Now that The Valkyrie’s Calling is out in the world, I was finally able to pick up a new book. Cemetery Boys, written by Aiden Thomas, has been sitting on my shelf for months, but I haven’t gotten around to actually reading it until now. This is an own-voices story, so if you’re looking for ways to diversify your bookshelf a bit, this one is a wonderful choice.
Cemetery Boys is about Yadriel, a trans boy born into a traditional Latinx family who also happen to be witches. The men (brujos) have the power to sever a spirit’s tether to the living world and the women (brujas) have the power to heal the living. As Yads is a boy who was born female, his father hasn’t allowed him to complete the ceremony to become a true brujo, a thing that Yads struggles with both internally and externally.
So, Yadriel decides to take matters into his own hands.
Enter Julian Diaz, the boy from school with a bad reputation. Yads completes his ceremony, unlocking his powers as a brujo, and the first spirit he stumbles on is Julian. What starts out as an irritating spirit that just won’t let go turns into something much more as Yadriel and Julian bond.
I won’t get into more detail than that, because the story is so lovely that’s it’s best to just be surprised. Aiden does a wonderful job of conveying the struggles Yads faces as he pushes to have his existence acknowledged by his family. The relationship that forms between Yadriel and Julian is so sweet, and despite the sadness you feel as you see Yadriel’s struggles, you can’t help but smile as you read his story. The detailed touches of Hispanic culture and the bits of English dialogue peppered with Spanish words and phrases gave this story a truly authentic feel.
Author of all things fantasy 