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A review by queer_bookwyrm
Lakelore by Anna-Marie McLemore
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? No
4.0
4 ⭐ CW: bullying
"Once you get past the fear of being seen, you can get to the part where you know you're not alone."
Lakelore by Anna-Marie McLemore is a YA standalone magical realism story featuring two Mexican-American, nonbinary, neurodivergent characters. This is the second book I've read by this author, and it is stunning. The cover is stunning , and the words inside are equally beautiful.
We follow Bastián, a nonbinary kid with ADHD, who sees a world below the surface of the lake in their town. They are the only one that can see the lake come alive and entire into the world below. Until they meet Lore. Lore is a nonbinary kid with dyslexia, who has just moved to town after an incident at their old school. Lore can also see the world under the lake, and it doesn't take long for Bastián and Lore to find each other.
Bastián has been making alebrijes to help cope with the things they can't stop thinking about. Whenever they have a bad day or feel like they failed at something, they make little paper mache animals and then release them into the lake where they come alive. Not long after Lore moves to town, the world under the lake starts to find them on land and encroach upon them in strange ways that are unsettling. Lore keeps hearing eerie laughter and voice they can't get away from along with the colors of the lake invading them. All of this is happening as they both are trying to figure out how to live with neurodivergent brains.
This story is really about learning to accept all parts of yourself, the good and the bad. They have to learn that the ways their brains work may be frustrating and difficult, but it also makes them who they are, and that isn't all bad. Lore and Bastián accepting these things about each other helps them accept these things about themselves. We also see the acknowledgement of the thin line they have to walk as a trans person of color.
This was a sweet character driven story. It's so nice to see this kind of representation that has a happy ending. I'll definitely keep reading this author.
"Once you get past the fear of being seen, you can get to the part where you know you're not alone."
Lakelore by Anna-Marie McLemore is a YA standalone magical realism story featuring two Mexican-American, nonbinary, neurodivergent characters. This is the second book I've read by this author, and it is stunning. The cover is stunning , and the words inside are equally beautiful.
We follow Bastián, a nonbinary kid with ADHD, who sees a world below the surface of the lake in their town. They are the only one that can see the lake come alive and entire into the world below. Until they meet Lore. Lore is a nonbinary kid with dyslexia, who has just moved to town after an incident at their old school. Lore can also see the world under the lake, and it doesn't take long for Bastián and Lore to find each other.
Bastián has been making alebrijes to help cope with the things they can't stop thinking about. Whenever they have a bad day or feel like they failed at something, they make little paper mache animals and then release them into the lake where they come alive. Not long after Lore moves to town, the world under the lake starts to find them on land and encroach upon them in strange ways that are unsettling. Lore keeps hearing eerie laughter and voice they can't get away from along with the colors of the lake invading them. All of this is happening as they both are trying to figure out how to live with neurodivergent brains.
This story is really about learning to accept all parts of yourself, the good and the bad. They have to learn that the ways their brains work may be frustrating and difficult, but it also makes them who they are, and that isn't all bad. Lore and Bastián accepting these things about each other helps them accept these things about themselves. We also see the acknowledgement of the thin line they have to walk as a trans person of color.
This was a sweet character driven story. It's so nice to see this kind of representation that has a happy ending. I'll definitely keep reading this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying