The Sunbearer Trials cover art

The Sunbearer Trials

A Breathtaking, Mexican-inspired YA Fantasy

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The Sunbearer Trials

By: Aiden Thomas
Narrated by: André Santana
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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 Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction LGBTQ+ Literature & Fiction Science Fiction & Fantasy Survival Stories Survival

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
Thoroughly enjoyed this story, well worth the read. Like hunger games meets Percy Jackson but trans

So good

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No notes it’s perfect that cliff hanger at the end was mean though but now I can read the second book so very excited about that

Such a captivating story and has a transmasc main character, what more could you ask for

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it's always so refreshing to read fantasy. that's super inclusive without even making a big fuss about it. it's nice because there are young people that will resonate with this and it's totally appropriate for them to read it as well as it's really enjoyable to read as an adult. very interesting story. really well researched and just a really nice different universe to explore. very excited for the next book

Great!

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great book, it read off as like a ya novel so you could clearly see what the author was describing, they did a really good job at being descriptive, i could see this being a film already tbh

compelling story and word building

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This was just such a fun book, great representation culturely and great trans rep. The story was fun, characters enjoyable and realistic and I enjoyed the sort of meta jokes. Overall a great listen.

Fun Book

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