The Last Phi Hunter is a demon-slayer fantasy inspired by Thai folklore and is equal parts engaging, epic, and entertaining.

My favourite aspect of this book is definitely the main character, Ex, who is a demon hunter on a mission to kill a legendary Phi, Sha-Ala, to earn his hunter badge and increase his position in the Order. He was so funny and was always getting himself caught up in trouble, which, alongside reading about his epic journey and abilities, made this book super engaging! This book is definitely character driven, but not at the expense of the interesting magic system and mythology!

I also really enjoyed the inspiration from Thai folklore in The Last Phi Hunter! It was interesting to learn about all of the different demonic creatures; it was seamlessly embedded into the story and well explained! I would definitely be interested in reading more Thai-inspired stories!

The romance was perhaps a little rushed. I think it could either have been more developed, or just left out altogether! The world and plot was interesting enough to stand by itself without the romance!

I’m unsure if this is supposed to be a standalone or if there are plans for any further books; I think the ending was left so that there was potential for more and I would definitely pick up the next book if that was the case!

I was really anticipating this one and sadly it kinda got away from me about halfway through. I found myself not really interested in the characters romance subplot as there was little chemistry between them.
I was most interested in the lore and little side pieces we got and wish there was more of that.
The ending set up nicely for a sequel but I'm not sure I'm invested enough to stick around for it.

Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy !

Thank you to @netgalley and @gosalgo for giving me an Arc of this for an honest review!

This is a non-spoiler review:
I gave this 3.5 but added .5 for it being a debut. I'm partial to some compensation when I come across an Authors Debut because support authors! If you're a fan of The Witcher series I think this would be right up your alley, it completely captures it's own original idea and takes Thai mythology to a level I've never come across before - I love seeing different culture mythologies expressed in Fantasy novels and this was a first for me. I appreciate Saline for sharing their knowledge of Thai culture through this book.

I thought it was really well paced throughout, the last 20% felt a tad rushed with a few built up moments throughout the story condensed into 2-3 sentences. An extra 75- 100 pages flushed out the rushed-ness I felt could of made this a solid 4 to 5 star for me!

I felt like the author managed to perfectly capture making an expansive world but writing a self contained story within that world, which I thought was amazing. It's something I love to read when getting to know a world. I would love to learn more about this world and it's systems in another book, not necessarily following Ex and Arinya but would love to see them team up again for sure!

Overall very solid debut though! I would love to see more from S. Goldenberg in the future.

It’s funny; as I was telling my husband about this book and how much I was really enjoying the immersive read, I got curious about the author. I couldn’t help but chuckle as I read her bio because my enjoyment of this book just got an “aha” moment. Come to find out she worked with two of my all-time favorite video games – Fallout and Skyrim. I would totally play a game with her world as the base and it would be vivid, dark, and full of the creatures (and people) of nightmares. Some of my favorite aspects of the book was the Everpresent, how it changed Ex’s appearance and the long history of the Phi hunters that is old & obscure even to their oldest members.

I had a grand time reading Ex’s story and enjoyed the hero of the story not being infallible, a little awkward with people but totally at home in the forest and with animals, and often at the tail end of Arinya’s jests. I would have enjoyed learning more about Arinya from her own POV and a dual POV would have been interesting. The romantic aspect in the book added to the book for once, rather than being a distraction or detracting from world/character building. I wasn’t sure initially how I would feel about Arinya being pregnant in the book because it’s definitely not one of my favorites. In this case, it proved to bring more to the story than I anticipated and in a positive way for the story. I had a lot of fun looking up the Phi that I was unfamiliar with or had seen but didn’t know the name of. Narissa and the Hound were my favorite side characters and I enjoyed learning more about them towards the close of the book. Speaking of the close of the book, I did eventually come to terms with how the fight with the true demon Shar-Ala ended and it had an unexpected twist.

This book reminded me of The Witcher series by Andrzej Sapkowski and if you enjoyed that series (or the show) then I highly recommend giving this book a go. I would like to thank Angry Robot Books for the opportunity to read this stunning Thai fantasy and I can only hope that there is more where this came from. The close of the book could also provide a sequel and if that comes to fruition I would definitely read it. Achievement unlocked for Salinee for this fantastic fantasy debut. Rounded from 4.5 stars.

The Last Phi Hunter by Salinee Goldenberg (@gosalgo), is a mythic dark fantasy, equal parts smart, exhilarating, and delightfully fun. It examines identity, loneliness and forbidden love, in a stunning world with Thai demon folklore.

I really liked reading this book. I loved the Thai & Southeast Asia inspired world building and the lore. The writing was really vibrant and the characters were both dark and funny. I really liked our MC Ex, who is very loveable.

If I had one complain it would be that towards the end I was a little bit confused but thankfully the ending was satisfying.

In The Last Phi Hunter we follow Ex, an ambitious young Phi hunter on his way to slay a legendary demon when he meets Arinya, a pregnant runaway, who hires him for escort through the spirit-filled forest. But she has dangerous secrets, and now he’s fighting not only monsters, but assassins, necromancers and even worse, falling in love.

First off, this cover? Absolutely incredible. I know, I know, "don't judge a book by its cover," but that's hard to do when you have a cover <i>this</i> good.

Was I letdown after putting so much stock into the cover? Well, no. While I didn't love this book, there is a lot of very cool stuff to it and a lot to appreciate, so let's get into that.

Based on Thai mythology, the worldbuilding and the folklore of this book were absolute standouts. The setting was immersive and vibrant, and I loved all of the demons and lore.

And the plot of the story itself was a lot of fun too! It's an adventure novel, a road novel, and there are twists and danger and - it's just a fun ride, I don't know how I can put it better than that.

Where the book fell down a bit for me was in its characters. I get their arcs, but I never felt particularly connected to the characters. I don't know if it was the writing, but I just felt that I could never get a good grasp on their characterizations and motivations beyond the surface level stuff.

Overall, a fun and creative read, and sometimes, that's all you need.

<i>Thank you to the publisher, Angry Robot, and to NetGalley for the ARC.</i>

Thank you to Netgalley and Angry Robot for allowing me to read this e-book in exchange for an honest review

3.5

Three things fascinated me about this book: the title, the cover, and the plot. The first is basic: who is a phi hunter, and why would Ex be the last? The cover does not need many explanations but only to be admired. Maybe the gold framing is a bit over the top. However, as someone unfamiliar with design, this is just a personal observation. The last, but not the least, is the plot. I don’t see many stories based on Thai folklore, and I couldn’t help but take the opportunity to request this book to get to know the world of Ex.

The plot, which is interwoven with Thai folklore, is the real highlight of the book. The author has crafted a truly captivating and original storyline that I'm eager to explore. The environment presented in the story integrates smoothly with the folkloric elements, merging the two worlds seamlessly. The Everpresent - the realm of spirits and magic that simmered between the threads of the physical world and the deva’s - is the most developed part of the story. You can see it very well as you read the novel: the setting, the monsters, the enemies, and the obstacles on the path are all elements that keep the reader glued to the reading of this novel wanting to find out what lies behind.

What further enhances this story is its main character, Ex: sometimes as a playful boy while other times as an experienced adult, Ex is the center of the narrative. His goal is to hunt down Shar-Ala, an ancient phi whose defeat would bring him unparalleled prestige as the youngest hunter to achieve such a feat. However, Ex's journey is not straightforward, as he encounters various obstacles and discovers unexpected secrets along the way, including those involving his co-protagonist, Arinya. She is a court concubine, flees from the palace for undisclosed reasons, and crosses paths with Ex, who eventually aids her in her quest. What sets Arinya apart is her unique circumstance of being a pregnant woman thrust into unfamiliar territory, yet demonstrating remarkable resilience as she navigates through challenges. While I wished for more insight into her perspective, her adaptability and courage are evident throughout the story.

Even so, I found the dynamics between the main characters initially unsettling, perhaps due to the unconventional aspect of a romantic connection between Ex and a pregnant Arinya, or possibly due to the way the author portrayed their relationship. The ambiguity surrounding Ex's feelings and Arinya's responses added to this sense of unease, making the beginning of their relationship less enjoyable for me.

As for Narissa, a secondary character, I struggled to grasp her purpose in the narrative. While she seemed to have a backstory, her role felt peripheral and left me wondering why her character was introduced if she remained on the fringes of the story.

In terms of female protagonists, while they had valid reasons driving their actions, I felt their characterization fell short. Arinya's potential for a more significant impact on the story seemed underexplored and Narissa's presence left me puzzled. Perhaps it was just me who missed the nuances of their roles in the narrative.

My main criticism is the ending, which felt a bit rushed. The swift resolution of the court conspiracy left me wanting more depth, and the abrupt conclusion left me feeling unsatisfied. It’s as if all the work that Ex did wasn’t enough to show how serious the situation was and how there should be a way of communication and not a continuous closure on traditions. However, the epilogue hints at possible sequels that will hopefully further explore the rich world and characters introduced in this book.

To summarise, this book offers a unique and captivating journey into Thai folklore, with a protagonist who directs the reader into the spirit world of Thai folklore.

Unfortunately, I gave up reading this book and I regret it. I didn't find the characters deep enough and I wasn't carried away by th plot.
Sadly it's a DNF :(
too bad, I liked the dark Fantasy mood but was not into the principal character

It’s been so long since I’ve actually sat down to write a review that I feel like I don’t know how to do it anymore. But this book has been on my radar for a while and I was very glad to receive both the eARC and the audio arc, so I am excited to have finally finished this and can’t wait to share my thoughts on it, however rustic my words might seem.

The first draw for me about this book was that gorgeous cover, with so much intricate gold detailing and then the thought of reading my first Thai folklore inspired fantasy book was very exciting. And turns out I was right to pick this up. The author creates a very vivid and lived in world full of demons and ghosts (phi in this case) who are stuck in their endless hunger due to their past sins and can’t escape the karmic cycle & the guild of phi hunters who take their job very seriously and train extensively to be able to hunt the monsters that hurt people, but are increasingly losing favor in a world which is becoming more modern and eschewing their existence as superstition. The way the phi are described in their gory detail was pretty gruesome to read about, and getting to know the details about how phi come to be and the different kinds of phi that can exist was very interesting. I was also delighted to see the crossovers between Thai folklore and Indian mythology, especially with mentions of devas and Vanaras and more. The writing is pretty easy to breeze through despite the underlying mythology being unknown to me, and despite the explicitly gory bits, the story felt much more slice of life and character exploration than a fast paced adventure.

That’s not to say the adventure isn’t present. Ex, our protagonist is the youngest phi hunter in the guild and determined to kill a true demon, which many believe is just a myth. He is young and brash and impulsive, socially awkward and pretty naive, but definitely good at his job. The author does a nice job balancing out all his characteristics, while also delving into the inherent loneliness of his vocation, and how it materializes in him really bonding with his horses and his hunting partner, the Hound.

It’s not surprising he falls for Arinya when she is beautiful and fierce in equal measure, letting him experience the kind of companionship that he never had before. Her survival instincts seem to be top notch, so it’s actually surprising why she too starts being a bit impulsive after her bonding with Ex. To be honest, their relationship was the most unconvincing part of the book because I felt we didn’t get enough time to delve into their feelings, and it was too quick to declare undying love for each other. Narissa on the other hand is a phi living while impersonating a human, hoping to achieve redemption for her sins, and it was actually so intriguing to understand her perspective in this narrative. While their interactions felt too limited, I wish we had instead gotten more time with Ex and Narissa trying to understand each other and realizing that while they are supposed to be enemies, they have too much in common as well. We only get very limited POV of the Hound but let me tell you, impressed I was.

Overall, this is an excellent fantasy book to pick up if you want to explore a new world of mythology/folklore and it will suck you in with its impressive writing and very intricate world building. While the characters may frustrate you a bit, and the payoff of the action wasn’t always worth the build up, I enjoyed my time reading this book and just wanted to know more about everything that inspired this story. I also listening to the audiobook for the most part and the narrator David Lee Huynh does a wonderful immersive job, letting me feel like a part of this world. Can’t wait to see if the author writes another story in this setting, coz I would love to know more.

I like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this really fun debut!

The summary is pretty apt: guy is a merc, but dabbles in magic that allows him to drift into another realm where creatures like to hide. He is young (twenties?), pretty, uncultured to an extent, and solitary. He is the type of guy who has acquaintances over friends. Sometimes his mouth talks before his brain can think. Overall, a good guy... just cheeky.

He meets our female lead, who is about to give birth. Torn between delivering her to the Palace (because she is an offered concubine to the current ruler) and continuing on his quest to take down a big bad he has his eye on he says the famed 'why not both', and decides to deliver her on the quest to get rid of this big bad.

Problem is, things don't go the way you expect. Detours, love, and people after him because sorcerers / magic wielders are a no-no.

I really, really enjoyed my time here. I liked the people, I liked the main character and his way of viewing the world and his life. I liked the plot. However, I wanted more world building. More depth to the characters - their backstories and other things going on through the kingdom and what could be setting up for Book 2 (I assume there is a book two?).

If you like shows like Mysterious Lotus Casebook, The Blood of Youth, with shades of The Witcher, Aladdin, then you're gonna have fun with this!

