Stupendous. Fantastic. Amazing. ALL THE ADJECTIVES! This is precisely the book I've been waiting for this year!
I have to admit something AWFUL. My experiences reading the author's first two books were not as good as I wanted them to be. Usually, when that happens, I completely give up on an author. This has nothing to do with the author or their writing, but more to do with my preferences with plots. Well, Hunger Games-style plots are what I LOVE and what I rarely ever feel satisfied with. I have read two books this year with comp titles to HG and neither lived up to it. This book did not comp HG, but I had it in my own head that with the trials and being chosen for something you weren't fully prepared for. What sets this apart from other game/trial/survival books is the author integrating Mexican culture; their rich descriptions really drew me in!
Teo, the trans son of the goddess Quetzal is an unexpected pick for the Sunbearer Trials, games held every ten years in order to replenish Sol and keep evil gods at bay. He's one of two Jades chosen, which is not common. He decides to take a younger semidiós under his wing and along with his bestie, Niya, navigate the deadly games. Teo is kind-hearted and loyal, but also a smart competitor and mindful of being last in the games means a sacrifice to Sol. Teo's voice is what really made me love this book; he is the perfect protagonist.
This is one of the best books of 2022 and maybe ever IMO and I cannot tell you how shocked I was by that ending to end all endings!
Reader do not sleep on this one!
I have to admit something AWFUL. My experiences reading the author's first two books were not as good as I wanted them to be. Usually, when that happens, I completely give up on an author. This has nothing to do with the author or their writing, but more to do with my preferences with plots. Well, Hunger Games-style plots are what I LOVE and what I rarely ever feel satisfied with. I have read two books this year with comp titles to HG and neither lived up to it. This book did not comp HG, but I had it in my own head that with the trials and being chosen for something you weren't fully prepared for. What sets this apart from other game/trial/survival books is the author integrating Mexican culture; their rich descriptions really drew me in!
Teo, the trans son of the goddess Quetzal is an unexpected pick for the Sunbearer Trials, games held every ten years in order to replenish Sol and keep evil gods at bay. He's one of two Jades chosen, which is not common. He decides to take a younger semidiós under his wing and along with his bestie, Niya, navigate the deadly games. Teo is kind-hearted and loyal, but also a smart competitor and mindful of being last in the games means a sacrifice to Sol. Teo's voice is what really made me love this book; he is the perfect protagonist.
This is one of the best books of 2022 and maybe ever IMO and I cannot tell you how shocked I was by that ending to end all endings!
Reader do not sleep on this one!