The Sunbearer Trials

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
0🌶 (YA)

Tagline: Hunger Games meets Percy Jackson meets Mexican Mythology in the first half of an epic YA fantasy duology

This was such an epic adventure. It has the same kind of gripping excitement of a trial based tournament that captured the attention of fans of the Hunger Games, along with the Gods & Demigods dynamic of the Percy Jackson series. However, it goes further to include such an interesting mix of cultural Mexican references and gods, a beautiful and complex fantasy universe, and social commentary, all combined with a variety of LGBTQIA+ and disabled (in this case dead) characters to really bring this kind of epic YA fantasy into the modern era.

**Summary:

In a Mexican inspired fantasy world, show more dioses and diosas walk the earth to interact with and protect humans. The large pantheon of gods are separated into different categories, and a millennia ago a war broke out between the factions. In order to win the war and imprison the dark and vengeful gods who started the fighting, the original god Sol sacrificed themselves. Their power was split up into Sol Stones that are now kept across the land at each of the other god's temples for protection for all humanity.

Now the children of the gods, the semidioses, compete in a a competition every 10 years to become the Sunbearer. One demidios gains glory and the role of being Sol's messenger to re-fuel the Sol Stones in each city and temple. But another semidios becomes the sacrifice that provides the energy to re-fuel the Sol Stones.

**Thoughts:

While there are definitely nods to some of the other famous harrowing trials or gods / demigods books in this story, it is also so uniquely it's own. The rich world building, cultural references, and unique characters made this such a vibrant place to imagine. There were so many twists and turns that you are kept guessing right up until the end. I love how this will be a duology so we can get more of these characters, but I also loved how the author chose to break the story up so that each book will have (based on the current clues) different types of adventure arcs.

Now add in the many extra layers that the author chose to include that address problems like class / wealth discrimination, LGBT (especially trans) rights and societal acceptance, and even the seamless inclusion of a deaf character. This is the kind of book I would want in the hands of a YA reader to show them that diversity in all forms is not just important, it can add so much more depth and interest to an already good story. I loved this story and can't wait to dive into book 2 when it comes out.

**The reason I docked half a star off:

While I enjoyed the story and the twists and turns and excitement, the author chose to include some modern technology references that I found a little jarring. While there were different words for things like Instagram and YouTube, there was a direct mention or two of tik-tok. I'm on board with fantasy realms having technology and stuff, but them having apps and websites that were so similar in name to real ones was just a bit off=putting for me / threw me out of the story a tiny bit. This wont bother everyone, but it might bother some. show less

This book is a combination Hunger Games, Percy Jackson, and Hispanic-culture-love letter. The world of Reino del Sol is beautiful and lively, even with the ritual sacrifice. Thomas's descriptions make the place so real in my minds eye. I loved watching Teo grow over the course of the book, and how even the antagonistic characters became likeable. I also loved all of the queer jokes included, and how the world accepted queerness without judgment. I can't wait to read the sequel!

This book was SO GOOD! Yes, the scenario is rehashed from Hunger Games, but it has a lively, fun Percy Jackson vibe. I loved the world-building with all the Mexican aspects, and the characters are all fantastic. Even the “bad” guys are well fleshed out and sympathetic. My favorite was Niya, but really I loved them all. I also really liked the creation of a trans culture, like gender confirmation ceremonies. Is that a thing in our world? If not, it should be.

While there are bits of 'Hunger Games' flavor in here, there's plenty else to catch a reader's attention. The transgender reality of several characters is crafted so seamlessly, I had to stop at certain intervals to remember who was. The interaction among the contestants, their backstories, the challenges, and the geography of their world are all pluses. Add in a treachery just before the conclusion that turns most everything on its head, and you have the perfect ending to make readers salivate for what comes next.

As I did a lot of yelling about, I recently went to an author event featuring Aiden Thomas, that was so joyful and warm.and nostalgic and funny, that I was prepared to buy everything Thomas has written/is writing/will write forever. So of COURSE this was the first book I reached for to start off #LatinxHeritageMonth.

And it was a banger.

Admittedly, I did find the first two chapters a little slow/clunky/high friction. There was a lot of world building to accomplish and so many things were setting off my injustice alarms. But I would say about four chapters in things started really moving for me, and last night I had to stay up til FOUR AM because I HAD TO FINISH THE BOOK.

Most amusing to me personally, was that the book discussion at the show more event, while careful to avoid spoilers for book two, could hardly help but spoil a few things for book one. But because I didn't know any of the characters yet, I misremembered some details, which means the big final reveal was probably even MORE of a twist for me.

Listen, I elevator pitched this book to my youngest as "Percy Jackson meets The Hunger Games but based on Mexican mythology and trans characters everywhere" and his eyes got SO BIG and he said "is that REAL?" and I said YES, but you have to wait until I finish it first!

(In related news I expect my copy to immediately disappear for a few days.)

