The Sunbearer Trials cover art

The Sunbearer Trials

A Breathtaking, Mexican-inspired YA Fantasy

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About this listen

Welcome to The Sunbearer Trials, where ten semidioses compete in a series of challenges with the highest of stakes, in this breathtaking, Mexican-inspired fantasy from Aiden Thomas, the author of the bestselling Cemetery Boys.

Only the most powerful and honorable will be chosen.

Teo, the seventeen-year-old trans son of the goddess of birds, isn’t worried. As a Jade, it’s unlikely he’ll be chosen to compete in the Trials, and even if his best friend Niya competes, she’s a born-and-bred Gold semidiós with unparalleled abilities.

But for the first time in over a century, two Jade competitors are chosen: Teo – and Xio, the thirteen-year-old child of the god of bad luck. With the odds stacked against them, Teo is determined to get himself and his friends through the trials unscathed – for fame, glory, and their own survival . . .

'Charming queer characters, thrilling magical trials, and an immersive fantasy world full of intricate details' – Xiran Jay Zhao, author of Iron Widow

 Action & Adventure Coming of Age LGBTQ+ Literature & Fiction Science Fiction & Fantasy Survival Stories Oral Health

Critic Reviews

Splendid storytelling. The Sunbearer Trials dazzles with adventure, breathing life into a bustling fantastical world filled with both wonders and evils. Aiden Thomas is a brilliant talent (Chloe Gong, author of These Violent Delights)
Aiden Thomas fully knocked me out with The Sunbearer Trials, delivering charming queer characters, thrilling magical trials, and an immersive fantasy world full of intricate details. This book is a triumph and I could not get enough! (Xiran Jay Zhao, New York Times–bestselling author of Iron Widow)
One of the best fantasy novels I have ever read. Aiden Thomas is masterful in their ability to not only build such a brilliant world but also characters who you love and want to root for. The Sunbearer Trials is a force to be reckoned with and has completely changed the game. (Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, New York Times-bestselling author of Ace of Spades)
All stars
Most relevant
The Sunbearer Trials had a sweeping, beautiful world full of charming characters that is sure to make anyone obsessed. This book was everything I hoped for and more. I loved the Mexican-mytho-inspired world, full of refreshing magic I had never read of before. The characters were all heartwarming and hilarious, even the ones we're not really supposed to like. The depiction of the locations for the trials were spectacular, the trials themselves a thrill. The inclusion of social media and pop culture was my only aversion and took me a little out of a fantasy novel. Otherwise, the ending was brilliant, a cliffhanger that left you wanting more immediately, but also not one to leave you in limbo. I'm grateful that Aiden Thomas wrote this book and so glad teenagers growing up will have this amazing story and world!

A Refreshing Fusion of Percy Jackson meets the Hunger Games

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I really enjoyed this book. Not only was it a beautiful trans representation, but it was a well-put-together mythology/fantasy adventurer. For the most part, I enjoyed the character growth; the main character was great, and I loved his friendship and a strong sense of justice. I had no idea about the plot twist, which was well done.

I loved it!

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Aiden has always been able to paint vivid images in my mind with his previous books, but this was on a whole other level. The story pulled me in immediately and the characters are so infectiously likeable, even the not so nice ones. Incredibly diverse representation, packed with all kinds of people, filling the world Aiden created with vibrance and depth that made it feel real, even when talking about not so real things like the Dioses and their powers. The action felt important but so did the quiet moments between, making it an absolute breeze to read/listen to. The Sunbearer Trials has very quickly shot to the top of my favourites list.
I am beyond excited to read the next book, I can hardly wait.

Colourful Storytelling

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I loved this story and can’t wait to read more. If youre a Percy Jackson fan like me you’ll find much to love in this- that is to say it’s obviously very different from pjo but it’s vibes are quite similar ( execpt they let the main cast say fuck as many times as they want which is A+)

Well written characters and a compelling narrative. The narrator was excellent in bringing me into the world of the story, and their character voices helped me keep the cast of 10 hero’s straight.

Took a little bit to get into but I loved it

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