Aiden Thomas has been on my auto buy list since I first read Cemetery Boys. The Sunbearer Trials has everything you'd expect from one of his books - a relatable hero, a variety of enjoyable side characters, and an adventure plot with some twists and turns along the way.

Teo and his friends are charming and I was rooting for them from the start, and I loved hearing about all the different dioses (gods). I did find the story slower going than I expected to begin with, but it picked up and by the end I couldn't put it down. I'm looking forward to seeing where the story goes after this.

The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas is a Mexican inspired fantasy with as much heart as it has drama in its action packed pages.
The prologue of the book establishes the lore, which involves Gods or Dioses of varying powers and strengths (Gold, Jade or Obsidian) and their semi diose offspring who compete once every decade to be chosen as the Sunbearer, the one who will replenish the power of Sol who in turn will keep the dangerous Obsidian gods at bay. Sol choses ten of the best and brightest young heroes to compete in the Sunbearer Trials where the victor will sacrifice the loser and so give Sol power for another ten years. Traditionally the most powerful semidioses are those with a Gold parent, and these potential heroes are trained from childhood to be ready for the honour of being chosen, but this time not one but two Jade semidioses are chosen including the protagonist of the novel, Teo, who is seventeen, trans and son of the Goddess of birds. Shocked at having been chosen, Teo quickly finds himself forming an alliance with the other Jade semidios Xio , who is the youngest contestant in the trials, and Niya, his old friend and one of the strongest Gold semidioses. Together they will face five unknown challenges knowing that even if one of them wins, there is still a chance that one of them will be sacrificed.
This is a fast paced action packed page turner of a book, with a lush and vividly described setting that transported me to another world Each trial takes place in a different city so the reader really gets to explore the world. Teo is an incredibly likeable character, and it is impossible not to root for him to succeed as the book unfolds. The world building in this book is second to none and it is woven so seamlessly into the story that it really draws the reader in . Each of the gods and the semidioses were really well thought out and I loved reading about them and their powers, and how they came into play in the trials. One of my favourite things about the book was the symbolism of Teo's wings ( his having wings should not be much of a surprise with a bird goddess for a mother) and seeing how his confidence soared as he learned to accept them.
This is a beautiful book both inside and out and I cannot wait to read the second in the duology when it is released, and until then this is a book I am sure I will revisit again.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own..

5/5
Oh my god I am shell-shocked, I am at a complete and utter loss for words. THAT ENDING!
I absolutely devoured this book and read it all in one day. I quite literally enjoyed every single moment and I am just in love with this story, in absolute love with it! The Sunbearer Trials is the queer Latino 'Percy Jackson meets The Hunger Games' of my dreams. I am in love with the concept of this book and I'm so impressed by its flawless execution. This was such a joy to read for so many different reasons and I truly did have the time of my life!
This book was simply so much fun! It's hilarious, fast-paced and action-packed, there was never a single moment where I was even remotely disinterested. It's unputdownable and I promise you that you will want to devour it as quickly as I did!
The characters were so warm and loveable, all of them were so interesting. Their specific powers and abilities were so intriguing and I adored finding out more and more about them. (Xio, Niya, Teo and Aurelio were my favourites, but I truly did love them all!)
The Mexican-inspired fantasy world of The Sunbearer Trials was absolutely amazing. It felt so vibrant and alive, as if I could have touched it through the pages. Every city was so compelling and unique, I truly wish I could travel this world in its entirety. The history, mythology, religions and all the other aspects of the world were so well-thought out. This is a world that could exist in our past or future, it felt that real.
I was surprised by the rollercoaster of emotions that this book took me on. I laughed out loud so many times, sometimes even crying tears of joy, and then in the next second I was getting my heart wrenched from my chest. It's an incredibly emotional book, both in the happy and the sad moments. There were a lot of moving moments that touched a special place in my heart and there were moments that shocked my very soul. My mouth was hung open in shock at the last fifty pages! Talk about a cliffhanger!
My favourite character was Xio, I instantly absolutely adored him and my love for him only ever grew. He's an incredibly complex character and I can't say that I can explain to you the entire breadth of his character but I loved every single scene he was in, even when he was in turmoil or distressed. His and our amazing main character, Teo's, relationship was such a sweet one and I adored the conversations they had and the protective, nurturing nature of their relationship. What I loved most, however, were the conversations they had about their shared experience of being trans. It was such a lovely scene that I think is so important and I'm so, so glad that it was there.
Obviously, the representation in this book is amazing, but what I loved even more in this particular story was that our trans main characters were allowed to simply exist. Of course, it's important to have stories about how transphobia affects trans people and it's important that we talk about those struggles and talk about how we can find acceptance and love for ourselves, but those shouldn't be the only stories that include trans characters. Trans characters shouldn't only be allowed to exist in stories about their struggles, they should also be allowed to be heroes! I loved that our trans main characters got to simply exist and have problems that weren't due to their being trans. It was very refreshing to read and was so much fun! More trans characters in (queernorm) fantasy, please!
I adore Aiden Thomas as a writer, he impresses me more and more and more. I will read absolutely everything and anything they write from here on out, I truly cannot express just how much I loved this book! AIDEN I NEED BOOK TWO RIGHT NOW!
I want to stress how pleased and grateful I am that this book (and books like it) exist! It's so important that more diverse books are published and that good (own-voices) representation exists for people to see themselves in. It's so important to have a queer, trans, Latino character as our hero and our main character! Thank you Aiden Thomas!
Everyone go read this book right now, you won't regret it and you won't be able to put it down! I hope this book gets all the recognition it deserves because it is truly incredible and I already cannot wait to reread!
Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Books for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

"Choice is the most powerful force in existence. Much more powerful than me."

Ten Contestants, Five Trials, One Sunbearer, One Sacrifice.

From the best-selling author of Cemetery Boys and Lost in the Never Woods comes this awe-like novel of a competition to preserve their world. Teo is a Jade semidiós, his mother being the goddess of birds. Being a Jade rather than a Gold means he has nothing to worry about with the Trials on the horizon.

A Jade hasn't been chosen as a competitor for over a century... until now.

With limited skills and surrounded by one other Jade, Xio, and eight other Gold semidióses (including his best friend Niya), Teo must compete and try to survive.

I am actually speechless after finishing this book! I was so grateful to receive an arc as I am a huge fan of Aiden's writing and was so excited for this book to come out. It was stunning. The only reason I put this book down (albeit it was only once and then I devoured the rest of it!) was because of work, and even then I struggled because the story and characters were so addicting to read.

I am not surprised that I love this book and I know others will too. With a queer, trans male lead and other characters that bring this Mexican-inspired fantasy to life, I can only wait in anticipation for the second book of this duology! But while I wait you bet I'll be screaming praises for this book and all of Aiden's writing from the top of my lungs.!

A must-read for lovers of queer fantasy and fiction, this book is action-packed and filled with friendships, hidden fondness and fates unknown!

I am obsessed with this book, oh my Sol!!

This is an example of amazing trans rep, I loved Teo, and when he explained about his wing binder and how he used it because his wings made him experience dysphoria as they hadn’t changed, my heart was hurting. It really did give insight for me into the overarching emotions and feelings trans people have with dysphoria, I just wanted to give him a hug 😭 but my heart really burst with emotion when his wings finally reflected his gender, I was so happy. Teo really is a fantastic character to follow, he’s thoughtful, understanding, loyal and overall, just such a great friend.

The lore in this book was absolutely phenomenal, it was built into the story so perfectly, it didn’t feel overwhelming or confusing, it was perfection.

The trials were so well thought out and detailed, there were moments where I had to put the book down but my gosh I was anxious for the characters! But what I absolutely loved about the trials was seeing Teo and Aurelio get a little bit closer after each one.

The plot twist at the end had me GASPING!! I am still not okay.

I cannot wait for the next book.

Welcome to Reina del Sol, where the Sunbearer Trials are about to begin. Every decade, the ten most worthy semidioses are selected to compete for the honour of becoming the next sunbearer, who will have the honour of carrying fuel to the sun stones spread out across the kingdom. The one drawback? The loser of the trials is sacrificed to become the fuel needed for the stones. Teo and Xio are the first two jades are selected to compete in over a century, and together with Teo's friend Niya they form an alliance, helping each other through the trials in an effort to stay alive.

I absolutely adored this first book in the duology and very quickly became invested in the fate of the character: Teo, who finds himself in a situation he never expected to be in, who's full of mischief, but is a true friends, Xio, the thirteen-year-old underdog and son of Mala Suerte, the god of bad luck, who puts on a brave face, Niya, who defends her friends fiercely and stands up for what she believes in, and Aurelio, who is putting everyone else's safety above his own. I even found myself warming up to Ocelo, who I was determined to dislike initially.

