The Sunbearer Trials

While I may not be a fan of Rick Riordan's books, Hunger Games was always a fav, so I was quite excited for this one and turns out I was right. I also decided to request for an audio advance copy while still reading my physical copy and it was totally the perfect way to experience the book.

The world building in this one was super cool. It's been a while since I enjoyed such detailed world building in a YA fantasy and I really appreciated the author for it. The mythology surrounding Sol and his creations; the dioses, semidioses, and their powers; the hierarchy within the realm based on the characteristics of the dioses and how it affects the perceptions about them; how the Sunbearer trials happen and the display of all kinds of cool powers during them, being televised like reality tv (very reminiscent of Hunger Games), but also with the stakes being so high and how it affects the temperament of the participants; and the world itself being a mix of ancient and modern - it all made for a lot of fun reading and I was swept along the journey. The story is mostly the trials and it takes place during about 10 days, so the pacing is pretty fast, we get all lots of thrilling adventure and action, and get to know the characters as they tackle such tense situations. I liked how the diverse spectrum of gender and sexuality is normalized here, making for a very accepting world which made me happy.


It's not easy to remember all the dioses and their children present here because we have many, each with their own powers and I still don't know how many I'll be able to name. Naturally I liked Teo because he is the only POV we get, and we truly see his aspirations and fears and his growth through the trials. His friendship with Niya is very unlikely but also amazing and I just adored all their moments together. Niya herself was just so sure of her strength and her place in her world, but never came across as a jerk like some of the other powerful characters, and that's why she is definitely a favorite. Xio is just a young boy who is an outcast because of his father, very much out of place in the tournament, but seeing Teo and Niya be protective about him was nice.

I really thought all the other participants in the trial were going to be jerks based on initial perceptions and Teo's own ideas about them, but I liked the way the author peeled the layers of each of them as the story progressed, and we see what they care about and what they are willing to do for their goals. Aurelio and Auristela are definitely very memorable and I slowly came to like at least Aurelio, but I still think it'll be more interesting if they are a larger presence (maybe even a POV). And I know everyone probably is shipping Teo and Aurelio but I'm not sure if I'm there yet - there was just a bit too much unnecessary angst for my liking in their dynamic but I'm looking forward to more of their relationship development now that the circumstances have changed.

Overall, this was an action packed and thrilling novel with a very unique Mexican inspired world and mythology which will leave a deep impression on you. If you are looking for a fast paced fantasy version of the Hunger Games with gods and magic and slightly less ruthless characters, then you can't go wrong with this one. I also had fun going back and forth between the physical copy and the beautifully narrated audiobook by André Santana. I'm definitely looking forward to see where the story goes next.