70% into the book, I got anxiety.

Now, given that this book has a fair amount of gore as it has fantastical elements, it would have been understandable. I squirm during horror movies and could not finish a Last Destination movie without getting actual nightmares. But no, this time it wasn't due to its quite descriptive violent scenes. I realized just when I was about to finish through the epilogue... that it was because the book was ending. It was going to be over, finished.

I got so attached to this book without realizing it. I LOVED THIS BOOK.

Ex is a 24 year-old Phi hunter. I won't go into details about what the Phi are but know they are dark spirits that often cause grief in the mortal plane, so phi hunters exist to eradicate them. Phi hunters are "morally gray", one would say. They hunt and kill phi, yes, but only do so when the Phi actively causes strife in an area of the kingdom. They (or at least our MMC) never kill humans and are not considered murderers. They hunt efficiently by scavenging phi parts to sell to witches and apothecaries who need the phi parts.

Ex is on a journey to take our FMC, Arinya, to a well-known witch for... a ritual. It all starts there, the adventure, the romance, and Ex's journey to hunt the True Demon (greater Phi), Shar-Ala.

This book, I realized when I jumped into the audiobook at Chapter 1, is so similar to a game my significant other and I enjoy playing: Monster Hunter. The game requires you to hunt monsters and "farm" for parts for your armor. Usually, monsters that have caused trouble to the Village you belong to. Because of this connection, it was easy for me to imagine most of the fighting in the book, the appearances of the phi, and even the guild of the Phi hunters. Oh, and he has a best friend, who is a Hound, that I think is a cross between Cerberus and a Palamute.

The dash of romance was also very cute. I LOVED Ex and Arinya's dynamic, with him being a younger, more naive boy than his older counterpart (8 years apart, if I recall correctly), chaos and funny moments were likely to ensue. Though there are times when Ex would make decisions about his feelings and relationship with Arinya that would lead you to think he has 5 different layers of stupid in him, it was all understandable because he had no experience with love. All this guy thinks about is Shar-Ala, hunting Shar-Ala, and Spicy Bami noodles.

Until Arinya came.

I won't reveal more about their romance because it only gets better and better, just like their character development. Their love becomes so pure and sweet that it just makes me ache with happiness and envy. Oh, and I should add right now that this is a semi-clean romance, and I'm glad it is.

I'd like to share a quote that made me scream into my pillow, when the master asked Ex about his feelings for Arinya:

"It is a force of nature, boy. Sometimes it swells like a tsunami, and drowns you. Sometimes it grows as slow as a tree, and blooms like a flower. Which was it?"

Ex exhaled as his will faded into slush. "How the sun rises. And the stars come out."

Like??? I CANT!!! To him, their love is slow but inevitable!!!

Anyway, I digress.

A LOT happens in this book. After achieving one goal, you'd think the villain is defeated. Alas, there is not one villain, but TWO. The real one, being the second, is such a character. Think Jafar from Aladdin or Tzekel-Khan of El Dorado. THOSE VIBES.

The story touches briefly on other planes of existence, reincarnation, ambition, Karma, and all that good stuff. This is the first novel I've read with a background in Thai culture and mythology, so most of it went over my head, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I love elements of reincarnation--or an implication of such a phenomenon.

All in all, Goldenburg has weaved a new and exciting prose, not despite Thai culture and mythology, but because of it. The way each character is flawed and finds peace with those flaws is so achingly human despite half of them not being one. The political and social issues, such as the fading of magic and the declining need for phi hunters have not been resolved at the very end simply because it is inevitable. Their world, much like ours, will simply move on and progress, and myths and legends will soon cease and become superstitions until finally, they become pages in a storybook.

With how the story ended, it might be true that Ex is indeed THE LAST PHI HUNTER... it is inevitable. And that's okay.

SOLID 5 STARS.

