I don’t even know where to begin, except that I loved every single word of Cemetery Boys. What a brilliant and fun story; filled with a mystery to solve, loveable characters, a sarcastic ghost, and a trans narrative that is absolutely affirming. Seriously, this book has it all.
We have fun and realistic characters. Honestly, every character was meaningful and helped give the worldbuilding extra depth. Yadriel, Martiza, and Julian are simply the best. I would absolutely want to be friends with them and also defend them with my life. Which is how fictional characters should make you feel, right? AND I TOTALLY HAD A CASE OF THE FEELS…all the emotions while reading this one.
While there are stressful factors for our characters, including mysterious murders, death as well as grief, transphobia and misgendering, however the book truly is joyful. Full of Latinx culture, learning, growth, as well as love and acceptance. I think there are many morals to learn and especially for cis readers to understand and experience the agony that trans folx experience especially when misgendered. I can only hope that from understanding and experiencing these traumas will and can lead to empathy and visibility.
The debut narrator, Avi Roque, was perfect. Their voice was full of emotion and was absolutely brilliant in helping me get lost in the story. I’m looking forward to hearing more of Avi’s voice!
This book has my whole heart. I can’t even imagine how impactful it will be for teens to be represented and to see themselves in this novel. Plus it is perfect for this time of year with all the fall vibes, magic, and ghosts. It is one of my favorite books I read this year and I really hope many of you too, will read Cemetery Boys.
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Popular Highlights in this book
“Growth isn’t a deviation from what we’ve done before, but a natural progression to honor all those who make this community strong.”Highlighted by 1,728 Kindle readers- “Queer folks are like wolves,” Julian told him. “We travel in packs.”Highlighted by 1,139 Kindle readers
- He gave everything and expected nothing in return. Yadriel’s heart ached. No, none of them deserved Julian Diaz.Highlighted by 903 Kindle readers
From the Publisher
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Author Q&A
What inspired you to write Cemetery Boys?
Cemetery Boys was inspired by a writing prompt I saw on Tumblr — “What happened if you summoned a ghost and couldn’t get rid of it?” My main character, Yadriel came to life first. He's transgender, Cuban/Mexican, and gay. I really wanted to explore and showcase Latinx culture, and the plot aligned perfectly with Día de Muertos! It isn’t celebrated the same way in every country, but it has a recognizable core. There’s characters from Mexico, Cuba, Haiti, Colombia and they all bring parts of their respective cultures to the Día de Muertos celebrations.
It was also really important for me to write a book where LGBTQIA, and Latinx kids could see themselves being powerful heroes. Right now, these kids are living in a world where a lot of hate and suffering is zeroed in on them. I wanted them to see themselves being supported and loved for who they are. I wanted to write a fun book with good representation that they could escape into and have a happy ending.
What was your favorite scene to write? Do you have a favorite character?
My favorite scene is definitely when Yadriel accidentally summons Julian’s spirit. It’s a crash course in who these boys are and their personalities.
It’s also when my favorite character, Julian, first comes on the scene! He isn’t your standard Love Interest, especially in fantasy. He’s not dark, broody or mysterious. I wanted him to be an authentic teenage boy — he’s chaotic, goofy, and flawed.
What do you hope readers take away from this story?
I want readers to find connection and feel seen because isolation can be a killer. Julian is a ghost — someone Yadriel literally can’t touch — and one of the first people to unquestioningly accept and affirm Yadriel’s gender. Meanwhile, the living/physical people in Yadriel's life keep failing him. Sometimes our sense of connection to people has nothing to do with proximity.
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| Cemetry Boys | The Sunbearer Trials | Celestial Monsters | Lost in the Never Woods | |
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| Price | $13.65 | $12.99 | $19.99 | $18.77 |
| Must-read books by Aiden Thomas | A trans boy determined to prove his gender to his traditional Latinx family summons a ghost who refuses to leave | The first installment of an electric Mexican-inspired fantasy duology | The heart-stopping finale to the Sunbearer Trials Duology | When children start to go missing in the local woods, a teen girl must face her fears and a past she can't remember |
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Reviews with images
Bewitching debut novel, emotional and lovely..
