What do you think?
Rate this book
StreamLine
Seventeen-year-old Diana hasn’t left her home in at least a month, but she has the whole online world at her fingertips. Waking up each day at sunset, she logs into the vast world of Garlandía, an online massive multiplayer role-playing game. Offline, she’s labeled as autistic and treated like a freak. Online, she’s Lune, an up-and-coming video game streamer with a small but steady fanbase. As Lune, Diana can access adventure, admiration, and a future career as a pro-gamer. All she needs is to hit the milestone of one thousand subscribers on StreamLine, and she’ll be well on her way.
When Lune crosses paths with the legendary girl gamer Nocht, she may have found the key that will boost her to the upper echelon of streamers. But as Nocht begins to unravel all Lune thought she knew about gaming, friendship, and love, Diana must find the courage to risk building her dreams offline, too.
When Lune crosses paths with the legendary girl gamer Nocht, she may have found the key that will boost her to the upper echelon of streamers. But as Nocht begins to unravel all Lune thought she knew about gaming, friendship, and love, Diana must find the courage to risk building her dreams offline, too.
235 pages, Paperback
Published July 9, 2024
2 people are currently reading
4036 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Melissa Ellzey
3 books95 followersLauren Melissa Ellzey (she/her), also known as Autienelle, is an autistic self-advocate and author of three young adult novels, BOY AT THE WINDOW, STREAMLINE, and GIMMICKS AND GLAMOUR, which explore belonging for queer, neurodivergent youth of color. Her advocacy work has crossed paths with New York University, Reframing Autism, Cripple Media, AbleZine, NeuroClastic, and the United Nations. She holds an MS in Library and Information Science and resides in New York City.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 21, 2024
Diana is a 17 year old young woman who has felt out of place pretty much her whole life. Often bullied and ridiculed, she took summer classes just to escape a year early from High School. Now she is determined to make a career in social media and pro gaming. But to her mother, it just appears like Diana is stuck in a rut of sleeping by day and being up all night, wiling away time on the computer. But Diana is determined to carve a life for herself that will bring her fulfillment regardless of what the world expects of her.
How many good things can I say about this book? First, Lune, as she prefers to be called, is such a beautiful spirit. She’s only been recently diagnosed with autism. But rather than feeling like it hinders her, it gives a name to her experiences of stimming, meltdowns, and difficulty in social interactions, an over all self awareness that nudges her to make adjustments but to also give herself grace.
The author also incorporates fantasy and action into the book. When Lune and her friends go on gaming missions, the battles, the journeys, the world building are fantastic and engaging. There’s even some tension. I was genuinely hooked into those online interactions. Lune’s most important people are her mother and her online crush, Nocht. Lune identifies as a lesbian and it’s just point on how the author navigates Lune’s first ever romantic connection in real life. How the relationship between Lune and her mother evolves is also of special note.
The writing is seamless, easing from one world to the other. The supporting characters pop. I felt like laughing. I felt like crying. I gushed. Read this book if you like YA, gaming, fantasy, neurodivergent characters, queer young romance, bipoc Mains (Lune is biracial and Nocht is Puerto Rican), and excellent writing.
How many good things can I say about this book? First, Lune, as she prefers to be called, is such a beautiful spirit. She’s only been recently diagnosed with autism. But rather than feeling like it hinders her, it gives a name to her experiences of stimming, meltdowns, and difficulty in social interactions, an over all self awareness that nudges her to make adjustments but to also give herself grace.
The author also incorporates fantasy and action into the book. When Lune and her friends go on gaming missions, the battles, the journeys, the world building are fantastic and engaging. There’s even some tension. I was genuinely hooked into those online interactions. Lune’s most important people are her mother and her online crush, Nocht. Lune identifies as a lesbian and it’s just point on how the author navigates Lune’s first ever romantic connection in real life. How the relationship between Lune and her mother evolves is also of special note.
The writing is seamless, easing from one world to the other. The supporting characters pop. I felt like laughing. I felt like crying. I gushed. Read this book if you like YA, gaming, fantasy, neurodivergent characters, queer young romance, bipoc Mains (Lune is biracial and Nocht is Puerto Rican), and excellent writing.
September 4, 2024
Such a special story
Diana has an online life as Lune, and hopes to be a successful gaming streamer one day so she can prove to her mother it is a career. She feels safe and can be someone different to who she is in the real world where she feels out of place as an autistic person. With a small fan base already supporting her dreams, Lune gets an even luckier break when she gets a chance to be friends and get closer to legendary player, Nocht, than anyone else.
This was one of those stories that is an unexpected rare gem that you take a chance on and just end up totally loving. I loved the representation of someone younger, Diana is seventeen, trying to navigate the world with autism, being a lesbian, and her feelings for Nocht, even though her initial crush is just on Nocht’s avatar. Then what was lovely, was how once Lune and Nocht became friends, and feelings on both sides became involved there was even further queer representation as they learned about each other’s identities.
