Reviews

The Luis Ortega Survival Club by Sonora Reyes

kristinconnolly's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? Yes

5.0

A story about revenge against a shit man. I loved this book and liked that the main character was autistic. I felt like it spoke to my own experience navigating romantic relationships as an autistic women. I loved the found family piece. 

mezzythedragon's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Oof. An important read for everyone, not just for teens, though they definitely need this book. I like how Reyes captures abusers and their enablers, and how they manipulate their victims and their feelings towards them.

While I’m glad Luis got his in the end, I wish I had seen his punishment in real time. First he threatens Ari, and in the next chapter, the epilogue, he’s a registered sex offender. I would have liked to see him suffer.
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cherrycito's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful sad fast-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? It's complicated

4.75

mweis's review against another edition

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4.5

 *I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Sonora Reyes' debut The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School made me sob in the parking lot of the gym, so I was a little terrified of going into their sophomore release. While I didn't love it as much as I loved The Lesbiana's Guide, I still think this was an incredible book and so important for teens to have.

Ariana is autistic and selectively mute. Her parents are going through a rough patch and her mom treats her as a therapist and friend rather than a child, and at school is she is mostly ignored because she doesn't talk. So when Luis Ortega starts paying attention to her, Ari is excited and flattered, but then he assaults her at a party. This all happens in the first chapters and is in the synopsis, but what follows is Ari coming to understand what happened to her and how to move forward. She makes friends and navigates a crush and creates a better relationship with her parents.

While this book centers a rape, it is more so about Ariana's growth and recovery and is surprisingly sweet despite the tough nature of the book. Sonora Reyes writing is incredible and I love that their books center queer Latinx characters and tackle serious topics with so much care and nuance. I will absolutely read everything they write. 

electric_revenge's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

4.75

mimicgoo's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful

4.25

Important themes and strong characters.  I like the representation that comes from the mostly non-verbal autistic main character. The main plotline is done in a satisfying manner 

luckyonesoph's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

This book would have saved me so much heartache in high school. A little bit predictable, and everyone gets the ending they deserve, but sometimes stories like that are exactly what you need. 
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enby's review against another edition

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3.25

very happy to read a story helmed by an explicitly neurodivergent protag. usually authors and readers skirt around these depictions and call them “coded” like plzzzplzplz how boring. i’m tired of speculation and hinting! anyway as for the book itself, i liked this more than tlgtcs and it was an engaging read (easy to follow, hard to brace). i too am waiting for my abusers to face a luis ortega style downfall but that probably won’t happen lol. never say never though :p

midnightreads1803's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective tense fast-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? N/A

5.0

fmurphy31's review against another edition

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challenging emotional 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? Yes

3.75