The Sunbearer Trials

Locations
Call Number: Teen Book / Fiction / Fantasy / Thomas, Aiden
On Shelf At: Malletts Creek Branch, Traverwood Branch, Westgate Branch

Location & Checkout Length	Call Number	Checkout Length	Item Status
Malletts Teen Books 4-week checkout	Teen Book / Fiction / Fantasy / Thomas, Aiden	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Traverwood Teen Books 4-week checkout	Teen Book / Fiction / Fantasy / Thomas, Aiden	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Westgate Teen Books 4-week checkout	Teen Book / Fiction / Fantasy / Thomas, Aiden	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Pittsfield Teen Books 4-week checkout	Teen Book / Fiction / Fantasy / Thomas, Aiden	4-week checkout	Due 05-22-2024

Maps on endpapers.
Transgender demigod Teo is unexpectedly selected for the Sunbearer Trials, a fierce competition among demigod heroes where the winner sacrifices the loser to Sol, their blood fueling the Sun Stones that protect Reino del Sol.
"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.

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Loved!! submitted by rshah on July 11, 2023, 6:01am This is honestly one of the best books I’ve read all year and now I’m anxiously awaiting the sequel. The Sunbearer Trials follows Teo, a semidiose, in a decennial event known as the Sunbearer Trials. At the end of these trials, the winner will perform a ritual sacrifice of the semidiose who ranks last in the trials to ensure a group of renegade gods doesn’t destroy Reino del Sol and their world is protected for another 10 years. The stakes of the trials are high. But, so are the stakes that come when Teo and one his fellow competitors have to convince the other semidioses that they are not less than simply because of who they were born to. Teo is the perfect main character. He’s mischievous, reckless, and exactly the kind of pain the butt that you expect teenagers to be—but in a loveable way. Through his eyes, we learn about the hierarchy of the gods, why the trials are so important, and the wonders of the world. If you want a fantasy book that will suck you in and has beautiful writing, this is it.