*I WAS PROVIDED A DIGITAL GALLEY VIA NETGALLEY IN RETURN FOR MY HONEST THOUGHTS. THIS DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION*

I picked up this book based on Destiny’s (MyHoneyReads) recommendation, and as I always trust their opinion, I knew I wouldn’t be let down or disappointed. However, what I did not expect was to be completely destroyed by this book, while learning what it’s like to love reading again.

Writing Style –
Anna-Marie McLemore writes in such a flowery, almost poetic way. Their writing style is addicting and intoxicating. Once you get a taste of it, you won’t want anything else. I was completely pulled into their book, and I was not released until after I’d finished reading. That’s rare for me with books nowadays. It takes me a lot longer to fall into a story, but McLemore ensured that I’d be pulled in from the first page.

Characters –
McLemore wrote messy characters. They wrote them to be imperfect, and splintered, and prosperous. Ciela was a character I really empathized and felt for. Her entire story, all of her coping mechanisms, they all felt familiar to me–though under very different circumstances. She was written in such a way that you almost felt as though you were standing in her shoes, seeing through her eyes, feeling her exact emotions. It was scary realistic in that way, and I adored every second of it.

Meanwhile, Lock’s character was so different. McLemore handled toxic masculinity through his character, and they also pushed for that same messiness, that same splintering and imperfection. They made Lock be brittle but strong, and that’s something we don’t see often portrayed in Young Adult books. Either a side character is one or the other, or neither at all. But Lock’s character was both, and I loved seeing it on the pages.

Romance –
As I’m demiromantic, I’m probably one of the last people who should be commenting on the romantic aspects of a book. But for this one, it was like the relationship came alive on the pages. There were the ups and downs, there were the almost honeymoon-like phases. It was written in such a careful and attentive way that I yearned for more once it was finished at the end of the book.

Plot –
There were a few unexpected aspects to the plot that I hadn’t seen coming. A particular scene toward the end of the book came across a bit strange to me, in that it almost popped up out of nowhere. But for the rest of the book, I loved the plot that was given.

Magic –
This book came across as magical realism, and it was just that. This was a retelling of the Snow Queen, a story I’d never heard of prior to this. But one thing that stuck out to me was Ciela’s ability to tell what type of pan or pastry someone would want just by looking at them. The beauty of that magic was clear and outspoken on the pages. But when it got to the glass that consistently appeared throughout the book, I was a bit confused. It seemed like a coping mechanism for Ciela, but at the same time, there was no real explanation to it, and I felt a bit disappointed by that.

Overall –
This book was everything I could’ve asked for. There were some flaws to it, but the good parts outweighed those entirely. I am definitely a fan of Anna-Marie McLemore’s after reading The Mirror Season, and I fully plan on reading the rest of their books after this. For that, I rate this book 4.75 stars.

This was a really hard book to read at times, but wow am I so glad that I stuck with it. Going into this one, I was really interested in the premise, but I didn't know if I would enjoy it because I have really struggled with McLemore's flowery writing style in the past. Luckily I am very happy to report that I absolutely LOVED the writing this time around and I actually ended up reading this in one sitting because I couldn't put it down. With that being said, this wasn't an easy read. This book deals very heavily with sexual assault and even features depictions of it on page, so please tread with caution if that is something that you are sensitive to. But overall, I really enjoyed this and am definitely excited to try reading more from McLemore in the future!

CW: sexual assault, ptsd, homophobia

I really enjoyed this book! This was my first of Anna-Marie McLemore's books and I will definitely be checking out more of their work. This book hit me really hard in the heart but the writing style wasn't my favorite, and I was feeling a bit bored about 60% through. I'm so glad I pushed through it because the ending nearly made me cry.

I’ve been a fan of Anna-Marie’s work since I read Wild Beauty & have since read all of their books except one (only because I haven’t found it yet but trust that I will). Their work is so lyrical and soothing in its wording & settings that it almost feels like a comfort (at least to me). This book was no different in that sense but it was VERY different from their other books. It approaches trauma in a magical way that gives it *just* enough levity but doesn’t take away from the effects the trauma has on the main character and the person who shares in her trauma. It’s truly a beautiful book.

