Haley and the Catfish Invasion

Haley and Nana #2

by M.C.A. Hogarth

Haley and Nana return in a second heartwarming adventure! Having embraced her new meta class, Haley is ready for anything... except, possibly, a plague of seafood! It turns out it's harder than she thought to sit back and let other people handle the problems she really, really wants solved....

This second installment in the adventures of a post-apocalyptic world with a game system imposed on it by magical aliens contains yet another recipe, because (once again), that's the kind of story this is. Curl up with some cornbread and watch Haley craft her way through another quick read!

Genres: Fantasy

82 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 29, 2022

About the author

Daughter of two Cuban political exiles, M.C.A. Hogarth was born a foreigner in the American melting pot and has had a fascination for the gaps in cultures and the bridges that span them ever since. She has been many things—-web database architect, product manager, technical writer and massage therapist—-but is currently a full-time parent, artist, writer and anthropologist to aliens, both human and otherwise.

Her fiction has variously been recommended for a Nebula, a finalist for the Spectrum, placed on the secondary Tiptree reading list and chosen for two best-of anthologies; her art has appeared in RPGs, magazines and on book covers.

Reviews

[Jacob Proffitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is second in a series, and you can certainly read them out of order, though it does build from the first book. I don’t know why you’d want to, though, because both are so good!

This packs quite a punch for such a short book. Novella. Whatever. Heartwarming, tender, insightful. You know the tone and more-or-less the subject from the first book. But this delivers on every dimension and I just can’t say how much I love it!

Five stars and I’m on to the next. I’m going to hate getting to the end of this series, I can tell!

A note about Chaste: Nothing so far. Not even kissing. Though Oliver is still looking like a strong candidate. I really hope it materializes, though I’m just fine taking time to get there.

[Melissa McShane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun follow-up to the first book in the series. I love the way Haley's skills develop, and it's great to see their community grow. The side characters are also a lot of fun. It was a lovely quick read that left me feeling cheerful, which is something that happens rarely enough it's worth noting.

[Jon Svenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved book 1, and now that I've read book 2 I love it as well. Since these are short stories that focus on warm feelings, bringing people together to help with problems, good food and excellent coffee, I don't have a single complaint.

And in contrast to one of the other reviewers, I enjoyed the religious aspect. I know it's a personal subject to each person, but I feel that too much of society goes out of its way to omit religion, or if they can't do that, to minimize it. It's refreshing to see it in print here.

Recommended. 5/5*

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a bit silly but really sweet and a wonderful cosy read.

[Mary Catelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story 2. Spoilers for 1 ahead.

Haley sets out to work her job as Questgiver by making a map. Not an ordinary map, she's sure she can do a magical one. Except there are conditions.

She gives more quests, and there is an invasion of walking catfish enlivening life. This involves a tarp being burned, a former college professor, experiments in ink, and more.

[medicmsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worldbuilding! Gaming! Level 3 catfish! :-)

2nd book in this series and more on the way. A girl, her grandma, their cat [level 2 feline], and a brand-new way of looking at the world. Enjoy! :-)

[Henry Reidel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haley and the Catfish Invasion

This second book was just as good as the first. I enjoyed them very much. I would recommend them for everyone.

[Andy L · Rating 5 out of 5]

More charming

I'm a big fan of slow burn slice of life litrpg. This is a great example. Stakes seem low but are gradually increasing.

[A.A.B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is pure cozy delight! Perfect for winter evenings: entertaining, relaxing, intriguing and light. An antidote to stressful seasons and bad weather days.

[David Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable continuation of Haley's story (short novella).

[Ribbon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Quadruple the Christian content from the first book. Plot dropped to juvenile level. A damn shame.

[Rita · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a short story there is quite a bit of world building and action. Enjoyed seeing our heroes progress.

[Jannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fun series so far and it really doesn't feel short

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another heartwarming and cosy short story, one that hugs you tight and keeps you warm inside.