Lauren has created this amazing world with the gaming in Garlandía, and then this amazing real world where it felt as if it was all Lune’s and Nocht’s for the taking. It was amazing and so immersive, such a thought-provoking story, and I really don’t think me review does it the justice it deserves. This was very much about a relationship between two very unique but totally awesome people, who had the power to bring a sense of healing into one another’s live by just showing understanding and care, being kind and accepting, and just loving one another for who they really are.
The story made me empathise with both Nocht and Lune, but also smile, laugh, cry, feel happy, angry, there was just so much, and Lauren took care exploring some situations that were very sensitive but unfortunately a reality in an online world. I admired both Lune and Nocht, loved their friendship and blossoming relationship, and hope we’ll get to catch up with them again one day. Such an awesome read that I am already excited to read again.
Diana has an online life as Lune, and hopes to be a successful gaming streamer one day so she can prove to her mother it is a career. She feels safe and can be someone different to who she is in the real world where she feels out of place as an autistic person. With a small fan base already supporting her dreams, Lune gets an even luckier break when she gets a chance to be friends and get closer to legendary player, Nocht, than anyone else.
This was one of those stories that is an unexpected rare gem that you take a chance on and just end up totally loving. I loved the representation of someone younger, Diana is seventeen, trying to navigate the world with autism, being a lesbian, and her feelings for Nocht, even though her initial crush is just on Nocht’s avatar. Then what was lovely, was how once Lune and Nocht became friends, and feelings on both sides became involved there was even further queer representation as they learned about each other’s identities.
Lauren has created this amazing world with the gaming in Garlandía, and then this amazing real world where it felt as if it was all Lune’s and Nocht’s for the taking. It was amazing and so immersive, such a thought-provoking story, and I really don’t think me review does it the justice it deserves. This was very much about a relationship between two very unique but totally awesome people, who had the power to bring a sense of healing into one another’s live by just showing understanding and care, being kind and accepting, and just loving one another for who they really are.
The story made me empathise with both Nocht and Lune, but also smile, laugh, cry, feel happy, angry, there was just so much, and Lauren took care exploring some situations that were very sensitive but unfortunately a reality in an online world. I admired both Lune and Nocht, loved their friendship and blossoming relationship, and hope we’ll get to catch up with them again one day. Such an awesome read that I am already excited to read again.
July 9, 2024
StreamLine masterfully blends elements of fantasy, romance, and coming-of-age tropes into a story of love and self-actualization, though there are moments that exist at the heart of this story that transcend genre — how a parent learns to actively listen to their child in more meaningful ways, the particularities of moving through everyday life with autism, how a young person expands their own notions of gender identity because of their crush on a fellow gamer. There’s a tenderness and empathy shown to the small but vital steps we take toward being who we truly are, despite the world, an unwavering belief in possibility that could benefit any reader.
The story is told through the eyes of Lune, a young gamer who feels like an outsider because of her autism. We journey along with her as she makes a community for herself while navigating a world full of expectations and societal norms. Garlandia becomes more than a game — its a place to shed such limitations, replete with its own mythology and lore, a setting we become as familiar with as Lune’s apartment, vibrant and populated as her neighborhood in Queens. We get the perspective of a gamer who livestreams, a world within itself — full of its own joy, camaraderie, politics, and occasional messiness. The author captures the social dynamics and relationships that feel familiar to anyone who knows of or participated in various online communities, from the countless message boards that flooded the internet in the early-aughts, to the Discord servers and Twitch chat rooms of today.
The beauty is in what Lune takes from the game, the parts that bleed into her everyday life in compelling ways that upend the reader’s own expectations. She often has to remind her mom that she does have friends, that meeting and spending time with them online doesn’t make it less real. The idea of creating an avatar as an extension of the player, familiar to most gamers of us who’ve played a Wii or the most advanced MMORPG, turns into a fascinating discussion of how we see ourselves versus the possibility of who we can be. The masks we wear sometimes aren’t masks at all; the face we bare to the world isn’t always who we are or how we see ourselves.
The story is told through the eyes of Lune, a young gamer who feels like an outsider because of her autism. We journey along with her as she makes a community for herself while navigating a world full of expectations and societal norms. Garlandia becomes more than a game — its a place to shed such limitations, replete with its own mythology and lore, a setting we become as familiar with as Lune’s apartment, vibrant and populated as her neighborhood in Queens. We get the perspective of a gamer who livestreams, a world within itself — full of its own joy, camaraderie, politics, and occasional messiness. The author captures the social dynamics and relationships that feel familiar to anyone who knows of or participated in various online communities, from the countless message boards that flooded the internet in the early-aughts, to the Discord servers and Twitch chat rooms of today.
