The Sunbearer Trials
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4.7 • 21 Ratings
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- $22.99
Publisher Description
"Listeners will be captivated by the detailed descriptions of the cities within Reino del Sol and the fantastical beings who inhabit them. Santana keeps the tension in his narration taut as Teo wrestles with both physical challenges and his own feelings of inferiority." - AudioFile Magazine
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 chaotic Obsidian gods at bay. Sol selects ten of the most worthy semidioses 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 melted down to refuel the Sun Stones, protecting the world for another ten years.
Teo, a seventeen-year-old Jade semidiós and the trans son of the goddess of birds, isn't worried about the Trials . . . at least, not for himself. His best friend, Niya is a Gold semidiós and a shoo-in for the Trials, and while he trusts her abilities, the odds of becoming the sacrifice is one-in-ten.
But then, for the first time in over a century, the impossible happens. Sol chooses not one, but two Jade competitors. Teo, and Xio, the thirteen-year-old child of the god of bad luck. Now they must compete in five trials against Gold opponents who are more powerful and better trained. Worst of all, Teo’s annoyingly handsome ex-best friend and famous semidiós Hero, Aurelio is favored to win. Teo is determined to get himself and his friends through the trials unscathed—for fame, glory, and their own survival.
A Macmillan Audio production from Feiwel & Friends.
Customer Reviews
We’re going to need more candy.
Aiden Thomas’ The Sunbearer Trials delivers an epic blend of action, heart, and mythology that will leave you breathless—and with a serious craving for more candy! This thrilling story of demigods competing in life-or-death trials takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster filled with high-stakes challenges, powerful friendships, and moments that pull at your heartstrings.
The world Thomas creates is vibrant and immersive, and the diverse cast of characters feels so real that you’ll be rooting for them through every twist and turn. It’s not just the action that keeps you hooked—there’s a deep exploration of identity, honor, and what it means to truly stand out, even when the odds are stacked against you.
And as the final page hits, you’ll realize the weight behind that last line—We’re going to need more candy—not only because of what it signifies for the characters, but because, after this ride, you’ll be left hungry for the next book.
Thrilling and Fun
Aiden Thomas offers an exciting, hilarious, and heartfelt new fantasy that I could not get enough of. It’s often described as Percy Jackson meets the Hunger Games set in a Latinx inspired fantasy land with a unique pantheon of Gods.
Aiden Thomas fully captured by heart with their witty dialogue, loveavle characters, and detailed world building. Teo is definitely my favorite character, as he seems to live to cause chaos. But he is also extremely loyal to his home and friends. Overall, this book absolutely soars!