Reviews with content warning for Blood - Cemetery Boys

I listened to the audiobook version so this is going to colour my review/rating a bit, because I'm still trying to get used to this medium of reading, and my mind doesn't always cooperate and tends to wander a lot.

I felt like the beginning and the end of the story were stronger and more memorable, whereas the middle part was a bit slow and, to be honest, I remember very little of what happened, it all kind of blurred together.

I really liked the representation of the trans experience thorugh the character of Yadriel. We got to see the big and more evident aspects of it, but also the little and everyday details.

I appreciated the cultural elements, as well as their more fantastical re-imagination; though I think maybe at times the author verged into overexplanation. I also liked the interspersed sentences and expressions in Spanish.

I wasn't quite sold at the beginning on the romance but, as the story progressed, it got better and I'm not ashamed to say that

when Julian said "mi querido"

I screamed.

Content Warnings

astralfeline's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional mysterious tense 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

I tried starting this book multiple times throughout the past couple yrs and for some reason was never hooked in the first couple chapters. But I was determined to make it happen this time since I'd heard so many good things about this book and I have to say I wish I'd read it earlier 😭 This is the sweetest story. I love the lgbt (especially trans) rep in this story. I love the characters and how they feel like real people with their own motivations and interests. I loved the added details about Día de Muertos while also adding in the extra magical elements making it a bit more fantasy feeling. The character interactions and relationships amongst each other are so well done. And I think the plot and overall storyline is just perfect. It didn't feel like it dragged at any point, but it wasn't too short either. I loved listening to the audiobook and reading along at the same time so I could see the spelling of any Spanish words or phrases and easily translate them if needed. Also

the chemistry and interactions between Julian and Yadriel definitely had me giggling and kicking my feet, it was just so cute. I'm so glad this book had a happy ending because towards the end it definitely had me in tears

Content Warnings

christinereads1823's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny mysterious fast-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

4.75

SUCH a great story. I fell in love with Yadriel and Julian as they fell in love with each other. Aiden Thomas's writing is magnetic, with gorgeously vivid descriptions of Latinx culture alongside gripping action and a clear understanding of his characters and their emotions.

Content Warnings

emw29's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional mysterious slow-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? It's complicated

3.0

Content Warnings

More...