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TL;DR: Anna-Marie McLemore never disappoints, and [book:Lakelore|56978096] does NOT disappoint. While I would classify most of McLemore's other books as firmly magical realism with elements of romance + social commentary, I'd flip it for this book. <I>Lakelore</I> is a story with elements of magical realism -- elements that aren't foregrounded as they are in McLemore's other stories -- where McLemore instead prioritizes the experiences of neurodivergent characters as they find each other and their individual Truths. It's a powerful story that defies categorization and fosters empathy and compassion.
<b><I>I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.</b></I>

Vibes: Honestly? McLemore's books defy comparison; they're unlike much of what I read.

Genre: YA/NA* Magical Realism + Queer Contemporary
*While both Lore and Bastian are young adults (17ish), their story is not *uniquely* YA -- as evidenced by the Author's Note in which McLemore relates her own diagnosis of dyslexia and ADHD later in life. Lore and Bastian's journey's to reconcile their neurodivergent brains in a neurotypical world will resonate with a lot of readers, regardless of age.

Romance Meter: 🖤 🖤 🖤 ♡ ♡
3/5 for love of other people.
5/5 for love of self.

Character MVP: The supporting characters aren't featured as heavily in this story, but I love the accepting and loving community that's in the background of this story (Lore's parents; Bastian's moms and brother and sister-in-law; Abril & Vivienne & Maddie & Sloan). Maybe because I just finished reading a book where everyone was awful to each other and the characters sniped and snapped at each other constantly, it was nice to read about a supportive network.

Verdict: Anna-Marie McLemore is an auto-buy author for me, and I will forever read anything they write simply because they wrote it. They have such a unique, immersive way of storytelling that just draws me in and makes me unable to put the book down.

As I noted above, this is a bit of a different story than McLemore's other work, but one that is no less beautiful or powerful. The magical realism elements which drew me to their writing in the first place take a bit of a backseat here, as McLemore's primary focus is on their neurodivergent MCs.
Lore is queer & nonbinary & dyslexic.
Bastian is trans & nonbinary & has ADHD.
<I>Lakelore</I> is, first and foremost IMO, a story of how they learn to accept & love & value their neurodivergent qualities, and who it makes them as a person.

In the Author's Note, McLemore is pretty transparent in acknowledging that this depiction is just *their* understanding of both ADHD and dyslexic, and it's not universal. Nevertheless, I found it (as someone who is neither) to be a compelling and empathetic description.

I also think that the structure of the book is reflective of those conditions -- the narrative cohesion is a little "loose" (NOT in a negative way), and the story seems to skip along a bit like rocks on the surface of the water. There were moments when I found myself going, "How did we get here? Weren't we just somewhere else?" and I wonder if that was intentional. It didn't make cohesive sense to my neurotypical brain, but perhaps that was the point.

I loved this book, and I already can't wait to read their take on <I> The Great Gatsby</I>.

Amazing trans/nonbinary, Mexican American, and neurodivergent rep. That being said, the representation takes the forefront to the plot.

We spend a lot of time inside these characters heads and way less on the actual plot or story at hand. This is mainly about the characters and how they feel about their identities more than it is about the actual lore of the lake and how this magical part of their lives interacts with the real world.

I wish the was more explanation of the magic of the lake and how it works because I think a deeper dive (no pun intended) into this lore would have given me a better reading experience.

Although I didn't enjoy reading it myself, I can see why it's an important piece of literature for teens who are questioning who they are and how they can fit in.

Now I understand why some people say that they’ll read anything that Anna-Marie McLemore writes.

