Hi friends! So today I'm going to be doing a review on "The Sunbearer Trials" by Aiden Thomar. This review is going to be short and sweet (like the title suggests) and spoiler free (however there will be the Goodreads synopsis in this and sometimes it can contain spoilers so please keep that in mind!)
"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 semidoses 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 travelling along the sky and keep the evil Obsidian gods at bay. Ten semidoses 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 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 semidios and the trans son of Quetzzal, 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 Aurello, 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."
So the reason I wanted to read this is because this has been recommended to me by so many people through queer booktok, and as y'all know I love queer storytelling. Friends, this story was mostly so much fun. I honestly loved every minute of it. First of all, I loved getting to meet all the Semidioses and learning about their powers and their friendships/relationships with each other. It made it so easy to fall in love with all the characters, even the ones that weren't that likeable, and feel every bit of emotion that they were going through. The author had such a way of describing what everything look/felt/sounds/smelled like, that I actually was able to picture the scenes so clearly in my head. There were so many references, and lighthearted jokes in this book that had me truly cackling. However, with that being said, THIS BOOK BROKE MY HEART. I was not expecting how hurt and confused I was going to be by the end of the book, and honestly, it made me SO excited for the second one. That excited in fact, that I instantly bought the second book, and will be reading it ASAP. If you want a fun, heartwrenching, beautiful queer YA fantasy to read, I would 1000% recommend this one.
I gave this book a 5/5 star rating on Goodreads.
What did you think of this book? Who were your favourite or least favourite characters? Do you have any books you'd recommend for me to read and do a review on? Please let me know down in the comments below!
Have a wonderful day!
Love, Doe!
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