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The Intruders by Brett McKay – Review by Shannon Fowler

The IntrudersThe Intruders by Brett McKay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Looking for an interesting thriller type story? This author has one for you. The Intruders are just that…. intruders…beings that don’t belong and don’t mean well for human kind. The story is well written with main character Dex leading the way most of the time. His family is pretty important to him and the story. Other characters stand out as well. Connor, Quinn and Pam just to name a few.

Towards the climax of this story, I did not think Dex would find a way to overcome the intruders…as I write this review, I still have about 10 mins left to read and I am still wondering if all will be well!!! Definitely being kept on the edge of my seat while reading this adventure.

Interesting fun fact. This author includes an author’s note after each chapter. While that is something new to me, it brought a little bit of insight to the story from the author. It was weird at first for me but by the end of the story I was looking forward to seeing what he had to say.

I’d be interested in what else this author writes. Maybe another world saving mission for Dex!

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Reviewed by @shannonlovesbooks

The Intruders by Brett McKay – Review by Kerry Baker

The IntrudersThe Intruders by Brett McKay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book caught my attention from the moment I read the description and it kept it right until the last page. I knew this was a book I had to read to find out what was going on. I really enjoyed the main character in this book. I was rooting for him the whole way through to figure things out. The connection between him and his family was just great to read.
This is a new author to me and I loved the paced they injected into the book. It was exciting and a thrill to read. I couldn’t put the book down because I just had to know what was going to happen and how things would turn out. This was a truly great book and I can’t wait to discover more of this authors work.

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The Intruders by Brett McKay – Review by Charlisa Wahtomy-Alba

The IntrudersThe Intruders by Brett McKay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What kind of knowledge would a down and out car salesman possess? Dex’s captors thought it was important enough to abduct his whole family. After many hours of torture the abductors realize that they have nabbed the wrong guy. Now with his life and that of his family are marked for death he must find a way to free them. Will he be successful? This was a book that started out with action and never let up the whole way through. If you like books that have twists and turns and will keep you turning the pages I suggest you give this a try. This was the first book inhave read by this author and I was not disappointed. If any of his other books are anything like this one he has gained a new fan.

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The Intruders by Brett McKay – Review by Julie Johnson

The IntrudersThe Intruders by Brett McKay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a unique book and a very interesting, new-to-me author! I was surprised to see how this book is set up to include the author’s notes. At first I wasn’t sure how I would feel about it but I’ve decided that I really loved it for this book. It’s great to get in the mind of the writer and see where they were going with something, or why they chose to write the scene the way they did. I really appreciate this unique angle.

Now about the book….wow!!! It grabs you from the first word and just doesn’t let go until it’s over! Dex is a regular ole car salesman, a family man. Regan, his wife is lovely and has her hands full with their two boys. They find themselves abducted and in a weird place, enduring all sorts of torture until they can escape. Or have they really escaped?

This ones got some pretty cool nuggets in it and I think they enhance the story even more. I look forward to reading more of this author’s work!

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The Intruders by Brett McKay – Review by Kerry Carr

The IntrudersThe Intruders by Brett McKay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow what a story this was. It is a great Thriller that had me hooked from the first page. I just couldn’t stop reading which to me is a sign of a good book. The author has put a lot of effort into getting inside the minds of the characters and it has really paid off in the writing. You feel you are beside the characters and witnessing and feeling everything first hand which only makes the story more compelling. The insight into the characters mind also makes them more real and not just some words on the page.

Dex is a loving father and husband. He’s a bit down on his luck but he will do anything for his family. He seems stuck in his dead end job until the day a strange package arrives.
Dex doesn’t open the package however so has no idea what is about to happen.
When strangers break into his house and kidnap Dex and his wife and kids, Dex’s whole world is turned upside down.
Now he faces unimaginable torture while the strange men try to get answers from him. But he doesn’t have any answers?
What follows is a really painful time as he is tortured, while they try to get to answer he doesn’t possess.
Can Dex escape this hell and find a way of saving himself and his family? What do these people want? And is there some connection to Dex that even he isn’t aware of.

This book is a gripping fast paced read that will keep you hooked. It is full of danger and tension and will take you on a rollercoaster of a ride as the story unravels.

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The Intruders by Brett McKay – Review by Shelly Kittell

The IntrudersThe Intruders by Brett McKay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow! This is quite the thriller. Dex just wants to change his life for the better but ends up having a horrible ride that puts his whole family at risk. This book is scary, original, entertaining and very engaging. The author includes his thoughts in between each chapter. This was new to me. I understand that this book started out on Vella and that is why the format. I came to like it because you got a glimpse into the process of how the story came about which added another level to it. A definite thriller that creeps you eye. Those silver eyes gave me goosebumps. The characters, right down to the minute details, are so spot on and relatable that you can feel a piece of yourself in them. The plot flows fairly smooth. I recommend this for all those thrill seekers out there. Don’t forget to check over yoru shoulder.

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The Intruders by Brett McKay – Review by Angela Hayes

The IntrudersThe Intruders by Brett McKay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

4 Stars

 

The Intruders by Brett McKay is a bit of a gripping supernatural thriller. This is my first book from Mr. McKay so I was excited to see what he could do.
I was immediately pulled into the story, avidly reading along to find out how things played out in the end. I was so engrossed that I ended up reading the whole book in one sitting. I didn’t need sleep. I needed answers lol.
Dex Sanders is a down on his luck husband and father. Scraping by as a car salesman just to make ends meet. But what happens when strange things begin to happen? An odd package arrives. Then dangerous intruders abduct him and his family- and then try to torture information out of him? Things couldn’t get worse. Or could they? Dex will need to dig deep, and try to keep his wits about him if he has any chance of finding a way to escape to save his family and himself- oh, and the world while he’s at it.
An intense story full of danger, dramatic developments, action, violence, agendas, time running out, high stakes, discovery, challenges, a powerful supernatural force, deadly & determined killers, and a whole lot of nail-biting tension…. it’s well worth the read to discover all the gripping details for yourself.
Happy Reading!

Thank you, Brett McKay!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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The Intruders by Brett McKay – Review by Lorrene Huisman

The IntrudersThe Intruders by Brett McKay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book really brought on the wow factor as well as the blow your mind factors as well! I was intrigued all the way through! The story had a mix of everything, I cant say it was one specific genre. And those specific words made this book all more appealing. I simply must say I was amazed and fascinated as I read!

The writing was spot on, and the author knew how to draw the reader in and hold them there to the final word on the final page. The horror side of this story really appealed to me, but then we got into some sci-fi elements, and my mind was blown. Personally the author notes of thoughts after each conclusion of a chapter, was a welcoming touch. I enjoyed reading the author’s thoughts as to why it was written how it was. The characters were great, realistic, and certainly had strong character development, but Dex really was well written. Family man, supports his family, but when danger strikes, he steps up and does whatever he must. The book was a tornado of events and emotions! I could not put this one down Freaking loved it!

I cannot say good enough things about this book or the talented author. You must experience my recommendation for yourself. Highly recommend. A must read for sure-to both the author and book!

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The Intruders by Brett McKay – Review by Lorrene Huisman

The IntrudersThe Intruders by Brett McKay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book really brought on the wow factor as well as the blow your mind factors as well! I was intrigued all the way through! The story had a mix of everything, I cant say it was one specific genre. And those specific words made this book all more appealing. I simply must say I was amazed and fascinated as I read!

The writing was spot on, and the author knew how to draw the reader in and hold them there to the final word on the final page. The horror side of this story really appealed to me, but then we got into some sci-fi elements, and my mind was blown. Personally the author notes of thoughts after each conclusion of a chapter, was a welcoming touch. I enjoyed reading the author’s thoughts as to why it was written how it was. The characters were great, realistic, and certainly had strong character development, but Dex really was well written. Family man, supports his family, but when danger strikes, he steps up and does whatever he must. The book was a tornado of events and emotions! I could not put this one down Freaking loved it!

