For me, The Last Phi Hunter is the Thai version of The Witcher, but done significantly better. (I am a Witcher book hater but Witcher concept lover) The Last Phi (that's pronounced "fee") Hunter follows Ex, who is a (shocker!) hunter of Phis, which are essentially demonous monsters. He is looking to kill the lengendary Sharala when he comes across Arinya, a pregnant woman who needs his help. Their fates become tied, and he must complete her mission to complete his.

I compare this to the Witcher because (shocker) he kills monsters for money. A lot of people hype the Witcher for being funny, and this really hits that mark well. I laughed out loud quite a few times, which I don't normally do when reading. Also, because this is written by a woman, the women are not written in a gross way! I thoroughly enjoyed Arinya and when Ex began lusting over her it was written in a way that wasn't disgusting to me as a woman!!! Gotta love that.

For some reason I read this thinking it was the beginning of a series, and my biggest disappointment is learning it is a standalone. I really loved this world and the characters. I know very little about Thai mythology, but this got me so interested in it. The creatures were so interesting, and the magic felt so unique. I thoroughly enjoyed this!

Thank you to Angry Robot and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Angry Robot for providing an ARC via NetGalley. This is my honest review.

Buzzwords: hunter, monsters, thai folklore, runaway prince’s consort, ambition, intriguing magic worldbuilding, animal companion (it’s complicated).


4.5 🌟

This was a glorious debut fantasy book. It was one of those stories that felt comforting in “this is what fantasy should be” yet excitingly unique. It starts with a relatively simple premise of a hunter escorting a mysterious, pregnant lady to a witch. The story expands from there in both ways you would expect and ways that caught you pleasantly by surprise.
Two main factors carried the story for me; the main character and the worldbuilding surrounding the magic.

Ex, the main character, the so-called last Phi Hunter. He began training as a hunter from a young age and in a country where the hunter’s magic is no longer revered, he is the last to be trained. He is an ambitious hunter who seeks glory and fame in the guild. He was interesting to follow for many reasons. Even though in some ways, he wasn’t the character you would expect to follow for this story, he completely made it.
Ex was successfully likeable because he was subtly funny, ambitious, a daring hunter, charmingly open and clueless to emotion and… of course, a poor planner (which was endearing even if it is perhaps an unwise choice). From page one, he was a character I wanted to follow because of who he was. He added a lighthearted tone through his narration which fitted into the story naturally, but neither took away from the dangerous journey of monsters, necromancers and men.
The secondary characters were equally as entertaining. A strong-minded, capable “princess on a mission”, a kooky witch, a few wise teachers, animal companions who loved Ex’s smaller misfortunes and a monster seeking redemption. Each character affected Ex and his journey by bringing out different sides of him. This made for a more fulfilling reading experience as it ensured this was more than just a hunter striving to complete a task. He had humanity and complicated relationships. Looking at his personal history, meaningful relationships and the complexities of the hunt-and-kill path he had chosen created a book that stood out from the rest.

The second key part for me was the worldbuilding surrounding the magic. It is safe to say, many fantasy books feature magic (I'm a perceptive soul). Their developments involve a social divide, a method to access the magic, a limitation and some rules linking to history. What I loved about this book was how it didn’t feel like it was trying to tick off a checklist of how to develop a magic system. Instead, this book strove to create a world, a purpose, and a journey through the magic. The author was excited and eager to explore the magic system, going that step further to create a unique book.
From the trials of what it takes to be a hunter, how society reacts to magic, the different types of magic users (and what they use magic for), using magic to create a different method of hunting monsters with multiple layers and the inclusion of Thai folklore. It was so intriguing. It was refreshing to see how the intimate details of magic were brought to life. Even if other books have more expansive worldbuilding, this book has left a far more memorable impression.
It was wonderfully well-considered. The type of consideration borne from passion. I would be excitedly happy to read another ten books set in this world!

The plot had highs and lulls, some intentional for the natural ebbs and flows. Other times it drifted to feeling like it had no overarching purpose, but another addition would always be added a page later to create the next step for the plot. There is technically nothing wrong with this, but it could have flowed more smoothly. Especially as in the lulls, I felt like it was turning towards a more conventional plot but then it had something in its back pocket and my giddy excitement returned.
The romance was nothing extraordinary due to its insta-love nature, but thankfully I was just excited to see the characters on the page because it was ✨them✨. I fell in love with these charming characters just as quickly (so how can I blame them). In some ways, it was refreshing for the plot not to be bogged down by romantic suspense (will they, won’t they), instead it focused on developing a capable, enticing plot.

