Scan barcode
mainareads's review
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
again with the teen queer mcs <3
like i love books where queer teenagers get to live a happy life and love the people they chose to love and have the identities they want to it's so so So satisfying and it's like a glimpse into the person i might have been if i had a different life .
love all the characters so much except ykw whom i actually threatened to k word 17 TIMES ( i counted )
such a cute healing book actually although some of the triggers were a but much for me im glad i was able to push through and read it till the end bc it was soooooo good actually like cleared the whole book in a day good
like i love books where queer teenagers get to live a happy life and love the people they chose to love and have the identities they want to it's so so So satisfying and it's like a glimpse into the person i might have been if i had a different life .
love all the characters so much except ykw whom i actually threatened to k word 17 TIMES ( i counted )
such a cute healing book actually although some of the triggers were a but much for me im glad i was able to push through and read it till the end bc it was soooooo good actually like cleared the whole book in a day good
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
After reading and loving The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School last year, I had high expectations for this book. And I am happy to say that I wasn't disappointed! This book deals with difficult issues, especially surrounding sexual assault, rape, and consent, but it does it in such a way that deals with these topics in a delicate and well-thought out way.
Part of this book is about Ari finding the courage to stand up for herself, about her making connections with her peers, and a little about feeling a home with herself. The friends she makes while getting revenge on Luis are such a supportive group and I loved them. They were all there for each other throughout, and even though they were side characters, I felt like they were all well fleshed out as well.
The conversations about consent in this book are so important, especially because Ari is autistic and is nonverbal quite a lot of the time. The way this is discussed in relation to her rape is dealt with so eloquently, and important for teens that might be in similar situations to see that representation. Just be warned, if that's something that's triggering for you, the rape happens off page and is onlyl discussed in small details throughout the book.
All in all, another great book by Reyes and I can't wait to see what she does next.
Part of this book is about Ari finding the courage to stand up for herself, about her making connections with her peers, and a little about feeling a home with herself. The friends she makes while getting revenge on Luis are such a supportive group and I loved them. They were all there for each other throughout, and even though they were side characters, I felt like they were all well fleshed out as well.
The conversations about consent in this book are so important, especially because Ari is autistic and is nonverbal quite a lot of the time. The way this is discussed in relation to her rape is dealt with so eloquently, and important for teens that might be in similar situations to see that representation. Just be warned, if that's something that's triggering for you, the rape happens off page and is onlyl discussed in small details throughout the book.
All in all, another great book by Reyes and I can't wait to see what she does next.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Rape, and Bullying
jukietoss's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
What a powerful sophomore novel to follow up the outstanding Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School. Here, Reyes confronts some of the heaviest topics teens--and society--face, and does it with so much heart and tenderness that they allow us to actually look it all in the face. In less deft hands, this story would have been too devastating or triggering to read. But for Reyes, while the trauma is a catalyst, they manage to avoid every possible pitfall in a story such as this (like leaning on the trauma as a plot device for character-building).
I was struck and moved by the portrayal of friendship creation on the page. So often we see friendships that already exist, or we see romantic interest development, but here we're able to see a group of teens who, when the book begins, are largely alone, and by the end are truly bonded--and not just because of shared trauma, but because of true investment in and care for one another. I really loved watching these relationships blossom.
I also appreciated the access this story gave me to the perspective of an autistic, selectively mute protagonist. Ari was so lovingly drawn and so thoughtfully shared. Hearing the story from her perspective was illuminating and helped to put me inside the complexity of each social situation and discussion. I loved her dearly and could not put the book down as I watched her bloom over the course of the book.
I wish that a story like this--facing rape, exploring consent, exposing bullying, highlighting privilege, asking who is believed, and showing how the carceral punishment system fails society--were not so relevant, but as it is, it's urgently needed. Each of the topics the book explores is also relevant in adult society, but by exploring it through high school kids--where these patterns, roles, and dynamics begin to calcify--we're able to see both the impact society's failings has on younger generations, and how confusing and overwhelming it is for teens.
