The Sunbearer Trials
The Sunbearer Duology, Book 1
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The Sunbearer Trials
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Narrated by:
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André Santana
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Written by:
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Aiden Thomas
About this listen
"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.
©2022 Aiden Thomas (P)2022 Macmillan AudioWhat the critics say
“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
“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
"The world of the Reino del Sol is consciously and emphatically queer and diverse. Readers who have aged out of Percy Jackson and Rick Riordan Presents will delight in the mythology that Thomas has created, while readers who enjoy the competition structures of Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass or Amanda Foody’s All of Us Villains will love reading about the challenges the heroes face." —School Libarary Journal, starred review
What listeners say about The Sunbearer Trials
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Tegwyn Curtis
- 2024-08-31
Percy Jackson meets Hunger Games with incredible deities
This is without a doubt my current favourite book. I have read the physical copy and listened to it five times now and recommend it to everyone I meet, especially my students. I cannot wait for the next book!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Tyne
- 2023-11-26
Okay wow. My favourite book now?
My life will forever be marked as the before and after I read this book. This book made me feel seen, made me validated and confident in the decisions I want to make about my body to present my gender — and I wish I had read a book like this as a teenager. I think it would have made me feel much less alone.
I cried with gratitude for this book several times while reading it — for being seen and represented and, as a reader, feeling loved and held and forgiven and encouraged.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Zombie Tomatoes
- 2023-03-16
I NEED book 2
It's like the Hunger Games meets Percy Jackson vibes but if the characters were just morally good people doing their best. I have 2 hours left to finish and all I want to do is pre-order book 2.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 2023-12-29
The beautiful humanity of it
I was thoroughly surprised and delighted by this book. The magic is incredible and the reality of it is so real.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Nichole
- 2024-04-15
Can’t wait for book 2!
I was hooked the first chapter. Great cultural representation and amazing story. I was so disappointed to find out that book two wasn’t out yet.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Ander
- 2023-03-29
Gender Diverse Hunger Games
Absolutely loved this book! The story and narration were excellent. Strong world building with an interesting culture around different gender identities, I wish the real world would adopt some of these!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- R-B
- 2023-01-18
A fun story
This was a great ride—fun characters and and exciting storyline. Love the inclusion of trans/non-binary characters
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Loralee
- 2024-04-20
An exciting and refreshing new story
Believable endearing characters, and interesting lore. A colourful, vibrant, and diverse world. I can't wait to read the next one.
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