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A review by loveforwords
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? No
4.75
my hearT
New fav YA author unlocked. Imma raid bookshops for Aiden Thomas books.
Characters
My life is a mess because I haven't had friends like Yadriel, Maritza, and Julian. Or like Flaca, Omar, Luca, and Rocky.
What I loved the most about the characters is how 3D they were.
A particularly strong moment in the book was when Maritza's friends were talking about Julian and his friends, describing them as thugs and gang members because of their appearance and their relationship with school. Then Julian explains their life and why they are the way they are, and- It's unfair to judge from the outside when you don't know someone's backstory. (I'm just really impressed at how well it was included in the story.)
Also, finally a non-conventional villain in a YA book.
Yadriel and Maritza's cousins relationship was just *chef's kiss*. But the one Yadriel and Julian share is from another world.
Writing
Writing style is what makes or breaks a book for me, and I completely fell in love with Aiden Thomas'.
One of the things I've loved most about it is how there isn't any irritating telling after the showing. You know, some authors would spell things out right after the showing to make sure everyone gets their point (e.g. "Mary took the first graders' lunch money everyday, and told them to be quiet about it or she would kick them in the shins. She was a bully"), and it gets tiresome. But with Aiden Thomas' writing, if you get it, you get it, and that makes it so beautiful.
Also, seeing Spanglish on the page felt like home.
Plot and Pacing
Even if guessing where the plot is going isn't too hard, I was obviously invested from start to end. Even if it weren't for the amazing characters and the great writing, brujx stories set in cemeteries are just not something you cannot get behind.
The pacing was just perfect.
New fav YA author unlocked. Imma raid bookshops for Aiden Thomas books.
Characters
My life is a mess because I haven't had friends like Yadriel, Maritza, and Julian. Or like Flaca, Omar, Luca, and Rocky.
What I loved the most about the characters is how 3D they were.
A particularly strong moment in the book was when Maritza's friends were talking about Julian and his friends, describing them as thugs and gang members because of their appearance and their relationship with school. Then Julian explains their life and why they are the way they are, and- It's unfair to judge from the outside when you don't know someone's backstory. (I'm just really impressed at how well it was included in the story.)
Also, finally a non-conventional villain in a YA book.
Yadriel and Maritza's cousins relationship was just *chef's kiss*. But the one Yadriel and Julian share is from another world.
Writing
Writing style is what makes or breaks a book for me, and I completely fell in love with Aiden Thomas'.
One of the things I've loved most about it is how there isn't any irritating telling after the showing. You know, some authors would spell things out right after the showing to make sure everyone gets their point (e.g. "Mary took the first graders' lunch money everyday, and told them to be quiet about it or she would kick them in the shins. She was a bully"), and it gets tiresome. But with Aiden Thomas' writing, if you get it, you get it, and that makes it so beautiful.
Also, seeing Spanglish on the page felt like home.
Plot and Pacing
Even if guessing where the plot is going isn't too hard, I was obviously invested from start to end. Even if it weren't for the amazing characters and the great writing, brujx stories set in cemeteries are just not something you cannot get behind.
The pacing was just perfect.