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: The Mirror Season

Author: Anna-Marie McLemore

Book Series: Standalone

Diversity: Hispanic, Plus Size, Pansexual MC, F/f romance mentioned (MC past relationships and a current one by a side character)

Rating: 5/5

Recommended For...: Contemporary, magical realism, young adult readers

Genre: YA Contemporary (slight Magical Realism)

Publication Date: March 16, 2021

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Pages: 311

Recommended Age: 15+ (Rape TW, Language, Abstinence Discussion, Bullying, Romance, Sex)

Explanation of CWs: Rape is heavily discussed and it's something the MC and the love interest experience. There is slight language, Abstinence is also talked about, and there is heavy bullying. There is also 1 consensual sex scene and a few mentions to consensual sex.

Synopsis: When two teens discover that they were both sexually assaulted at the same party, they develop a cautious friendship through her family's possibly magical pastelería, his secret forest of otherworldly trees, and the swallows returning to their hometown, in Anna-Marie McLemore's The Mirror Season...

Graciela Cristales's whole world changes after she and a boy she barely knows are assaulted at the same party. She loses her gift for making enchanted pan dulce. Neighborhood trees vanish overnight, while mirrored glass appears, bringing reckless magic with it. And Ciela is haunted by what happened to her, and what happened to the boy whose name she never learned.

But when the boy, Lock, shows up at Ciela's school, he has no memory of that night, and no clue that a single piece of mirrored glass is taking his life apart. Ciela decides to help him, which means hiding the truth about that night. Because Ciela knows who assaulted her, and him. And she knows that her survival, and his, depend on no one finding out what really happened.

Review: I really liked this book, even though it took a lot out of me to read it. The book heavily discusses rape and consent and abstinence, which are always touchy subjects to me. I thought the author did well to craft a story like I hadn't read since Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. The world building was well done, the characters were well developed, and the plot was heartbreaking. Furthermore, I loved how the author talked about sexual assaults on men and what they go through and I loved how well the author wrote a male character that does typically "feminine" things like crocheting or sewing. I also read this book in one setting, because the book demanded it of me, but I heavily advise if you're wanting to read this and are touchy on these topics as well, please take your time. Also, because this is a McLemore book, there is a bit of magical realism in it and the writing is very poetry like.

The only thing I didn't like as much about the book is that the format was a bit hard to know if I was in the then or now, but I think that was on purpose and if so it served it's purpose.

Verdict: It's really good! Highly recommend.

This was a more realistic and less fantastical work for McLemore. Still fantastic. I felt this book follows the tradition of Laurie Halsey Anderson's Speak

This is a story about a post traumatic growth… and broken glass.

I’m torn on how to rate this. The writing is lovely, and the author’s note references their personal experiences in connection to the narrative. The magical realism is unique and interesting, and the level of detail about the ins & outs of the protagonists day to day life are well crafted and interesting. I think this will be an important read for some readers in search of something to connect to after trauma.

So, why is this not the perfect book for me? I think assault survivors should express themselves in whatever way they choose, and find most helpful… but, the concept of a fairytale retelling with a prevalent & somewhat convoluted sexual assault narrative thread throughout- packaged in a YA novel? I don’t know that this came together in a way that worked for me personally as a reader. There was one particular element that felt problematic in its execution & could potentially undermine other elements.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️. 💫 rounded to 4.

Thank you so much Netgalley &

Striking, compelling, and full of Anna-Marie McLemore’s signature lyrical prose, The Mirror Season is a heavy, but commanding piece of fiction. Inspired by the Hans Christian Anderson fairytale, The Snow Queen, this book is a poignant and powerful story about learning to heal yourself after trauma and rediscovering your own magic, whatever that may mean.