Dear author, if you're reading this, I'm asking for HELP. What in the 5 realms was THAT ENDING?! Can we have a long, nice chat over coffee or tea while I interrogate you about it and all the other theories that have kept my mind occupied for the last 8 hours!? Please and thank you!

P.S, my boyfriend is dying to read your book. :)

P.P.S I listened to this as an audiobook but read along with my ebook in netgalley. Kudos to the narrator for making the book 10x funnier, especially with how he voiced Ex.

I was so excited to read this story as soon as I found out it follows a monster hunter hunting beasts from Thai mythology - and I'm very happy to report it did not disappoint. The worldbuilding was absolutely outstanding: it felt fresh, innovative, and so well drawn, with a world that feels atmospheric and lived in. I loved all the different monsters and creatures our characters meet, especially Narissa, a krasue hoping to overcome her curse and become human again. The two main characters, Ex and Arinya, are both so much fun, and I particularly enjoyed Ex's voice - he's cocky, stubborn, and hilarious. Absolutely loved this!

Thanks Dreamscape Media for the audiobook ARC - David Lee Huynh's narration was perfect.

Never have I wanted something so much and not known it until I got it. This pretty much sums up what was going through my head when I finished Salinee Goldenberg’s debut, The Last Phi Hunter. I don’t think I know how to capture my excitement for this book in a single review, but I sure will try.

The Last Phi Hunter is an action-packed adult fantasy that transports the reader to a world heavily inspired by Thai folklore. Even though I wasn’t familiar with the culture, I couldn’t help but feel engaged and filled with wonder as I explored this new world, rather than feeling overwhelmed or lost. This is exactly what fantasy is supposed to do. It speaks to our deep human desire to embark on an adventure in a faraway land and discover new aspects of life. That is what The Last Phi Hunter offered in such a brilliant way. It’s a reminder of why fantasy is so great.

Our guide through this adventure is Ex—the Phi Hunter—who is given the seemingly easy task of escorting the pregnant prince’s consort. A task that turns out to be not as simple as he would have expected. Our Phi Hunter navigates the human and spirit realms in the hope of fulfilling a task that is stubbornly—just like his companion—doing its best to complicate what should have been an easy job.

Ex is a great protagonist. He is endearing and funny but also so relatable in that he wants to prove to the members of his guild that he’s the best at what he does—which he is, as far as I’m concerned. However, his experience in his very spirit-related work makes him lacking in other aspects of life, namely interacting with other humans.

But despite Ex’s PoV having most of the “screen time,” he was by far not the only notable character in the story. The character that left the biggest impact on me, as she did on Ex, is Arinya, his companion. Despite being escorted by Ex, and not being familiar with the intricacies of his work or having the required training to deal with the dangers they face on the way, she never felt like she was lacking in agency. Quite the opposite. Sometimes, it felt like Ex was the one struggling to keep up with her, which always turned out to be both the most hilarious and heartbreaking moments in the story.

Overall, I really loved this story. I enjoyed the world-building, the folklore, and the characters. God, I loved Ex’s and Arinya’s banter so much. The pacing was also really well-handled, with the story speeding up to increase tension when action was required, and slowing down to explore the deeper emotions of the characters and the consequences of their actions. I very much hope to revisit this world again in future books because I simply can’t get enough of it, and that’s truly the biggest compliment I could give a novel, especially a debut.

3.75 stars

First, a huge thanks to NetGalley for an early copy of the audiobook for The Last Phi Hunter.

We start the story following Ex who’s a Phi Hunter on his journey to finding Shar-Ala, however this is interrupted when he runs into Arinya and he’s now tasked with getting her back to safety with the prince.

Ex was a great MC to follow, he was funny, sarcastic, witty but was also very awkward at times which I loved. His character arc was great but could’ve been a little bit more flushed and consistent. He made some terrible yet hilarious mistakes along the way but he’s always trying to do the right thing one way or another. He was also quite horny 😂

His relationship with Arinya starts very weird, given that she’s the princes consort and she was pregnant when they first met on this journey. I did feel like we didn’t get the full story behind Arinya, and felt like she was more difficult to get an overall read on. I wish the romance felt more natural but the flow between strangers to lovers was a bit clunky and felt incomplete.