The beauty is in what Lune takes from the game, the parts that bleed into her everyday life in compelling ways that upend the reader’s own expectations. She often has to remind her mom that she does have friends, that meeting and spending time with them online doesn’t make it less real. The idea of creating an avatar as an extension of the player, familiar to most gamers of us who’ve played a Wii or the most advanced MMORPG, turns into a fascinating discussion of how we see ourselves versus the possibility of who we can be. The masks we wear sometimes aren’t masks at all; the face we bare to the world isn’t always who we are or how we see ourselves.
August 16, 2024
I was granted access to an ARC in exchange for a review
4.5 Stars rounded up
From the get go we are starting out really well. As someone on the autism spectrum Lune's actions and thoughts were very relatable. From having a set routine that she doesn't want to deviate from to avoiding her mother because she just... does not understand.
I especially liked the scene in the post office because it's something everyone has done before and it shows how different it can be for someone neurodivergent to accomplish simple tasks that seem so easy to most people.
The gaming and streaming aspects aren't super realistic but that works much better for the written medium. And it still feels relatable to someone who is an avid gamer and involved in streaming spaces. Especially the dehumanizing way streamers are treated is brought across really well.
The way the plot and the characters play together in the later half of the book is very well done. Nocht and Lune are very believable and sympathetic characters. Their struggles are written so well and I was sitting on the edge of my seat hoping the best for them.
All of that was neatly packaged by a satisfying and sweet ending. While there are up and downs over the course of the book the best way to describe it would be like drinking some hot chocolate on a cold winter day. Just pure comfort and you can't help but root for a happy ending for everyone.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a shorter, sweet romance that explores queer identities and neurodivergent perspectives in a respectful, empathetic and charming way.
4.5 Stars rounded up
From the get go we are starting out really well. As someone on the autism spectrum Lune's actions and thoughts were very relatable. From having a set routine that she doesn't want to deviate from to avoiding her mother because she just... does not understand.
I especially liked the scene in the post office because it's something everyone has done before and it shows how different it can be for someone neurodivergent to accomplish simple tasks that seem so easy to most people.
The gaming and streaming aspects aren't super realistic but that works much better for the written medium. And it still feels relatable to someone who is an avid gamer and involved in streaming spaces. Especially the dehumanizing way streamers are treated is brought across really well.
The way the plot and the characters play together in the later half of the book is very well done. Nocht and Lune are very believable and sympathetic characters. Their struggles are written so well and I was sitting on the edge of my seat hoping the best for them.
All of that was neatly packaged by a satisfying and sweet ending. While there are up and downs over the course of the book the best way to describe it would be like drinking some hot chocolate on a cold winter day. Just pure comfort and you can't help but root for a happy ending for everyone.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a shorter, sweet romance that explores queer identities and neurodivergent perspectives in a respectful, empathetic and charming way.
July 6, 2024
This book centres around a queer, neurodivergent teenager, recently graduated from high school, who is hoping to pursue a gaming career.
I have to say, the author does an absolutely brilliant job of portraying an autistic, queer, gamer main character! Firstly, the pacing is good from the get go. I have not read a book which focuses so heavily on the daily life of a serious gamer but this was done extremely well. The descriptions of in-game adventure feels like a fantasy novel, but without becoming too lost within this. All of these elements had bigger meanings which were often character-driven and impactful for the story itself.
Diana, or Lune, is a wonderful and lovable main character. She is autistic and highly masking. Her struggles and thoughts are very relatable to me and I feel that this neurodivergent portrayal was well written and is fantastic representation.
Without giving any specific storyline spoilers, there is another significant character in this novel who is a trans woman, and the portrayal of her character is also well written, in my opinion.
This is a heartwarming story, with diverse and well-developed characters, and is the perfect story for anyone who enjoys gaming, queer storylines, or just wants to diversify their reading and branch out. I have never read a book quite like this, in the best of ways!
I received an advance reader copy of this book, which in no way affects my review. This review is voluntary.
I have to say, the author does an absolutely brilliant job of portraying an autistic, queer, gamer main character! Firstly, the pacing is good from the get go. I have not read a book which focuses so heavily on the daily life of a serious gamer but this was done extremely well. The descriptions of in-game adventure feels like a fantasy novel, but without becoming too lost within this. All of these elements had bigger meanings which were often character-driven and impactful for the story itself.
Diana, or Lune, is a wonderful and lovable main character. She is autistic and highly masking. Her struggles and thoughts are very relatable to me and I feel that this neurodivergent portrayal was well written and is fantastic representation.
Without giving any specific storyline spoilers, there is another significant character in this novel who is a trans woman, and the portrayal of her character is also well written, in my opinion.
This is a heartwarming story, with diverse and well-developed characters, and is the perfect story for anyone who enjoys gaming, queer storylines, or just wants to diversify their reading and branch out. I have never read a book quite like this, in the best of ways!
I received an advance reader copy of this book, which in no way affects my review. This review is voluntary.
June 22, 2024
Thank you to Bold Strokes Books and Netgalley for the ARC.