Lakelore is refreshing, different, and is a book full of what it means to tackle the difficult parts of ourselves. It’s so, so important with its representation— both main characters, Bastián and Lore, are Mexican-American, non-binary (they/them pronouns!!), and neurodivergent (ADHD and dyslexia rep), and its so wonderful to see diverse characters as well-rounded and developed protagonists. McLemore writes an environment where these characters are accepted for who they are, unconditionally, in a way that feels authentic but doesn’t discount what other neurodivergent and non-binary kids have to go through. And since McLemore is themselves Mexican-American, non-binary, dyslexic, and has ADHD, the story is a true, beautifully lyrical portrayal of what it means to be all of those things, and I am so happy knowing that kids are going to grow up with the choice to read this book and see themselves reflected in something that they normally don’t.

Lakelore is magical realism at its best— the story mostly exists in the real world, with the characters going through relatable struggles, but there’s a tinge of wonder and the fantastical that surrounds everything. Bastián and Lore are the only two people who have ever seen the world under the lake— a world of both water and air, that exists in between defined spaces, that is full of unusual creatures and neon colors. Both Bastián and Lore have also buried secrets and parts of themselves they’d like to keep hidden in the world under the lake, but seven years after their first meeting, they have to face what they buried as the world under the lake starts rising above the surface and into their everyday lives. The story is packed with metaphors, symbolism, and so much heart. Please, PLEASE start reading McLemore’s books, and Lakelore is definitely a great place to start.

Anna-Marie McLemore is one of my all-time favorite authors, and I was so excited to pick this one up. It has incredibly lush, gorgeous writing and it stars two neurodivergent Latinx trans teens. I loved this representation and I easily got lost in their writing. Plus, this book has an absolutely stunning cover!

I will say that this isn't my favorite of their books, because I had trouble finding a strong plot or storyline. This is definitely more of a character-driven novel--which I do enjoy, but I just felt like I needed a bit more from this one. I read this just a few weeks ago, and while I can remember being in awe of McLemore's prose, I don't recall much of anything really happening in the story.

Overall, I definitely enjoyed this and will continue to buy & read all of McLemore's work! I just don't think this is their best, or maybe I'm just not the right reader for it. Either way, I will absolutely still be recommending this book at my library!

Anna-Marie is a magical human being and this book is their best yet! Lakelore is all the best parts of magical realism, full of depth and wonder, and beautifully written characters that make you root for them from the first moment you meet them. I loved Lore and Bastián. And that ending <3

The nonbinary worldbuilding in this made my heart absolutely sing. A great book by McLemore, with fantastic and dynamic characters to boot.

I love books which are unapologetically queer and add to that a fully queer squad. And then what I like is how relatable those books are, and especially if they explore neurodivergence. This book was all this and more ❤ The characters and the plot came alive utterly beautifully!

I love this author's writing style. It's so lyrical and beautiful. Such a powerful queer story. The characters are the focus of this story and they are beautifully written.

Lakelore is a moving Young Adult contemporary novel with fantasy/magical realism elements that follows two unique teens. Bastian and Lore are both trans and nonbinary, and each with neurodivergence - ADHD and dyslexia respectively. The two are both grappling with trusting themselves and others, feeling self-worth, and knowing that what makes you different doesn't have to mean what makes you less-than. Bastian creates alebrijes (Mexican sculptures of animals) that come to life with the magic of the lake near where they live. Lore, who is struggling with coping with abuse and anger, is also able to see and respond to these magical sculptures.

The book is beautifully written in poetic prose that is delightful to read slowly and soak in. The representation, both non-binary and disability, will be a great addition to any library for teens. While I would not consider this book a "fun" fantasy adventure, it definitely has a place for an audience that needs to been seen and feel understood in a world that doesn't understand them.

Lakelore follows Lore and Bastian — and these two have my heart. They are both Mexican-American, non-binary, and use they/them pronouns. Both of them are neurodivergent, and I loved how intentional and detailed the dyslexia and ADHD rep was. Anna-Marie is also neurodivergent, so much of the rep in the book is reminiscent of their own experiences.⁣
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Being able to see myself in both of these characters - from their culture, to their identity, to their internal struggles and feelings - it brought me to tears. Anna-Marie has never not made me cry, and I am so grateful to them for writing stories I, and other non-binary and trans folks, can see ourselves in and resonate with. ⁣
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This book is so beautiful and powerful in so many ways. From McLemore’s stunning storytelling, to the love and support Bastian and Lore receive from their people, to the raw and accurate portrayals of internal struggles so many of us face - it’s just absolutely incredible. I felt so cared for and heard while reading this book, and I know so many other non-binary folks of color will deeply appreciate this story.

