For some strange reason, I started reading this thinking it was a younger or middle grade read. I've no idea what gave me that idea, because it absolutely isn't! This impressive Thai-inspired dark fantasy is full of gruesome demon folklore, racing action sequences, and heart-pounding twists.

Definitely for an older audience, it examines themes like identity, family, loneliness, forbidden love, and walking the morally grey line. It flipped the old trope of "damsel-in-distress" on its head, with the MC Ex being saved multiple times by pregnant Arinya's kick-ass fighting skills. It was really refreshing, and it felt like it was set in a very inclusive version of the world.

I really enjoyed the plot and character development, with some excellent world-building throughout, and I loved discovering a mythology that was brand new to me. The quest-style outline and the vivid cast of characters, both good and evil (and a few in-between!), made me desperate to know what would happen next.

I would love to read more about the devas, demons, and the realms they inhabit, and while this story appears to be all wrapped up at the end, I'd definitely read any further stories the author explores in this world. If you enjoy dark fantasy, complex relationships, stellar world-building, and just a generally excellent story, then I highly recommend The Last Phi Hunter!

Thank you to Angry Robot Books, NetGalley, and Salinee Goldenberg for this great ARC - all opinions here are my own, honest, and freely given.

Ex is the youngest member of the Phi Hunters Order, having spent his life hunting the ghosts and demons of the Suyoram Kingdom. He is determined to find Shar-Ala, demon of nightmares, when Arinya saves him, despite being heavily pregnant. She requests that he escort her through a spirit-filled forest where ghosts are attracted by the scent of the unborn.

The Last Phi Hunter is based on Thai folklore, with terrifying demons and violent fights with those dangerous beings. The world building, in both the living and spirit world, is fantastic and I felt that I could easily slip into this world. The story is told from multiple POVs. Ex is clinging to childhood memories while trying to move forward in the world; while Arinya is struggling with her past. The characters have a healthy amount of banter that was entertaining and broke up some of the heavier parts of the story.

For you if you like:

❤️ folklore
💛 beautiful world building
💚 a diverse cast of characters
❤️ magic
💛 demons and ghosts
💚 slow-burn romance

Thank you to Angry Robot Books for an e-arc of The Last Phi Hunter! All opinions are my own.

The cover art is what initially caught my attention, yet it was a phrase in the book description, "a stunning world with Thai demon folklore" that resulted in my request to review!

'Folklore' is one of my buzz words when it comes to book selection. I was especially eager to pick this one up because I've never read any Thai inspired books of any kind, so this was a golden opportunity to learn. I was familiar with most of the creatures introduced during the course of the story, but there were several I was not - Salinee Goldenberg was wonderful with the descriptions, so I was able to 'picture' the beings in my minds eye. I thought the author took great care to be descriptive with the world building and explanations of the different types of beings and Thai lore so that anyone would be able to read it and enjoy without feeling lost.

The world building - both the living world and the spirit realm - was positively magnificent. When I first learned about the Everpresent - the realm of spirits and magic that existed between the physical world and those of the devas - I wanted to experience it for myself. To see the brilliant colors of the Everpresent, to hear the difference in sounds between the realms - the atmosphere was incredible. Well, I wanted to experience it until I read further about the trials and tests our main character, Ex, had to endure to be able to enter the spirit realm. I changed my mind after that because I'm a weenie.

In addition to the world building, the mythology and folklore were next on my list of favorite things about this book. Goldenberg exposes readers to a healthy dose of Thai spirits/demons/gods - but not overwhelmingly so.

I enjoyed Ex's character a lot - there was a gradual growth over the course of the novel as he was gradually broken from his shell of isolation - which made him realize how lonely he was. Coming out of that shell also shone a light on his single mindedness in regard to his quest for glory, or what he thought would bring him glory and recognition. Between Ex and the Hound, I was constantly smiling and chuckling at the snark and humor. Arinya, our other main character, was a bit of an enigma. Her character actions made me feel like I had picked up a second book in a series on accident. While I could accept Ex's crush on Arinya, her reciprocation of his attention came on rather suddenly, so I didn't find it believable. (Maybe I'm just a weirdo - I was best friends with my husband for almost 3 years before we even started dating, lol)

One thing I found myself wishing for was more about the history of the Suyoram Kingdom. I would have loved to learn about Suyoram before the King outlawed black magic, when Hunters were respected and valued, the rebellion against the Crown and how new magic came into practice. (This would make a fantastic prequel, right?!!) I always say that if an author leaves me wanting more, that's an excellent indicator that I enjoyed myself, which I did!