The Last Phi Hunter set up a very unique world based on Thai folklore, shared through the lenses of the two main characters Ex and Arinya. Ex is a demon/ ghost hunter who is on a mission to kill a legendary monster Sha-Ala to gain his badge and increase his ranking in the Hunters Order. Arinya enters his path by way of saving his life (while also heavily pregnant by the way! I’m not a fan of the pregnancy trope so i was nervous about that going in, but it didn’t bother me much. i loved the witty banter between these two and Ex’s internal monologue had me dying of laughter. the atmosphere and world building with the many spirits and monsters was so fascinating as well. i was pleasantly surprised by what the author managed to accomplish with this debut.

This is by far my favorite book of 2024! Salinee Goldenberg is an incredibly talented author! This book had everything you need want! Demons, loveable characters, a villan, forbidden love and adventure.

I loved that the demons are basted on demons from various folklore and of course I had to google each one. As I read I could picture the whole story in my mind and this only happens in truly exceptional books!

I hope you write more Salinee!

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher for free.

Fuck, I love being Thai. This book is all the beautiful wonderful and frankly annoying parts about being Thai. The little low magics that we all deny doing, the stories that our parents tell us to scare us shitless, the best fruit ever — mangkut, and the royal family who I will say nothing about in fear of lese majeste.

This book was a joyful rumpus read about Hunter Ex, a young Phi Hunter, and perhaps the last of his kind, as he tries to become not just a phi hunter, but a true demon slayer. Along the path he meets a krasue — Narissa, who’s trying to become a human with the help of the deva Indrajit, and a consort to the crown prince — Aryina., who’s trying to give birth without her daughter being killed. Basically if you read the Witcher and went ‘you know I think this could stand to be Thai’ then this is the book for you.

Things I thought the author did incredibly well were:

1) <b>Plot juggling</b> Salinee does a fantastic job of layering a number of characters and disconnected plotlines on top of one another and never making any of them feel bland or dejected or even unimportant. Instead each is given enough time and energy, all while adding something in to the main plot despite them not inherently being connected to it.

2) <b>The tone</b> The book is the right amount of light-hearted, fast-paced, and tense to make you want to continue reading. It’s completely irreverent and funny, but at the same time it manages to discuss the idea of progress and legacy and industrialization with such a caring tone that I was honestly blown away by. Salinee clearly has thoughts about whether ‘progress’ is actually progress, or if it’s just a facade that abusive men have taken on to allow them to consume even more in their never-ending quest for power.

3) <b>Characterization</b> While I think some of the characterization could’ve used some work, as the characters could’ve stood to all be fleshed out a bit more, I really liked all the characters. They were all flawed but funny and distinct, and I understood where they were coming from, and their fears. Every single one of them was a delight to read, even the ones I hated.

4) <b>Did I mention it’s Thai?</b> Literally just that. I’m Thai, this book is Thai, the author’s Thai. Do you know how often I get to read a book with a Thai main character? The answer’s never, this is the first book I’ve ever read with a Thai MC. Let alone a whole cast of Thai characters! I’m very excited. This was very exiciting.

If there is one eensy weensy problem I had with this book, it’s that just a single book doesn’t feel like enough. The Last Phi Hunter suggests at a wider cosmology of Devas and phi and a mystery beyond that of the novel, yet it stops short of fully expanding upon it, leaving the story feeling unfinished. The epilogue certainly doesn’t help with that sensation either. This isn’t enough to actually deduct from the rating, but the lack of a planned second book does leave it feeling ultimately unfinished.

TLDR; Thai people are awesome, Thai mythology is awesome. The idea of Salinee Goldenberg is awesome. You should read this book because it’s awesome.

Rating: 4 stars

I’m so glad I was accepted to read the arc of this book as I hadn’t seen a lot of advertisement for it and I’d have been unlikely ever picked it up otherwise. I just had the best time with it. It was such a fun read and rich with Thai mythology. I loved the Thai setting so much that I began googling to see what other Thai fantasy books I could read and discovered there is basically none out there other than this (translated into English anyways). So that itself makes this book already unique.

I first requested this book as from the summary it said the secondary main character, Arinya, was heavily pregnant. I was interested in reading a story about a character dealing with a pregnancy and potentially motherhood. Just incase this is what anyone else thinks they’re about to read; I want to say this is not what the story is about at all. Was I disappointed by that? No, as the actual direction and focus of the story was still very enjoyable. Though it definitely could have focused a little more on Arinya dealing with this.

