A story where Thai folklore is a main ingredient and makes for rich world building.

In this world full of monsters and magic we are led to the Phi who are described as demons who are humans incarnate in a bestial form. Here we meet Ex who is the main character and a Phi hunter. A charismatic but sarcastic character who shows his personality throughout the plot and you can empathize or not with his way of acting and using the powers he possesses.

For a debut story it is super researched and takes us to learn more about Thai culture, something I always appreciate, I love learning new things about other cultures, it also shows us a scenario full of demons, spirits and necromancy.

The secondary characters are so rich throughout the story each time we are introduced to them, which adds to the richness of the plot.

I felt like watching an anime episode, where the action is frequent and the moments are bloodthirsty, with descriptive scenery and a fast pace that shows us a spiritual world full of demons.

I recommend it? yes, this dark asian fantasy can be a great way to immerse yourself in Thai folklore and all the Buddhist legends.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC of this story, all opinions are my own.

#TheLastPhiHunter #NetGalley.

I’m going to try not to spoil anything here because the slow reveals are what really make this story work so well. I absolutely love Ex and Arinya, the main characters of The Last Phi Hunter, but I also love so many background characters, including Mali, a witch, and Narissa, a Phi that is trying to become human again. Ex is a Phi hunter, which means he hunts down Phi (demons that were once human, but reincarnated in these beastial form as a karmic punishment for how they acted as humans) that are causing harm to others in one way or another.

The relationship between Ex and Arinya is so interesting and fun to watch develop in a nice slow burn with a lot of back and forth and will-they-won’t-they. And one of the spoilers that I won’t mention complicates this even more and makes their journey together even more dangerous. I love this world of monsters and magic and reincarnation based on Thai folklore and would highly recommend checking this one out. The world-building is fantastic and with two strong main characters and a fantasy world based on Asian folklore, I easily fell in love with the story.

One quote stood out to me and hit hard when Ex makes it back to the home of the Phi Hunters Order. He is just welcomed home (among some other spoiler-y things) and thinks “Home never felt so far away.” When you get to this scene and know the context of it, you will want to cry your eyes out.

I would like to thank Angry Robot Books and NetGalley for the advance reader copy!

“The Last Phi Hunter” is a fantastic debut novel from author Salinee Goldenberg. Coming into this novel, I did not have much knowledge on Thai folklore however that did not hinder my enjoyment of the book whatsoever. Goldenberg paints the world so vividly that I felt I could see the demons myself! Her writing just oozes magic and you feel like you are right there beside the main character, Ex, the entire journey. The world and different magical aspects of it are described lusciously. It really made me want to book a flight to Thailand immediately! The fight scenes are extremely well done and do not hold back. The mythology was fascinating and it left me wanting even more! In conclusion, “The Last Phi Hunter” is a captivating and impressive debut novel that immerses readers in a richly detailed world of Thai folklore, weaving a spellbinding tale of magic, adventure, and love that will leave you eager for more.

The Last Phi Hunter was an action packed Asian inspired fantasy that was beautifully vivid, brutal and entertaining all at the same time.

Ex is the youngest Phi Hunter of the Order and he has his sights set on the biggest prize imaginable. Bringing back a trophy from a notorious monster. One that will grant him the esteemed badge of Demon Slayer. On the way back from a successful hunt he crosses paths with Arinya, a woman who has now saved him one too many times. Desperate to flee and find a magic user to store the soul of her unborn child, Arinya enlists the help of young Ex. Feeling indebted, he agrees, having no clue the horrors that are about to unfold for the both of them.

This book pulled off some really, really cool elements. The mix of horror in this experimental sci-fantasy were ... awesome. Bloody, brutal, spiritual, and captivating. If you like monster hunting on another plain, you are in for a real treat. I also really liked the ideas and execution behind the Everpresent, a spirital in between for hunters and gods, or spirits to reside, heal and battle. These scenes felt so unique and were an absolute blast to read.

