So I Read The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas

 

I’m going to be honest— this was not the book I intended to post about this week, but, it turns out that, when you read a book good enough for you to finish it in a matter of two days, you end up kind of wanting to talk about it (who would have thought?).

The Sunbearer Trials is a book written by Aiden Thomas, the author behind the New York Times best selling novel Cemetery Boys. Inspired by Mexican-folklore, this fantasy novel is complete with absolutely jaw-dropping descriptions, a fantastic plot, beautiful and heart-felt scenes, and a large cast of colorful characters that just made the novel just such a joy to read.

Throughout every single moment, the writing Aiden Thomas offers is nothing short of incredible. The way he crafts these lush, varied, and vivid descriptions that just completely immerses you in the novel is just utterly and so far beyond me. With his writing, he creates imagery and scenes in such a way that you’re no longer viewing the world of Reino del Sol from a bird-eye view. Instead, he writes so that you are experiencing the plot with Teo, Niya, Xio, Aurelio, Aurstela, Dezi, and all of the other characters as they go through the good, the bad, the ugly. Thomas’s characters are written with such genuine emotion and complexity that each one feels so human, giving each character a certain and distinct flavor of depth, personality, and individuality to them that I simply just adore.

Not to mention that, on top of all this gorgeous writing, I think this is the first book in a long while that has made me genuinely laugh. I laughed when Teo saw Niya taking a bite from a stack of pancakes like it was a hamburger in the opulent dining room of the Sunbearer Trial’s competitor’s yacht. I chuckled when Teo had to teach Aurelio how to unwrap a piece of candy because the guy’s just really out of touch with the mortal world. Little moments like these sprinkled throughout the chapters just made the book even more enjoyable to read and it's no surprise that I loved every moment of it. 

I know I've already said this, but that won't stop me from saying it again... This book was such a joy to read (and as of editing this post now, I have already finished the duology). I can say for certain I will be returning to Aiden Thomas's novels. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who even just slightly enjoys fantasy novels, and if you do decide to pick up this book, prepare yourself for a wonderful rollercoaster of emotions. It truly is a jewel in the sea of fantasy novels, but, I’ll let the book speak for itself. That’s it from me, so without further ado, until next time, and thank you for reading.

- Abigail Makela

Cover Image: cover art of The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas. Art by Mars Lauderbaugh