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cleo_reads's review against another edition
4.75
I loved this queer YA romance between two non-binary, neuro-atypical Mexican American teenagers who share the ability to see the magical world under the lake they live by. The romance is very low-key but delightful.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism and Bullying
Minor: Racism and Transphobia
queen_of_the_books'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
5.0
One of my very favorite books! It can get a little hard to follow at times but that’s only because the book is not supposed to make sense/be literal. It’s a very colorful book with a beautiful story! And I personally really love the ending
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Racism and Transphobia
ncq's review
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Transphobia and Blood
Minor: Racism
mollyringle's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Often felt less like a story and more like a series of memoirs/essays on the experiences of being trans or having ADHD or dyslexia, and of being bullied in childhood. The rep for all of those was very good and sympathetic—author seems to know what they're talking about. But I found it stressful at times, as someone with an ADHD kid, and someone who was bullied (and whose kids have been bullied). It kept hitting my anxiety spots in that way. But the mood is loving and full of understanding, and it's clear from other reviews that other people found this book soothing and uplifting, so - your mileage may vary! McLemore is definitely a skilled writer and I look forward to reading more of their work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Transphobia
madi_oasis's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
Lakelore was a surprise for me, the blurb enticed me but left a lot of the story up to me to read on and discover, which I appreciated.
The interpersonal relationship developing between Lore and Bastián, and their own development as intersectional young people was so beautiful to experience. I teared up and cried several times, mostly toward the ending of the book as the symbolism of the lake and seiches and underwater world became stronger. Several quotes have stuck with me, but the most impactful would have to be:
“You can’t separate everything hard from everything beautiful.” - Bastián
I could connect with these characters on so many levels, and with A.M.’s writing, being a young adult who’s queer and non-binary I felt seen and also felt like I could gain another valuable perspective into the life of the people in my life who have ADHD and dyslexia. This is a must-read if you want to experience queer YA with a character-driven story, believable angst, and LGBTQIA+ hope.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Mental illness, and Transphobia
Moderate: Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Self harm, Blood, and Stalking
I did take a quarter of a star off for the first half of the book being a bit slow, and the shock of some of the triggers that ended up being in the book. I wasn’t prepared forobscurepages's review
challenging
emotional
funny
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
Okay this was perfection??? 🥹 I've had this on my TBR for quite some time now. Thanks to me being a mood reader (and Libby), I started reading and listening to the audiobook 😂
Three things stand out to me particularly: the poetic prose, the neurodivergent and mental illness rep, and the discussions on gender identity.
The prose is just amazing, and the writing style is so vivid. This book not only gives you incredible imagery (especially when talking about the lake and its magic), but also delves deep into the characters and their thoughts and emotions. I think the narrators also had a part in that, because they really did bring their characters to life. I could feel every emotion in every word as I was listening to the audiobook version. These two nonbinary, neurodivergent, brown kids are so precious and I loved reading/listening to their journey. In more ways than I imagined, I was able to relate to them throughout the book.
The neurodivergent and mental illness rep, I didn't really expect? Or maybe it's just been a while since I read the synopsis 😅 Either way, I thought these were so written so well. I could particularly relate with Bastian and their anxiety. And maybe that lead me to see the plot twist/moral lesson early? But I am definitely not complaining 😭 If anything, it just gave me more affirmation with how I try to deal with <i>*my*</i> own anxiety and stress. And I really really love that.
And of course, the queer rep in this book is just magnificent. There were discussions about gender identity, dysphoria, and experiences. And it just made me appreciate how there's really no singular experience or guideline in being queer or trans or nonbinary. No one can really tell us about our gender except ourselves —it's a spectrum, it comes in waves, and it's beautiful. (My favorite part definitely has to be Lore and Bastian talking about "gender forecasts", and in one scene Bastian says theirs is "nonbinary with a chance of stars" 🥹)
This book is just really precious 😭 and it made me feel tons of emotions, so yes 5 stars 😂
This is also my first audiobook with Vico Ortiz!? Oh my beloved 😭
Three things stand out to me particularly: the poetic prose, the neurodivergent and mental illness rep, and the discussions on gender identity.