Something else I really enjoyed were the side characters that had little snippets of page time, they were woven beautifully into the main story and ended up having impacts that I did not expect. My personal favourite was the Hound. But I don't give too much away, you'll have to read it yourself to find out.

Where this fell down for me personally was some of the the sexual scenes, tension and language which didn't add all that much to the story (in my opinion). I also wasn't overly invested in the romance between the two main protagonists. There were times where it was cute, but it felt somewhat choppy and disingenuous to me. The last thing I will mention is that there were also a few scenes which felt built up for chapters and chapters only to be resolved in a minute of reading time. Don't get me wrong, those scenes were cool (like I said earlier, the horror elements in this story were awesome), I just think they were short lived.

Overall, The Last Phi Hunter had enough to keep me interested should their be another instalment, although I would argue that this could be consumed as a standalone and the reader be left satisfied.

What a delightful time!

This reads like an episode of anime, in the best way possible. The character work is deep enough that you care about them and their motives, and there is enough action and plot to keep things moving forward. The richness of the setting and Thai folklore is very strong and it was a wonderful time. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and its a good time to just loose yourself in Ex's antics as he tries to his job in a world that dones't want to fully embrace him.

Thank you to Netgalley and Angry Robot for an e-copy.

This was a very well crafted fantasy book. Great characters, great world building, and fast paced. The cover is also so gorgeous.

This was a wonderful and captivating read!

I snagged this title because the cover was stunning, and that was enough for me. The book itself outshone my expectations.

We follow Ex, the youngest phi hunter (monster slayer) in his order. He begins a journey with a young woman that quickly turns into more than he expected. The pacing is quick, and the way Ex grows from beginning to end is so wholesome. We get two points of view: Ex and Narissa. - a phi who is determined to be good. While Narissa is definitely a side plot, and sometimes her pov chapters were a bit of a harsh shift for me as a reader, I also recognize that we needed her story to make all the pieces fit in the end.

The world is vast and well crafted. I hope that there are more books set here so that we can dive deeper into other kingdoms.

If you enjoyed Godkiller by Hannah Kaner, I think this will be a good fit for you. I also get strong Avatar: The Last Airbender vibes with the shifting between the spirit world and the human realm. I know a lot of people reference AtLA for books with elemental wielding magic. This isn’t that, but it has the vibes.

This review is based on an advance copy of the book. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

The Last Phi Hunter by Salinee Goldberg is a mythically dark fantasy about Ex, the youngest member of the Phi Hunters who is desperate to prove himself by slaying a terrible demon that has slipped the grasp of even the most experienced Phi Hunters. When he meets Arinya, a heavily pregnant young woman with a dangerous past hot on her heels, Ex's quest comes off the rails.

Fans of the The Witcher series by Andrzej Sapkowski will notice the easy comparisons in this novel, in particular: the way that most folk in this world feel about Phi Hunters, the morals and rituals that Phi Hunters follow to track down their demons, and the way that women are characterised - concubines or hags or an uncomfortable combination of the two.

Ex, however, is nothing like Geralt - he comes off as young and immature, he's endlessly cocky about his abilities, and comes undone at the slightest hint of interest from a woman. He's full of occasionally witty one-liners and appears desperate to convince himself and anyone else that he's doing the right thing, when he very clearly is not.

The writing is the strength of this novel - beautifully descriptive prose that immerses the reader into this unfamiliar world of spirit-rich forests, otherworldly demons, pagan gods, and the cruelty of faraway princes, all inspired by Thai legends and mythology. The Thai roots of this story are a breath of fresh air in the fantasy space, and the monsters depicted are deliciously unsettling.

This is a book for readers who like a touch of gore and body horror with their fantasy, and as well irreverent characters and contemporary humour.

4.5/5 stars

The Last Phi Hunter is a brilliant new Thai-inspired dark fantasy filled with Thai demon folklore and Buddhist references. Ex is a phi hunter, people who have moved beyond humanity through rituals and sacrifices in order to gain powers to hunt malicious reincarnated spirits and demons called phi. When a pregnant runaway seeks his help to escort her back to safety, Ex is dragged through ghost-infested forests, unwelcoming towns, and a conspiracy within the palace and the royal family that threatens the existence of the order he is part of.

