I really enjoyed Cemetery Boys when I read it back in 2020, and while I have yet to read Thomas’s other recent release, I was super excited when The Sunbearer Trials was first announced. I’ve always loved stories about competitions, especially when blended with mythology, and this seemed like a fantastic new book with exactly those things! And honestly, it was! This was fun, full of diverse characters, and a wonderful dive into mythology that is less frequently seen in published stories.

I saw some reviews comparing this to Percy Jackson, and honestly, it’s a fair comparison! I feel like it has a similar energy and atmosphere to Riordan’s work, while still being wholly unique. There’s this incredible range of characters that complement each other well, and they all felt quite developed, even if they were only side characters. There’s also just this core of goodness at the center of the story, and especially within Teo, who seems to just want to do good and be good for a large part of the story. This, combined with a competition and world that is honestly quite gruesome when you think about it, makes for an interesting contrast, one that I can’t wait to see explored further in the next book as the consequences of the ending of this book become clearer.

There were moments where this book felt quite young, especially considering Teo is 17. I think it might just be the writing style, as I remember feeling similarly about Cemetery Boys, and I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing overall! I feel like it generally just lends some additional lightness to most of the story, which works with the overall energy the story seems to have anyway.

The only reason this book was a 4-star read for me, rather than 5 stars, was that I wasn’t as into the competition as I hoped it would be. I felt like I sometimes got a little lost in the trials, and I feel like this was partially due to Teo’s wavering motivations. While he was always technically motivated, his goals seemed to fluctuate, sometimes even within one trial. He shifted between wanting to win and do well for himself, to perhaps even be the winner, to wanting to make sure he focused solely on making sure all his friends made it. I feel like these two goals could’ve been blended better, as instead I sometimes felt lost as to what I was actually supposed to be cheering for. Did I want Teo to smash the competition and win? Or wait, was I supposed to be hoping he’d turn around and help his friends first? There often didn’t feel like there was a singular outcome to support, which makes sense because this was also a struggle for Teo himself too, but it ended up removing some tension from the trials for me.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and I’m anxiously awaiting the sequel to see what happens next after that cliffhanger!


Review will go live on my blog on February 3

This book is absolutely chef’s kiss. I love the sprinkle of mythology, the trials, the culture that seeped through on every page. But what takes the cake and had be absolutely sobbing was the fantastic representation. Characters just got to be themselves and it didn’t have to be a big deal. This made my heart so happy. I can’t wait for book 2.

Another cute, solid book from Aiden Thomas.

Thomas has a gift for writing characters I immediately fall in love with. Pair this with a fun, Percy Jackson-esque vibe, and you've got a great book!.....for the right audience.

I think this book will do great with teenagers, but I'm not the intended audience for this book, and that's okay. I still think it was a lovely read, very fun and quick, with Thomas' signature quick wit.

There was a lot to enjoy about this fun Mexican mythology inspired challenge. The world illustrated through Teo's eyes, especially in the beginning as he moves through the market, seems wonderful and full of life and character. Skip the challenge, I would have just enjoyed hanging out in Teo's world for a while.
But into the Sunbearer Challenge we jump, and the friendship that develops between Jades Teo, sweet Xio and Gold Niya was wonderful.

But it did read a little more middle grade, than young adult, disappointingly and despite the possibility of death for one of the participants of the Sunbearer Trials, the stakes never felt truly high for the participants.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book!

I loved this take on The Hunger Games, where the participants are the children of Aztec gods. The writing is evocative and the settings very well described. As usual, we have an underdog protagonist who has unexpected skills, and his loyal companions who help him along the way. The ending is satisfying and makes me desperate to read the next book and see what happens! (Warning: if you don't like cliffhanger endings wait for book two and read them in sequence.) I devoured this book!

<i>Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.</i>

Oopsies, I started this August 2022 and didn’t get past 16% for no good reason, besides maybe the fact that I haven’t read a YA fantasy in a very long time. The writing was fine; I just get overwhelmed when it comes to world-building.

And then I tried again this year and finished it in a day. As it always goes.

Like many other reviews have stated, this is very much <i>The Hunger Games</i> meets <i>Percy Jackson</i>. It’s quick-paced with a group of lovable characters, lighthearted dialogue, and a good sprinkling of action and violence. I thought it was a fun read (human sacrifice plots are fun, right?), although I’m a bit iffy with it being set in the modern world. I think some of the references will date the book and also limit the audience, even if it’s YA. Regardless, I appreciated the rich diversity and fresh spin on otherwise familiar young adult fantasy plot points. I’m notorious for never ever reading beyond book one of a series but I’ll be brave and say it: I’m looking forward to book two.

Aiden Thomas is a best at well written fantasy! He also knows exactly how to represent lgbtq amazingly.
This book had me at magical tournament. It’s very reminiscent of both Percy Jackson and The Hunger Games which is no wonder I absolutely loved it!
I highly, highly, highly recommend everyone read this book, you will not be disappointed!

Holy fuck this was good. I need a sequel IMMEDIATELY. I adored all these characters, which really made the ending hurt in a way I wasn't prepared for. I am sending Aiden Thomas a bill for emotional distress.

WOW truly a masterpiece. Like 0 flaws. Possibly the best YA novel that I’ve read this year. Aiden Thomas’ already great storytelling skills have matured significantly in his third novel, a powerhouse of Mexican-inspired worldbuilding where the half-human children of gods must compete in a series of trials to protect their world. A take on the competition trope that is far from formulaic.

