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The Last Lumenian #3
Proud Pada
Lilla is on her next mission as a Sybil,
when she must travel to the Pada world following the trail of a ruthless murderer.
Navigating deadly politics turns increasingly difficult,
when the Teryn emperor goes missing.
Now the Teryn empire is heading towards civil war,
and Lilla must uncover who is behind the conspiracy before it's too late.
Unfortunately her success depends on the Proud Pada.
when she must travel to the Pada world following the trail of a ruthless murderer.
Navigating deadly politics turns increasingly difficult,
when the Teryn emperor goes missing.
Now the Teryn empire is heading towards civil war,
and Lilla must uncover who is behind the conspiracy before it's too late.
Unfortunately her success depends on the Proud Pada.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 6, 2022
61 people are currently reading
10124 people want to read
About the author
S.G. Blaise
7 books1,096 followersS.G. was born in a faraway land of castles, monarchies and fallen dictatorships. Hollywood movies were largely forbidden under the Soviet oppression during her childhood, but her dad smuggled them in anyway, risking his life so that his children could experience the magic and hope inherent in those stories. She watched rebellions unfold in real time. Journeyed across the Atlantic Ocean for love. She ended up in sunny California, where she lives her dream—writing stories and annoying family members.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
December 16, 2022
Disclaimer: I have not read the previous volumes in this series, so some of the background concepts were brand new to me. Fortunately, the story line is still relatively easy to follow, and as a bonus, there is a glossary in the back.
The story kicks off when the wedding of Lilla and Callum is rudely interrupted by a murder. The clues lead Lilla, Callum, and several of their friends to a world called Pada, where the web of political intrigue only deepens. The scene description and atmosphere is well-rendered, and the pacing is particularly strong. There is almost always something happening that advances the plot until a series of climatic revelations at the novel's end.
While it does not seem to be marketed as such, Proud Pada reads very much like a Young Adult novel, and I don't mean that term negatively. It also has some points that make it stand out in the field. For one thing, the conflicting interests of the characters are realistically complex. Some of my perception might be the result of me coming into the series on the last volume, but I appreciated the murky and transitory nature of the political alliances. There is not necessarily one "right" position that the reader is supposed to take, and Lilla is not offered many easy choices. While she could easily be a standard "chosen one" character, she also has some vulnerable points and she is not always right in her assumptions. The novel is not without flaw--I personally found the telepathic interjections by Lilla's melded spirit, Moira, to be a bit grating, and there were a few "Oh, come on!" moments (I'm thinking here of Lilla surviving three assassination attempts in one day, each interrupted by Callum). Overall, though I think it will appeal to anyone who likes action-heavy adventure stories, deftly threaded with intrigue and suspense.
December 9, 2022
A Mystery-adventure Novel Abounding With Gripping Suspense, Thrill, Lovable Characters, Immersive Dialogue, and Strong Moral Choices
The Proud Pada, by S.G. Blaise, is a mystery and adventure novel brimming spectacularly with plenty of action and moral choices. The primary and secondary cast of characters is interesting. Each has a unique voice and interacts well with the others. The main character, Lilla, is strong, active, and makes lots of responsible moral choices that drive the plot. The novel is plot-driven, yet, it has a strong character growth through Lilla.
Plot-wise, the narrative beats are incredibly well-balanced and spaced out. Every moment of falling tension is soon met with high, kinetic bursts of fast-paced adventures and mystery built upon mystery. And after every motion of high excitement are the slower-paced chapters that develop lore, training, and characterization. The novel starts with a quick pacing in the first quarter. It slows down slightly afterward as it explores its B-plots. However, befitting an adventure subgenre, the novel’s pacing is fabulously gripping throughout. It ends with several resolutions toward the last quarter. The author has masterly crafted a fantastic and thrilling, page-turning story, with one increasing tension and climax after another. Last, the novels begin with a bang and end with a bang (or many bangs, to be more precise). The story concludes wonderfully with Lilla’s witty response to the sinister plots of the main villain behind the mystery scenes that happen in chapters 2 to 4.
Of equal merit is her masterful and evocative prose, which is always pleasurable to read. They avoid the excesses of purple prose as they are incredibly streamlined and well-edited. I have learned a few interesting ways to write from her, which I will incorporate in my own The Eternal Reflection future novels (“multi-hued radiance” and “green-tinted” – I will remember those!). The writing is minimal on cliches (I spotted only one) and repetitions (such as hot-and-cold-and-then-cold-to-hot being used three times) and is very streamlined altogether. The writing also shows a high degree of verbal creativity and variation, which is the hallmark of good prose. Last, her prose is clear and easy to follow, with a readability level that is easy for even the tired mind to process.
The novel seamlessly blends many things at once in an attractive and attention-grabbing manner: (1) the mystery of the murder of one character, (2) the training behind Lilla under a devotee monk, (3) the lore of the various gods and how they got their powers along the interstellar politics of the alliances, (4) good moral choices, and (5) the banalities of everyday life and interaction between the characters. The main plot follows clause number 1. I should stress that it is enormously challenging to blend plot lines 1 and 2 together. As a novelist myself, I experienced this in my second and third novels, which both had a training arc. It took me a second edition republication to get the pacing and narrative beats correct, which S.G. Blaise did very well.
For instance, training arcs cannot be too long or dragged out. However, S.G. avoids this issue by spacing out training and inserting various action scenes that drive the plot in between. The training is enriched by the “banalities of everyday speech,” where trainees and trainers blend their daily conversations in a natural, organic manner. The training arcs had minimal info-dumping and were delivered through action, which provides a fast-paced and thrilling experience for readers.
The novel has a solid characterization of the main character. Lilla is proactive, and this increases after the mid-point. She has a firm moral compass and will give up her interests to choose the right option. And she is likable and intelligent, using various well-thought-out methods to defeat her adversaries and free her comrades. In book three, there is further character development in Lilla through the advancement of her powers of Transfiguration.
The characters all have unique voices, and the most significant achievement is their natural, emergent, and organic forms of dialogue. Every character has a distinct voice, such as (1) Lilla’s interaction with people of various strengths of friendship (like her loving nature toward her lover, Caldum, or her harshness toward the god, Laoise), (2) Devotee Zorion’s more authoritative and instructional/formal manners, (3) Laoise’s overbearing arrogance and unabashed cunningness, and (4) Moira’s intrusive ways of instructing Lilla.
There is an impressive amount of lore build-up throughout the entire novel. Without giving away spoilers, it explores how gods got their powers concerning degrees of worship. Then, there’s the exploration of the democratically-aligned 19 planets versus monarchic-authoritarian systems.
Finally, there’s the lore regarding the types of magic, such as Lume, or Acerbus magic. The last point is interesting, as it covers how some beings have inherent magic in them and others do not.
