A iconic blast of a story about reincarnation & superheroes that will leave you obsessed! Gume is an author to watch!

Thank you so much to West 44/ Rosen Publishing and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.

Ariel goes to summer camp expecting a relaxing two weeks, but soon finds an unlikely group of teens surround him, drawing him in to them. Soon he finds not only is he attracted to a couple of them, he also finds he’s a reincarnated superhero from mars. His summer takes on a whole new direction to what he’d anticipated.

This was wild, it was so full of unexpected twists and turns and never did I expect this would be about teens that were once superhero’s on mars. It was so fascinating and so different to other superhero stories. I was certainly gripped and intrigued where the story was going to go.

I really liked that each person in the group was so different to each other, it really made the whole of them being friends thing work more, because they wouldn’t generally be friends but they once were many centuries ago. It really also help heighten the bewilderment of Ariel when he found out, because he really thought it was all just a prank and not actually real in any way.

This was such a fun fantasy, sci-fi, futuristic book, I honestly didn’t predict the way the story was going to go at all, but I throughly enjoyed it. It was so clever and creative and unique. I enjoyed going on this adventure with Ariel and learning the truth, seeing their abilities and all the shocking revelations and twists throughout.

I had never heard of Hi/Lo Verse books were before The Final Diadem came into my life, and in case you don’t know what they are: they’re books written in verse that are meant to be extremely readable and accessible to all people. The prose is fairly simple and there’s no heavy vocabulary, making them great reads for people for whom English is a second language or anyone looking for a light, easy read.

The simplicity of the writing doesn’t mean it’s not strong, though, and the story was super engaging. I read it all in one sitting because wdym these teenagers are actually superheroes from Mars? I had to know what was going on with all of that.

I loved that each hero had an elemental power but they weren’t the usual elements, which made it a lot more interesting. I really liked Ariel, who felt like he didn’t belong and couldn’t be his true self around his family, only to find that he had another, wholly accepting family he never knew about. When he connected with them, it was fun and exciting. It felt kind of like watching an episode of Sailor Moon.

And the ending… wut. That better be the setup for a sequel, otherwise I’m mad 😂

I’m always amazed at how much story and detail that this author (who happens to be a fellow Floptropican) packs into their HiLo verse novels. I can’t quite explain it, but my brain literally just soaks their words up like a sponge. Anyway, this book was fast-paced and exciting, and has a great story to boot! And no spoilers, but the final page clocked my tea into outer space.

in exchange for my honest review!

This was a fun fast paced novel in verse just like Gume’s other books. Full of sci-fi action and elements of fighting and friendship, this felt like a space anime I would love. Gume is always able to tell such complex stories in short sections/pages and I’m always so interested in the plot and where everything will go. This like his last books was so good and I’m always ready and excited for what comes next!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Rosen Publishing Group, West 44 Books, and Gume Laurel III for the opportunity to read The Final Diadem in exchange for an honest review.

I kind of went in blind with this one because at this point, Gume Laurel III is an auto-read for me. I absolutely love the craft, style, and depth that he takes such short novels through, saying a great amount with few words. P.S. there is a BOOK TRAILER for this novel, and it's super vibing. I absolutely love the character artwork on each side framing the video; it really makes this novel stand out even more to me.

This novel follows Ariel, who is on his way to Camp Juniper, something he is excited about for the summer. As he meets the campers, he finds that there is more to this camp than was advertised on the commercial. Four of the campers approach Ariel and tell him a wildly far-fetched tale: that they believe him to be a reincarnated hero from Mars! All he has to do is touch the Mars soil and his power should activate. This sounds absolutely absurd to him! People from Mars centuries ago, multiple reincarnations, and Martians versus the Gemini (creatures that aim to end the people of Mars)? What?

Another fun ride from Gume Laurel III that did not disappoint. It's mundane beginning into its heroic action-packed sequences, all told in the HiLo novel-in-verse style made for a truly unique and exciting reading experience. A fun sci-fi for teen readers.

Gume’s writing doesn’t fail at keeping me interested and invested. The world he creates in this hi/low verse novel reminds me of why I want to get lost in a book. I didn’t want it to end and with the ending, I sure hope it isn’t the last time we visit this story.

I really enjoy reading from this author! - though I don't generally read much sci-fi so most of this went right over my head, it was a quick fun read! - It was cool to read something a little more out of my comfort zone!

Thank you West 44 Books and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. I’ll always be impressed by how much depth and excitement Gume Laurel III packs into his books!! Ariel is excited to get the chance to spend a few weeks at Camp Juniper away from the disappointment of his mom and stepdad. Especially when their disappointment is over something as ridiculous as his sexuality. Also going to camp means possibly getting to meet tech genius Professor Cuellar, who runs the camp. But things start off weird when he finds himself both drawn towards and annoyed by four fellow camp members. Convinced to meet Itzel, the one he’s drawn to, at midnight he’s hoping that the two might have a connection. Which is weird because they only know each other for a day right? He’s disappointed to find they are joined by Gio, Celi, and Julianna. To his disbelief they inform him that the five of them are reincarnated from superheroes from Mars. Superheroes that were created to defend the people of Mars from The Gemini’s, an alien race who sought to invade them. They lost, but not before Professor Cuellar sent their life forces to earth. Now that they have Ariel they can resume The Diadem, their superhero group, in case The Gemini ever return. Put is Ariel really who they’ve been waiting for? Can he really trust these four strangers? And if it’s true are the Gemini really gone? A fun queer superhero read that is quick and compelling! I enjoyed Ariel and the others and the surprise twist ending! As typical with Gume’s books it consumed it in one sitting! Action packed with a touch or romance, a heartfelt story about knowing your worth, humor, and found family!