Not my favorite unfortunately. It didn’t really work for me as a YA Fantasy and I much preferred the author’s previous work. I didn’t feel like I could connect with the main character and their arc felt unstable.

The Sunbearer Trials bears resemblance to The Hunger Games in both positive and negative ways. The main premise, of course, is the same—teenagers have to endure trials and one another’s violence to claim victory, all while serving as entertainment for the watching nation. I liked Thomas’ pivot to Mexican-inspired mythology, though the three levels of semidioses felt too striated, especially due to the narration’s obvious criticism of the Golds’ wealth and training.

The LGBTQ+ representation was impeccable. Being transgender played a large part in Teo’s identity, but it never defined him. And having Ocelo, an antagonist, be non-binary makes the rep feel all the more natural. That said, Teo irritated me. At times, he came off as very whiny; although he rightfully feels patronized by the Golds, he didn’t relate to/interact with the mortals as much as I expected for an underdog. He also stereotyped the Golds, even the kind competitors, and claimed to have never realized that their lives might not be perfect at all, which made him seem obtuse.

I also had a hard time with references to contemporary inventions, particularly their world’s versions of social media platforms. It drew me out of the mythological, spiritual worldbuilding and diminished some of the gravity of the competition. Still, it matched the YA tone, so it shouldn’t be a detracting factor if the reader expects the typical YA atmosphere.

Overall, The Sunbearer Trials is a fun, fast-paced novel for YA fans of The Hunger Games and the Percy Jackson franchise.

I love the way Aiden Thomas writes trans stories that aren't about trans trauma. The main character and a side character are trans and all the other characters are very accepting of them, and I loved it. The trials gave me The Hunger Games nostalgia while still being something completely different and original. I'm really looking forward to continuing this series!

I really enjoyed this book. The characters are amazing and the action is really well done. I do feel like parts of it could use some more polishing and character development.

This was an ABSOLUTE delight.

A fantasy adventure with high stakes, a deadly competition, myths and legends reimagined, a queer and beautiful world, full of queer and beautiful characters… It kept me at the edge of my seat, breathless with anticipation about what was next, and keeping me guessing with every twist. The world building was INCREDIBLE, I kept having to take a pause to say out loud (to myself) how much I was enjoying this book. The ending was fantastic, and unexpected, and I cannot wait to read the next book.

Aiden Thomas has cemented themselves as a phenomenal storyteller, and a perennial favourite author.

**Thank you to NetGalley, the author, & the publisher for a chance to read to & review an ARC of this book!**

Please find my extended feedback below...along with some spoilers (beware).
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Things I Liked:
-I loved the world building in this one! It was very complicated at times (so I feel like I lost some details), but it was also very mesmerizing.
-Of course, I love the LGBTQIA+ representation in this story. I also love how it was openly discussed with the characters.
-I thought that it was great that Too stood up for what he believed in even if it had consequences.
-The ending set up a lot of drama & energy for the sequel in this duology!

Things That Didn't Sit Quite Right With Me:
-The plot felt a bit prolonged/drawn out at times (it lost my interest a bit as the story went on).

Overall, I gave this book 4 stars.

A really good story devised around the game, the Sunbearer Trials really reinterprets Meso-American culture and merges with our modern world. Overall really good story with dynamic characters and diverse representation. Aiden Thomas continues to write amazing books!

Thanks to NetGalley & Feiwel & Friends for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Sunbearer Trials happen every 10 years and is the gods' duty to fuel Sol and help protect the world by participating in the Sunbearer Trials. Unfortunately, the participants are the gods' kids. There's Golds--more "powerful" gods given prestige, power, and importance. Then there's the Jades--lesser powerful gods who are rarely, if ever, allowed to participate in the Sunbearer Trials. Until Teo, a Jade demi-god, is selected to participate.

The worldbuilding was pretty intense and the depth of the world's mythology was definitely explored to its fullest. Thomas does a great job of blending current social injustices within his story, so it feels familiar despite the gods and magic.

I will say, it was constantly disturbing to me how the characters and in-universe audience kept conveniently forgetting that one of the kids is *sacrificed* at the end. I don't know, I would've preferred it if the lowest ranked/weakest one just lost their god powers or something because that is DARK. Teo at least kept pointing it out here and there how creepy it was but no one else seemed to care. I bet this is the reason why this is under Young Adult despite it feeling more of a Percy Jackson book with its characters and overall cheeriness.

I think my main issue with the book is that it should've either been longer or saved some of the worldbuilding pieces for the next book. There's a LOT of good and amazing stuff jammed in here but it just becomes a chaotic mix of ideas. All of the characters were unique in their own ways and actually felt like real people with their disabilities/cultures/identities/etc but due to the short nature of the book, they were condensed to a single distinct personality trait. (Strong Girl, Shy Kid, etc) I hope they're all expanded in the next one.

I know I'm making it seem like I hate the book, I swear I don't! It's REALLY good but I hope some of these issues are fixed in the next one! I'll still read it because Thomas is a great writer and this world's story is amazing to see unfold!

This was an amazing story. The world building was fantastic. Even with all the characters, gods, and societal rules, I never really felt lost or confused. Teo is a great character and I really enjoy his growth throughout the story. I have already ordered this for my library and I book talk it as much as possible.

Fantastic! This is the book I've been waiting for. It's Hunger Games meets Percy Jackson and my students are going to eat it up!

Teo lives is a semidios and his world runs because each year, the winner of the Sunbearer Trials sacrifices the loser so that their body can fuel the Sun Stones that protect them. Teo is a Jade semidios, considered lesser than Gold semidioses, so he has no expectations of ever participating in the Trials. His best friend, Niya, and his estranged childhood friend, Aurelio, are both Golds, and top candidates for the Trials, but Teo is shocked when he and another Jade, Xio, are named as 2 of the 1o competitors for the year. Now Teo must survive the Trials and try to stay out of last place while also trying to protect his friends.

The action of this story was exciting and the relationships were fabulous. The competition with life or death consequences gave me Hunger Games vibes, and the cast of characters based on gods and goddess absolutely smacks of Percy Jackson. I also loved the inclusion of Teo's trans identity, and how his trans human traits are absolutely a normal part of society, but how his trans god/bird traits give him a tremendous sense of dysphoria. It was such a beautiful metaphor for the experience of dysphoria and I think Thomas handled it beautifully.

This book did end with a heck of a cliffhanger, which I don't love, but readers will be absolutely clamoring for the next book!

OH MY GOD this book was incredible. I can't believe it took me this long to read it. Aiden Thomas' books just keep getting better and better, and the storytelling in this is simply amazing. I need the sequel immediately.

This action-packed adventure was so much fun to read and watch unfold! The incredible cast of queer characters, the "Hunger Games' like competition (which I absolutely live -*or die* for) and showing what it's really like to be a teen and child of a god.

I thought the story was so much fun, I am so excited for the sequel. If you're a fan of Aiden Thomas' style of writing and characterization, especially in Cemetery Boys - you should definitely be considering reading this book.

I cannot wait for the sequel.

Aiden Thomas didn't disappoint when he created this world inspired by Mesoamerican mythology. A journey of high stakes and found family & rivalry. I am so invested in this story and can't wait to see what comes next. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Sunbearer Trials. I loved it!

Actual rating: 4.5/5 stars.

Honestly, after that ending, I don't even know what to say, except GIVE ME THE NEXT BOOK RIGHT NOW PLEASE AND THANK YOU!!

Such a gripping and well-paced teen fantasy. I love the Mexican-inspired worldbuilding, and Teo is an easily relatable character that you can't help but root for. Despite many characters, they remain distinct and the end sets up an exciting and anticipated sequel. I will be recommending this one to teens everywhere!

From dangerous trials to a deeply fleshed out world, The Sunbearer Trials has it all. The system of God's and the world in which this story took place interested me more than anything. I wish I could read like a comprehensive history from this book. The characters were complex and a lot of fun
I think my favorite was probably Xio but I really did love all of the main trio. Also that one handmaiden of death or something? I can't quite remember her name haha... The plot was so interesting and I was taken aback by a handful of the twists. I truly cannot wait until I can read the next book.

I love Aiden Thomas but this book just wasn’t for me. I think it was too familiar with Hunger Games, and too forced. Not to mention, characters are starting to sound the same book to book. I know Aiden can do better. I’m excited for what is next.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Feiwel & Friends/Macmillian for approving me for this amazing ARC. This was my first Aiden Thomas book and it certainly won't be my last. I heard that this book was a mix between Percy Jackson and the Hunger Games and I was all in. I wish I picked up this ARC sooner. Teo is a lowly Jade, who has been chosen to compete in the Sunbearer Trials, where the winner replenishes the Sun's power to keep the evil Obsidian gods at bay, and the loser is murdered and their body is sacrificed and is used to refuel the Sun Stones. Teo has no training and has to compete against more powerful opponents which includes his best friend Naya. One of the reasons why I love this book so much is that being LGBTQ+ is seen as a positive in this book! There are gender confirmation ceremonies when someone discovers they are a different gender than from what they were born as! There is a lot of representation in this book, and I feel like many people will be able to relate to the characters. The characters in this book are pretty cool. Even though there is a lot of anonymity in this book because there is a lot of tension in the competition, they still have to work together to win it all by trusting each other and opening up to each other. There is a bit of character development in realizing that you have to be more confident in yourself and that true friendships mean everything, especially when one goes against you. Overall, this book was a lot of fun to read. The trial parts were the absolute best. Sometimes I was at the edge of my seat because I didn't want to see anyone lose. You're rooting for all these characters at once because you don't want to see anyone lose. I can't wait to see how this duology is going to end!

A colorful, expansive adventure that captures elements of some of my favorite competition stories but is so wholly its own world. I loved these characters so much and I cannot WAIT for book 2.

It took me some time to get engrossed in this book. I think that was a combination of the pacing (which was a bit slow in the beginning) and my own life events. That being said, I really enjoyed reading this book! The characters were engaging and I was quickly invested in their lives and relationships. I am excited for the next book, because this one does end on a bit of a cliff-hanger, and I can't wait to see where the relationships between the characters goes next (betrayals and a sweet slow burn make this book).