Editorially, The Proud Pada boasts high excellence in its editorial quality at all three levels: content editing, line/scene-level editing, and copyediting. I spotted only one very minor proofreading error (can anyone else spot it?) throughout the entire book and zero typos throughout.
There are minimal content-level issues. First, she carefully avoids the extreme info-dumps through dialogues, as some authors like Philip Pullman, Andrzej Sapkowski, Isaac Asimov, and Michael Crichton (Ursula Le Quin does it sometimes too). Info-dumps are minimal, and S.G. spreads the exciting and intense lore throughout the novels in bite-sized but relevant chunks. She provides them only when readers are intrigued by them. Second, S.G. must have hired outstanding editors – because her first plot point and mid-point arrive almost precisely where a seven-point structure novel typically has. Third, I spotted no dialogue formatting issues; the dialogues were all straightforward to follow since they followed a standard style. Although she has many scenes with 5 or 6 conversing characters, they all follow the same train of thought for each scene, which makes it easy to follow the dialogue.
Altogether, The Proud Pada combines high editorial quality, page-gripping pacing, satisfying plot resolutions, strong characterization and voices, interesting and immersive lore, and substantial moral choices. This is the strongest of the three books S.G. has written. I have read her last two books, and she has borrowed the strong plot-driven element of book two and the artistic prose of book one and imbued them into book three.
As an author of six published novels myself, and read hundreds of novels, I have very high standards and expectations. Thus, I will end with: The Proud Pada is truly a masterpiece!
The Proud Pada, by S.G. Blaise, is a mystery and adventure novel brimming spectacularly with plenty of action and moral choices. The primary and secondary cast of characters is interesting. Each has a unique voice and interacts well with the others. The main character, Lilla, is strong, active, and makes lots of responsible moral choices that drive the plot. The novel is plot-driven, yet, it has a strong character growth through Lilla.
Plot-wise, the narrative beats are incredibly well-balanced and spaced out. Every moment of falling tension is soon met with high, kinetic bursts of fast-paced adventures and mystery built upon mystery. And after every motion of high excitement are the slower-paced chapters that develop lore, training, and characterization. The novel starts with a quick pacing in the first quarter. It slows down slightly afterward as it explores its B-plots. However, befitting an adventure subgenre, the novel’s pacing is fabulously gripping throughout. It ends with several resolutions toward the last quarter. The author has masterly crafted a fantastic and thrilling, page-turning story, with one increasing tension and climax after another. Last, the novels begin with a bang and end with a bang (or many bangs, to be more precise). The story concludes wonderfully with Lilla’s witty response to the sinister plots of the main villain behind the mystery scenes that happen in chapters 2 to 4.
Of equal merit is her masterful and evocative prose, which is always pleasurable to read. They avoid the excesses of purple prose as they are incredibly streamlined and well-edited. I have learned a few interesting ways to write from her, which I will incorporate in my own The Eternal Reflection future novels (“multi-hued radiance” and “green-tinted” – I will remember those!). The writing is minimal on cliches (I spotted only one) and repetitions (such as hot-and-cold-and-then-cold-to-hot being used three times) and is very streamlined altogether. The writing also shows a high degree of verbal creativity and variation, which is the hallmark of good prose. Last, her prose is clear and easy to follow, with a readability level that is easy for even the tired mind to process.
The novel seamlessly blends many things at once in an attractive and attention-grabbing manner: (1) the mystery of the murder of one character, (2) the training behind Lilla under a devotee monk, (3) the lore of the various gods and how they got their powers along the interstellar politics of the alliances, (4) good moral choices, and (5) the banalities of everyday life and interaction between the characters. The main plot follows clause number 1. I should stress that it is enormously challenging to blend plot lines 1 and 2 together. As a novelist myself, I experienced this in my second and third novels, which both had a training arc. It took me a second edition republication to get the pacing and narrative beats correct, which S.G. Blaise did very well.
For instance, training arcs cannot be too long or dragged out. However, S.G. avoids this issue by spacing out training and inserting various action scenes that drive the plot in between. The training is enriched by the “banalities of everyday speech,” where trainees and trainers blend their daily conversations in a natural, organic manner. The training arcs had minimal info-dumping and were delivered through action, which provides a fast-paced and thrilling experience for readers.
The novel has a solid characterization of the main character. Lilla is proactive, and this increases after the mid-point. She has a firm moral compass and will give up her interests to choose the right option. And she is likable and intelligent, using various well-thought-out methods to defeat her adversaries and free her comrades. In book three, there is further character development in Lilla through the advancement of her powers of Transfiguration.
The characters all have unique voices, and the most significant achievement is their natural, emergent, and organic forms of dialogue. Every character has a distinct voice, such as (1) Lilla’s interaction with people of various strengths of friendship (like her loving nature toward her lover, Caldum, or her harshness toward the god, Laoise), (2) Devotee Zorion’s more authoritative and instructional/formal manners, (3) Laoise’s overbearing arrogance and unabashed cunningness, and (4) Moira’s intrusive ways of instructing Lilla.
There is an impressive amount of lore build-up throughout the entire novel. Without giving away spoilers, it explores how gods got their powers concerning degrees of worship. Then, there’s the exploration of the democratically-aligned 19 planets versus monarchic-authoritarian systems.
Finally, there’s the lore regarding the types of magic, such as Lume, or Acerbus magic. The last point is interesting, as it covers how some beings have inherent magic in them and others do not.
Editorially, The Proud Pada boasts high excellence in its editorial quality at all three levels: content editing, line/scene-level editing, and copyediting. I spotted only one very minor proofreading error (can anyone else spot it?) throughout the entire book and zero typos throughout.
There are minimal content-level issues. First, she carefully avoids the extreme info-dumps through dialogues, as some authors like Philip Pullman, Andrzej Sapkowski, Isaac Asimov, and Michael Crichton (Ursula Le Quin does it sometimes too). Info-dumps are minimal, and S.G. spreads the exciting and intense lore throughout the novels in bite-sized but relevant chunks. She provides them only when readers are intrigued by them. Second, S.G. must have hired outstanding editors – because her first plot point and mid-point arrive almost precisely where a seven-point structure novel typically has. Third, I spotted no dialogue formatting issues; the dialogues were all straightforward to follow since they followed a standard style. Although she has many scenes with 5 or 6 conversing characters, they all follow the same train of thought for each scene, which makes it easy to follow the dialogue.
Altogether, The Proud Pada combines high editorial quality, page-gripping pacing, satisfying plot resolutions, strong characterization and voices, interesting and immersive lore, and substantial moral choices. This is the strongest of the three books S.G. has written. I have read her last two books, and she has borrowed the strong plot-driven element of book two and the artistic prose of book one and imbued them into book three.