Graciela, “Ciela” Cristales knows pan dulce like the back of hand and then some. Gifted with a special family power, she can predict what piece of bread a customer needs at her family’s panaderia in San Juan Capistrano, California. Handed down to her by her bisabuela, the power has also attracted the attention of tourists, making her special gift a much needed piece of business. Beyond that, it’s incredibly special to her. Feeling like a lifeline, it’s a source of power and energy to her ancestors.


Feiwel & Friends
After a traumatic event takes place at a party, that all changes. Ciela is sexually assaulted by a pair of boys she hardly knows. She discovers a boy at that same party who was also sexually assaulted. After driving him to a hospital, the aftereffects of her attack ripple out forward. She loses her magic touch. Ciela is devastated at the loss of the hereditary magic. Instead, she is tormented by the pieces of mirror glass shards that seem to form out of ordinary objects, threatening to hurt her.

At school, she finds a kinship with the boy she dropped off at the hospital, Thomas Lock. The pair lean into each other as they have to deal with their abusers every day at school. In the process they learn about each other and heal with a little bit of charm and magic.

The relationships that characters have with one another, specifically, the one between Ciela and her ex girlfriend, Jess is refreshing and fun to read. There is no bad blood between these exes. Their friendship is smooth and soft. Jess works at Ciela’s family panaderia. She always feels genuine in her actions with Ciela.

One of my favorite things about this novel is how McLemore deals with such an incredibly sensitive subject. McLemore writes in a way that is both tender and like a force of nature. They do not back away from the effects of this event on both characters, but they do not linger needlessly in their pain either. Readers can feel the passion that McLemore has on the subject through the pages in the way that both Ciela and Lock react and feel. They have a lot of depth as characters. It’s incredibly moving how both begin to trust each other and reclaim the pieces of themselves that were stolen on that night.

The Mirror Season is a story that keeps love and sweetness at its core, even in the midst of trying and disturbing event. McLemore’s writing is infused with a special kind of magia that is sure to keep audiences bonded to the pages of the book.

Graciela, 'Ciela', is recovering from a traumatic night, which ended with her leaving a boy at the local emergency room, while she went home and tried to forget everything that took place. Now, school is starting and her best friend has moved on to college, so she has no one to cling to. What's worse, she is left facing her tormentors, her abusers alone. She also discovers that the boy she saved turns out to be new to the school. She feels compelled to once again keep him safe; luckily he seems to not remember anything that happened that night, or her.

This book was so tragically, hauntingly beautiful. The prose have stayed with me, long after closing the book. This is a loose adaptation of the fairytale The Snow Queen (or La Reina de las Nieves).

Ciela and Lock have gone through a horrific event together, but they also both have shards of mirrored glass lodge in their eyes and sink into their hearts. Ciela knows this, sees it happening, was unable to stop her shard from entering her heart. She has been trying desperately to hide all the pieces of mirrored glass she finds, but some tiny bits of broken glass are caught on the wind and pulled outside her window.

The book talks immensely about power and privilege, how this imbalance gives certain people the idea they can do whatever they want without consequence. Some people have been raised to believe or to perceive what they do to others, who they think are below them, is not bad (no matter what it may be). The book shows this imbalance in how a system that is meant to protect all children, really only protects the children whose parents have money to give. Money is used by the school to justify which punishments fit which individuals. Ciela and Lock fit into the category of scholarship kids, they give nothing to the school but their grades and are therefore expendable. Unlike the rich children, whose bad behaviour is easily dismissed. Because of this imbalance, some of the rich kids believe the only right way to be is to be like them, and to be poor or other must be fixed. They believe what they do is helping, is allowing those outside their world to be brought in and become a part of it.

Ciela's story is so heartbreaking and I immediately felt empathy for her. The decisions she makes are to protect herself from the truth of that night. She is suffering from PTSD and fears telling anyone the truth, because she thinks it is her fault, and she hates to think of what her parents, her family, and her friends would think of her if they knew the truth. She does not want to be seen differently, as something that happened to her. Throughout the course of the novel she begins to realize that what happened is not her fault, that her hiding the truth is actually hurting her more, and that losing her Great-Grandmother's gift of finding the perfect dessert for a customer is part of the cost of her closing herself off from others. When she starts to fight back, to take back who she is, her gift slowly returns.

