Aiden Thomas delivers another incredible fantasy!
Oh. My. God. This book was incredible.
I know y’all keep seeing these comps, but this book really is Percy Jackson meets The Hunger Games but chock full of rich Mexican mythology and trans characters!
This story follows Teo, a jade semidíos who is also the son of Quetzlan (goddess of birds). As a jade, Teo expected to go to The Sunbearer Trials as a spectator who gets to indulge in all the best foods. His world is turned upside down when he’s among the chosen to compete. A jade has never won, and now him and 13 year old Xio have both been selected. These two know they don’t stand a chance against the golds, not even with Niya, Teo’s best friend alongside them.
I LOVED all of the characters in this book. I wish that I also could speak to birds the way that Teo could and corral them into carrying out shenanigans on my behalf. Niya was the perfect best complement to Teo, and she could step on me any time (just saying). I wanted to protect Xio at all costs. I loved the moments between Teo and Xio when they both talk about their trans experiences and dysphoria. We got to see T injections on page as well as other really powerful convos!
THE FOOD. The fact that Aiden is sitting here describing the mouth watering Al pastor, carnitas, conchas & hot chocolate without me having any of those while reading this was so cruel.
The trials themselves were full of adventure and mayhem. I loved seeing the semidíoses compete against one another and watch the stakes continually rise after each one. I found the world building to be so immersive that I felt like I was alongside everyone the whole time.
My only gripe is now I have to anxiously wait for book two.
Thank you to Fierce Reads & Macmillan Audio for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
I know y’all keep seeing these comps, but this book really is Percy Jackson meets The Hunger Games but chock full of rich Mexican mythology and trans characters!
This story follows Teo, a jade semidíos who is also the son of Quetzlan (goddess of birds). As a jade, Teo expected to go to The Sunbearer Trials as a spectator who gets to indulge in all the best foods. His world is turned upside down when he’s among the chosen to compete. A jade has never won, and now him and 13 year old Xio have both been selected. These two know they don’t stand a chance against the golds, not even with Niya, Teo’s best friend alongside them.
I LOVED all of the characters in this book. I wish that I also could speak to birds the way that Teo could and corral them into carrying out shenanigans on my behalf. Niya was the perfect best complement to Teo, and she could step on me any time (just saying). I wanted to protect Xio at all costs. I loved the moments between Teo and Xio when they both talk about their trans experiences and dysphoria. We got to see T injections on page as well as other really powerful convos!
THE FOOD. The fact that Aiden is sitting here describing the mouth watering Al pastor, carnitas, conchas & hot chocolate without me having any of those while reading this was so cruel.
The trials themselves were full of adventure and mayhem. I loved seeing the semidíoses compete against one another and watch the stakes continually rise after each one. I found the world building to be so immersive that I felt like I was alongside everyone the whole time.
My only gripe is now I have to anxiously wait for book two.
Thank you to Fierce Reads & Macmillan Audio for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.