As an author of six published novels myself, and read hundreds of novels, I have very high standards and expectations. Thus, I will end with: The Proud Pada is truly a masterpiece!
December 13, 2022
This book is another masterpiece by S. G. Blaise. It is the last book of the lumenian series.
December 20, 2022
A splendid fantasy continues to enchant
Author S.G. Blaise made an impressive debut with the initial volume of THE LAST LUMENIAN, garnering awards from Pest Book Awards, New York Book Festival, San Francisco Book Festival, Reader’s Favorite Five Star, and Indie Reader. She now continues her series with PROUD PADA, Book 3, and primary character Lilla forges on!
Writing fantasy fiction that succeeds through three volumes is a challenge and one that Blaise has conquered. The book opens with an elegant map of the Monastery of Pada and opening lines that draw the reader into this intricately described world “You’re so beautiful, Lilla,” Callum says. He looks striking in his form-fitting, black military uniform, which emphasizes his tall, muscular body…I can’t look away from his blue eyes. They shine with so much love and happiness on his tanned face…’ Romance opens this volume and the plot follows: 'Lilla is on her next mission as a Sybil, when she must travel to the Pada world following the trail of a ruthless murderer. Navigating deadly politics turns increasingly difficult, when the Teryn emperor goes missing. Now the Teryn empire is heading towards civil war, and Lilla must uncover who is behind the conspiracy before it's too late. Unfortunately her success depends on the Proud Pada.’
The third volume of The Last Lumenian series soars, an excellent follow-up for this first class YA fantasy. Blaise’s talent matures with each episode, an inviting escape from the dark clouds of today. Recommended.
I voluntarily review a complimentary copy of this book
Author S.G. Blaise made an impressive debut with the initial volume of THE LAST LUMENIAN, garnering awards from Pest Book Awards, New York Book Festival, San Francisco Book Festival, Reader’s Favorite Five Star, and Indie Reader. She now continues her series with PROUD PADA, Book 3, and primary character Lilla forges on!
Writing fantasy fiction that succeeds through three volumes is a challenge and one that Blaise has conquered. The book opens with an elegant map of the Monastery of Pada and opening lines that draw the reader into this intricately described world “You’re so beautiful, Lilla,” Callum says. He looks striking in his form-fitting, black military uniform, which emphasizes his tall, muscular body…I can’t look away from his blue eyes. They shine with so much love and happiness on his tanned face…’ Romance opens this volume and the plot follows: 'Lilla is on her next mission as a Sybil, when she must travel to the Pada world following the trail of a ruthless murderer. Navigating deadly politics turns increasingly difficult, when the Teryn emperor goes missing. Now the Teryn empire is heading towards civil war, and Lilla must uncover who is behind the conspiracy before it's too late. Unfortunately her success depends on the Proud Pada.’
The third volume of The Last Lumenian series soars, an excellent follow-up for this first class YA fantasy. Blaise’s talent matures with each episode, an inviting escape from the dark clouds of today. Recommended.
I voluntarily review a complimentary copy of this book
December 13, 2022
This book is another masterpiece by S. G. Blaise. It is the last book of the lumenian series.
This book is about the journey of Sybill Lilla. The story starts with Lilla, who is in Cathal with other teryns as ordered by the archgoddess. But due to some circumstances, she and her lover, Callum, had to go to Pada. In Pada, the protagonist, Lilla, faces several challenges and overcomes them.
This story is full of adventure, magic, courage, love, thrills, and excitement. The writer has meticulously shown the hardships the protagonist had to face on the journey. It is merely impossible to blink your eyes while reading the book. This book is highly recommended not only to sci-fi fans but to everyone who wants to dive into the ocean of adventure and emotions.
This book is about the journey of Sybill Lilla. The story starts with Lilla, who is in Cathal with other teryns as ordered by the archgoddess. But due to some circumstances, she and her lover, Callum, had to go to Pada. In Pada, the protagonist, Lilla, faces several challenges and overcomes them.
This story is full of adventure, magic, courage, love, thrills, and excitement. The writer has meticulously shown the hardships the protagonist had to face on the journey. It is merely impossible to blink your eyes while reading the book. This book is highly recommended not only to sci-fi fans but to everyone who wants to dive into the ocean of adventure and emotions.
December 18, 2022
"Proud Pada" is the third installment of Blaise's sci-fi fantasy series, The Last Lumenian. Lilla and Callum are set to be married, but on the day of the ceremony tragedy strikes. One of Callum's older half brothers, Sachary is suddenly murdered and Lilla's wedding is put on hold as a mass search for the culprit overtakes the Teryn ship. The investigation leads Lilla, her friends, along with Callum and his family to the world of the Pada. But before Lilla can further investigate the clues left behind by the murderer, things take another turn for the worse. Callum's other half brother, Sawney is fatally injured and their father, the Taryn emperor Caderyn goes missing. With Caderyn missing, there is unrest among the conquered worlds while the Teryn Empire is on the verge of civil war. Now Lilla finds herself caught in some deadly politics that could have some devastating consequences, both for the outcome of the Era War as well as Lilla's job as Sybil. With the help of her friends and Callum, Lilla races to discover who is behind the conspiracy plot before it's too late. The story is well paced with a good balance of action/adventure and slight lulls to build anticipation for the ending. As always Lilla's friends and their antics bring a good dose of lightheartedness. The only character I had issues with was Moira, whose constant commentary I found a bit jarring and distracting at times because it took me out of Lilla's narrative. But otherwise, the book has a solid plot and world building as well, fans of the series will be pleased.
December 19, 2022
A masterful installment to the Lumenian series. I was so pleased to have another one of S.G. Blaise's books in my hands, and even more excited to dive back into Lilla's adventure.
This third installment picks right up with a fast-paced plot and high energy. Blaise does a beautiful job of keeping readers intrigued with various plot points while also creating such a real and dynamic world of characters. Once again, the glossary in the back of the book was genius and will be so helpful for anyone who needs a quick refresher on where we last left Lilla.
Lilla's adventure continues and the fate of the galaxies once again puts her right back in the middle of drama and disaster. Sexier, more thrilling, and just as engaging as the last two books this installment will leave you satisfied but wanting more. Hitting all of the important sci-fi/fantasy genre points, Blaise does not hold back in world-building and her immaculate ability to craft an exciting plot.
I really would love to see these books as graphic novels, or at least a version of these with more visuals. They are just so well written with such rich descriptions--it could add a more dynamic sense of immersion to the reading experience. That aside, I wholeheartedly suggest this series to anyone who loves sci-fi and fantasy. I look forward to more from S.G. Blaise!
This third installment picks right up with a fast-paced plot and high energy. Blaise does a beautiful job of keeping readers intrigued with various plot points while also creating such a real and dynamic world of characters. Once again, the glossary in the back of the book was genius and will be so helpful for anyone who needs a quick refresher on where we last left Lilla.