Lock is also suffering from PTSD, but his is different from Ciela's. This shows how the impact of trauma can present differently in people. While some of the suffering is the same, Lock finds more comfort in nature, in solitude, in therapy and his family. He is more open to healing, but moments of anger and hurt appear suddenly and are strong.

I loved that this book exhibited a lot of magical realism. How the story of The Snow Queen is subtly inserted into this story of two rape victims. The mirrored glass that Ciela sees everywhere seems to come when she is confronted with what happened, with herself, with the predators that hurt her. They appear when she is vulnerable, ashamed, guilt ridden, and she tries to hide all these mirrored images of her, because she cannot look at herself and what happened too closely. She also hides them away, scared that what happened to her could happen to other people, she is protecting everyone, even while she fails to protect herself from the pain she is hiding.

The glass within her and Lock are the pieces of themselves that were broken when they were attacked. It is just so beautifully woven into the story and perfectly encapsulates what it is like to be a victim, to be hurt, to be afraid, and to know you may never be whole again, who you once were no longer exists. Ciela sees herself as many different characters from The Snow Queen, each one a different piece of her story, whether she is Gerda who is searching for her lost friend, to the robber girl (the only brown girl in the story), to the Snow Queen herself (whose heart is made of ice).

I also enjoyed that Ciela worked in a pasteleria owned by her tia. Her Latinx heritage is a very distinct part of her, as is her pansexuality. She also has the magical ability to predict what each customer needs. Each different dessert represents a mood, a feeling, an emotion that a customer needs to elicit in themselves. Whether it be courage, love, kindness. Ciela cannot pick out what Lock needs, but that is because what he needs scares her. She loses her gift at first, when she buries what happened to her. However, it slowly returns as she confronts her attackers and helps Lock.

Also, this book made me very hungry. The desserts all sounded delicious, and the art of creating them seemed calm and healing (I often use baking as a stress release or when I am feeling over anxious and need to calm my mind).

A great book to have in the classroom. The writing was impeccable and I am going to have to read more of Anna-Marie Mclemore's writing. I loved this one and cannot wait to add it to the shelf in my classroom.

The Mirror Season is a magical, heartbreaking story about sexual assault and its aftermath. Anna-Marie McLemore approaches this difficult topic with care and respect, and does a remarkable job of balancing the dark with the overwhelming love and hope experienced by these characters. McLemore doesn’t shy away from the power dynamics of race and the sexualization of people of color. Her characters struggle to reclaim their voice and their bodies, to reclaim the strength and respect that was so viciously taken from them.

I really loved Ciela and Lock and the relationship that slowly blooms between them. Both characters are desperate to heal after their trauma, but their relationship is so much more than what happened to them that night. There’s a real friendship that develops, a level of trust that offers each of them strength. Another powerful relationship in the book is the friendship between Ciela and her ex-girlfriend Jess. It’s no coincidence that Ciela begins to find the strength to stand up for herself and for Lock after confiding in Jess. McLemore does such a wonderful job writing these characters and the relationships between them that you can’t help but love them and root for them.

This book is book is absolutely beautiful and necessary. It’s difficult and heartbreaking, but also wonderfully warm and hopeful. McLemore has once again given us a well-crafted book full of love and magical realism. I cannot recommend it enough.

The Mirror Season by Anna-Marie McLemore is heartbreaking, hard to read, and hopeful all at the same time. The story follows two teens (Ciela and Lock) who were sexually assaulted at the same party, one who knows what happened and the other who can’t remember many details. They form a friendship and heal together, but Graciela knows details from that night that she’s keeping from Lock to protect him and their relationship. There is also a light magical element to an otherwise recognizable world, which include her ability to know exactly what pan dulce a customer will need and things around her turning into mirrored glass after that night.

