Way of the Walker

by Salinee Goldenberg

Return to the Thai-inspired world of Suyoram in this vicious follow up to 2024's The Last Phi Hunter, exploring mythology, colonialism, and feminine rage. A perfect read for fans of Iron Widow and The Sword of Kaigen.

With her constant connection to the Everpresent – the mystical plane where hunters draw their powers – Isaree’s a natural Phi Hunter, with a future predetermined by to stalk the Kingdom of Suyoram’s haunted lands and slay troublesome ghosts.

But the more Ree learns about the Phi Hunter Guild’s legacy, the more she questions their rigid doctrine. And as colonizing forces from Grisland tighten their grip across the region, Ree begins to wonder if the hunter’s path is her true calling.

Elsewhere, the famed Storm Prince Tanung has one death or glory. Grappling with a fading legacy and a mysterious illness, his ambition drives him on a mission to capture a brutal rebel leader known for leaving horrific massacres in their wake. But the further he goes, the further he’s drawn into a war rumbling beyond his reality, and out of anyone’s control.

Their paths were never meant to cross. But unmoored by their legacies, the shadows they cast decide whether they’ll be remembered as heroes – or villains.

Genres: Fantasy

505 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication January 27, 2026

Reviews

[Salinee Goldenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

TOTALLY NOT BIASED AT ALL

Just let me have this 5 star for a lil bit, aight?! <3

xoxo

[Zana]

DNF @ 35%

I had a lot of fun with the first book, but this one didn't really grab me. It took me over two weeks to finish the first third of the novel because it was so hard to pay attention. (I have several other CRs that I'm enjoying, so it was definitely just this one.)

There was a lot of internal conflict in this story, so it felt more serious than the first one. And it was less of a monster slaying adventure than I thought it'd be.

I might try the audiobook once it drops, but I'm not sure.

Thank you to Angry Robot and NetGalley for this arc.

[Keshe Chow · Rating 5 out of 5]

An evocative examination into revenge, redemption, and colonialism, Way of the Walker has it all: stunning prose, an expansive world, and lots of found family feels. With an ending that is as tender as it is tragic, this complex and considered fantasy is one to watch.

[Sierra Duhan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had such high hopes for this. Maybe to high, maybe that was my downfall. But I just did not like this one. I found it basically one big jumbled mess for the first half, then rushed and annoying for the second. Alot of it just made no sense, and maybe that's also on me. I almost dnf several times. I did enjoy parts, I liked the different view for the phi than we got for book one. And I did like the ending, it definitely felt fitting. But I just think this is a case of brilliant idea not so great execution. If there is a book three I may read it, if only to see the world expanded. I can see why people would love this, but I personally think book one was better.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Ai Jiang]

A big thank you to the publisher and editor for an ARC of the book!!

WAY OF THE WALKER is a dream of hope and change, of mysticism and spirituality, of redemption and salvation explored through the conflict of morality and ethics. It is a story of forging one's own path and daring to stray from the one set by others while embracing fate and confronting sacrifice. Goldenberg peels back the curtains to show us just how legends are made.

[DB (DB's Guide to the Galaxy)]

sequel??? SEQUEL???
S
E
Q
U
E
L

absolutely STUNNING yes pls and ty

[Jackie Hughes]

Screaming! YAY!!!!!!

[Sleepy Zirka · Rating 4 out of 5]

✧˖°.˗ˏˋ WAY OF THE WALKER ˊ˗˖°.✧
----- ----- ----- ----- -----

[ Quote will be revealed on the 27 January 2026! ]

----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Characters: ★★★☆☆
World Building: ★★★★★
Plot: ★★★★☆
Tension: ★★★☆☆
Writing style: ★★★★☆
Entertainment: ★★★☆☆
Romance/Smut: ★★★☆☆

Overall Score: ★ 3.7/5.0 ★ 7.5/10 ★

˗ˏˋ ✧ I will thank NetGalley and the publisher 'Angry Robot' for this unique chance to get a early glimpse into this story in form of an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy)! Please note, no quotes will be provided, until the (edited) official release! ✧ˊ˗

I saw a pretty (Well defined Art style and contrast) and read 'Thai-inspired world', so sign me up. Sounds unique and intriguing enough from the masses of books coming out.
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˗ˏˋ The Story ˊ˗

As a young girl, Ree, was born with the ability to walk in the Everpresent, using this ability many years ago for the first time. Now on the ceremony of the hunters, she wished to complete it, despite her gift. And even against the favor of the people, she passed it. Walking the path of becoming a phi huntress with time... Yet as the news carried home, she was confronted with the worst. Her brother, Kit, was brought in injured from men in uniforms.

