The Mirror Season

we learn the ways that broken things can catch the light. thinking about how so many people can relate to this. in small ways, big ways. how women specifically don’t always have the option of saying no. or having to give into something we don’t want for our safety. it’s a beautifully heartbreaking healing read. those are 3 words i can use to wrap this up. i think it very well have taken the #2 spot of my list of fav anna-marie books. (1st of course being when the moon was ours.) tw: sexual assault

loved it

TW: Sexual Assault

This was a heartbreaking story that sadly left me wanting. I feel it needed more time to breathe and develop itself. I also felt some of the magical realism elements were integrated clumsily.

This book covers sexual assault and is very difficult to read at times. I felt a rollercoaster of emotions throughout, even tearing up in horror at one point. It is incredibly impactful, which may be healing for some, but I need to warn that you really need to be in the right headspace to handle it. Please be safe and tread lightly.

The use of mirrored glass and Ciela's magical ability both served as great metaphors for her trauma and healing. The situation with her magic especially was a gut punch in the beginning that really drove her emotions home.

The way Ciela and Lock bonded and brought each other joyful moments showed how even after something as awful as this happens, you still get to have laughter, smiles and happy moments. It doesn't get to steal everything from you. Healing is possible, messy and nonlinear as it may be.

Update 26/10/2021 Check out my review on : An Ode to Fiction Official Release Date : 16th March 2021 Buy the book : Amazon | Book Depository Trigger warning : Ableism, Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, Drugging, Emesis, Panphobia, PTSD, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault (on-page/major theme), Slut shaming, Rape, Trauma, Victim shaming, Violence (Source : booktriggerwarnings.com) 4/5 ⭐️ “Every moment of our life, it goes with us. It lives forever. And a lot of those moments you don’t have much say over. So the ones you do, you’ve got to do everything with them. So that what lives forever is something you want to live with.” The Mirror Season is a deeply personal, raw, emotional, and heart wrenching story about survivors, by a survivor, and for survivors of sexual assault. Approaching the end of October and end of my vacation I wanted to read something different that is outside of the fantasy genre to mix things up and avoid a fantasy burn out. Since I am going to travel for 14 hours on the road I decided to pick an audiobook to listen to while I stay up during the long journey home. Coincidentally, The Mirror Season by Anna-Marie McLemore was available right away and I saw that it was a relatively short book I decided to pick it up. Beforehand I only saw a few of my mutuals that have read this book and based on their ratings/reviews it's going to be a heavy and compelling book. Before I get into my review I would like to remind readers to pay attention to the trigger warnings because in this book sexual assault is a big theme and it is shown on page. It is graphic and can be triggering so please double check to make sure you're in a good state going into this book. The Mirror Season is a story about two teens, Ciela and Lock, and an unfortunate night that completely changed their life forever. Graciela Cristales or Ciela is pansexual Mexican-American teen juggling between private school and helping out at her family's famous and possibly magical pastelería. After the dreaded night that turned her life up side down she loses her magical ability to pick certain desserts for certain people (from what I understand it's kind of like a pastry/cake whisperer). When Ciela returns to school she meets the boy that was also there during the THAT night, the boy that shares a memory that mirrors hers and that boy's name is Lock, the new transfer student. The situation at school worsens as people speculate, spread rumors, and pull horrifying pranks on both Ciela and Lock. Back home odd things start to happen as trees her neighborhood disappear one by one and while mirrored glass start to appear bringing uncontrolled reckless magic. Grasping for a sliver of her gift all the while trying to prevent the mirror glass from hurting the people she loves and Lock from making reckless decisions, Ciela jumps the gun to stand by Lock in hopes to find answers. From then on Ciela and Lock form a vulnerable bond that grows out of a shared experience and situation they are put through at school. But their happiness one day took a turn as the bullying quickly escalated to harassment and threats from the perpetrators. Ciela is then forced to face the truth of what had happened that night and bring Lock into the fold of what actually happened to both of them. “They counted on any girl—especially a pretty-enough queer brown one—doing whatever they asked in exchange for their favor. Bearing anything, enduring anything, excusing anything. They wrote their assumptions into the curves and colors of my body.” McLemore's own sexual assault experience is the basis of the story and it is reflected down the story's most harrowing moments and graphic detail. Prior to reading this book I didn't know that it is a story based of McLemore and their friend's own experience, listening to the author's note I was stunned and heart broken but I also felt scene as a fellow