Ghosts Aboard Starlight

by Gume Laurel III

Genres: Science Fiction

200 pages, Paperback

Published February 16, 2026

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Steff Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always found novels in verse rather fascinating, a fun way to explore a story. In the case of Gume Laurel III's Ghosts Aboard Starlight, this was the first time I've happened upon one that wasn't in a contemporary setting. I have to say, I rather enjoyed the plot of this, though it certainly moved a bit too quickly for my liking given the format everything was in. I'm not sure that I ever felt truly connected to any of the characters and there were definitely times when I felt myself getting lost from what was happening, needing to backtrack in order to reaffirm that I'd caught everything necessary to leave the story with a full understanding of the events.

I'm fairly certain that this was a standalone story, the ending to it feeling very Jumanji-like in nature, which was kind of cool in its own way. But I think it also opens up for the possibility of something more in the future, which I liked as well. Though this probably isn't a story that I'll revisit, I definitely enjoyed the reading experience. The Sci-Fi aspect of everything was super intriguing.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

Ghosts Aboard Starlight is written as a HiLo novel-in-verse telling the first-person perspective story of Ome Olin. The premise of the novel was a bit hard for me to understand at first, but once I figured it out, the story was vastly intriguing. AI has truly become what we in today's day and age may fear it to be: self-governing and human-enslaving. Ome is part of an enslaved group of humans who have escaped the AI known as Gemini.

In their escape, they seek a new livable planet, but that may take many years. Ome and his people must succumb to a form of cryo-sleep in order to make the journey. In this cryo-sleep, the people live in a virtual world called Starlight. Ome has found refuge here as a triceratops shepherd (pretty neat, right?). But in this virtual reality of cryo-sleep, a dark omen visits Ome, and the Gemini AI might not be left behind as the survivors would hope.

Ome puts it upon himself to seek aid as well as to potentially confront the threat all on his own in order to save humanity from the vengeful AI.

Another fun poetic novel from Gume Laurel III, whose other works I have greatly enjoyed (The Final Diadem, The Brujos of Borderland High, Solar Punks, and my personal favorite: Samson & Domingo). While I love the more contemporary realism the author does, his use of paranormal and now explorations into space have been very fun adventures. Under the surface, there's always a lesson about humanity, whether it is about gender, culture, science, or technology. While the premise of Ome's story is interesting and makes for a fascinating sci-fi adventure, it also shows the dark side of technology and a future humanity might face if the AI technology and progression continues the way it is.

A great novel for teen readers seeking something unique and different, as well as lovers of science-fiction and even some near-future speculation.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my second book by Gume Laurel III and I really enjoyed it!

This scifi tale is told in verse and was a quick but captivating read which I suspect will stick with me for a long time. I love that there's dinosaurs, I love that humanity is pushing back against the machine opressors. I love that Ome Olin, our main character, must figure out the way forward and how to protect his flock.

I don't want to say much more about what happens as I enjoyed expericing everything unfold without much context going in. The story is lyrical and has a really nice flow to it following Ome Olin as he wakes up and tries to get a handle on his surroundings and new reality. It's very impressive how much is conveyed within the story and it also of course leaves room for your brain to dream along with the book and perhaps fill more detail in as you read. Maybe that's just how I read, but it definitely means that this author's novels in verse continue to be a big hit for me.

Something new to me, is that this is specifically a "hi/lo verse novel" where hi/lo stands for "high-interest, low-readability." One aim of hi/lo novels is (quoted from Renaissance.com) to "engage struggling readers and boost reading confidence." That said, hi/lo novels are not just for struggling readers, but a different way to experience a story for readers of all ages and genres. It's also very gratifying to quickly read an entire book and I will gladly argue that it is very much a book, even if it's written in verse, aka poetry, and a quicker reader.

I look forward to checking out more stories by Gume Laurel III.

I received an earc of this book from Rosen Publishing Group, thoughts are my own.

Content Warnings: Slavery, Gun violence, Violence

[Joey Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

What an absolutely unique futuristic space dystopian story, wow it was riveting and fast paced. So much happened within the space of the story. Now in Starlight a dream world his mother helped create, hiding from the Gemini. Ome Olin learns how to care for a flock of triceratops, whilst also uncovering a ghost virus that’s invaded their safe lands.

I loved that we had dinosaurs in this story, triceratops to be exact, it was fun that he was a Shepard to them and they were his flock for him to learn the trade and how dedicated to them he was and they were to him. It really helped him hone in his skills to become the Shepard aka the leader he was always truly meant to become.

The robot uprising backstory was something that’s starting to become reality, so it sets the creepiest backstory. These Gemini making human kind do everything for them under harsher conditions was spot on to what you’d now expect from a futuristic and dystopian world.

I really loved how twisty the story was from who the Ghost was, where it came from, to Ome Olin going to find out more answers for the symbols he saw, to then solving everything. But then we got another wrench in the story in the epilogue which leaves you completely hanging.

This was honestly such a unique, really creative, truly engrossing, kinda creepy dystopian verse book. I had an absolutely great time reading it, the dinosaur flock was my favourite though, I adored the relationship he made with each of them and how they were so united together.

[Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you West 44 Books and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. Once again blow away by how much depth Gume Laurel III is able to pack into his in verse novels! Ome Olin’s people managed to escape years of imprisonment from The Gemini, a race of AI, back on their homeland Lunar Machina. Now what’s left are aboard the ship Pluto in a cryo-sleep called Starlight, while they search for a new home. Starlight allows them to enter a kind of virtual dreamworld while their actual bodies remain frozen and preserved. In Starlight they can create anything. Ome lives peacefully tending to his flock of triceratops. That is until some mysterious orbs appear and make symbols in the wheat near his home. Symbols that appear to be the symbols of The Gemini. Is it possibly that they have found them and entered Starlight? In order to find out Ome may have to leave Starlight, but once you exit you can’t return. In order to save the remainder for his people he may just have to sacrifice himself. Can he succeed or will The Gemini once again rule them? A fast paced story that is exciting, thrilling, and emotional! Highly engaging with a twist ending! I absolutely adore Gume’s stories and have found each one to be better than the last! Absolutely recommend checking this out!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I stumbled upon this book on TikTok, two things stood out to me immediately: Triceratops & a story about grief.

What I was delighted to also discover was that it was also a story told in verse.

We follow Ome as he is being moved from his galaxy to a new galaxy that is compatible with human life in order to escape their AI overlords. However, because the distance is so far the humans enter the Starlight in order to keep their bodies and minds in a sort of stasis during the journey. The Starlight is basically a virtual reality for them to hang out in.

Ome wakes up to see his mother, who is dead in his real life, welcoming him to an isolated field and teaching him to be a shepherd to a flock of triceratops. To a degree Ome knows his mother is dead but as he is "not ready to exist without her" he chooses to believe she is there with him to have more time with her. The language surrounding Ome's grief at losing his mother (and his entire family, but his grief is mostly discussed in relation to his mother) was beautiful.

Overall it was a quick little scifi story about what it means to lose everything and to forge a pathforward anway.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review

[Dario Pacheco · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always I like to thank the folks at Netgally, West 44 Books & Gume Laurel The Third himself for allowing me the honor of continuing to follow his writing journey. I am forever thankful and my review is a honest reflection of my feeling towards this book.
I am always pleasantly surprised with each book Gume comes out with. He takes you on a journey from places here on earth to the flights across the stars. And now we step into virtual reality, where humanity has taken refuge while they look for a new home away from a world where a AI force, called The Gemini, has enslaved them.
We follow a young character, Ome Olin; as he awakens in this world. Suffering the loss of his family and adapting to his the virtual world. But the Gemini isn’t too keen on letting their work force escape and their shadow follows our main character into the virtual.
I loved this book. Plain and simple and to the point. Gume has blown past my expectations with each novel he has released. And this one is another knock out of the park.
A quick and engaging read that will stick with you long after you turn the last page. This writer deserves more of a spotlight on him.
5 stars

[jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is no easy task to fit an entire story into verse and still make it as compelling as Ghosts Aboard Starlight manages to be. Given the format, the plot moves rather fast. However, I wasn’t bothered by this at all, since I ended up rereading various parts of the novel, pausing over lines, and finding new nuances with each return. Rather than sacrificing depth, the verse format invites a more attentive and rewarding reading experience.

There’s something very fitting about writing a science-fiction novel about humanity in verse-form. Scifi so often asks the question: what does it mean to be human? There are many different answers to this – and none of them are definitive – however, I do think Poetry is a very important aspects of this question.

This was a beautiful story about humanity and compassion, somehow futuristic and nostalgic at the same time.

A big thanks to West 44 Books and NetGalley for my ARC!

[Janna Felix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghosts Aboard Starlight surprised me in the best way, blending soft, almost pastoral dreamlike moments with creeping sci-fi dread until I felt constantly off balance in that “something is wrong here” kind of way. The concept alone hooked me instantly: humanity fleeing AI overlords and surviving the journey through a shared virtual dreamworld, only for that supposed paradise to start glitching. Ome Olin living as a gentle triceratops shepherd is such a strange, tender image, and that quiet, cozy beginning makes the unraveling reality hit even harder. I loved how the story balances big existential questions about consciousness, freedom, and control with one person’s desperate need to protect his community. The mystery of Starlight and the looming threat of The Gemini kept the tension simmering, though a few sections felt a bit abstract and slowed the momentum for me. Still, the atmosphere, originality, and emotional core carried it through. A thoughtful, eerie, and unexpectedly heartfelt sci-fi journey that lingers long after you close the book.

[Lilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not the first novel told in verse, but it is the first one I've read; I read it as an ARC through NetGalley. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The layout of the words, while visually interesting, made it difficult for me to sit down and read straight through, but was wonderful for me to digest it in little pieces whenever I had a few minutes. So much could be conveyed with as little as ten words on a page.

