Aiden Thomas

Transgender demigod Teo is unexpectedly selected for the Sunbearer Trials, a fierce competition among demigod heroes where the winner sacrifices the loser to Sol, their blood fueling the Sun Stones that protect Reino del Sol.

The Sunbearer Trials

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 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 evil Obsidian gods at bay. Ten semidioses between the ages of thirteen and eighteen are selected by Sol himself as the most worthy 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 forming the new Sun Stones that will protect the people of Reino del Sol for the next ten years. Teo, a 17-year-old Jade semidios and the trans son of Quetzal, goddess of birds, has never worried about the Trials...or rather, he’s only worried for others. His best friend Niya--daughter of Tierra, the god of earth--is one of the strongest heroes of their generation and is much too likely to be chosen this year. He also can’t help but worry (reluctantly, and under protest) for Aurelio, a powerful Gold semidios and Teo’s friend-turned-rival who is a shoo-in for the Trials. Teo wouldn’t mind taking Aurelio down a notch or two, but a one-in-ten chance of death is a bit too close for Teo’s taste. But then, for the first time in over a century, Sol chooses a semidios who isn’t a Gold. In fact, he chooses two: Xio, the 13-year-old child of Mala Suerte, god of bad luck, and... Teo. Now they must compete in five mysterious trials, against opponents who are both more powerful and better trained, for fame, glory, and their own survival.

Beck Krystal

By nature of their short existence, the humans held more compassion and empathy, loved more fiercely, than any god could through an eternity.

Jasper

It was like he was staying at some really fucked-up sleepaway camp where instead of giving out superlatives, someone got stabbed at the end of the summer.

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.

The Sunbearer Duology #1

I’ve had this book on my TBR for so long, and I’m grateful it became the book club choice because it would’ve continued to sit there untouched. I actually really adored the story and the characters from start to finish. Firstly, the representation of race, culture, gender, sexuality, and disabilities was phenomenal. I had a good grasp of each character’s personality and was able to distinguish even the background people. It had the fun and whimsy of another popular demigod series with the high stakes tension of the hunger games. There was a part where I felt like the story was a little slow, and I got nervous because of the strong start. However, the ending and the lead up the next book roped me right back in, and I can’t wait to read it. 

Nik ✨

amelia <3

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.

akynn 

Sparkly YA fantasy that I wish existed when I was much younger. Almost dark academia meets hunger games meets like mythology… like if the song of Achilles went to highschool in Riverdale? Someone stop me… I don’t know how to explain this so please read someone else’s review if I’ve lost you. It’s v gay and trans and non binary and Demi god. More. Trans. God. Kids. Love that. I’m getting distracted. One critique tho, why is it that the evil things tho were obsidian. Gold. Jade. Good. For all the diversity of this book the evil ones are literally the black ones? I had some disappointment. You were inventing an entire world…

Apiecalypse Jen

I really liked this because it involved while slightly overused, ideals of fame and sacrifice. The book was also something I could read in one sitting because it was fast paced and the characters were all different and had nuance to them that made them and the plot much more interesting. I also think the author included lots of good plot twists that were actually surprising.

anja

This was my first book by Thomas, so I went in with high expectations due to all the hype surrounding them. It was fine. I thought the writing read more like a middle-grade rather than YA. It felt like I was reading a draft of some high schooler's creative writing project. Some of the phrases and descriptions felt very lazy. I love when fantasy books have a competitive aspect, so I was looking forward to all the trials the characters had to compete in. While I thought they were interesting, I wanted the stakes to feel higher. I did enjoy some aspects, such as the setting, Mexican mythology, and queer representations. It wasn't my favorite, but it was fun, and I'd still recommend it to people who also enjoyed the Percy Jackson series.

Heather Harrington

pupas

Hannah<3

Apollo Nyx

I was sent the audiobook ARC through NetGalley and here is my honest review:

I’m demanding everyone read this immediately because omg it was so freaking good.

Aiden Thomas has such a way of showing latine culture and queerness in a cohesive way. As someone who’s latine and queer, I know that I can always find myself in one of his books.

Firstly, I'd like to say that I really enjoyed the narrator’s work. His storytelling really enhance the experience of the book.

This book is so beautiful and comes alive so naturally. I feel like this is such a fresh and unique way of presenting “the children have to compete against each other to save the world” trope. I also really liked that it took place in the modern day, so the characters had phones and the internet while also being demigods which is so fun. 

I found it really easy to fall in love with the characters and really care about them, even those that were assholes. This story is about underdogs and classism and fighting for what is right even when no one agrees with you. This book even has a bit of romance that is so complicated and messy.

This may be my favorite book of the year. I found so much of myself and my family in this story that I can't help but want more of it. I'm so excited to see what happens in the next book and what Aiden Thomas has to offer after.
I truly hope that people give this book a chance.

Claudia Ganea

4.5/5

If you love "The Hunger Games" and "Percy Jackson", this will absolutely be a hit for you! "The Sunbearer Trials" was so, so much fun and as much as I knew I would love it from the moment I laid eyes on it, this book completely blew my expectations out of the water!! The diversity of the characters is so needed and refreshing, the writing is compelling and keeps you invested at every turn, and I'm gonna go on the same tangent that I go on every time - but I fell in love with the characters and their little family instantly 😭 

(view spoiler)[Niya is my princess who hasn't done anything wrong in her life, Teo is my son that I will protect with my life, and Xio is Baby™ (or rather was, for those who've finished the book already???) I even grew to like Auristela by the end which????? I still can't believe, but I love her so much!!! The ending was inevitable, but it still left me reeling and wanting more, and I'm ready for the second book like. Now. Right this second. 

I will say that there were some parts that didn't make a lot of sense to me yet, and I say yet because I'm pretty sure they'll be explained in the next part. The most crucial one is, if Tierra knew that there was a way to bring Sol back all along, why didn't he tell anyone or do it in the centuries that the trials have been going on? There could've been so many deaths prevented, so much grief avoided, and so much more safety to be gained if Sol just came back. Is it possible only once the Obsidians escape? Did Opción know this all along, and knows that this turn of events was necessary to enable Sol to regain their physical form? I need to know!!!!

All in all, this was a delight, and I hope you give it a chance if you read this review because it deserves all the hype and more!! (hide spoiler)]

blueestar

          The Sunbearer Trials is a YA fantasy inspired by Mexican mythology with nods to modern day technologies that every bit deserves the comparison to Percy Jackson but has its own unique voice and story that is a model for new YA fantasies.  

Aiden Thomas has quickly become one of my favorite authors for writing books that celebrate hispanic heritage in fantasy settings and have amazing LGBTQ+ Representation. Each character was uniquely developed and had their own personalities. I was so excited to get this book I ordered a copy for each of my family members and two for myself. 

There have been so many gorgeous editions of this book and it is easy to see why, as the beautiful story infused with Mexican mythology and stunning world building that I want to decorate my shelves with every copy. 

I am at the edge of my seat patiently waiting for the next installment in this amazing duology! 

Minnie Mazuera

          The Sunbearer Trials is a YA fantasy inspired by Mexican mythology with nods to modern day technologies that every bit deserves the comparison to Percy Jackson but has its own unique voice and story that is a model for new YA fantasies.  

Aiden Thomas has quickly become one of my favorite authors for writing books that celebrate hispanic heritage in fantasy settings and have amazing LGBTQ+ Representation. Each character was uniquely developed and had their own personalities. I was so excited to get this book I ordered a copy for each of my family members and two for myself. 

There have been so many gorgeous editions of this book and it is easy to see why, as the beautiful story infused with Mexican mythology and stunning world building that I want to decorate my shelves with every copy. 

I am at the edge of my seat patiently waiting for the next installment in this amazing duology! 

        

Rebecca Raven

The Sunbearer Trials is the first book in a new duology by Aiden Thomas. Based on Mexican mythology, this story follows 17 year-old Teo, a semidios of Quetzel - the goddess of birds. Every decade the Sunbearer Trials occur in which ten semidoises are chosen to compete for glory. The winner will be the Sunbearer, a Hero chosen by Sol to reignite the Sun Stones to ward off the evil Obsidians. The loser, the sacrifice that will keep the Sun Stones lit. 

Only the Golds are ever chosen to compete in the Trials, children of the more powerful and influential Gods. But this year, Sol chooses two Jades, one of which being Teo. Literally fighting for his life, this novel is Percy Jackson meets the Hunger Games, where Teo will have to overcome his fears if he wants to survive. 

The Sunbearer Trials was an easy five star read for me. It brought something unique to the world of YA Fantasy. Thomas crafts a masterful world rich in mythology that allows the story to prosper. 

This novel is also an important piece of fiction as it contains representation for all kinds of underrepresented groups. It was enlightening to read about a world where you could be who you wanted to be and love who you wanted. 

The story was gripping, following Teo and the other chosen semidioses through their five trials. It was engaging with rarely a slow moment and I never once found myself getting bored. I actually couldn't put this book down. 

I'd recommend the Sunbearer Trials to anyone who wants a story rich in mythology where the stakes are deadly . Pitching a story as Percy Jackson meets the Hunger Games is a high bar to pass but this story catapults past that and exceeds any expectation. 




I recieved an eARC of this book and all opinions in this review are honest and my own.

The Sunbearer Trials

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