Published: March 2021
Series: N/A
Author: Anna-Marie McLemore
Illustrator: N/A
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Magical Realism, LGBT, Contemporary, Queer, Romance, Fiction
Audience (Grade Levels): 9-10, 11-12, High School
Number of Stars: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5 stars)
Goodreads Link: The Mirror Season
Triggers: Sexual Assault, PTSD, Trauma, Victim Shaming, Racism
Review By: Patricia Ranieri
Publisher’s Summary:
An unforgettable story of trauma and healing, told in achingly beautiful prose with great tenderness and care. —#1 New York Times-bestselling author Karen M. McManus
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:
As I finished The Mirror Season by Anna-Marie McLemore, I couldn’t help but feeling an overwhelming sense of hope. I immediately felt connected to the characters, like I knew them personally. Graciela and Lock’s journey is both heart-wrenching and hopeful, woven into a world where beauty and pain intertwine. The characters, particularly Graciela and Lock, are crafted with depth and nuance, making them feel like old friends.
However, while the writing is undeniably beautiful, at times it can feel overly ornate, detracting from the story’s impact. Additionally, while the themes of trauma, healing, and love are compelling, they occasionally veer into predictability. Despite this, McLemore leaves a lasting impact on readers by her delicate exploration of those themes. The touch of magical realism adds an extra layer of wonder to the story, making it feel both familiar and fantastical. Although the inclusion of magical realism adds an intriguing layer to the narrative, I do not believe it will resonate with all readers. While some will find it enchanting, others, like myself, may find it somewhat distracting. While the novel offers moments of profound insight and beauty, the execution left me wanting something more.
Overall, the novel was a bit too YA for me, but I did thoroughly appreciate McLemore’s emphasis on the importance of consent and her ability to portray the raw emotions that follow sexual assault survivors. She is not afraid to touch upon hard topics/themes, and she handles them well. This book will inspire you to stand up for what is right.
I would recommend this title to high school librarians and educators looking for a contemporary story that tackles difficult subject matter with care, particularly for mature young adult readers who enjoy character-driven stories with a speculative twist.
Classroom & Curricular Connections:
- Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): This text serves as a profound tool for discussing trauma response, the healing process, and the paramount importance of consent. It offers a safe space for educators to guide mature discussions around emotional survival and standing up for what is right.
- English Language Arts (ELA): Ideal for high school literary analysis focusing on the conventions of magical realism, examining how external supernatural elements (like disappearing trees and mirrored glass) can be used as metaphors for internal psychological trauma and PTSD.
- Extension Activity / Library Application: This book is highly suited for a high school independent reading program, a mature YA book club, or a high school library display centered around mental health awareness and trauma recovery. Because the narrative handles heavy, real-world issues through a speculative lens, a guided literature circle could focus on comparing how the characters navigate the aftermath of trauma versus real-world support systems.
- Diversity & Representation Note: The book effectively supports diversity and inclusion by providing meaningful representation through its Latinx protagonist, cultural elements like the family pastelería, and LGBTQ+ identities. Furthermore, it addresses intersections of identity by including racism among its core thematic warnings, offering a nuanced perspective on the varied challenges faced by marginalized youth.
Readalikes:
- The Weight of Feathers by Anna-Marie McLemore
- Bone Gap by Laura Ruby
