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A review by micheala
The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I don't read a ton of YA, so I'm going to make this vibe comparison and we're just going to have to go with it ok?
This book gave me The Hunger Games vibes - mainly in the set up of the competition. In this case, every decade there is a competition for 13-18 year olds, that if you get chosen (and there is no way not to be eligible during those ages) you have to compete, and if you lose you die.
Personally, the competition portion of this book was the least interesting part of it. The characters and world are so rich and well developed that I'm glade we spent more time between trials then in each of the five events.
There was one moment during one of the trials that made me physically uncomfortable, when Teo, the MC, gets magically roofied by another competitor - nothing sexual happens, however it still gave me the major icks.
I did also see most of the ending coming. Because this is only a duology, I'll probably pick up the sequel once it comes out, but I'm also not losing my mind waiting either.
In terms of Adien Thomas' other works, I liked this more than Lost in the Never Woods but less than Cemetery Boys.
This book gave me The Hunger Games vibes - mainly in the set up of the competition. In this case, every decade there is a competition for 13-18 year olds, that if you get chosen (and there is no way not to be eligible during those ages) you have to compete, and if you lose you die.
Personally, the competition portion of this book was the least interesting part of it. The characters and world are so rich and well developed that I'm glade we spent more time between trials then in each of the five events.
There was one moment during one of the trials that made me physically uncomfortable, when Teo, the MC, gets magically roofied by another competitor - nothing sexual happens, however it still gave me the major icks.
I did also see most of the ending coming. Because this is only a duology, I'll probably pick up the sequel once it comes out, but I'm also not losing my mind waiting either.
In terms of Adien Thomas' other works, I liked this more than Lost in the Never Woods but less than Cemetery Boys.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Classism, Xenophobia, Confinement, Dysphoria, Death, and Injury/Injury detail