What do you think?
Rate this book
Lakelore
In this young adult novel by award-winning author Anna-Marie McLemore, two non-binary teens are pulled into a magical world under a lake - but can they keep their worlds above water intact?
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.
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.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published March 8, 2022
About the author
Anna-Marie McLemore
28 books3,116 followersAnna-Marie McLemore writes stories as queer, Latine, and nonbinary as they are. They are the author of William C. Morris Debut Award Finalist The Weight of Feathers; Wild Beauty; Blanca & Roja, one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Best Fantasy Novels of All Time; Indie Next List title Dark and Deepest Red; Lakelore, an NECBA Windows & Mirrors title; and National Book Award longlist selections When the Moon Was Ours, which was also a Stonewall Honor Book; The Mirror Season; and Self-Made Boys: A Great Gatsby Remix. Venom & Vow, co-authored with Elliott McLemore, is out in May 2023 from Feiwel & Friends, and their adult debut The Influencers is forthcoming from Dial Press in 2024.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 544 reviews
July 21, 2022
✯✯✯✯✯
"Everyone wants to think they see the best in everyone else, but when the bad comes out, they want to pretend that’s all they ever saw."
Consolidating their wild imagination, lyrical writing and flowery prose all together, the author casts a enchanting spell that will lure you into the pages of this book and transport you to a otherworldly place under the waters of Lakelore. Lakelore is where magic happens, this is where your emotions adopts mythical forms....
"Once you get past the fear of being seen, you can get to the part where you know you’re not alone."
"Lakelore" follows two non-binary, trans, neurodivergent, Mexican teens as they discovers a magical world under a lake. Everyone who lives near the lake knows the stories about the world underneath it, an ethereal landscape rumored to be half-air, half-water. Then again, they also believe it all to be just a myth. But Bastián Silvano and Lore Garcia has seen that world, they are the only ones who have been there.
Bastían and Lore were only nine when they met. But they never got to know the other one's name. It was only a chance encounter, only for a few minutes. Yet it somehow changes the course of their lives. Then seven years after, they meet again....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. Now, can they trust each other with the very things they are trying to hide?
"Whoever said the only things you regret in life are the things you never do probably didn’t have ADHD."
Anna Marie's books are immersive and emotional in a way that they will fill you up with all those feelings that you never knew you could feel. They are vulnerable and astonishingly beautiful works of art. "Lakelore" is no exception to the pattern. It's so achingly exquisite and written with such tenderness that I just want to passage through these pages and take residence under the waters of the said Lake.
Anna-Marie McLemore truly knows how to captivate the hearts of the readers with their lyrical prose with so much symbolism and metaphors combined. When I say metaphor, some of you may feel a bit discouraged to read this book. But trust me their metaphors are never hard to understand. You don't even need to understand them properly, only have to feel and these symbolic words will sweep in your heart within a blink of an eye. I was utterly fascinated and immersed in the way they wrote every sentence like a magical spell to keep to engaged and never bored.
The author creates a magical world with various kinds of mythical-magical beings. But all of these metaphorically represents the emotions and feelings of our two main character.
Through alternating first-person points of view, this magnificent YA novel urges acceptance and love, reminding readers that different isn't always a bad thing. We all are different from each other. And we are beautiful in our own way. This book explores gender transitioning and genderfluidity with brilliant precision. Anna tells us a story of two teenagers whose lives should have been simple but the journey they overtake was anything but easy. Just because somethings seems easy to your eyes doesn't mean it'll be the same for everyone. The author does their best to create aware about so many important matters. And I thought it was a successful attempt.
"LakeLore" is an enthralling and thought provoking book that will lure you into a wondrous magical world and will keep your focus captured until you're done reading the whole book. It's an invitation to believe in the power of friendship and love. Your acceptance and care could change another's life. So, why don't you try to stretch your hands out and catch someone who's falling? At least once in a lifetime?
This is very short book to read. But the author packs so much within it. There are so many amazing representation to speak about. And all of those are well handled and unequivocal. Both Bastián and Lore are dealing with their own struggles in their daily lives. Lore is new in town and struggling with their dyslexia while Bastien is trying their hardest to manage their ADHD syndromes, especially as they are trying to take T shots on their own. While I can’t speak to the representation of the former, the representation of ADHD is really well done. The author themself have both ADHD and dyslexia. So, this book is as "own-voices" as they come. I myself have ADHD. So Bastían's struggles and failure to act as they are expected to be - I found extremely relatable. My heart broke for them. I have first experience of what it takes to come in term with your ADHD; how upsetting it to struggle to do even the simplest of works. Everything new tend to overwhelm Bastìan. And I feel the same. I can't explain how happy it made to find such a accurate representation of ADHD. The book just made me feel seen and understood. This is such a heady feeling to deal with but obviously in a good way.
"Lakelore" is a thought provoking, tears-jerking, soul-crushing, poignant and emotionally impactful book. It will break your heart in thousand pieces and then stitch them together again. Yet scars would remain and with those scars this book will stay with you in years to come. But thinking about this book wouldn't only remind you of those scars but also fill your heart with an astounding sense of hope and love.
.....................》 《......................
I'm soo ready for This Book. And the fact that it features two non-binary teens as main characters aka protagonists!! Fabulous.
No one believed it when I said I’d seen the world under the Lake.
There was no one else here who’d seen the world under the lake, or who even pretended they had.
Then I met Lore.
Not that I knew their name yet.
Not that they did either.
"Everyone wants to think they see the best in everyone else, but when the bad comes out, they want to pretend that’s all they ever saw."
Consolidating their wild imagination, lyrical writing and flowery prose all together, the author casts a enchanting spell that will lure you into the pages of this book and transport you to a otherworldly place under the waters of Lakelore. Lakelore is where magic happens, this is where your emotions adopts mythical forms....
"Once you get past the fear of being seen, you can get to the part where you know you’re not alone."
"Lakelore" follows two non-binary, trans, neurodivergent, Mexican teens as they discovers a magical world under a lake. Everyone who lives near the lake knows the stories about the world underneath it, an ethereal landscape rumored to be half-air, half-water. Then again, they also believe it all to be just a myth. But Bastián Silvano and Lore Garcia has seen that world, they are the only ones who have been there.
Bastían and Lore were only nine when they met. But they never got to know the other one's name. It was only a chance encounter, only for a few minutes. Yet it somehow changes the course of their lives. Then seven years after, they meet again....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. Now, can they trust each other with the very things they are trying to hide?
"Whoever said the only things you regret in life are the things you never do probably didn’t have ADHD."
Anna Marie's books are immersive and emotional in a way that they will fill you up with all those feelings that you never knew you could feel. They are vulnerable and astonishingly beautiful works of art. "Lakelore" is no exception to the pattern. It's so achingly exquisite and written with such tenderness that I just want to passage through these pages and take residence under the waters of the said Lake.
Anna-Marie McLemore truly knows how to captivate the hearts of the readers with their lyrical prose with so much symbolism and metaphors combined. When I say metaphor, some of you may feel a bit discouraged to read this book. But trust me their metaphors are never hard to understand. You don't even need to understand them properly, only have to feel and these symbolic words will sweep in your heart within a blink of an eye. I was utterly fascinated and immersed in the way they wrote every sentence like a magical spell to keep to engaged and never bored.
The author creates a magical world with various kinds of mythical-magical beings. But all of these metaphorically represents the emotions and feelings of our two main character.
Through alternating first-person points of view, this magnificent YA novel urges acceptance and love, reminding readers that different isn't always a bad thing. We all are different from each other. And we are beautiful in our own way. This book explores gender transitioning and genderfluidity with brilliant precision. Anna tells us a story of two teenagers whose lives should have been simple but the journey they overtake was anything but easy. Just because somethings seems easy to your eyes doesn't mean it'll be the same for everyone. The author does their best to create aware about so many important matters. And I thought it was a successful attempt.
"LakeLore" is an enthralling and thought provoking book that will lure you into a wondrous magical world and will keep your focus captured until you're done reading the whole book. It's an invitation to believe in the power of friendship and love. Your acceptance and care could change another's life. So, why don't you try to stretch your hands out and catch someone who's falling? At least once in a lifetime?
This is very short book to read. But the author packs so much within it. There are so many amazing representation to speak about. And all of those are well handled and unequivocal. Both Bastián and Lore are dealing with their own struggles in their daily lives. Lore is new in town and struggling with their dyslexia while Bastien is trying their hardest to manage their ADHD syndromes, especially as they are trying to take T shots on their own. While I can’t speak to the representation of the former, the representation of ADHD is really well done. The author themself have both ADHD and dyslexia. So, this book is as "own-voices" as they come. I myself have ADHD. So Bastían's struggles and failure to act as they are expected to be - I found extremely relatable. My heart broke for them. I have first experience of what it takes to come in term with your ADHD; how upsetting it to struggle to do even the simplest of works. Everything new tend to overwhelm Bastìan. And I feel the same. I can't explain how happy it made to find such a accurate representation of ADHD. The book just made me feel seen and understood. This is such a heady feeling to deal with but obviously in a good way.
"Lakelore" is a thought provoking, tears-jerking, soul-crushing, poignant and emotionally impactful book. It will break your heart in thousand pieces and then stitch them together again. Yet scars would remain and with those scars this book will stay with you in years to come. But thinking about this book wouldn't only remind you of those scars but also fill your heart with an astounding sense of hope and love.
My ADHD is made out of paradoxes and contradictions. It’s having weirdly high energy and then getting tapped out fast. It’s making impulsive decisions and then being unable to make them at all. It’s inattention and hyperfocus. It’s being so sensitive I can feel everything around me and being so oblivious I miss things that seem obvious. It’s acting too fast, and being too slow. It’s thinking everything is possible and then wondering if anything is possible for me.
My brain is a shifting landscape. It will always have light and shadow and color, but the shapes and shades will change.
.....................》 《......................
I'm soo ready for This Book. And the fact that it features two non-binary teens as main characters aka protagonists!! Fabulous.
No one believed it when I said I’d seen the world under the Lake.
There was no one else here who’d seen the world under the lake, or who even pretended they had.
Then I met Lore.
Not that I knew their name yet.
Not that they did either.
March 24, 2022
amm never disappoints!!
May 8, 2022
March 12th 2021:
Okay it’s happening, everybody stay calm. EVERYBODY STAY FREAKING CALM!!
A.M. just announced their next 2022 release and it sounds AMAZING.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Update/Review April 2022:
"The world under the lake isn't just holding the parts of myself and my history that I don't want to think about. It's holding the ways I've adapted and lived. Sometimes you can't separate the hard things from the good things."
Lakelore is Anna-Marie McLemore’s seventh novel and offers everything I’ve come to love from the author: prose that is rich, lush and light as whipped cream, magical realism elements inspired by Latin-American mythology, LGBTQ (specifically trans- and non-binary) representation from the heart and characters you won’t forget long after you close the book.