I didn’t expect to be so completely sucked in and taken with the story, and genuinely had a hard time putting the book down or reading anything else. The two lead characters were so heartfelt and genuine, which made sense when I got to the end of the book and read McLemore’s author note which discussed their own experience with sexual assault and how much of their own self was put into this book. The way the trauma and healing was discussed in the book, was handled with so much care and love for assault survivors. I loved the magic, which lifted up elements of the story and made sure it would stick with me for a long time. I won’t lie, I definitely was crying a little by the end.

CW: sexual assault (described), harassment, bullying, attempted kidnapping

This book was sad and brutal but also beautiful and healing. I'm still wiping tears away. I put this one off for so long I couldn't find it on my app for a bit (the app can be weird like that) because I was afraid that as a survivor myself, it would be too triggering. But McLemore writes in a way that is both direct and honest, even detailed, but never for shock value. Although this was a tough read, the flow and depth kept me turning pages even through the darkest parts.

I absolutely LOVED this book. The Mirror Season beautifully portrays rape culture in our society. From the PTSD that comes with sexual assault to the stigmatization of sexual assault in boys and men. This book made me think critically about my own perceptions of rape, and it really put me in the shoes of a sexual assault victim in a stunningly realistic way that really added perspective to my life.

I loved the diverse representation in this story. The main character is a pansexual Latina, both of which are identities that I rarely see in books. I really connected with the background of Ciela and her best friend being ex's because my best friend and I are the same way, and seeing that in print was something that made me feel so real and made me feel so much nostalgia.

This book should be required reading. Definitely search for TWs before reading!

The Mirror Season is a beautifully written YA retelling of The Snow Queen. The beautiful and lyrical writing is sure to enchant readers. The characters are diverse. There is a sexual assault at the center of the story. McLemore evokes emotions I didn't even expect. I cried, I laughed, I felt the characters' journey. The imagery throughout is marvelously done. Truly cannot recommend this beautiful retelling enough.

trigger + content warnings: graphic descriptions of sexual assault, rape, sexual violence, drugging, homophobia, bullying, emotional abuse, racism, sexism, classism, biphobia, trauma, grief, blood mentions, death of grandparent (mention of it happening in the past), underage drinking, victim blaming, physical violence, threats

The Mirror Season is a story of trauma and healing that's devastating yet tender, told in Anna-Marie McLemore's gorgeous prose. I absolutely loved the elements of magical realism woven into the story. Though it's easy to pick out some aspects of how the book was inspired by "The Snow Queen," McLemore makes this version of the tale completely their own. The book does not shy away from the struggle of dealing with trauma and the difficult process of healing. In addition to sexual assault and trauma, The Mirror Season touches on so many other important topics as well: classism, being brown and bi/pan, stigma around discussing sexual assault, etc.

Ciela is such a strong main character—full of strength and heart and independence. I loved how comfortable she was in her femininity, and her journey of healing involving reclaiming her body. Lock is super sweet, and I liked how secure he felt (or at least projected himself to be) being himself. His struggle with healing from the trauma as well as the stigma against male victims of sexual assault is such an important story. I enjoyed Lock and Ciela's dynamic and relationship, how it developed it from reluctant allies to friends, to eventually romantic interests. I also adored the strong friendship between Ciela and Jess, and how supportive they are of each other. I wish Jess had featured more in the book, but her romance subplot was super cute! Another aspect of the book that I love is Ciela's relationships with different members of her family. Her parents are so warm and loving and supporting, and I loved her dynamic with her aunt as well.

While there were some choices I didn't like as much (the plot twist), I recognize how deeply important this book is. It is not an easy story to get through at times, but the depictions of healing and love and friendships are absolutely beautiful. I'm grateful to Anna-Marie McLemore for pouring their heart into this book, as well as sharing part of their own experiences in it.

This book was PERFECT! For starters, the cover is gorgeous. The content is tough read, but it's so important for teens to be able to read books in which they discuss rape, sexual assault, and people learning to cope with the aftermath of said violence. I also appreciate how the main character is pansexual; I don't think people who are pansexual are represented enough in literature. Would I recommend this book? YES.