I would love to read more from this world, even if it was a short story collection of hunts that Ex and The Hound did together. Gosh, let me just be greedy and say I'd love more about the history of the Hunters too. Their rituals, the ceremony of receiving their Hunter name and mask - I'd love to nerd out on all of that.

THE LAST PHI HUNTER is full of fascinating mythology, a gorgeous exploration of the physical and spiritual realms while delighting readers with humor, action, adventure and friendship.

If you enjoyed series such as Shadow of the Leviathan by Robert Jackson Bennett, Gael Song by Shauna Lawless, or the Needle and Leaf series by Andrew D. Meredith, then you will equally enjoy this book!

The tl;dr: Salinee Goldenberg arrives with her debut novel - a dark demon slaying adventure fantasy with endearing characters and just a touch of romance. Set in a Thai-inspired world, The Last Phi Hunter takes readers along with the monster hunter Ex as he attempts to slay the demon of nightmares. A mysterious pregnant woman disrupts his plans, introducing some very real human horrors in addition to the spirit ones. This book is like The Witcher, but with more heart and personality. Fans of dark fantasy, demons, magical spirits, and fun main characters will have a lot to feast on here.

A Thai-inspired fantasy world. A young man on a quest to slay a demon. A pregnant woman mysteriously on the run. Necromancers with political plots. A slow burn romance.

All of this and more await readers within the pages of The Last Phi Hunter, the debut novel by Salinee Goldberg that completley enraptured me and left me hungry for more.

The best way that I can describe The Last Phi Hunter is that it is The Witcher with more humor and heart. I'm not sure if it was Andrzej Sapkowski's style, or if it was just a bad English translation, but I always found The Witcher series to be devoid of much personality - and I bounced off of it quite quickly after the monster-slaying short stories. The Last Phi Hunter is everything that I wanted The Witcher to be - sly and unnerving demons, a charistmatic protagonist, and a plot that alternates between heart-warming and heart-wrenching. If you like your monster/demon slayers, but you also want the book bursting with personality, than this needs to be at the top of your TBR.

So much of my love for this book is because of the main character, Ex. He is a lone and determined demon slayer and the titular Phi Hunter, and Goldenberg nailed his characterization. Ex is young-ish (I think he is in his mid-twenties if I recall correctly), and he's in this phase in his life where he has left the vigorous naivete of adolescence, and yet hasn't quite reached the upper echelons of social maturity. This is a very narrow lane for the character to fall into, but it works wonders. Ex is old enough that Goldenberg is able to avoid the trappings of a "coming of age" narrative, and yet Ex is not yet hardened and closed off from the world around him. He is joyful, funny, and sees the world with wonder - all while recognizing that political opinion is swaying against magic-users like him. He is very much aware of the dangers he is in, and the danger he presents to those around him, Therefore, readers get to run along this journey with a young man who brings so much life and personality to a world swimming in darkness - both of the demon and human varietiies.

While The Last Phi Hunter is definitely Ex's book, Goldenberg surrounds him with some wonderful characters. Arinya is a mysterious pregnant woman on the run, and she ends up playing a major role in both the magical and political machinations in the book. She acts as a good counter-weight to Ex. I can't get into too much detail without spoiling her arc, but she is a slightly older and wiser characters, someone who has seen more of the world and has had a much more complicated social relationship with it. Arinya is kept a bit at arms length because she is not a POV character, and honestly some readers may be dissapointined by a lack of character development overall. However, the characters are so full of life that it didn't both me; the book is short and takes place over a short span, and so I didn't mind that the individual character arcs were a bit more reigned in.

I again don't want to get to spoiler-ly with things, but a sweet romance does develop that feels complex and complicated without ever feeling contrived or annoying. If you like romance in your books, there is enough there to satisfy you, but it never overwhelms the cool demon-slaying if romance isn't really your thing.

The demon-slaying and romance are set amongst a backdrop of a Thai-inspired world influenced by the indigenous folklore and Buddhist philosophy. This made the book feel distinct from many other fantasy books, both in the way that it thought about the nature of world, spirits, and animals, but also just the "feel" of the setting. Goldenberg takes her readers through forest and swamps that feel so much different than the European-inspired forests of yore. This is dark world, including demons whose heads leave their bodies but bring their entrails with them, but the ethos of the book never feels overly grim or nihilistic. There are horrors and thrills to be had, but never in a way that feels overly gratititous or over-the-top.


