Book Review: The Last Phi Hunter by Salinee Goldenberg
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
The Last Phi Hunter by Salinee Goldenberg
Mogsy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Angry Robot (April 9, 2024)
Length: 384 pages
Author Information: Website
Everyone, I present to you the hidden gem of the year! I had absolute blast with The Last Phi Hunter by Salinee Goldenberg, which took me by surprise in the best possible way, throwing open the doors to a fantasy world unlike any other.
The book opens with our protagonist stalking his prey. Ex is the youngest member of an order of demon slayers protecting the Suyoram Kingdom from the ghosts and monstrous spirits known as Phi, and he’s about to fulfill another contract. But as usual, the rural village that hired him ends up being unable to pay in full, leaving Ex in a bit of a jam. His path takes an unexpected turn, however, when he encounters Arinya, a pregnant warrior heading into the demon-infested forest search of its resident witch. Since Ex is going the same way, he agrees to escort her.
As it turns out, Arinya was looking for someone to perform a spell that would safeguard the soul of her unborn baby. In the process, Ex discovers the truth behind Arinya’s identity and why she needed the protection ritual, leading to his vow to keep her safe. As the two of them venture deeper into the treacherous wilderness, Ex’s feelings for his traveling companion begin to deepen, throwing his entire mission into disarray. His hunt for a legendary demon remains his ultimate goal, but his burgeoning affection for Arinya is also forcing him to confront his own vulnerabilities.
This is a story that takes readers on a whirlwind adventure that’s both thrilling and entertaining. The Last Phi Hunter grabbed my attention right away with its breezy prose and witty tones. It also excels in its pacing, unfolding quickly and organically while revealing details about the world, its magic, and its Phis without missing a beat. Even though it’s a lot to take it, there is no sign of the dreaded infodump here—instead, it’s just one amazing discovery after the other.
The characters are another highlight. I loved Ex, a young man who thrives on solitude, but finds his world turned upside down when he crosses paths with Arinya. Their shared experience on the road fosters a bond that transcends their initial circumstances, though their relationship does hit a few speedbumps along the way. The dialogue though was sublime and, in some cases, made me laugh out loud. Fantasy fiction involving demons and monster hunters often leans heavily into bleakness, which makes the unexpected humor a breath of fresh air.
Indeed, for a fun read that defies expectations, I highly recommend The Last Phi Hunter. The plot twists and turns on a wild journey that’s unpredictable as it is exciting. The Southeast Asian inspired world-building is particularly impressive and would delight readers who enjoy stories threaded with rich folklore and tales of mythological creatures. A must-read for anyone seeking an inventive, captivating fantasy adventure!
The BiblioSanctum 
A promising story that is also something quite rare these days: a self-contained book that’s not part of a series… 😉
Thanks for sharing!
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I agree, though I certainly wouldn’t mind if the author wrote more standalone stories in this world!
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I’m sorry now I didn’t request this, it sounds amazing!
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Ive seen a couple of really positive reviews of this and am definitely going to have to check it out sometime. It certainly sounds intriguing and I always love exploring new fantasy worlds.
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You guys should both check it out! One of favorite Angry Robot books right now!
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Thank you for a lovely review, Mogsy:)). I’ll scoop up the audiobook of this one – it sounds too good to miss.
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AWesome, I can see this one being a great one in audio! 😀
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Can you ever be hidden when you have THAT cover?
Glad you liked it! Still need to read it!
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Yeah, the cover is glorious! It’s funny how the ARC is like black and white though 😀
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Yeah… It was like that with the Gogmagog cover too, so I was forewarned that this one might also be disappointing;)
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A hidden gem! Ok must put it on my GR wishlist at once
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Yay! I do love books that come out of nowhere and surprise us.
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Nice, always great to find hidden gems. I’ve not read much inspired by that part of the world so that would also be a definite plus.
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I agree with the delightful surprise that was the inspiration. I have not read many books inspured by that part of the world either and it felt very refreshing!
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I love fun read with good banter!
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Sometimes it’s the dialogue that sells it!
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It’s he first time I hear about this one but it looks good!!!
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ahh. I wish I’d requested this one now. Drat.
Lynn 😀
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I’m very happy I didn’t miss this one 😀
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