TW/CW: Language, fantasy violence

REVIEW:

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

The Sunbearer Trials is the story of Teo, a young transman and demigod who is one of ten selected to compete in the Sunbearer Trials – the winner of which becomes the Sunbearer and protects their world, and the loser of which becomes a human sacrifice whose essence keeps their world going. This book is the story of those trials and what happens to Teo and his friends and enemies as they struggle to win.

This is a very fun book and a very quick read. I read it in a little more than a day, because I wanted to find out what happened!

My favorite things about this book:

1.The main character is trans! Yay representation.
2.The Latin American mythology that backs up every sentence. I love how it’s steeped so deeply in it
3.The story and the writing! It was interesting and went fast.

Things I didn’t like about this book:

1. It ended on a cliffhanger!! (Almost literally)
2.Because of 1. there was a lot left unexplained.
3. I could never really understand why Auristela hated him so very much?

All in all, though, this is a really good book that I really enjoyed and which I highly recommend.

The first book I ever read for fun was Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. Those books got me started on reading, and the Hunger Games made me fall in love with books. Stories with deadly competitions are always my favourite. I was so excited when I first heard about this. I will always be a fan of taking elements of popular YA books from the early 2010s and making them queer. I had huge expectations for the Sunbearer Trials, as whilst this was the first novel I’ve read written by Thomas, I have heard nothing but high praise from my friends.

Whenever I read a new fantasy, I love learning about the world. I appreciate world-building that fits seamlessly with the plot. It was very easy to join Teo in Quetzlan, which interestingly contained a lot of elements from our own world. I enjoyed all the references to social media and celebrity life, especially the different names given to platforms like TikTok and Instagram. I loved the little changes to common phrases like “for Sol’s sake”. This made the tone of the story feel quite modern, which I rarely see executed well in fantasy. I adored how these modern elements were combined with the beautifully described cities and buildings, particularly Reino del Sol’s temple. It was easy to picture the gleaming Sol Stones, like powerful beaming stars in the sky. I really relished how the trials were sensationalised by the media in a similar way to the Hunger Games.

The Sunbearer Trials themselves were the highlight of the story. Whenever we were between a trial, I was itching to get to the next one. I loved how the intensity of each trial increased every time, which in turn raised the stakes. I loved the character development and appreciated how the competitors grew more paranoid and stressed as they neared the final trial. My favourite trial was the fourth one. I love Percy Jackson and the Battle of the Labyrinth, and trial four took me straight back to my childhood. You’ll have to read the book yourself to find out why!

However, it was the characters and their distinct abilities that allowed the trials to thrive. I am a huge mythology fanatic, and I loved how unique it was in this story. The different gods and their powers were so engaging. I would have loved to see more of the Academy and how it functioned. If I was a competitor, I would want to be the son of Tormentoso. I adored Atzi, who was one of my favourite competitors. Think Clove meets Storm, and you’ll have Atzi. I loved her powers and how she used them on the offensive. I am thrilled to announce that I have anointed myself president of the Auristela and Niya ship club. Their rivalry was my favourite, and I’d love to see that explored more in the next book. Speaking of Auristela, the twins were also a highlight. Aurelio was the strong but soft boy every YA book must have, and I loved to follow the progression of his relationship with Teo. I warmed up to him as he started to share more of his personality, and really enjoyed learning about what in his childhood had made him so stoic. Teo’s wings were wonderful, and I loved that there was a deeper meaning and storyline behind them. The fact that the birds almost acted as Teo’s familiars, I mean, could this book be more made for me? I think the fact that I loved the full cast of characters says a lot about the story.

The fluidity of gender and sexuality was lovely to see. It was normalised and started with the gods and ended with the mortals. I loved how Sol’s genderless presence was highlighted, and how that informed the gender presentation of many of the characters. I adored how non-binary characters like Ocelo were allowed to be unlikeable, as all different kinds of rep is important, particularly in YA stories. Let young queer youth see themselves as the villain!