This was my first Anna-Marie McLemore book, but I've been familiar with their previous work including Mirror Season and Dark and Deepest Red. However, with her latest book being pitched as magical realism with both non-binary and hispanic leads, I knew I needed this in my life!

Lakelore follows two neurodivergent non-binary teens, Lore and Bastion, as they slowly reunite and discover the lake outside magically involving itself into their lives. This forces them to confront to adversity they've faced and the negative parts of themselves.

This felt old school latinx magical realism, where abstract nature is confronted via internal strife and often not being too plot dependent (simplified). Bastion, our trans protagonist who struggles with ADHD, builds an alebrije for each mistake they perform, which come to life after exposed to the lake. Lore, whose new to town and attending therapy after a fight at their previous school, begins to hear voices coming from the lake that force them to confront their demons.

Its' hard to hate on Lakelore too much because with its diverse subject material that is very lyrical, there will be a ton of people who find segments of this book speaking directly to them. However, the lyrical language and strong thematics comes at the cost of the plot and some characterization.

The plot can be boiled down to simply "two students are forced to confront their internal conflicts," and in an effort to add representation, some of the characterization is very on the nose. It's made up for in its prose, but when the prose isn't shining that's when the real flaws become apparent.

I enjoyed Lakelore and think that there will be plenty of teens discovering their gender identity who this will speak too! However, I can't say that this will stand out to me or that I will remember much of Lakelore a couple months from now.

Anna-Marie McLemore does it again! They've become one of my auto-read authors, and this book was no exception. A delightfully heartfelt tale of two trans, nonbinary teenagers reconciling with their neurodivergent brains and learning to let other people in. McLemore's prose is, as always, lush and evocative, transporting you to the world under the lake that Bastian and Lore visit. Highly, highly recommend. I'll definitely continue reading any and everything McLemore writes! I would read a phone book written by them.

Beautiful!!!
5⭐️

I would read anything by Anna-Marie McLemore. They are truly so unique and compelling with their story telling and phrases. The first sentence is gorgeous and enchanting even.

“No one believed it when I’d said I’d seen the world under the lake.”

What I loved
-non-binary representation of both main characters and their individual feelings about their identity being explored
-the descriptions of “under the lake” were absolutely breathtaking…wanted to write them all down!
-first book I’ve ever read with two non binary characters being involved romantically / in a relationship.
-magical realism at its finest!!!
-finally—loved the mental health rep in this book. Lore’s dyslexia and Bastian’s ADHD was done so well.

Can’t wait to read more from the author!!! Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for providing me with the ARC! 🐚🌿🌾

“You can’t separate everything hard from everything beautiful.”

3.5

This is objectively a really important book. The representation is phenomenal and so important for teens to read and to see themselves in.

This was my first book by McLemore, and I'm excited and eager to try others, but this one didn't work for me with the magic system. By the end of the book I still wasn't 100% what was happening and what I was supposed to take away from the lake storyline.

When they were kids, Lore Garcia is running from school bullies while on a field only to be rescued by Bastián Silvano, who takes them to the world under the magical lake that Bastián thought only he could see. Then Lore leaves, expecting never to see Bastián or his magical lake again. Seven years later, Lore and their family moves to Bastián's town to escape The Incident, one that requires Lore to prove themselves to child services through counseling and evaluations. Bastián and Lore reconnect, and their magical experiences come rushing back, invading their world. Told in alternating first-person perspectives, this thought-provoking story is lyrical and fascinating, packed to the brim with heart-breaking moments and authentic representation. Both characters are Mexican-American, and for Bastián, his culture plays a role in his technique for dealing with his anxieties. Lore is genderfluid and dyslexic, while Bastian is a transgender boy in the midst of transitioning while also dealing with ADHD and anxiety. Honest conversations throughout help readers understand these diversities, but unlike some "diverse" books, these many aspects of the main characters add to their authenticity and feel essential to the story being told, as opposed to token additions to appeal to diverse readers. Teens and adults who want to learn more about any of these identities will enjoy this book, but so will those who love contemporary magical realism.