In this story we follow two non-binary, neurodivergent teens navigating family, acceptance, love and the feeling of displacement that comes with their identities. Bastian and Lore first meet by the edge of the lake. It’s a fleeting encounter that changes the course of both of their lives in ways neither could have predicted. The lake, filled with its mystical lore of a sunken world of half-air and half-water beneath the surface, becomes a safe-place for both of them individually. A place where they let go of the worst parts of their days into the water.
Years later, the two meet again on the lakeshores. Only now, the lakes surface is rippling, and all of the world hidden below the surface threatens to spill over into ours.
As much as I loved Lakelore, I think it may be my least favourite of AM’s works so far. Don't get me wrong: it's still a 4-star, which is an even furhter testimony to my love for the author. It has some of my favourite magical-realism elements (Bastián’s “drowning of the albreijes” as a metaphor is possibly tied for 1st place with some of the imagery The Mirror Season), but as a whole it was the story that I connected least with. In all fairness: I don’t identify as trans, non-binary, dyslexic nor do I have ADHD. However, not sharing an identity with them has never stopped me from connecting and identifying with AM’s characters before. It was more so the way that Bastián and Lore were written that felt different for me this time round. AM’s representation has always felt so authentic and natural, but this was the first time where I felt it teeter on the edge preachy and “explaining”. Perhaps it was AM finding their footing writing explicitly about neuro-diversity for the first time, but I feel like it may have been editorial/publishing-influence as well. It’s so painfully common in larger (YA) markets, and I’ve always championed authors like AM who don’t fall in this trap and seem to write from the heart. So editors/publishers, if you’re reading this, here’s an important message from me to you;
PLEASE TRUST (authors like) Anna-Marie and let them do what they do best; let them write their experiences and stories without agenda’s. Our identities/disabilities/differences are not a teaching-tool or moral standpoint, and don’t have to be presented as such. We are here, and we are enough for existing on page, as well as off page.
Okay it’s happening, everybody stay calm. EVERYBODY STAY FREAKING CALM!!
A.M. just announced their next 2022 release and it sounds AMAZING.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Update/Review April 2022:
"The world under the lake isn't just holding the parts of myself and my history that I don't want to think about. It's holding the ways I've adapted and lived. Sometimes you can't separate the hard things from the good things."
Lakelore is Anna-Marie McLemore’s seventh novel and offers everything I’ve come to love from the author: prose that is rich, lush and light as whipped cream, magical realism elements inspired by Latin-American mythology, LGBTQ (specifically trans- and non-binary) representation from the heart and characters you won’t forget long after you close the book.
In this story we follow two non-binary, neurodivergent teens navigating family, acceptance, love and the feeling of displacement that comes with their identities. Bastian and Lore first meet by the edge of the lake. It’s a fleeting encounter that changes the course of both of their lives in ways neither could have predicted. The lake, filled with its mystical lore of a sunken world of half-air and half-water beneath the surface, becomes a safe-place for both of them individually. A place where they let go of the worst parts of their days into the water.
Years later, the two meet again on the lakeshores. Only now, the lakes surface is rippling, and all of the world hidden below the surface threatens to spill over into ours.
As much as I loved Lakelore, I think it may be my least favourite of AM’s works so far. Don't get me wrong: it's still a 4-star, which is an even furhter testimony to my love for the author. It has some of my favourite magical-realism elements (Bastián’s “drowning of the albreijes” as a metaphor is possibly tied for 1st place with some of the imagery The Mirror Season), but as a whole it was the story that I connected least with. In all fairness: I don’t identify as trans, non-binary, dyslexic nor do I have ADHD. However, not sharing an identity with them has never stopped me from connecting and identifying with AM’s characters before. It was more so the way that Bastián and Lore were written that felt different for me this time round. AM’s representation has always felt so authentic and natural, but this was the first time where I felt it teeter on the edge preachy and “explaining”. Perhaps it was AM finding their footing writing explicitly about neuro-diversity for the first time, but I feel like it may have been editorial/publishing-influence as well. It’s so painfully common in larger (YA) markets, and I’ve always championed authors like AM who don’t fall in this trap and seem to write from the heart. So editors/publishers, if you’re reading this, here’s an important message from me to you;
PLEASE TRUST (authors like) Anna-Marie and let them do what they do best; let them write their experiences and stories without agenda’s. Our identities/disabilities/differences are not a teaching-tool or moral standpoint, and don’t have to be presented as such. We are here, and we are enough for existing on page, as well as off page.
August 22, 2022
I love when a book I was super excited to listen/read and was sure to be a five stars, ends up being just so. Great narration, easy to gen invested in and so glad I gave it a listen
February 24, 2022
4.5 stars rounded up
Anna-Marie McLemore can do achingly beautiful magical realism so well and Lakelore is the perfect example of that. This follows two trans and non-binary, neurodivergent teenagers and a magical lake. The lake becomes a metaphor for the pain and challenges they face being trans, brown, and having brains that work differently. It's a book about friendship, family, self-acceptance, love, art, and healing. I really loved it.
In the author's note, McLemore talks about writing their own experiences of being Latinx, non-binary, and having both dyslexia and ADHD. (In the book Lore has dyslexia and Bastien has ADHD) They use this wonderfully atmospheric, ethereal storytelling to unpack the often undiscussed experiences of living and coming of age at the intersection of different marginalized identities. It's emotionally impactful and beautifully written. If you've enjoyed their writing in the past this is well worth your time. I received an advance copy of this book for review via NetGalley.