I went into The Last Phi Hunter blind with no expectations (I just wanted to support Asian fantasies), and I walked away completely blindsided by how much I enjoyed it. Yes, it is dark, but it delivers an ultimately uplifting story about identity, belonging, and love. The book achieves the perfect mix of lighthearted and grim with humor that balances out the grittier aspects of its story. It builds a world inspired by Thai folklore and Buddhist sentiments that is evident throughout (but I can’t speak more on since I am unfamiliar with either). Even with its grotesque imagery of ghosts and demons, necromancy, and sacrifices, it never strays too far from its message of hope and heart.

In Ex, we get a sharp and sympathetic lead that draws you in with his dry wit and sarcastic personality that was molded but not tainted by his own tragic history. Born to rebel parents, he was marked early in life for exclusion by the empire. He finds a place within the order of the phi hunters. And despite this path leading him down a lonely life, he was still able to make a home for himself there as the youngest of a dying calling. I was won over by him almost instantly even before any of his background is revealed.

What I did not expect was how flirty the book ended up being in the interactions between Ex and Arinya, the pregnant woman he is escorting. While not crossing into romantasy territory, this central forbidden romance really shines bright and allows for the banter, fun, and yearning common to that genre. They often brought a smile to my face, and I could not help be drawn in by them and their romance despite never quite getting a grasp on Arinya who remains a mostly distant figure in this nearly single POV narrative.

With a sympathetic lead, a charming forbidden romance, a fast-paced quest, and a dash of court politics, The Last Phi Hunter delivers the grit and heart in this fantastical Thai-inspired dark fantasy.

This was really excellent! I haven't read a fantasy like this one before, and I absolutely loved it. The Last Phi Hunter is a travel adventure with a cocky demon hunter, a royal consort who kicks ass, and horrifying (and very cool) demons inspired by Thai culture. On top of being a fun read with a satisfying conclusion, it also deals with the nostalgia of the world changing around you and being the last of its kind. Highly recommend this one--I'm pretty sure this is going to be one of my top reads of 2024!

Thank you to Angry Robot for the gorgeous physical arc! Opinions are my own.

I read this book in one morning while I waited for my cat at the vet and I LOVED IT.

The atmosphere is immersive and beautifully depicted, the worldbuilding is excellent, and I loved Ex's voice. The plot was fast-paced and breezed by, the writing compulsively readable. The humor had me laughing out loud several times, and the romance was surprisingly touching. There's one bit of dialogue in there about how falling in love happens--

"Sometimes it swells like a tsunami, and drowns you. Sometimes it grows as slow as a tree, and blossoms like a flower. Sometimes it strikes like lightning. Which was it?"
"How the sun rises. And the stars come out."

I'm not typically one for romance, but damn. Loved that.

At first I found the tone kind of weirdly.... modern, I guess? Lots of 2000s slang and dialogue. But it also never felt like the author was aiming for that "archaic fantasy voice", and owned her choices, so for me, it worked. I would love to read a sequel, and look forward to seeing future work from this author!

I went back and forth between 4 and 5 stars in the first half of the book but ended at a 4. There were portions of this book that were really engaging and others that for some reason just weren't grabbing me, and the plot felt a little all over the place and rushed in the second half - but overall I did enjoy the story and found the world it took place in super vivid and beautiful. I also can't recall the last time I read a Thai-inspired fantasy, so this felt like a breath of fresh air.

My favorite parts: The details of the world, like the Everpresent and the special path used to travel the forest, as well as the different spirits and beings in it, like the phi and the guardians, felt really rich, fun, and unique. I also found it interesting the different ways people were able to harness magic, as well as all the cool abilities specific to phi hunters. I think the author did a great job of immersing us in the world without it being overwhelming, for the most part. I felt the side character of Narissa and how we learned a little more about the Hound was enjoyable too and helped flesh out the world and how it worked in a "show don't tell" way. I also really liked the idea of a phi hunter and my favorite part was more towards the middle of the book, which was the height of the hunting scenes.

