A review by samusc
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

adventurous emotional funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Wow, this book has so much heart!
Paranormal romance usually isn’t a subgenre I pick up, but the life that Aiden Thomas has given these characters had me crying over them so much.
The dialogue is written in such a way that I could read banter between Julian and Yadriel all day. I love how supportive they are of each other.
Yadriel is such an authentic protagonist, and is fully fleshed out among his identities as a Latinx trans boy. As time passes during the story, taking place over the days leading up to Dia de Muertos, the reader feels the anticipation and conflicting emotions Yadriel has over this upcoming deadline, to help Julian pass on peacefully and prove that he is a brujo.
The supporting characters are so memorable. Maritza is the best cousin anyone could ask for! The bonds between Julian and his friends (Omar, Luca, Flaca, and Rocky) are relatable for any Queer found family. 
The breadcrumbs towards solving the mystery are laid out in a satisfying way that perhaps might not be solved right away by the intended audience (teenage/YA).
Of course the setting sets this book up to be the perfect read in October, though I look forward to rereading it at any time. If you don’t have funds to purchase more than a few books a year (and rely heavily on a library), this is the book to buy!
This book, and Aiden Thomas, absolutely deserved being on the NY Times Bestsellers list, and I can’t wait to see more works by openly trans authors up there. 



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