The Last Protector

by Janet Ake

A dying world.

A treacherous mission.

A shattering revelation.

Protectors are the last defense between survival and extinction, trained from birth to serve without question. But when Ezander is sent into the deadly Thaay-inhabited Wastelands, he faces more than blinding sandstorms, vicious yippers, and venomous fangers––he uncovers a secret too dangerous to know––and the woman he loves has been branded a traitor. In a world built on lies, trusting the wrong person could be the last thing he ever does. Can he save Mylia––and himself––before time runs out?

459 pages, Paperback

Published July 31, 2025

About the author

Janet Ake has always loved words and the stories they create. That's why reading and books are two of her favorite things. It's no wonder that she grew up to be a librarian. Retired now, she has the time to pursue her other favorites like hiking, snorkeling, and writing. Seeing her name on the cover of a published book has been a long-held dream come true.

Her Beautiful Mind is her first novel, but she has more stories just waiting to be told.

Reviews

[Shauna Donnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sci-fi novel offers an intriguing take on the evacuation of a dying planet. The world development is thoughtful and immersive, giving depth and credibility to the culture being left behind. The author’s real life work as a librarian shines through the storyline. The ending is especially striking—quietly powerful and unsettling. For me, it brought to mind The Twilight Zone. I could almost hear Rod Serling’s voice delivering the final chapter. It left this reader with that same lingering sense of wonder and unease.