Content warnings include bullying, misgendering, homophobia, racism, ableism
Anna-Marie McLemore can do achingly beautiful magical realism so well and Lakelore is the perfect example of that. This follows two trans and non-binary, neurodivergent teenagers and a magical lake. The lake becomes a metaphor for the pain and challenges they face being trans, brown, and having brains that work differently. It's a book about friendship, family, self-acceptance, love, art, and healing. I really loved it.
In the author's note, McLemore talks about writing their own experiences of being Latinx, non-binary, and having both dyslexia and ADHD. (In the book Lore has dyslexia and Bastien has ADHD) They use this wonderfully atmospheric, ethereal storytelling to unpack the often undiscussed experiences of living and coming of age at the intersection of different marginalized identities. It's emotionally impactful and beautifully written. If you've enjoyed their writing in the past this is well worth your time. I received an advance copy of this book for review via NetGalley.
Content warnings include bullying, misgendering, homophobia, racism, ableism
March 21, 2023
It's been a while since I read a novel all in one day! I picked this up for the Trans Rights Readathon (running on all bookish social media near you from March 20-27 2023) and I absolutely loved it. The two main characters, Bastian and Lore, are both nonbinary, both Mexican-American, and both neurodivergent. Bastian lives by the shore of a lake, the source of many myths, but only Bastian seems to be able to access the liminal, magical space beneath its surface. Until they meet Lore, who can also see the way the waves lift off the shore to become a path. But Bastian and Lore both end up pouring things into the lake they're unwilling to face- bad memories, traumas, and the hateful whispers of cruel classmates. The lake can only hold so much, and soon these painful things start flooding the shores, into the streets and homes of the teens. The only way to quiet the waters is to face what they've tried to drown. This a fast, engaging read and one of the best books about living with ADHD and dyslexia I've ever encountered. It makes me want to seek out more stories with this kind of representation, and this kind of emotional, visual language!
Want to read
September 5, 2022OH MY GOD THE COVER YALL. THE COVER. IMAJDNSKSKE
—————————
BOTH CHARACTERS ARE NEURODIVERGENT?? AND USE THEY/THEM PRONOUNS?? SIGN ME THE HELL UP
—————————
BOTH CHARACTERS ARE NEURODIVERGENT?? AND USE THEY/THEM PRONOUNS?? SIGN ME THE HELL UP
December 27, 2021
3.5 *
I adored the representation and characters in this book! Its clear the author loves these characters and wanted to send a message to all nonbinary and neurodivergent teens. As a neurodivergent, trans masc reader it made me feel very seen. Especially the scenes with Bastian as his T shots. I too have ADHD and struggled ALOT with learning how to do my own shots. I had a hard time remembering the steps, and then would get anxiety about messing up and hurting myself. I wish I had someone like Lore to help, and the scene with the orange was so cute. I also loved the writing style and imagery in this one
But I had a hard time with the plot, I had a hard time understanding how the world “under” the lake worked and what exactly was happening with said lake. After finishing I’m still confused about what the lake was and what it was doing
TW: racism, homophobia, abelism
Rep: Latinx non-binary mcs, ADHD, dyslexia, nb/nb, wlw side characters
I adored the representation and characters in this book! Its clear the author loves these characters and wanted to send a message to all nonbinary and neurodivergent teens. As a neurodivergent, trans masc reader it made me feel very seen. Especially the scenes with Bastian as his T shots. I too have ADHD and struggled ALOT with learning how to do my own shots. I had a hard time remembering the steps, and then would get anxiety about messing up and hurting myself. I wish I had someone like Lore to help, and the scene with the orange was so cute. I also loved the writing style and imagery in this one
But I had a hard time with the plot, I had a hard time understanding how the world “under” the lake worked and what exactly was happening with said lake. After finishing I’m still confused about what the lake was and what it was doing
TW: racism, homophobia, abelism
Rep: Latinx non-binary mcs, ADHD, dyslexia, nb/nb, wlw side characters
April 28, 2022
we love non-binary teens falling in love
full review:
This is one of those novels that's very hard to describe. What I can say is that this book definitely offers an unusual, magical reading experience. It's wonderful, sometimes confusing, but definitely worth a read!
There's super short and really long chapters, changing POVs, trans/non-binary characters, ADHD and dyslexia representation, a lesbian side character, a world under a lake and a little bit of a mystery to solve.
It's very much a character driven book which was sometimes difficult for my short attention span, but still - the attention to detail, the beautifully executed magical realism - it's an amazing book to get lost in and I'd recommend it wholeheartedly.
i post about queer books here: instagram / tiktok /twitter
full review:
This is one of those novels that's very hard to describe. What I can say is that this book definitely offers an unusual, magical reading experience. It's wonderful, sometimes confusing, but definitely worth a read!
There's super short and really long chapters, changing POVs, trans/non-binary characters, ADHD and dyslexia representation, a lesbian side character, a world under a lake and a little bit of a mystery to solve.
It's very much a character driven book which was sometimes difficult for my short attention span, but still - the attention to detail, the beautifully executed magical realism - it's an amazing book to get lost in and I'd recommend it wholeheartedly.
i post about queer books here: instagram / tiktok /twitter
August 1, 2022
Reread via audio!! Loved this again.
____________________________________________________________
Thank you to the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I have been wrecked body and soul by this book. *Sobs forever*
Lakelore is an exploration of neurodivergence and how it can affect every day life. The two main characters are both neurodivergent and trans (they/them pronouns). We also see how ableism causes trauma and how these characters heal from it. AM writes as phenomenally as ever. I was immediately pulled into the story of a world under the local lake. I loved Bastian and Lore as protagonists. I wanted to pull each of them into a hug and tell them everything would be okay. They deserve the world and I am EMOTIONAL because of it. I can't believe I have to wait like 5 months to hold this book in my hands!