Lilla's adventure continues and the fate of the galaxies once again puts her right back in the middle of drama and disaster. Sexier, more thrilling, and just as engaging as the last two books this installment will leave you satisfied but wanting more. Hitting all of the important sci-fi/fantasy genre points, Blaise does not hold back in world-building and her immaculate ability to craft an exciting plot.
I really would love to see these books as graphic novels, or at least a version of these with more visuals. They are just so well written with such rich descriptions--it could add a more dynamic sense of immersion to the reading experience. That aside, I wholeheartedly suggest this series to anyone who loves sci-fi and fantasy. I look forward to more from S.G. Blaise!
December 30, 2022
Love the intriguing plot! This sequel to True Teryn had a strong opening. What was supposed to be Callum and Lilla’s wedding turned out to be an unfortunate day when Sachary, Callum’s brother, gets murdered. Not long, Sawney is also attacked and in critical condition. Then, Caderyn gets kindapped. Someone seems to be determined to destroy Callum’s family and even Lilla’s life is in danger. In this third book from the Lumenian series, Lilla, Callum, and their friends must uncover who’s responsible for all the attacks happening. I think I enjoyed reading this book more than the other books because the characters have grown on me. I also like that it’s leaning towards Caderyn’s character development. Definitely 5 stars for me and highly recommend!
January 13, 2023
I’m very happy to be back in the world of The Last Lumenian, a YA sci-fi series full of adventure, strong friendships and sweet romance!
True Teryn is the third book in the series, which follows Lilla, the Sybil of the Archgoddess of the Eternal Light and Order, who finally seems to be crowning her romance with Callum with their long-awaited wedding. Unfortunately, one of Callum’s brothers is found dead, and the ceremony is postponed. With this new mystery hitting very close to home, Lilla and her friends follow the trail to the Pada world, where they must uncover the truth behind this murder and a plot that seems to be targeting Callum’s family.
“We should run away. Get married and forget about anything else.”
I snort and slide my hands down his chest, marveling at the hard and defined muscles. “Tempting, but you would regret it five minutes after we ran away.”
Callum tightens his fingers around my waist. “They would be the best five minutes for my life. Worth every second.”
Unlike the previous book in the series, I found that the romance element here was much stronger. We get to see a lot more of Callum and Lilla being in sweet love, but also of them working as a team to solve the mystery. Another aspect I enjoyed was the found-family dynamic with Lilla and her friends, which is one of the strongest points of this series.
This time, I found that the story concentrated on solidifying the way the Teryn society works, and the power dynamic with those they subjugated. The way the author achieved this was through a mystery where various factions were involved, and for the most part it was very easy to follow, though there were some moments, especially in the middle of the book, where the pace slowed down a little bit. However, the ending wrapped up nicely, both for the mystery and for Callum and Lilla, and I’m very excited to see what other adventure awaits Lilla and her friends in their mission to defeat DLD.
I would recommend this book for people who like sci-fi and fantasy adventures with a strong found-family dynamic and sweet romance.
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy for review!
True Teryn is the third book in the series, which follows Lilla, the Sybil of the Archgoddess of the Eternal Light and Order, who finally seems to be crowning her romance with Callum with their long-awaited wedding. Unfortunately, one of Callum’s brothers is found dead, and the ceremony is postponed. With this new mystery hitting very close to home, Lilla and her friends follow the trail to the Pada world, where they must uncover the truth behind this murder and a plot that seems to be targeting Callum’s family.
“We should run away. Get married and forget about anything else.”
I snort and slide my hands down his chest, marveling at the hard and defined muscles. “Tempting, but you would regret it five minutes after we ran away.”
Callum tightens his fingers around my waist. “They would be the best five minutes for my life. Worth every second.”
Unlike the previous book in the series, I found that the romance element here was much stronger. We get to see a lot more of Callum and Lilla being in sweet love, but also of them working as a team to solve the mystery. Another aspect I enjoyed was the found-family dynamic with Lilla and her friends, which is one of the strongest points of this series.
This time, I found that the story concentrated on solidifying the way the Teryn society works, and the power dynamic with those they subjugated. The way the author achieved this was through a mystery where various factions were involved, and for the most part it was very easy to follow, though there were some moments, especially in the middle of the book, where the pace slowed down a little bit. However, the ending wrapped up nicely, both for the mystery and for Callum and Lilla, and I’m very excited to see what other adventure awaits Lilla and her friends in their mission to defeat DLD.
I would recommend this book for people who like sci-fi and fantasy adventures with a strong found-family dynamic and sweet romance.
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy for review!
January 13, 2023
S.G. Blaise has done it again with another exciting installment in The Last Lumenian series!
Like the previous two books in the series, Proud Pada was a sci-fi adventure full of twists and adventure, where the bonds between the characters play the most important role. What I liked most about this book was how much we got to see of Callum and Lilla together, which is something I remember I missed from the previous book. Romance is, after all, one of my favorite elements in the story, and I just adored seeing Callum and Lilla work together, and I especially loved how sweet they were with each other. My heart was dipped in honey!
Another aspect of I enjoyed was the intrigue that builds itself around Callum’s family and the factions present on Pada. The story started with a little murder mystery, which is another thing I enjoy reading a lot! I would have loved if there had been a little more investigating around the victim to understand culprit and motive, but overall I enjoy a good mystery and I was very interested in seeing how it would all play out. I definitely did not expect the surprise twist in the mystery’s resolution! I really don’t want to say more to not give away anything, but just know that I loved how the book wrapped up.
Very excited to see what’s next in this world and for Callum and Lilla!
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy. Opinions are my own.
Like the previous two books in the series, Proud Pada was a sci-fi adventure full of twists and adventure, where the bonds between the characters play the most important role. What I liked most about this book was how much we got to see of Callum and Lilla together, which is something I remember I missed from the previous book. Romance is, after all, one of my favorite elements in the story, and I just adored seeing Callum and Lilla work together, and I especially loved how sweet they were with each other. My heart was dipped in honey!
Another aspect of I enjoyed was the intrigue that builds itself around Callum’s family and the factions present on Pada. The story started with a little murder mystery, which is another thing I enjoy reading a lot! I would have loved if there had been a little more investigating around the victim to understand culprit and motive, but overall I enjoy a good mystery and I was very interested in seeing how it would all play out. I definitely did not expect the surprise twist in the mystery’s resolution! I really don’t want to say more to not give away anything, but just know that I loved how the book wrapped up.
Very excited to see what’s next in this world and for Callum and Lilla!
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy. Opinions are my own.
