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masterrainb0w's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Graphic: Transphobia and Blood
Moderate: Homophobia and Violence
reaja's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Moderate: Transphobia
Minor: Homophobia
theespressoedition's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Y'all, this book is a major tearjerker. Like, expect to find yourself welling up at least once every few chapters. It made my heart hurt so much for those who are currently struggling with acceptance of their identity. But there was something so freeing in this book. The way that Julian and Yadriel related with one another was absolutely beautiful! And the diversity throughout the entire journey was really wonderfully done. Yes, there were challenges, but there was also so much acceptance, love, and changed hearts along the way.
One of the things that was so cool to me about this story was actually the magic in it. It was unlike anything I had read about before and it was totally fascinating! I loved learning more about the brujx and all the different abilities.
As I hoped (like with all my heart) there was a fantastic twist - and I didn't see it coming. Yet again, Aiden has surprised me with storytelling that took me on a totally wild ride. I loved every second of it and can't wait to continue reading more of their writing in the future!
Graphic: Deadnaming, Murder, Transphobia, Blood, Death of parent, Grief, and Homophobia
Moderate: Cursing and Torture
vicariouslyy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Graphic: Grief, Blood, Homophobia, Transphobia, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent
laesterlurch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Dysphoria, Death of parent, and Violence
Minor: Transphobia, Deadnaming, Homophobia, and Xenophobia
thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
1.0
the pacing is weird and the writing couldve used some more editing--currently it's a lil unpolished w/ some typos, making the story awkward at points and feel almost juvenile. in terms of characters, julian's the only i actually like, while some others (w/ the exception of yadriel) seem flat and couldve been more fully fleshed out. the story's also predictable--which isnt always a bad thing if the journey getting to the reveals are enjoyable, but it isnt in this case. many blurbs and reviews call this book romantic, but i dont find it as such at all.
now, my biggest qualm w/ this book: the crux of the story and the characters' actions dont make sense. for the former: spirits are such bc they're dead, so why is so much fuss made over julian's fate? and if he wasnt truly dead yet, how did he even become a spirit? this is the literally the very crux of the book yet it has a major logical lapse. it's also ridiculous that he was alive even after being stabbed in the fcking heart like?????? for the latter, there are too many instances--both big and small--to name, i basically had sth to frown at in every chapter. ig one baffling example is near the end when help comes down to the cave, and no one literally bats an eye or seems concerned that julian has a huge bloodstain on his chest. and so many things wouldve gone easier if yadriel and maritza used their heads a lil more. also the mechanics of spirits couldve been explored more: can they float around? since they move thru things, why did julian have to go sneaking around going in and out thru the front door? i just cant...
oh AND i feel like there's a lot of wasted potential here. the spirit aspect couldve made the book so much more fantastical and unique, yet all it did was boggle down the fun. one of the major characters in your book is a spirit, yet a huge chunk of your story is basically your teenage characters tryna play detective to get more useful info by talking to ppl (and failing) while minding curfew??? i..i cant. anyways this turns into a long rant but this couldve been so much better. ultimately it boils down to the fact that i didnt like this book, and while cemetery boys is def an important story whose representation means so much to so many, in terms of pure story aspects, it's honestly not a rly good one, and yes im sad and disappointed.
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Transphobia, Death, and Sexism
Moderate: Homophobia and Grief
Minor: Death of parent
anihi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Death, and Transphobia
Minor: Death of parent and Murder
akswhy's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Moderate: Violence and Death of parent
Minor: Child abuse
deadpoetsam's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Dysphoria, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Death of parent, Grief, Racism, Deadnaming, Murder, and Transphobia
Minor: Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Hate crime, Alcohol, Child death, Homophobia, Medical content, and Emotional abuse
martereadsbooks's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Moderate: Transphobia, Homophobia, Death, Gore, Violence, and Murder