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mintchocolatechip's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Transphobia, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Deadnaming and Murder
Minor: Homophobia, Violence, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Abandonment, and Alcohol
ace_of_spades_'s review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book is so good holy shit. It is funny and lighthearted some times and had me in tears in others. The lgbtq rep is amazing and I can’t really speak for the latinx rep bc i’m white, but from what I can tell it was done very well.
I loved that it dealt with difficult lgbtq issues without making it the main focus of the book and how it felt with systematic racism without it feeling forced.
The interaction between Yadriel and Julian when they came out to each other is in my top ten scenes in this book. the contrast in someone so secure in his sexuality and Yadriel who is still filling his boots so you say. The inner monologue of Yadriel in the scene was deeply relatable and i think applies to anyone who is different. Anyways love this book and Yadriel and Julian’s relationship.
Ok also pay attention to Yadriel and Julian’s use of nicknames, it’ll make your heart melt.
I loved that it dealt with difficult lgbtq issues without making it the main focus of the book and how it felt with systematic racism without it feeling forced.
The interaction between Yadriel and Julian when they came out to each other is in my top ten scenes in this book. the contrast in someone so secure in his sexuality and Yadriel who is still filling his boots so you say. The inner monologue of Yadriel in the scene was deeply relatable and i think applies to anyone who is different. Anyways love this book and Yadriel and Julian’s relationship.
Ok also pay attention to Yadriel and Julian’s use of nicknames, it’ll make your heart melt.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Child abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, and Violence
Minor: Addiction
troisha's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Blood
Moderate: Transphobia, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Body horror, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Medical content, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, Abandonment, Alcohol, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
hello_lovely13's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Transphobia, and Blood
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Deadnaming, Physical abuse, Racism, Kidnapping, and Abandonment
For deadnaming, the author is never explicit by never telling the reader what anyone’s deadname is. Also, there are some topics brought up in regards to leaving home or being kicked out of a house because of abuse or transphobia or homophobia (it is touched upon, but not too explicit—though the physical abuse mention is more explicit, but not more than a couple mentions and some hinting).andromeda_1998's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
3.5
Cementry boys by Aiden Thomas is a queer adventure, it’s about Yadriel. A boy who always wanted to be a part of the Brujo but his family keeps telling him that “since he is a girl, he should be a Bruja”. Yadriel identifies as a boy and when his nephew dies. He decides to prove himself a brujo by solving the murder. He tries to summon the spirit of his nephew but he ends up summoning the spirit of a boy from his school, Jules. To set free Jules and to prove himself as a brujo he decides to solve both the murder of is nephew and the death of Jules. In the hope that his family will finally see him for the boy he is.
My opinions about the book:
Characters: the characters in this book aren’t amazing but enjoyable. I really liked the trans representation, but I don’t feel comfortable judging is the representation is done well since I’m not trans. The chances are very big that it has been done well since the author is also trans.
Worldbuilding: this story is magical realism and therefore the worldbuilding looks more like the world we know. Aiden Thomas made our world more magical by adding Latino mythe’s and legends. I cannot judge the way he did it since I’m not informed about Latin culture, but it was a good way to make the book more unique.
Story/plot: this was the factor that for me felt like something was missing. I missed some depth to the story. For me the book felt to much like and ordinary contemporary and I’m not really a fan of that. There where some. Amazing ideas and plotlines in this book but the felt underdeveloped.
The verdict:
This book is entertaining and I would recommend this to younger readers (ages 14-17). But if you have been reading ya fantasy for a very long time than this might feel like any other story. I think the trans/gay representation in this book is it’s saving aspect. I feel like that is the part that makes this book worth the read. So this book is a good startingpoint especially door queer teenagers.
My opinions about the book:
Characters: the characters in this book aren’t amazing but enjoyable. I really liked the trans representation, but I don’t feel comfortable judging is the representation is done well since I’m not trans. The chances are very big that it has been done well since the author is also trans.
Worldbuilding: this story is magical realism and therefore the worldbuilding looks more like the world we know. Aiden Thomas made our world more magical by adding Latino mythe’s and legends. I cannot judge the way he did it since I’m not informed about Latin culture, but it was a good way to make the book more unique.
