I LOVE competition-centered fantasy, and THE SUNBEARER TRIALS was such a beautiful book! I still think about the scene where Teo gets his wings all the time and get teary <3 Aiden Thomas is an autobuy for me

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me free access to the digital book.

I immediately knew I was going to pick up this book when I heard it was giving Percy Jackson and Hunger Games vibes… two of my favorite middle school grade reads. Add the fact that it is queer?? SOLD. Loved it. Quick read that satisfied the itch. And I love the cover so much!

I will *always* read anything Aiden Thomas writes.

This one did not disappoint. I loved the Hunger Games x Percy Jackson approach that Thomas injected with his own new and interesting spin. I’ve never read a book exploring Mexican mythology and found that aspect so intriguing and fascinating.

And a deadly Compensation? A trans MC? A crush on a fellow competitor and former friend? Omg sign me upppp the tropes are troping.

This book is more than just a Hunger Games style YA novel. It involves a main character who grapples with personal identity while competing in dangerous and essential games. Being the child of a goddess, but of a lesser community, Teo doesn’t expect to get chosen for the games– but does. All the while, Teo struggles with being trans. This colorful and imaginative book is Thomas’ best work so far, in my opinion. It gripped me until the very end.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Cemetery Boys is one of my favorite books of all time so when I saw the cover, I knew I would need to read it right away. The author did not disappoint with this book! It was so good and the rep was even more grand than we saw in the Cemetery Boys. The story was beautiful, flawless, and so descriptive. I loved that all of the characters were flawed and fleshed out completely. That being queer is so normalized in this world and the author has represented Mexican mythology so beautifully.

I just can’t rave enough about this book. Please read this book. I can’t wait for book 2 and all other books by Aiden Thomas.

The Sunbearer Trials is a fun introduction to a new high stakes series where a group of teenagers must fight to survive and to have the honor of being the Sunbearer who brings Sol's lights to the temples for another decade safe from the Obsidian gods and the monsters that hunted alongside them. They begin to see the flaws in these trials as things take a turn for the more dangerous and downright odd. And start questioning in earnest as the time draws nearer to name the Sunbearer... and the sacrifice.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Children’s for this DRC.
Teen semidioses are selected to compete in the Sunbearer Trials. Teo, who has no interest in competing is unexpectedly chosen, luckily his best friend is also competing, but so are some very tough and powerful teens who will do anything to win. Aiden Thomas brings a fresh flavor to competition and survival. I loved the characters and the world building. Can’t wait for book 2.
#TheSunbearerTrials #NetGalley

"The Sunbearer Trials" by Aiden Thomas is a captivating and imaginative fantasy novel that immerses readers in a world of magic, adventure, and trials of strength and character. Thomas' storytelling prowess shines as they craft a tale of courage, discovery, and the power of destiny. The book's richly developed world and well-defined characters create an immersive reading experience that resonates with young adult readers. Thomas skillfully weaves together elements of fantasy and adventure, leading readers through a journey filled with challenges and self-discovery. "The Sunbearer Trials" is an enthralling read that offers a thrilling escape into a realm where magic and bravery intertwine, leaving readers eagerly anticipating each new twist and turn. As the trials unfold, readers are left with a sense of wonder and anticipation for the epic adventures that lie ahead.

I used this book in my college young adult literature course. The students absolutely loved it, and it inspired them to buy more of Aiden Thomas' books. This is a beautiful text and very well-marketed!

As a queer puerto rican and a fan of both this books inspiration and Aiden Thomas himself, this book delivered in every way it possibly could. Aiden Thomas could never disappoint. I saw so much of myself so much in Teo, and I am so nervous for what is to come for him.

Aiden Thomas creates such compelling worlds and characters and draws his audience in so majestically without fail every time.

Aiden Thomas never ceases to amaze me. I hate that I waited so to read this, and I’m very scared and impatient for its sequel. It isn't too often that pitches are true to their word, but this very much was true to its word of being a hunger games meets Percy Jackson story. I truly came to love many of the character and became invested in how they might succeed and feared where they may fail. I need its sequel immediately!

