"McLemore weaves another magic spell...The author spins a tale of first love, misfits forging their own places in the world, and the inherent prejudices of people who fear what they don't understand. This novel will leave an indelible mark on readers' hearts."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"McLemore fashions another gorgeous novel that reminds readers of the ways fairy-tale evils and, more importantly, love have their roots in the real world...McLemore’s well-choreographed story will dance on in readers’ minds." —Booklist, starred review
"McLemore skillfully weaves together these parallel medieval and modern tales in alternating chapters...Dark and Deepest Red’s provocative, insightful collision of fairy tale and history is a powerful demonstration of McLemore’s immense talent." —Bookpage, starred review
"McLemore's vision and skill inspire awe in this gorgeously rendered novel...McLemore's settings charm and their plotting captivates, but it is their devoted and deep character development that makes the work so enthralling." —Shelf Awareness, starred review
"A powerful exposé of how differences are misunderstood, judged, and villainized by fear... A bold contemporary journey into generational secrets and perceptions of evil and otherness." —School Library Journal
"The sort of book that ruins all other books for you. Lush, hypnotic, and an absolute feast for the senses... McLemore has once again proved themself to be one of the finest writers working today.” —Mackenzi Lee, New York Times-bestselling author of The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue
“One of the most beautiful books I’ve read in years. McLemore is a master."—Susan Dennard, New York Times–bestselling author of the Witchlands series
"Lush, bewitching, and captivating, this shines a triumphant light on the stories of those who have too long had to be silent or lived only in the shadows of history." —Robin LaFevers, New York Times bestselling author of His Fair Assassin
“A story to wreck your heart, sew it up, and set it free.” —Martha Brockenbrough, author of Alexander Hamilton, Revolutionary
“Eerily suspenseful, achingly romantic, and fiercely defiant.” —Rebecca Speas, One More Page Books
“Graceful as a dancing slipper, complex as a chemical reaction, magical as an incantation. A masterpiece.” — Elana K. Arnold, Printz Honor winner and author of Red Hood
Praise for Blanca & Roja:
"Any fan of McLemore’s body of work, Bone Gap by Laura Ruby, or Malinda Lo’s fantasy will revel in this novel. A magical and lovely first purchase for all YA shelves." —School Library Journal, starred review
"McLemore is at her finest... She writes open-heartedly about families found and families given, the weight of expectation and the price of duty, and in the end offers up something that's vibrant, wondrously strange, and filled to the brim with love of all kinds." —Booklist, starred review
"McLemore weaves in powerful themes of identity, family, and first love, but there are also much-needed messages about overcoming hurtful stereotypes and expectations. McLemore's poignant retelling is a must-read for fans of fantasy and fairy tales." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Praise for Wild Beauty:
"No one does magical realism quite like McLemore . . . Sheer magic: fierce, bright, and blazing with possibility." —Booklist, starred review
"McLemore weaves an intricate tale of family, love, loss, and flowers." —School Library Journal, starred review
01/01/2020
Gr 8 Up—The story begins in the present day describing Rosella Oliva's fifth-generation shoe-making family during their town's yearly "glimmer": a time of magical happenings one week every October. This time of year the shoes they craft overtake their wearers resulting in impulsive acts of love and desire. To understand why this occurs, readers will travel back to the summer of 1518, when an illness sweeps through Strasbourg, France, causing women to dance uncontrollably until death. Believing that witchcraft or demonic influence is responsible, the authorities blame an unassuming family of Romani descent and endeavor to cast out the evil in their midst. The stories and characters intertwine in short chapters of lush prose and two complex story lines. Rosella and her friend Emil must decide to what extent their respective family histories and the event of 500 years ago will affect their present lives. The author uses Hans Christian Andersen's morality tale "The Red Shoes" as the basis for an original exploration of hidden sexuality in times past to guide readers' understanding of LGBTQ issues today. It is a powerful exposé of how differences are misunderstood, judged, and villainized by fear. References to Romani culture/language and early hints at a character's sexual ambiguity are initially confusing but later clarified. The abrupt transitions back and forth in time become smoother as plotlines and personalities take shape in the author's sympathetic, heartfelt storytelling. VERDICT A bold contemporary journey into generational secrets and perceptions of evil and otherness. Not just for fans of fairy tale fantasies, socially conscious teens will find plenty to grapple with here.—Jane Miller, Nashville Public Library
★ 2019-11-10
McLemore (contributor: Color Outside the Lines, 2019, etc.) weaves another magic spell in this haunting retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Red Shoes."
In their most ambitious novel yet, they interconnect the present-day trials of Mexican American Rosella and Romani American Emil with those of Lavinia, a young Romani woman in 16th-century Strasbourg, who is revealed to be Emil's ancestor. Emil and Rosella became friends as children when they realized their darker skin color and families' religious practices set them apart from the rest of their friends. Now teens, the two are drawn to each other during their town's "glimmer," an annual weeklong occurrence in which magical things happen. This year, the red shoes created by Rosella's family cause people to pursue their romantic passions. However, Rosella is cursed with uncontrollable dancing, very similar to the plague of dancing that swept through Strasbourg in 1518, when the townspeople blamed Lavinia and the white trans boy she loved for their affliction. McLemore's lush sentence-level writing is masterly, painting vivid pictures of Lavinia's world. The past timeline is especially compelling, and readers will eagerly return to it. The author spins a tale of first love, misfits forging their own places in the world, and the inherent prejudices of people who fear what they don't understand.
This novel will leave an indelible mark on readers' hearts. (Magical realism. 14-adult)
