Mythological and mesmerizing, Aiden Thomas has done it again!
“Now, being in the trials didn’t feel like a death sentence. Now, they had the chance to really prove something. Not just to the Golds, but to everyone.”
Overview—The Sunbearer Trials is a young adult, Mexican-inspired fantasy novel by Aiden Thomas that introduces a world filled with gods, goddesses, and demigods; a high-stakes competition; and Teo, the semidiós unwillingly thrust into it all. I greatly enjoyed Aiden Thomas’ debut, Cemetery Boys , and I have been eagerly awaiting the release of this book ever since Aiden announced it (it was pitched as Percy Jackson meets The Hunger Games AKA two of my favorite book series so let me tell you, I was hyped) and I cannot tell you how excited I was when I received an ARC of this book. I mean, this book has everything that I could ever want—unique mythology, mesmerizing worldbuilding, magical powers and abilities, a mysterious (and deadly) competition, not to mention a dynamic and diverse cast of characters. I loved every minute of this book, and it is definitely one of my favorite reads of the year.
The Plot— At the start of every new decade, the Sun’s power must be replenished so that Sol can continue to travel across the sky and keep the evil Obsidian gods, who are intent on destruction and the enslavement of humankind, at bay. Ten semidioses, or the children of the gods, between the ages of thirteen and eighteen are selected by Sol themself as the worthiest to compete in The Sunbearer Trials, a series of five challenges set with the intention of determining Reino del Sol’s next Sunbearer. The winner of the Trials will carry light and life to all the temples in Reino del Sol, but the loser has the greatest honor of all—they will be sacrificed by the winner to Sol, their body used to fuel the Sun Stones that will protect the people of Reino del Sol for the next ten years.
Seventeen-year-old Teo has never worried about the Trials, at least for himself. As the trans, semidiós son of Quetzal, the Jade goddess of birds, Teo’s chances of being chosen for the Trials are slim—Jade dioses and semidioses are not as powerful as their Gold counterparts and a Jade semidiós has not been chosen by Sol to compete in the Trials in over one hundred years. Instead, Teo is worried for his best friend, Niya—the Gold semidiós daughter of Tierra, the god of earth—who is considered one of the strongest heroes of their generation and is highly likely to be chosen in this year’s trials. He can also not help but reluctantly worry about Aurelio, a powerful Gold semidiós and Teo’s friend-turned-enemy who, like Niya, is also a likely choice for the Trials.
But then, for the first time in over a century, Sol chooses not one, but two semidioses who are not Golds: Xio, the powerless, thirteen-year-old trans son of Mala Suerte, the god of bad luck, and… Teo. Now they must compete in five mysterious and dangerous trials, against eight other competitors who are both more powerful and better trained, for fame, glory, and their own survival.
The Worldbuilding— I absolutely loved the worldbuilding presented in this novel—between the physical world, the history, and the trials themselves, everything about the world that Aiden has crafted is immaculate and it truly felt as though I was navigating the world of the story alongside Teo. I greatly enjoyed how each city within Reino del Sol, such as Teo’s home, Quetzlan, and Niya’s, La Cumbre, was so different from one another and I liked being able to delve into the atmosphere and culture of the various cities when Teo and the others went to visit them during the Trials. I also liked how each city served as a reflection of the Gold or Jade god or goddess it was dedicated to—for instance, Quetzlan being overgrown by trees and foliage and filled with birds, with most of the citizens having their own bird companions. Additionally, I liked how modern-day culture and social media intertwined with the story; Aiden found a way to seamlessly integrate aspects of today’s world such as social media in such a way that they played a useful role in the story, especially when it came to the publicity surrounding the Trials as well as Teo and his friends’ ability to learn more about the previous Trials.
I likewise really enjoyed the history that was presented within the novel of the world and the gods as well as the Trials themselves; I find the inclusion of history within a story to really improve the overall worldbuilding and to create a bigger and better picture as to the world of the novel. I do, however, wish that we got to learn more about the history surrounding the previous Trials such as how the Trials came to be as well as more information regarding the previous competitors (especially the Jade ones) and the individual trials that they competed in.
