e-Audio, 13:28:59
Narrated by: André Santana
Release Date: September 6, 2022
Published by: Macmillan Audio
Read from: September 12-15, 2022
The Sunbearer Trials Duology, #1
Source: Library’s Libby
TW: Body Dysphoria, Child Abuse, Violence, Bullying, Blood
For Readers Interested In: Fantasy, Mythology, Racial/Ethnic Diversity, LGBTQIA+, YAWelcome 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.
*MY THOUGHTS*
I knew after just reading some of the pre-release details (like before there was a synopsis lol) that I was going to love this. And I was right. I really couldn’t believe how much I liked it. It was one of those books that I had to go and check and see what other bloggers said to make sure I wasn’t making up stuff about it. But nope, I was addicted and everyone else was too.
First things first, I found the narrator of the audiobook TikTok. He was super sweet and replied back to me on the comment I left him. Bookwise he was really good. The voices for the characters weren’t exactly different, but everyone had different inflections and was still distinguishable while you listened. The female presenting characters in the book were also different enough that I could tell who was who. Overall I thought it was a good performance and I enjoyed reading it.
As far as the book, the entire fantasy world was a dream. The world building, the gods, the myths and mythology was everything. Now if you know anything about me, you know my whole reason for making this blog was because I didn’t really get to go on some vacays back in the day, so I rely on books to make sure I get to go places. And that normally can’t happen when the world building isn’t great. But I had no trouble with this one. I felt like I was in all those Golden and Jade cities. The food descriptions and the descriptions of the places where the trials were held? Everything was just so good.
The plot was also really good. I found that I couldn’t stop listening to this book, and when I had to but I had time, I was pulling out the hardcover I had bought from B&N. I just kept getting lost in this book and the story. I was on edge the whole time. And man, the end I was like wtf. I thought I had already got the climax, but there was a surprise that happens at the very end that I was NOT expecting. Thomas got me good!
The characters were my favorite part. I loved literally all of them. And as you know if you’ve read this, you know how things got at the end. I hated myself for not seeing all the signs, but then I realized there were none. Thomas got me (and I’m sure a lot of others too) really good. But I really loved them all. All their abilities and the flying and all the things they could do. I really got attached to all of them.
This book was nothing more than amazing. I had half a mind to re-read it again. I definitely did read the end of the book multiple times just to make sure I had heard right. I can’t wait for everyone else to read and love this book as much as I do!
Overall, I give this
**A fellow TikToker who read a physical copy said there is a place in the book that misgenders someone, so please be careful/mindful when reading!**