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opalmars's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This is a very important book. Seeing Ariana slowly coming to the realization that Luis had raped her was truly heart wrenching. There was a lot of slut shaming and victim blaming in this book, and while it was sometimes too heavy-handed (I wish there’d been a bit more nuance), I honestly didn’t mind it that much. It was still a good way to portray these issues, and I do think it might help readers (especially young ones) understand rape culture a little more. Also, on a more personal note: reading a story where a bunch of victims fight back against their abuser, expose his ass and finally get some justice was VERY cathartic!!!!
I really liked Ariana as a main character! She’s so loveable and relatable, + it’s amazing reading about a character who has autism and selective mutism. The side characters were also very nice. I especially liked Angel and Jasmine! I kinda wanted to see more of their relationship haha. <3
I didn’t care much about the romance in this book. The moment Ariana realized she’d been making wrong assumptions about Shawni she immediately started crushing on her. I wish her feelings had grown more slowly. And their “I love you” at the end felt a little unearned. I still thought they were cute, it’s just that I could’ve completely done without the romance in this one.
I also don’t really know how I feel about Ariana’s parents and their divorce. I thought that plotline was interesting, but I kind of wish we’d gotten a bit more of it.
a bit more of it.
I really liked Ariana as a main character! She’s so loveable and relatable, + it’s amazing reading about a character who has autism and selective mutism. The side characters were also very nice. I especially liked Angel and Jasmine! I kinda wanted to see more of their relationship haha. <3
I didn’t care much about the romance in this book. The moment Ariana realized she’d been making wrong assumptions about Shawni she immediately started crushing on her. I wish her feelings had grown more slowly. And their “I love you” at the end felt a little unearned. I still thought they were cute, it’s just that I could’ve completely done without the romance in this one.
I also don’t really know how I feel about Ariana’s parents and their divorce. I thought that plotline was interesting, but I kind of wish we’d gotten a bit more of it.
a bit more of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Ableism, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Gaslighting
serenityfound's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Biphobia, Bullying, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Off-pagetiredcath's review
dark
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
4.0
In the same vein, as John Tucker Must Die, The Luis Ortega Survival Club is a story of unexpected friendship and revenge.
I was pleasantly surprised with how much this tackled in such a quick read. I flew by the book quickly, falling into Sonora Reyes's natural writing style and relatable characters. There's so much I enjoyed about this, mostly, it was the core group of friends. They all felt so genuine together, I appreciated seeing how much they cared about each other, and how it was evident they all wanted a place to be themselves and to heal. Our main character Ariana is autistic with selective mutism, who's lived a pretty invisible life until recently. What I really appreciated about this novel was the handling of Ariana's autism, it's never demonized. I think a lot of people will find comfort in this friendship group, and how Reyes managed to create a found family bond out of a tragic event.
Reyes tackles issues with rape culture, consent, toxic masculinity, as well as wholesome masculinity, without making it feel like a PSA. It reminded me a lot of the novel Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. (I recommend reading the TW but nothing in this is graphic.)
I do wish the ending was a tad longer, I wanted to spend a little more time with the characters. But in all, this is a fantastic novel. It's warm, it's sad, bittersweet, it's about healing and friendship, and togetherness. This is a really special book with wonderful representation.
I was pleasantly surprised with how much this tackled in such a quick read. I flew by the book quickly, falling into Sonora Reyes's natural writing style and relatable characters. There's so much I enjoyed about this, mostly, it was the core group of friends. They all felt so genuine together, I appreciated seeing how much they cared about each other, and how it was evident they all wanted a place to be themselves and to heal. Our main character Ariana is autistic with selective mutism, who's lived a pretty invisible life until recently. What I really appreciated about this novel was the handling of Ariana's autism, it's never demonized. I think a lot of people will find comfort in this friendship group, and how Reyes managed to create a found family bond out of a tragic event.
Reyes tackles issues with rape culture, consent, toxic masculinity, as well as wholesome masculinity, without making it feel like a PSA. It reminded me a lot of the novel Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. (I recommend reading the TW but nothing in this is graphic.)
I do wish the ending was a tad longer, I wanted to spend a little more time with the characters. But in all, this is a fantastic novel. It's warm, it's sad, bittersweet, it's about healing and friendship, and togetherness. This is a really special book with wonderful representation.
Thank you to NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Toxic relationship