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teastarsandbooks's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Thank you Angry Robot for the #gifted physical ARC of THE LAST PHI HUNTER. This review is entirely my own thoughts and opinions based on the early copy I received.
*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚
THE LAST PHI HUNTER is a vibrant fantasy based on Thai-folklore that follows the story of a hunter who slays <i> phi </i> who attack humans. After one such hunt, he winds up escorting a pregnant woman through dangerous spirit-infested woods and winds up deep into secrets that could endanger not just his life, but the life of his passenger and her unborn child.
*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚
My Thoughts:
I know the stars rating says 5 but I wish I could give it twice that amount. This book was GOOD. It was incredibly hard to put down! It is rich with unique Thai-influenced world building and boasts an intricate magic system that feels spectacular to experience. The demons are terrifying to envision and the battles are epic and nail-biting. The spirit realm (The Everpresent) is something phenomenal that I wish I could dip into. Every aspect of this action-packed story is brimming with the fantastical. Its so rich and well thought out, that I could easily see this being adapted to a video game or animated series.
Our hero, Ex, is a lone hunter who prefers to company of animals and spirits over other humans. (honestly, same). While bumbling and awkward, he was endearing to read and fun to root for. An underdog with giant ambitions. While his choices often come back to bite him in the ass, he takes it all in stride and learns from the harsh lessons the world teaches him, which leads to him continually growing and becoming a force to be reckoned with at the end. I really loved watching his relationship with Aryina grow, even through all his foot-in-his-mouth moments.
Salinee Goldenberg really did a phenomenal job plotting out this story. For the most part, it was fast-paced as we moved through the tale. Salinee also did a fantastic job of balancing out plot/story vs world-building. For a world as jam-packed with unique lore, magic, and landscaping as this one is, the worldbuilding was intriguing and gave excellent back up to the plot, but never at any point, felt overwhelming. The world-building and plot worked hand in hand to create this rich and vibrant action packed story that absolutely blew me away.
I will 100% be returning to read any books that Salinee Goldenberg writes in the future. THE LAST PHI HUNTER has sold me as a fan of hers and I'm excited to see what else comes from her incredible mind!
*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚
THE LAST PHI HUNTER is a vibrant fantasy based on Thai-folklore that follows the story of a hunter who slays <i> phi </i> who attack humans. After one such hunt, he winds up escorting a pregnant woman through dangerous spirit-infested woods and winds up deep into secrets that could endanger not just his life, but the life of his passenger and her unborn child.
*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚
My Thoughts:
I know the stars rating says 5 but I wish I could give it twice that amount. This book was GOOD. It was incredibly hard to put down! It is rich with unique Thai-influenced world building and boasts an intricate magic system that feels spectacular to experience. The demons are terrifying to envision and the battles are epic and nail-biting. The spirit realm (The Everpresent) is something phenomenal that I wish I could dip into. Every aspect of this action-packed story is brimming with the fantastical. Its so rich and well thought out, that I could easily see this being adapted to a video game or animated series.
Our hero, Ex, is a lone hunter who prefers to company of animals and spirits over other humans. (honestly, same). While bumbling and awkward, he was endearing to read and fun to root for. An underdog with giant ambitions. While his choices often come back to bite him in the ass, he takes it all in stride and learns from the harsh lessons the world teaches him, which leads to him continually growing and becoming a force to be reckoned with at the end. I really loved watching his relationship with Aryina grow, even through all his foot-in-his-mouth moments.
Salinee Goldenberg really did a phenomenal job plotting out this story. For the most part, it was fast-paced as we moved through the tale. Salinee also did a fantastic job of balancing out plot/story vs world-building. For a world as jam-packed with unique lore, magic, and landscaping as this one is, the worldbuilding was intriguing and gave excellent back up to the plot, but never at any point, felt overwhelming. The world-building and plot worked hand in hand to create this rich and vibrant action packed story that absolutely blew me away.
