Fourteen-year-old Diego only knows the rolling hills and pastures of his father's ranch in 1829 California. But in the blink of an eye, his life is torn apart by an extraterrestrial invasion and he is captured by aliens, reptilian warriors. Diego is now a slave on a colossal spacecraft surrounded by technological advances beyond his comprehension. Stranded among the stars, unable to understand the strange language, Diego fights for his very survival and struggles to gain the respect of his extraterrestrial captors. Yet, when his new life threatens to overwhelm him, will he be able to unite his fellow slaves to fight a more deadly enemy or will he betray the trust of Ziron, the ship's enigmatic commander? Can Diego reclaim his stolen freedom and find his way back to the home he once knew on Earth?
In this young adult science fiction adventure, join Diego on an extraordinary journey of courage, loyalty, and the resilience of the human spirit. Will he conquer the stars or become lost in their vast, unforgiving expanse?
Winner of the Royal Palm Literary Bronze Award, 2021 (Florida) and the Oklahoma Writers Federation, Juvenile Gold Award, 2021.