This isn't going to be in my usual format. I'm going to start with the things I liked about the book. First, the MC is a half Black, autistic lesbian. And we know that from the beginning because it is explicitly stated, nothing is implied. I also felt like the autistic representation was fairly authentic. It didn't feel fake or forced. Getting to watch Diana/Lune begin to repair her relationship with her mother was great, and pretty emotional. Loved it.
Things I did not like about the book. From the moment we meet Nocht until Nocht comes out to Diana/Lune, so for over a third of the book, was extremely uncomfortable for me to read. Multiple times up until this point the MC has stated explicitly that she is a lesbian. But then we are teased with her suddenly developing feelings for a boy. It made no sense and like I said, made me uncomfortable. Despite her stating this to Nocht multiple times, Nocht still kisses Lune. She consents, but it doesn't make sense for her to, and Nocht is technically violating her boundaries by initiating anything at this point. There is a meme/mythos online about lesbians being able to subconsciously detect trans girls, sometimes before their egg even hatches. This book leans heavily into that, and I didn't like it. Especially not coming from Diana/Lune who openly struggles with reading "ordinary" social interactions. She is not going to be the lesbian who detects the subtle hints that Nocht is in fact a girl. So her growing attraction to him felt unnatural and left me feeling apprehensive and a little gross until Nocht finally comes out. I wanted to DNF this book around the one third mark, but I had to see for myself how badly this was going to derail the story. I'm not sure that Nocht being trans all along is that much better than the idea that Diana had just finally met "the right man." Which was equally as likely from the reader's perspective.
This isn't going to be in my usual format. I'm going to start with the things I liked about the book. First, the MC is a half Black, autistic lesbian. And we know that from the beginning because it is explicitly stated, nothing is implied. I also felt like the autistic representation was fairly authentic. It didn't feel fake or forced. Getting to watch Diana/Lune begin to repair her relationship with her mother was great, and pretty emotional. Loved it.
Things I did not like about the book. From the moment we meet Nocht until Nocht comes out to Diana/Lune, so for over a third of the book, was extremely uncomfortable for me to read. Multiple times up until this point the MC has stated explicitly that she is a lesbian. But then we are teased with her suddenly developing feelings for a boy. It made no sense and like I said, made me uncomfortable. Despite her stating this to Nocht multiple times, Nocht still kisses Lune. She consents, but it doesn't make sense for her to, and Nocht is technically violating her boundaries by initiating anything at this point. There is a meme/mythos online about lesbians being able to subconsciously detect trans girls, sometimes before their egg even hatches. This book leans heavily into that, and I didn't like it. Especially not coming from Diana/Lune who openly struggles with reading "ordinary" social interactions. She is not going to be the lesbian who detects the subtle hints that Nocht is in fact a girl. So her growing attraction to him felt unnatural and left me feeling apprehensive and a little gross until Nocht finally comes out. I wanted to DNF this book around the one third mark, but I had to see for myself how badly this was going to derail the story. I'm not sure that Nocht being trans all along is that much better than the idea that Diana had just finally met "the right man." Which was equally as likely from the reader's perspective.
Read
April 16, 2025I really appreciated how unique this story was—it was unlike anything I’ve read before. I especially loved how seamlessly the game was interwoven with Diana’s personal journey. The thoughtful autism representation stood out; the author did an incredible job developing Diana’s thought process and showing how she experienced the world both online and offline.
Bullying and trolling were tackled in a creative yet authentic way, delivering a meaningful message without feeling forced. The writing style was another highlight—relatable, approachable, and well-suited for a young adult audience.
The exploration of friendship and romance was beautifully done, especially as Nocht navigated her sexuality. The story as a whole was nontraditional and well-rounded, capturing many of the truths that define everyday teen life.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was fun, unique, and thoughtfully constructed. Each character contributed to Lune’s storyline without feeling like a distraction, and I appreciated how the author balanced the different narrative threads. I was so hooked, I even found myself hesitating to take bathroom breaks—I didn’t want to put it down!
The message at the heart of the book, especially as addressed in the author's note, about the realities and significance of digital friendships, felt incredibly timely and relevant for today’s young readers.
Bullying and trolling were tackled in a creative yet authentic way, delivering a meaningful message without feeling forced. The writing style was another highlight—relatable, approachable, and well-suited for a young adult audience.
The exploration of friendship and romance was beautifully done, especially as Nocht navigated her sexuality. The story as a whole was nontraditional and well-rounded, capturing many of the truths that define everyday teen life.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was fun, unique, and thoughtfully constructed. Each character contributed to Lune’s storyline without feeling like a distraction, and I appreciated how the author balanced the different narrative threads. I was so hooked, I even found myself hesitating to take bathroom breaks—I didn’t want to put it down!
The message at the heart of the book, especially as addressed in the author's note, about the realities and significance of digital friendships, felt incredibly timely and relevant for today’s young readers.
