Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan for this arc.

As a diehard fantasy fan this is hard to admit but the past year or so I've really been struggling to read many fantasy books. But the premise of this just dug it's claws in me and would not let go. Although I have many unread arcs (sorry netgalley) I knew I had to bump this one to the top.

This series is tipped as The Hunger Games meets Percy Jackson, but with the added bonus of being set in a modern latinx fantasy world and having a trans mc.

Teo is a lil troublemaking Jade semidios (demigod), son of the Goddess of Birds, Quetzel. Teo has to go to a human school because, unlike the Gold semidios, he's not allowed at the academy.

Every ten years there is a trial to find the new Sunbearer, and the new sacrifice. The sacrifice's blood is used to keep the Sol stone burning and the Obsidian Dios trapped. There are always 10 semidios picked, and they are always Golds, however this year Teo, a jade, is picked, along with fellow jade, Xio.

Their world is a sort of modern fantasy world with tech like TúTube (Youtube) and their version of Instagram (who's name I've forgotten), so the trials are also televised.

The Golds are seen as celebrities in this world and are trained to hone their powers to help the mortals, causing them to be seen as superhero type characters (including having their own trading cards). Teo is pretty bitter about the disparity between the Golds and the Jades but despite this, his best friend, Niya, is a Gold.

Niya is the daughter of Tierra, dios of earth and is an absolute himbo. And I *know* himbo is meant to be for men but seeing as it's more complimentary than it's derogatory female equivalent I'm using it, also it fits Niya much better. (And I actually think she would appreciate being called a himbo so fight me).
Niya is a bit of an outcast with the Golds so her and Teo, along with a begrudging Xio, team up to try and survive the trials.

I just loved this book; It made me laugh out loud, fall completely in love with the characters and the world and feel genuine peril in the trials. Aurelio must be protected at all costs!
Whilst the ending, for me, wasn't a surprise I still enjoyed it immensely and found that I was just happy to be along for the ride.

I loved the casual queerness of the gods and everyone in this world. It's not explained, but the Gods can create children even in same sex partnerships. I think most, if not all, of the ten semidios competitors were on the LGBTQIAP+ spectrum and one of them is also deaf, and I think a lot of attention was put in to make sure that you remembered that Dezi was deaf, and that people made the effort to sign without it being a big deal.

The embers of a romance are being kindled in this story but I think we've got a way to go yet. And as much as I loved getting to know Teo, Niya, Xio and Aurelio, I would like to know more about the other competitors. I'm kind of bummed that this is just a duology actually, I'd have loved a trilogy. Why do you have to write such loveable characters Aiden??

I really enjoyed watching Teo's journey in this book; with his wings, his confidence, his determination, his strength, especially considering he only had one power that we know of and couldn't use it very well 😅
He's the scrappy underdog who fights for what's right, is fiercely protective and loves a bit of mischief.
And for a lot of this book, the meme 'Teo no. TEO YES!' kept coming to mind!!

Anyway, I would like book two asap please! 💚

CW: blood, death, injury, fire, emotional abuse, child abuse

This book is so much fun. Every ten years, the Sunbearer Trials as used to chose the sacrifice who is killed to replenish the powers of the sun god Sol. Teo, a semidios son of a bird goddess, shouldn’t be chosen to compete in the trials - as a Jade, he doesn’t have the powers or the training of the Golds. But for the first time in decades, not only is Teo chosen, but he’s also not the only Jade. With all the odds stacked against them, Teo and his friends — Niya, a brash confident Gold, and Xio, the other Jade boy — need to fight to make it out alive.

This is a contemporary, Mexican-inspired YA adventure, filled with fantastical animals and lush landscapes and teenagers being teenagers while they compete for their lives. Teo’s friendship with Xio and Niya was one of my favourite elements: Niya and Teo have been friends for a long time, while shy, quiet Xio is a recent addition. The whole cast was fabulously queer, and I loved the incorporation of Teo’s transness into his relationship with his semidios wings.