I’ll be honest, I was a bit hesitant to read this one because of the subject matter. Because I am highly sensitive, I am not one for reading heavy books very often as they can leave a negative impact on my mental health. However, I knew AM put a lot of care into this story, infusing it with hope and healing for survivors… and AM’s writing is divine… so I threw myself into reading this and boy, did it devastate me in the best type of way.

This book broke me and my emotions flooded out, literally; I cried, I SOBBED reading this more than any book I can remember in recent memory. It was exhausting, but in a way that I needed. Talk about catharsis!

So yes, this is a very emotionally challenging book, and no doubt will be very triggering for some readers, but is IS very healing. I really encourage anyone interested in this book to give it a try, but being mindful of what you need to care for yourself while you do so -- check in with your current mental health, your support system, etc. -- as well as finding the space and time to process this story in whatever way you need. I will post some semi-descriptive content warnings at the end of my review, for those interested in that.

Now, time to gush about the different things I love about The Mirror Season:

Lush prose as is usual for this author. Very atmospheric. Lots of figurative language that fits the magical realism very well; it’s the type of writing where the reader is left with some uncertainty regarding “is this all literally happening, or is this metaphorical?” For much of the book I was questioning whether Ciela was perceiving some of these things as an expression of her trauma, or if real objects were legitimately turning to mirrored glass.

The plot structure has a lots of parallels with When the Moon Was Ours, which was my first AM book. I particularly noticed this towards the end of the book, as tension is building to the climax and I got SO stressed but in a fun way because I knew in my heart that there would be a ‘happy’ ending.

AM crafts these characters, and their world, so so well. They felt like living, breathing people. They don’t just exist on the page. This story is so REAL, and raw, and insightful regarding experiences of sexual violence, the intersections of rape culture with racism and homophobia and toxic masculinity… and the feelings of Ciela and Lock, all these complex, messy feelings, are so real. I haven’t been through anything anywhere near what these characters have been through, but reading this helped me process my own feelings of the sexual harassment I have experienced as a queer trans person.

And I think many readers -- folks who have experienced any form of sexual violence - can relate to feelings in this book. The anger, the powerlessness, the shame. The internalized victim blaming. The entitlement of others to YOUR body, the stripping of agency, the visceral responses, the disgust washing over your body. And through healing, a reclamation of your body.

Ciela’s realization that she can’t continue blaming herself for things that are not her fault, because if she does, then it diminishes her ability to recognize and amend things that ARE actually her fault. The effort she puts in to stop automatic negative thoughts and change her thinking patterns, like, i was SO PROUD and inspired!! This girl aint even gone to therapy yet and here she is working on developing positive coping skills! Good for her!!
This is a struggle about a queer person, and there is intersection between her struggle and her queer identity, but this is not a Queer Struggle story. And that is so refreshing. She is out as pansexual, and she is loved and accepted for it by herself and her loved ones. Her school environment is heteronormative (abstinence-only sex ed, ew) and her abusers are ignorant pieces of shit that don’t understand or respect her queerness, yes. But there are no slurs used, despite the word ‘lesbian’ being aimed at Ciela in a derogatory manner that “feels like a slur.” Personally, I felt like the vibrant queer world around Ciela far outweighed the homophobia, so the overall tone of the book is queer pride, resistance, and joy.

Potentially triggering content includes, but is not limited to:
Sexual assault (forced oral penetration, and denial that oral sex is sex)
PTSD, including flashbacks and nightmares
The most graphic description of the assault occurs during a flashback about 75% into the book
Internalized victim-blaming
Consensual sex/intercourse in which one party is not fully informed
Heteronormativity, homophobic and racist microaggressions
Bullying/school torment
Blackmailing
Repeated descriptions of a particular memory/imagery of [a sexual bodily fluid]
Use of the word “dick” and “erection” during the sexual assault scene

Like with all other books by Anna-Marie McLemore, The Mirror Season was utterly beautiful. It was more tragic and heartbreaking than their other books but in the most gorgeous way possible. LOVED and highly recommend!