Rep: Mexican-American trans nonbinary MC with ADHD and anxiety, Mexican-American trans nonbinary MC with dyslexia, Mexican-American lesbian moms, queer Latine female side character, queer white male side characters, queer white female side character, Mexican-American male side character, white lesbian female side character.
CWs: Ableism, bullying, dysphoria, transphobia, racism (moderate, more about how systemic racism affects the two MCs).
____________________________________________________________
Thank you to the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I have been wrecked body and soul by this book. *Sobs forever*
Lakelore is an exploration of neurodivergence and how it can affect every day life. The two main characters are both neurodivergent and trans (they/them pronouns). We also see how ableism causes trauma and how these characters heal from it. AM writes as phenomenally as ever. I was immediately pulled into the story of a world under the local lake. I loved Bastian and Lore as protagonists. I wanted to pull each of them into a hug and tell them everything would be okay. They deserve the world and I am EMOTIONAL because of it. I can't believe I have to wait like 5 months to hold this book in my hands!
Rep: Mexican-American trans nonbinary MC with ADHD and anxiety, Mexican-American trans nonbinary MC with dyslexia, Mexican-American lesbian moms, queer Latine female side character, queer white male side characters, queer white female side character, Mexican-American male side character, white lesbian female side character.
CWs: Ableism, bullying, dysphoria, transphobia, racism (moderate, more about how systemic racism affects the two MCs).
April 20, 2022
I really love anna-marie mclemore but this wasn't my fave of theirs? it was well written as always and very pretty, I just wasn't that connected to the world under the lake or felt it was fully brought into fruition? I still liked this tho! just not as much as I hoped
Read
March 31, 2022RTC but this felt like a warm hug
March 5, 2022
I’m a little bit in love with this book. It’s about the otherworldly space underneath a magical lake, but it’s also about the terror and thrill of showing all of yourself to another person. Its depiction of ADHD rang so true to my neurodivergent brain that I almost teared up.
At some points the book felt a little on the nose with its themes, but I’m willing to forgive that because it’s YA, and also because McLemore writes so beautifully.
A couple favorite quotes [very mild spoilers, maybe]:
“The inside of me feels like a knot most of the time. So
when it loosens, like it does now, that's the strange thing,
like I'm coming apart. And in that unknotting, something
else comes together” (p. 194).
“The camellia bushes cast patterns on our arms, and
the way Lore touches me is so soft and careful that when
I shut my eyes, I can't tell the different between the
changes in sun and shadow, and their hands” (p. 275).
At some points the book felt a little on the nose with its themes, but I’m willing to forgive that because it’s YA, and also because McLemore writes so beautifully.
A couple favorite quotes [very mild spoilers, maybe]:
“The inside of me feels like a knot most of the time. So
when it loosens, like it does now, that's the strange thing,
like I'm coming apart. And in that unknotting, something
else comes together” (p. 194).
“The camellia bushes cast patterns on our arms, and
the way Lore touches me is so soft and careful that when
I shut my eyes, I can't tell the different between the
changes in sun and shadow, and their hands” (p. 275).
Want to read
March 26, 2021AHHH ANOTHER ONE IS COMING I CANNOT WAIT
March 28, 2022
Synopsis:
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.
Review:
This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year, and I'm so so sad to say that I found it to be just alright. I didn't actively dislike it, but I never really got into the story, and I found that a lot of the storytelling was overly ambiguous and cloudy. It felt like it wasn't even written by the same author as The Mirror Season, which was written which such a powerful voice and with astonishing clarity.
It's told in a dual POV narrative, which I found didn't do the book any favors. The two voices weren't telling different enough stories from each other for it to be necessary; I would have enjoyed it more if the author had stuck to just one narrator. The two main characters interacted with each other so often that a lot of the book just re-hashes the same events that aren't all that interesting, two times. I thought that the neurodivergent representation was probably the highlight of the book- not nearly often enough are voices with ADHD and Dyslexia represented in literature, so this aspect felt refreshing. That being said, all the characters were worryingly underdeveloped. To the point where I couldn't tell side characters apart from main characters. This really added another layer of confusion to a story that was already quite hazy!
I was extremely intrigued by the story of a magical lake with an #ownvoices romance, but I couldn't enjoy it at all, because the world building was so ill-explained and again, underdeveloped. I think Lakelore was trying to tell more of a character study than a fantasy, and I truly do not know why the fantasy elements were incorporated. Honestly, there were times when reading this that made me question whether even the author knew what was going on. Nothing interesting happens in this book, and while quieter works of literature can be extremely enjoyable, this fell really flat.
The writing had some moments of beauty, but it overall did not help with the feelings of confusion that the plot generated. The style felt info-dumpy; often the characters would rant for pages about certain things, coupled with poorly written analogies (example: using "two warehouses" as a metaphor for dyslexia). Not only did this contribute to the opacity of whatever was going on, it also felt super preachy and unnecessary.
All in all, I was sorely disappointed by this book: the scope of the story either warrants less flowery writing, or more character and plot development. I'm sorry to say that I'll probably never give this book another thought, it was confusing and unmemorable.
--> 2.5 stars
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.
Review:
This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year, and I'm so so sad to say that I found it to be just alright. I didn't actively dislike it, but I never really got into the story, and I found that a lot of the storytelling was overly ambiguous and cloudy. It felt like it wasn't even written by the same author as The Mirror Season, which was written which such a powerful voice and with astonishing clarity.