What I didn't like as much: I'm not sure why, but I just could not get invested very much in the main characters or their romance (I got a little invested in Ex by himself, but didn't get attached to Arinya at all). Maybe it was because there were no portions in Arinya's POV, or they never really seemed to have serious scenes together / talk about anything deep for more than a couple lines, or the fact that they didn't feel mature enough to be a 24 and 30ish year old to me - but I just felt like the relationship was kind of flat and shallow. My only other complaint was that after a little bit past the halfway point the hunting adventure ends and the rest of the plot just felt like it was a little discombobulated and rushed.

All that to say, I thought this book was a really vivid, colorful, and enjoyable read with lots of fun and action-packed scenes. It had a couple things keeping it from a 5 star for me, but I would still recommend it for sure.

I have been hunting for a fantasy novel based on Thai folklore for years. It's so fascinating and full of thrilling stories, terrifying demons, and epic battles. It's how I learned to read Thai.

The Last Phi Hunter provided all I wanted in that aspect and more. The author did a wonderful job incorporating many types of demons and their stories/backgrounds. I went into this novel able to recognize most of the creatures introduced, but those who know nothing about Thai folklore can still easily grasp the world. The demons and magic system are described in vivid and precise details. I felt like I was right along with the fearless Ex, hunting down demons to prove himself.

The author shines in building the atmosphere, but the character arcs are clunky. Ex is a fun MC. Sarcastic with a jaded sense of humor, his POVs are engaging. Yet, his overall arc was all over the place. His personality isn't bland but is built more on traits than background. Aryina, our other MC, was super hard to get any read on. While I liked what I saw of her personality, she's a bit underdeveloped, and her motivations are murky. This made it hard to buy the romance between them. Their banter was funny, but the connection was superficial and rushed.

At not one point did the plot go where I guessed. From the synopsis, it sounds like a straightforward quest, yet it's anything but. I like it when several plot lines are built around and on top of each other, but here, it jumps from plot line to plot line, not connecting them. That said, I was never bored with where the story went, just confused at times.

I had so much fun with The Last Phi Hunter. It's a unique story that will shine a light on Thailand's beautiful and rich history. I highly recommend it if you want to learn more about Thailand in a fun and engaging novel! Anyone who enjoys Asian fantasy novels will be pleased with the unique world and directions The Last Phi Hunter took.

Thank you so much to Angry Robot and NetGalley for the advance copy! All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

If anyone asked me to provide a one-sentence blurb or review of The Last Phi Hunter that they could print, I would present this: "surprising, captivating, lyrical, smooth weird bollocks (affectionate)".

The Last Phi Hunter was intriguing and swept me in a direction I did not foresee when I started. It was a delightful surprise - something an avid speculative fiction reader craves.

Salinee Goldenberg's lyrical prose enhances her lush worldbuilding, vibrant locations and characters. This combination makes the plot of the book and the exploration of family, identity and love in all forms she takes the readers on a beautiful smooth and delightful experience into the unexpected.

If you're searching for something different and unexpected on your speculative fiction reading journey; something that will surprise you but is also lush and imaginative and beautifully written check out The Last Phi Hunter.

Thank you, Net Galley and Angry Robot, for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

If you had told me this was the authors first book after reading it, I wouldn't have believed it. WOW! I love almost everything about this book. The characters are fun. The dialog isn't overdone, and the setting is amazing. I absolutely love the uniqueness of the magic system. What I didn't like is how it almost felt in the middle as if the author lost the plot and had to work back into it. That or she got to the point too fast and had to keep going. In the middle, I found myself pretty bored and not really connecting as I had been the first part of the story. The author in my opinion often rushed parts that should have been more fleshed out such as the ending climax yet spent unnecessary time explaining the same things such as the feeling of being in the Everpresent over and over. All of that is why I gave it 3 stars instead of my original 4. That being said, I loved the way she wrapped up the story. After the epilog, I'm extremely curious about book two and even more interested in watching the author grow also.

