A review by kiwi_00
The Luis Ortega Survival Club by Sonora Reyes

emotional funny hopeful
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Is it really a Sonora Reyes book if I don't cry?
I liked that the MC had autism. Non-white female character with autism is not a perspective that I read often and I loved how her family and  friends treated her like a normal teenager, supporting her when she needs help but also backing off and letting her be independent. I liked the way her thought process was laid out whenever the story developed and how her autism is a core part of her being without being infantilising or weird about a female MC with autism. Instead of it being a 'super power' or the worst thing to ever happen to her, she just lives. Disabled people are at high risk of being SAed especially because people don't think that they have (consensual) sex, or their disability means that they can't physically get away or that they are incredibly trusting (which people take advantage of).
I liked the respect of boundaries and autonomy.
when Shawni wants to hold Ariana's hand or hug her she asks. Even during the revenge plot against Luis, the group of friends respect when Shawni gets too upset to talk about her abusive relationship or when Jasmine doesn't want to talk about her experience, the group respects her boundaries. Even when the group first messages Ariana through tumblr, they respect that at first, Ariana doesn't want revenge.

I loved the friend group and how supportive they are of each other. I loved how
they made an effort to meet up outside of their club and hang out and learn about each other. I loved the diversity within the group as it showed that trans/GNC people are also at risk of SA and I loved that Angel wanted to support someone he cares about. Jasmine and Angel's dynamic is really cute and I like that he moves at pace to make her comfortable. Shawni and Ariana are also such a cute couple, I was smiling so hard every time they talked esp in the 2nd half of the book. It made me sad to imagine what Shawni had gone through when asking permission to hang out with someone else
.
I'm glad Luis
got his comeuppance and Ed's name was cleared (though I think something can be said about how the 'revenge' was just him being held accountable socially and legally). The number of attempts it took to expose him and have it be believed made me extremely proud of the group 's resilience and determination.
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