The Sunbearer Trials

This book was a fantastic read I gave the 4 stars because the binding was messed up. Amazon quickly sent me out a replacement book but it also had binding issues so it must be a problem at the manufacturer not with Amazon. I’d still recommend

I saw reviews for this book and decided to pick it up. I am glad. It’s an enjoyable YA/middle grades book about a boy named Teo who is chosen to compete in a series of events to be his people’s Sunbearer. The Sunbearer is the one who keeps Sol, the god of light lit. Teo is competing against 9 other semi gods and the winner becomes the Sunbearer and the loser becomes the sacrifice to Sol.If I have any marks against the book it is that with ten characters I feel some of the lesser characters were overlooked. This really becomes the story of Teo, his friend Niya, Twins Aurelio and Aurestelia and Xio- with appearances by Oceleo. That’s really the issue with any battle royale story is some characters are just there to be background.I enjoyed that the mythology of Mexico was so prominent in the story. Without saying it you knew where the story was and it really did center it and make it feel like this story was something that could happen in real life.Overall, and enjoyable read and I am excited to read the sequel.

Book is so-so. I don’t like the MC. He’s annoying. Nothing special about him. Avid complainer. If he doesn’t like the world he’s in, why should the reader? He goes on these trials with nothing to offer the reader to root for him in. Hates his wings. I can’t hate them because I don’t understand why he hates them. I’ve been told something about why, but I haven’t been shown why. Show me how does his wings bother him? There’s nothing special about him that makes the reader want to care for him. Maybe helping in the fire was supposed to show his special character? It didn’t. He had to be saved. So why did he get chosen? Kinda silly. Maybe if he had saved the day which could have been just walking the lady out of the fire, then I would believe it’s the reason why Sol chose him. Otherwise, I shrug. I thought after he got chosen for the trials he would take the world more seriously. Nope. He’s whiny, not wanting to travel with the group, etc. The gold didn’t do anything to him, yet he treats them bad, essentially creating his own problems. He can’t even lift weights? Come on. He’s 17. What kind of boy is this? Very unrealistic and even if he had never done it, he’s an avid show watcher so he’s probably seen it on TV. He’s embarrassing himself, not the golds doing it. Hunger Games keeps coming to mind and I just can’t stop comparing. There’s great descriptions but too much of it. Too many characters , too many details of characters and places that I shrug at. And then the entire trial thing is just silly. What are they competing for again? Who can take the energy to the sun? And who is sacrificed? He’s clueless because he thinks Theyre going in a tour of the cities, but he’s watched the trials on TV before. So how come he doesn’t know it’s not a vacation? Kinda silly character . I give it 3 stars because it does have great details. It seems like a pretty good world building although I still don’t get the point of the trials. The plot moves along, although I’ve sped it up on the audiobook because his thoughts are repetitive. “Oh it’s so splendid their rooms and the food.” This is a boy. Do boys ponder on that stuff? Even if he is this kind of boy, I would assume he’s been around other masculine boys and would know other masculine stuff. He’s in high school. Doesn’t he take gym class? Use his grimy regular high school tactics on these privileged super heroes. It’s hard to believe his mom would allow him to be that’s naive. She’s supposedly a warrior herself. She didn’t teach him something? I’m just saying it’s hard to believe this boy doesn’t know how to do bare minimal things other teenagers can do? He blames rhe golds but it’s not their fault he’s a simpleton which stupid tricks. I also gave it 3 stars because I do like the relation to the Mexican heritage. It was done well.I won’t comment on the side characters because they’re almost like him but we don’t have to be in their heads.Im only on chapter 6. I’m going to keep reading hoping that something will change him and he can go on that Hero’s Journey. Otherwise, he’s the same kid before the trials and the same kid after the trial.

Love the book, great one for my classroom!

I'm so glad I ended up getting the second book before I could read this one, because that ending. I loved this one. The characters were great and I loved seeing Teo rise from being the underdog. The world was so amazing, I loved all of the gods and the magic. And the plot was great, I loved all of the trials. I can't wait to read the conclusion.