survivor myself that this story encapsulates explicitly the experience of being a victim, the raw complex emotions, and self blame sexual assault survivors have to deal with. Besides discussing sexual assault McLemore also sheds light on topics such as victim shaming and the stigma that is pinned on the victim by not just society but also perpetrators. In this story McLemore also weaved in the aspect of race and class as the story is set in a private setting and perpetrators are white-cis-financially abled characters. With this also comes discussions about the hoops that people of color, specifically queer people of color, have to go through to stand up and seek justice for the crimes done by people which race fall in the majority spectrum that in this story equipped with power and status. How the color of someone's skin or their gender or financial well being becomes a thing that can be catalyzed and weaponized against the victims by perpetrators or society to down play or drag the truth twisting it to fit the narrative that the people responsible were never in the wrong. The depth and nuanced discussions of the story makes The Mirror Season a powerful and compelling story. McLemore's writing is magical, ethereal, and accessible with beautiful prose that is as sweet as a freshly baked pan dulce. The way McLemore discusses the heavy topic of sexual assault with care and intent not leaving out or brushing off the dark hard moments as it is weaved with McLemore's magnetic otherworldly writing. The plot and pacing is gripping that once I started I could not stop reading. With each chapter I read, slowly, I am immersed deeper into the story, emotionally and physically. During the 14 hour journey home my eyes were wide open as I could not rest until I know the end of the story. There are magical realism aspects within the story that becomes a symbolic or metaphoric representations of the struggles of the two main characters. The inspiration drawn for the magical realism aspect is taken from the fairytale, The Snow Queen. As it is explained in the Author's Note, McLemore took one part of the story, the broken mirror. Besides that McLemore also took inspiration from the characters in the story. Though while reading The Mirror Season I didn't fully understand the mirrored glass reference as I have never read The Snow Queen hence I opted to just vibe with it. I understand that the 'mirrored glass' is important as it is repeatedly mentioned within the story and becomes a big part in Ciela's development. Personally, it is a tad bit too repetitive but this didn't hinder me in enjoying the story overall. “Months ago, I didn’t cry, and I didn’t scream, because I thought if I started crying or screaming I’d never stop. But now I don’t care if I scream forever. If I scream forever, they will have to hear me forever.” McLemore's extraordinary ability in characterization is the main aspect that made me love The Mirror Season. Through Ciela and Lock, McLemore tells a story about two teenagers being vulnerable, finding comradery, and healing as they try to process the horrible experience they both share and find comfort within each other. Both characters become each other's safe space that is full of support and understanding, vulnerable yet loving. The growth and development of both characters are noteworthy and awe inspiring. Ciela grows to become a strong, brave, and bold as she confronts the people that's trying to bring her down. Lock grows to be a man that forgives himself for the situations he was put in that was out of his control as he reconciles with the horrific reality of what transpired. The most tear jerking and fearless moment involves Ciela nearing the end of the story when she finds her voice to scream for herself and Lock, that is the moment that I will remember for the rest of my life. That moment is the epitome of courage and it represents not just Ciela and Lock's voice but also every other survivor of sexual assault. It’s not too late for any of us. We survived. Now we can live. Final thoughts, The Mirror Season is an underrated (it has 1k rating?? WTF?) young adult book about trauma and healing that is beautifully written capturing the raw and jarring experience of being a sexual assault survivor. A nuanced story that is in depth and complex set in a realistic setting with a magical realism twist enriching the story even more. I would like to emphasize that The Mirror Season is a personal story of McLemore's, a person that has survived multiple sexual assault incidents. It is a harrowing story at it's core but it's also a story about finding power and healing. Not every moment contained within book are sad and tragic there are moments of happiness in between experienced by Ciela and Lock. How survivors can find solidarity and empowerment from each other or from family and friends that loves them that are willing to understand and offer unconditional love. I would like to remind future readers again to check the trigger warnings before reading The Mirror Season and I have included it at the start of this review. I highly recommend everyone to read this book, it is hands down one of the best young adult contemporary books I've read in a while. It is short and under 400 pages that I'm sure readers can finish in one sitting. I don't normally feel a strong connection with young adult contemporary books but the message and empowering aspects of The Mirror Season really got to me as a fellow survivor. GAH! Just read it !