This book was everything I wanted it to be. The representation, the world-building, the pace, the diverse cast of characters, it all added up to an engrossing read. I couldn't put this book down, have now added Aiden Thomas to my list of auto-buy authors, and will be looking out to pre-order the sequel....

this has firmly cemented aiden thomas as one of my auto-buy authors, having also loved ‘cemetery boys’.

i finished this delightful YA fantasy last night and had an absolute blast reading it! as someone who was late to percy jackson (i only read it last year) and hasn’t ever read the hunger games (sshh… i know) i wasn’t as gripped by the comparisons as other people may be - but this surpassed my expectations and i devoured it! teo is such a fun main character to follow, and whilst the story is only from his point of view, we still learn enough about all of the supporting characters that they don’t feel two-dimensional - for example, i absolutely loved niya and huemac (who didn’t even have that much page time!)

it goes without saying by now, but aiden thomas is SO good at writing effortlessly inclusive books that somehow manage to encompass and be relatable for everyone. one thing i particularly loved was the symbolism of teo’s journey with, and acceptance of, his wings - which definitely saved him a time or two in the trials! i also loved his rekindling? relationship with aurelio and am excited to see where those two go in the next book.

speaking of which - i am hoping it isn’t too far away as, after that cliffhanger i am DESPERATE to get my hands on it!!!

This was so atmospheric. I felt like I was pulled straight into this gorgeous world, of gods, demi gods and humans with amazing creatures and temples. The descriptions were amazing. I could picture it all so clearly. I love the idea, and I can't wait to see even more in the sequel. The characters where All so adorable. I couldn't help rooting for them, even if they weren't necessarily likeable. Even the side characters personalities were fleshed out. I loved how Subtle at the start of the book you find out the main character is trans. I loved how it wasn't made a huge deal, and it was so accepted to the point where it was natural. It was so beautiful to see. I wish real life was like that. I also loved the conversation between Teo and another about everything later in the book. Beautifully done. I love the connection Teo had to Aurelio. I can't wait to see how that all pans out. The friendship and relationships between the demigods and there God parents was so interesting. This world could have so many books because there is so many aspects. I can't wait to see how it all unfolds. The plot was really well done. I definitely see why it's described as hunger games meets Percy Jackson. I found myself really wanting to find our what happened and what the trials would be so on all aspects I really loved this book.

Aiden Thomas once again has my entire heart with this book. I was really intrigued by the magic! Also Teo being able to talk to the birds was amazing.

I love Teo!! I started out being a bit apprehensive about Aurelio but he grew on me. Niya has my whole heart and soul!! I really hope these characters get their happy ending! I went through so many emotions with this book, I can’t wait for the second one.
To conclude thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend for anyone over the age of about 16 on account of the occasional swear word.

4.5 stars

ARC provided by publisher on NetGalley for an honest review

I adored Cemetery Boys so, of course, I was beyond excited to see that Aiden Thomas had a new book coming out. Marketed as a cross over of Percy Jackson and The Hunger Games, The Sunbearer Trials will undoubtedly appeal to many readers of the YA genre, and I think it’s safe to say they won’t be disappointed.

The Sunbearer Trials is rooted in Mexican mythology, following the semidioses chosen to compete to be the next Sunbearer, chosen by Sol to continue their duty of keeping the Obsidians at bay. But, in order to replenish the Sun, the loser of these trials will be sacrificed. The Sunbearer Trials carry the same deadly stakes as The Hunger Games, but unlike Collins’ dystopian games, the death is found at the conclusion of the Trials. Aiden Thomas keeps the stakes high for the duration of the novel, whilst also establishing a connection to each of the characters who may face this fatal end.

The characters in The Sunbearer Trials are all equally fleshed out; none felt flat, and equally none felt ‘good’. With the high stakes of the Trials, each character demonstrates a level of selfishness, but each also have vulnerabilities. The elite class of semidioses, the Golds, are trained to compete, and seem, to Jade protagonist Teo, to have a life of grandiosity, but it isn’t this simple. Each of these kids are afraid, none of them want to die, but have been told all their lives of the honour and glory of being Sunbearer or sacrifice. There is a humanity in each of the characters, some more likeable than others, that cuts beneath the divinity each possess.

“This is the apocalypse, not a field trip…”

Alongside the tension and drama of the novel is Teo’s comedic narrative voice. Teo’s voice is drily sarcastic, and introduces intervals of humour within the fast paced plot of the narrative. But along with humour, Teo also utilises his voice for gender discourse, the trans experience, and a realistic depiction of allyship.