Whilst I have listed a few tiny wrinkles in the book, I can't or don't care about them because it was such an enjoyable experience reading this book. Lovable characters, a pinch of humour, a captivating plot, unique magic and thoughtful worldbuilding on an intimate level. It is an adventure plot with so many exciting fantasy aspects. Of course, I loved it.

Okay So I loved this it was super cute and fun. Ex and Arinya are adorable together. I loved how dedicate to his goal Ex was and that he didn’t immediately run off to help Arinya. I also liked Arinya was a total baddie herself, she had no shame and her bringing Ex into and abandoning him in town had me laughing out loud. I liked that she went for what she wanted and didn’t care what anyone said. I also like how quickly Ex accepting his mistakes and trying to fix them. He was really relatable and fun and i really liked him play. Overall it’s a fun quick story about a fund little demon quest with a side of romance and evil princes.

I really enjoyed this Thai folklore inspired fantasy book. The cover is amazing and it really draws you in and makes you want to read it and know more.
The world building is so richly descriptive and the magic system so intricate and it’s definitely where this book shines the most.
It really drew me in and I felt I could see what the author was describing in my mind.
I enjoyed learning about all the different types of demons, ghosts and spirits.
The book follows a young hunter,
Ex who is on a journey to kill a legendary demon before he is sidetracked with a mission to help a pregnant woman, Arinya through a spirit infested forest.
I found the characters to be well written but some could have done with a little more depth to them. Ex was well written and I enjoyed seeing his growth and development throughout the book.
I found the writing style to be easy to follow along.
I did find that the plot picked up about half way through the book which the last half being the best part of the book.
Having not read from this author before I would definitely pick up more books from them again in the future.

Thank you to Netgalley, the Author and the Publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I was so impressed with this debut novel and immediately encapsulated into the Kingdom of Suyoram and its enchanted setting. I adored the writing style and that alone confirmed my 4/5 rating. I initially thought this was going to be very YA based off of the cover (which I love!) but the dark elements ended up surprising me. I loved the bits and pieces of humour in there as well!

🐉 — The demons and ghost spirits (phi) were a really cool concept - all hunted in different ways by the hunters that are on the verge of extinction. I loved that hunters could interact with them once they entered a level of trance (Everpresent, Hunter’s Trance)

🧍— Ex was a really likeable character and I particularly enjoyed his early interactions with Arinya (had me giggling fr 🤭), though I didn’t feel like Arinya’s character shone through as much but that is understandable since Ex is the main protagonist

✨— There were parts that I wished were less descriptive-based and more plot-focused but nevertheless I wasn’t exactly bored whilst reading. I was too distracted by the stress from nothing ever working out for Ex and the constant threats to his life😅

Overall: solid debut, I’m considering getting the physical copy and I would highly recommend giving this a go!

This book follows Ex, the youngest and possibly last of the Phi Hunters. He hunts and banishes ghosts and demons across the land all the while in search of a ‘true demon’: a legendary creature whose defeat will earn him his full title and glory.

On his hunt he meets a young woman, pregnant and on the run. He ends up using prohibited magic to save her life and that if her child, and then becomes tied to her journey and her fate.

I enjoyed the way this story brought in so many different aspects of folklore and world building. I don’t know anything about Thai culture or folklore myself so the depth of many things might have gone over my head, but I enjoyed it all a lot and found it refreshing and different. The idea of the Everpresent was great as was learning about the spirits, demons and magic. The book also had a great tone; slightly humourous and light while also keeping the creepy, dark vibe. A great mix that I enjoyed a lot too.

The plot has some great twists and turns. It had a good pace and things flow into one another without much room to get bored.

I do think the characters could have used a bit more depth and focus at times. This was the only real area where this book lacked for me. The book is quite plot driven and I felt a result of this was the character arcs don’t land quite as well as they could have. Ex was an interesting one to follow, but he makes lots of odd decisions. I also didn’t quite feel the chemistry of the love story as strongly as I would have liked.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC. Well I am conflicted by this one. I thoroughly enjoyed the worldbuilding and mythology I struggled with many of the characters and the logic. I'm not one for age gaps for one and the way Arinya's beginning and her ending arc felt very conflicting. She mentioned how 'Love happened" between her and the prince only later we found out how cruel and twisted he is? Why did she never mention it? It just felt like it was last minute added and it made the romance feel tainted by cheating when if she had mentioned it beforehand it wouldn't have felt that way. I'm also conflicted by the POVs. Why did Narissa have a POV? She's a fairly minor character. Why didn't Arinya? That would have made more sense. There were just so many gaps in the logic I can't even call them plot holes but a lot of these characters just didn't make sense to me.

