Thanks to Netgalley and Angry Robot for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

God this was such a wild ride!!

Shaping up to be a strong contender for my favourite read of 2024, The Last Phi Hunter was an absolutely phenomenal book!

I highly recommend checking this out once it is released, you won't regret it!

SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

Here are a few of my favourite quotes from The Last Phi Hunter:

"Maybe phi hunters mirrored their prey with their powers and spirit magic, but Ex had to believe he was still human in every other way. Even if others vehemently disagreed."

"Despite the overcast day, it felt as if the sun had come out, shining between all the other stars in the soothing night."

"when Ex held their first child in his arms, love swelled in his chest, a love that he’d never imagined. Familiar, all encompassing, as if he recognized her very soul."

Thank you NetGalley and Angry Robot for providing me with this ARC.

“The Last Phi Hunter” is a Thai folklore inspired tale, full of charm, spiced with love, joy and some darkness. In this beautifully written story we meet Ex, a demon and ghost hunter, who might be the last one of Phi Order recruits. During his quest to kill Shar-Ala, a demon of nightmares, he encounters Arinya, a heavily pregnant woman who saves his life and asks for protection against monsters during her journey through forest. Eventually, the circumstances forced them to travel further along together, into her safety and Ex is really trying to protect her from the ghosts, demons and necromancers, while also protecting himself from falling in love with her.
I really enjoy reading this book, as the writing of Salinee Goldenberg is impeccable: humorous, charming but also building a dark and vivid world full of monsters. The characters are very well written, they are vibrant, full of life and really relatable. We are rooting for them to fall in love, to survive the difficulties and to have their happy ending. They grow with the storyline progression, their choices making sense and being natural. The story pace was good too, we had a chance to get introduced to the characters, the world building and the plot in an organic way and it progressed logically and in alignment with the characters’ personalities.
My only complaint is that some descriptions are a bit long and seem unnecessary. Though maybe some editing would help.
All in all it’s a solid work, with good storytelling and likeable characters. 4/5

Thank you to NetGalley and Angry Robot for the ARC of this book!

This Thai inspired dark fantasy centers around Ex who is a lone wolf Phi Hunter who slays ghosts and demons in the Soyoram Kingdom. His hunt for the legendary demon of nightmares, Shar-Ala is interrupted when a heavily pregnant Arinya asks for his help. Ex agrees to help her and escort her home, and that's where the adventure starts. Now they must get through the forest that's filled with demons, spirits, crown guards, sorcerers, and necromancers, all while Ex attempts to not fall in love with Arinya. I loved the lore and world building surrounding the Phi and demons, especially how phi come into being. I did not expect to love a spirit wolf so much either. If you like the monster hunting aspect of The Witcher series, you should check this out.

I was provided with an ARC copy of this book by Angry Robot Books via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review (English is not my first language, but I hope to be as clear as possible!).

When I first heard of The Last Phi Hunter on social media, I had high expectations: the plot of the book was intriguing and its wonderful cover was just as catchy. So I thought to send a request to its publisher house and read it before its release (actually, this book was the start of my journey on Netgally, so I was pretty excited too).

In all honesty, I still don’t know if I liked the book or not. Let’s say it had its ups and downs, and at the end it let me confused. In my opinion, the first part of the novel was pretty much the most interesting, maybe because there was the worldbuilding and the characters’ introduction. I really enjoyed discovering the rules that separate the Blinds (the humans’ world) and the Everpresent (the spirits’ world), and how Ex, the main character, traveled between these two reality as a phi hunter. I appreciated the writing style of the author: I found it refreshing, perfectly hilarious to describe Ex’s clumsiness but also crude when it came to picturing violent scenes (I personally recommend reading the TW list. The descriptions get really graphic sometimes). The gore element was unexpected, but I loved every second of it!

Unfortunately, I started to lose interest from the central part of the book. I felt like the pace of the story was rushed and I had the same feeling about the romance. I probably would’ve enjoyed the love story between the main characters if it had a stronger basis and it hadn’t given me the impression that it’d been born from nowhere. I felt a little bit disappointed in the resolution of some challenges, too.

