Way of the Walker - by Salinee Goldenberg (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

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 tradition: 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 desire: 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.

Review Quotes

"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."
- Keshe Chow, Sunday Times bestselling author of For No Mortal Creature

"Old magic and ancient gods infuse this enthralling story of resistance, liberation, and the courage it takes to walk an unorthodox path. The rich characters, immersive world, and timely themes make for an exciting and rewarding read."
- Khan Wong, author of Down in the Sea of Angels

"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."
- Ai Jiang, author of A Palace Near the Wind

"This novel doesn't just return us to the magical world of Suyoram: it cranks up the stakes to an epic crescendo, as our heroine Ree embarks on a quest not to save herself, but to rid her land of European colonialism. The horrors, the betrayals and the sexual chaos of the first book are multiplied to the nth degree, plunging readers into grimdark depths reminiscent of R.F. Kuang's The Poppy War... yet light and hope are never lost, and the agony is always tempered with the redemptive solace of Buddhist spirituality."
- Ng Yi-Sheng, author of Utama and A Spicepunk Manifesto

"Way of the Walker is a richly written blend of fantasy, a touch of horror, and adventure that will hook readers from beginning to end."
- V Castro, author of Immortal Pleasures

About the Author

Salinee Goldenberg is a speculative fiction writer and multimedia artist who lives in Washington DC, and is drawn to outsider perspectives. A biracial, bisexual, diaspora writer, Sal often explores themes of identity, obsession and alienation in her work. A gaming industry veteran, Sal has created narrative trailers for titles such as Skyrim, Fallout 4, Dishonored, and Minecraft. When not writing, she likes to paint, listen to records, and play in punk bands.