Humans attempt to flee their AI overlords aboard Starlight. The main character's journey flows similar to my bizarre dreams, in which you just accept as you go. He is eventually faced with a standoff that will determine the fate of his flock. I enjoyed the mash-up of space, computers, and dinosaurs.

This is one I will likely buy a physical copy of once released.

[peregrine · Rating 5 out of 5]

many thanks to the author, publisher, and netgalley for sharing this ARC with me!

wow this is beautiful!! this is the first book in verse i’ve ever read, and it has really set the bar high. the descriptions were gorgeous and engaging, the story itself was intriguing. the author gives the reader a perfect amount of background to pull them in. the ome we see here, and his interactions with others, makes me want to know the ome from before, to understand more of how he’s garnered such a reputation of shepherding.

this story was so perfectly contained yet expansive in the worlds it shows, especially with that epilogue. very excited to read more from this author!!

[Ona Gritz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gume Laurel III’s Ghosts Aboard Starlight is such a timely read in these early days of AI. It brings us into a post-apocalyptic world where humans have only just escaped slavery at the hands of machines. The story is vivid, poetic, and truly compelling. It’s an adventure, but also a moving and wise exploration of grief, loss, and self discovery. Sci-fi fans are going to love this one and those new to the genre are sure to become quick converts.

[Joe Trotter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent YA HI-LO Verse book from author.
I love Gume’s writing style, and all the details and nuances he creates with succinct sentences and page structure.
Fantastical story with dinosaurs, virtual reality, planets, SCI-fi, humanism, diversity, ACE rep, and more.
Also love how all of Gume’s verse novels are linking up and we’re slowly getting these clues/shares as each story is released.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a unique novel in verse. I loved experiencing a sci-fi novel in this way. Completely unique and different concept. The main character is well written with just enough mystery. I enjoyed the suspense and adventure in this novel, unlike any other novel in verse I’ve read so far.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC

[Owen Lach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like a perfectly preserved fossil, Ghosts Aboard Starlight strips a story down to its most vital, beautiful bones. Watching Ome excavate the truth beneath his world's digital surface offers plenty of thrills and a timely message of hope in this gripping verse novel. He's a hero young readers are sure to love.

[Book.Dragon.Page1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story sounded really interesting and it really was! I loved the dinosaur herd and the world the writer created! I didn't like the writingstyle, that's a personal preference but it kept me from really connecting to the characters and the story.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy. All my opinions are my own.

[Singe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dinosaurs.....sign me up! Especially Triceratops, my favorite dino.
4⭐️ Thank you NetGalley for the arc

Written in a HI/Lo poerty verse, so the pacing and story moves very fast. Not big on syfi but this is something different about this story. Kinda reminds me of a syfi Dinotopia.
Perfect quick read !

[Elsa Rosell · Rating 5 out of 5]

GHOSTS ABOARD STARLIGHT by Gume Laurel III

"You are her ghost." She says, "What are ghosts but clusters of memories? Shards we struggle to piece back together. Bits of information escaping deletion."

Fleeing their AI overlords, the Gemini, humanity’s last survivors are bound for a distant solar system in a state of virtual cryo-sleep known as Starlight. In this digital dreamworld, Ome Olin lives a quiet life as a shepherd until strange symbols and a mysterious visitor reveal a terrifying truth: the simulation is compromised. To prevent a second enslavement, Ome must uncover the secrets of Starlight and find a way to lead his community back to reality before it’s too late.

After having read all of Gume Laurel III's hi-lo verse novels, I can say Ghosts Aboard Starlight is the one that has left me with the greatest sadness.

Set in a dystopian world where AI —the "Gemini", an evident nod— have enslaved humanity, we follow Ome Olin, a teen who has managed to escape the planet alongside other humans on a space colony. I say this book was saddening in the sense that it lacked the environmental positivism that others of Gume's books featured (Solar Punks, namely), and was covered in a feeling of existential dread that is familiar to many readers in our current climate.

Many aspects of this story were reminiscent of the Scythe trilogy, mainly the Starlight as Thunderhead and the futuristic, spaceship setting. But all of these elements, which felt somewhat familiar, were permeated by a mix of nostalgia and grief for what was lost on their planet. I must confess I cried several times, as I had become quickly attached to Ome Olin, his herd, his friends, and his memories of life on Lunar Machina.

All of Gume's books have a life lesson at their core —Samson & Domingo and The Brujos of Borderland High is about self-acceptance; Solar Punks, about community; The Final Diadem, about self-discovery. This time, I believe Ghosts Aboard Starlight is about grief, and this book, instead of brushing past it, stays true to the feeling: it never quite goes away, one simply keeps building on top of it.

As always, the hi-lo verse format makes this a quick, engaging, and enjoyable read, accessible for many yet not sacrificing its depth and meaning. If you're looking for a short read that'll leave you thinking for a long time, consider Ghosts Aboard Starlight.


**Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own**

[me _ librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

this should be marketed as a book of poetry with a through line. it wasn’t substantial enough to be a novel in verse. reminds me of a less meaty six wakes.’ why triceratops?

great to have gotten an arc through the rosen publishing group and netgalley✌️