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the_true_monroe's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
4.75
So many people rely on art to process their emotions and cope with a world where they are made to feel that they do not belong, and are treated as: less than, a burden, too much, broken and unnatural.
When we utilize art in this way though, what are we trying to do for ourselves? Are we trying to put the worst of us into a form that we should keep sealed shut like a genie in a bottle and mask, or are we wanting to capture each part of us so we can recognize what is going on in our head, why and how we can process that, or for some other reasons?
This book presents two nonbinary, brown, neurodivergent teens who have a curious and mystical connection with a part of the world others are unable to enter and perceive, that seems to revolve around using art as an escape and release. We see these characters who truly have been growing into their true selves, confronted by things from the past they worked so hard to bury deep down.
I absolutely loved listening to the audiobook, and how aside from a focus on internalized ableism, along with experiences of ableism, racism and transphobia , both main characters have solid, strong support systems and people who really do get them. There is no sugar coating but also so much emphasis on how simple it can be for people to accept you as you are, and learn and grow alongside you.
When we utilize art in this way though, what are we trying to do for ourselves? Are we trying to put the worst of us into a form that we should keep sealed shut like a genie in a bottle and mask, or are we wanting to capture each part of us so we can recognize what is going on in our head, why and how we can process that, or for some other reasons?
This book presents two nonbinary, brown, neurodivergent teens who have a curious and mystical connection with a part of the world others are unable to enter and perceive, that seems to revolve around using art as an escape and release. We see these characters who truly have been growing into their true selves, confronted by things from the past they worked so hard to bury deep down.
I absolutely loved listening to the audiobook, and how aside from a focus on internalized ableism, along with experiences of ableism, racism and transphobia , both main characters have solid, strong support systems and people who really do get them. There is no sugar coating but also so much emphasis on how simple it can be for people to accept you as you are, and learn and grow alongside you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Transphobia, Emotional abuse, Bullying, and Racism
Moderate: Sexism, Dysphoria, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Medical content, Stalking, and Hate crime
janiscox's review
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
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
4.25
A great book about gender diversity, beurodibergence and mental health. Took a bit to get into because I'm not very adept at colour names, but worth the read. Very touching end and a book I could have done with when I was a teen.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Bullying, and Racism
Moderate: Ableism, Mental illness, Classism, and Gaslighting
Minor: Drug use, Stalking, and Grief
hobbithopeful's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
Lakelore is an emotional magical story of accepting yourself, and being brave enough to trust others with your truths. POVs alternate between main characters Bastián and Lore, two nonbinary trans Mexican teenagers that struggle with being themselves and navigating the world around them. Lore struggles with Dyslexia, while Bastián works through their ADHD by creating and painting alebrije sculptures. Bastián has discovered that when they release the colorful alebrije into a nearby lake, they transform into the fantastical creature and swim away. Lore is the only other person that is able to see the magic of the lake, and peer into the other world like Bastián is able to. As the lake and its magic begins to encroach on the daily lives of Lore and Bastián, they must learn to confront their pasts, and their futures.
I loved the way gender and its fluidity was discussed in this book, how some days they felt more boy and more girl, and how they interpreted it in terms of "70% boy today".
I have always enjoyed all of Anna-Marie McLemore books, and even though this one followed heavier topics and had a more serious tone, I still had a great time reading it, and it left me with a lot to think about.
The Cover
I adore this cover! The colors on the bottom look so dreamy and trippy and creates an out of body feeling for the illustration. The symbolism of them both being in the water with barnacles growing on them, with maybe an allusion to the fact they are both partially emotionally drowning was extremely well done. It is also a pleasant surprise to see brown characters *actually* be brown and not be white washed.
Cover by
Carolina Rodriguez Fuenmayor
I loved the way gender and its fluidity was discussed in this book, how some days they felt more boy and more girl, and how they interpreted it in terms of "70% boy today".
I have always enjoyed all of Anna-Marie McLemore books, and even though this one followed heavier topics and had a more serious tone, I still had a great time reading it, and it left me with a lot to think about.
The Cover
I adore this cover! The colors on the bottom look so dreamy and trippy and creates an out of body feeling for the illustration. The symbolism of them both being in the water with barnacles growing on them, with maybe an allusion to the fact they are both partially emotionally drowning was extremely well done. It is also a pleasant surprise to see brown characters *actually* be brown and not be white washed.
