The Sunbearer Trials
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4.8 • 43 Ratings
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
Welcome to The Sunbearer Trials, where teen semidioses compete in a series of challenges with the highest of stakes, in this electric new Mexican-inspired fantasy from Aiden Thomas, the New York Times bestselling author of Cemetery Boys.
“Only the most powerful and honorable semidioses get chosen. I’m just a Jade. I’m not a real hero.”
As each new decade begins, the Sun’s power must be replenished so that Sol can keep traveling along the sky and keep the chaotic Obsidian gods at bay. Sol selects ten of the most worthy semidioses to compete in the Sunbearer Trials. The winner carries light and life to all the temples of Reino del Sol, but the loser has the greatest honor of all—they will be sacrificed to Sol, their body melted down to refuel the Sun Stones, protecting the world for another ten years.
Teo, a seventeen-year-old Jade semidiós and the trans son of the goddess of birds, isn't worried about the Trials . . . at least, not for himself. His best friend, Niya is a Gold semidiós and a shoo-in for the Trials, and while he trusts her abilities, the odds of becoming the sacrifice is one-in-ten.
But then, for the first time in over a century, the impossible happens. Sol chooses not one, but two Jade competitors. Teo, and Xio, the thirteen-year-old child of the god of bad luck. Now they must compete in five trials against Gold opponents who are more powerful and better trained. Worst of all, Teo’s annoyingly handsome ex-best friend and famous semidiós Hero, Aurelio is favored to win. Teo is determined to get himself and his friends through the trials unscathed—for fame, glory, and their own survival.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Intensely perilous competition and an innovative mythos permeate this thrilling duology opener by Thomas (Lost in the Never Woods). At the dawn of creation, the god Sol, "alone in the universe," created godly children: the "powerful but vain" Golds; "kind but focused" Jades; "passionate but selfish" Obsidians; and the mortals, whom Sol loved most of all. The Obsidians were eventually locked away for their crimes against the gods and mortals, and kept at bay by Sun Stones, which were formed from Sol's body. Now, every decade, the Sunbearer Trials are held to find a champion to relight the stones while the loser is sacrificed to fuel them. Golds have participated in the trial almost exclusively, until now: two trans boys, 17-year-old Teo, son of the Jade goddess of birds, is chosen alongside 13-year-old Xio, son of the Jade god of bad luck. Since Teo lacks the training that his fearsome Gold competitors receive, he must work with Xio and his one Gold friend to ensure they don't lose. Thomas's queernormative world and distinctly drawn cast deliver an upbeat fantasy teeming with captivating worldbuilding, earnest friendships, and electrifying adventure. Characters are described as having brown skin of varying tones. Ages 13–up.
Customer Reviews
must read 😍
This book was exciting and had an excellent story. The amount of representation is fantastic and a breath of frech air with books always being about straight, cis,white people. The characters were all vibrant and interesting. I couldn’t keep the book down and Teo was an amazing example of trans men.
Intriguing
The Sunbearer Trials was probably one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it definitely didn’t disappoint, but I never doubted Aiden Thomas. If I could give this more than 5 stars, I would.
Everyone calling this a queer Percy Jackson meets the Hunger Games are absolutely correct. This story features a queernormative world and I adored it. The world building within this book is brilliant and easy to understand. I loved the addition of social media, I normally dislike when books include social media, but the names are great and made me laugh. I love how this book stems from Mexican origins, it made me feel connected with my culture. You can tell they put so much love into this story.
The actual trials were the best part. Every time one would pop up, I couldn’t wait to see what it contained. The characters were well written and made me understand each one. I mostly relate to Teo. His remarks to the other competitors were hilarious, they felt like normal things teens would say. The friendship between Niya, Teo, and Xio was so wholesome. You could just feel how much they all cared for one another.
Overall, this book immediately became a top 3 for me. I will most likely reread this at least 5 times before the year is up. I hope everyone reads this at least once. Aiden Thomas really outdid himself with this one.