Still, the epilogue of the book picked up my interest again, although I perceive it as bittersweet. I think that The Last Phi Hunter will have a sequel due to its open ending, but it could perfectly be a standalone.

Narissa was my favourite character. Even though her POVs were fewer than Ex’s, they were the ones I liked the most!

All things considered, I think The Last Phi Hunter is a good debut, not flawless and certainly not one of my favourite, but still promising! Salinee Goldenberg was a nice discovery, especially regarding her writing style. I don’t know if I will read a possible sequel to The Last Phi Hunter, but I’m pretty sure I will read something else from the author.

It's a good and entertaining story with solid characters and cool twists. I enjoyed reading it and appreciate the well-thought-out plot and the author's ability to keep the reader engaged. Worth a shot.

Quite enjoyable!

The Last Phi Hunter follows Ex, an orphaned Hunter whose 'rebel' parents were murdered by the monarchy and desires to earn his place in the shrinking Phi Hunter Order in a kingdom striking down on magic by hunting the legendary demon, Shar-Ala. However, when a pregnant Arinya, hailing from the royal courts, comes across his path, seeking help, it is only the beginning of unveiling a conspiracy and a treacherous journey.

The mythology and action are well-thought-out and balanced in pacing. Details of the Everpresent spirit realm, the creatures and the food, to name a few, are sublime. You feel an attachment to the characters and places and understand what they mean for Ex, giving the book some well-needed weight. The romance, while a nice touch and works arc-wise for Ex, could also be kept as a friendship for the book and the ending teasing their impending romance. However, it also works fine as is as the story focuses more on Ex's hunter journey. That's not to say I don't enjoy reading about Arinya. While her backstory is a bit mysterious and not dove into deeply, you get the sense she is competent in the present. The side plot involving Narissa has a choppy beginning but works out as the story progresses. Overall, nothing felt redundant and contributed to deepening the lore of the story and Ex's arc. This story feeds those hungry for an epic, hair-raising adventure with demons, realm-travelling, secrecy and death.

Thanks to Netgalley and Angry Robot for providing me with the e-ARC/DRC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is, in a word, delightful - from the wit of the main character Ex, to the tender romance that begins to build between him and Arinya, to the lively descriptions of Thai lore, I very much enjoyed The Last Phi Hunter.

Ex is an experienced hunter of spirits that were once very bad people, but he wants the big kill, Shar-Ala, until he is saved from a bad situation by a very, very pregnant woman who asks for his help getting through a dangerous forest.

Ex is a very charming main character, and I absolutely loved Arinya, she is so bad-ass! I hope to read more by Salinee Goldenberg, as this is a wonderful debut.

An epic fantasy (standalone?) novel set in a rich, diverse world with some really cool world building, this is not to be missed if you want a fun adventurous read. I ended up really liking the characters but did feel like Arinyas character was a bit flat and would’ve liked to see her POV in the book. There is room for this world to be expanded and I’m not sure if that’s the plan but this is also a self contained story so can be read as a standalone.

An epic fantasy (standalone?) novel set in a rich, diverse world with some really cool world building, this is not to be missed if you want a fun adventurous read. I ended up really liking the characters but did feel like Arinyas character was a bit flat and would’ve liked to see her POV in the book. There is room for this world to be expanded and I’m not sure if that’s the plan but this is also a self contained story so can be read as a standalone.

The Last Phi Hunter

3 stars ⭐️

Publication date : April 8th, 2024

The main character, Ex, the youngest Phi hunter, sets out on an adventure filled with twists and turns. With Thai culture and Buddhism, the story brings to life a fantastical realm where ghosts and demons roam freely.

Ex's mission? To hunt down the terrifying nightmare demon, Shar-Ala, and put an end to its reign of terror. But as he delves deeper into his quest, he uncovers a web of secrets and mysteries that could change everything.

With Thai demon folklore, the story is teeming with spirits, demons, and the constant struggle between truth and falsehood. Through multiple perspectives, readers are drawn into a world where characters grapple with their own destinies and the choices that shape them.