Full review: (updated on August 24th 2021) Despite the heavy topics discussed in The Mirror Season, I really enjoyed this novel and it cements my respect for Anna-Marie McLemore of crafting amazing queer fairytale retelling that incorporates elements of Mexican culture & magic realism prose in the stories. "The mirrored glass has taken enough. It's turned me into a girl who's always searching the world for the glint of silver." "In the thin light of the moon, against the blue-washed hills in the distance, it's a secret forest. It's small magic, packed into this corner of the wilderness park, where la llorona is holding her breath." "The blue spears of the chaste tree. The delicate violet of the wild lilac. The lichen-velveted branches of apple and redbud branches. The snowflake stars of the crepe myrtle. They've all turned to slices of mirror." I love the writing style so much!! McLemore's signature writing truly shines in their latest novel: it's an emotionally brutal, enchanting, and also at times - mouthwatering, retelling of The Snow Queen. Written singularly from Ciela's first person narrative, this is both a story about self-discovery and a story of navigating through trauma. The imageries in this book is breathtaking and Ciela's headspace is solidly fleshed out, redeeming this McLemore's most emotionally engaging body of work to date. "I am getting back the ribbon of magic that lets me know exactly which kind of bread or sweet a customer needs to feel calmer or braver or a little more hopeful." "But there are parts that are mine now, ones folded into my nightmares like colour into sugar paste. The shadow horses, stealing the thoughts of hunters. The little robber girl, the only brown character in the whole thing unless you count the reindeer." One thing that I think sets The Mirror Season apart from McLemore's other novels is the storytelling. McLemore spun a picturesque and atmospheric storyline in exploring Ciela's emotional headspace as she navigated through the traumatic events through the course of the novel. Because her characterisation is so well developed, her story is a heartbreaking one to read though also a touch hopeful. While I loved reading The Mirror Season and thought the writing was excellent I think there are a few things to be aware of. The most important factor being the content warnings: this novel explores a few heavy topics so it's certainly something to be aware of if you plan to read this. The major content warnings are: sexual assault / abuse, homophobia, trauma, injuries, accidents, and blood mention In addition to the content warnings, I also think the pacing of the novel is something to be aware of. Paired with dense prose, I believe this is one of those books that's best enjoyed when you give yourself some time to fully immerse into it, so if you're used to reading books with a lot of actions / lighter reads this might not be for you. A few minor disclaimers aside, The Mirror Season might be Anna-Marie McLemore's best writing to date. Its excellent storytelling explores heavy topics through an authentic and complex lens (that's rarely accomplished in books). Perfect for anyone who's looking for a substantial fairytale retelling and a diverse read.

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own. Book: The Mirror Season Author: Anna-Marie McLemore Book Series: Standalone Diversity: Hispanic, Plus Size, Pansexual MC, F/f romance mentioned (MC past relationships and a current one by a side character) Rating: 5/5 Recommended For...: Contemporary, magical realism, young adult readers Genre: YA Contemporary (slight Magical Realism) Publication Date: March 16, 2021 Publisher: Feiwel & Friends Pages: 311 Recommended Age: 15+ (Rape TW, Language, Abstinence Discussion, Bullying, Romance, Sex) Explanation of CWs: Rape is heavily discussed and it's something the MC and the love interest experience. There is slight language, Abstinence is also talked about, and there is heavy bullying. There is also 1 consensual sex scene and a few mentions to consensual sex. Synopsis: When two teens discover that they were both sexually assaulted at the same party, they develop a cautious friendship through her family's possibly magical pastelería, his secret forest of otherworldly trees, and the swallows returning to their hometown, in Anna-Marie McLemore's The Mirror Season... Graciela Cristales's whole world changes after she and a boy she barely knows are assaulted at the same party. She loses her gift for making enchanted pan dulce. Neighborhood trees vanish overnight, while mirrored glass appears, bringing reckless magic with it. And Ciela is haunted by what happened to her, and what happened to the boy whose name she never learned. But when the boy, Lock, shows up at Ciela's school, he has no memory of that night, and no clue that a single piece of mirrored glass is taking his life apart. Ciela decides to help him, which means hiding the truth about that night. Because Ciela knows who assaulted her, and him. And she knows that her survival, and his, depend on no one finding out what really happened. Review: I really liked this book, even though it took a lot out of me to read it. The book heavily discusses rape and consent and abstinence, which are always touchy subjects to me. I thought the author did well to craft a story like I hadn't read since Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. The world building was well done, the characters were well developed, and the plot was heartbreaking. Furthermore, I loved how the author talked about sexual assaults on men and what they go through and I loved how well the author wrote a male character that does typically "feminine" things like crocheting or sewing. I also read this book in one setting, because the book demanded it of me, but I heavily advise if you're wanting to read this and are touchy on these topics as well, please take your time. Also, because this is a McLemore book, there is a bit of magical realism in it and the writing is very poetry like. The only thing I didn't like as much about the book is that the format was a bit hard to know if I was in the then or now, but I think that was on purpose and if so it served it's purpose. Verdict: It's really good! Highly recommend.

