Reviews

Brent A. Phillips
2024-07-19

The first book in a new series, it’s clear that Phillips is a master storyteller. The characters are unique, spunky, and full of a mixture of fun and angst, especially the main protagonist. You will almost feel sorry for him, given everything he has to deal with, but you’ll laugh out loud at his antics and the trouble that always seems to find him. Phillips has created a wonderful world, and you will lose yourself in this story as you are transported to Tampa Bay and the supernatural world Vox lives in. There is plenty of action in this urban fantasy, and it’s a unique story in the genre. Wholly enjoyable; I can’t wait for the second one to be released. Kahuna is not ideal for younger readers due to the violence and language.

Anne-Marie Reynolds, Readers' Favorite

Reviews: 4.9

StPete77

June 23, 2023

Top 5 Fantasy Book Ever; Will Be Too Raunchy For Some
I’ve read a diverse mix of fantasy books, well over 500 in total, and would put my tastes up against anyone’s. I’m very discerning. If you’ve read Kahuna from cover and cover and don’t think it’s brilliant, then quite honestly I don’t know what to say about you. Unless you’re put off by raunch. Then I get it. It’s really raunchy sometimes. Not always, just here and there, but the scene with the Florida skunk apes is as obscene a scene as I’ve ever read. That the lead character, Vox, thinks about sex a lot doesn’t bother me a bit. Hey, wakeup call everybody, that’s how guys are. We think about women all the time. That being said, the raunch doesn’t get in the way of the story, it just flavors it here and there. The world that the author has created is as interesting and original of any ever created in my opinion. You can tell he put so much thought into it. As for Kahunas, I knew the term had something to do with Hawaii but not much more than that. He brings them to life in a way that almost convinces you they are walking around among us. The magic is logically constructed and super tight. I couldn’t find any holes in it which is rare. Love that there are so many animals and the earth and sea languages they have.

As a Tampa Bay resident, I can say that the author really captured the spirit of the area. He has to be a native himself. I can hardly drive around either side of the bay without thinking of where different scenes happened. I drove over and ate at Mell’s Hot Dogs by Busch Gardens just because of the book. Had great food by the way.

I am going to say it write now that Duncan Panther is the coolest character I’ve ever read about. He’s my idol. To live his life would be the ultimate. All the characters are super unique and have their own voice. I love that the female ones usually have the most sense. As a person who watches the ponies at Tampa Bay Downs and knows jockeys, that scene with Cod piece was one of my favorite. Quite honestly though, it’s about impossible for me to pick a favorite character other than Duncan. Vox of course. Lester. Achilles for sure. I really liked Maria and Valentina too and hope future books explore witch lore. The author has his own take on vampires, too. How he juggles different first person narrators is also genius. There are quite a few surprises along the way and I can’t think of any that seemed contrived. I won’t ruin it for anybody but they are all naturally wove into the story. That Vox has his plumbing company based out of a strip club is genius. It just gives you so many possibilities. I wonder if strippers are going to be in all the stories. I hope so and guess maybe they will since a lot of the scenes are set there and some characters work there.

I can’t wait for the next book to come out. The cliffhanger at the end made me grind my teeth cause I knew I’d be waiting with anxious anticipation until it gets resolved. Supposedly the next book is in Hawaii. I’ve been there and can’t wait to see if the author brings in the local flavor as effectively as he did with the first book. The humor needs to be mentioned. The book is really funny front to back without being forced. When you are constantly laughing reading it and people are looking at you strange, you know you have a funny one. I’ve only done that with a few other books.

As you can tell I enjoyed the book more than I can say. I’ve been let down by other authors who had an amazing first book but either couldn’t keep the quality or wrote so slow that you forget about them. With all the obvious talent the author has, I’ll keep my fingers crossed and hope he hits a home run again with the next book. He created a work of art here I’ll never forget and came onto the urban fantasy scene with his gloves off and unafraid to do something different than the same old stuff you usually read. I respect that and he pulled it off.

Faye Diggs

March 14, 2023

Terrific book!!
If you want a terrific book that will transport you into another world then you came to the right place. Kahuna blew me away with how interesting it was all the way through. Vox is the best. There were no slow parts just one chapter going into the next and everything interesting and funny and exciting. I especially loved the chapter about the skunk apes which was probably the funniest thing I ever read its like a book within a book almost. I am not going to forgive the author for one thing and he knows what Im talking about lulz. Im still in mourning and I hope there is a resurrection later. It is fantasy after all. So many unexpected twists and turns and some really original characters beyond what you normally see in fantasy. Im basically in love with Duncan Panther. Hurry up please I can't WAIT for book number two!

Conejita M.

February 20, 2023

There Is Nothing I Like Better in My Life Than Finding a New Awesome Author
And I found one. The book is just so fricking good in so many ways. Brent Phillips is obviously a master novelist. There are so many things that he excels at and he is always in control. The pages almost turn themselves lol the rhythm and pace flow so well. He knows when to slow down and when to speed up. I also love how he expertly doles out the lore and magic along the way instead of giving a big info dump in the beginning. I haven't seen much less heard of anything this original in a long time. Vox is a Kahuna- a peacekeeper of the supernatural world. He has a ton of problems but they aren't anything like what he is going to face. Along the way he goes on these mini adventures to assemble a weapon to take down the evil creature threatening Florida. All of them are really great. While the plot itself isn't overly complex there is a LOT happening that the author weaves together. Everything fits perfectly. Each character is more amazing than the next one. The platypus therapist scene is hillarious. His friend and enemy Lester and what happened to him left me in shambles. The brother and sister called natterlocks is probably my favorite chapter. As a Florida resident I love the skunk ape and "Old Hunley" (-we know his real name wink wink) chapters.

There are many references to food, music, and other topics. I didn't understand every one of them but they definitely add to the book. The book is really amusing too. Not just "snark" like other people but legit funny. There is a lot of exciting action also. Just too much to cover it all in a review.

I love the cover art but it needs to be formatted better on the paperback instead of having those bezels. Not that big of a quibble but I'd still work on that. I also love the pictures on his website and really wanted them to be in the book too but you can't have everything. I need those for art on my wall. Whoever the artist was has so much talent. Duncan Panther's world he has in his hotel left me speechless. Coolest place ever. Achiles the cat saving the day made my day. The Gardener scene lmao.

I honestly could write all day about the book. I love it so much. Thank you so much Mr. Phillips. I'm a Kahunanut for life lol.

canedol

February 19, 2023

Totally enjoyable read
I found this beauty while searching for something out of the ordinary, and it does not disappoint. It is a quirky and fun story that is smooth and easily followed. The characters are rough around the edges but still delightful. I was pleased to find the heroes relatable, not the usual super heroes that seem out of reach for most of us. Their unique magical powers are sure to keep you captivated and amused. This book is just the right mix of fantasy and reality, with a great deal of humor. I hope you find it as enjoyable as I did.