A fun book filled with intriguing characters, tense relationships, and lush world-building
Our main character is the son of a lesser god (a Jade god) and is chosen to compete in the Sunbearer Trials where the person in last place is sacrificed to the gods. Typically, its a competition dominated by Gold gods and their offspring. The world building is gorgeous as the competitors travel to different cities within the world. Other issues tackled in the book include those of class and justice.
There are also a few beautiful conversations about choice and self-awareness (particularly Teo's choice as a trans male). There is a lovely gender fluidity for the gods, semidoses, and mortals who represent trans, nonbinary, queer, and genderless roles. Through Xio, we see how this choice can still be a struggle when getting others to understand the person you are inside. Additionally, there are some (though definitely not all) heart-warming relationships between parents and their children. Love me some of that! I especially loved Niya, though the whole "misfit" trio was great!
There is such tension between the characters, some of it is more threatening in nature and some the more of a slow-burn romantic sort. It keeps the plot rolling in between nail-biting trial competitions. Of course, as it’s a duology so expect a cliff-hanger. Ugh! Until the next chapter!
There are also a few beautiful conversations about choice and self-awareness (particularly Teo's choice as a trans male). There is a lovely gender fluidity for the gods, semidoses, and mortals who represent trans, nonbinary, queer, and genderless roles. Through Xio, we see how this choice can still be a struggle when getting others to understand the person you are inside. Additionally, there are some (though definitely not all) heart-warming relationships between parents and their children. Love me some of that! I especially loved Niya, though the whole "misfit" trio was great!
There is such tension between the characters, some of it is more threatening in nature and some the more of a slow-burn romantic sort. It keeps the plot rolling in between nail-biting trial competitions. Of course, as it’s a duology so expect a cliff-hanger. Ugh! Until the next chapter!