July 9, 2024
I wish I had Ellzey’s books when I was younger, because I think I would have found much validation and affirmation in them. As a late-diagnosed autistic individual, I didn’t read a single book growing up where I felt like I could relate to the protagonist. Ellzey’s Streamline paints a relatable picture of what day-to-day life is like for someone with “high functioning” autism, and I found that it is one of the only books where I could actually see myself in the character. While Diana (the protagonist) is right in saying no one can explain what “high functioning” means (page 41), I found immense comfort in seeing many of my own quirks and struggles play out through her character (for example: the intense overwhelm of taking a package to the post office, the tendency to stick with eating “safe” foods, navigating all the societal norms that don’t feel normal to you, and even stimming).
Along with the neurodivergent themes, Ellzey immerses you in a gaming world, and though I am not a gamer myself, I felt completely drawn in and enraptured by the world she created. The twist in the plot is very skillfully done where you are almost expecting it, so you feel that page-turning anticipation and yet still have a shock factor afterwards.
The novel is fast-paced, which I like, and still provides time for small important details that help you grow and understand the characters. It has all the ingredients of a coming-of-age story that both tugs at your heartstrings but leaves you feeling good. The acceptance and chemistry that Nocht and Lune have between each other both within gaming and outside of gaming is definitely one of my favorite parts, and I thought it was built up so well. I highly recommend Streamline to any queer, autistic, or gaming readers. Even if you don’t fit one of those categories though, you’ll still enjoy reading the book.
Along with the neurodivergent themes, Ellzey immerses you in a gaming world, and though I am not a gamer myself, I felt completely drawn in and enraptured by the world she created. The twist in the plot is very skillfully done where you are almost expecting it, so you feel that page-turning anticipation and yet still have a shock factor afterwards.
The novel is fast-paced, which I like, and still provides time for small important details that help you grow and understand the characters. It has all the ingredients of a coming-of-age story that both tugs at your heartstrings but leaves you feeling good. The acceptance and chemistry that Nocht and Lune have between each other both within gaming and outside of gaming is definitely one of my favorite parts, and I thought it was built up so well. I highly recommend Streamline to any queer, autistic, or gaming readers. Even if you don’t fit one of those categories though, you’ll still enjoy reading the book.
July 23, 2024
I really loved this book.
It's a quiet, character-focused story about a queer, autistic girl finding her own way through the world by developing her career as a gamer.
As both a gamer and queer autistic person, I related so hard to Lune and there were moments in this book I found profoundly moving because I've so rarely encountered such authentic portrayals of the autistic experience in the novels I've read.
I also loved the time spent in the gaming world, Garlandia. While I know this might not appeal to everyone, I think readers who are also into MMORPGs or fantasy gaming in general, will appreciate this second layer to the narrative as Lune finds herself both online and in real life.
One thing that did mildly bug me though was that Lune repeatedly states she's a lesbian and
I look forward to reading more by this author.
It's a quiet, character-focused story about a queer, autistic girl finding her own way through the world by developing her career as a gamer.
As both a gamer and queer autistic person, I related so hard to Lune and there were moments in this book I found profoundly moving because I've so rarely encountered such authentic portrayals of the autistic experience in the novels I've read.
I also loved the time spent in the gaming world, Garlandia. While I know this might not appeal to everyone, I think readers who are also into MMORPGs or fantasy gaming in general, will appreciate this second layer to the narrative as Lune finds herself both online and in real life.
One thing that did mildly bug me though was that Lune repeatedly states she's a lesbian and
I look forward to reading more by this author.
July 14, 2024
⭐ 4.75
"When I’m in the online world, everything is okay. I hate it offline."
This book is wonderful!
It’s always so cool for me to see characters go through similar things that I do because that means I’m not alone. I can really relate to Lune because all of my friends are online as well, and it always feels so much easier than trying to make friends in person.
One thing I couldn’t quite wrap my head around was the “StreamLine” platform. I’m very active on Twitch, so having this whole new platform felt foreign. Mainly getting caught up on the monetization of it & the mindset Lune has of streamer interactions catches me off guard (Lune & Taurus become “equals” and that automatically means Taurus should sub to Lune because Lune subs to Taurus), but these are relatively small issues in the grand scheme of the story.
I love to see queer NDs win!
I received an advanced review e-copy of this book.
"When I’m in the online world, everything is okay. I hate it offline."
This book is wonderful!
It’s always so cool for me to see characters go through similar things that I do because that means I’m not alone. I can really relate to Lune because all of my friends are online as well, and it always feels so much easier than trying to make friends in person.
One thing I couldn’t quite wrap my head around was the “StreamLine” platform. I’m very active on Twitch, so having this whole new platform felt foreign. Mainly getting caught up on the monetization of it & the mindset Lune has of streamer interactions catches me off guard (Lune & Taurus become “equals” and that automatically means Taurus should sub to Lune because Lune subs to Taurus), but these are relatively small issues in the grand scheme of the story.
