Proud Pada: The Last Lumenian: Book 3 by S. G. Blaise is an adventure of epic proportions featuring a heroine, Lilla, on her next mission as a Sybil. The story begins with Lilla, who is in Cathal with the other Teryns as ordered by the archgoddess. However, due to certain circumstances, Lilla and Callum, her lover, must go to Pada to follow the trail of a ruthless murderer. On Pada, they encounter various obstacles, foes, and friends. The Teryn Emperor then goes missing. With an impending civil war on the horizon, Lilla must find out who is behind all the political and galactic conflicts occurring around The Seven Galaxies.

S. G. Blaise's Proud Pada keeps you immersed in the action from the moment it begins. Blaise crafts a narrative that blends high-tension, action-packed scenes with slow-paced story-telling. With layers of mystery revealed by every turn of the page, we have a perfect balance of a plot-driven story and characters that immerse us more in the world of The Seven Galaxies. Despite the world-building present in the first two installments of the series, Proud Pada introduces us to new worlds and characters that help build up the lore and expand it even more. Proud Pada is a beautifully written and amazingly presented space epic about the importance of culture, identity, courage, morals, and love. I highly recommend this read.

Proud Pada by S. G. Blaise starts on the morning of Callum and Lilla’s intended wedding; they are disappointed when Caderyn does not arrive to officiate. After entering the Teryn spaceship, they learn Callum’s brother, Sachary, has been murdered. The killer’s trail is marked with traces of forbidden magic known as Acerbus. Suspecting the culprit was employed by someone of high standing, they go to Prada where a summit is underway. On Prada, Sawney is attacked, Caderyn is kidnapped, and Lilla persists with the investigation despite several attempts upon her life. Who is the mastermind behind this conspiracy and will Lilla be able to prevent civil war?

Proud Pada by S. G. Blaise is set in a universe full of fascinating cultures and factions. I was amused by the barbarism of the Marauders who employed poison as a matter of course. I was also fascinated by the Devotees of Prada and their mysticism. The Teryns were complicated, with damaging inequalities in their social system, but I appreciated the form of peace they had achieved; this dilemma seemed to parallel some of the class conflicts in human society. I was eager to identify the mastermind behind the murder and highly suspicious of the supernatural beings involved. After that, what I most wanted was to see Callum and Lilla’s wedding ceremony resume. The wedding framework gave the plot character, interest, and an overall sense of symmetry. I also enjoyed the horse and the way it sensed the truth. I can recommend Proud Pada to fans of galactic science fiction.

Proud Pada by S. G. Blaise is a tale in the sci-fi, fantasy, drama, and mystery subgenres. It is the third book in the Last Lumenian series, following the adventures of Lilla. Her intergalactic travels continue as she goes to the Pada world, seeking clues left behind by a vicious murderer. But when Lilla lands in a dark place filled with cutthroat politics and dangerous civil unrest, catching a single killer is the least of her problems. A missing emperor and a world on the brink of war force Lilla to utilize her best diplomatic and investigative skills.

S. G. Blaise works a lot of content into these concise reads, which are always wonderfully paced and rich in details, characters, intrigue, and worldbuilding. I was fascinated by the Pada people and the immersive, realistic details Blaise builds into their culture and people, making it much more compelling as you learn the complex attitudes and tensions in play. The political and dramatic elements of the story are balanced, containing mystery, tenseness, and exposition. There is always something to keep readers on the edge of their seats, feeling confident that Lilla will find the strength and smarts to overcome any problem. I would recommend Proud Pada to fans of the existing series and sci-fi and fantasy fans looking for rich, in-depth fiction.

S.G. Blaise's Proud Pada is a fun and exciting fantasy novel that combines magic, romance, and a little drama. The wedding of Lilla and Callum has been postponed because of the death of Callum's brother, Sachary. While searching for the killer, Lilla discovers a minuscule purple rock that leads them to Pada. Upon arriving in Pada, they are warmly welcomed, and everything is going according to plan until Sawney, Callum's brother, is attacked and injured with Acerbus, and their father, Caderyn, is kidnapped. Are these incidents linked? With only five days, will they find Sachary’s killer? How many more characters will risk their lives in pursuit of the truth?

What I liked about Proud Pada by S.G. Blaise was the intriguing storyline and the suspense throughout the novel. This made the whole reading experience thrilling as I kept guessing what direction the next plot stage would take. The story is set in a world similar to ours, but with one crucial difference: the active existence of magic as an everyday element in the characters’ lives. This makes it interesting, as you have to try to imagine what such a society would look like. The author also developed the characters’ personalities, enabling me to resonate with their feelings, thoughts, and emotions. I also appreciated the plot's steady pace, which was neither hurried nor slowed. Every scene is well executed, and details are vividly described. I recommend this book to people who like to read both dramatic stories and those with some magic.

S.G. continues to amaze me with the Last Lumenian series. Proud Pada was a fun, intergalactic, mystery adventure that kept me on my toes! I’m pretty sure I read the entire book in two sittings because I didn’t want to put it down. I absolutely love the relationship S.G. has created between Lilla and Callum. Their dynamic was so intriguing to read and the mix with Moria just added to it even more. But it was great to see more of the worlds within the Seven Galaxies to understand the vastness of the universe S.G. is creating. I hope we get to see more galaxies in future books.

Read this series!!! I highly recommend for any reader who loves sci-fi, fantasy, and adventure; especially quest. I’m so excited to see what S.G. does next!