The prose is just amazing, and the writing style is so vivid. This book not only gives you incredible imagery (especially when talking about the lake and its magic), but also delves deep into the characters and their thoughts and emotions. I think the narrators also had a part in that, because they really did bring their characters to life. I could feel every emotion in every word as I was listening to the audiobook version. These two nonbinary, neurodivergent, brown kids are so precious and I loved reading/listening to their journey. In more ways than I imagined, I was able to relate to them throughout the book.
The neurodivergent and mental illness rep, I didn't really expect? Or maybe it's just been a while since I read the synopsis 😅 Either way, I thought these were so written so well. I could particularly relate with Bastian and their anxiety. And maybe that lead me to see the plot twist/moral lesson early? But I am definitely not complaining 😭 If anything, it just gave me more affirmation with how I try to deal with <i>*my*</i> own anxiety and stress. And I really really love that.
And of course, the queer rep in this book is just magnificent. There were discussions about gender identity, dysphoria, and experiences. And it just made me appreciate how there's really no singular experience or guideline in being queer or trans or nonbinary. No one can really tell us about our gender except ourselves —it's a spectrum, it comes in waves, and it's beautiful. (My favorite part definitely has to be Lore and Bastian talking about "gender forecasts", and in one scene Bastian says theirs is "nonbinary with a chance of stars" 🥹)
This book is just really precious 😭 and it made me feel tons of emotions, so yes 5 stars 😂
This is also my first audiobook with Vico Ortiz!? Oh my beloved 😭
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Racism, Transphobia, and Dysphoria
booksandbesitos's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
4.25
I tried reading this but had trouble getting into it. So I switched to an audiobook. I didn’t know Avi Roque was narrating part of it so it was a nice surprise. (I had just finished listening to Cemetery Boys two days prior and had listened to the Julian books earlier that day!)
The audio definitely helped bring the story to life. The writing is really beautiful and almost musical so I liked having it read to me.
The way that Bastian and Lore meet at first connects them to the lake, and it almost feels like the lake is the third main character.
When they meet again it is less of meeting and more finding each other. Their friendship formed very quickly and the dialogue between them feels kinda awkward but in a way that complements one another. And when it startsbec a relationship it didn’t feel forced at all. the dynamic between the characters was just so good.
Like I said, I had trouble understanding it at first but The further I got into the book, the easier it was to understand how the lake and magic exists in the story. And it made me want to keep going and see what would happen between the characters and the lake. I can’t really explain it but it didn’t feel like there was much of a plot, but not in a negative way, more in a way where the characters lead the story. They don’t have a major goal, or a thing they are trying to accomplish. They are just existing in a world with lake magic and each other.
The characters are both neurodivergent and I liked the representation but I did feel like a lot of their inner thoughts turned into explaining their brains to the reader. I wish that it would’ve been shown in a different way rather than just “saying” it to the reader. There’s a few times where it’s shown in conversations between the characters, in things they do, or in experiences they have, and I liked those moments better. The telling made it hard to pinpoint if this was a YA book or a Middle Grade book. I enjoyed it either way though.
The characters are both neurodivergent and I liked the representation but I did feel like a lot of their inner thoughts turned into explaining their brains to the reader. I wish that it would’ve been shown in a different way rather than just “saying” it to the reader. There’s a few times where it’s shown in conversations between the characters, in things they do, or in experiences they have, and I liked those moments better. The telling made it hard to pinpoint if this was a YA book or a Middle Grade book. I enjoyed it either way though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Transphobia, and Violence
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Misogyny
caleigh_g's review
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
The inside jacket of the cover is a bit misleading. It reads like this will be a plot-driven mystery novel with magical realism elements. But it’s actually a novel about the character development of two teens with learning differences find themselves intertwined a world beyond the physical one they know.
The descriptions of the world under the lake are lyrical and vivid and gorgeous. But I felt too much time was spent telling about their struggles and not enough showing the plot. Telling about ADHD and dyslexia rather than building a plot made this feel like a younger, educational read.
The descriptions of the world under the lake are lyrical and vivid and gorgeous. But I felt too much time was spent telling about their struggles and not enough showing the plot. Telling about ADHD and dyslexia rather than building a plot made this feel like a younger, educational read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia
madamenovelist's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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, Misogyny, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Transphobia
talonsontypewriters's review against another edition
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, and Medical content
Moderate: Racism, Transphobia, Violence, Sexual harassment, and Dysphoria
Needles/injections (HRT).