Cemetery Boys
Book description
Yadriel has summoned a ghost, and now he can't get rid of him.
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…
Why read it?
6 authors picked Cemetery Boys as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
This book got me back into reading novels after a depressive slump.
Though geared towards young adults, the themes of fighting for what you believe in and for a place to fit in, even within your own family, are so strong and universal. Plus, the plot is just plain old ghost-busting fun.
Cemetery Boys was the first time I truly felt represented in a fantasy novel, and once I started, I couldn’t put it down.
The navigation of family dynamics in the story is brilliant - we follow Yadriel, a gay Latinx trans teen whose family is made up of brujas (women) and brujos (men). The struggle to find his place in that system, and the way that his family members seem accepting in one moment, then dismissive in another is unbearably relatable for many queer kids growing up in Latinx households.
In an effort to prove his worth to his family…
From Natalia's list on queer Latin fantasy.
This book was such a fun escapist read for me. I laughed out loud while reading on multiple occasions, in public! I especially loved the characters and relationship dynamics in this book. From Yadriel to Maritza, to Julian, each character felt fully fleshed out and real. If you like paranormal romance, mystery, or lovable himbos, this book is definitely for you!
From Sonora's list on young adult about queer people of color.
Where do I even start? There is so much to love about Cemetery Boys, from the lovable characters, fun banter, beautiful and lovingly crafted world-building, complicated family relationships, to the swoon-worthy romance. But I think what draws me so much to this book is the main character, Yadriel’s, determination to prove himself even when the odds are against him. He knows who he is and what he wants, and he’s willing to fight for it. As someone who’s always felt self-conscious of who I am and sometimes struggles with feeling like I’m not enough, he was someone I…
From Caitlin's list on character-driven stories to give you all the feels.
Trans representation can be found in all genres, and Cemetery Boys is proof of that. This Latinx YA fantasy book is also a love story, set in my town of Los Angeles. Thomas creates a rich mythology involving Latinx culture, ancient gods, and brujos, and folds it into a gay teenage love story involving a young trans man who wants to prove himself, and a ghost from the wrong side of the tracks. If you’re jonesing for something like Harry Potter but with centered (and unambiguous) queer characters, this would be the book for you!
From James' list on the world of trans masculine teens.
The stakes couldn’t begin any higher—a night in a cemetery, summoning spirits, and the mystery of a dead cousin (and that’s just the first three chapters). The main character of Cemetery Boys is a transgender, gay sixteen-year-old boy who is excluded from the rite of passage that would firmly cement him in his close-knit, diverse, East LA community. There’s romance, suspense, and more than a few spine-chilling moments as well as the main character, Yadriel, who will grab your heart and not let it go.
From Rob's list on LGBTQ+ history or with LGBTQ+ characters.
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