Cover by
Carolina Rodriguez Fuenmayor
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Racism, Transphobia, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
oliverreeds's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
3.75
i fought with this rating and im still unsure in my decision but im sticking with it for now. the dialogue was good, the scenes were great, the mix of lake and reality and the characters were phenomenal. sometimes i just got a bit frustrated with how much the author leaned on adhd and dyslexia for these characters. it sometimes felt like there wasnt anything else to them and maybe that was the point— that your brainscape makes up and defines your reality but i think it may have been better to also focus on things the characters do that werent particularly relevant to their neurodivergency.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dysphoria, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Blood, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Transphobia, Violence, and Ableism
spark_879's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
i second other people's comments about amazing enby & nd rep.
also this was absolutely not the main focus of the story, but yay for queer parent rep!
also this was absolutely not the main focus of the story, but yay for queer parent rep!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Ableism
Moderate: Transphobia and Panic attacks/disorders
thewoodlandbookshelf's review
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Ableism, Medical content, Violence, Physical abuse, and Transphobia
hmatt's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I always have trouble with YA, but I really struggled to finish this one. I hope the trans/enby/dylexic/ADHD/etc. rep in this one is helpful for anyone in the intended audience reading it, but the writing of it seemed a bit too on-the-nose and pedantic for me. I felt like it completely overshadowed the premise of the novel by the end. It's also too long IMO, and as much as I really want to, I don't super love Avi Roque as a narrator.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Sexism, and Bullying
Moderate: Violence and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Racism and Dysphoria
overbooked207's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
- 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
📖 Lakelore by Anna-Marie McLemore Book Review 📖
2nd book of August 2022 and 19th of the year:
“And I am a brown girl. Just like I’m a brown boy. Just like I’m both. And neither. In different proportions depending on the day. I’m the gradience of blue and green and violet and silver that the lake turns.” - Lore.
I absolutely loved this book! There was fantastic representation for trans/non-binary characters, genderfluidity, ADHD, anxiety, dyslexia, and more, and the discussions around mental health/illness, self-love, self-acceptance and acceptance in general, and disabilities and how disabled and/or neurodivergent people navigate our world/society in it were so important! The writing style, characters, romance, and magic were also amazing, and I keep thinking about it months later! I don’t think the magic in it was 100% explained, so if you need an explanation for those things in stories, you might be left a little wanting in that regard, but it didn’t bother me too much or take away from the rest of the book being amazing. I also loved the audiobook SO much, and the fact that one of the narrators was Vico Ortiz from Our Flag Means Death made me SO happy! I definitely recommend picking it up, easily gave it five stars, and can’t wait to read more books by the author! TW for transphobia, misgendering, dysphoria, racism, ableism, bullying, a scene of sexual harassment toward the end, descriptions of needles, and anxiety📖🌊🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
2nd book of August 2022 and 19th of the year:
“And I am a brown girl. Just like I’m a brown boy. Just like I’m both. And neither. In different proportions depending on the day. I’m the gradience of blue and green and violet and silver that the lake turns.” - Lore.
I absolutely loved this book! There was fantastic representation for trans/non-binary characters, genderfluidity, ADHD, anxiety, dyslexia, and more, and the discussions around mental health/illness, self-love, self-acceptance and acceptance in general, and disabilities and how disabled and/or neurodivergent people navigate our world/society in it were so important! The writing style, characters, romance, and magic were also amazing, and I keep thinking about it months later! I don’t think the magic in it was 100% explained, so if you need an explanation for those things in stories, you might be left a little wanting in that regard, but it didn’t bother me too much or take away from the rest of the book being amazing. I also loved the audiobook SO much, and the fact that one of the narrators was Vico Ortiz from Our Flag Means Death made me SO happy! I definitely recommend picking it up, easily gave it five stars, and can’t wait to read more books by the author! TW for transphobia, misgendering, dysphoria, racism, ableism, bullying, a scene of sexual harassment toward the end, descriptions of needles, and anxiety📖🌊🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Medical content, Racism, Ableism, Dysphoria, Sexual harassment, Transphobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Sexual harassment
hngisreading's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, Bullying, and Violence
Moderate: Ableism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Medical content
littlesmaug's review
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