It’s comped to Hunger Games, and I would take that with a grain of salt. Yes, the central plot involves a competition in which kids might die, but it doesn’t have the broader worldbuilding, the character-focused prose or commentary on exploitative consumption by the audience. It’s not at all a dystopican epic. Based on the voice, I also assume the intended audience is lower YA (13-15ish) rather than upper YA - this is also a weakness of the book, I think, since the voice and prose generally feels pitched towards that younger audience, but occasionally there is something (usually in the dialogue) that jarringly bumps that age bracket up.

Aiden Thomas has done it again with yet another amazing book! Aiden has such amazing writing and I devoured this book in one sitting!!

Thank you netgalley for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomans is an enchanting story that is filled with adventure, friendships and twists.

The Sunbearer Trials follows Teo, a Jade Semidiós, and trans son of Quetzal, who is chosen to compete in the trials. Teo is faced with not only surviving the tris but making sure his friends do to.

One thing I love about fantasy is the world and Aiden Thomas does not disappoint with Reino del sol, beautifully depicting Mexican culture and heritage. We got to see so many parts of Reino del sol and saw how they differed in culture and customs. The trials were my favourite parts in the story. Throughout the book I loved to see how the Jade's and Golds differed and how they completed the trials in their own ways, I was hooked on and excited to get to the next trial when one finished.

The characters were amazing to get to know and felshed out the story even more, we followed Teo exclusively but also saw how every character, their status, personality and abilities dealt with the trials thrown at them and how they dealt with the stress as the end of the trials started the get closer.
The friendship between Niya and Teo was amazing, it showed how much they cared for each other while also highlighting Niya's ignorance to how Jade's are treated in society. While I didn't like Aurelio at first I warmed to him and loved the way his relationship with Teo progressed as the book went on and we got to learn more about his past and relationship with his sister, Auristela, who I also warmed to as the book went on. (though I will say I would of loved to see more of the academy).

The inclusion a transness and how fluid gender and sexuality can be is interwoven into the story beautifully and is seen in both the Gods and mortals, I particularly liked how Teo's wings had a huge roll in this and how Teo and Xio would bond and speak over gender affirming.

The ending of The sunbearer trials was intense and fast paced, serving as a great place for the 2nd book to start. I am very excited to see how it will conclude and if there will be any changes to how the story is told; will we still follow Teo exclusively? Will other POVs be included? How will the ending of this book effect the relationships of the 2nd? 

While overall I loved The Sunbearer Trials I felt like further aspects needed to be fleshed out more. While I do think that the books live up to its comp titles, as many other reviewers have been raving about, it creates its own mark within the YA genre. However, I think it lived up to the games element of the Hunger games more  and lacked discussion of the societal aspects of the trials being televised, the hypocrisy of the way the trials is set out is brought up among the contestants but the wider aspects and views of the public are not covered as in depth, hopefully this gets covered in the final book of the duology.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Aiden Thomas apparently cannot put a foot wrong! While this book isn't exactly original in its premise (think Percy Jackson meets The Hunger Games) it's charmingly and engagingly written with endearing and diverse characters as Thomas's fans have come to expect. The twist was fairly easy to predict overall (if not the exact events and characters involved) but I still enjoyed this book immensely and look forward to reading the next installment.

I read Thomas' Cemetery Boys last year, and it was one of my favourite books of the years, and I've been eager to read more of his work. When The Sunbearer Trials came up I had to read it. It's the first in a duology that feels reminiscent of the Hunger Games, but with its own spin and style.

The fast-paced action never leaves you wanting for adventure. The mythology is fascinating to read and learn about, tying well into the story without feeling info dumpy. I actually appreciated the opening chapter explaining the worldbuilding. I like when stories explain the world first instead of expecting us to pick it up or having an index at the back. It made things easier to understand.

The shining star of the books are the characters. Everyone has amazing personalities, bringing an energy to the book that kept me hooked throughout.

I can't wait to read the next book. The climax promises to be spectacular.

s each new decade begins, the Sun’s power must be replenished so that Sol can keep traveling along the sky & keep the evil Obsidian gods at bay. 10 semidioses aged 13-18 are selected by Sol himself as the most worthy to compete in The Sunbearer Trials. The winner carries light & 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 used to fuel the Sun Stones that will protect the people of Reino del Sol for the next ten years.

Teo, a 17-year-old Jade semidiós 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 & is much too likely to be chosen this year. But then, for the first time in over a century, Sol chooses a semidiós 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....

My thoughts 🤔
😍 The Mexican myth inspired elements were simply perfection! I also loved the juxtaposition between the mythic elements and modern day elements -e.g. Instagraph
😍 I loved the references to (Mexican?) sign language & how integrated it was into society - this really touched my heart as that's how society should be
😍 The world building of the Trials was fab
😍 Niya, Tio & Xio were a delight to read
😍 The trans representation was fabulous! I loved how there's no judgement & the characters all use the appropriate pronouns. There was a beautiful scene where one trans character talks to another character what its like to be out & is super supportive ❤️ gender & body dysphoria are also mentioned in a really meaningful way.

😭 unfortunately I'm not a massive hunger games fab so those elements I struggled with.
😭 At times I wanted more world building for the non-trial scenes

If you enjoy a mythological setting & The Hunger Games then this one is for you!

Overall I rated this one ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to @netgalley @aidenschmaiden & @macmillankidsuk
for the opportunity to read this #gifted e-Advanced Reader Copy.

#TheSunbearerTrials #NetGalley #BookReview

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

I truly love this book. The mexican myth is absolutely a good idea. The worldbuilding is easy to learn and understand. I love the concept about mixing the real world and fantasy with mexican culture.

The pacing itself is perfect. Not too fast, not too slow. Also I am kinda excited for Aurelio and Theo's romance in the next book.

Having read The Cemetery Boys when it first came out and adored it, I was quite excited to give this one a try, especially when I read the synopsis. I love books that involve trials or games and the relationships that such stressful situations cause. Aiden Thomas creates really likeable, well-rounded characters who all bring their own personalities to the story. I was slightly worried at the beginning that I wouldn't be able to remember who everyone was as a lot of characters were introduced in very quick succession, however the characters were so distinct that it wasn't an issue. I loved the conflict that Teo, the main character, felt as a result to his involvement in the trials, and how he worked his way through the games with his friends.
There were a few things that seemed just a touch convenient - without giving too much away, some of the outcomes of the tasks just seemed a bit unlikely - and the ending was, though very dramatic (I am eagerly waiting for the next book!), a bit rushed, and I felt there were a few things that kind of didn't make sense in the world or with characters choices.
All that being said, I thought the pacing was good, the storyline kept me hooked, and the characters were all just wonderful. Highly recommend this book if you want a fun, action-packed book with diverse characters and tons of personality.

I adore Teo and Niya! Their friendship is incredible, I love that they protect each other at any cost. Aurelio is an interesting character, I wasn't sure about him at first but I'd actually love to see a romance between him and Teo in the next book. The trials were all so different and imaginative, Aiden Thomas blows my mind with his writing and I always look forward to reading more of his work. I got The Hunger Games vibes at the beginning and for a second I was worried that this would be like a THG rip off, but it's really not. Like, don't get me wrong, if you like The Hunger Games you will definitely enjoy The Sunbearer Trials, but TST is entirely it's own story and there is so much to enjoy about it. I think the way the Jades and the Golds are portrayed is fascinating, it very much feels like an allegory for classicm, and it's really well-written. Each character is fleshed out, we get to know all of the semidioses and their powers, some of them aren't easy to root for but by the end of the trials it's easy to empathise with them all. I was shocked by the ending, without giving too much away, I am devastated about the way the final ceremony ended. I can't wait to see how this story continues in the sequel.

I loved The Sunbearer Trials!

The setting was great - it was a really nice change to see a novel inspired from Mexican mythology and as a complete novice to this culture, I found it really approachable and a great introduction for young adults.
The worldbuilding was very clear and easy to picture, merging together a familiar elements such as trials, a magical school and a pantheon of gods, with elements that will be new to many readers depending on their demographic.

The characters were also a great standout to me - from a diversity standpoint, Aiden Thomas again shows his strength in implementing diverse characters in a tactful and relatable way. I also felt like the character description were a believable portrayal of how a teenager would act in those situations. I felt for each of the characters and some of the antagonists also had great nuance.

The pacing was very pleasant, I felt never felt like it dragged or rushed through parts, and I never grew tired of reading more about the characters and this world. It was also a pleasant surprise to not have predicted the end of the novel, and I very much look forward to the conclusion of this duology.

Thank you very much to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book ahead of release!

I hadn’t known before starting that The Sunbearer Trials takes place in a modern world, in many ways similar to ours, with social media and high schools and corner stores where you stock up on Chupa Chups. The world building here was wonderful, with settings I could picture vividly throughout. I loved all the nods to apps we use and the incorporation of Heroes into this world, where they are celebrities and influencers and on trading cards. Though there isn’t any real details or focus on the ways things are being captured, there is definitely an awareness throughout that there is always an audience. The Trials are a spectacle, and social media here - as in real life - makes sure your best and worst moments aren’t forgotten.

I also loved how inclusive this world is, with gods and demigods alike representing a wonderful range of queer and trans identities in a world that acknowledges and accepts them without question and immediately treats them with respect. The idea of the gender confirmation ceremonies being a standard was lovely, and I especially enjoyed how the magic was tied into real world struggles, with a storyline of elements of Teo’s powers causing him dysphoria, for example. I loved the resolution there! There is a large cast of significant characters here, and though it took me a minute to get familiar with all of them (the trading cards Aiden has shared were really useful!) it was impressive how many of them became so distinct and stood out for me. Of course I loved the brooding childhood friend turned enemy turned ???, the loud sapphic with a sword and the tiny girl who zaps her competition among others, and I’m sure we’ll delve further into even more of them in the sequel. I am so looking forward to that!

For someone whose personality revolved around Percy Jackson and The Hunger Games aged 9-15, hearing this book pitched as a combination of the two did something to my brain chemistry that I can’t begin to explain. Both series left such lasting impressions on me, and I have The Hunger Games to thank for how I still actively seek out and devour books with any kind of competition or tournament in them. I’ve read books where some stages of the competition or trials themselves are far less exciting than others, and ones where the stakes aren’t high enough for you to actually get invested. That couldn’t be further from the truth here. Though I definitely had favourites, each trial was intense and gripping and hearing from an underdog in the competition allowed you to appreciate the sense of difficulty and fear involved. Even with demigod powers (and, in the case of Teo’s competitors, years of academy training), I never got the sense that things were too easy, especially as mysterious happenings throughout made the trials and rankings harder to navigate. And the stakes are definitely high here - avoiding your own death, preventing the death of your friends and other kids you’ve grown closer to, proving your worth to people who’ve made you feel less than all your life. There was that constant dread of the looming sacrifice, hating it, questioning it and wishing it wasn’t necessary but unhappily accepting that it is all the same. The tension in and out of the trials had me hooked, and I truly cannot wait to step right back into this world!

i was excepting something in the realms of ya but tone-wise this has much more in common with a mg novel which is by no means a bad thing i just happen not be the audience for that. additionally the author's writing was too fanfiction-y and wattpad-esque for me (lots of descriptions about smirking lips & the like).

Aidan Thomas has done it again. I absolutely adored Cemetery Boys and The Sunbearer Trails was even better. The characters were so fun and made me laugh out loud at times. The twist at the end was certainly unexpected, I’m really looking forward to the sequel!

I’m hugely grateful to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this in advance of publication, and am now excited to read the next instalment.
In what is being touted as a mix of Percy Jackson and The Hunger Games, Thomas creates an action-packed magical competition. We are in a well-established world, where the Gods need to be kept happy. Every decade a competition is held in order to find the winner of the Sunbearer Trials. Their win means that the Obsidian gods can be kept at bay, and the power of the Sol stone can be replenished in order to protect the people of Reino del Sol.
Our focus is the year that proves to be something of an anomaly. For the first time in a century not only Golds - who train for this event - are chosen. Two of the Jades - the lowest in the semidios rankings - are selected, and we see Xia, Teo and his best friend, Niya, collaborate to keep alive and try to be in with a chance of avoiding their intended role as the sacrifice.
Teo is a trans boy, son of Quetzal, the Goddess of Birds, and a large part of the story is about Teo learning to accept his identity and to consider the role hw might play in his country's future. The relationships between the characters were interesting, and I was rather taken aback by the unexpected shift in allegiances towards the end - however, it sets things nicely in place for a most entertaining story in book two.