The trans experience is beautifully integrated within the narrative. Aiden Thomas depicts trans joy, gender euphoria and acceptance, but also dysphoria, the insensitive fetishisation of trans individuals, and the reality of allyship. Aiden Thomas comments on how possible it is for allies to forget the extent of their privilege, and the experience of trans people among a cisnormative world.

“Why was it that just because his body was different from everyone else’s, they thought they could ask whatever inappropriate questions they wanted?”

Aiden Thomas is an essential voice in YA fiction, writing fantasy for kids who have largely been grossly underrepresented within mainstream fiction. The Sunbearer Trials is not a book about being trans, about being queer, about being non-binary; it’s an urban fantasy with characters who happen to be queer, non-binary and trans. It makes me really happy that kids growing up now will have access to books where they can see themselves.

Quotes taken from e-ARC provided through NetGalley and may change in final published work

Aiden Thomas has done it again! The representation, the plot, the characters and the world building is just spot on. This is a beautiful story and I cannot wait to read more... is the sequel out yet?!

This book has so much heart and a cast of amazing characters. Full of interesting mythology and a plot that doesn't slow down for a moment, I need the sequel right now!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I need the sequel in my hands right this second but the first book isn't even out yet!! This was easily one of my most anticipated reads of the year, so when I was approved on Netgalley for the ARC I was even more excited, and I'm glad to say it did not disappoint! Cemetery Boys is one of my favourite books ever, and The Sunbearer Trials is now a firm favourite too.

This whole world was incredibly interesting, and the author did a fantastic job of worldbuilding without it being too overwhelming or info-dumpy, and it was really easy to follow despite there being so many different elements. The world is very modern, with social media and celebrities included, but I felt that the author did a great job of making it all flow seamlessly without feeling jarring.

I particularly loved the actual Sunbearer Trials; they were intense, there were high stakes, each one felt unique and so interesting. They also lended really well to character development, as you could see how each competitor fared as the final trial got closer and closer, and how everyone dealt with the possibility of where they would place in the rankings.

If you're a fan of mythology, like me, then this book is 100% for you. There were so many various gods with different abilities and each one had me engaged and invested in how their role in this world played out. I loved how the gods weren't some far-off, distant entities, but rather were all involved in the plot and in particular, involved with their kids - there were so many dynamics at play!

The biggest highlight is how fantastically queernormative this world was. There's trans rep, non-binary rep, sapphic rep, achillean rep... it was just beautiful to read about! There's also a deaf side character, with sign language seamlessly worked into the story, there's an all Latine cast which I loved to see... this book just has everything and I absolutely adored it!

The Sunbearer Trials is a fun, earnest queer fantasy novel with one hell of a twist at the end. It's full of great representation and the world-building is fantastic as are the mythological elements of the story.

This was a solid story that was well-paced and had a diverse, fun cast of characters. I wasn't sold on the sort of romance element and honestly, those scenes were some of the weakest for me. There was also some prose that was a little bit tedious in parts. There were also instances that felt like a lot fewer words could have been used and have had the same effect.

I loved Teo as the main character. He was a great MC and his personality was equal parts chill and just so earnest and forthright that it was a delight to read. I also really loved Niya and Xio.

This was a really solid read and I can't wait for the sequel. It's too far away.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of 'The Sunbearer Trials' by Aiden Thomas.

'The Sunbearer Trials' by Aiden Thomas is an utter vision of perfection. From the first page I became invested in the story and I just highly enjoyed this book. The characters were absolutely well fleshed out and I have a little bias against certain characters due to how much I ended up loving them.

This story is the first of the duology so you bet I will be patiently waiting for the sequel because I'm INVESTED.

The sunbearer trials was such a fun fantasy book, with great representation and mythology elements. As someone hard of hearing, it was quite emotional to see a character that needed an interpreter, as it isn't common in fiction.

The trials were action packed and original, and helped introduce the other characters, who were all really likable. I loved Niya and her personality a lot, I also loved the tension between all of the characters, and thought the relationship dynamics were well explored.

This was easily one of my favourite books of the year, and after the cliffhanger, I cannot wait for the sequel.

THE SUNBEARER TRIALS is a marvellously upbeat and pacy fantasy.

