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A review by so_many_books
The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The Sunbearer Trials is probably the best YA fantasy book I read in a long-long time.
Imagine a lighthearted and queer version of The Hunger Games set in an amazing fantasy world.
The Sunbearer Trials is held in every decade to select a Sunbearer and a sacrifice to replenish the sun stones, protecting the world from the cruel gods locked in the night sky. Every ten years, ten teen semidioses are selected by Sol themselves to complete for the ultimate honour of being the next Sunbearer.
This premise is already amazing. Add in amazing, loveable, and a little clueless characters and a moral dilemma, and you get yourself this perfectly engrossing story.
The world:
I love the role the book is set in. It is based on Mexican mythology and beliefs, and it's something I've never seen before. Gods and demigods live in synch with humans in cities, each blessed by a god. The detail that goes into creating the perfectly fitting places, each with its unique features, is wonderful. I couldn't stop imagining exceptional places and creatures. It's also interesting how the modern world is mixed in with fantastic characteristics. The author definitely nailed it.
The characters:
Teo is the trans son of Quetzal, goddess of birds. He is a Jade, a less powerful branch of the gods. He's the reluctant hero of the story. He doesn't expect to be selected to compete in the deadly trials. With his friends, Niya and Xio, they are the underdogs amongst the participants who are all powerful Gold semidioses.
Teo's most redeeming quality is definitely his stubbornness and unwavering will to make to the end and also help his friends survive too. Yes, he's a tad hormonal and hot-headed, but that's okay. It makes him more relatable.
I loved Niya, Xio, and Aurelio as major supporting characters. Actually, I loved all the supporting characters. Teo's mom, his priest, and the other selected contestants. Everyone. This story was so well-rounded by them.
The story:
It's exciting, it's adventurous, and it's emotional. The story and storytelling grab the reader's attention easily, and it's difficult to put the book down.
The different trials were interesting without being too bloody or scary or too dramatic. Overall, I think it's a lighearted story with a strong message and moral dilemma.
I really really liked this book, and I cannot wait to read the next.
Imagine a lighthearted and queer version of The Hunger Games set in an amazing fantasy world.
The Sunbearer Trials is held in every decade to select a Sunbearer and a sacrifice to replenish the sun stones, protecting the world from the cruel gods locked in the night sky. Every ten years, ten teen semidioses are selected by Sol themselves to complete for the ultimate honour of being the next Sunbearer.
This premise is already amazing. Add in amazing, loveable, and a little clueless characters and a moral dilemma, and you get yourself this perfectly engrossing story.
The world:
I love the role the book is set in. It is based on Mexican mythology and beliefs, and it's something I've never seen before. Gods and demigods live in synch with humans in cities, each blessed by a god. The detail that goes into creating the perfectly fitting places, each with its unique features, is wonderful. I couldn't stop imagining exceptional places and creatures. It's also interesting how the modern world is mixed in with fantastic characteristics. The author definitely nailed it.
The characters:
Teo is the trans son of Quetzal, goddess of birds. He is a Jade, a less powerful branch of the gods. He's the reluctant hero of the story. He doesn't expect to be selected to compete in the deadly trials. With his friends, Niya and Xio, they are the underdogs amongst the participants who are all powerful Gold semidioses.
Teo's most redeeming quality is definitely his stubbornness and unwavering will to make to the end and also help his friends survive too. Yes, he's a tad hormonal and hot-headed, but that's okay. It makes him more relatable.
I loved Niya, Xio, and Aurelio as major supporting characters. Actually, I loved all the supporting characters. Teo's mom, his priest, and the other selected contestants. Everyone. This story was so well-rounded by them.
The story:
It's exciting, it's adventurous, and it's emotional. The story and storytelling grab the reader's attention easily, and it's difficult to put the book down.
The different trials were interesting without being too bloody or scary or too dramatic. Overall, I think it's a lighearted story with a strong message and moral dilemma.
I really really liked this book, and I cannot wait to read the next.