Story/plot: this was the factor that for me felt like something was missing. I missed some depth to the story. For me the book felt to much like and ordinary contemporary and I’m not really a fan of that. There where some. Amazing ideas and plotlines in this book but the felt underdeveloped.
The verdict:
This book is entertaining and I would recommend this to younger readers (ages 14-17). But if you have been reading ya fantasy for a very long time than this might feel like any other story. I think the trans/gay representation in this book is it’s saving aspect. I feel like that is the part that makes this book worth the read. So this book is a good startingpoint especially door queer teenagers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
ceresper's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Transphobia
Minor: Death, Homophobia, and Death of parent
dolores_madil's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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? Yes
4.5
I really liked this book there where things I deferentially could not relate to as a straight women but as a Mexican American I related to a good amount. If you want to know more details I have a video about it on my YouTube channel. https://youtu.be/RDfaHZgqHsg
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Transphobia, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Deadnaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Racism, Sexism, Transphobia, Violence, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
bookishandlegal's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this one. I read it with a group and it was fun discussing the characters and what we thought might happen at the end. The first half for me was an average YA with some spooky/ghostly elements, but wasn't anything spectacular. I liked Yadriel and was interested in his storyline of dealing with his families mostly not great reaction to his transition. I absolutely loved Maritza and her fierce loyalty and love to Yadriel. Julian was obvs great and I really liked learning more about him as the book developed.
The second half/ending of this one really sealed the deal for me! I flew through the second half and was on the edge of my seat throughout the whole ending. I loved the reveal of the bad guy and explanation of what happened to Julian/Yadriel's cousin/and the other missing kids. I honestly didn't see any of that coming at all, but i'm notoriously bad at guessing endings/twists. In the second half it did seem like we had forgotten a little bit about the mystery and figuring out what had happened to Miguel and the other missing kids and then Yadriel just kinda stumbled into the answer. But in the moment I was enjoying the unraveling of the ending too much to be too bothered.
This is a solid YA book that will be enjoyed by teens and adults alike. It has lots of fall, Halloween, Dia de los Muertes vibes and is a perfect cozy, fall read. It also is great for a coming of age story with a gay trans male and gay love interest. The details about transitioning and using people's correct pronouns throughout are great and honestly is a book everyone should read just for that. Definitely recommend this one!
The second half/ending of this one really sealed the deal for me! I flew through the second half and was on the edge of my seat throughout the whole ending. I loved the reveal of the bad guy and explanation of what happened to Julian/Yadriel's cousin/and the other missing kids. I honestly didn't see any of that coming at all, but i'm notoriously bad at guessing endings/twists. In the second half it did seem like we had forgotten a little bit about the mystery and figuring out what had happened to Miguel and the other missing kids and then Yadriel just kinda stumbled into the answer. But in the moment I was enjoying the unraveling of the ending too much to be too bothered.
This is a solid YA book that will be enjoyed by teens and adults alike. It has lots of fall, Halloween, Dia de los Muertes vibes and is a perfect cozy, fall read. It also is great for a coming of age story with a gay trans male and gay love interest. The details about transitioning and using people's correct pronouns throughout are great and honestly is a book everyone should read just for that. Definitely recommend this one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Death of parent
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Deadnaming and Cultural appropriation
kiwi_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
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? N/A
5.0
I loved this book! I read it in four days, and that's coming from a slow reader. I was so hooked from the first line! The writing is impeccable and the diversity is just what I was looking for. I loved the pacing and I fell in love with the characters before I was finished the fifth chapter! The love story between Yadriel and Julian had me sobbing This amazing story about love, family, and acceptance will warm your heartstrings. I cannot stress enough how good this book is and I hope whoever sees this will go read it right now. This is definitely at the top of my list for recs and I have no doubt it will stay there for a long time!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Transphobia, Blood, and Abandonment
Minor: Drug abuse, Death of parent, and Alcohol
burnsie's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Deadnaming, Death, Homophobia, Transphobia, Blood, Car accident, and Murder
Minor: Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Dysphoria