Lakelore is a story that says so much in so few words and yet everything makes perfect sense. It talks about neurodivergence and how life is when you’re not a white person living amongst whites, and how being trans in this world affects a person, how much they have to go through just to be accepted and loved.

As someone who very recently figured out that they’re queer, Lakelore means so much to me. To me and I’m sure that to countless others too, the capitalist media has been so manipulative that it has made boxes in my brain which I’m supposed to fit. It has forced it so much that being non-binary has unfortunately also become a third part of the “binary” which I’m supposed to fit, which when I don’t, I start hating myself for it. Lakelore talks about the fluidity of gender and how it is not always the same and that it’s okay for it to be so, and it has honestly helped me so much.

Lore Garcia has met Bastián Silvano before, and it is when they showed them the world under the lake, the part of them visible to no one else before Lore, so it was where they let go of the parts of them that they didn’t want with them. This included all their problems and whatever they felt they were doing rong, all their guilt and sadness. It was only a matter of time before the world under the lake started coming above it, and it was up to Bastián and Lore to send it back.

I feel very weird about rating and writing a review for a book that talks about the mental health of an individual, but the talk about mental illnesses like ADHD and Dyslexia is so intricately set, which makes you feel for the characters and try to understand how their brains work.

As for the technicalities, the writing is very fast-paced and the chapters are short, which are to my liking. The characters have a depth although we don’t really get a lot of them except for their backstories and the actions and decisions they have to make in the present.

This is my fist Anna-Marie McLemore book, and needless to say, it hasn’t disappointed me at all. I will definitely be reading some of their backlist books and keeping an eye out for their new ones, for I’ve felt a very deep connection with their work and their portrayal of queer and neurodivergent lives.

Anna-Marie McLemore is one of my all-time favorite authors, and Lakelore proves to be no different. I love the queer rep in Lakelore as it follows two neurodivergent non-binary teens in this world of created magic. Their writing is so lush and vivid that it feels like I’m the one traveling to the world under the lake with the strong pigments and beautiful alebrijes. McLemore’s books always strike a chord in how honest and expressive their writing is, and Lakelore is a fantastic addition to my collection!

Thank you NetGalley and Feiwel Friends for the ARC of this book!

Lore and Bastian are both neurodivergent. Lore has dyslexia and Bastian has ADHD. They're also both trans and non-binary, so the pull to one another is immediate. When they realize they both can visit the world under the water, they're amazed. When they realize the water is rising and threatening to drown them in their secrets and pain, they panic. Together they have to figure out how to stop it.

This book is so visually stunning. The way the world underwater is described is like a painting come to life with bight technicolor waves. It seems at times like a metaphor for neurodivergent - the way this world exists to the two of them and the way it works. It's like the chaos of stunning creativity in a world separate from the one we inhabit every day.

The book was emotional and explored the trauma of ableism and 'other'-ness. Brown and trans and neurodivergent - all of these things interact with each other in the story to show us how cruel the world can be even with the best intentions. It's emotional and hopeful and I really love that about it.

I was absolutely blown away by this book as a trans, neurodivergent reader. This book is a love letter to being trans and neurodivergent, and it was absolutely wonderful to see it told through two teens of color. The magical elements of this perfectly brought out the struggles of mental health and trauma. The illustration of transness was so expansive and relatable. The care and love that these two teens showed each other was so enriching and touching. I absolutely loved every second of it. It really left me at a loss for words. I truly think with each book McLemore gets better and better. This is their best work to date.

I’ve yet to read a book by Anna-Marie McLemore that I didn’t love. The best way I can describe Lakelore is that it felt like a warm hug. I love Bastián and Lore so much, and I loved both of their stories and how they came together. McLemore’s writing is beautiful, and as always, they’ve written a thoughtful, character-driven story that challenges the way we see the world. I might not have the words or energy for a proper review right now, but I loved and will be thinking about Lakelore for a long time.

[4.5 stars]

Book Report of Lakelore by Anna-Marie McLemore

Cover Story: Missed Mark
BFF Charm: Big Sister
Talky Talk: Fever Dream
Bonus Factor: Neurodivergence
Relationship Status: In Your Corner

Content Warning: Lakelore features scenes of bullying, fighting, and transphobia.

Cover Story: Missed Mark
This cover veers nearly into body horror territory, which doesn’t go along with the book at all. I love the colors in the water and the title treatment, but the two individuals covered by slimy (?) butterflies just creeps me out. The dead look in the person’s eyes certainly doesn’t help kill the creep factor, either.

