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bisexualwentworth's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Aiden Thomas the writer that you are!
The world of this book is so richly realized. It's incredibly modern, which can be jarring at times, but overall it's very fun and works well.
The comp titles of Percy Jackson and The Hunger Games are definitely accurate, and Thomas balances the potentially conflicting vibes perfectly--This is a fun YA fantasy book filled with banter and friendship and memes and pop culture references (the TikTok and Vine parts are where I struggled the most, but not all readers will feel this way), and it is also a serious story about some very high-stakes death games.
Teo, the main character, is a seventeen-year-old trans guy who's the son of Quetzal, diosa of birds. As the semidios son of a Jade diosa, Teo doesn't expect to be anyone special. He covers his wings, which cause him some dysphoria due to their coloration, and he does not attend the elite training academy with all of the Gold semidioses. And then Teo is selected for the Sunbearer Trials, and everything changes.
The challenges were exciting and difficult. The character dynamics were compelling. I loved Teo and Niya. I want more from Niya especially. The ending made me gasp so many times.
And also, Aiden Thomas's economical and vivid descriptions continue to wow me. He puts sentences together with so much skill.
I'm glad I didn't read this sooner because now I only have to wait five months for the sequel!
The world of this book is so richly realized. It's incredibly modern, which can be jarring at times, but overall it's very fun and works well.
The comp titles of Percy Jackson and The Hunger Games are definitely accurate, and Thomas balances the potentially conflicting vibes perfectly--This is a fun YA fantasy book filled with banter and friendship and memes and pop culture references (the TikTok and Vine parts are where I struggled the most, but not all readers will feel this way), and it is also a serious story about some very high-stakes death games.
Teo, the main character, is a seventeen-year-old trans guy who's the son of Quetzal, diosa of birds. As the semidios son of a Jade diosa, Teo doesn't expect to be anyone special. He covers his wings, which cause him some dysphoria due to their coloration, and he does not attend the elite training academy with all of the Gold semidioses. And then Teo is selected for the Sunbearer Trials, and everything changes.
The challenges were exciting and difficult. The character dynamics were compelling. I loved Teo and Niya. I want more from Niya especially. The ending made me gasp so many times.
And also, Aiden Thomas's economical and vivid descriptions continue to wow me. He puts sentences together with so much skill.
I'm glad I didn't read this sooner because now I only have to wait five months for the sequel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Bullying, and Blood
robinks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I loved this audiobook and can’t wait for the second half of the duology! The characters are so lovable and complex, and the descriptions of each scene were so detailed that I could picture them easily. I would LOVE to see this story in a visual medium.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Violence, Bullying, and Classism
Moderate: Child death, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Child abuse, Murder, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Dysphoria, and Cursing
Minor: Gore, Kidnapping, and War
princessrory's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dysphoria, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Physical abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, and Child abuse
Minor: Grief, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Kidnapping, Gore, Transphobia, Blood, and Emotional abuse
This book has amazing trans (and other queer) representation, and while there are mentions of dysphoria, I was so impressed by the author’s approach to world-building that allowed for a queer-loving world to flourish in this book.
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