I cannot say good enough things about this book or the talented author. You must experience my recommendation for yourself. Highly recommend. A must read for sure-to both the author and book!

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The Intruders by Brett McKay – Review by Ashley Sugar

The IntrudersThe Intruders by Brett McKay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, what a book! I loved this story so damn much! It was intense, thrilling, terrifying and the way Brett had such great descriptions of everything, made it that much better. The fighting scenes, the way he explained how someone was hurt. Simply amazing. Dex is a badass and I loved every character in this book. The plot, characters, all of it..simply great. And Brett has author notes after each chapter and I LOOOVED that. I’ve never read a book with that in it. Gives such great insight on the story and why he wrote what he wrote. My first book by Brett and I’ll definitely be checking out his others. Was a real page turner for me and I read it in one sitting. Every time I tried to put my kindle down to do something, I picked it back up. It was THAT good that I had to continue and finish to the end. HIGHLY recommend.

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The Intruders by Brett McKay

👻~🔪~🔮~🕵 BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE 👻~🔪~🔮~🕵
The Intruders by Brett McKay
Genre – Supernatural, Thriller
Page Count – 253
Cover Designer – Streetlight Graphics

After an unexpected turn flushes his chosen career down the toilet, Dex Sanders is struggling to make ends meet as a used car salesman. Despite the drudgery of the job, he manages to put on a brave face for his wife, Reagan, and their two boys, until the day an unsettling encounter with a stranger coincides with a mysterious package appearing on their doorstep.

Later that night, Dex and his family are abducted by a group of armed men and taken to an underground bunker, where Dex is tortured. When Dex can’t answer any of their odd questions, the strangers conclude they’ve nabbed the wrong guy, and the entire family is marked for execution.

With the clock ticking, Dex must free his family and retrieve the strange box that seems to hold the answers. But doing so means running from relentless killers, uncovering the truth behind an evil as old as time, and stopping a supernatural power that threatens the entire world.

~ AMAZON ~ BARNES & NOBLE ~ APPLE BOOKS ~ GOOGLE PLAY ~ KOBO ~

Click here to view the Book Trailer for The Intruders by Brett McKay

Click here to experience a Chapter Reading of The Intruders by Brett McKay

When Brett McKay is not conjuring demons and bloodthirsty psychopaths to put on paper, he sells landscaping. He loves all types of music, but hard rock and heavy metal fuel him the most. He enjoys the outdoors, spending time with friends and family, and curling up in front of a good movie with his wife and a bucket of popcorn.

Brett lives in Utah with his wife and two sons. Fall is his favorite time of year because he gets to decorate his house for Halloween much too early for his neighbors.

His short story, Ol’ Betsy, was the winner of 2018’s Seattle Crypticon. He is also an active member of The International Thriller Writers.

Author Interview with Brett McKay

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Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1) by Matilda Reyes – Review by Skylar Daniels

Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1)Unearthly Magik by Matilda Reyes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book that I have read from Matilda Reyes and I was not disappointed. I was not able to put the book down. I had to finish it from beginning to end. It had me hooked starting from the first page until the last page.
Ava Ramos is one furious mage. New York City is her town, and she and her Black Cauldron Detective Agency know every beat of the supernatural underground. Need an object found or secrets uncovered? Ava and her partners are the mages to contact. A former rival, Tasis, shows up with a case that proves Ava just might not know everything about her town.
The Lauret Grimoire, the oldest known compendium of the supernatural, has gone missing from one of the most closely guarded magikal libraries in the city. The mages assigned to guard the damned thing can’t find any clues. Tasis is one of those mages.
Now, Tasis is calling in the last favor Ava owes him. Ava never breaks her word, so she and the Black Cauldron Detective Agency take the impossible case.
I can’t wait to read the second book and see what else happens. I recommend this book for any and everyone. It’s a terrific read and I look forward to more books in the future

