Rainbow Boys by Alex Sanchez

Rainbow Boys (Rainbow Trilogy, #1)

by Alex Sanchez

Three high school seniors, a jock with a girlfriend and an alcoholic father, a closeted gay, and a flamboyant gay rights advocate, struggle with family issues, gay bashers, first sex, and conflicting feelings about each other

Reviewed by layawaydragon on

5 of 5 stars

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TW: Use of slurs, homophobia, biphobia/bi-erasure, domestic violence, hate crimes, eating disorder and weight issues

I loved listening to Rainbow Boys. It was hard at first to get into it because of Jason using slurs and being so hateful. I wasn't so sure where this was going at first. But Nelson and Kyle had me hooked anyways. He does get better, but he's a classic jock closet case. like Nelson is a typical twink. I love how different the kids and their families are. It's a well balanced and diverse group to reach a lot of people.

There's a lot going on but it's all handled well except letting the biphobia slide IMHO. Despite the time since publishing, I think it still holds up well beside the previous issue and the lack of trans* characters. It's only slightly dated because of the budding internet dating, the stereo systems w CDs, and no smart phones. Of course as a 90s kid, I didn't even notice how old it was until later looking at Goodreads realizing I just regressed naturally lol. So, I don't know how kids today will take it.

Notes From Reading:
Jason uses queer, fag, and homo as a slur
Nelson is the typical twink
Two deaf kids in the group
Homophobic AF people
"She doesn't look like a dyke, she's pretty enough to get a guy"
Haha Nelson
Ahhhhh Kyle likes Jason
EWWWW "redskins" team
Jason's dad is an an alcoholic abusive ASS
Starting a gay-straight alliance at school
Fuck Mueller.
Acne. Glasses. Braces.
Polaroids!!!
Twink, "I'm fat". Athlete, "You're not fat." *eyeroll*
Wow that coming out.
Mom was good...?
Oh god, Nelson is taking diet pills
NO means NO!
Kinsey scale
The popcorn bucket scene!
The stretching!
OMG adorbs.
"This is surely the climax of his life" Oh sweet summer child, lol.
Oh fuck more hate
Oh internet dating...
Ouch. Poor baby.
Bi baby!!!
Poor little baby.
Poor kitty!!!
Oh stupid dad, if you only knew
D'awwwwwww
Wowza
Way to blow, Kyle
OMG the Xmas OMFG
WTF Brick? As a NAME?!
"I don't bite unless you want me too?" Ugh.
Oh baby. Please don't go where I think you are...
You fucker, it's the other way around!!!!
Oh the biphobia *sadface*
Alrighty then.
Poor little baby
Go Mom!! That asshole!!
D'awwww baby!
Poor Nelson. I getchu. I fell for that "just the tip" shit once.
Nicely done!
*gasp* shots fired!
Ugh weight watching & bulimia.
I didn't know they had morning after pills for HIV. (Or maybe just not referred to it that way?)
"I didn't have the self-esteem to practice safe sex."
HIV+ character
Once is enough, that's all it takes.
Q&A time.
Yay!
Nooooooooo. Do it!!
Breeders! lol!
"I don't suck anything that small."
Our kitty fetches too.
"Well, you've got one." YESSSSSSS!!!!!
FU! Hope he dies.
And people joke about U-haul lesbians lol.
Friendship break up.
Smart. Sweet.
He always has to fake himself out.
Good, firm, solid ending. Me likey.

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  • 17 June, 2018: Reviewed
  • Started reading
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  • 17 June, 2018: Reviewed