This finale to the Sunbearer Trials was great. I definitely didn't expect the ending to go the way it did. I wish we would have gotten a little more knowledge on Phantasma. And that there would have been a few more monsters. Overall, I loved the folklore that was in it. I loved the characters. The magic system was great. Both books were great. Would definitely recommend them.

Although it's been a minute and we were really thrown back into the action immediately, once I got back into the world and started remembering bits and pieces of The Sunbearer Trials, I really loved it! I listened to it in just two days. A great finale to this story!

Celestial Monsters by Aidan Thomas is a wonderful end for the Sunbearer Duology.

This one picks up immediately after The Sunbearer Trials and I can't tell you what happens because that is very spoilery! André Santana continues to do a great job narrating. There are so many different characters, but they all have distinct personalities and voices so it's easy to follow along.

Representation continues to be strong in the second book in this series. We really get to see different cities in this world, and they're all quite different from one another. In terms of the LGBTQ umbrella, one of our trans characters questions whether they want to continue using he/him pronouns. They end up switching over to they/them pronouns to see how that feels. I thought it was really great to include the fact that it's okay to question things like that and to play around to see what ends up being right for you.

I absolutely shed a few tears during this book, so be prepared for that as a possibility. I was really satisfied with the end of this duology, but now I have a mighty need for a spinoff series featuring Niya and company going off on adventures.

I am a SUCKER for a story that allows its heroes to question the authority of the world. For wandering quests and the friends we made along the way. Thomas is just excellent at all of these things. His stories just reach into the heart and heal the little pieces you didn't know needed healing!

This is how you write a sequel! I read and loved The Sunbearer Trials earlier this year and I think this second book perfectly continued the story and expanded the world. I won't go into the plot because I don't want to spoil anything, but if you enjoyed book one, you'll love this! I will say, if it's been a while since reading the first book, maybe get a quick refresh on characters names and abilities so you can jump right in!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Macmillan Young Listeners for granting me access to the audio ARC! André Santana masterfully narrates this story and brings this rich world to life. Absolutely phenomenal audio read!

Last year I read and absolutely loved Cemetery Boys, so I knew I would continue to read Aiden Thomas' work. I listened to Celestial Monsters less than a week after finishing The Sunbearer Trials. The ending of The Sunbearer Trials SHOCKED me so much, I couldn't understand how we got here and had so many questions. Celestial Monsters did not let me down at all as it followed Teo, Aurelio, and Niya's journey to stop the apocalypse. They don't have an easy trek by any means, running into the beasts the Obsidians unleashed... Without the light from Sol. I couldn't help but wonder why the gods decided to stay back and let their half mortal teenage children take on this quest alone (although they did send them with a few supplies/weapons to help). Especially Teo... he won the Sunbearer Trials but he never had any hero training, unlike Aurelio and Niya. Throughout their journey, Niya continues to be a powerful badass who fiercely protects her best friend. In spite of the dangerous mission they are on, the almost love affair between Teo and Aurelio finally starts to blossom as they both open up more about their childhood past and their possible future together (if they're successful at saving the world). In alternating chapters, the reader also gets an inside look into what's going on with Xio while the remaining Sunbearer competitors are imprisoned. We learn why he did what he did, how he is an Obsidian, and witness his ongoing struggle between right and wrong. He uses his vengeance to power his strength, but also has an empathic voice in the back of his mind, especially toward Teo and Niya. Ultimately, Teo, Aurelio, and Niya gain help from an unexpected community that makes them question their entire society and way of life. They question what really makes a monster, a hero, a god. They challenge the flawed system and upend the only life they've also known for the possibility of a brighter future. One thing that really stuck out in this one was how fluid the acceptance of changing pronouns. Xio reveals they want to be referred to as they/them and even while imprisoned and angry, the Sunbearer competitors immediately change their verbiage. Overall, I loved this book. The development from the first book to the sequel was smooth and I felt so attached to the characters. I really didn't want the book to end and hope maybe Aiden Thomas will continue it. Regardless, I will continue to read anything he writes for the rest of time! Also, the narrator did an incredible job capturing the varied voices and personalities of so many different characters! I will for sure be looking out for more audiobooks narrated by André Santana. I can't wait for readers to get their hands (or ears) on this book so we can discuss more! Also can we take a minute to admire the cover art?! 😍💚

I miss the characters of this duology already. The complexities of the teen Demi-gods are relatable while still being in a beautifully built fantasy. This is packed with adventure but still has so much heart. Highly recommend and will definitely be a reread for me.