It's told in a dual POV narrative, which I found didn't do the book any favors. The two voices weren't telling different enough stories from each other for it to be necessary; I would have enjoyed it more if the author had stuck to just one narrator. The two main characters interacted with each other so often that a lot of the book just re-hashes the same events that aren't all that interesting, two times. I thought that the neurodivergent representation was probably the highlight of the book- not nearly often enough are voices with ADHD and Dyslexia represented in literature, so this aspect felt refreshing. That being said, all the characters were worryingly underdeveloped. To the point where I couldn't tell side characters apart from main characters. This really added another layer of confusion to a story that was already quite hazy!
I was extremely intrigued by the story of a magical lake with an #ownvoices romance, but I couldn't enjoy it at all, because the world building was so ill-explained and again, underdeveloped. I think Lakelore was trying to tell more of a character study than a fantasy, and I truly do not know why the fantasy elements were incorporated. Honestly, there were times when reading this that made me question whether even the author knew what was going on. Nothing interesting happens in this book, and while quieter works of literature can be extremely enjoyable, this fell really flat.
The writing had some moments of beauty, but it overall did not help with the feelings of confusion that the plot generated. The style felt info-dumpy; often the characters would rant for pages about certain things, coupled with poorly written analogies (example: using "two warehouses" as a metaphor for dyslexia). Not only did this contribute to the opacity of whatever was going on, it also felt super preachy and unnecessary.
All in all, I was sorely disappointed by this book: the scope of the story either warrants less flowery writing, or more character and plot development. I'm sorry to say that I'll probably never give this book another thought, it was confusing and unmemorable.
--> 2.5 stars
August 2, 2022
DNF @ 40 percent.
Me, my brother, my mother, and two of my nephews have ADHD so I feel pretty entitled to say this: this is an awful depiction of a character with ADHD. Bastián reads like an overexaggerated caricature and I couldn't take the book seriously at all. On top of that, the worldbuilding was extremely lacking and the characters were boring as hell. Hard pass.
Me, my brother, my mother, and two of my nephews have ADHD so I feel pretty entitled to say this: this is an awful depiction of a character with ADHD. Bastián reads like an overexaggerated caricature and I couldn't take the book seriously at all. On top of that, the worldbuilding was extremely lacking and the characters were boring as hell. Hard pass.
Want to read
February 16, 2022This sounds weird in the best possible way and I'm already in love with the concept
May 31, 2022
bastián grew up above and beneath the lake, but lore’s only seen the world under the lake once. however, that one encounter was enough to change their life. when the lines between the world above and the world below begin to blur, bastián and lore must work together to keep the worlds separated.
the prose was so lyrical and perfectly suited the book’s magical realism genre. there were two points of view, which was great because i got to connect with both MCs and know their thoughts.
both MCs are nonbinary, trans, mexican, and neurodivergent, and seeing how they connected over their similarities while still having distinct differences was cool.
i highly recommend this book!!
the prose was so lyrical and perfectly suited the book’s magical realism genre. there were two points of view, which was great because i got to connect with both MCs and know their thoughts.
both MCs are nonbinary, trans, mexican, and neurodivergent, and seeing how they connected over their similarities while still having distinct differences was cool.
i highly recommend this book!!
July 16, 2022
I reallyyyy loved this one and everything it explored within its pages! A beautifully crafted story of 2 non binary teens who find each other despite feeling like they don’t belong anywhere. So so good!
August 25, 2022
4.5*
A contemporary magical realism story that beautifully connected the mental state of the protagonists with the environment around them.
It's something that reminded me of the manga Our Dreams At Dusk, which while not actually magical realism, heavily uses astrological and other images as metaphors for the emotions of the characters. A big recommendation if you haven't read it.
Anyways, Lakelore also paints emotions such as anxiety, anger and inner tumult in general in vibrant pictures that stayed in my mind long after I finished the book.
Both these characters were likeable and relatable in a way I think we need nowadays. Both Bastián and Lore I can easily see as real teenagers, facing realistic struggles and trying their best to figure out how to deal with the world and with what their own minds and bodies demand of them.
To some, this story might not seem that exciting, but that doesn't make this story less moving or interesting. It's a quiet and tender story that knows what it is and stays true to itself.
For about two years, I've read little to none YA books, but 2022, I've slowly found my way back to this age range. Lakelore is a good example for why that effort wasn't for naught and is instead worth continuing.
This surely won't be my last A.M. McLemore book and is one I happily purchased a physical copy of as I might reread it in the future.
A contemporary magical realism story that beautifully connected the mental state of the protagonists with the environment around them.
It's something that reminded me of the manga Our Dreams At Dusk, which while not actually magical realism, heavily uses astrological and other images as metaphors for the emotions of the characters. A big recommendation if you haven't read it.
Anyways, Lakelore also paints emotions such as anxiety, anger and inner tumult in general in vibrant pictures that stayed in my mind long after I finished the book.
Both these characters were likeable and relatable in a way I think we need nowadays. Both Bastián and Lore I can easily see as real teenagers, facing realistic struggles and trying their best to figure out how to deal with the world and with what their own minds and bodies demand of them.
To some, this story might not seem that exciting, but that doesn't make this story less moving or interesting. It's a quiet and tender story that knows what it is and stays true to itself.
For about two years, I've read little to none YA books, but 2022, I've slowly found my way back to this age range. Lakelore is a good example for why that effort wasn't for naught and is instead worth continuing.
This surely won't be my last A.M. McLemore book and is one I happily purchased a physical copy of as I might reread it in the future.