OK that was a whirlwind!!!! I really enjoyed that, so fast paced and a perfect mix of Percy jackson/ the tri wizard tournament and a bit of hunger games! Love Teo aswell

Thank you Net Galley and Macmillan Children’s Books for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love Aiden Thomas’ writing, especially in Cemetery Boys (one of my favourite books I have read this year). Yet again, this novel was jam-packed full of action, friendship and a determination of the protagonist to find their place in the world. As always, the representation was beautiful: a trans boy who wants to be accepted by society. The Sunbearer Trials is full of mythology and explores classism. The ‘Golds’ are high in society, respected, and viewed as strong and powerful. For the first time in centuries, two lowly Jades are picked to participate and compete in a number of trials to try and beat the Golds. I really enjoyed reading this.

Ages ago, Sol banished the evil Obsidians and sacrificed his own life to protect the people of Reino del Sol. Sun Stones, fuelled with his power, were placed in multiple temples throughout the land, keeping the Obsidians trapped and repelling their evil. But the Stones have to be recharged. Every ten years, a tournament takes place, where the most powerful teenage semidioses (demigods) compete for the title of Sunbearer. The winner becomes the greatest hero, by carrying the light of Sol to all the temples, but the loser, the last one in the tournament’s classification, becomes the sacrifice that fuels the Sun Stones.

Teo, son of a goddess of birds, Quetzal, never had to worry about the trials. He and his mother are Jades— the lower-ranking demigods, that are disregarded by the leading Golds. This year, his best friend Niya is one of the most powerful in their generation and a strong candidate for the Trials. Worried for his friend, Teo didn’t even consider the possibility of participating. When his name is chosen, he is forced to compete in a series of mysterious and dangerous trials...

This book was a pleasure to read. The action takes place in a Mexican-inspired fantasy world which is breathtaking. It has detailed history, legends and beautiful locations. Every city our heroes visit has a unique character, in terms of customs, fashion and inhabitants. Every character Teo meets in this novel is fascinating, complex, and filled with their own agenda. Their powers and character vary, according to their parentage. The Sunbearer Trials dazzles with perfect world-building and brilliant characters that develop throughout the novel.

The fast-paced action, dangerous trials and the constant competition between the characters reminded me of Hunger Games series. I believe the fans of Katniss will enjoy Teo’s adventures as well.

Aiden Thomas pays beautiful and respectful homage to Mexican culture in this story inspired by the country's tales and myths. It's a beautiful thing to see a YA fantasy world that is so inclusive and truly reflective of the world we live in. With The Sunbearer Trials, Thomas has once again marked themselves as someone who can and does give so much to the YA, Latine and LGBTQ communities. I can't wait to see what comes next from Thomas in both this fantasy world and in our own very real world.

4.5 Stars!

I had so much I adored about this book, from the amount of rep (both LGBT AND Disability), to the fantastic cast of characters and yet another book by Aiden Thomas that made me cry. This was so fun, every character was well written and I had a great time with every trial leaving me gasping and genuinely hooked. I feel Aiden's writing has massively improved since their first Planned novel Lost in the Never Woods and the quality of this story was on par with Cemetery Boys which was in my top 3 books of 2021.

The only real issue I had with this book was the slightly overwhelming info dump in the first chapter which had me struggling to remember who was who, and I feel the ending felt far too rushed and again, became somewhat overwhelming. The rest of the story was paced absolutely perfectly, but these bits took me out of the enjoyment enough to not quite warrant a 5*. however, I have no doubt the sequel to this will absolutely smash every expectation I have and I am HERE FOR IT.