I love to see queer NDs win!
I received an advanced review e-copy of this book.
July 24, 2024
I’m ready to read more books with autistic voices! While I chose to read this book because I wanted perspective on both gaming and what it’s like to be an autistic teenager (and the author expertly delivers on this), I genuinely enjoyed the book. Lune/Diana reminded me of some of my students, and while I know that each autistic person’s experience is unique and worth learning about, aside from that, this is just GOOD young adult writing. I loved the imagery of the game/avatars, and that they mirrored the body language of the person playing. I liked that we really weren’t sure about the cyber bully’s identity for long enough to create that urgency to keep reading! Reminded me of Hank Green’s book “An absolutely remarkable thing”. By the way, I’m not at all surprised that an autistic woman is badass and can WRITE ✍🏾
June 28, 2024
This book is set within the world of game streamers. But covers so many more current issues for teens, YA and adults. Diana, or as she prefers, Lune, is high functioning (in some things) autistic. Ignored or ridiculed in school in real life; she is able to be someone different on line. As she presents her streams we see her struggle with her mum, friendships, anxiety, trolling, relationships, feelings for others and her questions about who she is. LBGTIQA themes run through the story as she becomes friends with Nocht on line and in real life. Because gaming on a computer behind an avatar is much easier than showing who you are face to face. Thank you to Bold Stroke Books, Inc and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
January 18, 2025
As a female gamer and an attempted streamer at one point in my life, I really appreciated the accuracy of everything. You can really tell that the author either streams or knows someone who streams because while most of the time when authors talk about streaming or YouTube, they just know vague details and it comes across as cringey but the author got everything right. The characters were extremely likable and the world building was great. Although we did spend a decent amount of time in the real world, the virtual world is where this book really shone. I felt like I was there playing the game or that I'd actually played the game before because it was so easy to envision. I highly recommend to any and every gamer.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for this eARC.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for this eARC.
June 24, 2024
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book did a great job capturing the realities of life as a gamer. The struggle to make parents understand the love of the game, and the rise and fall of online friendships and relationships is captured very well here. I also appreciated the detail and depth put into Lune's struggles with autism and Nocht's issues with her family. Overall, this is an intriguing realistic read that touches on struggles faced by many up and coming gamers and streamers in the modern day. 4.3/5 stars.
This book did a great job capturing the realities of life as a gamer. The struggle to make parents understand the love of the game, and the rise and fall of online friendships and relationships is captured very well here. I also appreciated the detail and depth put into Lune's struggles with autism and Nocht's issues with her family. Overall, this is an intriguing realistic read that touches on struggles faced by many up and coming gamers and streamers in the modern day. 4.3/5 stars.
June 19, 2024
I could not put this book down! Although I haven’t played any computer game in my life, I was easily drawn into the rich gaming world Lauren Melissa Ellzey created and found myself cheering for the main character, both online and offline. The LGBTQ+ community will see themselves in these characters and as a non-autistic person myself, I learned a lot about what autistic people can face daily. A gem of a novel and a must read!
January 8, 2025
A powerful and gripping read that illustrates the importance of authenticity, acceptance, allyship, friendship and community.
June 26, 2025
3.5. Well-written and true to the character’s voice. Not my usual read. I couldn’t relate to the MC at all, so it was interesting to see this new perspective, but in a way, too foreign for me to really sink into.
July 4, 2024
Thank you to Bold Strokes Publishing who gave me an advance copy of this book in exchange for a thoughtful review.
StreamLine is realistic fiction and the story is overall more character-driven, focusing on Lune’s interactions and conflicts with popular gaming streamer Nocht, her gaming friends, and her mom, and her personal growth over time. Nevertheless, the descriptions of gameplay added some action and adventure elements, which I wasn’t expecting based on the synopsis, but I still enjoyed reading them. I found this book to be a realistic portrayal of a high-masking autistic person and their experience, and it was satisfying to see Lune gradually expand her comfort zone and work out her relationships with others throughout the book.
I liked how many characters in the book were more complex than it seems at first glance, not just Lune. A major theme focuses on how people get pigeonholed and reduced to the assumptions other people place on them. Furthermore, people have the capacity to grow and change their attitude and behavior, although not everyone ultimately does. As an autistic person, Lune suffers from other people’s assumptions of who she is and who she should be, especially in the beginning of the book. At the same time, Lune’s perceptions of other characters are filtered through her assumptions, which are proven wrong multiple times in the novel. Several other characters evolve over time alongside Lune’s character arc.
The main issue that I had with this book is that sometimes, the pace felt too slow, and it felt like the story was dragging. This doesn’t apply to the whole book, and there were multiple parts where I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. However, it was noticeable enough in certain parts to me to take off 1 star.
If you like fiction with autistic or neurodivergent characters, character-driven stories, and/or coming-of-age stories, I’d recommend StreamLine.
