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pauradisparire's review against another edition
4.0
May do a reread in October just because I feel like I'd enjoy it even more.
I loved all the characters in this book. My biggest annoyance was how Maritza seemed kind of forgotten once shit went down. Like she was there and then she just ... wasn't, until she was "needed".
We need more trans representation in books!!! Yadriel and his struggles hit so close to home, and I wish I could've read this when I was 15.
Also, fuck yea ghosts.
I loved all the characters in this book. My biggest annoyance was how Maritza seemed kind of forgotten once shit went down. Like she was there and then she just ... wasn't, until she was "needed".
We need more trans representation in books!!! Yadriel and his struggles hit so close to home, and I wish I could've read this when I was 15.
Also, fuck yea ghosts.
tinadls's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
phasingphoenix's review against another edition
5.0
If I had children, I would be giving them this book (teenaged children, but yes).
Aiden Thomas' writing is solid. At no point was I ever bored by a scene, there wasn't a single character I found annoying or hard to read through. I loved, loved, LOVED every single person who appeared over the course of this novel, and I loved the colorful and beautiful world of Yadriel's family. The book is exactly as long as it needs to be and gives the reader a satisfying, deserved ending.
I cannot stop thinking about this book.
This is a story we absolutely need on our shelves at this time. In an industry that is inundated by white or culturally ambiguous characters and stories written by white authors, it is extremely refreshing and eye-opening to read a story about trans Latinx characters written by trans Latinx folks.
And Cemetery Boys does not hold your hand! There is rarely a translation for any Spanish spoken, nor do we see any great amount of sympathy for those who do not understand or agree with the idea of someone being transgender. And this is, in my opinion, part of what makes this great. The story is not combative in any way in communicating its ideas, but it is unapologetic. It stands firm. If you come in looking for a voice directed at a straight, white reader, it is not here. But that does not make it any less accessible to a wide audience. It's beautiful.
I cannot overstate the significance of this book! I am basically none of the cultures represented here, but Cemetery Boys is now one of my all-time favorites. Also, I am in love with Yadriel and would rec this book just for that, but there is so, so much more offered here.
It's bright! It's hopeful! It's achingly real! And there's ghost romance! I read the e-version, but I'm going to get myself a physical copy because I loved it so dang much! Thank you, Aiden Thomas!
Aiden Thomas' writing is solid. At no point was I ever bored by a scene, there wasn't a single character I found annoying or hard to read through. I loved, loved, LOVED every single person who appeared over the course of this novel, and I loved the colorful and beautiful world of Yadriel's family. The book is exactly as long as it needs to be and gives the reader a satisfying, deserved ending.
I cannot stop thinking about this book.
This is a story we absolutely need on our shelves at this time. In an industry that is inundated by white or culturally ambiguous characters and stories written by white authors, it is extremely refreshing and eye-opening to read a story about trans Latinx characters written by trans Latinx folks.
And Cemetery Boys does not hold your hand! There is rarely a translation for any Spanish spoken, nor do we see any great amount of sympathy for those who do not understand or agree with the idea of someone being transgender. And this is, in my opinion, part of what makes this great. The story is not combative in any way in communicating its ideas, but it is unapologetic. It stands firm. If you come in looking for a voice directed at a straight, white reader, it is not here. But that does not make it any less accessible to a wide audience. It's beautiful.
I cannot overstate the significance of this book! I am basically none of the cultures represented here, but Cemetery Boys is now one of my all-time favorites. Also, I am in love with Yadriel and would rec this book just for that, but there is so, so much more offered here.
It's bright! It's hopeful! It's achingly real! And there's ghost romance! I read the e-version, but I'm going to get myself a physical copy because I loved it so dang much! Thank you, Aiden Thomas!
sam_holmes's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
echo86's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
emmilyjessup's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
hobbit_tomes's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This is one of my new favorite reads of all time and Aiden Thomas is being added to my auto-buy list!
Yadriel and Julian have my whole heart. I loved seeing Yadriel slowly come into his own and continue to be unapologetically himself. This confidence is only improved by meeting Julian, a boy who consistently stands up for the people he loves.
Julian might be my favorite character in the story. He cares deeply for his friends and is willing to go so far for them, yet never expects that level of care or love in return. He comes off a bit abrasive at first, but he is fiercely loyal and will do anything he can to protect his friends.
Also the Latinx rep and trans rep in this are beautiful. Reading about the dishes Lita made put a smile on my face, and I really love the idea that the brujx powers span all Latinx identities and that the book made references to multiple Latinx cultures.
I think it’s important that the story ends with the message that there is still much work to be done. It’s a huge step forward that his father was able to embrace him as a son and a brujo, but it will take more work to create lasting change in their community that supports and uplifts its trans members.
CW/TW: Blood, Death, Grief, Murder, Transphobia
Yadriel and Julian have my whole heart. I loved seeing Yadriel slowly come into his own and continue to be unapologetically himself. This confidence is only improved by meeting Julian, a boy who consistently stands up for the people he loves.
Julian might be my favorite character in the story. He cares deeply for his friends and is willing to go so far for them, yet never expects that level of care or love in return. He comes off a bit abrasive at first, but he is fiercely loyal and will do anything he can to protect his friends.
Also the Latinx rep and trans rep in this are beautiful. Reading about the dishes Lita made put a smile on my face, and I really love the idea that the brujx powers span all Latinx identities and that the book made references to multiple Latinx cultures.
I think it’s important that the story ends with the message that there is still much work to be done. It’s a huge step forward that his father was able to embrace him as a son and a brujo, but it will take more work to create lasting change in their community that supports and uplifts its trans members.
