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madamenovelist's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Racism, Bullying, and Misogyny
Moderate: Transphobia
skylarkblue1's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings: Internalised and External Ableism, Needles, Misogyny, Hallucinations, Racism
ADHD and Dyslexia rep my beloved <3
2 Neurodiverse, trans non-binary & Brown teens attemping to navigate the world and learn how their brains work. That's essentially the story but there's so much that comes with that!
The representation of ADHD and dyslexia, imo, is perfect. Yes, this is one person's perspective and lived experience but as someone with both ADHD and dyslexia.... well the explanations of dyslexia was so accurate it was tripping up my own dyslexia lmaoo. You can very easily tell immediatly that Anna-Marie McLemore has both conditions themself and this is a lot more than just doing research.
The non-binary rep was also very sweet. Both MCs are trans-masc but each have their own experiences still and show different sides to how people transition!
I highly recommend reading this if you're also part of any of the represented groups in this, but even more so if you're not. Even if you don't read for the representations, it's such a colourful and vibrant book with wonderful writing!
ADHD and Dyslexia rep my beloved <3
2 Neurodiverse, trans non-binary & Brown teens attemping to navigate the world and learn how their brains work. That's essentially the story but there's so much that comes with that!
The representation of ADHD and dyslexia, imo, is perfect. Yes, this is one person's perspective and lived experience but as someone with both ADHD and dyslexia.... well the explanations of dyslexia was so accurate it was tripping up my own dyslexia lmaoo. You can very easily tell immediatly that Anna-Marie McLemore has both conditions themself and this is a lot more than just doing research.
The non-binary rep was also very sweet. Both MCs are trans-masc but each have their own experiences still and show different sides to how people transition!
I highly recommend reading this if you're also part of any of the represented groups in this, but even more so if you're not. Even if you don't read for the representations, it's such a colourful and vibrant book with wonderful writing!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Misogyny, Racism, and Sexism
Moderate: Medical content
maeverose's review against another edition
4.75
This book made me feel things. The imagery is so vivid and beautiful. I loved the way the magical realism and alebrijes were incorporated. The writing is beautiful. I relate very much to Bastián, though I’m not diagnosed I’ve been pretty sure for a while now that I have adhd, and there were so many quotes I related to. I wish I could’ve read this when I was a teen, I’d have probably loved it even more. I also loved when they each helped each other with their respective neurodivergencies with the testosterone injections .
The only things that bothered me was it was a little difficult to keep the two pov characters straight. They’re both very similar, but I found that they were almost a little too similar, to the point of me constantly having to check who’s pov I was in and remind myself who was who. It got easier towards the end but for the first half at least it was an effort. Second, this is probably nit picky butI didn’t personally understand why Lore rejected Bastián when Bastián already said they accepted Lore as they were. It just felt like unnecessary drama for the sake of adding conflict. Though that might just be me struggling to see things from the perspective of a teenager who’s been through something I haven’t. It also felt like they kept having to explain their neurodiversity to each other, like they kept forgetting and assuming the other was neurotypical. I swear they each told the other multiple times as if it was the first.
The only things that bothered me was it was a little difficult to keep the two pov characters straight. They’re both very similar, but I found that they were almost a little too similar, to the point of me constantly having to check who’s pov I was in and remind myself who was who. It got easier towards the end but for the first half at least it was an effort. Second, this is probably nit picky but
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Ableism, and Bullying
Moderate: Racism, Transphobia, and Misogyny
Moderate: mentions of needles including descriptions of the injections (for testosterone).shelvesofivy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Transphobia, Misogyny, and Racism
Minor: Sexual harassment and Violence
tinyjude's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
Mágica, vívida y extremadamente creativa. Las descripciones de los paisajes y las emociones de les protagonistas me llegaron al alma. También el hecho de que ambes sean no binaries y usen los pronombres elle. También tiene representación de TDAH y dislexia según las vivencias de le autore. Una lectura maravillosa para aprender a aceptarnos en todas nuestras facetas y aspectos. Ojalá muches niñes queer, neurodivergentes y/o racializades lo encuentren cuando más lo necesiten y se sientan reconfortades y escuchades.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Dysphoria, Misogyny, Racism, Bullying, Medical content, Transphobia, Hate crime, and Violence
cameronreads's review
4.0
The discussions around being Latiné, non-binary and neurodivergent in this book were some of the best I’ve ever read. Bastián is Mexican, non-binary and has ADHD, and Lore is Mexican, non-binary, and has dyslexia. There were so many ways these identities are discussed and every one of them was incredible. The differences in how the two experience gender, with Bastián identifying as a trans boy, just one who uses they/them pronouns, and Lore’s identity being more fluid, and how this effects them differently: Basitián’s experience with starting T and how to tell people in his life, and Lore’s experience with people perceiving them solely as a girl and not understanding why they would ‘chose’ to sometimes not be. Asking explicitly what words you use to describe yourself, and understanding this can be both abstract and change from day to day. As a non-binary person, this is probably one of the best reps I’ve read.
