A review by theirgracegrace
The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas

adventurous funny tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

In the world of The Sunbearer Trials, ten teenage children of the Gold and Jade deities of Reino del Sol compete once a decade in a tournament of the same name. The winner becomes the Sunbearer, who brings the light of Sol to the world to protect it from the dangerous Obsidian deities from beyond the stars; the loser becomes the sacrifice used to power the light of Sol. When Teo, the trans son of the Jade goddess of birds Quetzal is chosen, he sets out to make sure him and his two friends aren't the sacrifice...but maybe they might be able to win the Trials after all? I personally loved the representation of trans and non-binary people in this book; Teo and his friend Xio (which is also the first time I've seen someone who is actively questioning their gender in a piece of media!) are both trans boys, and the warlike Ocelo is non-binary. I also was enamoured with the deaf chosen boy Dezi, and how the group makes sure he is included. The worldbuilding of this setting is immense, with a pantheon of deities that boggles the mind and deepens in the modern-day context of the world. As a long-time fan of Aiden Thomas's previous book Cemetery Boys, I continue to enjoy the way they blend humour and anguish to make a riveting story with larger-than-life characters. I eagerly await the sequel!
Expand filter menu Content Warnings