✨ ARC REVIEW ✨
Title: The last Phi hunter
Author: Salinee Goldenberg
Release date: 09/04/2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Ambitious Phi Hunter and perpetual lone wolf, Ex, finds his road to glory interrupted when a heavily pregnant runaway enlists his help to escape through the ghost-infested forest…”

I’m fairly new to fantasy so it still takes me a while to wrap my head around all the concepts but once I managed that, I loved this book! You can’t help but fall in love with the main character’s & I hope there will be a sequel to this (which I will absolutely purchase!). I feel like there’s still so much to cover in this world & I’m left wanting more!!


If you like fantasy and forbidden romance then give this book a go! 💝

The Last Phi Hunter is a story filled with adventure, love, and Taino mythology that I could not get enough of.

The Last Phi Hunter is one of my all-time favorite reads. It was as entertaining and stunning as I’d hoped! I loved the characters, narration, and rich incorporation of the fascinating Taino mythology. It was beautifully paced and lovingly funny. I cannot wait to read more by Salinee Goldenberg!

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC!

3.5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Angry Robot for providing me this ARC

This was a fun and overall good debut read. The premise feels a bit like the Witcher in that our main character travels and gets rid of creepy human eating creatures, and this profession is dying. I’d say that’s where the similarities end though

Ex as a main character is overall a fun character. He reads a bit young at times given that he’s meant to be 24. But I’d read something else from his POV happily.

Arinya was a bit confusing? I’m not totally sure I understood what her plan was.

The pacing was overall solid, as was the writing itself. I was surprised at how quickly a particular plot beat was wrapped up, since it had seemed important to the main character.

The world was interesting, definitely loosely based on Hinduism and Indian society in some aspects. I like the phi as spirits that used to be human and are now roaming around in death as terrible things. I’m not sure I totally understood the difference between the new and old magic rift that is center to the plot

I’m actually not sure if this is a standalone? I don’t see a series mentioned, but I would definitely read more within this world

"The Last Phi Hunter" has a very interesting world and magic system coupled with some pretty descriptive writing. I loved the descriptions of the different phi and the way the world looks when viewed beyond the gaze of most normal humans. The main character, Ex, is an endearingly pathetic man (think along the lines of a shonen anime protagonist; stuff just keeps happening to him and he ends up making a mess of things sometimes, but you still can't help but root for him) with an awkward charm that keeps the book from straying further into a potentially grimdark territory.

There is a romance that is pretty central to the plot, I suppose. However, that's where the book is the weakest, in my opinion. The chemistry between Ex and Arinya was almost there, but it was hampered by the fact that Arinya as a character is very... flimsy. She felt, weirdly, like wish fulfillment for Ex--which didn't seem like the author's intent. I needed more from her as a character to buy into her relationship with Ex and also root for her as an individual. I feel like this book could've greatly benefitted from alternating POV's between Ex and Arinya. This book does have multi-POV (though the bulk of the story is told via Ex's POV), but those POVs felt largely unnecessary and didn't really add anything to the story. For as much of a role as Arinya plays in the story, you'd think she'd get the chance to tell her side of things or even have better characterization, but she didn't and I was left wanting by the end.

I don't know if this is a series or not, but if it isn't, then the ending was too rushed to be truly satisfying for my liking.

Overall, this wasn't bad, but unfortunately, one of the central conceits of the book--the romance between the main character and the woman he's trusted to guard--really didn't work for me. Other people will likely feel differently, so if the synopsis interests you at all, feel free to give it a try. I do think the writing is pretty strong and would recommend it based on that alone.

DNF at 55% (rating it a two stars, because that's what i assume this book would have gotten from me if i had continued reading).

i was so so excited for this one, and the beginning was intriguing enough, but sadly, this one just deteriorated. for me as time went on. the characterization felt underdeveloped and a bit too convenient to the plot. the pacing confused me, and i really don't understand where the plot is meant to go from here (and i still had half the book left to go!). the lore really interested me, but for some reason i just wasn't able to grasp how it truly worked.