3.5
I enjoyed this. Was sometimes lost with the magical concepts and creatures but I enjoyed the world overall. Loved that there were women in powerful roles throughout.

Ex is a Phi Hunter—he feels no pain, can heal wounds at will, and draws magic from a spirit realm called the Everpresent. His life is devoted to hunting the Phi, humans reincarnated as gruesome demons from Thai folklore as punishment for their sins, and he wants nothing more than to kill Shar-Ala, the demon of nightmares—that is, until the pregnant Arinya pays him to serve as her escort through the forest. What begins as a job turns into a deadly quest, and Ex’s life, the future of the Phi Hunters, and freedom of the woman he might just love are at stake. 

I love immersive fantasy and unique world building, and The Last Phi Hunter truly delivers both. Goldenberg infuses the book with vibrant sensory language, from descriptions of mouth-watering Thai cuisine (seriously, I was craving some basil fried beef and rice noodles the entire time I was reading) to visions of the eerie and magical Everpresent. The Thai folklore that serves as the backbone (no pun intended—you’ll understand when you read it!) of Ex’s world is fascinating, and proves once again why diverse voices are so important in fantasy—the world feels fully realized, and Goldenberg’s love and respect for the mythology really shines through. 

This isn’t your standard, linear narrative—instead, the plot builds and releases and builds again, taking a new turn each time in a way that feels organic and keeps you interested from one beat to the next. There were moments that I wish had a bit more room to breathe and some central conflicts felt resolved too quickly, but I really just wanted to spend more time in the Phi Hunter world. Side characters like Narissa and The Hound were so much fun, and I hope we get more of them in future books! 

The Last Phi Hunter is definitely plot-based as opposed to character-driven, and as a result, the romance does feel slightly lackluster. I loved Arinya’s introduction and would have liked to see more of her emotional development with and without Ex throughout the story, but we don’t get much insight into her character during the second half of the book—I kept waiting for the chemistry to develop, but the romance never quite had that impact for me. 

That said, if you’re someone who enjoys dark fantasy with just a dash of romantic subplot, The Last Phi Hunter is a great pick! I was really reminded of The Witcher when reading, so if you’re a fan of monster-hunters or fantasies rooted in folklore, you should definitely check this one out.

Review also posted to Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6413401264

I read a lot of Asian inspired fantasies and I fear no trigger warnings, but this was the baffling. I can’t decide what was more off putting: the out of place grotesque descriptions? A creature assaulting an unconscious woman to eat her unborn child? A woman shaming someone for not consenting to sexual relations with her? It all just gave me the ick.

There are so many things that did not go well with this story. The characters were obnoxious and the love story was forced and cringe worthy. Every step of the way I considered putting it down and never picking it back up, but like a multi car pile up along the side of the road after sitting in traffic for hours. You owe it to yourself to see what the hell happened. The action really picked up at the end, and it introduced ideas of reincarnation the would have made the book stronger if it hadn’t been so late in the book. If the story was more about the last 30%, and skipped the forced romance I would have quite enjoyed it. (2.75/5 stars)

I like the storytelling, But also the character, especially Ex. I never read a book about Thai culture and I was so interested, to be honest.
The only "but" to me is that the book is kind of slow at first. However, I am very interested in reading more about the author!

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for a review!

I was initially drawn to this book by the cover, which lived up to every expectation I had for it. This book is a thrill ride from start to finish, especially because the plot does not stop. Not for a second. Ex is a fun mc and the cast of characters built around him are just as engaging (I personally have a soft spot for The Hound). The magic system rocks, and I did not find myself confused or unsure of how it worked, so kudos to the author for describing/explaining it well. The part that I found cramped was trying to balance the character growth storylines in a book where the plot is so intense and moves so quickly. In a longer story, you may have some more breathing room to help develop more of the character's emotional states and changes. If you're looking for an in depth character study, this one may not be for you. But if you are looking for a beautiful setting with an equally exciting plot, pick this one up.

