Aiden Thomas's bestselling novel Cemetery Boys, a queer coming-of-age urban fantasy, continues with its sequel, Cemetery Boys: Espíritu. The new novel picks up shortly after the events of the first book and introduces Julian's struggle with seeing dark spots on people, a phenomenon that even Yadriel and his community cannot explain. The mystery begins to unfold with the arrival of Angel, a nonbinary brujx who experiences the same visual disturbances.
In anticipation of Espíritu's release, Polygon has shared an exclusive audiobook excerpt narrated by Puerto Rican actor, drag king, and Critical Role newcomer Vico Ortiz. The excerpt offers a look into Julian's integration into the brujx community and his developing role within it.
The excerpt finds Julian and Yadriel preparing graves for the upcoming Midnight Vigil and Candle Dance of Eternal Light in East LA. While the community busies itself with traditional preparations, Yadriel expresses a desire to do more than just maintain graves, pushing for spirits to be released. Julian, still grappling with his identity as a brujo, finds himself interacting with various spirits in the cemetery, some of whom are engaged in lively games of lotería and casual banter, showcasing the vibrant afterlife community.
Julian's interactions highlight his growing comfort and place within the community, even as he reflects on the rules and responsibilities that come with being a brujo. The narrative touches upon his unique perspective, acknowledging the weight of his new abilities while maintaining a playful demeanor.
Cemetery Boys: Espíritu by Aiden Thomas is available now. The novel is published by Macmillan.