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drraytay's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Homophobia, Sexual assault, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Car accident
btwnprintedpgs's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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? No
5.0
My heart hurts so much omg. I'll review this after I stop crying.
---
This was my first Anna-Marie McLemore book, and I am officially a fan. I own two of their other books and I'm so excited to pick them up now.
The Mirror Season is heavy - it begins with our MC Ciela bringing an unknown-to-her boy to the hospital after he was drugged and they were both sexual assaulted in separate rooms. From there, we see how the system fails minorities and the poor; how keeping traumatic events to yourself slice into you slowly and begin to affect who you are; and how you build guards around yourself, both physically and mentally, in the aftermath. Everything about this book is so raw and heartbreaking, and knowing that it's a story that was born from personal experience makes it that much more valuable and important.
As the past unravels itself to us, and as Ciela opens up to more people, we see how her support systems lift her up. I loved her relationship with her family, and Lock's with his, and how they help these two kids navigate the worst the world has the offer. I know this isn't true for all, but I hope this book helps at least a few victims of sexual assault and rape open up to those they trust to help them.
Her and Lock's relationship, with all it's complications, was so amazing too. How they helped to build each other back up, the areas of conflict and how they manage it, and the healing they bring to each other. It was all so thoughtfully written and with such care. I want to give them both a hug.
This book is healing and hopeful and my heart hurts just thinking about it. One of my favourite books of the year, for sure.
Rep: Latina MC and family
TW: rape, sexual assault, sexual violence, lesbophobia, panphobia, racism, bullying, injury detail, blood
---
This was my first Anna-Marie McLemore book, and I am officially a fan. I own two of their other books and I'm so excited to pick them up now.
The Mirror Season is heavy - it begins with our MC Ciela bringing an unknown-to-her boy to the hospital after he was drugged and they were both sexual assaulted in separate rooms. From there, we see how the system fails minorities and the poor; how keeping traumatic events to yourself slice into you slowly and begin to affect who you are; and how you build guards around yourself, both physically and mentally, in the aftermath. Everything about this book is so raw and heartbreaking, and knowing that it's a story that was born from personal experience makes it that much more valuable and important.
As the past unravels itself to us, and as Ciela opens up to more people, we see how her support systems lift her up. I loved her relationship with her family, and Lock's with his, and how they help these two kids navigate the worst the world has the offer. I know this isn't true for all, but I hope this book helps at least a few victims of sexual assault and rape open up to those they trust to help them.
Her and Lock's relationship, with all it's complications, was so amazing too. How they helped to build each other back up, the areas of conflict and how they manage it, and the healing they bring to each other. It was all so thoughtfully written and with such care. I want to give them both a hug.
This book is healing and hopeful and my heart hurts just thinking about it. One of my favourite books of the year, for sure.
Rep: Latina MC and family
TW: rape, sexual assault, sexual violence, lesbophobia, panphobia, racism, bullying, injury detail, blood
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Sexual violence, Lesbophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
ghostlyprince's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Rape, Gaslighting, Grief, Sexual violence, Confinement, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Lesbophobia, Outing, Biphobia, Bullying, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Blood, Sexual content, Alcohol, Body shaming, Racism, and Vomit
Minor: Car accident and Fatphobia
sunny_pipes's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book hurt to read, both because of the subject matter and how it impacted the lives of the characters.
The Author' Note at the end made me cry both because it is awful that it's like that, but also because the "Does" are so powerful for reclaiming what was always theirs.
This also has pansexual representation, which I've found to be so rare. Usually characters identify as bisexual or queer, and as a pansexual it is so affirming to see a well written pansexua main character.
The Author' Note at the end made me cry both because it is awful that it's like that, but also because the "Does" are so powerful for reclaiming what was always theirs.
This also has pansexual representation, which I've found to be so rare. Usually characters identify as bisexual or queer, and as a pansexual it is so affirming to see a well written pansexua main character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Lesbophobia, Rape, Homophobia, Bullying, and Sexual assault
ogatka's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, and Sexual assault
undisciplinedbeing's review
challenging
emotional
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
The moon is in Capricorn; where all things emotional is being stired up. This book have offered me joy of being queer, but at the same time tore me open to the truth of being queer. It's funny for me to pick up this book for Libra season - for those seeking justice and unable to verbalise the help that they needed the most, I hope this book will inspire you find the courage when you can't speak your truth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Lesbophobia, and Emotional abuse
therainbowshelf's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-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
A beautiful look at trauma and recovery. I loved the characters and mcLemore’s style. This book really handles trauma well and vividly illustrates what it’s like. I also love food magic! It was great having an m-spec protagonist as well. Strong content warnings for rape, bullying, harassment, homophobia, and panic attacks.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Body shaming, Rape, Sexual harassment, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Panic attacks/disorders, Lesbophobia, Racism, and Classism
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Drug use
Minor: Alcohol and Vomit
Being drugged, blackmailshadeyc's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
OOF.
This is beautfully, beautifully written, but god it was hard work. I listened to the audiobook, which is very well done, I just had to keep stopping it to catch my breath.
