The Sunbearer Trials: Chapters 4–7

by Aiden Thomas
This first book of the duology introduces seventeen-year-old Teo, son of the goddess of birds, who must compete for the honor of either carrying an elixir to the temples or being sacrificed to refuel the Sun Stones that protect the people of Reino del Sol.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–3, Chapters 4–7, Chapters 8–13, Chapters 14–19, Chapters 20–26
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. arepa
    a flat, round cornmeal cake popular in South America
    Long tables piled high with steaming tamales and arepas lined the outer edges of the cavernous event hall.
  2. abalone
    a large edible marine gastropod with an ear-shaped shell
    Her black skin glowed like the ocean under moonlight, her gray eyes glinting like abalone shells.
  3. stoic
    seeming unaffected by pleasure or pain; impassive
    Auristela smiled and posed like some celebrity walking down the red carpet, talking animatedly with Chisme.
    Meanwhile, Aurelio stood by her side, looking stoic and maybe even a touch uncomfortable as lights flashed in his face.
  4. pomp
    ceremonial elegance and splendor
    “I know they’re just more stupid Gold showboating, but they’re also—I don’t know, important? I mean, it’s an honor, right?”
    “To risk your life for this?” Teo asked, gesturing around the room. This meaning the pomp and circumstance of it all, the Gold.
  5. elitist
    one who is biased in favor of those with high status
    Aurelio and Auristela were pompous elitists, yes, but Ocelo was an obnoxious narcissist.
  6. fawn
    try to gain favor through flattery or deferential behavior
    A small group of Jade demigods chatted in a group, blocking Ocelo from where Chisme and Verdad were fawning over Aurelio and Auristela.
  7. blatant
    without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious
    Teo clenched his jaw, frustrated that Ocelo was able to get away with such blatant disrespect.
  8. solemn
    dignified and somber in manner or character
    “Not very graceful for a cat, huh, Huemac?” Teo said with a solemn shake of his head.
  9. tersely
    in a short and concise manner
    “Ocelo is not my responsibility,” Huemac said tersely.
  10. brood
    the young of an animal cared for at one time
    He grinned, giving Teo’s arm a squeeze before wandering off, his brood in tow and Xio sticking close to his side.
  11. sentinel
    a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
    Tierra stood behind her with her older brothers, Monte and Mino, who flanked him like sentinels.
  12. distinguished
    standing above others in character or attainment
    “Ten eligible semidioses between the ages of thirteen and eighteen are selected as the worthiest to compete in the Sunbearer Trials. The winner will be chosen by Sol as this decade’s Sunbearer and join the distinguished ranks of our past champions.”
  13. ebb
    fall away or decline
    The ringing in Teo’s ears slowly ebbed.
  14. rivulet
    a small stream
    Their body was painted in metallic gold, a dagger in their chest and crimson rivulets of blood spilling around them.
  15. opulent
    rich and superior in quality
    As he followed Luna through the opulent halls, Teo’s mind spun, trying to think his way out of this mess.
  16. resign
    accept as inevitable
    His expression was blank, like he’d already resigned himself to his fate.
  17. objectively
    in a manner not influenced by emotion
    He was objectively beautiful but not in a chiseled, supermodel kind of way. He had soft features, kind eyes, and the sweet sort of smile that made your legs feel like Jell-O.
  18. aloof
    distant, cold, or detached in manner
    “I’m surprised, is all. Mala Suerte always seemed kind of…” She tipped her head from side to side.
    “Aloof?”
    “Does that mean ‘full of himself and acts like he isn’t bothered by anything’?”
  19. reconvene
    meet or cause to meet again
    “I need to go reconvene with the other dioses.”
  20. skimp
    supply sparingly and with restricted quantities
    For such an old temple, they really hadn’t skimped on interior renovations. There was a large window with expensive-looking drapes, gold furniture, and a door that he assumed led to the bathroom.
  21. armoire
    a large wardrobe or cabinet
    “I put your backpack in the armoire,” he added, giving Teo a pointed look before swiftly exiting the room.
  22. laden
    filled with a great quantity
    A long table with high-backed chairs was laden with bowls of fresh fruit.
  23. revered
    profoundly honored
    Maize and Dulce were both Jades, and as such weren’t as revered as the greater Gold gods, but everyone acknowledged that they were the backbone of any event.
  24. glower
    look angry or sullen as if to signal disapproval
    Maize glowered at him, the edge of his right eyebrow still missing. “What do you want?”
  25. stickler
    someone who insists on something
    “Maize is a stickler,” Niya told Xio.
  26. frothy
    emitting or filled with bubbles
    The hot chocolate was amazing—frothy, velvety smooth, and with just the right amount of spice.
  27. influx
    the process of flowing in
    Teo was in that funny stage of being too wired to be tired, crackling at the edges from the influx of sugar.
  28. rehash
    discuss again; go back over
    Teo really didn’t feel like rehashing ancient history.
  29. commiserate
    feel or express sympathy or compassion
    But if commiserating made Xio feel better...
  30. regimen
    a systematic plan for therapy
    “Toned? We can start a squat regimen.”
  31. mangle
    destroy or injure severely
    She closed her fist, turning the gold lump into mangled bits.
  32. fitful
    intermittently stopping and starting
    Too soon, a light rapping on the door woke him from his fitful sleep.
  33. evoke
    call forth, as an emotion, feeling, or response
    They all knew good and well not to evoke the wrath of Luna.
  34. scrutiny
    a prolonged intense look
    After another moment of scrutiny, she nodded.
  35. dais
    a platform raised above the surrounding level
    A circular dais was in the center with a set of three mirrors and a rack of clothes.
  36. muse
    reflect deeply on a subject
    “Teenagers, always so self-conscious,” Chisme mused.
  37. haughty
    having or showing arrogant superiority
    A haughty scoff caught their attention. “Amateur,” Ocelo said with a mean smirk.
  38. upholstery
    covering on a piece of furniture
    Luna led them into a huge room filled with plush furniture and wide windows. Everything was polished wood, shiny bronze, or white upholstery.
  39. grandiosity
    high-flown style; excessive use of verbal ornamentation
    They hung back by the entrance of the common room, their usual air of grandiosity now a matching set of soft frowns, eyeing the errant water that dripped onto the deck.
  40. disdainful
    having or showing arrogant superiority
    “You’re going to hurt yourself,” Aurelio went on.
    “Let him,” Auristela said with a disdainful laugh, not even a glint of sweat on her brow.
Created on Sun Feb 04 13:41:51 EST 2024 (updated Mon Feb 05 09:57:58 EST 2024)

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