As always, Aiden Thomas writes the most atmospheric books! The final few scenes are burned into my memory even weeks after reading this. I did see the "twist" coming but it didn't make it hurt any less. I can't wait for the sequel!

Oh my gosh. Words cannot adequately describe how much I love this book. Watching Teo become a sideline semidiós into a hero was amazing. It wasn’t instantaneous either. The build up of his confidence grew with every challenge, as did his relationship with the other competitors. The world building was just as natural, taking aspects of Mexican/Latine culture and reforming them into this magical world. The pacing was brilliant, offering high stakes competitions balanced with character building outings in the cities.

Gender and sexual identity are not treated as an “other” aspect of life, but as something accepted and celebrated, especially with a genderless Sol god.

The only thing that took me out was the shoehorning of social media. It was unneeded, especially with the cheesy renames, but it is otherwise an amazing read and I can’t wait for book two.

This book was gifted in a giveaway.

I enjoyed this book! It was such a fun and new read. I will for sure be looking at more from this author! Full review will be written soon.

So glad I finally got to this book! Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get to this book when I won it and life got in the way. But I am so glad I read it. It definitely deserves the hype. What a unique story thats wonderfully written. A great balance action and adventure in this Mexican inspired fantasy tale that highlights a hunger games like trials. Couldn’t put it down!

Full of vibrant, interesting characters, this story leaps off the pages. The premise of the novel is fresh, new, and unique. It carves its own place out on the shelf amongst other fantasy, mythology retellings and is almost constantly checked out at the library. This book is easy to convince readers to pick-up, you mention Percy Jackson melted with the Hunger Games with a queer, Mexican twist and teens are hooked!

It’s a very lighthearted and enjoyable read! Although it’s YA, it’s more similar to middle school aged reads like Percy Jackson than I expected.

Aiden’s work is always a joy to read, his characters are well developed and god, the representation. I really wish I had Aiden’s books growing up!

Teo is an unlikely choice to compete in the Sunbearer Trials, a competition to decide the victor and sacrifice to keep the world safe from the Obsidian gods, as he is only a Jade semidios and ranked lower than the Golds who train for this honor. Despite this, the Sun god selects him for the competition, and he must face conflict in the arena and within himself to survive and make sure his friends survive with him.

The Sunbearer Trials brings Teo and his friends through tense battles with gorgeous prose and Mexican-inspired worldbuilding. I was on the edge of my seat rooting for Teo to think his way through the artfully crafted tasks made to test to the semidioses. I only wish this book had been able to spend more time developing the characters, both the semidioses and their parents, so the twists and turns would feel a little more grounded. Overall, I loved this book and was surprised many times as the story weaves through plot twists. I can’t wait for the sequel.

The Sunbearer Trials
Aiden Thomas
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5)

spoiler free

summary/plot: The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas tells the story of Teo, a Jade semidiosa who gets picked to compete in the sunbearer trials with Golds. I really liked the pace as it was fast paced but the pace never really changed.

characters: I loved Teo and honestly I loved reading from his pov. I also loved just how the other characters were so different from each other and they each had their own characteristics.

what i liked: The representation in it was awesome, and honestly very normalized within. So that made me happy.

final thoughts: Aiden Thomas will honestly never fail to make me feel so seen and so happy as a trans person. This was truly a great read. I have a slight theory of something that I'm not going to mention cause of spoilers, but it makes me excited for the next book.

Thank you Netgalley and Fierce Reads for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review!

The adventure, the mythology, and the moxie. This book has it all. Thomas does Mexican mythology a favor by creating the Sunbearer Trials and introduces the masses to a beautiful culture. The writing is lush and descriptive, with care and effort given to depict each location. The sounds, the smells, and the sights are all depicted in a way that has you absorbed. The action? Fast paced, not too confusing, and extremely exciting. After the initial figuring out the gods that comes with any mythology, this book is endearing. Trans rep, found family, and a potential enemies to lovers? Sign me up!