“It was true, he wasn’t a Hero. But it wasn’t like anyone had given him a chance to be.”
For February we joined ten semidioses between the ages of 13 and 18 who are are selected by Sol himself 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. A thrilling mixure of Mexican-inspired mythology and The Hunger Games by Aiden Thomas that follows a Trans teen who is hiding his wings and staying out of the spotlight until Sol chooses him.The Book Box comes with gifts to open while you read, curated and created by the Alphabet Team! We will also have an accompanying Podcast released in 2023!
You can find the book by itself here.
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Date: September 6, 2022
Language: English
Paperback : 416 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1250822130
Reading age: 13+
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.
Violence
Blood
Bullying
Fire/Fire injury
Dysphoria
Injury/injury detail
Classism
Death
Cursing
Child abuse
Murder
Homophobia
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