Ariel imagined two weeks at Camp Juniper would be a peaceful escape from all the trouble he keeps finding himself in back home in Houston. He expected to exchange his unaccepting family for fresh mountain air, the loudness of inner-city life for calm hiking trails—but he didn’t expect to meet four other campers who’ve been searching for him for hundreds of years. Ariel never imagined that in a past life, he was part of The Diadem: a five-piece superhero team on Mars that was defeated by The Gemini during an alien invasion. Though skeptical at first, Ariel can’t help but consider this story when the four campers begin to display otherworldly powers. As the four campers work to unlock Ariel’s past life memories, they soon discover that they’re not the only ones who have been searching for him. The fate of The Diadem rests on Ariel’s shoulders—if only he can remember his power.
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“A must-read for fans of science fiction. … plot twists are plentiful and come unexpectedly.” — School Library Journal
Gume Laurel III is a Texan, native to the Rio Grande Valley on the southernmost border. For the past decade, he has dedicated himself to crafting literary works that promote inclusion and showcase diverse characters with intersectional identities. The bulk of Gume’s writings are focused on underrepresented groups, especially those from the communities he is a part of: Latine and queer. When he isn’t writing, Gume can be found getting lost on a hiking trail with his dogs Blu and Mouse. For more info on what he’s up to, check out GumeLaurel.com and @TX.Author on Instagram.