Author Interview: Salinee Goldenberg / The Last Phi Hunter

Of monsters and men

Photo by Raimond Klavins on Unsplash

Author Interviews

I’m so excited to debut my new feature today with Salinee Goldenberg, author of The Last Phi Hunter! I’ve asked Salinee six questions, and then you can scroll to the bottom to read more about her book. I have many more exciting interviews coming up, so like and subscribe!

Meet Salinee

1. What was the first seed of inspo for your novel?

I wrote a short story a long time ago about a demon hunter tracking a monster that was very boring, but some imagery I really liked. The most being that the demon lured its prey by using nightmares, and how the hunter could converse with it while impassively harvesting it for parts to sell. The other image using an esoteric ritual to reach a heightened state, well as hunting alongside the Hound — a free spirit with no master. The Hound is definitely one of my favorite characters in the story.

2. Tell us a little bit about the monsters in your world. 

The hungry ghosts are humans that have been reborn into monsters as karmic punishment for committing sins in a past life. I wanted to play with the idea that no one controls the circumstances of their birth, and some people are indoctrinated with hateful views. To explore this further, I included a phi's POV and her journey towards redemption.

3. What real-world inspirations did you incorporate into your worldbuilding?

I took a hefty portion of Theravadan Buddhism, borrowing from traditions and the history of its establishment as an official religion, moving away from more superstitious practices. The parables about hungry ghosts are found in the mythology, I just  expanded on it. Hunger became a motif in the story not only with the monsters — the protagonist Ex loves to eat, and food connects him to the home he lost in childhood. It relates to my experience being a writer from the diaspora.

4. How does motherhood (or impending motherhood) play a role in your story and character arcs?

Without getting too into spoilers, I was actually thinking about child loss, abortion, and body autonomy. The different ways that people born with wombs struggle with complicated feelings surrounding motherhood. How patriarchy thinks they have the right to control women's bodies. The hope that we can overcome the guilt and shame that society imposes on us, simply for existing and making our own choices.

5. How does magic, however you want to define it, play a role in your book? 

The magic system I created was based on karma. The magic isn't inherently different, but the method in which a practitioner receives and uses power varies and has different consequences. I also loved the idea of a hidden world full of creatures and magical places, and how its  now being threatened by humans destroying nature in the name of capitalism and progress.

6. What else would you want someone to know about your book that hasn't been asked? 

Part of the reason I wrote this novel was to encourage more Southeast Asian voices in the realm of speculative fiction. I'd never seen a fantasy novel inspired by Thai folklore and wanted to start filling that hole. Even if a reader bounces off the story, I hope they will look into the cool history and mythology in such a unique part of the world.

Meet The Last Phi Hunter

Ambitious Phi Hunter and perpetual lone wolf, Ex, finds his road to glory interrupted when a heavily pregnant runaway enlists his help to escape through the ghost-infected forest…

Ex, the youngest member of the Phi Hunters Order, has spent his life slaying the ghosts and demons of Suyoram Kingdom. While he takes great pride in his mystical trade, collecting dwindling bounties and peddling butchered spirit organs lacks the glory he craves. He’s determined to hunt down Shar-Ala, a demon of nightmares, of madness – who has eluded even Ex’s masters.

In a provincial village along the way, Arinya, a charming muay-boran champion, saves him from an ass-kicking, despite being nine months pregnant. In return, she asks him to escort her through the dangerous, spirit-filled forest, where ghosts salivate over the scent of the unborn.

But as more of Arinya’s secrets emerge, and the elusive demon nears, Ex must face dangers from both men and monsters, or lose not only the respect of the Phi Hunters, but the Hunters themselves, along with the woman he’s trying not to fall in love with.

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Thanks!

Thanks Salinee for being my guinea pig, and thank you all for reading. Like the new feature? Let me know in the comments! Stay tuned for more this week.