The world building was phenomenal, the author did an excellent job with the descriptions of all creatures we encounter which makes the story easy to follow and imagine. Plot was mostly consistent, could use some work with some details about the kingdom and how the romance developed but overall a great debut novel by Salinee Goldenberg.

Salinee Goldenberg nos ofrece la mezcla perfecta de fantasía con raíces en el folklore tailandés, acción y diversión en The Last Phi Hunter, una obra muy cinematográfica y entretenida que gana bastantes enteros con la interpretación en audiolibro de David Lee Huynh.


El protagonista es Ex, un joven cazador de demonios obsesionado con cazar a Shar-Ala, un ser de leyenda al que hace tiempo que no se le ve. Ex vende los restos de sus presas para subsistir, ya que son valiosos recursos en el mundo mágico. Sin embargo, Ex no es invencible y cuando Arinya, embarazada de nueve meses, le salva de una buena tunda, no puede negarse a acompañarla y protegerla en su periplo hacia su destino.

Las principales bondades de la novela son una construcción de mundo muy atractiva con la existencia de criaturas mágicas fuera del bestiario más conocido en occidente. Aunque el desarrollo de los personajes y sus relaciones podría mejorar, sobre todo el principio de la novela es muy divertido con las constantes pullas que se lanzan. Tiene su parte de romance, pero no es un eje fundamental de la novela o al menos no me lo parece.

Aunque la trama no es excesivamente intrincada, es innegable que los tejemanejes de los poderes en las sombras sorprenden en más de una ocasión a los lectores. Sí que algunos de los elementos de la historia parecen un poco acelerados, quizá huyendo de la pérdida de ritmo que podría suponer un exceso de exposición entre escenas de combate. No le hubiera venido mal algo más de equilibrio en este aspecto.

Otro de los personajes, no mencionaré cuál, tiene un arco de redención cautivador, negándose durante décadas a saciar su hambre en pos de la salvación. Un concepto budista cuya filosofía empapa cada página del libro, sin menoscabo alguno de escenas violentas y sangrientas. Es posible que por momentos nos recuerde a Geralt de Rivia, por su tarea de acabar con monstruos por dinero, pero Ex es mucho más joven y bisoño, sin el poso de amargura del Brujo.

Aunque el libro no se presenta como parte de una saga y tiene una conclusión satisfactoria, no me extrañaría que la autora volviera a este universo con una nueva entrega, ya que tiene los elementos necesarios para continuar contándonos historias de Ex.

Where this book shines is the worldbuilding - from different tiers of magic that are viewed with varying degrees of acceptance, spirits and demons that are powerful but falling out of public acknowledgment, to religious practices rising and falling. The creatures are dark and terrifying, many based upon the cycle of karma and the sins of souls’ past lives. We also get some political maneuvering as the monarchy scrambles to follow the trends of power.

I wasn’t entirely convinced by the characters though. The will-they-won’t-they love story felt kinda forced to me and I felt that it distracted from the plot and world elements that shined so brightly.

This book wasn’t for me, but that doesn’t mean that other people won’t enjoy it. The portrayal of women felt a little immature, and I have a hard time getting past that in a book. The beginning of the book dives in with killing a phi before we even know what a phi is, so it’s hard to know whose side the reader is supposed to be on. The premise was interesting, though.

The Last Phi Hunter came onto my radar when Lezlie from The Nerdy Narrative shared the cover on Twitter. This started as a cover read, for sure. I fell in love with the arc cover (it's gray, not this one). Now that I finished it, I am glad I fell in love with the cover because this book is an absolute blast. I enjoyed it a lot.

The Last Phi Hunter takes place in a Thai-myth-inspired world and follows Ex, an ambitious, young, a little bit over his head(?) hunter. He is a lone wolf until he meets Arinya, a pregnant woman who needs his help.

Salinee Goldenberg's world is downright mesmerizing. Dark forests, eerie spirits, and ancient mysteries lurk around every corner. It's like stepping into a whole new realm of imagination. So much so, even the color of the world changes! I was hooked from the get-go.

This was a cover read, but in the end, what really grabbed me about The Last Phi Hunter is just how darn original it is. I mean, we've all read our fair share of fantasy tales, right? But this one? It's like nothing I've ever come across before. Goldenberg's story is fresh, vibrant, and rich with vivid descriptions that bring the world to life. I couldn't put it down if I tried.

Now, let's talk about the tone. You'd think a story with dark themes and gory scenes and, body horror would be pretty heavy, right? But not this one. Goldenberg manages to weave in a healthy dose of humor that keeps things light and entertaining, even when things get downright spooky. It's like watching your favorite horror flick with a side of laughter - the perfect balance.

And I also want to take a moment to appreciate the characters. Ex, our main protagonist, is a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, he's got good intentions and an ambitious spirit that's hard not to admire. But on the other hand, he is seriously flawed. Sometimes his ambition gets the best of him, leading to some pretty disastrous outcomes. And there are times when he veers dangerously close to Mary Sue territory. But hey, despite his flaws, there is something undeniably charming about him. But it's not Ex who shines - every character, from Phi to the spirits, is so likeable and complex. I am itching to learn more about their backstories and what makes them tick. I'd love to read novellas about them, tbh. I hope she writes more about this world.

While the Last Phi Hunter boasts an enchanting world inspired by Thai demon folklore and interesting characters, it's not without its flaws. Like, Salinee Goldenberg's descriptive prowess shines through, her fight scenes often leave much to be desired. Unlike the visceral intensity of authors like John Gwnne, the action in Goldenberg's novel feels somewhat lackluster, especially considering Ex's role as a demon hunter.

One more downside of the book is that, as the story progresses, things begin to feel a bit repetitive, particularly towards the end. It's as if the narrative hits a plateau, spinning its wheels without much momentum. And while the romance subplot adds a touch of sweetness to the tale, it can't quite shake off the feeling of being rushed, much like the ending itself. There's a sense that certain elements could have been given more room to breathe, allowing for a more satisfying conclusion.

By extension, the balance of the story feels a bit off. Some aspects are dragged out while others, such as the rich political background (or, more like, the life in the palace) are left underdeveloped. It's a missed opportunity to weave in deeper layers of intrigue and complexity, which could have added depth to the overall narrative.

But in the end, Salinee Goldenberg's debut, The Last Phi Hunter, is a very impressive book. It is immersive, rich, and colorful. It is dark and bloody. It is funny and heartfelt. I found myself thoroughly immersed in its pages and eagerly wait more from Salinee Goldenberg. It is a great read.

Huge thanks to NetGalley, Angry Robot and Salinee Goldenberg for granting me early digital access in exchange for my honest review! The book will be out on April 9th 2024, don't miss it!

Thank you Angry Robot, NetGalley, and Dreamscape Media for an eARC and advanced listening copy in exchange for an honest review!

Ex is a member of the Phi Hunters Order, and he is on a quest to slay a demon that has been plaguing the Order and his masters. Shar-Ala is the demon of nightmares and madness, though, and on the way Ex gets his ass kicked and is saved by Arinya, who is a muay-boran champion and nine months pregnant. In return for saving him, Arinya wants his help, and so his quest gets a little derailed.

