Cover Crush: The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas
The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas has such a glorious, stunning cover!! Illustrated by Mars, who also did Cemetery Boys! This cover tells you everything, the fantasy, the glowing skull, the power and stakes, I can sense it all! Plus it’s truly green the most coveted color for those of us who love doing rainbow stacks or shelves (like myself)! And if you been watching Aiden’s social media, the gold foiling is just whoa!!! I am eagerly anticipating the September 6th release – there is still time to preorder & submit for the incentive of 5 character cards (see embedded post below)!
The Sunbearer Trials (The Sunbearer Duology #1)
by Aiden ThomasPublished by: Feiwel and Friends
on September 6, 2022
Genres: Fantasy, LGBTQIA+, Young Adult
Pages: 422
Bookshop
Goodreads
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 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.