Exceptional fantasy/adventure challenge story with engaging and wonderful diverse characters. All new take on the "Hunger Games" trial concept, which personally engaged me more and felt less surreal. Can't wait for more!

I enjoyed this book even though the plot did not really break any new ground. I loved the inclusion and exploration of the Mesoamerican gods and mythology even though the trial and how the events ultimately unfolded took a fairly standard route. One small thing that tempered my enjoyment was the sassy female best friend who fully supports the main character, something I had already seen in Thomas' first work, Cemetery Boys. Even though the story followed well-trod and familiar paths, I enjoyed the ride and will definitely pick up the sequel.

Fans of Percy Jackson and Hunger Games will be delighted by this story. Teo is a Jade semidios, but not a powerful one, and the seemingly last person to be chosen to participate in the Sunbearer Trials. As the trans son of the goddess of birds, he's flown under the radar his whole life. So when he's chosen for the trials his world is turned upside down as he's suddenly fighting for his life in five mysterious trials.

This was an excellent story from Aiden Thomas, an inclusive adventure that will speak to anyone who has ever felt like the "least likely." I can't wait for the second book of the duology.

Someone said "The Sunbearer Trials" is Hunger Games meets Percy Jackson, and I'd say that was a pretty accurate description. This YA fantasy had colorful worldbuilding inspired by Mexican mythology, which should be more touched on in YA fiction. I love how Thomas brings good representation to their stories.

The competition plotline was unique and exciting, and I enjoyed the mythological setup of the story. It was cool seeing the different gods and their interactions with their demigod children. The characters were also compelling, and I love how Thomas spreads his representation out, not just among the characters we're rooting for, but also those we're warier of. Not everything is black and white, and I think that's what makes Thomas' writing stand out.

The trials were an interesting concept, and I liked how my guesses for the ending kept changing. In the end, I was beyond wrong about most things, which is the best part. I was blown away by that ending and cannot wait for the quest-adventure type book the next in the duology will be.

(Also, this cover is absolute fire.)

I don't even know where to start singing the praises of this book. Aiden Thomas' writing is so rich and gorgeous and vivid. This book is a riot of colors and sounds and smells. It will activate all of your senses. Don't read it hungry. The marketing around this book is pretty spot on- it's Mexican lore/mythology meets Hunger Games but with so much amazing inclusion that is handled without unnecessary commentary- it just is. As it should be.

It's hard to say this sensibly, so I'll just word vomit- but while there is villainy and darkness and suspense, this book is just crammed full of joy from start to finish. The completely normalized representation and inclusion of queer and disabled characters is beautiful and I couldn't help but set this book down feeling hopeful. I recommend this book wholeheartedly to anyone- but particularly if you need a quick and fun read that has darkness within it but left me feeling very light.

Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy!

Aiden Thomas continues to build strong characters and well-paced plots that keep you reading long after you meant to go to bed. Super excited to see where the second book in this duology goes. Recommend for any library that serves high school students.

This is a fantastic book! Aiden Thomas weaves a wonderfully creative story, set in a magical world. I love the world of the gods that Aiden created, and the adventure Teo and this cast of diverse characters are taken on.

Thoughts and Themes: This is a book that I knew I wanted to read before it even was on the shelves. Aiden Thomas is one of my must-buy authors since I read Cemetery Boys and each of his books have been amazing. I don't typically listen to fantasy on audio because I can't always follow along but I decided to listen to this one and follow along on e-book and that was a great experience.

There were so many aspects about this book that I enjoyed, from the world building, to the characters, and the plot. This book grabs your attention from page one and then it never lets you go even after you finish the book and close it. I can't wait to know what happens next for all of our characters, and this world that I have grown to love.

I liked that this book takes some time in the beginning to build up the world for us and explain how things came to be and what they are now. I also like the brief conversations that occur about gender identity and being Trans between Teo and Xio and think that this not only makes sense throughout the book but makes certain parts hit harder as you read.

Characters: In this book you are introduced to several characters and don't worry they all have distinct qualities so that you can tell them apart. You are introduced to our main character, Teo as well as the people that he is competing against in the Sun Bearer Trials, which are Xio, Aurelio, Auristela, Niya, Dezi, Xochi, Marino, and Ocelo.

Throughout the book you get to know some characters a lot more than others but each of them play an important role in moving the story along. I really enjoyed getting to learn about each of the characters but especially love how the website has the character cards so I can keep them separated in my head. It was minor details that I would forget about each character so I did love that each of them had distinct voices and you could tell who was who just by their actions and words.

I love the tension that we get between the characters because of who they are and the rankings that exist in the world. I also like the tension that we see just based on who their parents are and the impressions that they have made because of this. I really enjoy the role that the parents play in this book and how tensions seem to arise more when they are around.

Writing Style: This story is told in third person with a narrator that follows each of the characters with a particular focus on Teo. I liked that the narrator wasn't first person because there were points that I wanted to know what others were thinking and/or doing and we were allowed those moments. I also did like the focus on Teo as our main character because of the relationships that each character has with him.

This is another excellent offering by Aiden Thomas. It was a great, engaging read that would find a great home in any library or collection.

Aiden’s debut, The Cemetery Boys, was among my favorite YA fantasy releases of the last few years and I’ve enjoyed every wonderful book he’s written since. It’s no shock that this is highly anticipated for me and I know many fans are excited about the concept: Percy Jackson meets the Hunger Games? What a perfect Fall book to escape into!

Loved this! So fun! Percy Jackson meets Hunger Games. Teo was a great main character, loved all the side characters. Loved the supportive parents and the gender fluidity being accepted. Can't wait for the sequel.