There are only two major-ish things that didn't work for me in this book.

The first is that the ending felt quite rushed. The book on the whole is quite fast-paced and the book is short (for a fantasy novel), but in general the pacing for most of the book was quite strong - the book centers on only a handful of characters with specific and direct goals. However, by the end Goldenberg has thrown a lot of balls in to the air....and you can feel the seams of the narrative as she doesn't quite know how to bring them all down. We go on this quest with the characters, and then everything seems to be wrapped up in a "blink and you miss it" kind of way. On one page there are numerous threats with complex plans and by the next page they are all just gone. It was the ending that sealed this as a four, rather than five, star book for me.

Having said that, the emotional beats of the finale landed with me, and I felt every bit of happiness and pain that the characters were left with in the last couple of chapters. I just wish that the plot arcs were wrapped with the same care as the emotional arcs.

The only element of the book that I was a bit down on was that I felt that the secondary POV character (a demon) was underutilized. Throughout the book we shift to her POV to get a glimpse of a demon's side of things, and I was quite emotionally attached to her character. It was a fascinating alternative look at the world than what we got with Ex, and again I thought that the plot threads here were wrapped up too quickly. The book would have been even stronger with just more time dedicated to this, and many of the other arcs in the book.

If the worst thing I have to say about a book is that it's too short, that's definitely a win! Goldenberg avoids the bloat of many fantasy books with an adventerous and emotionally resonant debut. I'm not sure if the ending was opening up for a sequel or was just an "open ending", but I will follow Goldenberg's authorial journey wherever she goes next.

Salinee Goldenberg's debut novel, "The Last Phi Hunter," is a captivating plunge into a Thai-inspired fantasy world brimming with rich lore and well-developed characters. Fans of the gritty atmosphere and monster-hunting prowess found in Andrzej Sapkowski's Witcher series will find themselves right at home here.

Ex, the protagonist, is the youngest member of the Phi Hunters Order, tasked with keeping the Suyoram Kingdom safe from malevolent spirits known as phi. He's a skilled fighter, a touch arrogant, and harboring a secret past. When a heavily pregnant Arinya, shrouded in mystery, seeks his protection on a perilous journey through haunted woods, Ex's life takes an unexpected turn. Goldenberg excels in worldbuilding. Vibrant Thai mythology is woven seamlessly into the narrative. The descriptions are vivid and unsettling, creating a constant sense of danger lurking beneath the lush landscapes. The characters are equally impressive. Ex grapples with self-doubt and a yearning for belonging, while Arinya's fierce determination and hidden agenda add intrigue to their dynamic. The supporting cast, from the wise temple guardian to the power-hungry nobles, feels well-rounded and adds depth to the story as well. "The Last Phi Hunter" isn't afraid to delve into moral complexities. Ex isn't a clear-cut hero; he's flawed and makes mistakes. The line between good and evil constantly blurs, making the narrative all the more engaging. While the pacing starts slowly, the story quickly picks up steam as Ex and Arinya face monstrous threats and uncover conspiracies that threaten the entire kingdom. The action sequences are thrilling, showcasing Ex's combat skills and the unique abilities of the phi he encounters.

Overall, "The Last Phi Hunter" is a refreshing take on the monster-hunting genre. It offers a vibrant world steeped in Thai folklore, compelling characters with hidden depths, and thrilling action sequences. If you're looking for a dark fantasy adventure that will leave you wanting more, this debut is worth picking up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Angry Robot for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thanks to Angry Robot Books for an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

DNF @ 26%!
I am sorry, but I could not push through it. I was intrigued with the synopsis, cover, and the fact that this is a Thai-inspired fantasy novel. I have never read a Thai fantasy novel before and was really excited to read an ARC. I was not disappointed in the fantasy elements. The world-building was the most interesting aspect. Following Ex, the phi hunter, move through the human world and spirit world and learning about the demons and spirits he encounters really intrigued. However, I quickly realized this story was more character-driven than plot-heavy. I didn't find Ex an interesting character. Most times, he would annoy me with his immaturity and cockiness as a young phi hunter. Arinya intrigued me at first but did not have an interesting personality to follow. I was growing bored and dragged my hands to pick up my kindle to keep reading. I didn't want to reach a reading slump by the end.

Overall, I don't want to discourage anyone from picking this up if you were curious or intrigued. I am in the minority with this opinion, so take my DNF review with a grain of salt. I might try this book again in the future, or read something else by Salinee Goldenberg in the future.