I enjoyed this series a lot. The first book was really giving Percy Jackson meets The Hunger Games, but make it queer and inspired by Mexican Mythology. Book 2 continued right where book 1 left off, with the world in a full-on apocalypse, deadly celestial monsters right and left, and our trans hero, Teo, just trying to survive and catch the eye of of the semidiose Aurelio.

There was so much I LOVED about this book. The mythology and monsters really shine. The world is so captivating and interesting. Aiden Thomas really knows how whisks you into a fantastical world. I loved getting to know more about the Obsidians, as well as about the humans. Having our trio off on a quest across the realm allows the reader to fully experience everything the world has to offer.

Of course, I love Teo. His strength comes from his love and his community. He is resilient, funny, self-doubting, at times cringey, but so heartfelt. It is so rare to see trans representation in a queer normative world. And without the primary plot point being transphobia. I loved getting to see all our characters simply be themselves. It was refreshing.

On to what I didn't like. The foundation of the entire story is children are sacrificed every 10 years (via some deadly games), by the parents who are gods, all in the name of powering a stone to keep the obsidians locked up. This immediately had me questioning, what parent would sacrifice their children, many over thousands of years, but never sacrifice themselves? I was expecting some big answers to this, but left the series unsatisfied. Another big question I had (that was brought up in the story multiple times) was why and how did Xio get put in the games? There was no answer to this questions which was frustrating. There were a lot of smaller plot holes that weren't tied up nicely.

Still, I really enjoyed this series. Would highly recommend to lovers of YA Fantasy and Dystopia.

For readers who crave immersive, action-packed fantasy adventures infused with rich Latin American mythology and LGBTQIA+ representation, Celestial Monsters by Aiden Thomas is a electrifying and emotional journey that will sweep you away to a world of magic, monsters, and self-discovery.

Thrilled to have received an ARC! Solid 7/10—this end-of-the-world road trip is a fun, irreverent romp with a perfect mix of humor and drama. Fans of Rick Riordan’s style craving more diversity will love this duology. Despite some pacing issues and shaky modern references, the plot and character relationships shine. A strong sequel with powerful themes of power and vengeance—fabulous all around.

This was a solid conclusion to book 1. I enjoyed being back with the characters and despite the high stakes they still had some silly times. Interested to see what the author does next!

What a fantastic conclusion to the Sunbearer Duology! It picked up right where we left off, and was ham packed with action.

I especially loved that no matter how angry or untrusting a person one they always respected pronoun preferences.

The story is really about second chances, proving to oneself and others that despite what you are born into your choices are what make you.

The narrator as in book 1 did a great job with both POVs. I appreciate chapter numbers being read as well.

I adored The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas but, like many readers, wasn’t remotely prepared for the cliffhanger ending! Let me assure you, the sequel, “Celestial Monsters” does NOT disappoint! Teo, Aurelio and Niya must fight the titular obsidian-released monsters while they strive to retrieve the Sol Stone and find and free the captured semidioses. Meanwhile, young Xio learns that freeing the obsidians does not necessarily mean all his dreams of belonging will come true. All the semidioses, regardless of parentage or the way they were raised and trained, will need to rethink how they fit together, and who they want to be in the future. (Plus, I’m sure you all want to know whether Teo and Aurelio get together!) In addition to the wonderful worldbuilding, adventures, and character development I absolutely adore the way Thomas has created a universe where gender identity and sexuality are accepted without question. (Hopefully the real world can be that way too, someday.) This book is perfect for fans of YA, fantasy, adventure, mythology, Mezo-American culture, and ADHD- and LGBTQ-inclusive spaces. Andre Santana did an outstanding job on the audiobook, too. Pub date: Sept 3, 2024. Thank you to @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for the ARC.

The perfect end to The Sunbearer Trials. Celestial Monsters ties up the stories of Xio and Teo, their friends and enemies, with a perfect bow of excitement and fun. As with all of his stories, Aiden Thomas balances the comedy with the tragedy, the goofy personalities with the serious topics in a perfect way to keep you engaged and sitting on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

Wow, this book was a great end to the duology!! It has such a loveable cast, excellent representation, and a really satisfying end to the series. I already can't wait to read it again, it was such a wild ride!

