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.

The secret Chambers of Dark and Light hang on the brink of extinction on a contagion-decimated Earth. Queen Regan of Night strives to create a new Dark order from the legacy left by her sinister mother, Queen Signa of Dark. A young girl, Keesa, has an encounter that awakens her dormant powers. In time, this will land her in the centre of a battle, not only between the forceful beings of Dark and Light vying for her—Queen Regan of Night, King Maen of Day, and the determined ghost of Signa—but, between the Light and Dark within herself. Sun-Bearer threads a story of the prisons we allow ourselves into, forgiving the unforgivable, and surrendering to the unthinkable.

The Sun is always present, but its light cannot be perceived in the same way, at the same time, in all regions of the planet. Cycles and phases are manifestations in the concrete spheres. However, on higher levels, serene bliss reigns – an ocean of pure consciousness, the infinite source of love and power. You are invited to enter into this mystery. Recognize yourself as an essence. You are whole. In plenitude will you live.