CEMETERY BOYS

A hungry shadow threatens the border and the balance between life and death in this duology closer.

As the East Los Angeles brujx círculo prepares for upcoming ceremonies, Julian and Yadriel struggle with their places in the community. New to his ability to see spirits since his resurrection last month, Julian hates hiding the truth from his older brother, Rio, and the tightknit group of friends who live with them, but the brujx community has strict rules about outsiders. The elders may call Yadriel “Lady Death’s Chosen,” but his training as a brujo isn’t progressing past menial labor. His father insists that “chores build character,” but with recent disturbances in the cemetery and spirits disappearing, Yadriel wants to do more to help. When a dark spot spreads across Julian’s chest, accompanied by troubling visions that pull him toward danger, neither Yadriel nor Julian knows whom to trust—until the sudden arrival of Angel, a nonbinary bruje with the powers of healing and release. But Angel has darkness in their past and secrets of their own. This paranormal mystery centering on Latine characters delves into themes of family, love, grief, and trauma. At times, the plot’s progression lags, but Thomas maintains a thread of ominous suspense. The chapters alternate between Julian’s and Yadriel’s perspectives, and their romance remains a sweet focus and is no longer a source of tension.

A richly thematic and suspenseful mystery.