) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This might be a fun series to start in the future.

[Lily]

Rating: UNRATED*

I'm not entirely sure how to review this novelette. It is well enough written, easy to read with its prose and smooth transitions, especially considering the shortness, but...

I just cannot connect with this character, and it runs throughout this novelette. From her reaction to suddenly becoming a medusa, to the way she acts when she comes to Mt Olympus just doesn't work for me. Neither does her parents' actions. A lot is unexplained and I'm left generally confused.

I will not continue the series.

*I leave books unrated if I cannot justify at least a 3 star review.

[Ami · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars rounded up

This little short story is available for free at Amazon so I decided to snap it up. I always enjoy stories that have Greek/Roman mythology mixed into it, so the idea of Gorgon as a heroine totally intrigues me.

I admit, the first page put me off a little when I saw the name Kathryn Hepburn because it is a glaring typo for one of the most popular actresses in the world. I am not nit-picky about editing since I am not a native English speaker but I admit it clouded my initial judgment. I thought this would be filled with bad editing and such. Yes, yes, I know, I'm a little snob when it comes to self-published stories *head hangs in shame*

Then I carried on ... and I was quickly entertained with it. I loved Patrice's reaction when she found out that she was a gorgon. I loved that she embraces being one, because, hey, she loves snakes! *lol* I loved the humorous tone in here especially during Patrice working as the receptionist -- the transgender cyclops just clinched the deal -- and I could see the potentials. I might keep an eye of a full length novel since I'd love to read more about Patrice's adventures :)

In the meantime, maybe I should check Naquin's Mt. Olympus Employment Agency series...

[Dakota · Rating 3 out of 5]

short story, the premise was interesting enough will check out the next one

[Mandy Sickle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patrice’s parents have been keeping a secret from her since she was born that she’s a Gorgon a descendant of Medusa and now that the insurance has lapsed she look just like you would expect. However Patrice isn’t as unhappy about the change as you may think finally feeling like herself at last, but sadly she’s got to live in the supernatural world. Not like she can attend classes with her hair full of snakes and green skin. Thankfully she has a place where she can be herself. Will the new life be everything that Patrice wanted? Will she find her hidden calling?

I wasn’t sure about Patrice at first but she quickly grew on me as the story progressed. I really liked her sneaky new job that’s she’s taken over even though she’s had to break the rules to do it. I’m curious to learn more about Patrice and who else happens to be working at the Mt. Olympus Employment Agency.

Becoming is a short little intro into an exciting new world filled with supernatural characters that capture the heart as well as the imagination. I’ve enjoyed the author books by the author so when I saw a new one I had to give it a shot and it doesn’t disappoint. I found the concept unique taking the concept of mythology and putting her own unique spin on it. The characters are easy to connect with and the story is hard to put down. One of my favorite story tellers she’s created another beautiful story that is hard to put down. I can’t wait to check out the new series.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I began reading this book because I met the author. She lives in my area and was at the end of NaNo celebration. Because she was a local author, her books were on my to-read list, but meeting her and talking to her in person has bumped them up.

This is the first thing I've read by R.L. Naquin and what made me think I would enjoy this story was when Patrice turns into a gorgon, and is cool with it. She feels at home in her original skin. (So many times it is the opposite, where the main character is devastated and has to learn to love themselves.) For Patrice, her true struggle is to find a way to do what she wants to do. I love how she is true to herself throughout, saving animals that others are not especially fond of, because she loves them. Can't wait to read the Muse series.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first in a spin off from the Mount Olympus series Becoming is the tale of Patrice who discovers on her 20th birthday that's she's a gorgon. With her new snake hairdo she's not able to continue her normal human life so she goes to work at the Mount Olympus Employment Agency.

I have a feeling I'm really going to like Patrice as a main character and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what rules she breaks next in her new job.

(I read this short story in the Transmonstrified anthology but it's also available as a separate ebook)

[Dahrose · Rating 2 out of 5]

I suppose these days this offering is considered a hook... as in a baited trap, expected to provide the reader with a taste (freebie wise) and hook them into investing real money into the rest of the series or other works by this author.
To call it a novella would be stretching things. To use a culinary metaphor this offering wouldn't even qualify as an appetiser - instead it struck me more as an amuse-bouche. A little snapshot, barely enough time to glimpse the world, heroine, before the jaws swing close and I'm left saying... this ended how?
There was a lot of promise here, an imaginative world building. But our h, was a little one dimensional. One day she's a mousey human, the next she's a Gorgon, packing her bags and swishing off to Mt Olympus. Where she picks up a receptionist gig without much explanation, goes on a power trip and becomes a complete bitch for giggles.
And I'm expected to admire her? Empathise with her? Like her? Her explanation for being a bitch is questionable. Nor, did her sudden urge to break all the rules and go gallivanting off to save some creature features, make much sense. She steals stuff from Gods to accomplish this, breaks rules etc etc - but no where do we meet a God, or find out what happens if you break the rules so there are no consequences. No tension.
Look, this is well written. And the author has laid out a world I might be interested in exploring as a reader. But this little offering felt rushed, flimsy and unsatisfying.

