A review by orionmerlin
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Characters: 7.5/10
The characters were engaging but unevenly developed. Yadriel’s journey was compelling, but his internal struggle became repetitive, with little variation in how it was explored. While I sympathized with his frustration, his arc felt predictable, and his family’s eventual acceptance was too easy. Julian was entertaining, injecting life into the book with his humor and energy, but his development leaned too heavily on charisma rather than depth. His transition from chaotic ghost to love interest felt rushed, making their romance lack the emotional weight it needed. Maritza was a fun and supportive presence, but she had no real storyline of her own. The secondary characters—especially Yadriel’s family—were underdeveloped, with most serving as obstacles or plot devices rather than feeling like real people.
Atmosphere/Setting: 7/10
The cemetery setting had the potential to be hauntingly atmospheric, but it wasn’t as immersive as it could have been. The descriptions of Día de Muertos were rich, and the cultural details were a highlight, but the magic system lacked depth. The brujx traditions were intriguing, but they felt more like a backdrop than an integrated, fleshed-out world. The supernatural elements lacked clear rules, and the sense of danger surrounding Miguel’s disappearance was strangely muted. Beyond the cemetery, the urban LA setting was generic and could have been better utilized to contrast the hidden magic of Yadriel’s world.
Writing Style: 7/10
The writing was accessible and emotionally driven, but it relied too much on telling rather than showing. The prose leaned on repetitive internal monologues, which slowed the pacing, and Julian’s constant quips felt excessive rather than charming at times. The balance between narration and dialogue was uneven—some scenes dragged due to over-explaining, while others rushed through important moments. The humor worked in some places but felt forced in others, making certain interactions feel less natural. Despite this, the writing had a clear, heartfelt voice that made the emotional beats land, even if they weren’t always executed with subtlety.
Plot: 6.5/10
The story had a strong premise, but the execution faltered in key areas. The mystery of Miguel’s disappearance was a compelling hook, but the investigation itself was passive, with most answers falling into Yadriel’s lap rather than being actively uncovered. The stakes never felt as high as they should have, and the final twist was predictable. Julian’s refusal to move on felt more like a plot device than a natural choice. The romance, while sweet, moved too quickly, making it difficult to fully invest in their relationship. The ending wrapped up everything too neatly, minimizing the struggle Yadriel had faced throughout the book.
Intrigue: 8/10
Despite its flaws, the book was engaging. The mix of mystery, romance, and cultural elements kept me turning the pages. The dynamic between Yadriel and Julian was fun to watch, even if it wasn’t always deeply developed. The stakes surrounding Miguel’s disappearance could have been higher, but the emotional weight of Yadriel’s personal journey helped compensate. There were some pacing issues—especially in the middle—but the book never lost my interest completely.
Logic/Relationships: 6.5/10
This was one of the book’s weaker aspects. The brujx magic system was vague, with rules that weren’t fully explained or consistently followed. The relationships, especially Yadriel’s struggle with his family, were uneven—his father’s resistance was emphasized throughout the book, only to be resolved in a way that felt too easy. Julian’s backstory was intriguing, but the novel only scratched the surface of his life before death. The antagonist’s motivations were weak, making the final confrontation lack impact. The romance between Yadriel and Julian was cute but underdeveloped, relying more on forced proximity than meaningful moments of connection.
Enjoyment: 7/10
Despite its shortcomings, Cemetery Boys was an enjoyable read. Its strengths—LGBTQ+ and Latinx representation, engaging characters, and emotional themes—outweighed its flaws, but just barely. The world-building felt thin, the mystery lacked tension, and the resolution was too convenient. However, the book had heart, and that carried it through. I would recommend it to readers looking for a fun, diverse paranormal story with an engaging romance, even if it doesn’t fully live up to its potential.