The Deal:
Bastián Silvano and Lore Garcia share a secret: They’ve seen the world under the lake, a land filled with magic and color and wonder. But Lore was only in town for a field trip, and neither of them have seen each other for years. Since then, Bastián’s been combating their ADHD by creating alebrijes, small figurines of fantasy animals made out of wire and paper mache, and releasing them into the world under the lake so that they can better deal with everything in their life. But then Lore returns to town, and the world under the lake begins to permeate the world above.

BFF Charms: Big Sister x2
As a neurotypical person, I can’t fully understand how hard it is to deal with a brain that doesn’t work like you want or you expect. Both Bastián and Lore have to—Bastián has ADHD and Lore is dyslexic—and they both struggle mightily, but mostly when it comes to trying to explain to other people how they function. I wanted to wrap both of them in a giant hug—after asking if they were comfortable with it, of course—and try to take away some of that frustration and pain.

Swoonworthy Scale: 5
When they were young, Bastián and Lore had a strong connection that only lasted a few minutes. Now that they’re teenagers, they’re free to investigate that connection a bit more. Unfortunately, I never really felt the chemistry McLemore told us was there between them, and the love story took a third-row backseat to the larger plot.

Talky Talk: Fever Dream
All of McLemore’s books feature elements of the fantastical, but Lakelore was on another level when it came to trying to wrap my head around the world of the world under the lake. I struggled with the descriptions of the magic, both when it’s in the lake and out of it, and I really wanted to get wrapped up in it.

The plot was a bit underwhelming as well; Bastián and Lore’s struggles with their respective neurodivergences and how they interacted with the world around them was seemingly the major focal point, but then there was their love story … and the whole world beneath the lake, which was never satisfactorily explained. Reading this book felt like listening to someone explain a dream that was rapidly fading as they did so. That said, I still think it was beautiful and a good example of McLemore’s magical storytelling.

Bonus Factor: Neurodivergence
McLemore is non-binary and has ADHD and dyslexia, so this book was obviously a very personal one for them to write. Queer and non-binary stories are becoming more common in YA—which, yay!—but neurodivergence isn’t as common, even though I’m sure a lot of actual YAs deal with some form of it. Not every book needs to deal with issues like this, but it’s great to see it be recognized; kids deserve to see themselves in the books they read!

Relationship Status: In Your Corner
We might not have connected like I’d hoped we would, Book, but you can definitely consider me a fan. You touch on some important themes, and I know how important you’ll be for kiddos who are struggling with issues that can be hard for folks (particularly adults) to comprehend. I’m not rooting for us, but I certainly am rooting for you.

Lakelore is beautifully written and will be adored by its target audience. Both main characters are neurodivergent and non binary.

I'll admit I've been putting off writing this review for a while now. When I initially read Lakelore, I gave it four stars, so I enjoyed it. However, about a month has passed, and while I could still tell you the general plot of the novel, I couldn't tell you what I liked or disliked. I will say I remember the diversity and representation being amazing, which is a plus! For now, I'm just going to keep my rating at four stars since I don't hold too strong opinions on the story. I might go back and reread it at a later date, but we'll see.

This was such a beautiful read for many reasons. I felt so seen in these pages. I’ve been conflicted about my gender identity for a while, and seeing how these characters experience and talk about it made me feel it so deeply. I can’t even figure out what else to say. I saw myself and felt more myself in these pages more than anywhere else.

Fantastic for nonbinary kids, neurodivergent kids, and anyone at all. I might have gotten a little lost in the lake scenes but the rest spoke loud enough to keep it flowing. Solid 5 stars from me.

Anna-Marie McLemore’s books were the first books to pique my interest in magical realism, so I will always have a special place in my heart for their writing.

In Lakelore, their delicate storytelling did not disappoint. As always, McLemore seamlessly weaves magic with reality through alebrijes (brightly colored sculptures of fantastical animals from Mexican folklore) and a world beneath the local lake. Magic also shines through in McLemore’s writing style, as every description poignantly captures the world surrounding the leading characters Bastián Silvano and Lore Garcia. 

Lakelore’s main attraction, however, is that it follows two characters grappling with their place in the world. Although Bastián Silvano and Lore Garcia were only nine years old when they first met by the lake, fate seems to continue to bring them together—which allows them to bring out the best in each other. McLemore explores Lore’s struggle with dyslexia—which contributes to the shame they feel about their departure from their previous town—while Bastián similarly grapples with ADHD and transitioning via testosterone. I think every reader, neurodivergent or not, can relate to the compulsion to repress parts of one’s self to “fit in”/preserve one’s reputation. 