Ex, is a well-defined character who clings to his childhood memories as he navigates his journey. Author, Salinee Goldenberg, beautifully includes elements of Thai heritage and Buddhism into the narrative, exploring themes of identity, race, and forbidden love with seamless grace.

As a debut book, I found it to be a captivating and refreshingly unique story.

Thank you to NetGalley for the Arc!

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-infected forest…

Ex, the youngest member of the Phi Hunters Order, has spent his life slaying the ghosts and demons of Suyoram Kingdom. While he takes great pride in his mystical trade, collecting dwindling bounties and peddling butchered spirit organs lacks the glory he craves. He’s determined to hunt down Shar-Ala, a demon of nightmares, of madness – who has eluded even Ex’s masters.

In a provincial village along the way, Arinya, a charming muay-boran champion, saves him from an ass-kicking, despite being nine months pregnant. In return, she asks him to escort her through the dangerous, spirit-filled forest, where ghosts salivate over the scent of the unborn.

But as more of Arinya’s secrets emerge, and the elusive demon nears, Ex must face dangers from both men and monsters, or lose not only the respect of the Phi Hunters, but the Hunters themselves, along with the woman he’s trying not to fall in love with.

I originally requested this based solely on the amazing cover art. I was however pleasantly surprised with the story. While I do not usually get into anything with romance, I found the Last Phi Hunter to have plenty of other amazing content and I had a real great time reading this. I will probably have to go out and buy the physical version on release date! Looking forward to book two now!

I so enjoyed this book. Thai fantasy with plenty of monsters and inventive twists and turns. A great read… I hope there is a sequel! Thank you to #netgalley and the publishers for an ARC.

"The Last Phi Hunter" is a delightful and violent surprise that will keep you engaged from start to finish. Snarky, quick-witted, and brimming with Thai mythology, this release is one to anticipate.

The story centers around our Phi hunter protagonist, the young and high-hoped "Ex," who hunts the vengeful and restless spirits called Phi. It's a dying profession losing respect day by day, thanks to a religiously radical monarchy responsible for the murder of his family. Ex spends his days hunting in the spirit world for Phi that terrorize villages through the Everpresent spirit realm. He hacks up his kills to sell to local hedge witches, hoping to one day sink his blade into the monster he's been hunting since his initiation into the Hunters. Hot on its trail, he meets Arinya, the very pregnant prince's consort, who saves him in a local dive with one request: "Save me and this unborn child before the queen's minions get us both." With a demon to catch and a woman Ex is resisting falling in love with, he must decide between the respect of his clan or a future brighter than he could have imagined.

"The Last Phi Hunter" achieves incredible feats in its writing. The injection of Thai mythology is a delight, with maidens and monsters clashing in epic battles filled with magic and great dialogue. Goldenberg excels at making readers laugh, cringe, and devour the pages through epic battle scenes. The side plots are well-executed, and the chapters with side character POVs are engaging without feeling like one is "missing" the main storyline. The Narissa/Arinya's cabin chapter, shiver, grossed me to my core. Overall, it reminded me of the vitality and enjoyment of standalone fantasy novels.

However, much of the book revolves around the relationship between Ex and Arinya developing, which, at times, felt a little lackluster. The romantic plot didn't resonate with me, and I believe that having them develop a friendship would have sufficed. The attempt to build a blossoming relationship under fire lost some marks for me as I found it hard to buy into.

In conclusion, "The Last Phi Hunter" is a fun book that pulled me out of a slump. I would rate it 4/5 stars!

I was lucky enough to receive this as an ARC and was drawn in by the beautiful cover. (I tend to skim read blurbs at best as I like going in completely blind).

Whilst I enjoyed this story I felt like I was reading along side it rather than fully immersed, the ideas, location, characters and mythology / magic system were all really interesting but I feel it was on on fast forward. I didn’t have enough time to sit with what was happening or worry for the characters. I struggled to imagine the creatures and surroundings but they could be a me thing!

I think it could have benefited from being a bit slower and going a bit deeper into the motivations and history of the lore and people involved.

