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A review by wordsofclover
The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
It's almost time for the Sunbearer Trials but 17-year-old semiodios Teo isn't worried because he's the son of a Jade Goddess, and it's pretty much only ever the children of Golds (due to their stronger abilities) that reigning being Sol chooses for the trials, the loser of which is sacrificed. But this time, the trials are different and not only is Teo chosen for the trials, but so is another Jade semidios Xio, as well as Teo's best friend Niya, a Gold semidios. Now Teo has to figure out how to survive against competitors that are much stronger, and better trained than him as well as figuring out to keep Xio and Niya alive as well.
This book was just so much fun, and as soon as I get to grips with the world of Reino del Sol, and how the Dioses and Semidioses worked, I was all in. If I could describe this, it would be The Hunger Games meets Percy Jackson's Camp Half-Blood but with a whole lot of South American/LatinX influencer and also everyone is queer!
Our main character Teo is a transboy, and I just loved that this was a small part of who he was, it was mentioned and never really made a big deal out of. It wasn't something to be mocked or something that made him stand out either as he was living in a world where to confirm your gender later on in life is very much a norm (in fact, when this happens there's a special Gender ceremony/party which is awesome). A majority of the character in this appear to be queer - there are non-binary characters who use they/them pronouns as well as many characters who are the offspring of two dads or two moms etc.
The character growth and transformation in Teo was lovely to behold as from the start of the trials, he is someone who isn't sure about their own abilities or even right to stand alongside a Gold to the point when he literally soars into the sky with his new transformed wings, and realises that hey, maybe he is worthy and also maybe he has a chance at winning this thing! I loved the friendships in this book especially Teo and Niya, obviously (Niya is basically Luisa from Encanto and I loved her), and then the timid one between Teo and Aurelio.
The ending of this was shocking, and I loved the promise of some great adventure to come.
This book was just so much fun, and as soon as I get to grips with the world of Reino del Sol, and how the Dioses and Semidioses worked, I was all in. If I could describe this, it would be The Hunger Games meets Percy Jackson's Camp Half-Blood but with a whole lot of South American/LatinX influencer and also everyone is queer!
Our main character Teo is a transboy, and I just loved that this was a small part of who he was, it was mentioned and never really made a big deal out of. It wasn't something to be mocked or something that made him stand out either as he was living in a world where to confirm your gender later on in life is very much a norm (in fact, when this happens there's a special Gender ceremony/party which is awesome). A majority of the character in this appear to be queer - there are non-binary characters who use they/them pronouns as well as many characters who are the offspring of two dads or two moms etc.
The character growth and transformation in Teo was lovely to behold as from the start of the trials, he is someone who isn't sure about their own abilities or even right to stand alongside a Gold to the point when he literally soars into the sky with his new transformed wings, and realises that hey, maybe he is worthy and also maybe he has a chance at winning this thing! I loved the friendships in this book especially Teo and Niya, obviously (Niya is basically Luisa from Encanto and I loved her), and then the timid one between Teo and Aurelio.
The ending of this was shocking, and I loved the promise of some great adventure to come.
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence