Review: The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas

Break my heart, why don’t you, Aiden Thomas?

I am floored. I thought Cemetery Boys was good; this was next level. I am in love with this book. And I have to wait a whole year until the next one?!

Title: The Sunbearer Trials
Author: Aiden Thomas
Genre: YA Fantasy
Series: The Sunbearer Duology #1
Page Count: 401 (hardcover)

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 semidioses 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 traveling along the sky and keep the evil Obsidian gods at bay. Ten semidioses 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 semidiós and the trans son of Quetzal, 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 Aurelio, a powerful Gold semidiós 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 semidiós 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.

Content Warnings

violence – fire – injury – attempted ritual murder

There are no spoilers in this review.

Dios – god
Diosa – goddess
Semidiose – demigod

I am very surprised that I managed to read a book in the same year that it got released. That usually does not happen. But I’m happy I did it because The Sunbearer Trials is now my favorite book by Aiden Thomas.

Let’s talk about the worldbuilding. I loved the Mexican-inspired world. It was detailed and each city was unique, with distinct features pointing to its dios or diosa. In this world, there are Golds, who are considered to be the greatest and Heroes; and Jades, who are a step below. Jades aren’t expected to compete in the trials and thus are not allowed to train at the prestigious Academy that Gold semiodioses attend.

“It was true, he wasn’t a Hero. But it wasn’t like anyone had given him a chance to be.”

It was a bit hard to keep track of all the names at the beginning, but I eventually was able to remember who everyone was. I also just found about the character trading cards on Aiden Thomas’ website and they are gorgeous. Whoever did the artwork for them deserves an A+.

I also loved how their world had similarities with ours. They have phones and social media platforms, with a spin on the names, like “Instagraph” and “Tic Tac,” I believe it was. (That spelling might be wrong, but I couldn’t find the spot in the book where it was said.)

The cast of characters was wonderful. Everyone had their unique personalities, and once I was able to remember all the names, each person was easy to identify. For our four main competitors, we have Teo, our protagonist, who is the transmale son of Quetzal, a Jade diosa. He’s worried for his best friend, Niya, daughter of the Gold dios Tierra, who could potentially be chosen to complete in the trial. And there’s Xio, the son of Mala Suerte, a Jade dios. He’s only thirteen and didn’t inherit any powers from his father. Finally, there’s Aurelio, son to the Gold diosa, Lumbre, and ex-best friend to Teo.

The representation in this story was amazing! The LGBTQ+ rep was spread among the competitors as well as the gods. I loved how everyone was so accepting; there was no judgement to anyone and it seemed like it was normal to have people of different identities and orientations.

The trials were so fun to read about. With the high stakes and harsh competition, I was rooting for Teo and his friends from the beginning. Each trial was led by a different diose, hosted in their hometown. The trials were all so different from each other, but each were equally entertaining.

The Sunbearer Trials was a thrilling beginning to a duology that I’m sure I will enjoy. Aiden Thomas, you better hurry with that next book.

My Rating: 4.5/5 dragons

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Have you read The Sunbearer Trials? Is it on your TBR?
What are some fantasies with LGBTQ+ rep you recommend?