Gr 7 Up—In this Mexican-inspired fantasy, 10 teen semidioses compete in the Sunbearer Trials: the winner brings
light to the temples of Reino del Sol, while the loser is sacrificed to Sol to protect the people. This page-turning
adventure and first in a duology centers trans and queer characters.

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! ( )

“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.

See hardcover version for full review, borrowed this from the library on audio

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/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. ( )

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/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, 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. ( )