February 23, 2022
I received an ARC from Netgalley
TW: ableism & bullying, systematic racism, mentioned transphobia, casual sexual harassment
4.4
Bastian and Lore met years ago- on a day Lore will never forget, even if they think they may have dreamt it. Bastian will never forget it either, it's the only time they brought someone to The World Under the Lake. Now, years later, Lore moved to town, and the two are unwittingly reunited, and the thing they thought they may have seen in each other, a sameness, is certain, and drawing them together. Too bad everything else may be coming apart. Bastian's alebrije's, reminders of bad thoughts and moments, are coming back up to the surface, and Lore may be being haunted. Something's wrong with the World Under the Lake- and neither one of them want to admit they're the problem.
This is a glorious piece of writing. The recognition of self through the other has never been rendered quite like this, with gentle hands and a youthful laugh. Lore and Bastian are both solid, distinct characters, but their bond itself feels like a third, shining character. There is so much tenderness and vulnerability in this book, and the level of connections and love throughout this whole story knocks the air out of my lungs.
The experience of being nonbinary feels more deeply written than I've ever seen. The dreamy descriptions set against these characters frankly discussing how their genders feel and who they are today and who the may be in the future, it mixes it together into this profoundly knowable thing. As a nonbinary person, I absolutely both resonated with the ways Lore and Bastian are portrayed, and loved the things like "gender forecasts" because those are realistically the exact conversations you find yourself having when you bond with another nonbinary person. It felt a bit like when you're interacting with media about a place you love and know well, and you can see that the creator truly knows and loves it as well, in the care and the little details. My identity is a location that hasn't quite been visited this way before.
I also thought the lessons at work here were great. The conversations about gender, of course, but also these character's neurodivergence and how it effects not just their lives but how they see other's perception of them. It feels organic, and so the expansion there, the gentle unfurling that turns into growth, also feels organic and traceable, and something you could maybe take into your own life.
The one thing that disappointed me in this excellent book, is that from the description I was expecting The World Under the Lake to be a setting throughout. Not getting to spend any real time there was unexpected and a bit unsatisfying after what I'd been hyping myself up for. But, that's clearly a personal obstacle.
I think this is a great book about nonbinary teens of color and the way it is not just to exist as layers of marginalization, but to see yourself reflected.
Pre-review comments below
How does Anna-Marie McLemore know literally every single thing I would die to read
TW: ableism & bullying, systematic racism, mentioned transphobia, casual sexual harassment
4.4
Bastian and Lore met years ago- on a day Lore will never forget, even if they think they may have dreamt it. Bastian will never forget it either, it's the only time they brought someone to The World Under the Lake. Now, years later, Lore moved to town, and the two are unwittingly reunited, and the thing they thought they may have seen in each other, a sameness, is certain, and drawing them together. Too bad everything else may be coming apart. Bastian's alebrije's, reminders of bad thoughts and moments, are coming back up to the surface, and Lore may be being haunted. Something's wrong with the World Under the Lake- and neither one of them want to admit they're the problem.
This is a glorious piece of writing. The recognition of self through the other has never been rendered quite like this, with gentle hands and a youthful laugh. Lore and Bastian are both solid, distinct characters, but their bond itself feels like a third, shining character. There is so much tenderness and vulnerability in this book, and the level of connections and love throughout this whole story knocks the air out of my lungs.
The experience of being nonbinary feels more deeply written than I've ever seen. The dreamy descriptions set against these characters frankly discussing how their genders feel and who they are today and who the may be in the future, it mixes it together into this profoundly knowable thing. As a nonbinary person, I absolutely both resonated with the ways Lore and Bastian are portrayed, and loved the things like "gender forecasts" because those are realistically the exact conversations you find yourself having when you bond with another nonbinary person. It felt a bit like when you're interacting with media about a place you love and know well, and you can see that the creator truly knows and loves it as well, in the care and the little details. My identity is a location that hasn't quite been visited this way before.
I also thought the lessons at work here were great. The conversations about gender, of course, but also these character's neurodivergence and how it effects not just their lives but how they see other's perception of them. It feels organic, and so the expansion there, the gentle unfurling that turns into growth, also feels organic and traceable, and something you could maybe take into your own life.
The one thing that disappointed me in this excellent book, is that from the description I was expecting The World Under the Lake to be a setting throughout. Not getting to spend any real time there was unexpected and a bit unsatisfying after what I'd been hyping myself up for. But, that's clearly a personal obstacle.
I think this is a great book about nonbinary teens of color and the way it is not just to exist as layers of marginalization, but to see yourself reflected.
Pre-review comments below
How does Anna-Marie McLemore know literally every single thing I would die to read
December 19, 2021
rtc because I’m crying rn
—
Thank you so much to Fierce Reads for the ARC!
TW: racism, homophobia
Rep: Latinx non-binary mcs, mc with ADHD, mc with dyslexia, wlw side characters
Ever since I was in third grade, I’ve been watching and rewatching a sitcom called The Middle. In the show, one of the main characters is a big reader, and he describes his books as his best friends in the whole world. That’s what this book feels like to me. It feels like a friend I can always feel comfortable being near. I relate to so many themes and characters in this book that it’s impossible not to fall in love with it.
You can tell the author cares deeply about sharing their experiences living with ADHD and dyslexia. The characters shine as individuals while also being so compatible with each other. Not only is the romantic relationship between the two protagonists so genuine, but so are the friendships between the side characters. No interaction between the characters feels forced.
