REVIEW Celestial Monsters (The Sunbearer Duology #2) by Aiden Thomas

Celestial Monsters (The Sunbearer Duology #2) by Aiden Thomas

Rating: 4 Stars

Release Date: September 3, 2024

Format: eBook (Personal Library) + Audiobook (Borrowed from Library)

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

 “He cursed the universe for giving him the ability to talk to birds but not boys”

Aiden Thomas’ second book in The Sunbearer Trials duology, Celestial Monsters, was an amazing sequel filled with fantasy adventure, found family and even a bit of romance. After the failed sacrifice at the end of the last book, the Obsidians have been released and it’s up to Teo and his friends Niya and Aurelio to get the sun stone back before it’s too late. 

The characters were quite compelling, and it played well with the overarching storyline and themes. Xio was the catalyst for the Obsidians being released, but they are quite conflicted. They always wanted to find somewhere where they belonged, but realized too late that their ‘birth’ family might not be the answer to that dilemma. Teo refused to fill the same role that so many Sunbearers in the past had, acknowledging his ‘mistake’ and called out the Golds and Jades for allowing so many semidioses to lose their lives when it wasn’t necessary. They both were underestimated by those around them, but it ultimately ends up working in their favor. Without spoilers, I liked how some of the major players in this conflict were not the most flashy or the most powerful (on paper), but rather silent and strong figures content to be background players until their intervention was necessary. 

The representation in these books was excellent. There are all sorts of backgrounds and romantic preferences in the book. Transgender characters are widely accepted, as are those of different sexualities. There was also freedom for the characters to explore their identities; Xio transitions from using he/him pronouns to they/them pronouns part way through the book. When they announce this change to some of the other characters, they are thanked for sharing (and said characters promptly switch back to harassing them for their poor decisions immediately after). I really appreciate the opportunity to learn more about different backgrounds and groups. 

Overall, an excellent book from Aiden Thomas. Narrator Andre Santana did an excellent job bringing the perspectives of the various characters to life with their performance in the audiobook. While I’m sad Teo’s story is over, I’m very happy with the ending (it was well written and satisfying). I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy reads that celebrate LGBTQ+ backgrounds, complete with Mexican-mythology inspired worldbuilding, found family, and romance.