Thank you to Netgalley and Angry Robot for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Last Phi Hunter follows Ex, the youngest Phi hunter in a fading line of work, who's driven to slay Shar-Ala, a true demon whose death will earn him the respect he seeks from his peers. As he investigates the whereabouts of Shar-Ala, he stumbles upon, Arinya (a kickass pregnant woman when they meet), the problems with royal politicking, a brush with moral questioning and falling in love with a woman he knows he shouldn't be with.

I loved the world of the Last Phi Hunter, drawing inspiration from Thai culture and Buddhism to colour the life of the Suyoram Kingdom. The food, the beliefs, the different layers of reality; they were all so interesting! The first half of the book dedicated to setting up the world and the important characters were my favorite part of the book. Ex was hilarious, Arinya was interesting, and Narissa mysterious. The horror and gore descriptions during the monster hunting sections were also some of my favorite writings here. Action here was amazing.

Unfortunately, my enjoyment of the book faltered when the romance started to turn more serious. I feel the book would be stronger without the romance or if it remained simply as a crush since reading through Ex's crush-arc in the beginning of the book was funny. While there is a foundation for the romance to blossom, it still reads rather superficial and I found myself wanting more information about Arinya as a fully-formed character for me to also want the romance. At many times, I feel frustrated whenever the story focuses on Ex and Arinya's relationship.

Pacing-wise, I feel as if the middle section of the book dragged a little and I was lost in between that and the last parts of the book. I thought the ending of the book was sweet and I really wanted more Narissa and Ex interactions. Also, I would've loved more exploration into some of themes the book touched on. From the ending, I feel this is going to be a series and I hope that it gets fleshed out in future installments.

My final rating, I suppose, would be about 3.75 stars/5. Overall, I did enjoy reading the book and I'd recommend it for those interested in exploring rich, fantastical settings, vivid (if graphic) descriptions, and a not-too-light-and-not-too-heavy read. It's a fun book to read!

This utterly delightful story centers around the myths and legends of Southeast Asia. Previously unfamiliar with Thai folklore, I was able to jump right into the story with no learning gap. This epic journey follows Ex, a monster/demon/spirit hunter on his hero’s quest and humorous shenanigans ensue.

This was a fantastic take on Thai culture and folklore through a fantasy book lens. Not only was the story intense, gory, and yet such a fun ride, but it also kept you on your toes when your expectations for the plot get continuously foiled. ❤️

The book follows Ex, a young demon Hunter who finds himself suddenly accompanied by Arinya, a heavily pregnant woman. He reminds me of Percy Jackson, but if Riordan had let him be dark and even more rash. I found his sass and inability to say the right things both honestly funny as well as endearingly exasperating. I can’t tell you how many times I thought “good lord this guy” to myself while reading. 🤣

Arinya is mysterious and alluring to Ex, but I loved her banter with the young hunter. I was also happy to see a relationship where the woman is older than the male love interest; it’s not every day you see this kind of representation, and I really liked it here. I do wish we could have gotten a little more on her life in the palace though. 💎

I really enjoyed the Thai folklore and mythology aspect of the book. Not only was it something I’ve yet to look into extensively, but it also provides a really cool link to Indian mythology and Hindu belief as there were names from that part of the world that popped up in the book. It’s definitely making me do a rabbit hole search tonight into it because I’m hooked now. 🐉

All in all, I had a great time reading this. The only other thing that I do wish the reader could’ve gotten a bit more of is a deeper look into the Everpresent and how the Phi hunters train to harness this magic. ✨

Big thank you goes out to Angry Robot Books and NetGalley for accepting my request to read in exchange for an honest review, and to the author, Salinee Goldenberg, for crafting an incredible Thai inspired fantasy! If I manage to get my Thai adopted brother to pick up a book one of these days, this one will be number one on my list! 🥰

Overall: 4.5/5 ⭐️

A fun Thai inspired fantasy.

I really enjoyed this book. Following Ex as he does his work of clearing out spirits and demons for the Hunters Guild was a fun time. I love the setting and lore of the spirits. It's a refreshing change of pace from the traditional medieval European fantasy setting. I liked learning about the various spirits from South East Asian folklore and the Hindu/Buddhist beliefs.

Ex is a likable protagonist with his slightly bumbling, smart alec ways. I also enjoyed Narissa and her journey to atone for the sins of her past life and her struggle to be a better person.


I hope there will be further demon slaying adventures of Ex, Arinya, and Narissa.
4.5 / 5 stars

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.