OH MY GOD this book was incredible. I can't believe it took me this long to read it. Aiden Thomas' books just keep getting better and better, and the storytelling in this is simply amazing. I need the sequel immediately.

This action-packed adventure was so much fun to read and watch unfold! The incredible cast of queer characters, the "Hunger Games' like competition (which I absolutely live -*or die* for) and showing what it's really like to be a teen and child of a god.

I thought the story was so much fun, I am so excited for the sequel. If you're a fan of Aiden Thomas' style of writing and characterization, especially in Cemetery Boys - you should definitely be considering reading this book.

I cannot wait for the sequel.

Aiden Thomas didn't disappoint when he created this world inspired by Mesoamerican mythology. A journey of high stakes and found family & rivalry. I am so invested in this story and can't wait to see what comes next. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Sunbearer Trials. I loved it!

Actual rating: 4.5/5 stars.

Honestly, after that ending, I don't even know what to say, except GIVE ME THE NEXT BOOK RIGHT NOW PLEASE AND THANK YOU!!

Such a gripping and well-paced teen fantasy. I love the Mexican-inspired worldbuilding, and Teo is an easily relatable character that you can't help but root for. Despite many characters, they remain distinct and the end sets up an exciting and anticipated sequel. I will be recommending this one to teens everywhere!

From dangerous trials to a deeply fleshed out world, The Sunbearer Trials has it all. The system of God's and the world in which this story took place interested me more than anything. I wish I could read like a comprehensive history from this book. The characters were complex and a lot of fun
I think my favorite was probably Xio but I really did love all of the main trio. Also that one handmaiden of death or something? I can't quite remember her name haha... The plot was so interesting and I was taken aback by a handful of the twists. I truly cannot wait until I can read the next book.

I love Aiden Thomas but this book just wasn’t for me. I think it was too familiar with Hunger Games, and too forced. Not to mention, characters are starting to sound the same book to book. I know Aiden can do better. I’m excited for what is next.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Feiwel & Friends/Macmillian for approving me for this amazing ARC. This was my first Aiden Thomas book and it certainly won't be my last. I heard that this book was a mix between Percy Jackson and the Hunger Games and I was all in. I wish I picked up this ARC sooner. Teo is a lowly Jade, who has been chosen to compete in the Sunbearer Trials, where the winner replenishes the Sun's power to keep the evil Obsidian gods at bay, and the loser is murdered and their body is sacrificed and is used to refuel the Sun Stones. Teo has no training and has to compete against more powerful opponents which includes his best friend Naya. One of the reasons why I love this book so much is that being LGBTQ+ is seen as a positive in this book! There are gender confirmation ceremonies when someone discovers they are a different gender than from what they were born as! There is a lot of representation in this book, and I feel like many people will be able to relate to the characters. The characters in this book are pretty cool. Even though there is a lot of anonymity in this book because there is a lot of tension in the competition, they still have to work together to win it all by trusting each other and opening up to each other. There is a bit of character development in realizing that you have to be more confident in yourself and that true friendships mean everything, especially when one goes against you. Overall, this book was a lot of fun to read. The trial parts were the absolute best. Sometimes I was at the edge of my seat because I didn't want to see anyone lose. You're rooting for all these characters at once because you don't want to see anyone lose. I can't wait to see how this duology is going to end!

A colorful, expansive adventure that captures elements of some of my favorite competition stories but is so wholly its own world. I loved these characters so much and I cannot WAIT for book 2.

It took me some time to get engrossed in this book. I think that was a combination of the pacing (which was a bit slow in the beginning) and my own life events. That being said, I really enjoyed reading this book! The characters were engaging and I was quickly invested in their lives and relationships. I am excited for the next book, because this one does end on a bit of a cliff-hanger, and I can't wait to see where the relationships between the characters goes next (betrayals and a sweet slow burn make this book).

I have finally found a book that will satisfy the students who crave action and mythology but have already read Rick Riordain books. From the first chapter to the last sentence, I was enthralled with this story. Although they are mythical characters, they seemed real. Teo’s journey is of a true hero, and his friends while supporting him grew into strong good individuals. Teo thought the Golds were to be hated, but instead learned that they are good people as he is and he was willing to fight evil with them to save their people. The next chapter in the duology we will see them change from young people shaped by adult values to amazing people who can fight injustice while holding onto their own values. I surely don’t want to wait a year for the next book.

