The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
skylarkblue1's review against another edition
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
rachelisgreen's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
This was a very sweet book about the experience of two non-binary, Mexican teens living with neurodivergence. There’s magical realism woven throughout the perspectives of each character, with reflections on gender and ADHD and Dyslexia as a main focus.
The message was a bit bluntly communicated, but the messages were good ones and the story telling was beautiful. It did get a bit repetitive at times but overall it was a really sweet read.
The message was a bit bluntly communicated, but the messages were good ones and the story telling was beautiful. It did get a bit repetitive at times but overall it was a really sweet read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Racism and Sexual harassment
citrus_seasalt's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
4 stars! I liked the prose and both our characters, and the narrative’s focus on bullying and being gaslit as a victim really hit me hard as a neurodivergent person(although me and Lore’s experiences differ in a multitude of ways). I also got very invested in the romance, and thought it played out beautifully for the most part! T4T relationships, yay. With that said, this book is far from being perfect. The magical realism plot gets lost in order to center Lore and Bastián’s personal issues, and as a result, the story’s focus gets muddied. I also thought Bastián’s chapters tended to get a little repetitive over the course of the book, focusing on anecdotes about struggling with their ADHD, while Lore had a more consistent arc about moving on from their past and learning to believe/side with themself. In my experience, the difference in emotional impact and subject matter when switching POVs was significantly more noticeable in the audiobook(which was on my second read).
Anna-Marie McLemore’s books have a few tropes in them, which I’ve noticed across reading six of them, and unfortunately Lakelore is not immune to that. Specifically, the “breakup for a chapter or two because circumstances dictate we can’t be together if we want to keep our physical and/or emotional well-being intact. However, I as a/the protagonist will lie, and say the breakup is because I’ve lost or never truly had romantic feelings in order to be left alone, which my love interest will begrudgingly accept” trope. (How is it so consistent across their books?! I don’t know, but it’s been in, like..three. HALF of the books by them I’ve read, as of the time I’m writing this review.) Granted, this conflict gets resolved pretty quickly, but I still hate communication and that it had to happen with Lore and Bastián. I get that Lore didn’t want their own stuff resurfacing, in both the literal and metaphorical sense, but telling Bastián they don’t love them feels unnecessarily cruel…Ugh.
I still have this in my “four-star favorites”, though, because Lakelore is a deeply meaningful book to me. And I think it’s important, too! I like it’s representation, and the the themes it addresses. Because I could tell that in discussing Bastián’s self doubt, and Lore’s trauma, it was written from a standpoint that could only be from personal experience. In my perception as a reader, Anna-Marie McLemore writes their heart out onto the pages of most of the books they’ve published. It’s not something that is different with Lakelore. That’s something that keeps me returning to their work even with my criticisms, and a large part in my adoration of this book. Plus, this was the first one of their books I’d read. It made me fall in love with their writing.
Maybe another part of my positive bias comes from my audio reread, too. I liked the narration, and knew of both of the narrators (Avi Roque and Vico Ortiz)(Bastiàn and Lore’s chapters, respectively) from TV roles I’d come to love and find comfort in as a nonbinary person looking for solid representation. (On my Goodreads account, I even have a Lumity profile picture I drew myself!) To come back to Lakelore and realize they had some part in it when I’d already loved this book and read it a month or two prior was really cool to me! Obviously compared to some other points, it’s minor, but still neat imo.
So in conclusion, I really love this book and regard it as one of my favorites, but I understand the criticisms and why some people don’t.
Anna-Marie McLemore’s books have a few tropes in them, which I’ve noticed across reading six of them, and unfortunately Lakelore is not immune to that. Specifically,
I still have this in my “four-star favorites”, though, because Lakelore is a deeply meaningful book to me. And I think it’s important, too! I like it’s representation, and the the themes it addresses. Because I could tell that in discussing Bastián’s self doubt, and Lore’s trauma, it was written from a standpoint that could only be from personal experience. In my perception as a reader, Anna-Marie McLemore writes their heart out onto the pages of most of the books they’ve published. It’s not something that is different with Lakelore. That’s something that keeps me returning to their work even with my criticisms, and a large part in my adoration of this book. Plus, this was the first one of their books I’d read. It made me fall in love with their writing.
Maybe another part of my positive bias comes from my audio reread, too. I liked the narration, and knew of both of the narrators (Avi Roque and Vico Ortiz)(Bastiàn and Lore’s chapters, respectively) from TV roles I’d come to love and find comfort in as a nonbinary person looking for solid representation. (On my Goodreads account, I even have a Lumity profile picture I drew myself!) To come back to Lakelore and realize they had some part in it when I’d already loved this book and read it a month or two prior was really cool to me! Obviously compared to some other points, it’s minor, but still neat imo.
So in conclusion, I really love this book and regard it as one of my favorites, but I understand the criticisms and why some people don’t.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Ableism
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Sexual harassment and Medical content
maxgdy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
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
3.5
Content Warnings
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 against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Medical content, Violence, Dysphoria, Ableism, Bullying, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Transphobia, Sexual harassment, and Racism
thewoodlandbookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Ableism, Medical content, Violence, Physical abuse, and Transphobia
tinyjude's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
Mágica, vívida y extremadamente creativa. Las descripciones de los paisajes y las emociones de les protagonistas me llegaron al alma. También el hecho de que ambes sean no binaries y usen los pronombres elle. También tiene representación de TDAH y dislexia según las vivencias de le autore. Una lectura maravillosa para aprender a aceptarnos en todas nuestras facetas y aspectos. Ojalá muches niñes queer, neurodivergentes y/o racializades lo encuentren cuando más lo necesiten y se sientan reconfortades y escuchades.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Dysphoria, Misogyny, Racism, Bullying, Medical content, Transphobia, Hate crime, and Violence
solenekeleroux's review against another edition
emotional
informative
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
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Transphobia, and Ableism
Moderate: Racism, Sexual harassment, Violence, and Medical content
cameronreads's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Medical content, and Blood
Moderate: Misogyny and Transphobia
Minor: Dysphoria, Sexual harassment, Racism, and Stalking
readandfindout's review against another edition
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
Themes: 4.5 stars
Characters: 3 stars
Plot: 3 stars
Worldbuilding: 3.5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Bullying, and Ableism
Moderate: Medical content, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, Violence, and Racism