Z Brewer has always been one of my faves. Back in my high school days I binged Vladimir Todd over and over. I distinctly remember going to Borders (RIP Borders) and requesting a great YA read that would keep me hooked. They presented me with Vladimir Todd and instantly I was in love. Z Brewer's writing has always done it for me, and this book was no different.

This book is spooky and intense, but in a good way. Stephen is forced to move when his Mother is hospitalized due to mental illness. His Father decides it's a grand idea to move back to the creepy small town he used to live in and move in with his Mother. The Grandmother? A bit weird and scary, let's be honest. So, Stephen moves to this tiny town with creepy lore and thinks he finds some friend. The Cemetery Boys basically describes these buddies he hangs out with (they go to The Playground a.k.a. the local cemetery). We learn there are rumours and myths about the town and many deaths that have occurred there. While Stephen tries to cope with being new in town, liking a girl and trying to fit in, dark mischief occurs... And Stephen will never be the same.

SO SPOOKY. This helped get me into the Halloween spirit, even if that wasn't its intention. I did think the middle half of the book was kind of slow and I would have liked to see the lore come out sooner, but that's a personal preference. The story goes har and fast suddenly when the action starts.

This book is twisted, and if you're an avid reader like me you'll probably figure out the ending early on. Otherwise, it's a great book! I can see why some readers love it and others don't. As a big fan of Z's writing, I was all in. I enjoyed it and stayed along for the right. Maybe this is another one of those niche books? You'll love the ending or you'll want to whip the book across the room. Or both.

Four out of five stars. ( )

Couldn't finish. I got through the first few chapters and Stephen, the main character, was obnoxious to the point where I just didn't care. This is definitely a book for younger adults or juveniles.
The prologue was promising and seemed like something I'd really enjoy, but the writing wasn't that well done (though this is an early digital ARC so that could change in the final edition after editor comb-through) and the character's observations and feelings were of a spoiled child. Just not for me. ( )

It was an interesting storyline but I absolutely disliked Devon and Cara as soon as they came into the story. Stephen has such a rough life and I wish he got a happily ever after in some way. Quick short read but enjoyable. ( )

This was an interesting book for those that like small town mysteries. I can see why this book ends up on so many different book lists because there are a lot of topics covered in this story. I've tried to tag the major ones.

I think this would be a great book for the new kid in town to read. It would sure make them feel like their town isn't so bad! It's also a decent father/son book, though not one of my top picks.

The audiobook was well done by the same man who reads the Miss Peregrine series. He particular reading style works well with this novel. ( )

The more I think about this book the more I realize I didn't like it. There was so much potential to make this book MORE, but it was never capitalized. The title doesn’t even mesh with what was going on in the book…not once were the boys referred to as such. The cemetery was most often referred to as the playground…
There was SO much left unfulfilled…the mom’s predicament, what ends up ultimately happening to the main character, what was really going on with the creatures, how “The Cemetery Boys” got an in with the creatures, etc.
I like Brewer’s Vladimir Todd series, but was sorely disappointed in this book. 
( )