Wow, what a book, what a story.
I was starting to drift into a reading slump before picking up The Last Phi Hunter, but it drew me from the get-go. I just had to know what was happening next.
Over the last year, I've developed a love for any books based on the mythologies of other cultures. The Last Phi Hunter is based on Thai mythology/folklore.
The Last Phi Hunter follows Ex, who is the youngest Phi hunter in his guild. He is also told by many in the guild that he may be the last. He is after his true demon slayer badge by killing the true demon Shar-Ala. On his adventure to earn his badge, he meets Arinya, and his path forward complicates.
I devoured and savoured this book. It is very much a stand-alone book, but I think it could possibly lead into another book. I very much would be interested to find out what comes next for Ex and Arinya. As well as for Narissa and Astrama.

This is more of a 3.5 star, rounded up.

Overall Impressions: This had an absolutely fascinating world and plotline which was really done a disservice by its prose. It needed another pass or two with a strong editor, especially with some of the very modern language suddenly pulling me out of the story, run-on sentences, and clumsy foreshadowing. Still, it’s hard to argue with the unique and magical world the story takes place in. I’m torn on whether I would read another book by this author, given what I specifically had issues with.

Worldbuilding: A thai-inspired world where the food is lovingly described. The different levels of spirit world were interesting, as were the phi themselves. A lot of questions go unanswered about the world but nothing which left glaring plot holes. I loved the different mythology described, the types of phi, the types of magic, and the reincarnation concepts explored. Truly such a vast world with a lot to love about it.

Characters: I did not like the characters, if I’m honest. Ex was constantly making the worst decisions and felt so juvenile, and his love interest had a fascinating backstory but felt two dimensional in the actual dialogue and actions. I did love Narissa and the twice-risen hound, though, as well as the witch. It’s a shame the book didn’t have more of their POVs.

Plot: Long, with some mild but fairly predictable twists. still, interesting (especially with the spirit realm portions) and generally made sense. A little simplistic in the actual plotline but the worldbuilding was so complex that maybe that’s for the best.

Pacing/prose: I almost DNFed this book so many times because of the prose. It feels very YA; not just straightforward but lacking in nuance and interest. Clumsy dialogue was the absolute worst part but I also disliked how the author was constantly giving these summary sentences telling the reader how to feel instead of providing enough information and background to let you come to your own conclusions.

Thank you Angry Robot and NetGalley for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review.

What immediately drew me in was the stunning cover and the premises of a fantasy inspired by Thai mythology. Being a debut novel the story is overall well crafted, the mythology is very interesting and the world-building is well done, even though I would have loved if the author let us explore more of the history of the Phi hunters and the country they live in. Unfortunately, what didn't work for me was the romance: I didn't feel any chemistry between Ex and Arinya, so every romantic interaction felt very forced (especially the beginning of chapter 12, it was unnecessary and it didn't move the plot forward).
Having said that, I enjoyed it and I would recommend it if you're looking for a fantasy with a unique setting.

If I had to sell this in a single sentence, The Witcher meets Thai mythology with feels.

The worldbuilding felt so lush and inhabited. The magic system was something kind of new and the phi, at times, seemed truly terrifying.

The Last Phi Hunter is a compelling, fast-paced fantasy novel inspired by Thai folklore.

Before reading this, I was completely unfamiliar with Thai tales, but also very intrigued by the book description. While I was confused for a while about the types of creatures and rituals described, by a quarter of the book I felt like I was grasping more of the situation and got really caught up in the story.

The main character was entertaining and kept me intrigued, but the use of additional POVs in some chapters made the book even more interesting! Narissa's storyline was smaller than Ex's, but maybe even my favourite?! When one of our chapters ended, I always wanted another one to come as soon as possible! I also really enjoyed getting to know Arinya - a badass, brilliant and funny travel companion for the protagonist who really stood out in her own right!

The novel is written very matter-of-factly, with a very "direct" style - no play on words or going around things. We got told exactly what the characters saw and felt with limited flowery wording - It was somewhat unexpected but quite refreshing!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

The Last Phi Hunter. A magical action-packed fantasy based on Thai folklore and culture that I wasn't expecting it to be saturated with so much crisp description – mesmerising and dark – of its worldbuilding, intriguing characters and story. This book will hit the hearts of those finding for a different kind of magic and adventure.

Truthfully, I decided to read this because of some positive reviews by individuals who truly enjoyed this unique story. The blurb wasn't enough to make me read this, I mean, an ambitious young man wanting to kill the hardest monster there is to kill is...too typical for a plot. But the reviews hooked me and I became curious on why. You'd also think the journey would be typical too, obstacles, defending her and etc. etc.

But no. All that gore, dark magic and horror only to help said pregnant Arinya...who is also a Muay Thai champion. She's an inspiration. I like how despite her strength, we are able to see the feminine characteristics that is in her being expressed in both her pregnant form and after when she becomes a mother - although not through the typical way.

