Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

Book Description

When his traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his true gender, Yadriel becomes determined to prove himself a real brujo. With the help of his cousin and best friend Maritza, he performs the ritual himself, and then sets out to find the ghost of his murdered cousin and set it free.

However, the ghost he summons is actually Julian Diaz, the school’s resident bad boy, and Julian is not about to go quietly into death. He’s determined to find out what happened and tie off some loose ends before he leaves. Left with no choice, Yadriel agrees to help Julian, so that they can both get what they want. But the longer Yadriel spends with Julian, the less he wants to let him leave.

Review

Every once in a while, a book finds its way into your hands at just the right moment. Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas was exactly that kind of read for me. So it felt entirely appropriate that I read this story on March 31, aka, the Trans Day of Visibility. For those who don’t know, it’s an annual observance dedicated to celebrating transgender people. It aims to raise awareness about the discrimination trans people face, while also recognizing their contributions to society.

Cemetery Boys is a fast-paced and heartfelt YA paranormal novel. It blends magic, family, and identity in a way that felt entirely fresh. The story follows Yadriel, a determined, trans Latinx teen who’s ready to prove himself as a true brujo by summoning the spirit of his murdered cousin. Except… things don’t go quite as planned.

Yadriel’s journey isn’t just about proving his power. Instead, it’s about being seen. Like Lorel in The Sapling Cage, Yadriel’s struggle to gain acceptance from his community mirrors his personal journey toward self-acceptance.

Something New

Thomas’s writing strikes a beautiful balance between levity and emotional weight. I laughed, teared up, and cheered, especially during moments where characters chose love, truth, and each other.

What makes this story shine isn’t just the plot (though the stakes and pacing are spot on) but the world Thomas invites us into. Thomas’s brujo magic system pulses with life. It’s complex. Warm and full of community, this magic system feels lived-in and unique.

In case I haven’t made it clear, this debut doesn’t just tell a good story. Cemetery Boys celebrates the right to live authentically, to love boldly, and to find your own version of home.

If you’re in the mood for a story that mixes ghostly intrigue with a generous heart, Cemetery Boys belongs on your TBR pile. And if you’ve already read it, I’d love to hear what you thought!

Content Warning

Abandonment, Blood, Body Horror, Child Death, Deadnaming, Death, Deportation, Dysphoria, Ghosts, Grief, Injury, LGBTQ+, Mild language, Misgendering, Parental rejection, Suicide Transphobia, Violence

The header photo is a composite image. Base image by Brian Wegman 🎃 on Unsplash