The Sunbearer Trials was a book I could hardly put done once I got started. It did not lack in action and the characters were a joy to get to know. I love the world building and mythology behind this book - after a few chapters you get used to the hierarchy/workings of the world. I love how there were no gender expectations in this book - we had cis characters, we had trans characters, we had non binary characters... all pronouns are represented as well. This is the first book I read that was so inclusive in this way, and honestly, I think it added to the richness of the culture/mythology.. I cannot wait for the second book!

I think I just love all books by Aiden Thomas! They write incredible characters and such fun and new stories! I can’t wait to see what comes next!!

I think the story line is a bit basic in such that the story goes about the MC feel like they ain’t special but in reality they can do so many amazing things! I love the diversity and the diverse culture presented in this book!

3.5/5 Stars

Every decade, 10 semidioses are chosen by Sol to compete in a set of 5 challenges to become the next Sunbearer. The loser is sacrificed to Sol in order to keep the Obsidian Gods at bay. 17 year old Teo is chosen this round, along with his best friend, Niya. A young Jade semidioses named Xio is also chosen and the three team up to keep each other out of the bottom ranking.

The first thing I want to call attention to this book is the diversity. There are so many identities and races represented in this book, and I really loved that. I think the worldbuilding was extremely well done, and didn't feel like I was being bombarded with information to quickly. I thought the trials were exciting and I liked reading about each challenge and how the semidioses rose to each occasion. I actually really liked every character in this, I didn't have any that I didn't enjoy reading about. The character development of the entire cast was wonderful, and I loved where each arc went. The ending through me for a LOOP, and I am definitely intrigued to see where the story goes from this point!

From my blog post talking about the audiobook, which still applies to the E-ARC: If you’ve been reading this blog for a while you know that I love Fantasy and when you add in mythology-inspired then its like winning the lotto for me. This book definitely hit the mark for me. I talked about it a lot after I listened to the ALC because from start to finish, I was invested. I loved how the narrator both narrated Teo’s voice but also the other character’s voices (especially his best friend). I wasn’t bored for one moment and wanted to know what was going to happen next (no, I didn’t speed it up to try to get to it faster, in case you are wondering). If I wasn’t often times driving or walking while listening, I would’ve been at the edge of my seat during the trial scenes. The banter was also really great and I laughed quite often. I also really appreciated the growth that Teo experienced, even though he was really put through the ringer. I’m really excited for the next book because while the end wasn’t the most intense of cliff hangers, we still ended in a sort of limbo *sigh*!

It takes a strong person, and a strong protagonist, to speak up for what they believe, even when what they choose isn’t popular. But such protagonists don’t always see themselves as strong. In the case of Teo in The Sunbearer Trials, the newest YA fantasy from author Aiden Thomas, he only believes that he’s a troublemaker. And it takes him a long time in the story to realize that sometimes, a little trouble is needed. Sometimes, so-called “good trouble” (as the legendary Representative John Lewis termed it) is an absolutely necessary part of changing unjust systems. And Teo’s world needs a lot of change in order to be more just. [See full review on Paste Magazine]

Soooo good! Aiden Thomas has definitely become an auto-buy author for me. I adored Cemetery Boys so, so much. I was worried this one wouldn’t be able to compare. Boy was I worried for nothing! I loved everything about this book from the characters, to the writing style, to All The Sass! Oh my gosh, so much sass!! And the twist at the end - did not see that coming! I’m literally on the edge of my seat for book 2!! Also, I would give my life for these characters. RIP my heart.

I’ve never read an Aiden Thomas book but I have friends who are obsessed with them and I now am too this book was BRILLIANT.

I really enjoyed this book and I cannot wait for book 2, oh my word the ending?? On a whole new level. All in all, this world that Aiden Thomas created is rich and imaginative, brutal and beautiful, and I love the characters they created and can't wait to see where they go next!