January 10, 2023
I’ve followed this series since the first book was released and I’m happy to say I’ve enjoyed each book, and each book has gotten better and better! The stakes continue to be high in this book, so there is plenty of action to drive the plot forward. I love how the author manages to keep the plot going while not sacrificing great character development and depth. I feel like with most books this is an “either/or” scenario, but not here! I really enjoyed the epilogue, but also was left rocked by that cliffhanger. Can’t wait to see where book four takes us!
Thanks to the author for gifting me a copy! All thoughts are my own.
Thanks to the author for gifting me a copy! All thoughts are my own.
December 29, 2022
I hope there’s a 4th book because I really want to see Lilla and Caderyn finally getting along. I want to see Caderyn’s character development and Lilla and Callum’s new life. I might actually say “buckets of fishguts!” or “what on Uhna!” one of these days. The expressions in this book are quite amusing that they easily got stuck in my head. I think my most favorite part in this book was the embarrassing entrance of General Crane towards the end. It was funny. Overall, I’m giving this book 5 stars for the lovable characters, fast-paced narrative, suspense elements, and amusing dialogues.
January 15, 2023
Read my reviews of The Last Lumenian and True Teryn
S.G. Blaise has done it again with another exciting installment in The Last Lumenian series! Like the previous two books in the series, PROUD PADA was a sci-fi adventure full of twists and adventure, where the bonds between the characters play the most important role.
What I liked most about this book was how much we got to see of Callum and Lilla together, which is something I missed from the previous book. Romance is, after all, one of my favorite elements in the story, and I adored seeing Callum and Lilla working together. I especially loved how sweet they were with each other!
Another aspect I enjoyed was the intrigue that builds around Callum’s family and the factions present on Pada. The story started with a little murder mystery, which is another thing I enjoy reading a lot! I would have loved if there had been a little more investigating around the victim to understand culprit and motive, but overall I enjoy a good mystery and I was very interested in seeing how it would all play out. I definitely did not expect the surprise twist in the mystery’s resolution!
Very excited to see what’s next in this world and for Callum and Lilla!
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy. Opinions are my own.
S.G. Blaise has done it again with another exciting installment in The Last Lumenian series! Like the previous two books in the series, PROUD PADA was a sci-fi adventure full of twists and adventure, where the bonds between the characters play the most important role.
What I liked most about this book was how much we got to see of Callum and Lilla together, which is something I missed from the previous book. Romance is, after all, one of my favorite elements in the story, and I adored seeing Callum and Lilla working together. I especially loved how sweet they were with each other!
Another aspect I enjoyed was the intrigue that builds around Callum’s family and the factions present on Pada. The story started with a little murder mystery, which is another thing I enjoy reading a lot! I would have loved if there had been a little more investigating around the victim to understand culprit and motive, but overall I enjoy a good mystery and I was very interested in seeing how it would all play out. I definitely did not expect the surprise twist in the mystery’s resolution!
Very excited to see what’s next in this world and for Callum and Lilla!
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy. Opinions are my own.
December 9, 2022
I read the first two books in the series, so naturally, I was more than excited to go for this one too. And I was not disappointed, this book perfectly carries the legacy of the previous books of the series. It was very beautifully written and equally well presented. The ideas of the author, her imagination, and her expectations for all the characters were evident.
The story and the pacing were not at all rushed. It was fast and exciting where it was needed, as well as slow and methodical where the plot demanded. The setting of the story was equally fascinating. The lore and world-building are already achieved through the first book, yet every new book in the series explores a new face of the harsh, complex yet serene world in which the story takes place.
The characters, as usual, were lovable and relatable. All the characters have evident character development and very cool stories. Almost like an RPG game with quests for the side character stories. I loved it.
In a nutshell, the book was one of a kind and I loved every bit of it. To anyone who is in Sci-Fi/fantasy and loves to see the content spread across multiple books, go for this wonderful series. At last, much gratitude to the author for producing such a masterpiece for us the, humble readers.
Thank you
Regards
The story and the pacing were not at all rushed. It was fast and exciting where it was needed, as well as slow and methodical where the plot demanded. The setting of the story was equally fascinating. The lore and world-building are already achieved through the first book, yet every new book in the series explores a new face of the harsh, complex yet serene world in which the story takes place.
The characters, as usual, were lovable and relatable. All the characters have evident character development and very cool stories. Almost like an RPG game with quests for the side character stories. I loved it.
In a nutshell, the book was one of a kind and I loved every bit of it. To anyone who is in Sci-Fi/fantasy and loves to see the content spread across multiple books, go for this wonderful series. At last, much gratitude to the author for producing such a masterpiece for us the, humble readers.
Thank you
Regards
January 28, 2023
Layla and Callum are to be married but when there’s a murder of someone close to Callum. Then his dad goes missing. Layla tries to uncover the criminal. It takes her to planet Pada with its luscious greenery and beautiful scenery and also hides a murderer. Can Layla find the murderer and save her future in-laws? I love the third installment of The Last Lumenian it seems the deeper into the story we get the better the store becomes. And this one we got to see more of Layla and Calum together. I also love Moira and thought she added it so much to the story and if there is another book I hope she’s in it. I love this book and highly recommend it if you love alternative worlds, great world building and wonderful characters you love Proud Pada it is the third book in the series but definitely can be read as a standalone. It’s just much more fun if you read them in order. I love these books and highly recommend them. Please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review. Pada
January 8, 2023
I had such a fun time being back in this action-packed YA world. The author continues to thrive in her skills to world build and her ability to craft amazing character development! Those are my favorite aspects of this series.
Proud Pada was an excellent next installment. We get an epic adventure and amazing characters. Creating such a vast world that spans over three books is no easy feat, but the author does so well. Can't wait to read more from this author!
Proud Pada was an excellent next installment. We get an epic adventure and amazing characters. Creating such a vast world that spans over three books is no easy feat, but the author does so well. Can't wait to read more from this author!
January 20, 2023
Super excited to have continued this series! It's been such a pleasure to follow the unraveling of The Last Lumenian. SG Blaise has made me want to dive into scifi more than I usually do. The character developments in this book definitely do not disappoint.
I am a huge fan of character development and the author delivered. We see more of the inside view of counterparts and different areas in this title. Which I will admit, I absolutely enjoyed. The mystery of it all kept me hooked throughout the book. And lets just say the romance was definitely more present in this book which I lived vicariously through our characters.
I look forward to reading more by the author! Huge thanks for sending me an e-copy. All opinions are my own.
I am a huge fan of character development and the author delivered. We see more of the inside view of counterparts and different areas in this title. Which I will admit, I absolutely enjoyed. The mystery of it all kept me hooked throughout the book. And lets just say the romance was definitely more present in this book which I lived vicariously through our characters.
I look forward to reading more by the author! Huge thanks for sending me an e-copy. All opinions are my own.