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Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1) by Matilda Reyes – Review by Alisa Boomer

Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1)Unearthly Magik by Matilda Reyes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Matilda Reyes is officially one of my favorite fantasy authors! Ave is a kickass heroine in the rough-and-tumble mystery taking place in the magical side of Manhattan. She & her two best friends started a detective agency for magical mysteries & the story just takes off! It is fast-paced, easy-to-read, & just makes it so hard to put down!! I am absolutely read the rest of this series!

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@vetforchrist

Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1) by Matilda Reyes – Review by Heather Watson

Unearthly MagikUnearthly Magik by Matilda Reyes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book by Matilda Reyes that I have read. I was glad to dive off into this book. I can’t wait to get into the next installment. This supernatural world that she has created and the mysteries she leaves you guessing. Ava, Nadia, and Lucas work well together and that shows that the writer wrote the characters well. Reyes set up the scenery as well as the drama around these characters. I am ready to read the more by this author.

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Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1) by Matilda Reyes – Review by Vanessa Watts

Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1)Unearthly Magik by Matilda Reyes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There are some books that come and go without a second glance and others like this book that keep you coming back for more. I am already a self described fantasy junky, throw in a good mystery and some romance and that’s seriously unforgettable!

Ava is the perfect character, the one you love to cheer for. Throw in some good friends and their banter is hilarious and reminds me of that of my friends and I. The black cauldron agency just pulled themselves out of the black thanks to the case of a family friend. Soon becoming the agency that every magical being needs including her nemesis Tasis. Who reaches out calling in the last favor she owes him and that’s to find the Lauret Grimoire which holds secrets of the magical underworld that could be disastrous if in the wrong hands! The more that’s uncovered the more confusing the case. Will Ava and her squad ever be able to make the pieces fit together to discover the location of the Grimoire? What happens when a kiss with a mysterious man seems to spin Ava’s world on its head?

This is a book I found incredibly difficult to put down. I cannot wait to read the second book in this series and continue to follow what this author puts out!

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Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1) by Matilda Reyes – Review by Ashley Hasting

Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1)Unearthly Magik by Matilda Reyes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ava is a gray mage. That is a high level mage. Her and her agency work hard on each case they work on. They finally given a case that is getting hard to crack. The adventure, drama, and friendship in this book is great. Now to the next book!

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Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1) by Matilda Reyes – Review by Callie LaMarche

Unearthly MagikUnearthly Magik by Matilda Reyes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Unearthly Magik by Matilda Reyes had a great premise and interesting characters. I truly wanted to love this book but I think it may be too trendy for me. Ava, the main character, is a kick ass magical detective with powers that remind me of poison ivy (earth magic and controls plants). There is the mix of magic with ordinaries going about their business like normal. The setup is great and Ava’s personality shines thru on every page with the little details sprinkled throughout. It is an enjoyable read and recommend to those who are in their teens or young adults.

Review by @callielamarche

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Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1) by Matilda Reyes – Review by Crystal Jimmo

Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1)Unearthly Magik by Matilda Reyes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ava Ramos thinks she knows everything there is to her city of New York, until a rival shows up and turns everything she knows upside down. Twists and turns, and even a few curve balls here and there. This thrilling mystery has you thinking you have it figured out until another twist comes and throws you off center. This story was extremely well balanced, and the character development well paced. I enjoyed reading about Ava’s adventures with her crew and getting to know New York City through her eyes. I cant wait to see what book two brings to the table and what Ava’s crew goes through next!

