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talonsontypewriters's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, and Medical content
Moderate: Racism, Sexual harassment, Transphobia, Violence, and Dysphoria
Needles/injections (HRT).the_true_monroe's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Ableism, Transphobia, Emotional abuse, Bullying, and Racism
Moderate: Sexism, Dysphoria, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Medical content, Stalking, and Hate crime
lopeared's review
- 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
Graphic: Bullying and Ableism
Moderate: Violence, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Dysphoria, Hate crime, Racism, and Transphobia
Minor: Medical content and Injury/Injury detail
rustedguina's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Physical abuse
Moderate: Transphobia, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Sexual assault
maxgdy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Medical content, Bullying, Ableism, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Racism, Transphobia, and Dysphoria
Amé el lenguaje inclusivo/neutro. Aunque deja un poco abierta la cuestión del lago, el resto de la historia me pareció muy bonita y los personajes muy reales.caseythereader's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Blood, Medical content, Violence, Dysphoria, Ableism, Bullying, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Transphobia, Sexual harassment, and Racism
30something_reads's review
4.25
When the guy looks at me, he sees a brown girl. 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 gradients of blue and green and violet and silver that the lake turns.
This is one of those books that I am so glad exists for adolescents today. I wish younger me had these kinds of books with this kind of representation.
On the surface, it’s a story told in dual POV about two trans teens, Bastian and Lore, and their discovery of a mysterious world beneath the lake. But when the world beneath the lake begins integrating with their real world, they must figure out a way to stop it.
This is also a story of two teens meeting and feeling fully seen for the first time by one another. Not only for being latine, queer, and trans, but also for their neurodivergency. And all of the intricate ways they must navigate society- Bastian with their ADHD and Lore with their dyslexia.
Once you get past the fear of being seen, you can get to the part where you know you’re not alone.
The depiction of these characters experiences with ADHD and dyslexia were so poignant. It’s so clearly personal to the author, but it also brought tears to my eyes because my neurodivergent ADHD brain felt so seen in those moments.
How do you tell someone that you had to work to learn not follow every impulse your brain has?... That you came into the world with so much quicksand you needed professional help to learn to steer around it?
Beautiful writing. Wonderful representation. A book everyone should read.
Graphic: Bullying and Violence
Moderate: Transphobia, Dysphoria, and Racism
oliverreeds's review
- 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
Graphic: Dysphoria, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Blood, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Transphobia, Violence, and Ableism
thebookpaiges's review
- 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
Graphic: Ableism, Dysphoria, and Transphobia
Minor: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Violence, and Racism
kalmia31's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Racism, Body shaming, Bullying, and Transphobia
Minor: Deadnaming