January 20, 2023
Action-packed
Even without reading the previous two installments of the series, you’ll still fall in love with this book. The story starts all merry with a wedding plan, but all goes south when a disastrous incident happens. The Teryn empire is critical to Lilla and Callum, and more problems crop up, which threatens its stability. S.G. Blaise does a brilliant job in presenting this third installment, with an action-packed plot, and mystery to get you reading through to the last page. It seems like the climax from the previous installments, and it leaves you anticipating for more, and hope the author has more coming.
The story is highly engaging with surprises along the way, which contributes to the action. There are different themes such as politics and tragedy that add more to the plot, and they make the book even more interesting, as it adds to the development of characters, and the story. It speaks a lot about the author, who is keen on adding various details for continuity and appeal. Overall, it is a must read, for sci-fi and mystery lovers.
Even without reading the previous two installments of the series, you’ll still fall in love with this book. The story starts all merry with a wedding plan, but all goes south when a disastrous incident happens. The Teryn empire is critical to Lilla and Callum, and more problems crop up, which threatens its stability. S.G. Blaise does a brilliant job in presenting this third installment, with an action-packed plot, and mystery to get you reading through to the last page. It seems like the climax from the previous installments, and it leaves you anticipating for more, and hope the author has more coming.
The story is highly engaging with surprises along the way, which contributes to the action. There are different themes such as politics and tragedy that add more to the plot, and they make the book even more interesting, as it adds to the development of characters, and the story. It speaks a lot about the author, who is keen on adding various details for continuity and appeal. Overall, it is a must read, for sci-fi and mystery lovers.
January 16, 2023
Proud Pada is the third book in the series. I started it right as I finished book two (True Teryn). The stakes continue to increase, but without jumping the shark. We go from having to save the world from gods to managing the politics and navigating the roots of a civil war. In each story, Lilla maintains her true core: she wants peace and to be happy doing it. Kind of. The trials in the last three books weigh on her, but her successes don’t get to her head. She moves on to the next adventure. I think that makes her extraordinary, and she never loses herself.
With each book, Blaise gets cleaner with her writing. Her world (well, the universe, really) was beautiful in the first book, and the characters were solid. Now the flow comes off like watching a movie. I flew through this book and was upset when it ended, as this is the last book in the series. I hope Blaise continues in this universe, even if Lilla isn’t our focus. Very well-done series. I encourage you to get this book, but more than that, I encourage you to get the first and read them all.
With each book, Blaise gets cleaner with her writing. Her world (well, the universe, really) was beautiful in the first book, and the characters were solid. Now the flow comes off like watching a movie. I flew through this book and was upset when it ended, as this is the last book in the series. I hope Blaise continues in this universe, even if Lilla isn’t our focus. Very well-done series. I encourage you to get this book, but more than that, I encourage you to get the first and read them all.
March 8, 2023
When I saw that the third installment of ‘The Last Lumenian’ series by S.G. Blaise had been released, I was so ready to once again be emerged in the fantastical and magical world of the Seven Galaxies.
In the third book, Lilla is on her next mission as a Sybil travelling to the world of Pada on the trail of a dangerous murderer. But there is more trouble to come when the Teryn Emperor goes missing, putting the Teryn Empire on the brink of civil war in an already troubled galaxy. Can Lilla solve the puzzle in time or will the Seven Galaxies be plunged into even more turmoil?
Again Blaise has created an engaging and engrossing fantasy novel that young adults and grown-ups alike can enjoy. I’ve loved seeing how Lilla has grown over the three books, she has become a strong and powerful female lead who I just love.
In the third book, Lilla is on her next mission as a Sybil travelling to the world of Pada on the trail of a dangerous murderer. But there is more trouble to come when the Teryn Emperor goes missing, putting the Teryn Empire on the brink of civil war in an already troubled galaxy. Can Lilla solve the puzzle in time or will the Seven Galaxies be plunged into even more turmoil?
Again Blaise has created an engaging and engrossing fantasy novel that young adults and grown-ups alike can enjoy. I’ve loved seeing how Lilla has grown over the three books, she has become a strong and powerful female lead who I just love.
January 24, 2023
Proud Pada by S G Blaise is the Book 3 of The Last Lumenian Series. The book revolves around Lilla, who sets on a mission to find the mastermind behind a murder that takes place, leading her and her friends to the Pada world. The author, S G Blaise writing makes this book stand out. The picturesque descriptions of the scenery (especially from the waterfall scene) of that universe that she provides heighten one’s senses through words alone. Her descriptions of the creatures reveal their features, movements, and expression, sparing no detail. Every alternate chapter has a gripping end that tempted me to continue reading. Lilla’s friendships are admirable as they stand by her for better or worse, but they do not follow her blindly. Rather, they question her when she is wrong and stand up for her when she cannot do it for herself. The glossary at the end makes the read smoother by giving all the information to be known. Overall, a well-edited book. Though this book is the third part of The Last Lumenian Series, the author provides enough references to understand the context in which this story takes place and to know the characters through a brief history. The magical elements of the book are more culturally rooted, making it an interesting read. While reading this book, I enjoyed that the author jumps right into the story from the first page without beating around the bush. This series is a must-read for fantasy readers as the magical aspects of this series are interesting and different from the rest.
February 1, 2023
Lilla has been accepted as a Sybil and is about to marry Callum when catastrophe strikes, a murder occurs and the culprit must be found, Lilla, Callum and their friends set off on a mission to bring the murderer to justice and here's where the high octane adventure begins, bringing with it plenty of excitement, intrigue and anticipation.
Whilst it is probably not necessary to read the first two in the Last Lumenian Series before reading the third instalment, it will probably help you get into the flow of the narrative and understand the primary concepts that run through all three. Plus, if you do read the first two novels, you will already be well acquainted with our hero, Lilla. Proud Pada is a well thought out extension of the concepts from the earlier books in the series with a great storyline to go with it. The characters, as always with Blaise books, are engaging and very likeable. The book is pretty fast paced and got me hooked and engaged very quickly. Definitely worth the read.
Whilst it is probably not necessary to read the first two in the Last Lumenian Series before reading the third instalment, it will probably help you get into the flow of the narrative and understand the primary concepts that run through all three. Plus, if you do read the first two novels, you will already be well acquainted with our hero, Lilla. Proud Pada is a well thought out extension of the concepts from the earlier books in the series with a great storyline to go with it. The characters, as always with Blaise books, are engaging and very likeable. The book is pretty fast paced and got me hooked and engaged very quickly. Definitely worth the read.
May 5, 2023
Proud Pada is the third installment in the Last Lumenian Series. After completing the task set before her in the True Teryn and successfully melding with the heart amulet, Proud Pada starts with Lilla as the new Sybil to the Archgoddess of The Eternal Light and Order, on a continuing mission to gather the entire Teryn Armada and help the Archgoddess stop the Era War.