I was struck and moved by the portrayal of friendship creation on the page. So often we see friendships that already exist, or we see romantic interest development, but here we're able to see a group of teens who, when the book begins, are largely alone, and by the end are truly bonded--and not just because of shared trauma, but because of true investment in and care for one another. I really loved watching these relationships blossom.
I also appreciated the access this story gave me to the perspective of an autistic, selectively mute protagonist. Ari was so lovingly drawn and so thoughtfully shared. Hearing the story from her perspective was illuminating and helped to put me inside the complexity of each social situation and discussion. I loved her dearly and could not put the book down as I watched her bloom over the course of the book.
I wish that a story like this--facing rape, exploring consent, exposing bullying, highlighting privilege, asking who is believed, and showing how the carceral punishment system fails society--were not so relevant, but as it is, it's urgently needed. Each of the topics the book explores is also relevant in adult society, but by exploring it through high school kids--where these patterns, roles, and dynamics begin to calcify--we're able to see both the impact society's failings has on younger generations, and how confusing and overwhelming it is for teens.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Rape, Emotional abuse, and Infidelity
gigireadswithkiki's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book has firmly solidified Sonora Reyes as one of my auto-buy authors. The amount of effort they exert to make sure their books are diverse and intersectional will always raise the bar for all other books I read! The Luis Ortega Survival Club follows the story of Ariana Ruiz (Ari, for short), as she plots revenge against infamous Luis Ortega, banding together with a group of others who have also been wronged by Luis. However, this synopsis doesn't even begin to skim the surface of the depths of this book.
In a style that I have come to associate with Sonora Reyes, this book tends to jump from topic to topic, in a myriad of different ways. I can absolutely see how this can result a whirlwind of confusion, but as a neurodivergent autistic person myself, this unique writing style deeply parallels my own thought patterns, leading me to devour this book ravenously. From lighter issues (such as sapphic pining or freestyle dancing) to heavier issues (such as infidelity or biphobia), this book handles these topics with care, allowing space for discussion (or criticism) without traumatic over-saturation.
In addition to beautifully compelling writing, this book also contains strong and fierce characters that readers empathize with easily. While Ari is not without her faults, her growth throughout the story is achingly tender, showing the journey of non-verbal autistic girl as she struggles to make friends and stand up for herself. Although there are moments where readers will be frustrated with Ari for her choices or thought patterns, her characterization is handled with a grace that reassures readers that Ari is on a path towards self-betterment.
In case it hasn't been obvious quite yet, I loved this story with all of my heart; everything contained within this book spoke so very very deeply to my soul, and I cannot wait for others to get their hands on The Luis Ortega Survival Club. I would highly, highly recommend this book for all readers, but especially those who are autistic and/or BIPOC!
In a style that I have come to associate with Sonora Reyes, this book tends to jump from topic to topic, in a myriad of different ways. I can absolutely see how this can result a whirlwind of confusion, but as a neurodivergent autistic person myself, this unique writing style deeply parallels my own thought patterns, leading me to devour this book ravenously. From lighter issues (such as sapphic pining or freestyle dancing) to heavier issues (such as infidelity or biphobia), this book handles these topics with care, allowing space for discussion (or criticism) without traumatic over-saturation.
In addition to beautifully compelling writing, this book also contains strong and fierce characters that readers empathize with easily. While Ari is not without her faults, her growth throughout the story is achingly tender, showing the journey of non-verbal autistic girl as she struggles to make friends and stand up for herself. Although there are moments where readers will be frustrated with Ari for her choices or thought patterns, her characterization is handled with a grace that reassures readers that Ari is on a path towards self-betterment.
In case it hasn't been obvious quite yet, I loved this story with all of my heart; everything contained within this book spoke so very very deeply to my soul, and I cannot wait for others to get their hands on The Luis Ortega Survival Club. I would highly, highly recommend this book for all readers, but especially those who are autistic and/or BIPOC!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Minor: Sexual harassment, Rape, and Sexual assault
More...