I appreciated how the Sunbearer Trials carves its own narrative within the battle royale and popular YA market. It felt more Percy Jackson than Hunger Games. Yet, it doesn’t really need to be compared to either. The ending was intense, and I’m excited to see how the story concludes in book two. When this duology is complete, I’m going to need Thomas to give us at least ONE novel about a previous Sunbearer Trial.

Thank you to MacMillan Children’s Group and the author for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

The Sunbearer Trials is an amazingly built adventure with a robust world of characters and and an ending that left me salivating for the sequel! Teo is your typical teenage protagonist, slightly moody and yet wholly loveable. I so enjoyed learning how the world celebrates gender and has a very inclusive third gender and transgender society. I really appreciated the way that Teo kept the reality of the situation (a competition to the death) at the forefront and, while having clear rivals within the Gold group, kept centering their humanity and place as teens in this centuries-old battle of good and evil. The different dioses and their powers were fun to learn and see how their children, the semidioses, powers manifested. I loved that we got not one but two trans mcs and a strong-af female bestie! I was eagerly anticipating every interaction between Aurelio and Teo, the friends turned "enemies" turned rivals - they're chemistry is amazing and very realistic for their history and their life circumstances. I honestly didn't know what to expect from this novel, having enjoyed Cemetery Boys and only kind of liking Lost in the Neverwoods; but, wow was The Sunbearer Trials an amazing story that I plan to read over and over again until that sequel comes out. The plot twist at the end and the set up for the next books was AMAZINGLY done and I am so excited for the next installment.

This book was probably the best book I've read in years. In ways, it reminds me of VE Schwab's Darker Shade of Magic series, but maybe that's because it was the last time I felt changed by a book.

Teo is the (trans) son of Quetzal, a Jade (lower-ranked) goddess, and he tends to get himself into trouble more often than not. When the Sunbearer Trials arrive, there is a possibility that he, like, all of the other demigods, will be chosen by Sol, the most powerful god, to compete. The demigod who comes in first becomes the Sunbearer and will distribute Sol's light to all of the cities in the land, but the demigod who comes in last will be sacrificed to fuel Sol's light. Normally Jade demigods aren't chosen to compete in the Sunbearer Trials... but these trials will be different than any that have come before.

I fell in love with all of the demigods participating in the Sunbearer Trials. Teo is wonderful trans representation insofar that his transness is a part of him - he is still dealing with dysphoria, even after his gender confirmation ceremony - but it doesn't define him. Niya is instantly loveable, and I need a friend like her in my life. Including a deaf demigod surprised me, but the world accommodates Dezi without a second thought. Ocelo is a character I loved to hate, and I had never experienced that with a non-binary character before. Give us more Ocelos and Diose Gurerros!

One thing I've always appreciated about Thomas' writing is how he includes Latinx words and concepts but doesn't overexplain them for non-Latinx readers. I had to look up a few things, and that enhanced my experience. Sunbearer Trials is unapologetically Latinx, and I hope Thomas keeps this as a theme in both the second Sunbearer Trials book and the second Cemetery Boys book.

Overall, 5/5. I'd give this book 10/5 if I could. It was just that good.

Aiden Thomas kills it again. From lovable characters to a plot twist that had plenty of foreshadowing but that I didn’t see coming, I loved every second of this! It’s rare that I can still devour most of a book in a day, but this one sucked me in and didn’t let me go. The casual trans representation still has me grinning, and every one of these characters was incredibly memorable. I thought I had a favorite character, but now I’m at a loss - each character was given a moment to shine and a reason to be loved, and I can’t wait to reread to pinpoint some of the moments I’m sure I missed the first time through. I’m dying to find out what happens next.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for my advanced copy of this book! It is amazing. Aiden Thomas has done it again. I will read whatever they write!!

Best known for Cemetary Boys, a YA standalone fantasy about gay necromancers, Aiden Thomas has stolen my heart with his latest novel. The Sunbearer Trials is the first in Thomas’ new YA duology that follows a trans boy thrust into a competition and is heavily influenced by Mexican culture. If you loved the competition aspect of The Hunger Games series and Throne of Glass, you will absolutely devour this book.