However, I wish that the magical realism elements had been more prevalent. Lakelore is definitely a character-driven story, which I don’t mind at all, but it did make the lake easy to forget. As a result, solving the mystery of the world beneath the lake never gained compelling urgency. Honestly, I’m still a bit confused about the lake’s function and how it progressed throughout the novel, though it was a very intriguing concept.

Lakelore will be a comfort to neurodivergent readers, and its gentle, lyrical storytelling is perfect for anyone who likes self-discovery with a hint of magic.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Lakelore follows two nonbinary teens, Bastian and Lore, who must work together to keep a mysterious world beneath the lake -- and their own secrets -- from surfacing.

This book was so sweet! Bastian and Lore are both nonbinary and neurodivergent, and they struggle throughout the book with navigating their own identities and the ways in which they interact with the world. McLemore has always been a master at weaving complex themes of identity into worlds that are equal parts real and impossibly magical, and this book is no exception. Though the otherworldly elements in this piece often take a back seat to the "real" world, at just over 300 pages, this book has such amazing depth and will leave so, so many readers feeling seen and understood and hungry for more.

i've never felt so seen before in my life. the thing is, as a non-binary person, fluidity is something that has always shaped me. lore & bastían have amazing voices that talk about internal struggles to feel like themselves. the sometimes masculine, sometimes feminine, sometimes nothing feel is extremely relatable & i teared up way too many times.

the world under the lake is as beautiful as it is deadly, & such an intricate gateway to trauma (emotional & physical) was extremely well written (hardcore 'challenger deep' vibes? i mean i cried just as many times).

this is a lot more character driven than plot based, but it works.'

Thank you so much NetGalley and MacMillan Children’s Publishing Group for giving me access to the stunning Lakelore by Anna-Marie McLemore! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I don’t have the words to describe how amazing this book is. It’s full of hope and pain and joy and fear and it’s so beautifully written. McLemore discusses so many important topics: ADHD, dyslexia, different experiences being nonbinary, and what it’s like to experience all those things as a teen of color. In the author’s note at the end of the book, McLemore tells readers that these topics are very dear to their heart because McLemore writes from their own experiences as a nonbinary Mexican-American with ADHD and dyslexia.

At the very beginning of the book, Bastián and Lore meet in a moment of crisis when they are kids and the bulk of the book takes place years later when they meet again as teens when Lore moves into Bastián’s town. They’re drawn to each other because they’re the only two people in town who realize there’s something strange about the lake. The two work together to figure out why the lake is acting up. As the lake acts up, it unearths a lot of the secrets that Bastián and Lore hold dear to their hearts. This book is about being seen for all that you are: the things you love about yourself and the things you hate about yourself and finding acceptance from not only yourself but those around you.

As the only nonbinary teens they know in town, Lore and Bastián bond over their triumphs and trials of being nonbinary and neurodivergent teens of color who have experienced bias against them. There are serious topics discussed and heart-wrenching moments, but there’s so much joy that bubbles to the surface too. One of the best parts of the book is reading about these two finding joy in their varied experiences as nonbinary teens. For instance, they give each other forecasts on their gender. It’s so uplifting to read about the complexity of gender put into positive and joyful terms. Bastián and Lore also discuss the pain that comes with their neurodivergence because adults failed to help both of them soon enough, but they also discuss the way their brains are awesome: Bastián can zoom in on lovely things just as much as they can zoom in on horrible things and Lore has an excellent memory to the point where they learn directions quickly and can find things after hearing the directions once or twice. It’s all about balance. Also, their families are so loving. Both families are accepting of their children and do their best to give them the care that they need.

This book is a must-read for teens who love emotional books that are filled with magical realism and wish to read about neurodivergent trans teens of color learning to thrive.

5 out of 5 stars

Lakelore by Anna-Marie McLemore is out now so go check it out!

Everyone who lives near the lake knows the stories about the world underneath it, an ethereal landscape rumored to be half-air, half-water. But Bastián Silvano and Lore Garcia are the only ones who’ve been there. Bastián grew up both above the lake and in the otherworldly space beneath it. Lore’s only seen the world under the lake once, but that one encounter changed their life and their fate.

Then the lines between air and water begin to blur. The world under the lake drifts above the surface. If Bastián and Lore don’t want it bringing their secrets to the surface with it, they have to stop it, and to do that, they have to work together. There’s just one problem: Bastián and Lore haven’t spoken in seven years, and working together means trusting each other with the very things they’re trying to hide.

You can get your copy of Lakelore on March 8th from @fiercereads!