(I received this title as an ARC. All opinions are mine and freely given.)"Am I dead?""Yeah....""Oh, Jesus." -- "My brother is gonna kill me..""Looks like someone already beat him to it."'Cemetery Boys' by Aiden Thomas has been one of my most highly anticipated releases of the year and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. I'm still feeling a little raw from reading it..Following the path of a trans boy named Yadriel, the story centers around his determination to prove his status as a brujo to his traditional Latinx family as he struggles with the inherent prejudices both inside and outside their community.Wielding ancient magic gifted to them by their goddess, Lady Death, those who carry her gift are able to see spirits. Women have the power to heal bodies and souls, while men can release lost spirits into the afterlife, but as a trans boy.. Yadriel has never been able to heal like the brujas.. and the leader of the brujx has never allowed him to prove he can fulfill the role of a brujo.Having been prevented from going through his quinces, Yadriel and his best friend Maritza take it upon themselves to see his opportunity come to fruition. When his cousin dies suddenly, Yadriel's focus on proving himself becomes laser-sharp."You don't need anyone's permission to be you, Yads..."When the spirit he summons turns out not to be his cousin, but rather the resident bad boy.. Julian Diaz, things grow even more complicated. Julian isn't interested in passing quietly into the afterlife. He's intent on discovering what happened to him and taking care of some things before he leaves.. and with Yadriel unable to force him, the two make a deal to help each other.Much of the mythos here is born of a mixture of Aztec and Mayan legend that makes up the more recent Mexican-American folk Catholicism.. such as Mictecacihuatl, the Aztec goddess and queen of the underworld, also known as Santa Muerte (Saint Death or Holy Death).. la Niña Blanca (the White Girl).. la Huesuda (the Bony Lady).. la Flaquita (the Skinny Lady).. and many other names.The magic origins are built largely from the stories of Xibalba (roughly translated as Place of Fright or Place of Fear), which is prominient in both early cultures.. though Bahlam, the Jaguar god and one of the Hero Twins of the Popol Vuh (though there are three translations of this text so it varies slightly), is born of Mayan sources who were said to have defeated the Lords of the Underworld (Xibalba) who had tricked and killed their father and uncle, also twins. Here though, Bahlam is no benevolent being.. and it is conflict between him and Lady Death that actually begins the story of the generations of brujx."You're insufferable...""Yeah, but I think you're kinda into it..."Obviously, the story is full of mystique and the tales from which portions of it are created only make it more interesting.. if that's possible. I've always been entranced by myths of gods and goddesses from all cultures and of the pantheons, the Aztec and Mayan remain amongst my favorites.It's impossible not to feel for Yadriel, not to want to shout at those who make things unnecessarily difficult for him.. and not to warm to Maritza for being that ride or die chick by his side. The best friend who will fight the world for him, who wants to see him succeed maybe even more than he does.. even if she has a moral aversion to aspects of the lifestyle for herself.Thomas did a fantastic job of painting Julian as an obnoxious, stubborn spirit with a wicked temper, all the while managing to offer us peeks of those parts of himself he preferred to keep hidden. If I'm being honest, Luca broke my heart more than anyone.. but there's a lot of beauty and a lot of pain sprinkled deftly throughout this bewitching debut novel with all the skill of an old hand.I caught myself laughing and couldn't stop myself from crying. It's emotional and lovely.. and everything I could have hoped for...
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2021
Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2021
Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2020
Yadriel comes from an ancient ancestral lineage of brujx who have been granted magical powers by Lady Death: men are able to release spirits to the afterlife and women can heal the living. Yadriel feels like an outsider from his community because he has been denied the rite of passage to become a brujo because he is transgendered. But when his cousin mysteriously dies and the brujx cannot find his body, Yadriel sees an opportunity to prove himself. While trying to solve the mystery, Yadriel mistakenly summons the ghost of fellow teen: bad boy Julian. Now Yadriel must help resolve Julian’s unfinished business while still proving himself to his family and community!
