A review by marissasa
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

emotional funny hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

This was a beautiful YA trans latinx story full of culture, connection, and heart. I adored the main characters Yadriel, Julian, and Maritza and their development and I loved how their identities shaped so much of their personalities and actions. I also loved that many of the supporting characters felt fleshed out and important despite not having much time focused on them, instead having their relationships to the main characters being the memorable part about them. This book was rich with culture and latinx lore which was delightful to read, but I think what especially made the writing stand out was the way Spanish was used. I really admired how character dialogue in Spanish wasn’t explained or translated to English. For readers who don’t understand the language like myself it felt like a visual signifier that something very important or culturally significant was being said, and despite not knowing the direct translation I was able to understand the weight and meaning behind the words. With language being used this way you could really feel the force behind the brujx chanting the words to use their powers, or behind Julian saying a phrase like “mi querido.” 
The only things holding this book back from being a 5 star for me are that the writing can be a little repetitive at times (I feel like “Yadriel scrubbed his hand across his face” was used like 4 times) and that the big reveal toward the end was predictable. Otherwise a really lovely story with beautiful representation, a sweet slow burn, and a joyful celebration of diverse latinx cultures.
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