StreamLine is realistic fiction and the story is overall more character-driven, focusing on Lune’s interactions and conflicts with popular gaming streamer Nocht, her gaming friends, and her mom, and her personal growth over time. Nevertheless, the descriptions of gameplay added some action and adventure elements, which I wasn’t expecting based on the synopsis, but I still enjoyed reading them. I found this book to be a realistic portrayal of a high-masking autistic person and their experience, and it was satisfying to see Lune gradually expand her comfort zone and work out her relationships with others throughout the book.
I liked how many characters in the book were more complex than it seems at first glance, not just Lune. A major theme focuses on how people get pigeonholed and reduced to the assumptions other people place on them. Furthermore, people have the capacity to grow and change their attitude and behavior, although not everyone ultimately does. As an autistic person, Lune suffers from other people’s assumptions of who she is and who she should be, especially in the beginning of the book. At the same time, Lune’s perceptions of other characters are filtered through her assumptions, which are proven wrong multiple times in the novel. Several other characters evolve over time alongside Lune’s character arc.
The main issue that I had with this book is that sometimes, the pace felt too slow, and it felt like the story was dragging. This doesn’t apply to the whole book, and there were multiple parts where I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. However, it was noticeable enough in certain parts to me to take off 1 star.
If you like fiction with autistic or neurodivergent characters, character-driven stories, and/or coming-of-age stories, I’d recommend StreamLine.
July 12, 2024
I received an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for my review.
I liked bits of this book but tired of others. It was a cute romance, though I'll admit it was because I 100% assumed the whole time that this was a romance with a trans lesbian. The warmth and good feelings from the later parts definitely made that part the highlight of the book, but the build-up was disappointing in comparison.
I really liked the way autism was written about in this book - it was easily the strongest part of the way the story was conveyed. I also really liked the importance of friendships and family relationships alongside the romance aspects.
However, the rest of the book was lacking in several aspects. The editing especially could have done with some work - there were a handful of continuity errors that occasionally pulled me out of the story when I noticed them, and I sometimes lost the thread of what was going on. I also didn't quite click with the actual MMORPG setting or the rules of the streaming platform, though especially the former - there were parts that felt a little like the author had adapted prose from other writing from the perspective of a character within the game's setting rather than it being about playing a video game, and that didn't work for me.
Overall, while I wish a greater portion of the novel was more openly featuring a trans woman, this was a pretty cute read. Not super my thing, but it might work better for fans of gaming-based romances.
I liked bits of this book but tired of others. It was a cute romance, though I'll admit it was because I 100% assumed the whole time that this was a romance with a trans lesbian. The warmth and good feelings from the later parts definitely made that part the highlight of the book, but the build-up was disappointing in comparison.
I really liked the way autism was written about in this book - it was easily the strongest part of the way the story was conveyed. I also really liked the importance of friendships and family relationships alongside the romance aspects.
However, the rest of the book was lacking in several aspects. The editing especially could have done with some work - there were a handful of continuity errors that occasionally pulled me out of the story when I noticed them, and I sometimes lost the thread of what was going on. I also didn't quite click with the actual MMORPG setting or the rules of the streaming platform, though especially the former - there were parts that felt a little like the author had adapted prose from other writing from the perspective of a character within the game's setting rather than it being about playing a video game, and that didn't work for me.
Overall, while I wish a greater portion of the novel was more openly featuring a trans woman, this was a pretty cute read. Not super my thing, but it might work better for fans of gaming-based romances.
June 22, 2024
4.25 stars
Diana (a.k.a. Lune) is a gaming streamer, and she's pretty good at it. Autistic, queer, and Black, she constantly feels like she's not enough for her offline life, but, online, that's where she shines. When she gets the chance to collaborate with Nocht, one of the best players in the game, Lune could get a bump in viewers and subscribers, but also a real relationship.
This book is an ode to autistic, queer gamers, and I love that as a queer, autistic gamer myself. I love the way Lune is able to repair her relationship with her mother, how she recognizes that she's not as alone as she initially feels, and that she can expand her worldview while spending time online. A third of the way through, I felt like I was being catfished. Sexuality is complex, of course, but it felt very much like the story was leaning into "lesbians just have to find the right guy," and that made me really uncomfortable. That said, I completely understand why Nocht wasn't willing to come out at first, and once she did, I felt a lot better about things.
If you love gaming novels and neurodivergent queer characters, give this one a go. I'd read another by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.
Diana (a.k.a. Lune) is a gaming streamer, and she's pretty good at it. Autistic, queer, and Black, she constantly feels like she's not enough for her offline life, but, online, that's where she shines. When she gets the chance to collaborate with Nocht, one of the best players in the game, Lune could get a bump in viewers and subscribers, but also a real relationship.