Every 10 years, the Sunbearer Trials are held to ensure that the ruthless Obsidian gods are kept locked away. The winner will bring light to all the Sun Stones while the loser will be sacrificed to provide safety for the next 10 years. Teo, son of Jade god Quetzal, planned to spend his time during the Sunbearer Trials watching from the sidelines with Gold god and best friend Niya. Jade gods haven’t been selected by Sol, the sun god, to compete in the trials for decades. When Teo is chosen to compete with Niya, another Jade, and seven other Golds, Teo is going to have to work harder to avoid ranking last in the competition. Teo and Niya team up to protect Xio, a thirteen year old Jade, from coming in last and being sacrificed. Teo reconnects with a childhood friend turned enemy during the trials and as his feelings for his friend become romantic, it becomes evident that only one can win and that the loser will be sacrificed. Things go awry when someone begins to mess with the competition by making the competitors abnormally violent.

Although this is the first book in the Sunbearer duology, The Sunbearer Trials has cemented this duology as one of the best I’ve ever read. Influenced by Mexican culture and with a mainly queer cast of characters, this book captured my attention almost immediately. Teo, the main character, is trans and the author did a great job of incorporating Two’s struggles with being trans in this fantasy world. Additionally, Xio is also trans and, while not much is known about him, there are a few points in the book where Xio is shown to have gender dysphoria and is in the process of figuring out his identity. Niya gives off strong butch lesbian vibes but also bi wife energy.

Not much is really known about the other competitors since the book is from Teo’s perspective, a Jade god who lives with mortals unlike the Golds who are separated from both Jades and mortals. From what we do see from Teo’s POV, Aurelio, the friend turned enemy and love interest, will do anything to protect his sister and only family that has stuck by him. Auristela, Aurelio’s twin, projects herself as the mean girl when, in actuality, she is really caring and wants her brother to succeed. She is also the person of Nita’s affection and attention. Ocelo, a Gold jaguar shifter, is non-binary and, although they come off as rough at first, they are secretly a cinnamon roll. I’d really love to see more of these side characters in the sequel because it seems likely all the competitors could become really good friends and that some romances could flourish between them (particularly between Teo and Aurelio, Niya, and Auristela, & Marino and Dezi).

I was really intrigued by the mashup that this novel was going to be. Percy Jackson meets Hunger Games sounds fabulous. Unfortunately, I did not find either of these series in this read. The characters did not grab my attention, though I did enjoy the setting. I really wanted more of the setting in the reading of the book, but the nuances of modern language kept bringing me out of the story. This was YA, but much of the characterization felt younger, and it was distracting to have more adult language but with MG characters. Unfortunately, in the end I just did not enjoy this book and won't continue to the sequel.

I loved Cemetery Boys and was so excited for this series and it did NOT let me down!! It’s doing something like the Hunger Games meets Percy Jackson but with Aztec lore and a trans lead (within a diverse cast, too) and it just WORKS so well! The adventure/action bits had me pacing while I was reading, I was so anxious; the characters were all so compelling and unique and interesting; the world building was beautifully done without having to hit us over the head with it too hard. I loved this and think it could really lend itself to a 9th grade ELA class (to go alongside Global 1 curriculum?)
All around, I loved and would recommend this book to any student or educator. Cannot wait for the next book!!! 😭

I haven't read any of Aiden Thomas's other books, but if this book is any indication, I need to check them out! Fast-paced Mexican-inspired fantasy with a main character I couldn't help but root for. I saw it described as Percy Jackson meets Hunger Games, and that is a very apt description. You've got competition and semidioses, strong friendships and hints at maybe romance to come. I look forward to the next book so I can find out what happens next.

Only halfway through the year and I already KNOW this will be my number one favorite book of 2022. I already knew Aiden Thomas was a good writer after loving Cemetery boys and Into the Neverwoods but they have outdone themself. When I heard Percy Jackson meets the Hunger Games I was like hmmm sounds super exciting but really? Really! But better than both. Literally made me love every character, the meme references were so funny, every interaction between Aurelio and Teo had me screaming, the cast is so diverse, and have y'all seen the stunning art of the characters on instagram?? There's trans, nonbinary, sapphic, and deaf characters. I can't wait for book two. This book gave me some emotional damage but it's also full of moments of queer, trans joy.
Tw for child abuse

This review is based on an ARC.

I loved this book, I could not put it down. My inner child was screaming "where was this book when I was younger?!?" I loved how seamlessly Aiden created a world where LGBTQA+ identities could thrive. I want to live in this world. It is a book filled with representation and breathes life to a culture often left in the shadows.

It's hard to put into words how this book made me feel. Every single word had me clinging on for the next, jolting me upward and slamming me back down again.

I've seen countless people say that The Sunbearer Trials is like Percy Jackson meets The Hunger Games. This is true, yes, but it's entirely its own in the best ways. Teo, the MC, isn't a trans Percy or a half-god Katniss. He's Teo, for all of his struggles and depth, and he's magnificent as the main character. I found that all of the characters are so well-written. Side characters that could have easily been one-dimensional means to an end— Marino, Dezi, Ocelo, any of the other competitors in the Trials— really feel personal and autonomous from the author. Aiden Thomas almost makes it too easy to love them all, regardless of fault.

The world building is detailed and vivid. A myriad of communities are built within 400 pages and none feel cheap. I think this is, in part, due to the pacing of narration. Each trial is given the exact amount of time that makes sense for the plot, none feeling too short or too drawn out. I have a bad habit of sometimes reading too quickly through action sequences, but this book had me holding onto every word. Everything written feels necessary, but not bare.

For fans of Aiden Thomas, this will surpass every expectation that you've had of the author, I'm positive of it. I say this as a huge fan of them myself. Cemetery Boys is one of my favorite books, but Thomas has outdone themself with their third book. I cannot wait for more of their supporters to read this one. I often wear my Cemetery Boys merch out in public because I love getting questions about it, and The Sunbearer Trials is just SO good that I'm going to be twice as obnoxious when this merch hits Graveyard Goods.

For those who aren't familiar with Aiden Thomas and their wonderful ability to create magic, this will be the book to make you fall in love. This is the perfect YA fantasy book.

I heard before going into this that it is supposed to be like "Percy Jackson" meets "The Hunger Games" and that could not have been more accurate. The main character, Teo, reminds me of Percy in a few ways, particularly in that they both love mouthing off to the gods in their respective pantheons. The main trio in this book also reminded me quite a bit of the main trio from Percy Jackson, and the way the ending even had some parallels that had me screaming. I'm not sure how much of this was on purpose but I don't care, I absolutely love it either way.

The queerness in this book is beautiful and the way Aiden made it so that being trans is a celebrated part of this fictional world made me so happy. I always love queer books that don't have any queerphobia but I can't remember the last time I read a book where the queerness was written into the world building in such a beautiful and natural way. Aiden made it so that it's not only widely accepted in his book, but widely celebrated among the dioses and semidioses through gender affirming ceremonies without a transphobe in sight. It was so refreshing and the queer joy made my queer heart very happy.

This is the second of Aiden's books that I have read and the second of his books that I have loved enough to give five stars ("Cemetery Boys" being the other). And I will be very (im)patiently waiting for them to release their sequel to the "Sunbearer Trials" and I will be pushing all of my bookseller friends to read it once it's out and pushing it on all the customers coming in

A book that's basically The Hunger Games for demigods? Of course I was gonna give this five stars. When I tell you I could not put this book down. I genuinely have no words to describe how amazing it is. The plot, the pacing, the CHARACTERS oh my gods all of it was so good. I love that there are multiple trans characters and the fact that Sol, arguably the most important dios in this universe, is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns is so special to me. If Percy Jackson is for the people with ADHD and dyslexia, this book is for all the queer, trans, gender non-conforming folks out there. The mythology came alive and I know I'll be thinking about this book for a really long time.

Now, I'm regretting reading it so soon because not only do I have to wait until September to discuss it with people but I have to wait even longer for the sequel! I cannot wait to see what's next for Teo and the rest of the gang. Definitely recommend picking it up when it comes out!

Absolutely obsessed.

You can tell how much the author loves and cares about every single character, to the point where even the secondary characters were memorable and likable-- I would gladly read whole books on every single one of them, honestly. The worldbuilding was amazing-- I would put Reino del Sol very high on the list of fictional places I would love to visit, and that's saying something. I loved the writing, the pacing, the plot, the twists, all of it. I'd say the "Percy Jackson meets The Hunger Games" is actually a pretty accurate description, and it stands up to both of those, but I'd also add some ATLA in there. In particular, anyone who (correctly) thought that Nico di Angelo is trans or that Azula deserved better should read it, tbh.

Also, I feel fully betrayed and personally attacked by that ending, and I already *cannot* wait for the next one.

A new fantasy series perfect for fans of Percy Jackson and The Hunger Games. Aiden Thomas writes another page-turning adventure filled with Mexican folklore and mythology. An exciting journey from start to finish with a diverse and delightful cast of characters. You won’t be able to put this book down.

Thank you NetGalley and Feiwel and Friends for this eARC, the opinions are my own. This book is a masterpiece! I think this is the best fantasy book I think I’ve ever read, definitely the best I’ve read of 2022! Teo is the son of Quetzal diosa of birds, he lives in Reino del Sol where the gods and their children rule and protect the mortals who live there. Sol once created the gods, they first created golds, then jades, then obsidians, and last mortals. Unfortunately the obsidians didn’t like the mortals so Sol sacrificed themselves to stop the obsidians. Every ten years the remaining gods hold The Sunbearer Trails to strengthen the sacrifice Sol made and keep e obsidians locked up. Typically golds are chosen for the trails, jades are rarely chosen and never win. Teo is a Jade semidios, so when he’s chosen for the trails along with another jade it’s hard not to see it as a death sentence, for the loser of the trails is sacrificed. Can Teo survive the trails? Can the help their friends survive? And what if something is wrong with the trails? I loved the pacing of the book and that there was a mix of action and characters figuring out who they were, with neither taking away from the other! Each participant in the trails was likable in their win way, some more then others, but the all had depth, had cool powers and I’m sold! I also loved that all forms of gender were so well excepted an people were allowed to be who they were, it wasn’t even questioned! Is so nice to read! This book is full of Queer and I’m here for it! I honestly think that Teo is my favorite, but if I was choosing based on powers I don’t know who I’d say cause they were honestly all cool! I can’t recommend this book enough, if you like fantasy, especially ones with trails r competitions, then this book is for you! Aidan Thomas wrote a beautiful story! The only sad things is that we have to wait for book two to see what happens and book one isn’t even out yet! But I will be rereading book one when it comes out

As each new decade begins, the Sun’s power must be replenished so that Sol can keep traveling along the sky and keep the chaotic Obsidian gods at bay. Sol selects ten of the most worthy semidioses to compete in the Sunbearer Trials. The winner carries light and life to all the temples of Reino del Sol, but the loser has the greatest honor of all—they will be sacrificed to Sol, their body melted down to refuel the Sun Stones, protecting the world for another ten years.

Teo, a seventeen-year-old Jade semidiós and the trans son of the goddess of birds, isn't worried about the Trials . . . at least, not for himself. His best friend, Niya is a Gold semidiós and a shoo-in for the Trials, and while he trusts her abilities, the odds of becoming the sacrifice is one-in-ten.

But then, for the first time in over a century, the impossible happens. Sol chooses not one, but two Jade competitors. Teo, and Xio, the thirteen-year-old child of the god of bad luck. Now they must compete in five trials against Gold opponents who are more powerful and better trained. Worst of all, Teo’s annoyingly handsome ex-best friend and famous semidiós Hero, Aurelio is favored to win. Teo is determined to get himself and his friends through the trials unscathed—for fame, glory, and their own survival.

The Sunbearer Trials was one of my most anticipated readings and met all expectations.
The premise was a mix between THG and PJ, and although it is much less violent than THG if you can notice the resemblance. The mythology in this book is everything I love, I need to know more about this amazing world.
Aiden's description allowed me to vividly imagine cities and trials.
And the characters, what more incredible beings. Even the rivals that with very few pages allowed you to know who they were and what they wanted.
And romance 🥰 gives slow burn a new meaning.
I need the sequel now!