The Trials— Speaking of the Sunbearer Trials, the individual trials were one of my favorite aspects of the novel. I really enjoyed witnessing the various trials and challenges that the hosting cities and gods came up with and that Teo and the other competitors had to face. In this vein, I liked how no two trials were the same and how each trial focused upon a different ability or collection of abilities in line with what the god or goddess of the hosting city valued and promoted amongst their people. It was also interesting to see how the competitors tackled the challenges that the Trials threw at them, homing in on their various strengths and weaknesses as well as (occasionally) their ability to work together. While I enjoyed all of the individual trials, the fourth one was probably my favorite; I’ll be vague because spoilers but let me just say that it involved quick-thinking and quite a bit of danger, and also served to bring some previous mysteries into even more light.
The Characters— Ugh, I simply adored these characters. I swear that Aiden has a gift when it comes to crafting characters because I cannot help but fall in love with (almost) all of the characters that Aiden introduces us to in their novels (I mean, Yadriel and Julian from Cemetery Boys own my heart). Aiden crafted a story featuring a large cast of complex, multi-layered, and diverse characters, spanning a wide array of genders, sexualities, and races. I really enjoyed seeing so much representation in one book (I mean, it is Aiden we are talking about, so I’m not surprised) and I liked how the diversity amongst the characters was normalized and not made to be their entire personalities.
Of all of the characters, however, Teo would have to be my favorite—I just love my trans troublemaking boy so much. Teo is such a likable and fun protagonist who, while being a bit of a troublemaker (I mean, when we first meet Teo he is partaking in a little bit of minor vandalism, no biggie), always strives to do what is right and follow his heart when it comes to making decisions. Being a Jade and constantly viewed as being “lesser” than his Gold counterparts, not to mention being unwillingly thrown into the Sunbearer Trials and competing for his life, Teo has a lot to prove to his other competitors, to the public, and to himself and I greatly enjoyed witnessing Teo’s growth and his developed sense of self that occurred as the novel progressed (one of the biggest moments in regards to Teo’s strengthened sense of self happened during the first trial; I’m not going to say much, but let me just say that it is such an impactful and empowering moment in Teo’s character growth). He is so dedicated to and protective of his friends; I mean, despite a majority of the individual trials being “solo” trials, Teo attempts to find ways to help Niya and Xio and to work with them to guarantee that none of them will lose or become the sacrifice. Speaking of Niya and Xio, I loved Teo’s friendship with both of them and the various dynamics that they had together—Niya and Teo are definitely ride-or-die best friends and I liked how Teo brought quiet loner Xio into their group and made him feel like he belonged. I likewise really liked Teo’s relationship with Aurelio (my friends-to-enemies-to-lovers(?) heart) and I loved witnessing Teo getting moody and broody (Aiden’s words, not mine) Aurelio to open up as the story progressed.
In terms of the other competitors, Niya and Xio were definitely my favorites (although I really liked Marino and Dezi as well and I wish that we got to see more of them). Niya was such a badass and I simply adored her. She is the type of best friend that everyone wishes that they had—fiercely protective, incredibly funny, a bit of a troublemaker, and willing to state her mind and potentially throw hands if anyone dares to speak against you (as Aiden said, if you loved Julian in Cemetery Boys, you would love Niya and I second that). I need a Niya in my life! And Xio! I loved Xio so much and he must be protected at all costs. As previously stated, Xio is a bit of a loner and avoided by other people, being the son of Mala Suerte, the god of bad luck, and all, until Teo and Niya come in and force him into their friend group which is when Xio’s true personality shines through—despite being on the quieter side, he is super funny and full of quippy comebacks, not to mention willing to be dragged into Teo and Niya’s antics.
And I loved the various powers and specializations that the various dioses and semidioses possessed. It was super fun to see these different powers in action during the Trials and seeing how every competitor’s powers helped or hindered them during each individual trial. Likewise, I really enjoyed the various forms that each character’s specialization took, being either more physical or mental, as well as the variety amongst their abilities; for instance, Teo, being the son of Quetzal (the diosa of birds), possesses the ability to fly and to communicate with birds whereas Niya, the daughter of Tierra (the dios of earth), possesses the ability to manipulate metal into weapons and Marino, the son of Agua (the diosa of water) possesses the ability to control and manipulate water.
Conclusion— Overall, The Sunbearer Trials is an amazing young adult fantasy novel that I cannot recommend enough (I’ve already pre-ordered two copies if that tells you anything). And I cannot wait for the sequel because that ending! I need the next book now!
Overview—The Sunbearer Trials is a young adult, Mexican-inspired fantasy novel by Aiden Thomas that introduces a world filled with gods, goddesses, and demigods; a high-stakes competition; and Teo, the semidiós unwillingly thrust into it all. I greatly enjoyed Aiden Thomas’ debut, Cemetery Boys , and I have been eagerly awaiting the release of this book ever since Aiden announced it (it was pitched as Percy Jackson meets The Hunger Games AKA two of my favorite book series so let me tell you, I was hyped) and I cannot tell you how excited I was when I received an ARC of this book. I mean, this book has everything that I could ever want—unique mythology, mesmerizing worldbuilding, magical powers and abilities, a mysterious (and deadly) competition, not to mention a dynamic and diverse cast of characters. I loved every minute of this book, and it is definitely one of my favorite reads of the year.
The Plot— At the start of every new decade, the Sun’s power must be replenished so that Sol can continue to travel across the sky and keep the evil Obsidian gods, who are intent on destruction and the enslavement of humankind, at bay. Ten semidioses, or the children of the gods, between the ages of thirteen and eighteen are selected by Sol themself as the worthiest to compete in The Sunbearer Trials, a series of five challenges set with the intention of determining Reino del Sol’s next Sunbearer. The winner of the Trials will carry light and life to all the temples in Reino del Sol, but the loser has the greatest honor of all—they will be sacrificed by the winner to Sol, their body used to fuel the Sun Stones that will protect the people of Reino del Sol for the next ten years.
Seventeen-year-old Teo has never worried about the Trials, at least for himself. As the trans, semidiós son of Quetzal, the Jade goddess of birds, Teo’s chances of being chosen for the Trials are slim—Jade dioses and semidioses are not as powerful as their Gold counterparts and a Jade semidiós has not been chosen by Sol to compete in the Trials in over one hundred years. Instead, Teo is worried for his best friend, Niya—the Gold semidiós daughter of Tierra, the god of earth—who is considered one of the strongest heroes of their generation and is highly likely to be chosen in this year’s trials. He can also not help but reluctantly worry about Aurelio, a powerful Gold semidiós and Teo’s friend-turned-enemy who, like Niya, is also a likely choice for the Trials.
But then, for the first time in over a century, Sol chooses not one, but two semidioses who are not Golds: Xio, the powerless, thirteen-year-old trans son of Mala Suerte, the god of bad luck, and… Teo. Now they must compete in five mysterious and dangerous trials, against eight other competitors who are both more powerful and better trained, for fame, glory, and their own survival.
The Worldbuilding— I absolutely loved the worldbuilding presented in this novel—between the physical world, the history, and the trials themselves, everything about the world that Aiden has crafted is immaculate and it truly felt as though I was navigating the world of the story alongside Teo. I greatly enjoyed how each city within Reino del Sol, such as Teo’s home, Quetzlan, and Niya’s, La Cumbre, was so different from one another and I liked being able to delve into the atmosphere and culture of the various cities when Teo and the others went to visit them during the Trials. I also liked how each city served as a reflection of the Gold or Jade god or goddess it was dedicated to—for instance, Quetzlan being overgrown by trees and foliage and filled with birds, with most of the citizens having their own bird companions. Additionally, I liked how modern-day culture and social media intertwined with the story; Aiden found a way to seamlessly integrate aspects of today’s world such as social media in such a way that they played a useful role in the story, especially when it came to the publicity surrounding the Trials as well as Teo and his friends’ ability to learn more about the previous Trials.
I likewise really enjoyed the history that was presented within the novel of the world and the gods as well as the Trials themselves; I find the inclusion of history within a story to really improve the overall worldbuilding and to create a bigger and better picture as to the world of the novel. I do, however, wish that we got to learn more about the history surrounding the previous Trials such as how the Trials came to be as well as more information regarding the previous competitors (especially the Jade ones) and the individual trials that they competed in.