EVERYONE GO READ THIS BOOK. It tore me apart and put me back together in all the best ways a book can. I went into this almost completely blind as to what it was about and that is what I recommend for everyone reading it. Just a content warning that this is a book that deals with sexual assault and serious topics so if that's something you aren't interested or capable of reading maybe skip this, but I truly believe that there's something in this story for almost everyone and it's such an important story to be told.

*I WAS PROVIDED A DIGITAL GALLEY VIA NETGALLEY IN RETURN FOR MY HONEST THOUGHTS. THIS DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION* I picked up this book based on Destiny’s (MyHoneyReads) recommendation, and as I always trust their opinion, I knew I wouldn’t be let down or disappointed. However, what I did not expect was to be completely destroyed by this book, while learning what it’s like to love reading again. Writing Style – Anna-Marie McLemore writes in such a flowery, almost poetic way. Their writing style is addicting and intoxicating. Once you get a taste of it, you won’t want anything else. I was completely pulled into their book, and I was not released until after I’d finished reading. That’s rare for me with books nowadays. It takes me a lot longer to fall into a story, but McLemore ensured that I’d be pulled in from the first page. Characters – McLemore wrote messy characters. They wrote them to be imperfect, and splintered, and prosperous. Ciela was a character I really empathized and felt for. Her entire story, all of her coping mechanisms, they all felt familiar to me–though under very different circumstances. She was written in such a way that you almost felt as though you were standing in her shoes, seeing through her eyes, feeling her exact emotions. It was scary realistic in that way, and I adored every second of it. Meanwhile, Lock’s character was so different. McLemore handled toxic masculinity through his character, and they also pushed for that same messiness, that same splintering and imperfection. They made Lock be brittle but strong, and that’s something we don’t see often portrayed in Young Adult books. Either a side character is one or the other, or neither at all. But Lock’s character was both, and I loved seeing it on the pages. Romance – As I’m demiromantic, I’m probably one of the last people who should be commenting on the romantic aspects of a book. But for this one, it was like the relationship came alive on the pages. There were the ups and downs, there were the almost honeymoon-like phases. It was written in such a careful and attentive way that I yearned for more once it was finished at the end of the book. Plot – There were a few unexpected aspects to the plot that I hadn’t seen coming. A particular scene toward the end of the book came across a bit strange to me, in that it almost popped up out of nowhere. But for the rest of the book, I loved the plot that was given. Magic – This book came across as magical realism, and it was just that. This was a retelling of the Snow Queen, a story I’d never heard of prior to this. But one thing that stuck out to me was Ciela’s ability to tell what type of pan or pastry someone would want just by looking at them. The beauty of that magic was clear and outspoken on the pages. But when it got to the glass that consistently appeared throughout the book, I was a bit confused. It seemed like a coping mechanism for Ciela, but at the same time, there was no real explanation to it, and I felt a bit disappointed by that. Overall – This book was everything I could’ve asked for. There were some flaws to it, but the good parts outweighed those entirely. I am definitely a fan of Anna-Marie McLemore’s after reading The Mirror Season, and I fully plan on reading the rest of their books after this. For that, I rate this book 4.75 stars.