🌈Queer rep: queernormative world - SO many queer characters. Queer trans male main character, trans/nonbinary side characters, bi/pan female side characters, secondary FF and MM relationships, secondary trans girl character. And probably a lot more!!

Celestial Monsters was quite simply the perfect conclusion to the Sunbearer Trials duology. It was everything I wanted — great character development, high stakes challenges, superb world building, and redemption. I also really appreciated the continued exploration of body dysmorphia, gender identification, and self discovery. This story is well paced with plenty of action to keep you fully invested. Alternatively, though, Thomas intersperses plenty of emotionally gripping scenes that balance well with action. Additionally, I felt that Thomas handled the feelings of guilt and grief well. They were depicted in a realistic manner. I also simply adore how Thomas sets a scene. The world building was one of my favorite elements from the first book, and I’m thrilled to share that carried over in this book as well. I also can’t resist mentioning the epilogue. It was easily one of my favorite scene from the story. I read this via audiobook and can’t recommend it enough. Santana is an absolute master and nailed the narration. I honestly couldn’t imaging anyone else narrating this series with how well Santana did. After reading this duology, Santana has become one of my favorite narrators.

Well, I shouldn't have read this book first! I'm sure it's a thrill to people who love this series. Unfortunately, that isn't me!

After the shocking events at the end of the previous novel, I couldn’t wait to see what happened next in this duology.

This story picks up immediately after the other leaves off. The sun is gone and Obsidian gods are out of prison (think power hungry gods running amuck) all because Teo rightly refused to sacrifice a fellow competitor in the Sunbearer trials. Now Teo, Aurelio, and Niya are on a danger-filled quest to right the wrongs, find their friends, and restore sunlight. While on this journey I enjoyed learning more about their expanded world, other communities, and people.

Teo has come so far as a character. As a Jade, he’s felt inferior to the Golds for much of his life, but his confidence soars, and he’s more comfortable in his skin in this sequel. His connection to birds (he can communicate with them) may not sound like a very useful ability, but you’d be mistaken to underestimate its importance. I appreciated the addition of Xio’s POV. They’re experiencing all sorts of conflicting emotions and manipulations and questions what’s right. Both Teo and Xio’s character arcs are wonderful.

Niya is still very protective of Teo, and her humor continues to provide moments of levity amidst a sea of tension and high stakes. Their friendship is beautifully written and one of my favorite things about this duology. The budding romance between Teo and Aurelio is sweet and authentic, and I liked the way the author leaves their story.

I listened to the audiobook and narrator André Santana is fantastic. Celestial Monsters is a worthy sequel and leaves the reader with a feeling of hope for these characters and their world. Recommended for fans of strong friendship bonds, quest stories, and mythology.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I loved the Sunbearer Trials and was not expecting Celestial Monsters to live up to it, but I was so pleasantly surprised!

We get two POVs, more world building, deeper understanding of the characters we met in book one, and even more action.
I am not typically one who can follow the action of battles in books, but Aiden Thomas has a way of writing that truly helps me visually the words. It's so cinematic and would love to see this on screen!

Thank you MacMillan Children's Books and Net Galley for the ARC of this audiobook.

5 stars

This was easily my most anticipated read of this year, and it did not disappoint. Celestial Monsters picks up right where The Sunbearer Trials left off, so we definitely hit the ground running from the start. The world that Aiden Thomas has crafted in this duology is so immersive and beautifully well done. The story is gripping, with plenty of action and emotion. Something new in this book is the dual POV. I really enjoyed getting an inside look into Xio's character. It adds so much to the story. I absolutely love the queer acceptance in this universe. It's something that makes my own queer heart so happy to experience. This story addresses, again, the pressures of parental expectations and the toll it can take, which I think can be so relatable and feel so real, especially to the target audience. This story also addresses feelings of guilt, mostly Teo and Xio, but also Aurelio. I felt that was handled very well and in a very real way. Even with all the drama and action, there is still plenty of humor on this journey. I mean, Niya is involved, so that's obvious. This book has so much, but in the absolute best way. It grabs your attention and keeps it. And, of course, the audio was fantastic! André Santana is easily one of my favorite narrators, and he hit it out of the park with this one. All in all, this was an amazing reading experience and an even better listening experience. I highly recommend that everyone check this out when it's released. It's so worth the read.