Reviews with content warning for Sexual harassment - Lakelore

As a story about teenage neurodiversity and trans issues, this is 5⭐️.

As a romance or a tale of magic bleeding into reality, it's more like 2½⭐️. Neither of these plot lines are entirely there. The world is vibrant and interesting, but it also feels somewhat unfinished. And maybe that's the point, that these things take a back seat to the ND story.

I'd love to read maybe just one more act which really ties everything together.

But I also hope that reading the struggles of Bastián and Lore help some readers figure out some things about themselves, regardless of the ratings or whether or not I think the story is complete.

Tags: #BIPOC #ConfrontingHomophobia #DualPOV #FearfulFearfulPair #FirstPersonPOV #MagicRealism #NonbinaryMC #SecretShame #SelfImageIssues #TransMC #Trauma

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cameronreads's review

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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.

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melodyseestrees's review

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emotional hopeful 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

4.25

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readandfindout's review

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emotional hopeful medium-paced

Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

Style/writing: 4 stars
Themes: 4.5 stars
Characters: 3 stars
Plot: 3 stars
Worldbuilding: 3.5 stars

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jen_b's review

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emotional hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

This book is both a sweet teen love story and revolutionary. There are some things that didn't work for me with the story telling style, but I'm still giving it 5 stars. This book is a gift to queer, trans, non-binary, neurodivergent, Latine young people (and adults), and to everyone who wants to see a world where people with those identities are cherished. Cheers to any book where queer kids have supportive families, we need that modeled while we work to have more of that in reality.

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amoovin's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring 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

5.0

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asexualandriod's review

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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

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careinthelibrary's review

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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!

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