CW/TW: Blood, Death, Grief, Murder, Transphobia
baratheonbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Transphobia
buggy1313's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
cellardoor10's review against another edition
5.0
My review doesn't contain any specific spoilers, but some general references and character descriptions. Marked to be cautious.
I wish I could give this 4.5 stars, but I will round up to 5 for being a really thoughtful depiction of LGBTQIA+ Latinx teens and a breath of fresh air in YA fiction.
I frequently got really frustrated with the protagonist's inability to just talk. The number of times we heard "I ... I ..." come out of his mouth eventually felt comical, almost a crutch for making all his plans go badly so the plot would move in the right direction. My other frustration was how often his best friend, Maritza just faded to the background in a lot of scenes. She was there, and a much better communicator than Yadriel, but for whatever reason, would just stand there and watch while he kept messing up explaining things. Didn't feel realistic given her strong personality, and how much she supposedly wanted to help him. It didn't feel like they were real life partners in crime so much as she was a background character that came forward when convenient.
Julian is ... difficult to deal with. He is angry, and hyperactive, and frequently leaves the people trying to help him completely out to dry. And I got frustrated with how little anyone called him on his awful behavior. From my own personal experience, I would not be surprised if he was diagnosed with ADHD at some point in his life, and as someone who made it 30 years before being diagnosed, I can say that people with untreated/undiagnosed ADHD can be extremely frustrating in a lot of the ways that Julian is frustrating in this story.
In short, these are three somewhat maddening teenagers, and if you can't deal with teenage decision-making (or lack thereof), this book will be a struggle. It usually strikes me as realistic, with the few exceptions I mentioned above.
That said, there's a lot to love about this book. Clearly written from a place of love and deep experience, Yadriel effectively shows the reader all kinds of facets of trans experiences, from affirmation to microaggressions to grooming and betrayal. Seeing the arc of Yadriel's father and his level of understanding/acceptance in contrast with his brother, Tio Catriz, is particularly poignant and effective. The magic system is interesting and creative, and grounding it in real life cultural traditions was really effective. Latinx literature has a long history of magical realism, often in relation to the afterlife/Dia de Muertos, etc. Being steeped in that tradition gives this novel a warmth to it, like a family gathering in the kitchen to cook together. Appropriate for the secretive, insular community at the center of the story.
The book shows how long-held traditions can evolve and grow to incorporate new people and concepts, and makes the point that none of these "new" concepts are actually new. Trans and LGBTQIA+ folx have been around forever, even in a society like the brujx. Adding in Maritza's veganism as a "new" cultural norm is a nice touch, as well.
Highly recommend giving this one a read. I listened to it on audiobook, and I might have been less irritated with the protagonist if I had read it rather than listened to it, as an FYI. All those awkward pauses are much longer and more exaggerated out loud than written (not a criticism of the reader).
TW: transphobia of many different kinds, including deadnaming and incorrect pronoun use, etc. Death of loved ones (parent, family), death and a few references/limited descriptions of abuse of teens. A couple violent scenes.
I wish I could give this 4.5 stars, but I will round up to 5 for being a really thoughtful depiction of LGBTQIA+ Latinx teens and a breath of fresh air in YA fiction.
I frequently got really frustrated with the protagonist's inability to just talk. The number of times we heard "I ... I ..." come out of his mouth eventually felt comical, almost a crutch for making all his plans go badly so the plot would move in the right direction. My other frustration was how often his best friend, Maritza just faded to the background in a lot of scenes. She was there, and a much better communicator than Yadriel, but for whatever reason, would just stand there and watch while he kept messing up explaining things. Didn't feel realistic given her strong personality, and how much she supposedly wanted to help him. It didn't feel like they were real life partners in crime so much as she was a background character that came forward when convenient.
Julian is ... difficult to deal with. He is angry, and hyperactive, and frequently leaves the people trying to help him completely out to dry. And I got frustrated with how little anyone called him on his awful behavior. From my own personal experience, I would not be surprised if he was diagnosed with ADHD at some point in his life, and as someone who made it 30 years before being diagnosed, I can say that people with untreated/undiagnosed ADHD can be extremely frustrating in a lot of the ways that Julian is frustrating in this story.
In short, these are three somewhat maddening teenagers, and if you can't deal with teenage decision-making (or lack thereof), this book will be a struggle. It usually strikes me as realistic, with the few exceptions I mentioned above.
That said, there's a lot to love about this book. Clearly written from a place of love and deep experience, Yadriel effectively shows the reader all kinds of facets of trans experiences, from affirmation to microaggressions to grooming and betrayal. Seeing the arc of Yadriel's father and his level of understanding/acceptance in contrast with his brother, Tio Catriz, is particularly poignant and effective. The magic system is interesting and creative, and grounding it in real life cultural traditions was really effective. Latinx literature has a long history of magical realism, often in relation to the afterlife/Dia de Muertos, etc. Being steeped in that tradition gives this novel a warmth to it, like a family gathering in the kitchen to cook together. Appropriate for the secretive, insular community at the center of the story.
The book shows how long-held traditions can evolve and grow to incorporate new people and concepts, and makes the point that none of these "new" concepts are actually new. Trans and LGBTQIA+ folx have been around forever, even in a society like the brujx. Adding in Maritza's veganism as a "new" cultural norm is a nice touch, as well.
Highly recommend giving this one a read. I listened to it on audiobook, and I might have been less irritated with the protagonist if I had read it rather than listened to it, as an FYI. All those awkward pauses are much longer and more exaggerated out loud than written (not a criticism of the reader).
TW: transphobia of many different kinds, including deadnaming and incorrect pronoun use, etc. Death of loved ones (parent, family), death and a few references/limited descriptions of abuse of teens. A couple violent scenes.