[Chasity Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional read

I've taken an interest in gorgons and was pleased when I stumbled across this story. I truly enjoyed it and it gave me more insight into gorgons as a whole. And now I must read more.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author makes this available as freebie, worth more than that ;-)

Seriously, short-story, introducing character and world. Works well, leaves one wanting more.

I bought the next two Undercover Gorgon books immediately upon finishing this one.

Recommended.

[Adelaide Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this series overall, it is very unusual and easy to read.

[DEBORAH I MORRIS]

I don't remember I finished this book a long time ago

[BookwormMomma7 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a Taste

This is an intro to the character and situation in 28 pages and it is brilliant. If you like fantasy/paranormal you will be intrigued. I am off to get book one.

[Jamie G · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really short, but it did a good job at making me want to read more of the series. It was super interesting!

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first became acquainted and fell in love with the writings of R. L. Naquin after reading her Monster Haven series. (If you haven't read this series I highly recommend it). Rachel's characters are always so colorful, thought provoking and comical. Additionally, her marvelous world building sets the stage for the festivities to follow.

"Undercover Gorgon: Becoming" is the prequel in this series and provides the background of how 20 year old, snake loving Patrice, learns that she is a gorgon and how she has to change her life by becoming a receptionist at a paranormal employment agency on My. Olympus. Just as she thinks she will go crazy from the hoohum boredom of her job, she steals a pair of shoes and heads out to rescue a basilisk from a homeowner that wants nothing more than to have it dead. This is when Patrice realizes she has found a way to love her job.

This 25 page novella promises plenty of colorful characters and comedic moments in this series. I can't wait to read book one!

[Relina Skye · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Becoming" by R.L. Naquin is Episode #0 in her "Undercover Gorgon" miniseries. Up until Patrice's twentieth birthday, she lived her life like an average non rebellious American teenager. But once that clock stroke midnight, her true physical nature manifests itself. Can Patrice learn to live as a gorgon, snake hair and all, or will she let her inner viper take control?
No matter what R. L. Naquin writes, short stories, novellas, or novels she does an amazing job grabbing the reader's attention while creating an entire world for them to fall into. "Becoming" is one of her short stories that takes place in the "Mt. Olympus Employment Agency" universe. If you choose to read this story as a stand alone, part of her "Transmonstrified" collection of short stories, or as a means to hold you over until the next Wynter Greene book, you're in for a treat.

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Undercover Gorgon episode #0 by R.L. Naquin is a very witty and wonderful, fantasy short story. The plot and characters are well developed and creative. A very startled Patrice finds she has become a green skinned, snake haired Gorgon the minute after midnight on her 20th birthday. Her spell insurance her family put on her lapsed. She goes to work for the Mount Olympus Employment Agency. The fun really starts there. The action is fun and witty. I giggled a lot when her snake hair drank her coffee and was very caffeinated. LOL. I can't wait to read the next book!

[Elentarri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute short story.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love any books with Mythology and this is a great start to a new series.

[Jiamelishua Ammons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story!


Enjoyed this story about a mythical gorgon. A young lady who is leading a normal life and then one night discovers that she is not who she has appeared to be.

[Utena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real Rating: 4.5

Meet Patrice, who upon turning twenty, found out she was not human at all. In fact, her parents had been keeping a secret from her. The moment her insurance failed she found out that she was a descendant of Medusa, the cursed gorgon. Patrice is not cursed like Medusa was. She won't turn people to stone but her eyes will be sensitive to light.

Patrice is whisked away and finds herself as the receptionist for the Mt. Olympus Employment Agency. Here everything goes through her. One day, a woman comes in with a problem - she has a basilisk living under her porch and she is afraid to let her cat out. Patrice learns that there had been another basilisk but the exterminator that had been sent killed it. So instead of sending another exterminator out, Patrice goes out to take care of it herself. In fact, she even friends it, taking it someplace where it will live peacefully.

And for now, no one seems to know what she has done.

This was a really nice short novella to introduce you to the series. I found myself liking Patrice and I love that she still cares for snake-like creatures that she went out of her way to save the basilisk on her own. It might have been against her job and the agency rules but she still did it. Perhaps not all of her humanity has vanished.

I have a great love for mythology and I have to say that it was Rick Riordan that renewed that love with his Percy Jackson series. I think this small series (can I call it a small series?) will continue that love. It has been fun and enjoyable and I quite looking forward to reading the other two to this one.

[seasalt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why the rating is so low?
1st, it was too short for God's sake!
2nd, I still couldn't connect to this book.