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Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1) by Matilda Reyes – Review by Amy Brennan

Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1)Unearthly Magik by Matilda Reyes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love when authors incorporate lots of different magical entities to their novels, and prove that it doesn’t have to be all or nothing when it comes to the decision on who you’re going to write about and in which realm, ensuring that they don’t cross over. I do believe that this author did a wonderful job ensuring the reader knew what everyone’s strengths and weaknesses were, and that isn’t always easy to do. I did find it a little hard to get into at first, but perhaps the intentionally character development and the world building was at fault for this. I have been reading series, so it’s been a while since I have indulged in a ‘pilot’ novel.

I found myself heavily rooting for Ava, who is a fiercely independent woman who runs the Black Cauldron Detective Agency with her nearest and dearest, and is far more sure of herself than she lets on a lot of the time. It’s important to know who has your back when times get tough, and the connections Ava shares with the majority of the main characters in this wonderful start to the series is addictive. I really cannot wait to dive into the next installment, Scorching Magik, when it becomes available. Well done, definitely an author to watch(read!)

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Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1) by Matilda Reyes – Review by Beverly Finnie

Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1)Unearthly Magik by Matilda Reyes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I’m up in the air when it comes to Unearthly Magik. There were parts of it I liked and parts I didn’t like. One of those things I personally didn’t like was all the Spanish throughout. Having to constantly look things up just took me out of the story. A story that was intriguing to say the least. I enjoyed the story the author brought to the page, I just didn’t like the excess. I’m the same way with foreign language movies so it’s nothing against the author, just not my forte. A supernatural mystery with dark underground undertones. Who wouldn’t like that kind of thing.
Ava, is a Gray Mage, who refuses to answer to a boss. Love that strong female lead! She takes odds and ends detective like work jobs. To get by with her two best friends and their business Black Cauldron Detective Agency. She also has some very dark connections if need be, but they always come at a price. Ava is tasked by her old boss, who she despises, to find the Laurent, an ancient book of spells and secrets of the magikal world. One that could cause massive issues in the wrong hands.
Max, brought in my Tasis, to help assist Ava in finding the Laurent. Both are powerful Mages, the only problem is they don’t trust one another. So how can they work together? Best part is they have 7 days to find it. Going to various supernatural hang outs and events they start to piece together clues and leads to steer them in the right direction. Just a few bumps in the road along the way.
Does the lack of trust get in the way?
Is the man Ava knows better than she cares to admit in this deeper than he’s letting on?
So many questions and so many answers to find. Can you figure out the mystery before it’s too late? Times ticking and they only have 7 days to succeed.
There’s so much going on at points it can be confusing. However if you can get past all that you will find there’s a pretty good story in there. One worth giving a try despite my grievances.

@placexba

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Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1) by Matilda Reyes – Review by Sarah King

Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1)Unearthly Magik by Matilda Reyes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When best friends Ava, Nadia, and Lucas decide to take their combined skills and partner opening the Black Cauldron Detective Agency they take all kinds of cases. Whether it be man hunting for the mage equivocate of a mafia boss or family pet they will take any supernatural case for the right price. The three of them receive a cryptic message asking for a meeting, deciding together it is not a hoax they accept. Their curiosity turns into something different when it is realized that they mystery client is Ava’s ex boss calling in a favor he is owed. The Lauret Grimoire, containing the knowledge about the different creatures and clans, not only that but their vulnerabilities as well, so much if fact it is believed it would be powerful enough to take out the Arch mage. Will the group be able to find the Grimoire before the information gets into the wrong hands and used against their enemies? Will the resources available be enough or will they be too late?

Unearthly Magik is the first book in the Black Cauldron Detective Agency series by Matilda Reyes. The story has a bit of everything which makes the story easy to immerse yourself into and get lost. I loved Reyes writing style – how she gave depth, substance, and visualization to both her characters and the world they live. I will note that there are some points in the story where blurs from the characters are in Spanish or a combination of English/ Spanish. While I felt the surrounding conversation gave enough context to infer what was being discussed this may be an issue for some. I can’t wait to see what the Black Cauldron Detective Agency get themselves wrapped up in next!

