Game of Stars: Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond

The Language of Spells

Olympians: Dionysos

Ancient Egypt: Tales of Gods and Pharaohs

Never After: The Thirteenth Fairy: The Chronicles of Never After

The Storm Runner

The Isle of the Lost: The Descendants

When the Sea Turned to Silver

The Sunbearer Duology

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 evil Obsidian gods at bay. Ten semidioses between the ages of thirteen and eighteen are selected by Sol himself as the most worthy 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 used to fuel the Sun Stones that will protect the people of Reino del Sol for the next ten years.

Teo, a 17-year-old Jade semidiós and the trans son of Quetzal, goddess of birds, has never worried about the Trials…or rather, he’s only worried for others. His best friend Niya―daughter of Tierra, the god of earth―is one of the strongest heroes of their generation and is much too likely to be chosen this year. He also can’t help but worry (reluctantly, and under protest) for Aurelio, a powerful Gold semidiós and Teo’s friend-turned-rival who is a shoo-in for the Trials. Teo wouldn’t mind taking Aurelio down a notch or two, but a one-in-ten chance of death is a bit too close for Teo’s taste.

But then, for the first time in over a century, Sol chooses a semidiós who isn’t a Gold. In fact, he chooses two: Xio, the 13-year-old child of Mala Suerte, god of bad luck, and…Teo. Now they must compete in five mysterious trials, against opponents who are both more powerful and better trained, for fame, glory, and their own survival.

Discover Your Child's Next Read

Game of Stars: Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond

Sayantani Dasgupta, 2019

The Language of Spells

Garret Weyr, Katie Harnett, Garret Weyr, also Freymann-Weyr, 2018

Olympians: Dionysos

George O'connor, 2022

Ancient Egypt: Tales of Gods and Pharaohs

Marcia Williams, 2011

Never After: The Thirteenth Fairy: The Chronicles of Never After

Melissa De La Cruz, 2020

The Storm Runner

J.C. Cervantes, 2018

The Isle of the Lost: The Descendants

Melissa De La Cruz, 2015

When the Sea Turned to Silver

Grace Lin, 2016