Risingshadow has an opportunity to feature a curated Q&A with S.G. Blaise.
S.G. Blaise is the author of The Last Lumenian and its sequel, True Teryn.
Inspired by her own upbringing in Hungary under Soviet oppression, author S.G. Blaise wants young readers to know they don’t have to be perfect to be a hero. A Goodreads reader favorite – over 300 reviews for The Last Lumenian and a 4.5-STAR average – Blaise burst on the scene to scoop up over a dozen prestigious awards in 2020 and is on track to continue the trend in 2021. Her latest release True Teryn comes out in December 2021.
The Last Lumenian #2
by S. G. Blaise
ALL BEGINNINGS COME AT A PRICE. ARE YOU WILLING TO PAY IT?
Lilla must recruit the biggest and most dangerous army in the Seven Galaxies, but the Teryn emperor will not comply unless Lilla earns the blessing of the Teryn Guardian Goddess Laoise.
Dealing with gods is never easy. Guardian Goddess Laoise’s condition for bestowing her blessing is for Lilla to bring her the mysterious Heart Amulet. Now Lilla is trapped in a strange place with no way out, no idea where to go or how to find the amulet.
The only way for Lilla to complete her mission is to uncover the biggest secret of all Teryns. Will she survive discovering the secret of what it means to be a True Teryn?
Q&A with S.G. Blaise
Question: What can readers look forward to learning about the world of The Last Lumenian in book two?
S.G. Blaise: The sequel to the award-winning book, The Last Lumenian, is even richer in world building as Lilla journeys to the Teryn home world. She quickly learns how deadly and unforgiving that place can be. She is a fish-out-of-water, who doesn’t fit into the honor-based society. Her title, princess and Sybil, has no meaning for the Teryns and Lilla has to prove her worth to the emperor.
Question: Why did you want to portray a character who struggles with mental health?
S.G. Blaise: In this day and age, it is so important to create realistic characters that the readers can understand and even empathize with. Overcoming both external and internal obstacles make Lilla, my hero, more relatable. We all battle with obstacles at one time or another, so I wanted to portray a character capable of fighting through them. In particular, her journey to learn that she can trust her friends to help, is a good life lesson for all of us.
Question: How does The Last Lumenian series breathe new life into the Chosen One narrative?
S.G. Blaise: Lilla starts out as a reluctant hero who is the last of her kind. In that sense, it follows the Chosen One narrative. However, her journey blends this narrative with elements of fellowship. She is surrounded by friends that play pivotal roles in her development and the storyline. As the series progresses, there will be twists that will elevate the story from Lilla, the Chosen One, into a much more realistic story that involves others who can step up.
Question: What do you hope readers take away from this story?
S.G. Blaise: I hope readers will take away the message that, “You don’t have to be perfect to be a hero.” Too often we idolize our heroes as symbols of perfection. Yet heroes can come from anywhere, and perfection is not a requirement.
Question: What books and authors inspired you in your writing?
S.G. Blaise: This series had a lot of inspiration, ranging from Star Wars and Lord of the Rings to Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Princess Bride, and Guardians of the Galaxy to name a few.
As to authors, Brandon Sanderson, Robert Jordan, Diana Gabaldon, Patricia Briggs, and Ilona Andrews are all great examples.
One of the main inspirations I drew from these great stories and authors is their rich world-building. I want my readers to imagine a world and see it as if they are walking through it themselves. My goal was to create a cinematic experience, like all of my inspirations did.