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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
nrchambers's review
emotional
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
3.25
I loved the concept and the characters but found the narrative slow and mildly repetitive.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia and Sexism
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
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
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
careinthelibrary's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
2.5
I liked the characters and the representation was really tender and considerate. I did not understand the "world under the lake" aspects of this story nor did I find it compelling plot-wise. Not for me, but I would read another from the author!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Transphobia, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
prejudice against neurodivergence (from others and internalized)
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