Her journey leads her from the dark mossy swamps, to the smoke ridden and burning sea. From the revelations of her discoveries and the crushing weight of a war in its infancy state. A burning ship, wooden shard's flying from the impact of the enemy fire.

From wise words of the greater sprits, to the tender moments between lovers... A mysterious prophecy whispered in common folks mouths, after seemingly years of ash and despair.

On the other side a young man on a ship, on his way to a new land, clear of the dangers, he and his crew still push into the land of 'demons'.
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
˗ˏˋ My Two Cents ˊ˗

Although the start into the novel was a tad harder with a fever and lacking concentration on the letters and words. Yet i was immediately captivated into this strange world, with foreign concepts. I needed to reread the first part, to get my head back into place. Switching around characters made me trouble a bit, making myself a small map of em'. On her Trial in the Swamp, she eventually meets a great naga, the immortal Guardian of the Swamp. Gosh i love these creatures, needed to mention that (´｡• ᵕ •｡`) ♡ Snek (Snake) inspired characters are lovely.

Also may i say, i really found the scene with the arachnid like demon's nest unsettling. And finding out that Ree was trying to solve the problem a pacifist way? Real bravery! The Weaver is the supposed [Spoiler for Part II Chapter 14] to be Homdee, a lover started suffering and loosing itself in hatred. After a ballade of the past, Ree finds a way for them to mutually spare each other. Just showing that she had deep knowledge of the threats she was encountering and was intelligent enough to find ways out of dangerous situations.

Even if we look in the multitude of characters, which all get some screen time and even they are portrayed as living beings, than plot devices. We follow both Ree's view (The Natives of the land, the Jinburi) and the perspective of a lad, named Tan, who is on the side of the colonizing power. Their paths intertwine in the later half of the book. Love how she [Spoiler for Part III Chapter 30 and onwards]immediately poisons him and the next moment he's checking her out. Finding out that it was his crew that got into a fight with her village. Another revelation would be that our boy Tan isnt just anybody, but Prince Tanung. Soo.... after [Spoiler for Part IV Chapter 41]we surely see him fall and tease her with a marriage subtext/nudge. *Headshake* You cant do that to me now.

Although it is no explicit work of romance, there were relationships (strongest string holding any story together). If youre a 'spice' girly, this will not break it for you, The scenes of intimacy are written well, its hits the sweet spot, being subtle yet fully conveying the moment. Unless we talking about [Spoiler for Part IV Chapter 39] about Ree and Tan... She wanted to crack that pretty boy so bad. Hehe~

I wont spoil the end! (You gotta read for yourself Hehe~) But i can say it was satisfying and truly bittersweet...

All in All! I may speak for myself, i had a good time reading the novel, i might have not been the biggest fanatic of the romance, as it felt a tick to fast to fall for each other. Yet the grandios fantasy setting and setting kept me on my toes. Will i look more into Thai inspired/related content? Yep, Salinee Goldenberg could really convince me to dive deeper! Will i check more books from her past and future? Surely! May have i gone overboard with the length of the review. Most certainly... *Nervous laugh in the background*

[Chewable Orb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Way of the Walker by Salinee Goldenberg
4.35 rounded down to 4 🔮🔮🔮🔮 orbs
Pub. Date: Jan 27, 2026
Angry Robot Publishing

On the outskirts of Suyoram…

💡 Orbs Prologue: Haggardly I sit. Somewhere within the folds of my sweat-soaked linen, my heart still beats, or at least I think. Cultural rigor mortis has clawed hungrily at my people, and now we are nothing more than slaves to a game of moral debauchery. Our “partnership” was for our own good, they said. Yet, those words come from people who want for nothing. As I stare into the flames of the fire, through the mists of smoke, the outlines of an unusual hero begin to take shape. Her name is Isaree, daughter of Ex, a long-traditioned phi hunter; the blazing redness of her eyes shines hope into an otherwise futile existence.

