pandalovesbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
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? No
4.0
minandherbooks's review against another edition
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
4.5
chype10's review against another edition
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? Yes
5.0
eme20's review against another edition
5.0
This book!!! This book!!!! I read it at the right moment in life and it resonated so deeply. The author’s writing style is BEAUTIFUL and the depiction of neurodivergent nonbinary/trans characters were perfect. I will absolutely be buying a copy for myself and my classroom.
aspen_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
Anna-Marie McLemore is an incredibly talented writer! I’ve read a few of their books without knowing they were by the same author and will definitely read more books by them in the future.
Lakelore is a beautifully written story about two teenagers with lovable characters handing their pasts, realistic teen dialogue (which is often rare in other books!), and a touch of fantasy. To me, Lakelore is a must read! I read it in 2 days despite being a slow reader because it’s just that good. I don’t know how I didn’t know about it until recently and will be telling everyone I know about it.
The author’s note and acknowledgements made me tear up in the best way. Writing this book was clearly an act of love.
Lakelore is a beautifully written story about two teenagers with lovable characters handing their pasts, realistic teen dialogue (which is often rare in other books!), and a touch of fantasy. To me, Lakelore is a must read! I read it in 2 days despite being a slow reader because it’s just that good. I don’t know how I didn’t know about it until recently and will be telling everyone I know about it.
The author’s note and acknowledgements made me tear up in the best way. Writing this book was clearly an act of love.
sfish's review against another edition
3.0
Lakelore is a novel about two people who are trying to come to terms with who they are. Bastian has ADHD and gets frustrated with the way their brain works. Forced to live a life full of sticky notes and reminders, Bastian doesn’t want anyone else to see the way they adapted to how their brain works. Lore is dyslexic and their whole life they have been made fun of for it. The way they stuttered if reading out loud and how they had to memorize words because they couldn’t sound them out, was different from the other kids. Lore was mad that they couldn’t put up with the teasing, that they fought back. Bastian and Lore came together because the world under the lake, that only they could see, was coming to the surface. With magical creatures flying around their heads and sea grass where the pavement should have been, Bastian and Lore have to accept who they are and the decisions they’ve made to make the the lake world stay under the lake.
If you are looking for a book about adventure in a world of magic under the lake, this book is not for you. BUT if you are looking for a book full of minority character representation, this is exactly the book for you. Though I was not expecting this book to be about loving yourself and all your faults, I am not mad that it was. From what I can tell this was a beautiful representation of how many people with ADHD and Dyslexia feel. And it makes me happy to see light brought onto those problems. Though I was disappointed that it was not the book full of adventure I was expecting, it was still an amazing read.
If you are looking for a book about adventure in a world of magic under the lake, this book is not for you. BUT if you are looking for a book full of minority character representation, this is exactly the book for you. Though I was not expecting this book to be about loving yourself and all your faults, I am not mad that it was. From what I can tell this was a beautiful representation of how many people with ADHD and Dyslexia feel. And it makes me happy to see light brought onto those problems. Though I was disappointed that it was not the book full of adventure I was expecting, it was still an amazing read.
kerstynleigh's review against another edition
Not every book is for every person, and this one just wasn't for me. Honestly, it could be because I feel like I have so much in common with Bastián that it started to feel like being dragged through my own head to be dragged through theirs. Their constant focus on what they were thinking/what they were doing wrong/how other people must have thought they were doing things wrong started to get a bit exhausting for me, and what was going on with the lake didn't feel like a strong enough story to counterbalance it. This, paired with the fact that Bastián's narrator read very slowly, are what made me finally call it quits.
I'd definitely still recommend it, though, I imagine other people will really love it! The representation was amazing, I can only imagine how much it would have meant to me as a teenager. Plus, I loved listening to Vico Ortiz read!
I'd definitely still recommend it, though, I imagine other people will really love it! The representation was amazing, I can only imagine how much it would have meant to me as a teenager. Plus, I loved listening to Vico Ortiz read!
wintersorbit's review
4.0
i was gonna write a long and emotional review for this book but 1. i can't 2. it should be enough to say this book is mentally under "books i wish i could give to my teenage self"