Throughout the whirlwind of adventure with some light underneath all that darkness, we get to see the harmonious life between humans, hunters and the phi or what it should be. With the ever-expanding control of the main kingdom and royalty, all these old magic and the hunters themselves are beginning to dwindle. This part of the story is not being told but it is being witnessed and thought during passing moments by Ex our main character as we learn more about his world and the politics weaved in it.

I truly enjoyed reading this and I would highly recommend this to anyone up for an intense ride full of Thai mythology and culture at its richest. There are so many layers to this story, my mind is still reeling from experiences I've never thought I would get into. I don't think I would've survived in the deepest layer unlike Ex. He's truly a courageous boy (although he has no choice but to).

The Last Phi Hunter (truly, only the future and it's evolution of civilization would know) coming out 9 April 2024! Thank you to Angry Robot and Netgalley for the ARC.

Thank you Angry Robot and NetGalley for the ARC!

Ex is a phi hunter, protecting humans from ghosts, spirits, and demons. At only 24, he is the youngest phi hunter and possibly the last, as the world around him has deemed the hunters and their magic obsolete. Ex has big plans - he’s going to kill a true demon, Shar-Ala. On his way to find the demon, Ex is saved by Arinya, a mysterious pregnant woman during a bar fight. Arinya, a former fighter, asks him to escort her to a nearby witch. Once they reach the witch, Arinya’s secrets are exposed and Ex finds himself embroiled in not only the hunt for a demon, but the politics of humans as well.

The Last Phi Hunter is a story based in the folklore, which was something that really drew me to it in the first place. The folklore and world building is rich but isn’t really overwhelming, and the descriptions of the phi were well detailed. The plot felt fresh and was engaging, the characters were well developed and really enjoyable, and overall the pacing was solid. There were times I felt things were moving slowly, and the last 10% of the book seemed to fly by, but in looking at it as a whole I feel it was successful. There were aspects of the Buddhist religion that were central to the story and world building, however it’s all well enough explained or there are enough context clues that it doesn’t lose you if you’re not well versed in Buddhism. The magic system was also super interesting and felt unique - there was a balance and harmony to it that distinguished how the hunters used it versus other magic users in the world.

The Last Phi Hunter was, overall, a delightful read. If you’re a fan of magic, monsters, and mystery, this book has it all. This is a really solid debut novel!

3,75 stars.

Thank you so much to Angry Robot and NetGalley for the ARC!

This book was different from anything I've ever read before. I was instantly intrigued with Ex's story and loved how much happened in the beginning of the story. It's been a long time since I read a book where the main character is a man - but I really enjoyed getting to know Ex and his story. And of course very pregnant Arinya. Such a different way for two characters to meet and start off their journey together and I loved every second of it.

But if I'm being honest, my favorite character is probably Mali. I know she wasn't in the book a whole lot, but she was just a delight. Her and Ex's interactions were brilliant and fun and I wished we saw more of her.

I will say that it was a bit confusing at times with all the different kinds of magic and spirits, demons, lore and names of places and people. Sometimes it gave you the feeling that there had been a book before this where things were explained in a bit more detail. But everything started to make more sense the further you got into it, and I actually ended up liking the way not everything had to be explained the second we hear about it the first time. And maybe sometimes more details weren't really important and so you could just let it act as a great mystical and spiritual presence in the background, which really worked for the story.

I know that this is based on Thai folklore and I think it's so great to hear about creatures and cultures that I don't know a lot about. However, some of the monsters were just a bit too... strange for my taste. Especially the krasue. I think it's great to have a bunch of different and disturbing monsters in a fantasy novel - but I think they just threw me off a little bit.

Spoiler below:
Especially when Narissa assaults Arinya and wants to eat her unborn child. I know everything works out and the baby isn't there. I know it's an insatiable monster hunger. And I know Narissa doesn't actually have a sexual intent behind it. But that doesn't make it any less wrong and the whole thing was forgiven and forgotten way too quickly. The fact that she literally assaults an unconscious Arinya (who I don't think ever finds out about that specific detail) just didn't sit right with me. They say several times throughout the whole story, that "the body remembers". Well, the body remembers assault as well and I felt like it was brushed over as nothing.

But that's actually my only real complaint. I enjoyed the story and their journey. Loved hearing about the spirits and how beautiful and magical everything was in the Everpresent. And it was fun to sometimes get a glimpse at what Ex had gone through to become a hunter.

So all in all a great and quite different read.