In ELDRYAN ELDERS, the fifth installment of S.G. Blaise’s The Last Lumenian series, Lilla (princess-turned-rebel-turned-Sybil) must add “portal protector” to her cosmic resume. Following Meddling Mages, our favorite reluctant cosmic general returns to center stage, leading Teryns to the jungle planet Cathal—where seven ancient portals could turn the tide of the Era War if captured by the Archgod of Chaos and Destruction (or “DLD,” as Lilla irreverently calls him).

Freshly married to the dashing Teryn general Callum, Lilla still hasn’t found her footing as the Archgoddess’s right hand—especially with father-in-law Caderyn perpetually scowling in disapproval. When dark fiends infiltrate the Eldryan society (a civilization hiding behind a force field), Lilla allies with amphibious Neath clans and telekinetic Children of the Cursed to activate seven Guardian sculptures: cosmic gatekeepers guarding portals that could turn the tide of war.

Complicating matters is the cunning Ankhar, DLD’s general, who dangles pages from Lilla’s mother’s journal like some cosmic Instagram influencer teasing exclusive content. The offer? Tantalizing secrets about why Lilla doesn’t look like typical golden-haired Lumenians in exchange for the galaxy-hopping portals. Thankfully, Lilla’s BS detector remains intact, even when tempted with family secrets that would make a galactic tabloid editor salivate.

Blaise continues her signature blend of high-stakes drama with tongue-in-cheek humor—like when Ivy describes Rhona as “a sauntering disapproval personified, poking at everyone with your unnecessarily complex words.” The reunion between Lilla and Callum delivers a genuine emotional payoff, while unexpected allies provide one of the book’s most satisfying “cavalry to the rescue” scenes.

The real MVP of the novel is Lilla’s journey from “deer in cosmic headlights” to “actually competent universe-saver.” Where earlier books showed her reluctantly accepting her cosmic role, ELDRYAN ELDERS presents a more decisive protagonist who stands her ground against Caderyn in ways unthinkable in True Teryn. Her mental tango with Moira (the universe’s sassiest backseat driver) delivers wisdom with the subtlety of a supernova. And when His Royal Stubbornness Caderyn finally chokes out, “it’s time I let you make some decisions, daughter-in-law?” Readers everywhere will slow-clap sarcastically: “Congratulations on finally noticing she’s been right THIS ENTIRE TIME.”

With the twins providing their synchronized commentary and compelling hooks set for the next volume, ELDRYAN ELDERS maintains the series’ balance of cosmic drama and character-driven humor. This installment returns to action-packed pacing while expanding the cosmic mythology with hints of powers that predate even the archgods. In a universe where trillions of lives hang in the balance, it’s refreshing to have a heroine who acknowledges, “I am nothing like you, but I was reckless,” while remaining fiercely committed to her principles—a true Sybil in the making.

S.G. Blaise’s ELDRYAN ELDERS serves another delicious helping of cosmic chaos as Lilla levels up from “reluctant divine spokesperson” to “portal-protecting powerhouse.” With snarky one-liners flying faster than laser shots and father-in-law tension that makes holiday dinners look tame by comparison, Blaise keeps the pages turning while the fate of several galaxies hangs in the balance.

~Edward Sung for IndieReader