Lilla and Callum, despite the odds against them, move ahead with their plans to wed, and when Caderyn doesn’t show, Lilla fears he will succeed in ruining their special day. But something far worse has happened. Someone close to them has been murdered. This not only halts the wedding but threatens the balance of the entire Teryn Praelieum.
Lilla and her friends band together to investigate the death and the magical mysteries surrounding it and this leads them to Pada. Finding the killer seems an impossible feat with so many obstacles working against Lilla, the Dark Lord of Destruction (DLD) influencing chaos, surmounting political unrest, the threat of a civil war, and the Goddess Laiose out for revenge.
S.G. is a brilliant story-teller. She effortlessly weaves together the intricacies of a political coup with the delicacy of friendship, love, as well as the pride that creates a wedge between peoples, and does so in such a way you can easily understand. There are multiple storylines and twists and you are immersed in them all without being confused or the story seeming muddled.
Amazing writer!
I absolutely loved Moira. She was in a sense Lilla’s peripheral vision, seeing all that Lilla did not; helping her remember that she was strength those times Lilla forgot. Lilla is coming into her own and has so much strength! She leads with her heart and empathy and this is why she has become one of my favorite book heroes!
I can not wait for the next book!
Lilla and Callum, despite the odds against them, move ahead with their plans to wed, and when Caderyn doesn’t show, Lilla fears he will succeed in ruining their special day. But something far worse has happened. Someone close to them has been murdered. This not only halts the wedding but threatens the balance of the entire Teryn Praelieum.
Lilla and her friends band together to investigate the death and the magical mysteries surrounding it and this leads them to Pada. Finding the killer seems an impossible feat with so many obstacles working against Lilla, the Dark Lord of Destruction (DLD) influencing chaos, surmounting political unrest, the threat of a civil war, and the Goddess Laiose out for revenge.
S.G. is a brilliant story-teller. She effortlessly weaves together the intricacies of a political coup with the delicacy of friendship, love, as well as the pride that creates a wedge between peoples, and does so in such a way you can easily understand. There are multiple storylines and twists and you are immersed in them all without being confused or the story seeming muddled.
Amazing writer!
I absolutely loved Moira. She was in a sense Lilla’s peripheral vision, seeing all that Lilla did not; helping her remember that she was strength those times Lilla forgot. Lilla is coming into her own and has so much strength! She leads with her heart and empathy and this is why she has become one of my favorite book heroes!
I can not wait for the next book!
December 29, 2022
Summary
Proud Pada is a scifi fantasy and mystery adventure by S.G. Blaise. It is the 3rd book to the Lumenian Series. After successfully completing her first mission as a sybil to acquire the Teryn armada, Lilla’s story continues. Callum and Lilla are supposed to be wed, but an unfortunate incident happens, leading to the postponement of their marriage. Sachary, Callum’s brother, is found lying on the carpet, lifeless.
Lilla’s second mission to bring the Teryn armada to Cathal is technically completed, so before The Lady orders her to do something else, she must work with Callum to bring justice for Sachary’s death. However, following Sachary’s death, Sawney gets inflicted with Acerbus-infused technology, and Caderyn, their father and ruler of the Teryn has been kidnapped. Now, Callum and Lilla’s friends are on a mission to uncover who is behind the conspiracy before the Teryn heads towards civil war.
Review
I was a fool to believe that the story is predictable. But of course, that’s not how it turned out to be. And that’s one of the things I like about the author’s style in writing. She’ll make you think you know what’s coming next, but you really have no idea. This was one heck of a scifi fantasy and mystery adventure that had me questioning my ability to identify the true enemies. This is also the only book where Callum and Lilla are mostly romantically involved, so readers who are into romance would find this a heart-fluttering read.
Overall, I’m giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. I love the smooth flow of the story, the amusing dialogues, the fascinating characters, and the cinematic setting. I highly recommend this book to readers who have finished the first and second book.
Proud Pada is a scifi fantasy and mystery adventure by S.G. Blaise. It is the 3rd book to the Lumenian Series. After successfully completing her first mission as a sybil to acquire the Teryn armada, Lilla’s story continues. Callum and Lilla are supposed to be wed, but an unfortunate incident happens, leading to the postponement of their marriage. Sachary, Callum’s brother, is found lying on the carpet, lifeless.
Lilla’s second mission to bring the Teryn armada to Cathal is technically completed, so before The Lady orders her to do something else, she must work with Callum to bring justice for Sachary’s death. However, following Sachary’s death, Sawney gets inflicted with Acerbus-infused technology, and Caderyn, their father and ruler of the Teryn has been kidnapped. Now, Callum and Lilla’s friends are on a mission to uncover who is behind the conspiracy before the Teryn heads towards civil war.
Review
I was a fool to believe that the story is predictable. But of course, that’s not how it turned out to be. And that’s one of the things I like about the author’s style in writing. She’ll make you think you know what’s coming next, but you really have no idea. This was one heck of a scifi fantasy and mystery adventure that had me questioning my ability to identify the true enemies. This is also the only book where Callum and Lilla are mostly romantically involved, so readers who are into romance would find this a heart-fluttering read.
Overall, I’m giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. I love the smooth flow of the story, the amusing dialogues, the fascinating characters, and the cinematic setting. I highly recommend this book to readers who have finished the first and second book.
April 30, 2023
"The Proud Pada" by S.G. Blaise is an outstanding novel of mystery and adventure, overflowing with action and thought-provoking moral dilemmas. The cast of characters, both primary and secondary, is enthralling and distinguished, fostering compelling interactions. The protagonist, Lilla, shines as a resolute and principled character, propelling the narrative forward with her ethical choices. The story maintains a harmonious rhythm, gripping readers with alternating moments of suspense and thrilling exploits. The pacing remains captivating, culminating in a satisfying resolution. The prose exhibits mastery and evokes vivid imagery, ensuring an enjoyable reading experience. The book adeptly combines diverse elements, such as murder mystery, training, lore, ethical decisions, and everyday life, crafting an engrossing and captivating narrative. Characterization is solid, particularly Lilla's remarkable development. The dialogue is authentic and diverse, capturing each character's unique voice. The extensive world-building adds richness to the story, delving into deities, interstellar politics, and magic. With meticulous editorial quality, including minimal proofreading errors and well-executed content editing, "The Proud Pada" stands as a literary masterpiece. It flawlessly weaves together exemplary storytelling, compelling characters, immersive lore, and profound moral choices, offering an unforgettable reading experience.
May 18, 2023
A sci-fi mystery adventure with a touch of fantasy and romance...