I found this book had a very similar feel to Avatar The Last Airbender/Korra. There is of course the Southeast Asian setting but actually that’s not what makes them similar. It was more the humour as well as spirits/spirit world playing a big part of the story that makes it so. The humour came from both actions of the characters as well as Ex’s voice in the writing. I found myself laughing a good few times. He was a very flawed main character but I liked that about him. He perhaps could have used a little character development though his loyalty and good heart still had me loving him by the end. I especially loved the spirit and phi descriptions (phi are basically spirits with a demonic essence to them). I ended up googling about some of the specific phi mentioned and the descriptions were similar to the folklore with added flair. The author did a great job at managing to captivate how they’d look, move and even feel in real life.

I didn’t think much of the romance when going in and was pleasantly surprised with a forbidden romance story. It was a little insta love but also a slow burn. There were some very sweet scenes that will stay with me. Both characters themselves were great too which helped you like them as a couple.

A little to do with the romance, but there were a few very sexual nature scenes that weren’t “spicy” which I felt were a little unneeded making this book more adult when it didn’t need to be. One involving the main characters but also another which was basically assault. Gives this book a content warning which I want to make people aware of. (It isn’t too bad if anyone’s worried! It is not of a sexual nature at least which makes it readable.) It really didn’t need to have happened in that way though in my opinion.

In this book there is one main POV with the character Ex, a secondary POV with quite a few chapters, and then some others that come in for just a chapter. I’m between feeling if it was unneeded or should have been kept in because it did work. I did like seeing the main character from another perceptive and it was good to know the secondary POV character already when they came into the plot. It just felt their POV wasn’t in it enough to make it feel totally natural. They were an interesting and likeable character at least. The few other POVs I don’t think were needed either. All the extra POVs actually made some scenes less dramatic and intense.

The writing with the voice of the character laced through it was a lot of fun. I wouldn’t call the writing exceptional but still very good and definitely enough to hold my attention. There were a few contradictions popping up especially early on. It makes me worried that anyone who would picks up the book in a store and reads the first few chapters to decide whether to buy the book or not will be put off by it. (I actually went to check if they were still there in the physical book since I read an arc version and they were). were). So please don’t judge this book by the first few chapters.

I’d probably give the early third of this book a 3 star rating before it becomes a 4-4.5 star in the middle, and maybe a 3.5-4 star at the end since some things went on a bit too long then. This book is the author’s debut which normally means there’s always going to be some flaws. I feel I have to warn people about them so they aren’t disappointed when reading the book. However, I truly think the author did an amazing job still and want to congratulate them on writing such an enjoyable story. It will be one I’ll be recommending to others for sure and I hope to buy a copy of this book myself one day.

Overall I loved this book. It was fun and refreshing. I know I’ll miss the characters and the world. If there’s another book set in the same world I’ll most definitely pick it up. And even if there’s not I’ll be reading the author’s other books for sure. Critically I’d say this book is 3.75 stars total being just shy of 4 stars due to some of the flaws. My enjoyment rating was definitely at least 4 stars though. Maybe 4.25 stars for myself.

Thank you to NetGalley, Angry Robot and the author for granting me an Advance Reader Copy. All opinions are honest and my own.

There's not a lot of fantasy novel inspired by Thai mythology. This is the first I read and it's a very entertaining and fascinating story.
Great world building, well developed characters, excellent storytelling.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Set in a world populated by ghosts and demons, the main character Ex is a member of an ancient order that aims to protect the world from demons. His target? Shar-Ala, a demon of legend who hunters before him have failed to eradicate. On his way to hunt the demon, he meets a woman who helps him greatly - and also makes his quest a bit more complicated.
This book had an interesting premise, with a magic system that had elements of shamanism and the spirit world. Ex, Arinya and Narissa are determined in reaching their goals despite the obstacles they face, and watching them grow as characters throughout the story is extremely satisfying. The descriptions of the places they travel through are especially vivid, so the reader gets an excellent view of how the story progresses.
Things that I didn't enjoy, though, were the pacing and Ex's character, the latter being something that rather grew on me throughout the book because Ex initially comes across as rather selfish, careless and rather disdainful, but he does change with time. The pacing of this book felt rather slow and it took me a while to read this as the plot was relatively straightforward - personally, as a reader, I would have enjoyed plot points that helped me root for the characters or deepen the story more. However, if you are looking for a book with a soft magic system, a slow-burn romance, and a happy ending, The Last Phi Hunter could be one to pick up.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC.

