🪩😈🪩😈✨
4.5/5
“How long after he was gone would Yadriel be dreaming about Julian? Yadriel thought it would be worth the sleepless nights.”
Yadriel comes from a traditional Latinx family who struggle to understand his gender and truth. In order to prove he is worthy to be a Brujx he accidentally summons the ghost of Julian Diaz, a reckless teenage tear away.
🦋🌈⚰️
Character wise Cemetery Boys thrives. Yadriel is a warm, kind lead who, as a trans teenager, battles with prejudice on a daily basis and Julian is a loveably brash addition countering our protagonists shy demeanour. Yadriels best friend Matziva is a fabulous side character and even Julian’s found family – who you barely interact with- are memorable.
Latinx legends are brilliantly intertwined within this queer ghost story and the mystical history surrounding Día de los Muertos adds another level of intrigue.
Some reveals did not create the drama that Thomas was perhaps after but the beauty of this book lies within the characters, history and the concept of self.
The writings is beautiful and the dialogue punchy and real. It is likely Thomas pulled from their own experiences to create such a vivid and honest story and the result is a wholesome tale of identity and trust.
Cemetery Boys is a momentous debut that manages to be hilarious, creepy and inclusive all within 340 pages. An essential read for all ages, Thomas has just announced a sequel so get ready for some serious fan girling.
Emily xo
Emily Vierke 