Cemetery Boys

Yadriel, a transgender Latino teen, belongs to a community of brujx with supernatural abilities - brujos who can summon spirits and brujas who can heal. When his traditional family refuses to accept him as a brujo, Yadriel sets out to prove himself through a sacred ritual. During his attempt to find his missing cousin, Yadriel accidentally summons the spirit of Julian Diaz, a classmate who recently died. Julian refuses to move on to the afterlife until he resolves unfinished business, leading Yadriel to help while also searching for answers about his cousin's disappearance. Set against the backdrop of Latin American traditions and Día de los Muertos celebrations, the story follows Yadriel as he navigates family expectations, cultural traditions, and an unexpected connection with Julian's spirit. The supernatural mystery unfolds within a close-knit brujx community in East Los Angeles. The novel explores themes of gender identity, cultural acceptance, and the power of chosen family, while celebrating Latinx traditions and queer joy through a paranormal lens.

Readers connect with the authentic portrayal of Latinx culture, trans representation, and supernatural elements that blend seamlessly with real-world issues. The book holds a 4.3/5 on Goodreads (82,000+ ratings) and 4.7/5 on Amazon (3,800+ ratings). Readers appreciated: - Complex family dynamics and cultural traditions - Romance development between main characters - Accurate depiction of trans experience - Integration of Latinx folklore - Accessible writing style for YA audience Common criticisms: - Predictable plot twists - Pacing issues in middle section - Some dialogue feels forced - Magic system needs more explanation Reader quotes: "The cultural details made me feel seen in a way few books have" -Goodreads "Character motivations don't always make sense" -Amazon "Perfect blend of paranormal and contemporary issues" -BookTok review "Middle drags but ending pays off" -StoryGraph Professional reviews note strong character work while citing plotting as an area for improvement.

The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater A group of teens works with ghosts and magic while exploring identity and found family in a story steeped in folklore.

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender A trans teen navigates first love, identity, and self-discovery while dealing with complicated family relationships and art school pressures.

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune A social worker discovers family and acceptance while caring for magical children in a story that combines supernatural elements with LGBTQ+ themes.

Lost in the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas Children disappear in a small town as a teenager confronts her past trauma through a reimagining of Peter Pan with dark undertones.

The Witch King by H.E. Edgmon A trans witch fights against magical politics and arranged marriage while dealing with identity and acceptance in a fantasy realm.

🔮 Cemetery Boys was the first book by a trans author featuring a trans protagonist to make The New York Times bestseller list 🌿 Many of the magical practices in the book are inspired by real Latinx traditions surrounding Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) ✍️ Author Aiden Thomas wrote the first draft of Cemetery Boys during National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) in just 29 days 🦋 The monarch butterfly, which appears throughout the book, is a significant symbol in Mexican culture representing souls returning during Día de los Muertos 💫 The book's portrayal of brujx magic uses gender-neutral "x" spelling intentionally, challenging traditional gender-binary terms brujo (male) and bruja (female) used in Latin American magical traditions