Watching Bastián properly come to terms with their ADHD was so powerful. They’ve been diagnosed since before the book starts and already have plenty of coping mechanisms - but also many things they still struggle with, one of which being not allowing themselves to come to terms with their bad days and letting that swallow them up. Watching them learn how to communicate and reconcile with themself was exactly what I needed. I may not have ADHD so couldn’t relate to the intricacies of what Bastián was going through, but I am autistic and the broader struggle of coming to terms with having aa neurodivergent brain was explored wonderfully.
Similarly, Lore’s dyslexia was explored very well, and there were some wonderful metaphors and explanations that really helped me, as someone who doesn’t have nor knows anyone who has dyslexia, understand at least a little of what it is like. I think it was really interesting to discover, as Lore does, (potential spoiler here) that it isn’t really the fact they’re dyslexic that bothers them, but rather who people see them as someone with dyslexia (as well as someone who is brown and non-binary).
Personally, I wasn’t that connected to the plot, and whilst this was a bit of an issue for my overall enjoyment of the book, I don’t think it matters for the book as a whole, as really it felt like a metaphor to allow these two characters to come to terms with themselves
The romance, whilst perhaps not necessary, was sweet, and I did really appreciate the open communication at the end.
The writing, whilst not my favourite style, was well done, both as a mode of communicating the discussions it had and creating an atmosphere for the main plot. The characters were relatable and flawed, and we all know those are my two buzzwords for characters.
Overall, this was well-done, and I’d definitely recommend.
Watching Bastián properly come to terms with their ADHD was so powerful. They’ve been diagnosed since before the book starts and already have plenty of coping mechanisms - but also many things they still struggle with, one of which being not allowing themselves to come to terms with their bad days and letting that swallow them up. Watching them learn how to communicate and reconcile with themself was exactly what I needed. I may not have ADHD so couldn’t relate to the intricacies of what Bastián was going through, but I am autistic and the broader struggle of coming to terms with having aa neurodivergent brain was explored wonderfully.
Similarly, Lore’s dyslexia was explored very well, and there were some wonderful metaphors and explanations that really helped me, as someone who doesn’t have nor knows anyone who has dyslexia, understand at least a little of what it is like. I think it was really interesting to discover, as Lore does, (potential spoiler here) that it isn’t really the fact they’re dyslexic that bothers them, but rather who people see them as someone with dyslexia (as well as someone who is brown and non-binary).
Personally, I wasn’t that connected to the plot, and whilst this was a bit of an issue for my overall enjoyment of the book, I don’t think it matters for the book as a whole, as really it felt like a metaphor to allow these two characters to come to terms with themselves
The romance, whilst perhaps not necessary, was sweet, and I did really appreciate the open communication at the end.
The writing, whilst not my favourite style, was well done, both as a mode of communicating the discussions it had and creating an atmosphere for the main plot. The characters were relatable and flawed, and we all know those are my two buzzwords for characters.
Overall, this was well-done, and I’d definitely recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Medical content, and Blood
Moderate: Misogyny and Transphobia
Minor: Dysphoria, Sexual harassment, Racism, and Stalking
cemeterygay's review against another edition
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
5.0
I think this is the book that has finally gotten me into magical realism. This book is an intensely emotional journey from page 1 to the end. I love how this book tackles so many intersecting issues like transphobia, ableism, and racism. I loved the connections not only between our main protagonists but between the protagonists and everyone else. The romantic relationship is just so well-written and I adored to see both characters not only grow in their relationship but be pushed to grow individually. I adored how well the magical realism helped the main emotional storyline dealing with confronting inner biases.
I just also adore that through all of the emotional pain and uncertainty there was always a glimpse of hope that things can be better than what they are. The prose itself was also gorgeous.
I cannot recommend this book enough, it was utterly fantastic and a great intro into magical realism in YA and honestly a good glimpse to how wonderful and meaningful magical realism can be.
I just also adore that through all of the emotional pain and uncertainty there was always a glimpse of hope that things can be better than what they are. The prose itself was also gorgeous.
I cannot recommend this book enough, it was utterly fantastic and a great intro into magical realism in YA and honestly a good glimpse to how wonderful and meaningful magical realism can be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Transphobia, Dysphoria, Ableism, Bullying, Racism, Misogyny, and Medical content
hilaryreadsbooks's review
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Body shaming, Dysphoria, Gaslighting, Misogyny, and Transphobia
Moderate: Racism
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