Literature Reviews - 2025

Review: Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

Introduction

Aiden Thomas’s Cemetery Boys is a groundbreaking YA paranormal novel that beautifully blends Latinx culture, supernatural elements, and queer identity. The story follows Yadriel, a gay transgender boy who must prove himself as a brujo while navigating family expectations, magical traditions, and an unexpected romance with the ghost of a schoolmate. With a gripping plot and deeply developed characters, this novel delivers a heartfelt message about identity, acceptance, and love.

Plot Summary

Yadriel comes from a long line of brujx, a magical Latinx community blessed by Santa Muerte (Lady Death) with powers to either heal the living (brujas) or guide spirits into the afterlife (brujos). However, because Yadriel is transgender, his family hesitates to recognize him as a brujo, fearing that the gendered magic of their tradition may not accept him. Determined to prove himself, Yadriel secretly performs the brujo initiation ritual and receives Lady Death’s blessing.

Shortly afterward, his cousin Miguel mysteriously dies, but his body and spirit are missing. While attempting to summon Miguel’s spirit to solve the mystery, Yadriel accidentally summons Julian Diaz, a charismatic and rebellious boy from his school who has just died under suspicious circumstances. Unlike most spirits, Julian refuses to move on until he finds out what happened to him and ensures his friends are safe. With time running out before Julian’s spirit fades, Yadriel is pulled into an adventure filled with secrets, magical discoveries, and unexpected romance.

Character Development

One of Cemetery Boys’ strongest aspects is its cast of well-developed characters, each with distinct voices, flaws, and emotional depth.

Yadriel is a relatable protagonist who struggles with feeling unseen and unaccepted by his family. His internal conflict—balancing his love for his community with his frustration over their inability to fully embrace his identity—is deeply moving.
Julian, the ghostly love interest, is an energetic, outspoken, and fiercely loyal character. Despite his reckless nature, he brings warmth and humor to the story, helping Yadriel grow in confidence and self-acceptance. Their opposites-attract dynamic is both entertaining and heartwarming.
Maritza, Yadriel’s cousin and best friend, is a strong-willed, supportive ally who refuses to conform to brujx traditions herself, rejecting blood magic due to her vegan beliefs. Her character adds humor and depth to the narrative.
The brujx community, Julian’s friends, and even minor ghost characters contribute to the novel’s rich, immersive world, making the story feel alive and vibrant.

Themes and Representation

Thomas seamlessly weaves together themes of gender identity, family acceptance, cultural heritage, and self-discovery.

Trans Identity and Acceptance: Yadriel’s journey is not just about proving his magical abilities but also about asserting his rightful place in his community. His family’s reaction reflects a spectrum of responses to trans identity, from well-meaning but hurtful misgendering to outright rejection. While they claim to support him, they often fail to fully accept him, creating a realistic portrayal of conditional acceptance.
Queer Romance: Yadriel and Julian’s romance is beautifully developed, filled with moments of vulnerability, tenderness, and mutual empowerment. Julian’s immediate respect for Yadriel’s identity, in contrast to his family’s hesitations, highlights the importance of chosen family and unconditional support.
Latinx Culture and Spirituality: The novel deeply embraces Latinx traditions, particularly Día de Muertos and the role of brujx The depictions of food, family customs, and spirituality enrich the narrative, creating an authentic cultural backdrop. The inclusion of multiple Latin American backgrounds (Mexican, Colombian, Cuban, etc.) further enhances the novel’s diversity.
Intersectionality: The story acknowledges the layered experiences of being both queer and a person of color. It also touches on issues like deportation, economic struggles, and systemic discrimination, adding social depth to the fantasy elements.

Writing Style and Narrative Structure

Thomas’s writing is immersive, filled with emotion and vivid descriptions. The novel balances introspective moments with action, humor, and romance, making it engaging from start to finish.

However, some readers have noted that the pacing can be uneven. The beginning effectively sets up the characters and world, but the middle section slows down as Yadriel and Julian spend time together, focusing more on their developing relationship than the main mystery. Conversely, the climax feels somewhat rushed, with major revelations and resolutions packed into the final chapters. Despite this, the emotional weight of the story ensures a satisfying conclusion.

Criticism and Weaknesses

While widely praised, Cemetery Boys has a few minor weaknesses:

Predictable Mystery: Many readers guessed the identity of the antagonist early on, making the reveal less impactful. The villain also comes across as somewhat one-dimensional, lacking the complexity given to other characters.
Limited Role of Female Characters: While Yadriel challenges gender roles, female brujas in the story remain confined to traditional healing roles. Some readers found this aspect contradictory to the novel’s broader message about breaking gender expectations.
Supernatural Logic Inconsistencies: Some moments, such as Julian’s unexplained ability to see spirits despite not being a brujo, raise questions about the novel’s internal logic. These inconsistencies are minor but noticeable.

Final Verdict

*Aiden Thomas’s Cemetery Boys is a beautifully written, heartwarming, and culturally rich novel that delivers strong LGBTQ+ representation and an engaging supernatural mystery. While the pacing and mystery elements have some flaws, the book’s emotional depth, vibrant characters, and meaningful themes more than compensate.

For readers looking for a YA novel that blends paranormal adventure with an affirming exploration of gender, identity, and love, Cemetery Boys is a must-read.