When I read a book, I look for two kinds of quotes— ones I think are beautifully written, and ones I can relate to. With books like these, not only do I find both, but the ones I relate to mean so much to me.
And of course, I’m crying again. Because this book makes me—a Latinx, queer, genderfluid teen—feel so very loved.
—
Thank you so much to Fierce Reads for the ARC!
TW: racism, homophobia
Rep: Latinx non-binary mcs, mc with ADHD, mc with dyslexia, wlw side characters
“All that was just part of the
shared understanding of the lake here, the lakelore. Like fisherman telling how far out storms were by the tint to the sky, or how las viejas measured the seiches so carefully they could predict them like tides.”
Ever since I was in third grade, I’ve been watching and rewatching a sitcom called The Middle. In the show, one of the main characters is a big reader, and he describes his books as his best friends in the whole world. That’s what this book feels like to me. It feels like a friend I can always feel comfortable being near. I relate to so many themes and characters in this book that it’s impossible not to fall in love with it.
You can tell the author cares deeply about sharing their experiences living with ADHD and dyslexia. The characters shine as individuals while also being so compatible with each other. Not only is the romantic relationship between the two protagonists so genuine, but so are the friendships between the side characters. No interaction between the characters feels forced.
“Gender identity never reduces down that easily anyway. Recognizing someone like you is never as simple as picking things apart to see what they add up to.”
When I read a book, I look for two kinds of quotes— ones I think are beautifully written, and ones I can relate to. With books like these, not only do I find both, but the ones I relate to mean so much to me.
And of course, I’m crying again. Because this book makes me—a Latinx, queer, genderfluid teen—feel so very loved.
September 20, 2022
This book was beautifully written, and I just love Anna-Marie’s writing style so much. There were a few moments in this book that really resonated with me, but I felt like despite it being short it started to drag around the halfway point. I felt like we were constantly rehashing the same handful of moments and issues, which would’ve been fine if this book had been even shorter. I think it would’ve made a really lovely and even more impactful novella.
July 5, 2022
every single individual element of this book sounded right up my alley, but i couldn't really get immersed in the story. it felt more like this book was talking at me, not to me tbh. bastian and lore rights though.
July 13, 2022
i was gonna write a long and emotional review for this book but 1. i can't 2. it should be enough to say this book is mentally under "books i wish i could give to my teenage self"
July 28, 2022
Another incredible book! What luck to have two perfect books back to back 🥹 I’ll circle back around to share my thoughts later 😁 spoiler alert: every thought I have about this book is positive!
September 30, 2022
e-ARC received from Raincoast Books (via NetGalley), thanks!
This book was wonderful. I had seen several of my favourite authors ranting about it, so much so that I started bugging PR folks to try and get a copy for myself, and success!
The story is about Bastián and Lore, two non-binary 16yos, one with ADHD, the other is dyslexic. From what I understand the author is also enby, dyslexic, and has ADHD, and I think that was quite evident throughout the book, the way things were written. I think it made it feel very real and authentic, because it was.
I usually don't like books that really go into detail about any specific aspect of a character, it comes across as more of an instruction manual, instead of a story. I did not at all feel that way about this book, even though it spent a lot of time exploring and explaining the MCs' identities and neurodiversity. As a cis-gender, neurotypical person, I really appreciated how this was written, it felt like it gave me a window into their lives and what it can mean to be neurodiverse. Also, as the parent of an enby teen, I feel like it gave me insight into what that can mean for them, as well as a better understanding of what being non-binary means in general.
The book is so beautifully written, I really love how the world under the lake is described. I could so clearly picture it, with all the beautiful colours and textures. I also really liked how the two MCs grew throughout the book and how their friendship developed.
Some of my favourite things:
•Gender forecasts
•Alebrijes
•The way ADHD/dyslexia was explained
This book isn't out until March 2022, but I highly recommend that folks read it once it is out!
This book was wonderful. I had seen several of my favourite authors ranting about it, so much so that I started bugging PR folks to try and get a copy for myself, and success!
The story is about Bastián and Lore, two non-binary 16yos, one with ADHD, the other is dyslexic. From what I understand the author is also enby, dyslexic, and has ADHD, and I think that was quite evident throughout the book, the way things were written. I think it made it feel very real and authentic, because it was.
I usually don't like books that really go into detail about any specific aspect of a character, it comes across as more of an instruction manual, instead of a story. I did not at all feel that way about this book, even though it spent a lot of time exploring and explaining the MCs' identities and neurodiversity. As a cis-gender, neurotypical person, I really appreciated how this was written, it felt like it gave me a window into their lives and what it can mean to be neurodiverse. Also, as the parent of an enby teen, I feel like it gave me insight into what that can mean for them, as well as a better understanding of what being non-binary means in general.
The book is so beautifully written, I really love how the world under the lake is described. I could so clearly picture it, with all the beautiful colours and textures. I also really liked how the two MCs grew throughout the book and how their friendship developed.
Some of my favourite things:
•Gender forecasts
•Alebrijes
•The way ADHD/dyslexia was explained
This book isn't out until March 2022, but I highly recommend that folks read it once it is out!
March 10, 2022
4.5-5 stars
"Once you get past the fear of being seen, you can get to the part where you know you’re not alone."
"Once you get past the fear of being seen, you can get to the part where you know you’re not alone."
Want to read
February 16, 202116 Feb 2021: If I am getting this right, both the characters mentioned (Bastion and Lore) are neurodivergent and use they/them pronouns! And it seems like both of them are POV characters. If A-M writes a book, I have to read it, I don't make the rules. But the sibling relationships are making me so excited!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 544 reviews