I can imagine a lot of people really loving this book because of the incredible nonbinary and neurodivergent rep. The intersection of these experiences was explored beautifully, and I really do think Bastián and Lore's experiences will resonate with a lot of people.

Personally, as someone who has loved AM's writing for years, this book was just missing the magic for me. The magical realism elements in this story felt distant. I could not picture them well, so I could not be swept away by them. It really left me feeling detached from the story as AM's writing style and incorporation of magical realism elements are usually what make me love their books.

However, I would still highly recommend this book! It definitely had its strengths. It just wasn't for me.

This was a wonderful book! It does some addresses some areas of life that aren't always easy to talk about or deal with but the author handles them not only in a way that is unique and one I haven't seen before but also with honesty and understanding. Really a great book for the young teens!

I am an absolute sucker for Anne Marie Mclemore books, and Lakelore is a lovely, sensitive journey of love, self-acceptance, and growing up between two brown trans kids. The main and side character development is gorgeous, and Mclemore paints a beautiful picture of the world beneath the lake that rises up, bearing each characters fears and worst memories. A must-read.

I’ve been a fan of Anna-Marie McLemore’s books for a while, and have been looking forward to reading their backlog for a while. That being said, I was excited to see Lakelore coming out. And as always, McLemore demonstrates absolutely beautiful imagery and well-developed characters.

My absolute favorite aspect of this book was the representation and how intersections of identity were discussed. I loved not only how this book showed how being nonbinary varies from person to person, but also the experiences behind gender-affirming treatments. I also thought that the descriptions of ADHD and dyslexia were incredibly well done; as a person who does not share these experiences, they were shown in such a way that genuinely helped me understand its impacts on people-and one I believe many will be seen by.

While I enjoyed the way magical realism tied into the characters’ growth, I feel like this aspect of the book was more understated than it should have been. I was expecting more from the magical elements of this story and found myself wanting more of it. It surprised me how quickly this book wrapped up because of that.

But all in all, I loved the characters of Lakelore and the way that McLemore writes characters that feel true to life. And although this wasn’t a favorite of mine, I still look forward to reading more of their works.

The first words that come to mind when describing Lakelore are haunting, melodic, and vibrant. Which also fits both of our characters. Lore is haunted by events of their recent past, for which they blame themself. Bastián, on the other hand, is a lesson in contrasts with the way their brain is pulled in many directions by their ADHD - and they struggle to reconcile the darkness with the normal-adjacent.

Lore and Bastián find an immediate resonance with each other (as experienced by queer people everywhere) and bond over their rejection of gender conformity as well as their neurodivergence. But even when they are each so clearly seen, both feel like they have things to hide.

And that brings us to the melodic descriptor. The overarching metaphor in the novel is the world under the lake, which rises up and swallows our protagonists, surrounding them with equal parts beauty and terror. This is where McLemore really flexes because the writing in these sequences is lyrical and descriptive and immersive.

I have never read a book where so much attention to detail is given to disability (I'm not sure if that's praise for McLemore or just an admonishment for myself because I definitely don't read enough books that center disability). Bastián's ADHD was palpable and present on every page - it wasn't just a convenient plot device that could be whipped out on a whim.

My only real critique is that it was kind of hard to keep track of the passage of time, and the pacing felt a bit uneven (mostly because the two characters were constantly being pulled into the parallel world where nothing much happens beyond exploring the visual playground).