🔩 Nuts & Bolts: Ree trains exhaustively to be a phi-hunter like her father. Completing task after tedious task in hopes of following in his footsteps. Along this path of unyielding rules, Isaree is tested. When a trial goes awry, Isaree finds herself on a new adventure, conspiring with the enemy, people might say. Salinee Goldenberg’s sequel to The Last Phi Hunter leaves no stone unturned in the fight between the people of Suyoram and the invaders from Grisland. The spiritual tone will leave readers in a meditative state, leaving a sense of wonder and fulfillment. As cunning as a fox, Isaree uses her abilities to harness those creatures buried within the land to help stave off the slow evaporation of those people who can’t fight for themselves. The need for a presence, for a messiah to return and give them reason to break the cycle of a silent tyranny being wrought against them, is paramount. Within the pages, a complex battle of wit moves to the forefront, like chess pieces on the glossy walnut board. Behold, dear reader, a tale steeped in a mystical plume of wondrous nature, and one that you will soon not forget.

👍 Orbs Pros: Otherworldly! An out-of-body experience within the confines of the reading vernacular. Ethereal! Ree’s journey allows readers to enter different dimensions filled with deities and higher powers, resulting in an epicness not always captured in novels of the genre. Isaree is a captivating protagonist, a strong female presence throughout, yet compassionate in her decision-making, which lent to my love for the character. I may not have felt this type of connection since Kvothe in The Name of the Wind. High praise indeed!

👎 Orbs Cons: With so much world-building and traveling through spiritual dimensions, there are bound to be some moments of uncertainty. Finding exactly the right piece to fit in the puzzle eluded me at times, and I had to backtrack to find a foothold. That said, I did not read the first novel, The Last Phi Hunter, which made me wonder if that would have shed light on any of the question marks that popped up.

Highly Recommended! On the surface, this would appear to be a standard good vs. evil affair, to which you would be 100% entirely correct. However, this is only a small portion of what this novel by Goldenberg offers. This fantasy book touched me in a way that is difficult to put into words. I can liken it to that feeling of attending a hot yoga class, the taxing of the muscles, and the sweat-drenched clothes from the exertion, concluded by stepping outside and feeling the warm sun and cool breeze, a euphoric sense of serenity enveloping the mind. I won’t soon forget my time in Suyoram!

💡 Orbs Epilogue: I can’t help but think I am being watched. Those lonely creatures are abandoned deep within the dark forest landscapes, seeking redemption as well. Those phi are often seen as the evil beings that we ought to eliminate. Yet the true enemy lay beneath our noses the entire time, masquerading as a crown-wearing liar with a fortuitous royal lineage. The Gris “foreman” shouts at me to get back to work, and my creaky bones force a protest. Isaree, can you help us? Can you remove this oppression so that I can live in harmony with my brethren? Can you teach us to accept what we don’t always understand? So simple, yet so complex in the same breath…

Many thanks to the publisher Angry Robot for the ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

[TheMondayMuse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book so much and rushed to finish it.

I firstly want to start off by saying that I had not read the previous book by the same author which is set in the same world. I did not think this impacted me at all and I would not say any prior reading was necessary.

I love this Thai-inspired world that immediately gave me Witcher vibes.

My favourite part of this book was the Authors style of writing which did not hold my hand. I was assumed to be able to figure things out for myself, and this was particularly prevalent when there were two different timelines going at once which then seamlessly met up without ever telling you they were separate to start with. I personally loved this little touch.

I enjoyed the characters, even their crazy, chaotic, and grey morality. I felt they were authentic and responded to the situation in a way that one could expect.

I did feel as though the pacing of the second half was much faster than the first, but I personally didn't find this to be an issue, and I often enjoy the slow build up were characters are established followed by a runaway plot. I do feel that the speed was a little unrealistic in this setting, which is my primary reason for not giving this book 5 stars.

Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Char Kramer · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

Many thanks to Angry Robot for providing me with a copy of Way of the Walker in exchange for an honest review.

Gosh what a second book!! This is the sequel to The Last Phi Hunter. You could technically read this as a standalone, but I highly suggest reading The Last Phi Hunter fist (it’s also VERY good). There’s lots of returning characters and easter eggs that were fun to see.

I really appreciated how we got a dark, gritty, look into Suyoram. Very different to the more humorous tone of The Last Phi Hunter.