I knew this w0uld be difficult in the sense that it's about assault (it's also about healing!), however, I didn't think this would be quite so hard. I'm not sure I knew what I was getting in to, but this made me SO angry, which it should, it should make everyone angry.
Anyway - the constant unfolding is both clever and uncomfortable and intense and interesting and terrifying.
I think this is a book worth your time if you know what you're getting into.
TW: sexual assault, trauma, PTSD, bullying, homophobia, racism, classism, intimidation.
This is beautfully, beautifully written, but god it was hard work. I listened to the audiobook, which is very well done, I just had to keep stopping it to catch my breath.
I knew this w0uld be difficult in the sense that it's about assault (it's also about healing!), however, I didn't think this would be quite so hard. I'm not sure I knew what I was getting in to, but this made me SO angry, which it should, it should make everyone angry.
Anyway - the constant unfolding is both clever and uncomfortable and intense and interesting and terrifying.
I think this is a book worth your time if you know what you're getting into.
TW: sexual assault, trauma, PTSD, bullying, homophobia, racism, classism, intimidation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, and Bullying
Moderate: Classism, Emotional abuse, Lesbophobia, and Physical abuse
meggs1005's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Sexual violence, and Mental illness
Moderate: Biphobia, Bullying, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Racism
dalmavatai's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-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? Yes
5.0
Ah this book was so goddamn beautiful. I really had a feeling that I would love it and I'm so so glad I did!
Ciela and Lock are both amazing characters and I felt for them deeply. Their chemistry and banter was so well executed, it was so funny but in a way that felt real and natural. The humor in this book, combined with the interrogation of trauma and healing, as well as a blossoming romance between two characters who have been traumatized in the same way and are outcasts in different but related ways, was wonderfully done and each element balanced out the others. The exploration of the main characters' gender, race, class, sexuality, and size and how they played a role in their marginalization as well as in the impact the assault had on them, was so so well done. For example, Lock blames himself for not being able to resist because he's a guy and men are not supposed to be women's victims. Ciela often talks about how her queer, brown, and soft body is marginalized and not seen as something to be respected by a culture dominated by straight, white, and thin bodies. There's commentary on how her pansexuality gets reduced to her being 'a lesbian' , as well as how both her and Lock are scholarship students and because of their class status, their word against their attackers' would not be believed. All of the commentary is well-integrated into the story and is a crucial part of how it unfolds as opposed to something added to it so that the author would sound 'woke'.
Lock and Ciela's relationship is truly one of the best relationships I've ever read about and Lock is the best male love interest I've ever encountered in a book. His crocheting, him being comfortable in his masculinity, his relationship with his sister, and his open acknowledgement that he can't possibly understand what it's like to be in Ciela's shoes all make him such a wonderful character to read about. Their relationship is tender, beautiful, and raw, and how they find solace in each other is heartwarming to read about. Their banter and chemistry are truly exceptional and a joy to follow.
The only small issue I had was that it got a little repetitive towards the end, especially vis-à-vis the magical realism elements. I didn't really mind the magical realism, but it's definitely something outside my comfort zone and I at times felt that the descriptions of the mirrored glass as well as of the pastries Ciela makes were overwritten and also got quite repetitive towards the end.
Overall, though, this book is truly so so amazing and something that will stay with me for a long time to come.
Ciela and Lock are both amazing characters and I felt for them deeply. Their chemistry and banter was so well executed, it was so funny but in a way that felt real and natural. The humor in this book, combined with the interrogation of trauma and healing, as well as a blossoming romance between two characters who have been traumatized in the same way and are outcasts in different but related ways, was wonderfully done and each element balanced out the others. The exploration of the main characters' gender, race, class, sexuality, and size and how they played a role in their marginalization as well as in the impact the assault had on them, was so so well done. For example, Lock blames himself for not being able to resist because he's a guy and men are not supposed to be women's victims. Ciela often talks about how her queer, brown, and soft body is marginalized and not seen as something to be respected by a culture dominated by straight, white, and thin bodies. There's commentary on how her pansexuality gets reduced to her being 'a lesbian' , as well as how both her and Lock are scholarship students and because of their class status, their word against their attackers' would not be believed. All of the commentary is well-integrated into the story and is a crucial part of how it unfolds as opposed to something added to it so that the author would sound 'woke'.
Lock and Ciela's relationship is truly one of the best relationships I've ever read about and Lock is the best male love interest I've ever encountered in a book. His crocheting, him being comfortable in his masculinity, his relationship with his sister, and his open acknowledgement that he can't possibly understand what it's like to be in Ciela's shoes all make him such a wonderful character to read about. Their relationship is tender, beautiful, and raw, and how they find solace in each other is heartwarming to read about. Their banter and chemistry are truly exceptional and a joy to follow.
The only small issue I had was that it got a little repetitive towards the end, especially vis-à-vis the magical realism elements. I didn't really mind the magical realism, but it's definitely something outside my comfort zone and I at times felt that the descriptions of the mirrored glass as well as of the pastries Ciela makes were overwritten and also got quite repetitive towards the end.
Overall, though, this book is truly so so amazing and something that will stay with me for a long time to come.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Bullying, Lesbophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence