Vol. 1 – Tampa Bay by Brent A. Philips Review – Author Anthony Avina’s Blog

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A magic-wielding hero must overcome his inner demons in order to stop a rising, ancient evil in author Brent A. Philips’s “Kahuna: Vol.1 – Tampa Bay”. 

The Synopsis

Vox Montague is no stranger to waking up hungover and naked. As the Kahuna of Tampa Bay, he juggles his role as a supernatural peacekeeper with drunken strip club shenanigans, money woes, and a relationship with his witch-babe of a girlfriend that requires even more patching than the pipes he works on at his plumbing company.

When an ancient evil resurfaces, it couldn’t have come at a worse time. Vox’s new powers are wonky, his emotions are on edge, and his Kahuna Council bosses are breathing down his neck. As the stakes ratchet up, can this impetuous magic-wielder conquer his inner demons so that he can protect Earth from the murderous, real-life ones?

With spectacular world-building, delicious raunch, and LMAO humor, if you like in-your-face action, epic quests, and flawed heroes, then you’ll love Brent A. Phillips’s tyrannosaurus-size urban fantasy.

The Review

This was one of the more mature, raunchy, action-packed fantasy reads. The balance of humor and grit that the author was able to infuse into the story and the descriptive nature of the writing style allowed the reader to feel engaged with this cast of characters right from the start. The way the author can weave together the magical side of this story with the real-world human elements makes this feel like a plausible and honest depiction of the world the author has crafted.

The heart of this story rests in the world-building, mythos, and character development. Immediately, what stood out was the protagonist, for Vox is a truly flawed hero. The magical nature of his work and the role he takes in this story meld with the realism of his character. The issues he faces as a person and in his personal relationships speak to the authenticity of this individual and make his heroics more profound when his character grows.

The Verdict

Thrilling, engaging, and memorable author Brent A. Philips’s “Kahuna: Vol 1—Tampa Bay” is a must-read urban fantasy. The humor, mythology, and action balance out the realistic character development, making this a compelling and gripping story with a shocking series of twists and turns that will keep readers eager for the next entry in the series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Brent A. Phillips is a Marketing AI Scientist, foodie, possum admirer, and Miami Hurricanes fan. He lives wherever his fifth wheel happens to be.