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Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1) by Matilda Reyes – Review by Maryn Belling

Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1)Unearthly Magik by Matilda Reyes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1) by Matilda Reyes – Review by Maryn Belling

An interesting first book in what has potential to be a robust series, Matilda Reyes’ centuries-old supernatural beings are living among us “Ordinaries” in current-day Manhattan.

The lexicon of the main characters is definitely Millennial or very late Gen Z. Other audiences will need to make allowances for the “bomb ass” parlance in a “bitching pair of leather pants” (and a variety of other ‘blue’ language). But our leading lady and her team know exactly how to navigate any environment in the microcosm of Manhattan, even overlaid with mystical and supernatural societies. Nadia works her both literal and figurative magic to deliver Ava a wardrobe that allows her to work and shine. Pockets are a must, no matter how sophisticated the ensemble or its destined event.

Fans of other series are well-served by setting aside their expectations in lieu of being enchanted by a blend of both canon and nouvelle magie.

Unearthly Magik, Black Cauldron Detective Agency Series, Matilda Reyes, Review, Itsy Bitsy Book Bits, Paranormal, Supernatural

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Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1) by Matilda Reyes – Review by Amanda Gonzalez

Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1)Unearthly Magik by Matilda Reyes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

One of my favorite things about this book is the unique aspect of the world of magik. It’s one thing to create a mystery and adventure around the magical genre, but another to bring it to life in the way I’ve seen in this book! The characters feel well-rounded and I adore the banter from each one. Learning about Ava’s agency and life was so unique to me, and I really like how the author allowed for a build-up into the world we see throughout the story. I can already tell this is going to be an awesome series and I’ll be looking forward to reading more in the second book!

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Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1) by Matilda Reyes – Review by Rayne East

Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1)Unearthly Magik by Matilda Reyes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Magik, elementals and mysteries
This was an unexpected find. I absolutely enjoyed the characters, world building and story line. Ava is one tough chick and her partners in the Black Cauldron Detective Agency are worthy side kicks. I was thoroughly intrigued from start to finish, with magik, action, mystery and even some light comedic relief this was a worthy read. I am looking forward to continuing this series.

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Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1) by Matilda Reyes – Review by Mandy Kneale

Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1)Unearthly Magik by Matilda Reyes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Badass Mage on a mission!

When badass Mage, Ava and her crew at the Black Cauldron Detective Agency pick up a job that screams “dangerous”, she is using all of her connections to solve it – including unsavoury mobsters. With the addition of a sexy temporary member, from the client, Ava and her crew have a big job ahead of them!

A fantastic plot in a great world. I really enjoyed the characters, especially the friendships.

I just wanted more of everything! Faster pace, details about the world, the magic and the characters.

A solid read and looking forward to the next adventure with the Black Cauldron Detective Agency.

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Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1) by Matilda Reyes – Review by April McCoy

Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1)Unearthly Magik by Matilda Reyes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ava was a character I loved instantly. The author painted a picture of two worlds in one where I felt as if I was really there. I adore the supernatural and this was a perfect ride of it! The book was well written and easy to follow. It was also equally exciting and had me flipping pages pretty quick in some spots. Not only was Ava a great character but her friends and foes all made the story great! It was well thought out and highly enjoyable!

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Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1) by Matilda Reyes – Review by Anna Hirsch

Unearthly MagikUnearthly Magik by Matilda Reyes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1)
By Matilda Reyes
4 Stars

This is an interesting paranormal story filled with drama, adventure, intrigue and magic. I found the story quite captivating. The characters were well rounded, each with their unique personalities that complimented each other. Ava is a mage who runs a detective agency with her two best friends. They take all kinds of cases which keep their day to day from getting boring. Someone from Ava’s past approaches her with a case of a missing, extremely powerful, grimoire . She knows that she can’t trust him but owes him. She takes the case and the adventure begins. There are lies and mystaround every corner.