I would definitely read the next one (I presume it’s going to be a series!)

Ex is a hunter. A Phi Hunter; slaying ghosts and demons of the Suyoram Kingdom is all what he did for the last 12 years. Dreaming of becoming a true Demon Slayer by hunting down Shar-Ala, a demon of nightmares. Meeting a heavily pregnant woman in a backwater village asking for his help to reach the local hedgewitch is not part of his plans. Yet, as the bounties for slaying monsters, and peddling their body parts, decrease each time, he has no other way than to accept it as the woman pays well. While they reach the witch, the story of Ex and Arinya does not end there.


A fast-paced, action-ridden fantasy novel set in a Thai-inspired world. The book is jammed with Thai folklore, lots of ghosts and monsters, demon hunters, and quite bloody action. (If you are squeezy when blood, innards & Co are mentioned, you might want to skip The Last Phi Hunter or consider the warning when ordering the book.) While there is romance in the story, it is subtle and in the background. So, please don't expect some romantasy! It is a dark fantasy novel after all.

Aside from ghosts and monsters, the author also explores themes like spirituality (especially as the old ways are threatened by a new religion and general progress), loneliness and how it affects people, one's identity within society, as well as race and class.

What a journey this book was! I can't even begin to describe how much I adored it. The world-building, characters, action, and plot were all magnificent, the story felt new and original which i loved and ate up!

The settings and the diverse cast of characters, particularly Ex and the formidable (pregnant) female MC which is something I haven't seen alot in a fantasy novel. Their partnership, amidst the perils of a treacherous forest and the complexities of royal politics, added layers to the story. I enjoed the novel's pacing, it never felt rushed, keeping me turning pages until its satisfying conclusion.
The story ended beautifully, but I won’t mind a sequel if there is one in the future.
Thank you, NetGalley and Angry Robot for this Arc in exchange for an honest review!

Firstly, this cover is amazing and I cannot wait to get the full colour version in my hands. This was a brilliant story that was filled with wonder and character. Strongly recommended.

Thanks to Angry Robot for the ARC! I definitely picked this one up for the cover. Overall, the story moved at a quick pace and it was a fun read. I thought the characters were fine; they didn’t stand out or make me angry. I didn’t really care for the romance part of the story, but I thought the word/mythology was fun! A fine book, but I don’t know that I’ll be seeking out a sequel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Angry Robot for the arc!

I was very pleasantly surprised by this book! This book was multi-layered; it has so much depth and details! The writing was indulgent and artistic, painting vivid descriptions of everything you can imagine, from scenery to magic to creatures to food. The author also perfectly spun intricate concepts of balance, planes of existence, light vs dark, new vs old magic, modernization, good vs evil, humans vs nature, soul ties, death, and reincarnation. The Thai and Asian folklore, culture, and mythology was excellently written as well; it being complex, rich, and perfectly weaved in with every other moving part. I will also say that this book is not predictable at all, and went in places I didn’t expect. And before I forget, I’m very happy to say that there is necromancy in this book! I love necromancy!

As for the characters, I absolutely loved the side characters. The Hound and Mali are amongst my favorites. Of course, I was rooting for our main characters as well (even if Ex is fucking stupid at times (god bless him, he means well)). I truly believe in Arinya and Narissa supremacy. I <3 badass women who save our mmc’s sorry ass over and over. Lastly, yes, all characters went through satisfying character development.

My one issue with this book is that I wish the climax was a little more climatic, but I still enjoyed it. The resolution and epilogue was handled very well. A wonderful read, I highly recommend it, and especially to my fellow The Spear Cuts Through Water -4.5

Thank you to Angry Robots for providing me an eArc!

3.5 stars.

The last phi hunter was a quick, adventurous and entertaining read that flowed well with a richly imaginative and immersive world steeped in Thai folklore, likeable characters and an engaging and fast paced plot. As for the romance between Ex and Arinya I must admit, I cared little for it and would've preferred they remained friends with no romantic involvement.

Overall this was a fresh and enjoyable read and I would recommend it to adventure and fantasy readers alike!