"Proud Pada" by S.G. Blaise is a unique sci-fi fantasy adventure. The third installment in "The Last Lumenian" series, this book combines sci-fi fantasy with romance and takes readers on an exciting journey through a complex and vividly imagined world. The story follows Lilla, a Sybil on a mission to track down a murderer in the Pada world. However, as she delves deeper into the case, she finds herself caught up in a web of deadly politics and conspiracies. Matters become even more complicated when the Teryn emperor goes missing and the Teryn empire is pushed towards civil war. Lilla must use all her wits and skills to uncover the truth before it's too late, but she can only succeed with the help of the Proud Pada.
While this book is the third installment in the series, the reader can still appreciate it as a standalone novel. The author's writing style is captivating, and the characters are both engaging and memorable, enticing the reader to revisit the previous books. The world the author has created is imaginative, filled with intricate characters, and an enthralling storyline that blends science fiction, fantasy, and romance into a one-of-a-kind and fascinating read. It comes highly recommended for fans of sci-fi fantasy who enjoy elements of mystery, adventure, and romance.
"Proud Pada" by S.G. Blaise is a unique sci-fi fantasy adventure. The third installment in "The Last Lumenian" series, this book combines sci-fi fantasy with romance and takes readers on an exciting journey through a complex and vividly imagined world. The story follows Lilla, a Sybil on a mission to track down a murderer in the Pada world. However, as she delves deeper into the case, she finds herself caught up in a web of deadly politics and conspiracies. Matters become even more complicated when the Teryn emperor goes missing and the Teryn empire is pushed towards civil war. Lilla must use all her wits and skills to uncover the truth before it's too late, but she can only succeed with the help of the Proud Pada.
While this book is the third installment in the series, the reader can still appreciate it as a standalone novel. The author's writing style is captivating, and the characters are both engaging and memorable, enticing the reader to revisit the previous books. The world the author has created is imaginative, filled with intricate characters, and an enthralling storyline that blends science fiction, fantasy, and romance into a one-of-a-kind and fascinating read. It comes highly recommended for fans of sci-fi fantasy who enjoy elements of mystery, adventure, and romance.
September 2, 2025
Thank you to the author and Amazon for the free digital copy.
I did not read books one and two, but I don't think it is necessary prior to reading this. One can catch up with the story fairly quickly.
I was hoping I would like this, because I'm always looking for new fantasy or science fiction series. Unfortunately, I found the writing in "Proud Prada" to be trite and ham-handed, particularly the descriptions of the characters, their clothing, their "hotness", etc. It reads like a YA book and not in a good way. I've read a few YA that were clever and enjoyable, but this is not one. The prose is much like a junior high school student trying their hand at story-telling. Just not good. I gave it 2 stars because S.G. Blaise has managed to publish these, and they may well be someone's cup of tea.
If you want to read fantastic science fiction, I would direct you to Adrian Tchaikovsky's stellar trilogy "Children of Time," or Martha Well's "Murderbot" series, or Arkady Martine's "A Memory Called Empire" and it's follow-up "A Desolation Called Peace." If you like the fantasy/magic genre, try Genevieve Cogman's "Hidden Library" series.
I did not read books one and two, but I don't think it is necessary prior to reading this. One can catch up with the story fairly quickly.
I was hoping I would like this, because I'm always looking for new fantasy or science fiction series. Unfortunately, I found the writing in "Proud Prada" to be trite and ham-handed, particularly the descriptions of the characters, their clothing, their "hotness", etc. It reads like a YA book and not in a good way. I've read a few YA that were clever and enjoyable, but this is not one. The prose is much like a junior high school student trying their hand at story-telling. Just not good. I gave it 2 stars because S.G. Blaise has managed to publish these, and they may well be someone's cup of tea.
If you want to read fantastic science fiction, I would direct you to Adrian Tchaikovsky's stellar trilogy "Children of Time," or Martha Well's "Murderbot" series, or Arkady Martine's "A Memory Called Empire" and it's follow-up "A Desolation Called Peace." If you like the fantasy/magic genre, try Genevieve Cogman's "Hidden Library" series.
April 14, 2023
Proud Pada is the third book in The Last Lumenian series. It picks up right where the second book leaves off and takes the reader deeper into the culture of the Pada and their true origins.
Lilla finds herself in an impossible situation again. They have to serve the Arch Goddess of Light in the Era War, but she just can't ignore a murder, especially when she finds dark powers at play. Lilia and her friends have to find the murderer and the clues lead them to Pada.
Pada is a planet I would love to visit. But the people have the same pretentiousness as the Teryns but in reverse. They have powers to manipulate all the elements and they are strong. Soon Lillia is caught between honoring their cultural ways and trying to find a killer.
The twist at the end was surprising, but makes sense all the same. If you want to know more about it, pick up this book and read it. You won't be disappointed.
I would recommend this book to both fantasy and sci-fi readers that love clean reads. It's a fantastic space fantasy.
Lilla finds herself in an impossible situation again. They have to serve the Arch Goddess of Light in the Era War, but she just can't ignore a murder, especially when she finds dark powers at play. Lilia and her friends have to find the murderer and the clues lead them to Pada.
Pada is a planet I would love to visit. But the people have the same pretentiousness as the Teryns but in reverse. They have powers to manipulate all the elements and they are strong. Soon Lillia is caught between honoring their cultural ways and trying to find a killer.
The twist at the end was surprising, but makes sense all the same. If you want to know more about it, pick up this book and read it. You won't be disappointed.
I would recommend this book to both fantasy and sci-fi readers that love clean reads. It's a fantastic space fantasy.
December 23, 2022
S.G. Blaise started off strong when it came to the first and second books in The Last Lumenian Series. So the expectations for the third book are set pretty high. Sadly, the third book wasn't able to be better than its successors. The plot of the third novel was a bit intriguing, though. S.G. Blaise does a good job at making sure that the plot of the third book doesn't take away from the main plot of the series. Not to mention, it's nice that she included a lot more of Lilla's friends and their friendships. The only issue that came up was that there was a part in the book that could have given more details, especially after a certain moment in the book. It also seemed like some of the chapters were fillers. Overall, the book was a nice read and those who loved the first two books in this series would enjoy this one. I'm rating this book four out of five stars.
April 30, 2023
The third book of The Last Lumenia series, Proud Pada by S.G. Blaise was an excellent ride and a genius continuation to the previous installment, True Teryn. I went into this book fully expecting to adore it, and I was not disappointment. The series of events were exciting and full of action and intrigue. I love that our main heroine Lilla took her way to a new planet called Pada in order to track the mystery killer who murdered Callum's half-brother. Her determination and strength are one the qualities I admire more about Lilla and as a whole, it made me love her character. This has been a great read with an adventure that brings quite a different feel. The twists, in addition, are also one thing that wowed me. I also couldn't stress out how much I love the romance aspect in this book as well.
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