Rating: 
Summary: Very Enjoyable Novel
Review: I read both Rainbow Boys, and Rainbow High in the space of two days. I think the highest praise I can give an author is at the end of a book when "I want more". And I wanted more. Hopefully Mr. Sanchez will continue on with the story's of these 3 guys.If how he presents being a gay teen in his novels is true, then times have changed for the better, but there is still much work to be done. One of the things that struck me as true was the different ways each of the three boys were treated as they "came out". Nelson, who was always out, still has to bear the brunt of teasing and physical attacks. Even his understanding mother draws the line when he falls in love with an HIV+ guy. When Jason starts to come out, while he still has obstacles, he is treated with more respect because he is a star athlete. Kyle, while still an athlete, still has to endure the taunts and bullying and was surprised to find out that Jason got off so easy. I also liked the subtle treatment of homophobia in the novels. The contrast between how Jason's and Kyle's two coaches approached the situation was very well handled. One coach firmly supported Kyle, but also warned that there would be repercussions and went so far as to have an intervention with the team. Kyle's coach, on the other hand chose to ignore the problem and went so far as to blame Kyle for being the victim. "If he hadn't come out, this wouldn't be happening." etc. I also thought the physical interactions were handled well and not too graphic, which may have taken away something from the novel if they had been explicit. The author spent more time describing how electric hand holding and kissing were for the boys, than the actual sexual acts, which was suitable for a novel aimed at a younger audience.
Rating:
Summary: An OK sequel
Review: I really enjoyed the first book, Rainbow Boys, so when I heard there was going to be a follow up I was quite excited.
This book follows the continuing story of three boys in high school and how they handle their homosexuality and coming out.
While the book itself was a fast read and intersting, I read it in an afternoon, it seemed that there were too many perfect endings to the book. Everything seemed to work out just right. Again an interesting book, good writing, but not as good as the first book.
Rating: 
Summary: Another Winner from Alex
Review: I started this book two days ago, and finished it...two days ago. Another essential read for any gay teen, or anyone interested in the subject of gay youth. I'm particularly impressed by Mr. Sanchez's ability to write from alternating POVs. This book is another warm, quick, comforting read that is not to be missed.
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Book...Not just for teens!
Review: I started this book with some trepidation. First, this is a sequel, and I didn't have the benefit of reading its predecessor, Rainbow Boys. (Rest assured, the events from the previous novel are helpfully recapped in the beginning of this one) Secondly, I found this in the young adult/teen section of the bookstore. Don't worry, this funny, sarcastic, and sometimes touching book can be enjoyed just as easily by adults as teenagers.
Nelson, Kyle, and Jason are three gay teens navigating through the sometimes happy, sometimes overly maudlin, and always confusing world of high school. This novel opens on the boys' senior years at Walt Whitman High School. Nelson Glassman, the outrageously flamboyant school GSA advocate, is facing problems of his own. An impromptu internet tryst with a complete stranger without protection may have left him poz...HIV positive, that is.
Kyle Meeks is in the midst of a reluctant relationship with "megajock" Jason Carillo. Jason, out to only a select few, including his ex-girlfriend, is uncomfortable announcing to the whole world (or at least the entire school populace) that he has a boyfriend.
Also, the fact that it's their senior year, they may go their separate ways after graduation, a major case of collegiate confusion, and a whole host of catty and bitchy situations, is the perfect recipe for a truly fun read.
Teenagers will revel at the rebelliousness and free-spiritedness of the lead characters, and the steamy slow scenes, (PG-13 at the most) in good taste, never get *too* out of hand.
This, obviously, is not War and Peace, or The Diary of Anne Frank. It is, however, a fun read that will make a couple of days (or hours, depending on how voraciously you read) pass with more enjoyment.
The ending leaves plenty of room for another sequel, so expect one soon. Here's to Alex Sanchez and the continuing adventures of Nelson, Kyle, and Jason.
Rating: 
Summary: Way inferior to the first novel
Review: Rainbow Boys, the first book in this sequence is an absorbing read, full of organic conflict that arises naturally from the tense situations in which Kyle, Jason, and Nelson find themselves as they come out in high school. Highly relatable.
This sequel, on the other hand, feels forced. Most of the parents, teachers, and fellow adjust way too quickly to the news the guys are gay. And the obstacle/crisis pattern of the plot feels mechanical.
The weakest moment is definitely the opening chapter, in which a teacher supervising a Gay-Straight Alliance meeting asks the three guys to write an essay about being gay and Sanchez forces these three "essays" to provide all the backstory that went on in the first book.
So, in laughable language that's supposed to be teen colloquial, Nelson recounts the events of the last novel, over-explaining, referring to his best friends by their full names. The whole thing feels v. forced, like nothing Nelson would ever write.
Lots of good things about the book, but--since I'd had such a great time reading the first--it bummed me out.
You will have fun trying to determine if the "Jason" on this second cover is the same model as the "Jason" on the first book.I i still can't decide!
Rating: 
Summary: Hopefully connecting two better things...
Review: Rainbow High is of course the sequel to Rainbow Boys, with another book due sometime late in 2005. While Rainbow High is far from terrible, one can only hope that it will serve the purpose of setting the scene for better things to come.
Kyle and Jason's relationship, my favorite part of the first book, remains very sweet and not without drama, but it lacks the intensity it had in Rainbow Boys. (Oh, and for those who were wondering the specifics of their first time having sex, there are some more details.) Nelson, never the most mature of characters, has some truly stupid moments that make the reader wonder if experience has taught him anything. Some interpersonal relationships, particularly those between Jason and the rest of his basketball team, serve an important purpose but are given no time to develop symmpathetically.
Sanchez is at his best when portraying the uncertainty the characters face, and he does a good job of showing the various reactions and concerns of their families.
Once again, however, I can't help but get the feeling that he watches a lot of Queer as Folk; those familiar with the series will note several similarities.
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