<i>"My abuela used to tell me a story about snow like that, about a frozen queen called La Reina de las Nieves. She ruled the coldest land that ever existed, her palace glittering with sheared ice. I knew she was supposed to be la mala, la villana, the evil queen who steals a boy named Kai from a sweet, warm-hearted girl named Gerda.
To me, though, Le Reina de las Nieves was magnificent. She not only survived the cold, she made beauty out of it."</i>

Plot Points: Graciela Cristales is La Bruja de los Pasteles -- the Pastry Witch of San Juan Capistrano -- having inherited her great grandmother's gift for knowing exactly what sort of pastry will warm a person's heart, will make them smile. But she loses that gift when she loses a piece of herself the night she -- and a boy -- are sexually assaulted at a party. That same night, a sliver of glass lodges itself in Ciela's eye, in a hauntingly beautiful and subtle nod to HC Andersen's "The Snow Queen." The story follows Ciela's coming-to-terms with what happened -- to her, and to the boy.
Love Triangle: No, definitely no.
Diversity: Yes! Ciela is a queer Mexican girl, and she and Lock are both scholarship students at their school; even though, as a white male, Lock does have a certain amount of privilege, his class status allows him to empathize with Ciela, while fully acknowledging that he can't even fully understand.
Slow Sequel Syndrome: N/A
New Characters: N/A

Time spent reading a novel by Anna-Marie McLemore is never time wasted. I picked this up at the wrong point in the semester (oodles of grading; end-of-term push) and eventually just started over 3 days ago, if only to reread the first chapters and McLemore's rich prose.

On its own, the story works. The story of Ciela's trauma and healing is slowly -- painstakingly -- revealed, as the reader comes to learn how Ciela has had to survive, the lies she's had to tell herself, in the absence of any sort of support system. Pieces of The Night are carefully woven in, so that by the time we learn the full story, Ciela is ready to own it, reclaim what is rightfully hers, and the reader is never overwhelmed. And the trauma itself never takes center stage -- after all, it is not the defining moment of either Ciela's or Lock's life, or the book.

Then, there are the layers that McLemore just weaves so expertly: Ciela's job at her family pasteleria and her role as La Bruja de los Pasteles; the way the pastries and baking and food reveal inner secrets, depths, and desires; Ciela's friendship with Jess; the stories of the swallows of San Juan Capistrano; the commentary on race and white privilege and how the 4 white kids take possession of things they expect, simply because they are white and don't imagine anyone challenging them; a similar commentary on class and white privilege and how those same 4 white kids view their class as a safety net; and the power of community and owning your truth, but not letting it define you.

And, for me, that's why the last layer -- the subtle references to, and retelling of, "The Snow Queen" -- was the most powerful (and the most impressive).
My favorite stories of McLemore's are when they take the old stories and make them new. They did with "Snow White and Rose Red" in <i>Blanca & Roja</i>; they did it with "The Red Shoes" in <i>Dark and Deepest Red</i>. And "The Snow Queen" just *works* here...

...I taught <i>Frozen</i> and <i>Frozen II</i> this semester, and before we looked at those films, we read the original story by Hans Christian Andersen. Somehow, I had never read it all the way through before, so it was relatively fresh in my mind when reading McLemore's story -- which helped me notice all the subtle references, like the red shoes, peering into reflective surfaces, and the hot coins on windowsills.

And while Andersen's story is a bit...eccentric -- there's a lot of emphasis on chaste, pure love; the power of prayer and faith (at one point Gerda's prayer breath becomes a host of avenging angels to face a horde of angry snowflakes); and the Snow Queen herself isn't even present for the climactic rescue -- the idea of *why* the Snow Queen is so cold, aloof, distant is an intriguing one. And it's why <i>Frozen</i> and its sequel work so well: they both take up this notion of what could have happened to leave these sisters so broken and alone? And, at the heart of it, is the trauma they both suffered. And what those films do so well -- what McLemore's story does so well -- is portray how important it is to reclaim your identity, to not let others define you no matter how they try to break you, and that while your trauma is something that happened, it is not *all* you are, it does not define you.

Please write more magical-realism retellings of old fairy tales, Anna-Marie McLemore -- they are the stories we need to read.