#teo tbst

[multi-fandom-lunatic]

The Sunbearer Trials + Celestial monsters

I said that my new years resolution was reading more books by POC authors so this is me living up to that✨

MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4 1/2 stars)

I'm going to talk about these books together because it's just easier. Also this does contain spoilers.

Thoughts:

This is honestly one of the most queernormative books I've read. It doesn't shy from making not only the main cast queer but also side characters. Huge props to Aiden Thomas for making a queer book for fantasy lovers who yearn for some personal relationships too.

I love that it's Mexican-inspired and has an incredibly diverse cast of characters. The representation is 100% for me.

Onto the plot. The first book has a nicely structured plot, with the trials itself providing the stakes and high action moments that keeps the book fast paced and the moments between trials allowing for the development of personal relationships and the themes of the book. I do with the intro was a bit faster paced, though it isn't super slow by any means.

THE CHARACTERS. What really sells this duology to me is how good the characters are. We delve deep into who they are and their morals and how their upbringing and journeys have shaped that. A lot of fantasy books are so insistent on being textbooks for their respective worlds that they forget it's the characters that actually make the book. Everything from Teo and Niya's friendship, to Teo and Aurelio's romance, to Xio's betrayal and redemption is very personal and doesn't feel rushed at all.

I do think that it leaned a little too far into the tropes. Personally am not a fan of Aurelio's mom being one of the reasons that the twins are the way they are, but I can forgive it because it provided for a deeply touching moment ("You are not deficient."!!!!!)

I'm not usually one for redemptions but OH. MY. GOD. Xio's arc was so insanely well written I was marvelled at the fact that I liked it. Usually I don't like redemption because people think that "they said sorry and did one thing once" and that means a character is redeemed but Xio consistently helping Aurelio, Teo and Niya and actively working to earn the redemption is refreshing.

Also I love the humour. "No hetero" actually took me out.

Overall, this duology is definately the kind of fantasy fiction we need to read and analyse more. Absolutely worth the read and I suggest any fantasy YA fan to give it a shot!

[icarianlibrary]

I made a song about The Sunbearer Trails, and here’s how it turned out

The Sunbearer Trials is by: @aidenschmaiden

[finleyforevermore]

CHECK HIM OUTTT HES SO COOL <3343

I made a song about The Sunbearer Trails, and here’s how it turned out

The Sunbearer Trials is by: @aidenschmaiden