The plot was THICK. There’s lots of things going on. Places, armies, characters, world building, the works. The world building in the first half of the book is a really good set up (even if the plot was a bit slow) for the latter half, where things pick up quickly. I found the pacing to be a little all over the place times, but there is a lot of time to cover in this one book.

Ree and Tan were great main characters. I do wish we got a little more time to see their relationship blossom. Agira was by far my favorite, such a well done side kick.

Way of the Walker reminded me of The Poppy War in many ways. Rin and Ree would honestly probably be frienemies 😅

If you’re into burn the world down feminine rage, high fantasy world building, and a lot of kick-ass action, go right on ahead and add Way of the Walker to your tbr.

[Annabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Way of the Walker returns to the world of The Last Phi Hunter with a more powerful story centered on a deeper character. Though this book is in the same world, same magic, and history as the previous one, the story is mostly self-contained, there is some benefit to the world-building of the previous book, but most of the character development and plot for this story make it possible to read it without preamble. The central character Ree carries the tale. She is a complex and interesting individual to follow and her journey isn't just an adventure but a path to learning about herself, and the people around her. This was a satisfying fantasy with a strong female central character that isn't afraid to challenge the establishment.
I received advanced digital access to this book thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Angry Robot) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

[Amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who loved The Last Phi Hunter, I was very excited to return to this world and to follow Ex's daughter. The set up was really interesting and definitely allowed Way of the Walker to stand out as Ree's own story, but I was incredibly sad to see so much of her father's legacy and background be tarnished and the phi hunters not be the main point of the story. The ending was definitely bittersweet and I enjoyed the overall action and Ree as a character, but The Last Phi Hunter was leagues better in terms of storytelling. Way of the Walker almost felt like burning down the first book's plot and characterization. There were several aspects that I enjoyed about Way of the Walker, but I would've appreciated it more if it was completely separate from Ex or the legacy of the phi hunters during his book so it didn't feel so tarnished by the end.

Thank you to Angry Robot, NetGalley, and the author for sending me an early copy!

[Tracy Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Salinee Goldenberg’s Way of the Walker returns to the Thai‑inspired world of Suyoram with a story steeped in mythology, colonial tension, and fierce personal awakening. Isaree’s natural connection to the Everpresent makes her a gifted Phi Hunter, but as she uncovers the Guild’s troubling legacy and feels the pressure of Grisland’s expanding influence, her path becomes far less certain.

The book stands out for its atmospheric worldbuilding, its blend of folklore and action, and its exploration of feminine rage and institutional control. A few introspective stretches slow the pace, but the emotional depth and cultural richness make it a compelling read.

A strong 4‑star fantasy that builds beautifully on the foundations of The Last Phi Hunter.

[Victoria Viper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks Netgalley and the author for this Arc.
Me encanta el female rage pero hasta que ha despegado el libro me ha costado varios intentos y eso no mola, hay partes donde se atasca completamente el hilo de la historia.
Pero si he sentido que la rabia que tenía la protagonista era la misma que yo puedo experimentar.

[Energy Rae · Rating 2 out of 5]

Man, this cover is stunning! Unfortunately, I can’t connect to the story or the characters, so I don’t feel like this book is the right fit for me. I usually prefer alternating perspectives, but this was completely disjointing for me. Perhaps this book will be the right fit for others.

[Tarnavska Oleksandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished “Way of the Walker” and I’m left feeling like I’ve walked alongside Ree from her disillusionment with the guild to her full‑blown rebellion. The book plunges you into Thai mythology, but it does so through very intimate details: the scent of the market, the whisper of spirits, the heavy smell of rain in the mountains. I could almost hear Ree murmuring to the wind, and her “feminine rage” felt like my own anger that sometimes wants to burst out.

[Sophia Schultz 1234 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the Story. It was completely different to the first book, beware of that. I would have liked to know more of Esha and Raj and in general I thought that the side characters were a little underdeveloped. But I did enjoy the tone and the story! I was grieving and feeling with Isaree and although her choices were sometimes wrong you understood her. She portrayed anger, resistance and resilience very well. Such a well written morally grey character.
I especially enjoyed the first lighter part for the character development and loved Agira. All in all a great story. I definitely recommend!
Thank you NetGalley for providing me an earc in exchange for an honest review.