Soul Bound

Kat Drummond #0.5

by Nicholas Woode-Smith

I'm a university student, paying my way through my studies, balancing friendships and finding my own place.

And I've got a ghost of a knight from another world living inside my head.

Together with my ghostly roommate and some swords I bought off the internet, I hunt monsters for a living.

It's not that unusual in this world of magic and monsters. There's a beast on the loose every day in Hope City, and someone has to put it down.

And that someone is me.

My name is Kat Drummond, and I'm a part-time monster hunter.

Soul Bound is an action-packed and character driven short story prequel introducing you to the world of Kat Drummond and the Cataclysm. Start your journey for free and then make sure to pick up a copy of Part-Time Monster Hunter on Amazon.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Fantasy, Short Stories

44 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 26, 2020

About the author

Nicholas Woode-Smith is a fantasy and science fiction author from Cape Town, South Africa. He has been writing since the age of twelve, writing short stories, novels, and RPG campaigns. In 2013, he published his first book, Fall of Zona Nox. Five years later, he published it again after greatly improving his skills.

Since then, he’s written dozens of books in the urban fantasy and sci-fi genre. Notably, the best-selling urban fantasy series, Kat Drummond.

Nicholas has a degree majoring in economic history and philosophy, and minors in political science, international relations, and English literature from the University of Cape Town. He has been involved in politics, civic activism, and political analysis since 2014.

Reviews

[Denisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got this on my kindle but didn't realize it's a prequel to the actual series. So, as expected, I was shocked when it finished after what felt like 10 min of reading *sigh*

Still, it did make me really curious, and it was worth reading. And at least my wish for more was answered (yayy, there are, apparently, 14 books in this series!).

[Meenaz Lodhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Not all advice is good advice.”
Nicholas Woode-Smith tells a story that keeps you wanting more when you have finished it, and continues to do it with every book! This short story prequel has only revived my desire to continue to explore Kat Drummond’s adventures. An excellent introduction of how the protagonist fared at the beginning of the quest as a monster hunter. I can’t get enough of the series! Looking for to read the next release, Dark Order #10.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though short, this story makes you want more. You definitely need to learn more about Kat. Fabulous.

[Chelsea Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Perfect little intro to the world of Kat Drummond! Definitely grabs your attention and makes you want more! Highly recommend!!!!

[Silver Surfer · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a starter to the Kat Drummond series it is exactly as you would expect, full of monsters. Action all the way. Highly recommended.

[Shelley Woode-Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely intro the the main series. Gives great background into the life of Kat and makes you want to go ahead and read the full series. Also provides a small bit of insight into the complexity that is the heroine. Well done to the author.

[John Henninger · Rating 5 out of 5]

How Kat met her cat

It’s a nice short story prequel to Part Time Monster Hunter (can you believe it’s already at 10 books?) I liked how it bridges the gap between moving out of Trood’s house and getting her apartment.

Ramen must mean something more substantial in South Africa and I can’t see surviving on it exclusively.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought moving into a new apartment would be easy…
Even in this world of magic and monsters, moving out shouldn’t be too hard, right?
With help from the ghost in my head, I hunt monsters to pay the bills and pay my way through university. Now it’s time I finally get my own place.
Through lopping off zombie and giant rat heads, I should have enough money, right?
But if there’s anything consistent about living in Hope City, things are seldom easy.

This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
My name is Kat Drummond, and I’m a part-time monster hunter.
Soul Bound is a prequel short story to Part-Time Monster Hunter and the Kat Drummond Series.

[Anna Ostberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every picture tells a story - just how amazing is the cover of the prequel. Kat and Alex in the alley, Kat rescued Alex from Zombie dogs. This is a great stand alone introduction to Kat, Part-Time Monster Hunter, and Treth (Kat's inner knightly ghost ).

Kat is moving out of the home of Trudie, her bestie, and her foster parents, with whom she has lived since aged six when her parents died, and into a new neighbourhood. The land lady needs Kat to sign an indemnity exempting claims for infestations of evil spirits. Surprise, Mrs Ndlovu is correct. There are evil spirits in the neighbourhood. Enter Brett from Drakenbane Monster Hunting Agency with his black van blaring ACDC and the scene is set for future adventures.

[Bonnie Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my introduction to the Kat Drummond world. I was caught up in the story right away. Kate's determination despite her background made me like her right off. She's got a good heart and sincerely wants to help. She's flying by the seat of her pants and barely makes it out of scrapes intact. I love that she's not a complete badass hunter. Yet.
I enjoyed the banter between Kat and the ghost that lives in her head. Reminds me of Dresden and Bob.
Definitely a great read. I'm off to start book 1.

[Doty Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a good intro to Kat Drummond, a collage student and part time Monster Hunter-girl needs to make a living. This one give more insight to in inner workings of Kat mind, how she is balancing her thoughts, living with a ghost Knight in her head... you will want to read all the books, as your waiting for next ones to find out how her powers and skills emerge....