On the whole, this was so much fun! I've been waiting for a fantasy that was accessible and easy-to-get-into, and light-hearted in tone. THE SUNBEARER TRIALS is it. Its action is not too intense, its darkest moments never without hope, and its characters not without brevity.

Of the characters, we get treated to a diverse and varied cast, in personality and attributes. They might not be the most well-rounded group – the nature of the competition means there are more characters that can feasibly have arcs of development, so some are left to wallow on the wayside – but the main cast were all charming enough to stand on their own. Teo was unsure of his own strength, Xio trying his best, Auristela and Ocelo the mean jocks, Aurelio emotionally stunted but in more pain than he lets on. I was particularly a big Niya fan; her vivacious dumb-but-strong energy was so fun, I couldn't help but want to root for her.

The book doesn't stop to smell the roses either as we speed from city to city, place to place, to see the trials, which helped keep the book pacy and more exciting. Sure, I would've liked more about the unique cities they visited but I think this book would've been exhaustively long if that were the case, so here it strikes a nice balance.

Not to say this was faultless. Like CEMETERY BOYS this book suffers a lot of tedious, overwrought prose, stuffing the writing with superfluous detail that trust me, we readers can definitely parse on our own, or jokes that run their course into the ground.

Plus – and I recognise this could be personal taste – the contemporary elements felt shoehorned in and broke my immersion numerous times. I get the echoes to Percy Jackson, which also centered demigods navigating the contemporary, but here SUNBEARER literally takes place in a fantasy world, unrelated to our own. Why were constant references to social media and modern slang necessary? It just didn't fit with the fantastical world this book was trying to portray; it's very jarring to go from ancient mystical trials and superpowers to talk of grade school and "you're #1 trending!".

I also enjoyed the ending but I found it difficult to believe. Some parts are confusing, a bit word-salady as the book tries to balance its numerous characters with the action.

You'll have to turn off your inner critic to enjoy this one fully, but once I managed to make peace with the oddities of THE SUNBEARER TRIALS, I was along for a crackingly fun adventure of magic and action. And though I think this book is technically weak, I was entertained enough to enjoy it – I actually liked this more than CEMETERY BOYS!

WILL I READ ON? Yes! I'm actually kind of mad I have to wait so long for #2.

I have a new fave of 2022!!!

Teo is a semidioses (half god, half human) and is selected to compete in the Sunbearer Trials although he is a Jade and not a Gold which shook him to his very core.....at first. You'll learn that Teo pretty much takes everything in his stride which I loved about him.

With his 2 friends, Xio and Niya they compete in the Trials along with 8 others including twins, Aurelio and Auristela.

Reading this was so much fun, I was hooked! It was sprinkled with humour and I was enamoured with the descriptions of all the places, the hierarchy and their world. Coupled with this was the utter acceptance of everyone and who they were and who they loved. It was beautiful. This book is actually educational too....I had to look up what a cloaca was!!!!!

This book totally stands on its own, it doesn't need to be compared to anything. I absolutely loved every minute of it especially what I think was LotR shoutout at the end! Now I need book 2!!!!

This book was EXCELLENT. It was everything I wanted - vivid scenery, a great, developed cast and a good, fast pace with a lot of different locations. It also does very well on the representation front I think. Did I guess the plot twist? Pretty much, but it didn't really detract from the story and more is to be revealed. I'm greatly looking forward to the sequel!

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book for so many reasons. 1. trans and non-binary characters are part of the story, not as an issue to be solved, just as people who are living their lives and coping with issues like being part of a competition to decide who is going to be sacrificed to save the world. 2. There is a deaf character in the story and again, it is not made into the whole of that character's existence. The other characters sign to him and he is an integral part of their world. 3. The story itself is great. A twist on Hunger Games, with the perceived underdogs working together to protect each other. 4. It's set up for a sequel so I know I'll get to go back to this world when the next one comes out (no pressure, but I hope it's going to be soon as I need to know what happens next!).

While I love this book and have given it 5 stars for all the reasons above, I do have a warning. The language throughout the book is definitely not primary school age appropriate. This book is definitely much more YA that Aiden Thomas's other books, Lost in the Neverwoods and Cemetery Boys. Both of those books are mature in theme but this one contains multiple swear words and a reference to BDSM, meaning there is no way I could use this with my older, more mature pupils. Amazon recommends it as 13-18 so it seems to be pitched more towards secondary school age, which makes sense (although I am not sure what the rules are around language content in secondary school libraries). For my own personal reading though - it was great and I can't wait for the next one to come out!