It’s very apparent that as a queer, trans, Latinx author himself, Aiden Thomas has written CEMETERY BOYS as a love letter to Latinx culture and queer identity. The vivid descriptions of the brujx traditions and Día de Muertos celebration were fascinating and informative. Trans identity is thoughtfully represented with nuanced discussion around chest-binders, proper pronouns, and deadnames. I loved that the story highlighted many different types of relationships: romantic, familial, chosen family, friendships, and cultural. I do feel like the strict gendering of the brujx magic didn’t necessarily fit with the inclusiveness of the story though the possibility of nonbinary and agender brujx was briefly touched on. And though I found the mystery a little predictable, the characters are spectacular and the journey is well worth it!
Do yourself a favor and read CEMETERY BOYS! This book has something for everyone: it’s got magic, mystery, first-love, loss, evil spirits, all while celebrating Latinx and queer identity! It will make you laugh, cry, and swoon! This Own Voice YA debut is an absolute triumph!
Follow my Instagram for more book reviews and fun book content: @BookyNooky
A Wonderful Celebration of Latinx and Queer Identity!
Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2020
Aiden Thomas's queer YA, fantasy, mystery, romance, coming-of-age story CEMETERY BOYS is pure magic!Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2020
Yadriel comes from an ancient ancestral lineage of brujx who have been granted magical powers by Lady Death: men are able to release spirits to the afterlife and women can heal the living. Yadriel feels like an outsider from his community because he has been denied the rite of passage to become a brujo because he is transgendered. But when his cousin mysteriously dies and the brujx cannot find his body, Yadriel sees an opportunity to prove himself. While trying to solve the mystery, Yadriel mistakenly summons the ghost of fellow teen: bad boy Julian. Now Yadriel must help resolve Julian’s unfinished business while still proving himself to his family and community!
It’s very apparent that as a queer, trans, Latinx author himself, Aiden Thomas has written CEMETERY BOYS as a love letter to Latinx culture and queer identity. The vivid descriptions of the brujx traditions and Día de Muertos celebration were fascinating and informative. Trans identity is thoughtfully represented with nuanced discussion around chest-binders, proper pronouns, and deadnames. I loved that the story highlighted many different types of relationships: romantic, familial, chosen family, friendships, and cultural. I do feel like the strict gendering of the brujx magic didn’t necessarily fit with the inclusiveness of the story though the possibility of nonbinary and agender brujx was briefly touched on. And though I found the mystery a little predictable, the characters are spectacular and the journey is well worth it!
Do yourself a favor and read CEMETERY BOYS! This book has something for everyone: it’s got magic, mystery, first-love, loss, evil spirits, all while celebrating Latinx and queer identity! It will make you laugh, cry, and swoon! This Own Voice YA debut is an absolute triumph!
Follow my Instagram for more book reviews and fun book content: @BookyNooky
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Top reviews from other countries
Josue Damisch
Producto de calidad.
Reviewed in Mexico on February 22, 2024
Josue Damisch
Reviewed in Mexico on February 22, 2024
En cuanto a a la historia, es disfrutable. Me gustó.
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vitroliv
Cemetery boys-4,5⭐️
Reviewed in Brazil on September 14, 2021
vitroliv
Reviewed in Brazil on September 14, 2021
- Fantasia adolescente que eu AMO, o trio é, assim como em HP e PJ, maravilhoso;
- Me diverti MUITO lendo, o Julian irritando o Yadriel 24/7, a Maritza maravilhosa sempre ali pra ajudar o Julian a fazer a vida do Yadriel um inferno kkkkk, ou seja, o famoso trio de fantasia adolescente;
- A história é cheia de elementos da cultura mexicana, chega da vontade de experimentar umas comidinhas da abuela do Yadriel, isso deixou o livro mais interessante pq, mesmo que se passe nos EUA ele tem traços marcantes da nacionalidade da família do Yadriel;
- A trajetória do Yadriel depois de se assumir é bem realista e cuidadosa, é heartbreaking lê como ele se sente depois de ouvir algumas coisas preconceituosas pela própria família, e o autor narra muito bem essas partes, até porque é um livro own voice.
- “Yadriel was always forgiving people for being callous. For misgendering him and calling him by his dead-name… He was tired of forgiving.He was tired of fighting to just exist and be himself.”
- OBS: É bom pesquisar “trigger warnings “pq esse livro tem alguns.
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