Anyway, I love them all, and as usual have BIG FEELINGS about how ALL of the adults in this world have been failing ALL of the kids and I NEED to get on the library wait-list for book two IMMEDIATELY because I am going to have to wait for the paperback to buy it because I need my books to match.

Please come talk to me about your Sunbearer Trials feelings. Also, I need little figurines or plushies of all the alebrijes RIGHT NOW. show less

The Sunbearer Trials is about Teo, the demigod son of Quetzal, goddess of birds. He is stronger than a full human, and he has wings! But his mother is a Jade, the lower rank of gods, and so he goes to a regular high school instead of getting to train to be a hero with the children of the Gold ranked gods. It's not fair but at least he doesn't have to worry about being chosen for the Sunbearer Trials, a competition that comes around once a decade, in which 10 Gold demigods are chosen to compete for the honor of Sunbearer, ...or the honor of being the demigod whom the Sunbearer has to sacrifice to prevent the end of the world. Significantly less fun. However, unsurprisingly given the title of the book, Teo is chosen to compete! He's got show more his best friend and a new friend by his side, but the odds are stacked against him since he does not have the years of training the Gold demigods do. He does have his wings, if he can face using them, and the somewhat unwanted advice of a former friend, so maybe his odds aren't as terrible as they seem at first. It's going to be a competition to go down in history, whatever ends up happening!

This book was so much fun. Teo is a great character, he's funny and mischievous, loyal to his friends but still with his own drive to succeed. His mother is a god, but he has a great relationship with her. He's trans, but his gender is accepted without question. The side characters are just as good, Teo's friend Niya is a force to be reckoned with, and all the other competitors have interesting and diverse attributes. The plot keeps moving but still has time for character building moments in between the action. And while there are plenty of books involving high-stakes competitions, this one felt unique in both the set up for it, and the events themselves.

In short, I loved this book and definitely recommend it. My only complaint is that I now have to wait for the sequel, and I really really want to know what happens. Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. show less

Die Grundidee des Buches ist alles andere als neu: In Reino del Sol leben Götter, Halbgötter und Menschen friedlich zusammen. Jede Stadt hat dabei eine Schutzgottheit. Doch diese sind unterteilt in „Golds“ und „Jades“. Alle zehn Jahre findet eine Zeremonie statt, in der der Segen, der das Land vor den „Obsidians“ beschützt, erneuert werden muss. Dafür werden zehn Gotteskinder ausgewählt, die in fünf Prüfungen gegeneinander antreten müssen. Die siegreiche Person muss die Zeremonie ausführen, in der die letztplatzierte Person geopfert wird.
Der „historische“ Hintergrund dieser Geschichte wird schon im Prolog beschrieben: Sol opferte sich zuerst um die Obsidians zu verbannen und spendet daher den schützenden show more Segen.

Nach dem Lesen des Klappentextes hatte ich eine Art mexikanisch/lateinamerikanisch überspültes „Tribute von Panem“-Szenario erwartet. Einiges erinnerte auch stark daran: der Konkurrenzkampf und die Sorge ums Überleben.

Dabei war es für mich anfangs schwierig mir die vielen Namen, Bezeichnungen und Personen sowie deren Verhältnisse untereinander zu merken und mich zu orientieren. Ein Glossar, ein Stammbaum und/oder eine Karte wären dabei sehr hilfreich gewesen. Dadurch fand ich anfangs eher schleppend in die Geschichte hinein, denn auch inhaltlich zieht sich die Handlung eher, bevor sie mit Beginn der Prüfungen endlich Fahrt aufnimmt. Es wird sogar richtig spannend und die Wendung gegen Ende hätte wohl kaum jemand vorherahnen können. Der Cliffhanger am Schluss macht neugierig auf die Fortsetzung.

Begeistern konnte mich die Welt, in der es Götter und Gottheiten sowie Sterbliche gibt, zugleich moderne Technologie neben wichtigen Traditionen. Trans-Personen oder genderneutrale Personen sind keine Ausnahme und werden authentisch und natürlich im Buch dargestellt, ohne das Thema künstlich aufzublasen. Die Pronomen sien/sier/sieser können beim Lesen anfangs ungewohnt wirken, doch ich habe sehr schnell hineingefunden.

So bekommen die wichtigen Themen Freundschaft, Erwachsenwerden, Diversität und Selbstfindung einen Platz innerhalb einer fantastischen Rahmenhandlung.

Ärgerlich fand ich immer wieder auftretende Schreib- und Inhaltsfehler sowie die unscharf wirkende Darstellung der „Siegerehrung“ in Form von Illustrationen der Symbole (Glyphen).

Wenn auch der Anfang eher schleppend war, konnte mich das Buch mit seinen Protagonisten doch überzeugen und begeistern: Eine schöne und spannende Fantasy-Lektüre mit LGBTQ+ show less