Scan barcode
A review by lavdisy
The Last Phi Hunter by Salinee Goldenberg
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book is a fresh and new Asian-inspired fantasy that I’ve finally read. It’s based on Thai mythology, featuring a world of whimsical fantasy that includes action and spirits. The plot itself has elements that I liked, such as the ghosts and spirits that are part of the folklore. The journey and friendships along the way kept my interest and made me continue reading. The world-building is well-written; I adore how the author immaculately portrays the forests, caves, and other settings.
Although I enjoyed all the action, I feel that the character development, especially for the main characters, is lacking. They are likable, but I didn’t deeply feel their emotions or relationships. By the end, one of the main characters left me with many unanswered questions. The romance subplot was not really to my liking either. It’s as if you could remove the romance from this book, and the plot would still hold up.
The ending left me a bit surprised because it hinted at a possible sequel, or maybe the author just wanted to finish it that way. Still, I liked the book overall, and considering this is a debut novel, it’s a really good start.
Although I enjoyed all the action, I feel that the character development, especially for the main characters, is lacking. They are likable, but I didn’t deeply feel their emotions or relationships. By the end, one of the main characters left me with many unanswered questions. The romance subplot was not really to my liking either. It’s as if you could remove the romance from this book, and the plot would still hold up.
The ending left me a bit surprised because it hinted at a possible sequel, or maybe the author just wanted to finish it that way. Still, I liked the book overall, and considering this is a debut novel, it’s a really good start.
Content Warnings
Minor: Gore