The Trials— Speaking of the Sunbearer Trials, the individual trials were one of my favorite aspects of the novel. I really enjoyed witnessing the various trials and challenges that the hosting cities and gods came up with and that Teo and the other competitors had to face. In this vein, I liked how no two trials were the same and how each trial focused upon a different ability or collection of abilities in line with what the god or goddess of the hosting city valued and promoted amongst their people. It was also interesting to see how the competitors tackled the challenges that the Trials threw at them, homing in on their various strengths and weaknesses as well as (occasionally) their ability to work together. While I enjoyed all of the individual trials, the fourth one was probably my favorite; I’ll be vague because spoilers but let me just say that it involved quick-thinking and quite a bit of danger, and also served to bring some previous mysteries into even more light.
The Characters— Ugh, I simply adored these characters. I swear that Aiden has a gift when it comes to crafting characters because I cannot help but fall in love with (almost) all of the characters that Aiden introduces us to in their novels (I mean, Yadriel and Julian from Cemetery Boys own my heart). Aiden crafted a story featuring a large cast of complex, multi-layered, and diverse characters, spanning a wide array of genders, sexualities, and races. I really enjoyed seeing so much representation in one book (I mean, it is Aiden we are talking about, so I’m not surprised) and I liked how the diversity amongst the characters was normalized and not made to be their entire personalities.
Of all of the characters, however, Teo would have to be my favorite—I just love my trans troublemaking boy so much. Teo is such a likable and fun protagonist who, while being a bit of a troublemaker (I mean, when we first meet Teo he is partaking in a little bit of minor vandalism, no biggie), always strives to do what is right and follow his heart when it comes to making decisions. Being a Jade and constantly viewed as being “lesser” than his Gold counterparts, not to mention being unwillingly thrown into the Sunbearer Trials and competing for his life, Teo has a lot to prove to his other competitors, to the public, and to himself and I greatly enjoyed witnessing Teo’s growth and his developed sense of self that occurred as the novel progressed (one of the biggest moments in regards to Teo’s strengthened sense of self happened during the first trial; I’m not going to say much, but let me just say that it is such an impactful and empowering moment in Teo’s character growth). He is so dedicated to and protective of his friends; I mean, despite a majority of the individual trials being “solo” trials, Teo attempts to find ways to help Niya and Xio and to work with them to guarantee that none of them will lose or become the sacrifice. Speaking of Niya and Xio, I loved Teo’s friendship with both of them and the various dynamics that they had together—Niya and Teo are definitely ride-or-die best friends and I liked how Teo brought quiet loner Xio into their group and made him feel like he belonged. I likewise really liked Teo’s relationship with Aurelio (my friends-to-enemies-to-lovers(?) heart) and I loved witnessing Teo getting moody and broody (Aiden’s words, not mine) Aurelio to open up as the story progressed.
In terms of the other competitors, Niya and Xio were definitely my favorites (although I really liked Marino and Dezi as well and I wish that we got to see more of them). Niya was such a badass and I simply adored her. She is the type of best friend that everyone wishes that they had—fiercely protective, incredibly funny, a bit of a troublemaker, and willing to state her mind and potentially throw hands if anyone dares to speak against you (as Aiden said, if you loved Julian in Cemetery Boys, you would love Niya and I second that). I need a Niya in my life! And Xio! I loved Xio so much and he must be protected at all costs. As previously stated, Xio is a bit of a loner and avoided by other people, being the son of Mala Suerte, the god of bad luck, and all, until Teo and Niya come in and force him into their friend group which is when Xio’s true personality shines through—despite being on the quieter side, he is super funny and full of quippy comebacks, not to mention willing to be dragged into Teo and Niya’s antics.
And I loved the various powers and specializations that the various dioses and semidioses possessed. It was super fun to see these different powers in action during the Trials and seeing how every competitor’s powers helped or hindered them during each individual trial. Likewise, I really enjoyed the various forms that each character’s specialization took, being either more physical or mental, as well as the variety amongst their abilities; for instance, Teo, being the son of Quetzal (the diosa of birds), possesses the ability to fly and to communicate with birds whereas Niya, the daughter of Tierra (the dios of earth), possesses the ability to manipulate metal into weapons and Marino, the son of Agua (the diosa of water) possesses the ability to control and manipulate water.
Conclusion— Overall, The Sunbearer Trials is an amazing young adult fantasy novel that I cannot recommend enough (I’ve already pre-ordered two copies if that tells you anything). And I cannot wait for the sequel because that ending! I need the next book now!