Landmark Latinx Novel Cemetery Boys Releases a Sequel (Exclusive)

Landmark Latinx Novel Cemetery Boys Gets an Exciting New Sequel (Exclusive) Custom image by Joe O'Shea Cemetery Boys raised the bar for queer representation, and the forthcoming sequel looks to be as innovative and entertaining. Published Jul 31, 2026, 1:00 PM EDT Shaun Corley has been with ScreenRant for over 5 years, and is currently the Coordinator for PR and Outreach for the Comics Team. This fall, author Aiden Thomas delivers a sequel to their landmark Cemetery Boys. Cemetery Boys seamlessly blended the poignancy of a coming of age story with Latinx themes. It resonated with readers the world over and appeared on numerous year-end, “best-of” lists. In addition, it was a New York Times bestseller. Released in 2020, Aiden Thomas’ Cemetery Boys broke new ground in the Young Adult (YA) genre. The novel introduced readers to Yadriel, a queer, trans-Latinx youth. His family are brujo, or magic users, and do not accept Yadriel’s lifestyle. In Yadriel’s family, women are healers and men are summoners. Yadriel wants to be a summoner, but his family pushes back, and to prove his worth, he tries to summon a murdered cousin. Instead, he brings back Julian Diaz, a “bad boy” who is not over the trauma of his death. The two form a strong bond by the book’s conclusion. Readers turned out en masse for Cemetery Boys. Even before its publication, it had built hype on social networking sites such as Goodreads, and it was showered with accolades upon its release. Cemetery Boys left fans wanting more, and now Thomas has delivered a follow-up that will satisfy existing readers and make new ones. ScreenRant is pleased to bring fans an exclusive excerpt for Cemetery Boys: Espîritu. The Sequel to Cemetery Boys Promises Great Things Cemetery Boys' Fans Will Love the New Character Angel Aiden Thomas’ Cemetery Boys: Espîritu releases this Fall, and continues the adventures of Yadriel and Julian. This time, Thomas centers the story around Julian. McMillian, who will publish Espîritu, has provided ScreenRant with a synopsis, shared here: Julian used to be a ghost and now he can’t stop seeing them. Ever since Julian was sacrificed as part of a forbidden ritual, he has been able to see and talk with spirits. And that’s really cool, since it allows him to be part of his new boyfriend's community. But Julian’s seeing other things, too: flickers at the edge of his vision, eyes burning in the night, and “dark spots” on people—gaping wounds that thrum and bleed shadow. Yadriel has never heard of anything like it, either, and he’s so busy with his new brujx responsibilities that Julian hates for his problems to ruin what little time they have together. Then a strange new brujx shows up. Angel, as a nonbinary bruje, can heal the living and release the dead, but more than that, they can also see the same dark spots as Julian. Despite Yadriel’s reservations, Julian eagerly accepts their help. But, Angel’s ruthless methods feel wrong to Julian. With the shadows growing darker and the discovery of a gaping dark spot on his friend Luca, Julian has to decide who he wants to put his trust in, and just how far he’s willing to go to save what is his. In addition, McMillian has shared the cover to Espîritu, as well as an exclusive excerpt that introduces Angel to the story. The preview of Cemetery Boys: Espîritu gives fans a tantalizing glimpse at what is to come for Julian and Yadriel. Cemetery Boys explored issues of gender through both Yadriel’s relationship with his family and with Julian. Thomas revisits an idea from the first novel: that different genders can only perform certain types of magic. Angel, the new bruje, seemingly has the best of both worlds, in the ability to heal and summon. Fans can expect more of his amazing world-building in Espîritu. Queer Representation Matters Now More Than Ever Queer representation in any media field is important, especially in these times. Queer individuals are facing increased persecution around the world, and right-wing think tanks are funding campaigns of misinformation and hate. For transgender folks, it is even worse. It seems that politicians introduce anti-trans laws daily, and sadly, some are passed. Positive representation of queer and trans people in literature, movies and music becomes even more important. But for youth who have marinated in years of anti-queer rhetoric, positive representation becomes imperative. These youth are at risk for many behavioral problems, including addiction and suicide, as well as being trafficked. Books like Cemetery Boys show these same youth that there is nothing wrong with them, and that they are valued. These books give queer youth hope, as well as open the hearts and minds of non-queer folks. Angel, the series’ new character, has intriguing powers embodying the themes Aiden Thomas introduced in the first Cemetery Boys novel. Queer issues are intersectional with other identities, and Cemetery Boys: Espîritu recognizes this fact, celebrating Latinx culture while exploring its boundaries too, particularly when it comes to gender. Angel, the series’ new character, has intriguing powers embodying the themes Aiden Thomas introduced in the first Cemetery Boys novel. The sequel to this landmark novel promises to up the ante even further, resulting in one of the YA genre’s best reads of 2026.