I love stories with strong female leads. I appreciated that Ava was not all powerful. She got her butt kicked a few times. She is brave, smart and sassy. I love her! I’m really happy that this is book one in the series because I can’t wait to read more.

Review by @Anna Hirsch
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Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1) by Matilda Reyes – Review by Ayla Phipps

Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1)Unearthly Magik by Matilda Reyes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book I have ever read by Matilda Reyes, her ability to create relatable characters is inspiring. I found myself relating to Ava, Nadia, Lucas and even Max several times throughout the book. While the book is based in Manhattan, New York, the author not only brings in true locations but also creates an entire supernatural underworld that in some aspect’s mirrors that of the real world above.

We first meet Ava on a job for a long-time family friend, she shows off some of her elemental talents while still being a relatable person, her desire to get greasy food or get a little payback on a talkative target. You quickly learn how desired Ava’s detective agency is needed, not just for finding lost items but also lost magical pets. Black Cauldron Detective Agency is owned by Ava and her best friends and partners, Nadia and Lucas. After a 36-hour job Ava and her partners receive a mysterious email for a meeting, only the curiosity quickly vanishes when it is discovered to be Ava’s ex-boss and nemesis Edward Tasis. The powerful Lauret Grimoire has been stolen from what was believed to be a secure and well-guarded vault, the item holds knowledge about creatures and clans, unknown details about their weaknesses and vulnerabilities, and is powerful enough to take out the Archmage herself. When asked what resources they will have available they aren’t given a list or a name but a person, Max, he is to work with them on the case. Within 12 hours the group finds themselves in a supernatural nightclub called the Little Devils. Max has been interested in a possible source but never had a “date” for her to steal him away from, he asks Ava to help him get her attention by kissing him. Only what was supposed to be a vengeful kiss turns into something more intense that neither of them expected but that they both avoid talking about later. Once the ruse has been successful Ava goes off to find another source, only this time it ends up being werewolf who after a flirty dance tells Ava he finds her scent drives him insane. The events keep coming until 12 hours have passed and Ava is exhausted but never is able to sleep more than 2 or 3 hours at a time due to the strange case Tasis dropped on her. With every new tip the more the pieces refuse to fit together to make sense. Will the group ever find out who took the Lauret Grimoire, or will this be the job that slips through their fingers? Will Ava and Max ever figure out what that kiss meant?

While I am ultimately in love with the characters and even the world that Matilda Reyes created in Unearthly Magik, I struggled with all the Spanish and Spanglish conversations. On most occasions there was no clues to what was said in Spanish, even when one sentence would be half English half Spanish, I had to use google translate consistently throughout the book in order to fully understand conversations. While this one issue was troublesome it will not stop me from anxiously awaiting the second book in the Black Cauldron Detective Agency series, Scorching Magik is due February 1st, 2023, and is from Nadia’s perspective.

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Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1) by Matilda Reyes – Review by Amanda Haller-Doris

Unearthly MagikUnearthly Magik by Matilda Reyes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a great first book in the Black Cauldron Detective Agency Series. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series as the first book was well written, but definitely set up several mysteries that I can’t wait to learn the secrets about. I loved the character of Ava and how she runs her detective agency business with her two best friends Nadia and Lucas. I love the relationship between the three of them and the dynamics of living together and working together. This was such a well written supernatural book and was fast paced and extremely engaging. I felt like the author did a great job with her descriptions and setting up the drama, suspense, and action, with a fun dash of humor and sass.

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Unearthly Magik ( Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1 ) by Matilda Reyes – Review by Carla Clemmons

Unearthly Magik (Black Cauldron Detective Agency Book 1)Unearthly Magik by Matilda Reyes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a fast paced supernatural mystery read! I really love how you get the best of both worlds. You get the detective side with the fantasy! I love Ava’s character and all of friends that help her throughout the story. Its a race against time in most of the book so it will keep you turning pages to see what happens next. You really feel like you are there with the author’s descriptions. I will definitely be reading the other book in the series!

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