October 2023 First in a Series BOTM - Cemetery Boys, by Aiden Thomas

[Alaina]

Yadriel has summoned a ghost, and now he can’t get rid of him.

When his traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his 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 up 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.

**This BOTM thread will be open until November 5th @ Midnight (in your time zone)**

[Meg]

End of Chapter 6

(view spoiler)[

I am loving the book so far! The characters are all great and very intriguing. Because I am hispanic and speak spanish, I relate to the family dynamics and I love that the book incorporates the language and culture in it. I am interested as to what will happen with Yadriel and Julian. I hope that Yadriel's family becomes more accepting of him. (hide spoiler)]

[Jessica]

Chapter Five
(view spoiler)[ I am really enjoying this so far. The characters are great. I feel so bad for Yadriel and really hope that his family becomes more accepting as the story goes on. I also really hope it wasn't his ritual that caused Miguel's death. (hide spoiler)]

[Meg]

End of chapter 12
(view spoiler)[
Wow! This was completely unexpected. I didn't think that I was going to like Julian, but he is my favorite character. I love how he accepts Yadriel and I am really loving Julian's group of friends. So unexpected! I am really concerned about Julian and I hope it pans out for him. I am loving the sparks between Julian and Yadriel. (hide spoiler)]

[Jessica]

Chapter Eleven
I am loving this book. All these characters are fabulous and I want to comfort all of these kids. (view spoiler)[ I am nervous for Luca going back home to what is clearly an abusive household. I also don't know how this conversation with Rio is going to go. I am glad the deaths are related but not (at this point anyway) caused by Yadriel or each other. I really hope they can figure out what's going on and get it sorted before anyone else is hurt. (hide spoiler)]

[Jessica]

Chapter Fifteen
(view spoiler)[ I am very concerned for Julian, I don't understand why he is experiencing his death again and faded out a couple of chapters ago but that was scary. I really like the hard questions Julian is asking Yadriel about if he is really asking to be accepted as a brujo or as a boy. And also when Julian rightly pointed out there is no way that Yadreil is the first trans brujo. The visit with Rio was rough, he was understandably suspicious of Yadriel and Yadriel really didn't help the situation. I really want to know what happened that night when Julian stormed out, it was clearly something big. (hide spoiler)]

[Jessica]

Chapter Eighteen
(view spoiler)[ This is going to break my heart I just know it. The talk about releasing Julian and Yadriel not wanting to let him go was heartbreaking. I want him to be brought back somehow, but I think Yads will have to break both of our hearts and release him first. I'm not sure if spirits are turning maligno faster or if I have misunderstood how that works. I feel like it's somehow all tied together and I'm excited to see where this goes and what happened to Julian and Miguel (hide spoiler)]

[Jessica]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ As anticipated I cried. I did not see the villian coming but in retrospect it makes so much sense. Yadriel saving the day and Maritza saving him while saying fuck you lady death is everything I didn't know I needed in my life. Then after with both Yadriel and Julian demanding to see each other, so beautiful. Then Yadriel being recognized as a Brujo with the apology from his dad, just perfect. It was a perfect ending. I loved this so so much (hide spoiler)]

[Meg]

End of chapter 18

(view spoiler)[

I don't want Julian to be released! He is my favorite character, it will be so sad without him. I am so happy that Yadriel's family accepted him as a burro. That makes my heart happy (hide spoiler)]

[Meg]

Finished!

(view spoiler)[
Wow! I loved it! The ending was super sweet! I am so glad that Julian came back to life and that they all lived! Tio was the worst, I am glad he got what was coming to him. It made me so happy that they accepted Yadriel for who he is. Such a wholesome book! (hide spoiler)]