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piperclover's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The descriptions of dyslexia and ADHD are absolutely phenomenal. The author gives such wonderfully detailed descriptions using analogies and metaphors that really resonate even if you don't have either of these conditions. I really appreciate his part the most and is why I've given it 4 stars instead of 3.5 like I initially was going to. If you've ever wondered or not understood what it's like to have ADHD or dyslexia read or listen to this book because it's very eye opening and very well done.
However, it almost feels like there's 2 different stories in this book and I think maybe they should be separate. The fantasy part of it is really interesting and the personal plot line is really good but they seem a little strange to be mixed to me. It's kind of repetitive so the characters will tell you the same things multiple times even though you don't need reminders of it and there's lots of very poetic visual descriptions which I found a little bit burdensome to listen to sometimes. If you like very detailed descriptions and poetic writing, you'll love this.
(The longer I sit with this the less I like it, so now quite a few months after reading it I would rate it significantly lower than my initial 4 stars.)
However, it almost feels like there's 2 different stories in this book and I think maybe they should be separate. The fantasy part of it is really interesting and the personal plot line is really good but they seem a little strange to be mixed to me. It's kind of repetitive so the characters will tell you the same things multiple times even though you don't need reminders of it and there's lots of very poetic visual descriptions which I found a little bit burdensome to listen to sometimes. If you like very detailed descriptions and poetic writing, you'll love this.
(The longer I sit with this the less I like it, so now quite a few months after reading it I would rate it significantly lower than my initial 4 stars.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Bullying
Minor: Sexual harassment
The harassment is brief and is an important part of character development so don't be put off!littlesmaug's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Lakelore is the textbook example of when own voices creates an incredible story. Funnily, when I went to choose if it was plot or character driven, I did have a moment where I thought "wait... what was the plot?"
But I realized that the lake was almost the secondary aspect of the story. It wasn't really the focus so much as this aspect of symbolism. And it was a symbolism that I understood. At first, the lake confused the hell out of me. It did make me wonder what exactly I was reading. But then it clicked... the lake's magic symbolizes the way Bastián and Lore's lives are truly exhausting them. I'm not saying this isn't a book of magical realism or that the lake wasn't this mystical thing... clearly it was, that was part of it, but it was just so clearly a representation, too, that the things they were compartmentalizing/suppressing were rising up to drown them and take over.
The writing was beautiful. I absolutely loved Bastián's POV the most because I remember when my ADHD was at that extent where no one could follow my thoughts. I actually loved the hectic-ness of Bastián's chapters because I understood that process. And I have a lot of students that are like little versions of them.
And Lore! Lore and Bastián kind of remind me of aspects of my soulmate. Ze is on T but also presents very differently on a day-to-day, like Lore. I liked that a lot.
Basically, this book made me very happy. Two nonbinary main characters with neurodivergences that were written from the author's lived experience with both ADHD and dyslexia. I guess it speaks to how much I prefer character-driven books sometimes because I didn't really mind the lake plot being messy and hard to follow. I treated it like symbolism and viewed the plot as more the character development and burgeoning relationship.
Also! No deadnaming. No present transphobia (just some brief stuff in Lore's past). Accepting parents. Lesbian parents! Queer friends! A whole lot of healthy.
But I realized that the lake was almost the secondary aspect of the story. It wasn't really the focus so much as this aspect of symbolism. And it was a symbolism that I understood. At first, the lake confused the hell out of me. It did make me wonder what exactly I was reading. But then it clicked... the lake's magic symbolizes the way Bastián and Lore's lives are truly exhausting them. I'm not saying this isn't a book of magical realism or that the lake wasn't this mystical thing... clearly it was, that was part of it, but it was just so clearly a representation, too, that the things they were compartmentalizing/suppressing were rising up to drown them and take over.
The writing was beautiful. I absolutely loved Bastián's POV the most because I remember when my ADHD was at that extent where no one could follow my thoughts. I actually loved the hectic-ness of Bastián's chapters because I understood that process. And I have a lot of students that are like little versions of them.
And Lore! Lore and Bastián kind of remind me of aspects of my soulmate. Ze is on T but also presents very differently on a day-to-day, like Lore. I liked that a lot.
Basically, this book made me very happy. Two nonbinary main characters with neurodivergences that were written from the author's lived experience with both ADHD and dyslexia. I guess it speaks to how much I prefer character-driven books sometimes because I didn't really mind the lake plot being messy and hard to follow. I treated it like symbolism and viewed the plot as more the character development and burgeoning relationship.
Also! No deadnaming. No present transphobia (just some brief stuff in Lore's past). Accepting parents. Lesbian parents! Queer friends! A whole lot of healthy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Transphobia
Minor: Medical content, Sexual harassment, and Racism
cameo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism, Bullying, and Transphobia
ploganiv's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This is a beautiful book with amazing prose. I really liked the magical realism element and how the whole book was a giant metaphor for gender and having a learning disability.