I will 100% be returning to read any books that Salinee Goldenberg writes in the future. THE LAST PHI HUNTER has sold me as a fan of hers and I'm excited to see what else comes from her incredible mind!
billies_not_so_secret_diary's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Last Phi Hunter
by Salinee Goldenberg
Fantasy New Adult
NetGalley Audio ARC
Pub Date: Apr. 9, 2024
Dreamscape Media
Ages: 17+
Branded as a child because of his parents' deeds, orphan Ex found his way to the Phi Hunters Order and became the youngest Phi Hunter, and with the gifts of magic the order trained him to use, he is now a slayer of ghosts and demons of the Suyoram Kingdom. But he wants to become a demon slayer and spends part of his time searching for the demon, Shar-Ala.
On his way to trade with a witch, a young woman asks him to escort her through the forest for she is also going to see the same witch. Reluctantly, Ex agrees, mostly because the woman is nine months pregnant and the scent of the unborn child would draw the spirits of the forest right to her, and they would devour her and the child.
I was quickly drawn into this story. The narrator did a good job with voice changes and emotions, though there were times it was obvious of a cut to a major volume increase and voice changes. While the world was typical, the 'other world' is really interesting to the point I wish there was more to it, like a little more history and time spent in it. (And because of other happenings, I wonder if there will be another/related book, which I would be interested in.)
The characters and their struggles were relatable, though some could have used a little more backstory.
I liked the story but was a little disappointed that the cover, which grabbed my attention, really doesn't match the story. I don't remember any descriptions of a cool dragon like that.
Then there was a major slowing of the story towards the end. While I get the point of why, I didn't feel as if it related to the situation/setting. (Vague because of spoilers.) I think it was just filler for word count and I feel it was the worst part of the book.
And for the ending... eh. It was just too simple, quick, and convenient. Not a lot of action so it was a letdown. However, at the very end was a wide-eyed... OH!!
4 Stars
persephone_'s review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
e_read_books's review
3.75
This is a very dynamic story with great visualisations, so much so that I could almost see it being animated in a Spider-verse or modern Dreamworks style.
The worldbuilding is so cook with the different kinds of Phi, Guardians, and Hungry Ghosts. The Everpresent is such a fascinating concept as a sort of ‘spirit realm’, and with the magic, it all felt very vibrant. I loved how everything was suffused with the philosophy of karma, and the ‘give and take’ of the world. I just wish we had gotten to see more of the Phi Hunter’s guild than we did.
I quite liked Ex as the main character. It was a little hard to pin down his age as at times he acts like a freshly 18yo kid on his first time out on his own, and then other times he shows lots of experience and wisdom. He obviously loves being a Phi Hunter. He inspires a more sympathetic understanding and respect for the non-human characters rather than a simplistic view.
The worldbuilding is so cook with the different kinds of Phi, Guardians, and Hungry Ghosts. The Everpresent is such a fascinating concept as a sort of ‘spirit realm’, and with the magic, it all felt very vibrant. I loved how everything was suffused with the philosophy of karma, and the ‘give and take’ of the world. I just wish we had gotten to see more of the Phi Hunter’s guild than we did.
I quite liked Ex as the main character. It was a little hard to pin down his age as at times he acts like a freshly 18yo kid on his first time out on his own, and then other times he shows lots of experience and wisdom. He obviously loves being a Phi Hunter. He inspires a more sympathetic understanding and respect for the non-human characters rather than a simplistic view.
Arinya on the other hand is just a badass at all times, which makes me a little conflicted. I love how competent she was throughout but I didn't feel a lot of depth from her. I would have liked to get some chapters from her perspective because the romance is a little flat on both ends without it. I wasn’t sure why she liked Ex in that way (could just be my aro brain again). I will say that from Ex’s perspective I appreciated the maturity he showed regarding the romance. His feelings are obvious pretty early on, but that doesn’t overtake every thought he has after.
Also, there is a wolf companion, so he’s automatically the best character, I don’t make the rules!
Also, there is a wolf companion, so he’s automatically the best character, I don’t make the rules!
_geminigenres's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
fallingdownrabbitholes's review
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexual harassment, and Sexism
Moderate: Kidnapping and Pregnancy
bingsoojung's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you to the publisher and net galley for the ARC.
Fuck, I love being Thai. This book is all the beautiful wonderful and frankly annoying parts about being Thai. The little low magics that we all deny doing, the stories that our parents tell us to scare us shitless, the best fruit ever — mangkut, and the royal family who I will say nothing about in fear of lese majeste.
This book was a joyful rumpus read about Hunter Ex, a young Phi Hunter, and perhaps the last of his kind, as he tries to become not just a phi hunter, but a true demon slayer. Along the path he meets a krasue — Narissa, who’s trying to become a human with the help of the deva Indrajit, and a consort to the crown prince — Aryina., who’s trying to give birth without her daughter being killed. Basically if you read the Witcher and went ‘you know I think this could stand to be Thai’ then this is the book for you.
Things I thought the author did incredibly well were:
Fuck, I love being Thai. This book is all the beautiful wonderful and frankly annoying parts about being Thai. The little low magics that we all deny doing, the stories that our parents tell us to scare us shitless, the best fruit ever — mangkut, and the royal family who I will say nothing about in fear of lese majeste.
This book was a joyful rumpus read about Hunter Ex, a young Phi Hunter, and perhaps the last of his kind, as he tries to become not just a phi hunter, but a true demon slayer. Along the path he meets a krasue — Narissa, who’s trying to become a human with the help of the deva Indrajit, and a consort to the crown prince — Aryina., who’s trying to give birth without her daughter being killed. Basically if you read the Witcher and went ‘you know I think this could stand to be Thai’ then this is the book for you.
Things I thought the author did incredibly well were:
- Plot Juggling Salinee does a fantastic job of layering a number of characters and disconnected plotlines on top of one another and never making any of them feel bland or dejected or even unimportant. Instead each is given enough time and energy, all while adding something in to the main plot despite them not inherently being connected to it.
- The Tone The book is the right amount of light-hearted, fast-paced, and tense to make you want to continue reading. It’s completely irreverent and funny, but at the same time it manages to discuss the idea of progress and legacy and industrialization with such a caring tone that I was honestly blown away by. Salinee clearly has thoughts about whether ‘progress’ is actually progress, or if it’s just a facade that abusive men have taken on to allow them to consume even more in their never-ending quest for power.
- Characterization While I think some of the characterization could’ve used some work, as the characters could’ve stood to all be fleshed out a bit more, I really liked all the characters. They were all flawed but funny and distinct, and I understood where they were coming from, and their fears. Every single one of them was a delight to read, even the ones I hated.
- Did I mention it’s Thai? Literally just that. I’m Thai, this book is Thai, the author’s Thai. Do you know how often I get to read a book with a Thai main character? The answer’s never, this is the first book I’ve ever read with a Thai MC. Let alone a whole cast of Thai characters! I’m very excited. This was very exciting.
If there is one eensy weensy problem I had with this book, it’s that just a single book doesn’t feel like enough. The Last Phi Hunter suggests at a wider cosmology of Devas and phi and a mystery beyond that of the novel, yet it stops short of fully expanding upon it, leaving the story feeling unfinished. The epilogue certainly doesn’t help with that sensation either. This isn’t enough to actually deduct from the rating, but the lack of a planned second book does leave it feeling ultimately unfinished.
TLDR; Thai people are awesome, Thai mythology is awesome. The idea of Salinee Goldenberg is awesome. You should read this book because it’s awesome.
melsmagicalreads's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
mrs_hs_favourite_books's review
5.0
I loved this unique and enchanting fantasy. Ex was a brilliant main character. Witty and chaotic. He kept me entertained throughout. I also loved the strong and feisty Arinya. They made a fantastic team. Brilliantly written and with an interesting take on Thai mythology. It was fabulous.