Whenever I see a book promising magic infiltrating a realistic world, I cannot resist grabbing a copy! There's something about watching a fairly normal world fracture that excites me like nothing else. Lakelore delivered all the magical realism I could've hoped for and even more! The richly depicted world beneath the lake pushed into the corners of Bastián and Lore's lives, forcing them to confront truths about themselves and the worlds they live in. My single favorite thing about Lakelore, though, was the nuanced neurodivergence representation, and the ways that it was incorporated into the world of the story. It felt downright magical, getting to read about characters whose brains are wired a little like my own, getting to watch them have their own adventures and solve problems. After finishing this book, I am desperate for more stories about neurodivergent, non-binary teens discovering magic in their own lives!

My Recommendation-
If you love stories that blur the lines between reality and magic, you need to pick up a copy of Lakelore right away! I would especially recommend this book to fans of Shaun David Hutchinson's style of surrealist worldbuilding!

As a parent, I felt so many emotions for these two main characters who were trying to live their truth with the added challenge of being ADHD with learning challenges. I know what it's like to live with ADHD, to parent a child with it, and to support a child with dyslexia, who wants to be independent but needs a lot of educational support.
This was a heartbreaking but hopeful story about two non-binary/non-gender-conforming individuals who were trying to live peacefully and found it at the lake with the colorful alebrijes. The best part is that they not only found a safe haven at the lake but with each other.
I appreciated the author's description of being non-binary and trans, teaching me how to honor and respect individuals who have declared their identities and pronouns. Also, represents the hardships they may experience in society, especially while in school where they can't seem to escape the bullies.
Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Trans, non-binary, neurodivergent teens. I would get this book alone for that. But McLemore has written her usual achingly beautiful prose, along with stunning magical realism. And you can be sure this is one book I'll be proud to have in our collection.

A ridiculously beautiful story about two teens trying to figure out how to be - mixed up with a magical lake, brilliantly colourful alebrijes mysteriously coming to life, and a house haunted by laughter.

McLemore's portrayal of ADHD and dyslexia are wonderful, and eye-opening for readers who don't know much about either condition. Your heart can't help but go out to the characters, both of whom struggle to function in a world that doesn't give a lot of leeway for the neurodiverse. As usual, though, McLemore has given their MCs supportive families and friends, which I will never stop being glad of. It's so wonderful to see unquestioningly supportive families in YA! (And everywhere else.)

I didn't know alebrijes were going to be a part of this novel, but I was delighted; I fell in love with alebrijes when I found out about them a few years ago, and McLemore really lets their imagination loose in coming up with the different designs for them all. They struck me, as well, as excellent metaphors or symbolism, given that the character who kept making them was doing so to kind of imbue them with negative moments and feelings. Alebrijes are bright and strange and beautiful, and I think that's a good way of looking at neurodiversity. And queerness, especially being nonbinary, which is also a big part of this book.

Gah. It's just gorgeous and wonderful, as usual for a McLemore book, and you should read it!

Gorgeous and immersive, Lakelore is the story of two nonbinary teens navigating the complexities of life and their mysterious connection to the magical world below their town's lake. I love the two main characters, Bastián and Lore. They are both Mexican American, trans, and neurodivergent. Bastián has ADHD and processes their negative feelings by making alebrijes. They also use art in other ways to manage their ADHD, like making colorful and calming glitter jars. Lore struggles with dyslexia and is starting over after severe bullying caused them to leave their old school. When Lore and Bastián become friends, they both have to decide which secrets to share and which to keep hidden. But can a friendship built on secrets last?

There's so much good representation in this book, as well as a lot healing. I loved that the supporting characters - friends, family, and professionals - truly care for Lore and Bastián and listen to them. Both teens face systematic prejudices, as well as their own personal issues. At times they get lost in their problems, causing an upheaval in the world under the lake, and prompting them to address trauma and seek resolution. Filled with poignant moments of friendship, the wonder of art and creation, the warm bond of family, and a celebration of queerness, Lakelore is a lovely and deeply emotional journey. Highly recommend!

“So many of us are haunted by versions of ourselves we wish we could exile. But the pieces of our beings don’t pull apart that easily.”

Look, I absolutely loved this. It’s about Being Neurodivergent and Having A Gender in a way that isn’t, I don’t know, overblown? It doesn’t, at any point, feel like they are nonbinary for the sake of being nonbinary, and it also isn’t just an aside (which seems to be the only other option a lot of the time). Honestly, I feel like I’m going to be thinking about this one for a long time. I want to get a print copy of this so I can highlight passages.

Okay, but it’s also all of these things and it’s a magical realism story, which is so — intense, and weird, and incredible. I really liked this one, pals. Five stars.