This was easily my most anticipated read of this year, and it did not disappoint. Celestial Monsters picks up right where The Sunbearer Trials left off, so we definitely hit the ground running from the start. The world that Aiden Thomas has crafted in this duology is so immersive and beautifully well done. The story is gripping, with plenty of action and emotion. Something new in this book is the dual POV. I really enjoyed getting an inside look into Xio's character. It adds so much to the story. I absolutely love the queer acceptance in this universe. It's something that makes my own queer heart so happy to experience. This story addresses, again, the pressures of parental expectations and the toll it can take, which I think can be so relatable and feel so real, especially to the target audience. This story also addresses feelings of guilt, mostly Teo and Xio, but also Aurelio. I felt that was handled very well and in a very real way. Even with all the drama and action, there is still plenty of humor on this journey. I mean, Niya is involved, so that's obvious. This book has so much, but in the absolute best way. It grabs your attention and keeps it. And, of course, the audio was fantastic! André Santana is easily one of my favorite narrators, and he hit it out of the park with this one. All in all, this was an amazing reading experience and an even better listening experience. I highly recommend that everyone check this out when it's released. It's so worth the read. 

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.