The Last Phi Hunter was so fun and one of those books where you’re like “yeah, this is definitely a romp.” I liked Goldenberg’s writing and found her tone to be humorous in a way that works in this land of demon slaying. I really loved her worldbuilding and how Thai mythology and folklore was used to create the Suyoram Kingdom. While I do think that one of the weak points of this novel was Ex and Arinya’s characterizations, they were still fun to follow and the actual journey they went on was super entertaining. Also, the demons and spirits were wonderful. While I don’t think this particular book will live rent free in my head, it’s also one I see myself rereading and I’d definitely read anything else that Goldenberg wants to set in this world. This is such a wild ride of a debut in every positive sense you can imagine, and the world is really interesting.

David Lee Huynh did a great job with the audiobook! He did a good job differentiating the voices of each character and it was an enjoyable experience.

Definitely recommend this, and I’ll keep an eye on Goldenberg’s career.

I really enjoyed this book.


I love the setting. I haven't read any Thai inspired fantasy so it was very interesting. I love the folklore and the spirits.

I liked Ex. He's a smart alec. He's got a mix of young bravado and oh crap I actually don't know what I'm doing that's relatable. He and Arinya teasing each other is fun.

I liked the narrator of the audiobook too. He did a good job with the different voices and phis.

This was a surprisingly fun adventure inspired by Thai mythology.

A warrior is determined to prove his prowess by hunting down a legendary demon; a pregnant woman about to give birth -who is fiercer than she looks- employs him to help her get to her destination before her baby comes. Along the way they unravel political plots of the kingdom, clash with dark sorcerers, confront the possibilities of demons seeking redemption, and even become entangled with complex spiritual and metaphysical considerations.

The main character can occasionally be lewd or more sexual than I expected, but it was otherwise very upbeat and unlike stories I've read before.

Audiobook Notes:
This is narrated by one of the better male narrators I've listened to. It stands in stark contrast against the recent male narrators I've listened to who employ a falsetto for female voices that sounds truly terrible-- so glad he didn't do that here!! Though it was kind of adorable in the last 10% when he pronounced the "c" in scythe multiple times.

It was so cool to read a Thai-inspired fantasy! I loved learning about the different kinds of phi and different magic systems. Phi hunting gave me very strong Monster Hunter vibes, and I was all for it.

Where the book didn’t work for me as well was in the structure of the plot itself. It felt episodic—almost like a chain of quests in an RPG, to continue the video game train—in a way meant mostly to show off the world, the magic, and the phi. I’m not against episodic plots on principle, but I do feel like they work best when the “sidequests” are linked to either an overarching goal or thematic reasons to be part of the plot, and I prefer explanations of the world to be woven into a scene rather than the main purpose of a scene. It’s for this reason that the plot sometimes felt meandering and directionless and the characters felt reactive rather than actively driving the story. I wish Ex had a stronger reason to hunt Shar-Ala other than “because I need to in order to be accepted as a true hunter” (again, a very video-game-like reason) as well; in the end, hunting Shar-Ala felt like something that just "had" to happen for the rest of the plot to make sense. I also didn’t really care much about the romance between Ex and Arinya.

Still, if you enjoy non-Western fantasy, definitely give this one a try!

(I also had a fun time with the audiobook! David Lee Huynh was great at voicing the dialogue among the different characters.)

The Last Phi Hunter by Salinee Goldenberg is absolutely stunning! I was almost put off with the comparison to the Witcher (I have not read the books and couldn't get past the first half hour of the tv show) but Thai folklore? I am there! I am so glad I took a punt with this incredible book as Salinee Goldenberg is an outstanding storyteller

The narrator David Lee Huynh puts in a fantastic performance and I enjoyed listening to the audiobook as much as I enjoyed reading the book

The key aspect about this book for me, was the multiple POV's. The nuances, the ambience, the worldbuilding and character development, it was so on point. It's easy to be suspicious of a book that is written with technical perfection, but there is so much heart and soul in this narrative that I will be re-reading over and over

A beautiful book and I look forward to seeing a lot more from this author

Thank you to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media | Dreamscape Lore, the author Salinee Goldenberg and narrator David Lee Huynh for this incredible ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own