From the Bookshelf of ❀The Never-ending TBR❀ {You Are Loved}…

Cemetery Boys (Cemetery Boys, #1)

Aiden Thomas

Start date: October 1, 2021

Finish date: October 31, 2021

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By B , Bookish Bhavya {trying to be active again!} · 15 posts · 31 views

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What Members Thought

Oct 14, 2021 Laura rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 4-stars, favorite-ships, lgbtq, read-2021, romance, mythology-in-general, fantasy, en-español

4/5⭐

“No, it wasn't the end. It was a better beginning.”

I read this over a year ago and still think about it sometimes. It was a delightful read! There were definitely things that could've been better and that's why it doesn't have five stars but it was still pretty good :)

The story centers on Yadriel, a trans boy who is trying to prove to his family his gender and show them that he is a real brujo. He performs a ritual with the help of his cousin, Maritza, in an effort to conjure the ghost 4/5⭐

“No, it wasn't the end. It was a better beginning.”

I read this over a year ago and still think about it sometimes. It was a delightful read! There were definitely things that could've been better and that's why it doesn't have five stars but it was still pretty good :)

The story centers on Yadriel, a trans boy who is trying to prove to his family his gender and show them that he is a real brujo. He performs a ritual with the help of his cousin, Maritza, in an effort to conjure the ghost of his dead relative. However, he ends up summoning Julien Diaz, known as the school's bad boy. Julien really wants to know what happened to him, and how he died, so Yadriel makes an agreement with him to try and figure it out. The more time they spend together, the more they realize they have a lot in common... and you know what happens 😊

I found the book really intriguing. I didn't know anything about this part of the Latinx culture so it was really interesting to read about it, and more from Yadriel's perspective. I just believe that the writing was kinda slow, it was fast-paced, but a lot of scenes dragged out. This also has to do with the info-dumping which just made me not be that into the story at a lot of points. There were a lot of details that didn't need any explaining cause they were not important to the story in any way. Lastly, it was quite predictable. You knew who the villain was from early on in the story and still lack of motivation. Villains in ya fantasy usually lack the "why?" and I just wish it was explained!

Overall, this has great world-building, the character development is amazing, with an incredible rep (Latinxs, trans boy, gay relationship) and adorable romance (Julien and Yadriel have my heart). Some background characters like Maritza also helped the story be so good, I wish she had had more screen time cause she was one of the best characters. I think she was supposed to be one of the main characters but then ended up just appearing when they needed her which I found kind of annoying.

Really recommend to read during fall, it fits the vibes :) ...more

17 likes · Like · see review

May 26, 2021 cecília ✿ (taylor’s version) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: format-ebooks, read-in-english, best-endings, trope-friends-to-lovers, genre-fantasy, 2021-faves, genre-urban-fantasy, rep-lgbtqia, standalone, rep-disability-disorders-illness

“You don't need anyone's permission to be you, Yads.”

When I was looking for a "really good fantasy standalone" someone recommended me Cemetery Boys, I knew nothing about this book but it been about a trans boy, I didn't think it would be an amazing read but I give it a try.

I was hooked by the first line, learning about Yadriel's culture and lifestyle was a really interesting thing, the writing style was completely entertaining, I could see myself in those scenes and while reading it I imagined

“You don't need anyone's permission to be you, Yads.”

The characters are the best part of the book, Yadriel is a great protagonist with realistic 16-year old emotions, the only thing he wants is to prove he is a brujo, to be accepted. He's insecure about himself and even though he wants his family's acceptance, he needs to accept that he doesn't need anyone to tell him who he is. He has by far the best character development in the whole book.
Julian is my favourite character, he deeply cares about who he loves and he'll do anything to protect them (even die), he's funny, honest and has the kind of energy that makes you wanna be near him. He also has a lot of emotional baggage and ADHD which only makes me love him more and want to take care of him myself.
Maritza has a special place in my heart, she's the only one who can make me laugh even though I'm crying.

The romance was my favourite, Julian and Yandriel are such a cute couple, their not being together was heartbreaking for me. Their connection is so pure and beautiful.
I predicted all the ending by the middle of the book, but when I make theories about something, they are the kind of really crazy ones so I always think they're not going to happen, but they did. The thing is, even though I knew what was going on, it wasn't any less shocking, I cried multiple times at the ending (I didn't see it coming) and I'm still kind of emotional about it.
(view spoiler)

Giving Cemetery Boys a try was the best thing I did. This book is perfect, it was my first time reading a book with a trans rep and I have no complaints about it, it was incredibly well-done and taught me so many things. Everyone should read this, it's heartbreaking, funny and real, we forget the whole world exists and stay up all night just to finish it. ...more

13 likes · Like · see review

Apr 30, 2021 Lorelei rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, owned, buddy-reads, 2021-books

~~~5 Stars~~~

Wowowowowowowow this was amazing.

The Characters
Yadriel:
Yadriel is a transgender boy trying to become a brujo in a very 'traditional' society. His character was amazing and the amount of growth and change he went through in such a short book was just *chef's kiss*. I loved watching him interact with Maritza and Julian and him constantly correcting Julian's grammar/incorrect speech is my everything. I can't even begin to coherently express my love for this character so I ...more

13 likes · Like · see review

Jul 29, 2023 Karen Reyes rated it really liked it

Shelves: me-gustan, 2023, libros-leídos, libros-2023

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Aug 28, 2021 Addie rated it it was amazing

Honestly loved it. The only thing that bugged me was the pacing of the book. It felt very slow and dragged in at times, and then fast at rushed. Other than that tho I loved it. The trans rep is amazing, and the representation of Latina culture is just magnificent. I learned so much from reading Cemetery Boys, and was close too tears by the time J was done.

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