When it comes to dark fantasy, ‘The Last Phi Hunter’ set itself apart with compelling narrative that delves deep into the themes of identity, loneliness, and forbidden love, all while navigating the shadowy realms populated by Thai demons and spirits. The protagonist, Ex, embarks on a journey that is as much about slaying ghosts and seeking glory as it is about confronting his own sense of self and isolation. His quest for fame takes an unexpected detour with the encounter of Arinya, a muay-boran champion with secrets of her own, and a belly full of life, demanding his protection through a ghost-ridden forest. The tender yet forbidden romance was wonderful and only emphasized the flawless ability of Goldenberg to inject humor and warmth into a world that otherwise is ensconced in darkness, offering some levity amidst peril.

However, beyond the thrilling encounters and mystical allure, I was enraptured by the exploration of Thai demon folklore. While the book may wobble slightly in the development of its characters—Ex’s arc feeling somewhat disjointed and Arinya’s depth not fully explored—the overall world building, lore, and character interactions far outshined any trivial complaints I might have had.

‘The Last Phi Hunter’ is an exquisite ode to Thai heritage, a testament to the strength found in companionship, and a celebration of the light that humor can bring to the darkest of places.

Thanks for including me in the tour for Salinee Goldenburg's (@gosalgo) "The Last Phi Hunter" @angryrobotbooks!

Hunting spirits, ghosts and demons is a rough job. Especially when the kingdom you live in doesn't really care for the Phi (pronounced Fee) Hunters and their brand of magic. Gets even more awkward when you are the youngest member of the guild and trying to make a name for yourself. Enter Ex, tired of hunting small fry he has spent years trying to find a demon with a name, Shar-Ala. With his skills, some stubborn horses, and a hound that seems too mocking, what could go wrong? Apparently a lot, because Ex's path crosses with a heavily pregnant woman named Arinya who saves him from a beating. She just needs him to escorts her through the spirit filled forest...who all want to eat the unborn child.

Might have also snuck the audio, Narrated by David Lee Huynh because I wanted to check my pronunciation and the idea that a certain character came off the way they did in my head. Very happy.

Reasons to read:
-I didn't know the myths behind any of the creatures in the story and not knowing means I can be surprised
-All three of the protagonists are great
-Great ending
-Comeuppance, love to see it
-An organization that has plans

Cons:
-Maybe don't eat when some of the spirits are doing their thing

The Last Phi Hunter – Salinee Goldenberg

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher – Angry Robot Books.

Salinee Goldenberg is an author who lives in Washington DC. When Salinee is not writing she is producing videos for Minecraft and has a love for painting.



Ex is an ambitious phi hunter, determined to achieve what no other phi hunter has done – hunt down the mythical Shar-Ala – the greatest demon of illusions and nightmares.

Yet just as he is about to achieve his goal, Ex crosses paths with Arinya in a small provincial village. But Arinya isn't any simple-minded maiden, she is a Muay-boran champion who is heavily pregnant.

Arinya is trying to escape the father of her unborn child and it has fallen to Ex to keep her safe.

Which is easier said than done while he is still trying to hunt down Shar-Ala and keep them both safe from all the monsters and humans alike they encounter on their journey through a spirit filled forest, where the spirits hunger after Arinya’s unborn child.

All the while Ex is desperately trying to achieve his goals and not fall in love with Arinya.



“The Last Phi Hunter” is a fantasy novel incorporate some Thai folk lores which makes it a very unique debut novel. It did take me a while to get into the story – was about halfway through the book before it was able to really become engaged in it. It was interesting and really different to read a story like this as it was unlike any fantasy book I had read before. I feel Salinee is a good writer and as she writes more and her career progresses, which I’m sure it will. Sometimes it felt as though there was an overload of information and at other times barely enough. Also, the interactions between the two main characters definitely needed a lot of work but my opinion of that could have been affected by the fact I did not like Ex at all.

This book was one of my most anticipated reads for 2024 and I was so excited when I was approved for the arc. I had very high expectations of this book due to its unique premise.

The world building of this book did not disappoint. I enjoyed learning about the history of this fantasy land, and the use of myths to connect the characters to the landscapes. I think the author did a great job of using both character dialogue and exploration to help readers understand the context of the novel.

Personally, the character dialogue and the climatic points of the plot fell flat for me. The way the character’s spoke often felt scripted, as if the story was made to be adapted into a movie. It lacked emotional depth that would have made me care about the characters more. There was a lot of build up for certain moments in the book that I felt were resolved quite quickly without much effort from the titular characters.


Thank you for the publisher and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.