[Carolyn Vandine West · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it, I loved it. I want some more of it. Cute introduction to this series. I see there is a bunch to follow. Meet Kat a young college student whose part time job is killing zombies and whatever kinds of undead she finds along the way. There is a bounty for each head that she delivers. She also has a ghost knight that has taken residence in her head. A funny twist, he gives her advice, some good, some off the wall. I received a free copy for signing up for the newsletter. I was not required to leave a review

[Julian White · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Free) epub from author, 32 pages including a chapter from Part-Time Monster Hunter

Engaging prequel to the series, introducing the main character(s) and outlining The World As It Is in this Post-Cataclysm Earth. Impressed enough to buy the box set of Books 1 - 4 (even if they are from Amazon) at a bargain price. (Cheap? Me?)

[Shawnta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This quick easy read was a great introduction into the Kat Drummond series.

[Ami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and exciting prequel to the series. I’m looking forward to reading all of them.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this ebook from the author and this is my honest and freely given opinion.

[Yasmeen Mohamed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked Kat and the constant banter with her resident ghost. That was my first acquaintance with the series but I'm definitely hooked

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This really got me hooked.I had to read every book of the Kat Drummond series after this.
A brilliant intro to Kat's world!

[BookD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook Review:

Great start to an interesting series! I’ve seen the series around and have been wanting to check it out. I’m glad I finally have!

The narration was EXCELLENT!!!

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am, by no means, a fan of zombie stories, but this short story was no bad at all. I was pleasantly surprised. The main characters were believable, a cat was involved, and I liked the saving at the end. I do recommend this book for a quick fun read.

[Marilyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great prequel to the series and gives a lot of background so that you kept to know the characters. You get to know what has happened before the series start.

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction to Kat and the series

[Mary T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good short story.
Kat Drummond is a university student and a monster hunter. An enjoyable read to preface the first book. I received this story free from the author and will now go on to read 'Part-Time Monster Hunter'.

[Marjorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to Kat's world! This fast paced story includes quite a bit of the cast and their quirks. I love how this series seems to effortlessly mix humor and deep philosophy with a fight scene. It gives a good feel for the post-apocalyptic world and magic system as well. Plus, it tells the story of how Kat met Alex - I knew there had to be a epic back story there!

If you have read other book in the series, this is a fun look back to where Kat's adventures as a part-time monster hunter began. Back when it was simpler, but not necessarily easier. If you are new to Kat's world, it just gets better from here, the humor, the heartbreak, the danger - it's a world you won't want to leave.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very short intro, an intriguing central character(s) set in an unusual location, with just enough back story, and interesting enough to make me want to read more. It was short so there wasn't a lot of content, and I did like it so gave it 3 stars,(liked it) not because of any problems or flaws, just because there wasn't a lot to rate, and my own bias is to longer stories.

[OldBird · Rating 3 out of 5]

A prequel that can actually be read as a prequel, and a stand-alone with an open end to boot. Meet Kat Drummond, student in a post-magi-pocalypse world where monster roam... And need to be slayed. Even if it is by a teenager with money problems and a ghost living inside her head.

While it can feel a little lacking in action department (one scene Kat's a newbie-but-badass slayer, later she um... Drops her weapon and runs away?), it's a good intro into the world with all the details you need without going into info-dump territory. It gives you a taste of Kat's voice (resigned to life as it is, not full of caustic snark for once in urban fantasy!), shows us her relationship with ghost-voice Terth, and generally sets the scene for things to come. Standard urban fantasy stuff, but intriguing if you're in the mood for some undead slaying to pay the bills.

-I received a free copy of this e-book in a giveaway. This does not influence my review-

[Ayezu Tamarapreye Okoko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soul Bound (Kat Drummond, #0.5)
by Nicholas Woode-Smith
Book REVIEWER -OKOKO AYEZU TAMARAPREYE

A prose fiction on the job of a surveyor or head giver who performs services of the search for the dead(the after dead) for a pay or fee and the fright or psychological trauma.The book discusses the reasons for actions;advise ,receipt of same and the power of an independent mind while giving advise on joining his newsletter as a "monster hunter", searching for the dead(the after death) and zombies by the never stopping undead(on-dead);nations and border(bore-da with da for"father" pronounced "far-da, further,fa-da) wars; amongst others

[Sentinelle23 · Rating 4 out of 5]

💖💖💜 VERY GOOD START FOR THIS FANTASY SERIES

Kate Drummond is a young woman who hunts monsters of all kind.

She is haunted by TRETH, a rather talkative ghost...

She hasn't been short of work since the Vortex opened to spread the monsters on Earth...

---------------

An energetic, funny main character who earns a living in an original, dangerous and radical way.

The ghost/hunter duo is absolutely irresistible !

This prequel is a very good fantasy series start.

A prequel to discover.

[Neil Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story was way too short. I know it was a prequel, but I wanted more. First one of this writer's works that I have read. It definitely won't be the last.. If you're new to the genre, like I am, don't hesitate, get in and start reading. You won't be sorry. If you're an old hand, well you're lucky, you can just carry on regardless. Luck you and why didn't you let the rest of us know?

[Sheila Gabler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great introduction to the main characters, It focuses on how Kat met Alex and her foray into finding her first apartment. While short like most prequels it is an intense and interesting read. Once started I had a hard time putting it down and my SO may have had to make his own dinner that night ;)

[Paul Bennington · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a prequel to the Kat Drummond series and I think it would have been better had this book been part of the 10-book set since its story precedes them.

It is a very short story and I found it disappointing in that I expected to start before Kat Drummond became a monster hunter. It does give more background to Kat Drummond and fills in a bit more as to how she met Brett.