Lakelore

Imagine as a kid you see a lake open up and reveal a secret world underneath. The downside is that the only other witness is a total stranger who you assume you'll never see again. Years later your friends tell you about the new kid in town who just so happens to be the stranger from the lake. When strange things start happening that only Bas & Lore seem to notice, they have to work together to right their world.

This was the first book I've read by Anna-Marie McLemore and I really enjoyed their writing style. The chapters were short, switching between the two main character's narration. I adored the representation and that this didn't have to be another story of trans youth being rejected by their families.

This story had just enough show more fantasy to make some of the scenes really jump off the page for me. I loved the tenderness of the friendship between Bas & Lore as they learned to trust each other. Looking forward to reading more of this author's work! show less

Lakelore by Anna-Marie McLemore is another one of those lovely books that is difficult to write about. It's not easy to even categorize this novel in a genre and I really like that. I would say that this is a lovely, young adult fantasy novel with some marvellous diversity.

Bastián has trouble staying still. Their whole life they have been dealing with forgetting things, being distracted, and not being able to focus. Diagnosed with ADHD, Bastián has learned some good ways to make their life easier. Their older brother taught them how to make alebrijes. Bastián puts his mistakes, concerns, anxieties into the alebrijes and then sets them free into the local lake. What Bastián doesn't expect is that they begin to animate and live show more beneath the surface of the lake.

When Bastián meets Lore something strange happens. As they two young people connect with one another the world below the surface of the lake begins to leak into the regular world. Bastián and Lore must work together and trust is difficult for both of them.

I loved the way that the author has described the neurodiversity of these characters. There are many wonderful conversations in the book between the characters as they explain how it is that they see the world. There is a supportive group of friends that appear throughout the story - each of these voices is unique and adds so much to the story.

This is the first book I've read of McLemore's and I would definitely read more. This is a creative, beautiful, and emotional story. Can't say enough good about this book. It will be a great addition to any collection and should absolutely be included in school libraries. show less

audiobook - teen fiction (2 trans/nonbinary main characters, one with ADHD and one who is dyslexic; author is nonbinary)

TW: bullying, anti-trans violence and threats

loved these characters, even though they each have their own experiences with self-hate, they have so much heart and support to give each other! I also loved the care that the author took to describe their experiences with dyslexia and ADHD. See also Button Pusher for an in-depth look at another person's experiences with ADHD (because everyone's experiences are different).

Lore and Bastian have a chance encounter when they are nine. After an incident at school happens, Lore's family moves back near Lakelore and the two cross paths again. Their connection is instant. The narration switches perspective between the two teens who are both dealing with how their brains work and try to make accommodations to function in a world that doesn't always fit them neatly.
The two also deal with things through different kind of art.
Then there is this whole magical realism part that has this glowing world, a lake that comes alive when they are together.

I enjoyed this book. The prose was gorgeous and lush as usual for McLemore. I particularly loved the descriptions of the world under the lake. I thought that aspect was interesting. However, the book felt very tell and not show. Overall, I would recommend if you like magical realism.