Content Warnings
Minor: Transphobia and Violence
middumullu's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
audiobook. not particularly subtle with the analogies & what it was trying to say but it was very sweet. the explicit descriptions of lived experiences could be either really well done or kind of heavy handed but it was good, like nice to explore these identities and experiences in this story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Transphobia
Moderate: Dysphoria, Hate crime, and Sexual harassment
plumpaperbacks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I’ve yet to read a book by Anna-Marie McLemore that I didn’t love. The best way I can describe Lakelore is that it felt like a warm hug. I love Bastián and Lore so much, and I loved both of their stories and how they came together. McLemore’s writing is beautiful, and as always, they’ve written a thoughtful, character-driven story that challenges the way we see the world. I might not have the words for a proper review right now, but I loved and will be thinking about Lakelore for a long time. 💙
Representation
Representation
- Mexican-American queer trans protagonist with ADHD (they/them)
- Mexican-American queer trans nonbinary protagonist with dyslexia (they/them)
- trans/trans romance (Is there a proper term for this, like sapphic for wlw relationships or achillean for mlm ones?)
- queer side characters (includes lesbian rep)
- two sapphic side couples
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Transphobia, Ableism, and Bullying
All things tagged are discussed but—at least not that I noticed—not experienced on page.dhwani's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Violence, Ableism, Bullying, Medical content, and Mental illness
Moderate: Racism and Dysphoria
utopiastateofmind's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
The strongest element in Lakelore has to be the characters. While there are certainly fantastical elements - hello lake - the characters, and their journeys, are the main focus. Bastián and Lore spring off the pages. They're both navigating their ADHD and dyslexia (respectively) while also still processing pieces of trauma from ableism. Each of them are convinced that the magical and alarming changes to the lake are their faults. In Lakelore, McLemore tells a story about accepting ourselves, all the things that people - and ourselves - think of as 'bad', as well as the good.
The strongest element in Lakelore has to be the characters. While there are certainly fantastical elements - hello lake - the characters, and their journeys, are the main focus. Bastián and Lore spring off the pages. They're both navigating their ADHD and dyslexia (respectively) while also still processing pieces of trauma from ableism. Each of them are convinced that the magical and alarming changes to the lake are their faults. In Lakelore, McLemore tells a story about accepting ourselves, all the things that people - and ourselves - think of as 'bad', as well as the good.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism and Transphobia
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s for an advanced copy of this to review! McLemore is a newer author for me, but so far, I’ve enjoyed everything they’ve written. This book might be the best book of theirs I’ve read so far! And that’s saying something because I really loved Mirror Season.
First of all, I don’t think I can think of another YA book that has two nonbinary protagonists that fall in love. If you can think of one, let me know! But right from the beginning, Bastián and Lore feel like they have a kinship because of their nonbinary identities. And we get different ends of the spectrum: Bastián is just starting testosterone injections, while Lore is still exploring their identity. I loved that they both got to talk to each other about this, and their gender forecasts? Those were adroable and felt like something so relatable to nonbinary teens.
In addition to their nonbinary identities, Bastián and Lore both struggle with different neurodivergences. Bastián struggles with ADHD and Lore struggles with dyslexia. With Bastián, we get the full spectrum of ADHD. Where people normally think of ADHD as hyperactivity, there’s so much more than that. There’s also a brief discussion about how gender is related to ADHD diagnosis, which I also don’t think is something I’ve seen in a YA book. Lore struggles with figuring out words, and the way they describe it feels realistic and definitely relatable for teens also struggling with these issues.
Like most McLemore’s books, there’s a magical realism element that directly correlates with what the characters are struggling with. I especially like the way that the lake paralleled the way Lore felt like they were spiraling out of control, unsure of how to stop it. It’s a subtle magical realism, but it works so well with the story.
All in all, I absolutely loved this book and think it’s going to continue to get a lot of good buzz when it comes out in March. It’s definitely one that you won’t want to miss!
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Just when I thought Mirror Season was my favorite of McLemore's books, this one might take that place. Beautifully written with that kind of surreal magical realism I've come to expect from their books. Also two nonbinary main characters falling for each other? I can honestly say I think that's the first time I've seen that in a YA book.
More to come in a full review next week!
More to come in a full review next week!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, and Transphobia
Moderate: Racism
foreverinastory's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you to the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I have been wrecked body and soul by this book. *Sobs forever*
Rep: Mexican-American trans nonbinary MC with ADHD and anxiety, Mexican-American trans nonbinary MC with dyslexia, Mexican-American lesbian moms, queer Latine female side character, queer white male side characters, queer white female side character, Mexican-American male side character, white lesbian female side character.
CWs: Ableism, bullying, dysphoria, transphobia, racism (moderate, more about how systemic racism affects the two MCs).
I have been wrecked body and soul by this book. *Sobs forever*
Rep: Mexican-American trans nonbinary MC with ADHD and anxiety, Mexican-American trans nonbinary MC with dyslexia, Mexican-American lesbian moms, queer Latine female side character, queer white male side characters, queer white female side character, Mexican-American male side character, white lesbian female side character.
CWs: Ableism, bullying, dysphoria, transphobia, racism (moderate, more about how systemic racism affects the two MCs).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Dysphoria, and Transphobia
Moderate: Racism
More...