This book is an ode to autistic, queer gamers, and I love that as a queer, autistic gamer myself. I love the way Lune is able to repair her relationship with her mother, how she recognizes that she's not as alone as she initially feels, and that she can expand her worldview while spending time online. A third of the way through, I felt like I was being catfished. Sexuality is complex, of course, but it felt very much like the story was leaning into "lesbians just have to find the right guy," and that made me really uncomfortable. That said, I completely understand why Nocht wasn't willing to come out at first, and once she did, I felt a lot better about things.
If you love gaming novels and neurodivergent queer characters, give this one a go. I'd read another by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.
August 18, 2024
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It’s been such a long time since I’ve read a book in a day, but this one did it for me. This book does a few good things from the get-go including amazing autism representation which I felt so seen by, the way in which she holes up in her room to game. Lune’s struggle with her mother and understanding her for who she is, not who she wants her to be, spoke to me.
The gaming/streaming aspect was a bit harder for me to grasp, as I don’t know what streaming is like. It’s cute that Lune got together with Nocht, but I can’t really see that happening in real life as she’s an up and coming streamer, while Nocht is the most popular one. If anything, I could’ve seen a potential romance with possibly Taurus, if she was queer. Besides all that, I did enjoy the aspect of Nocht exploring her gender behind closed doors. The relationship was sweet between Lune and Nocht.
All in all, this is a good book for those looking for a book about an autistic lesbian main character that is really into gaming and has a difficult relationship with her parent that gets repaired.
It’s been such a long time since I’ve read a book in a day, but this one did it for me. This book does a few good things from the get-go including amazing autism representation which I felt so seen by, the way in which she holes up in her room to game. Lune’s struggle with her mother and understanding her for who she is, not who she wants her to be, spoke to me.
The gaming/streaming aspect was a bit harder for me to grasp, as I don’t know what streaming is like. It’s cute that Lune got together with Nocht, but I can’t really see that happening in real life as she’s an up and coming streamer, while Nocht is the most popular one. If anything, I could’ve seen a potential romance with possibly Taurus, if she was queer. Besides all that, I did enjoy the aspect of Nocht exploring her gender behind closed doors. The relationship was sweet between Lune and Nocht.
All in all, this is a good book for those looking for a book about an autistic lesbian main character that is really into gaming and has a difficult relationship with her parent that gets repaired.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2024
As an adult reader, this is a 3 but for its intended young adult audience, I think it's a 4. I received a free copy of this ebook for review from Netgalley.
StreamLine follows Diana, a young, gay, Autistic kid who feels out of place in the real world and feels so much more at home when in her online community of Garlandia. She uses the online world to come into and grow confidence in her own strengths and persona as Lune. She begins streaming to fans and attempting to make a career of her passion when she meets the most renowned Garlandia player, Nocht. This kicks off a new relationship and the reader watches how this impacts Lune, Nocht and Lune's existing friends. The author includes neurodivergence, online trolls, and how they are dealt with as well as the emergence jealousy and romantic relationships that can be complicated by sexuality and gender. I think this book will make some young people out there feel super seen and understood. I am glad it's going to be in the world
StreamLine follows Diana, a young, gay, Autistic kid who feels out of place in the real world and feels so much more at home when in her online community of Garlandia. She uses the online world to come into and grow confidence in her own strengths and persona as Lune. She begins streaming to fans and attempting to make a career of her passion when she meets the most renowned Garlandia player, Nocht. This kicks off a new relationship and the reader watches how this impacts Lune, Nocht and Lune's existing friends. The author includes neurodivergence, online trolls, and how they are dealt with as well as the emergence jealousy and romantic relationships that can be complicated by sexuality and gender. I think this book will make some young people out there feel super seen and understood. I am glad it's going to be in the world
July 2, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Stroke Books for a copy of this ARC. All thoughts are my own.
17 year old Diana has finished school, and has built a life around her routine - wake up in the evening, get ready, and play Garlandia. There, she streams as Lune, where she can be who she wants in this fantasy world. When she meets the legendary gamer Nocht, everything she has built starts to change both online and IRL.
With an autistic main character, I found this story extremely relatable. The descriptions of sensory overwhelm and joy took me deep into Diana's world. It was also very reminiscent of a time when I built friendships and community through online gaming. Throughout the book I felt anxiety and stress and hope.
I truly loved the experience of reading this novel. Lauren Melissa Ellzey has made a wonderful story that I definitely recommend.
Also, it has left me with an extremely strong compulsion to find an RPG to play.
17 year old Diana has finished school, and has built a life around her routine - wake up in the evening, get ready, and play Garlandia. There, she streams as Lune, where she can be who she wants in this fantasy world. When she meets the legendary gamer Nocht, everything she has built starts to change both online and IRL.
With an autistic main character, I found this story extremely relatable. The descriptions of sensory overwhelm and joy took me deep into Diana's world. It was also very reminiscent of a time when I built friendships and community through online gaming. Throughout the book I felt anxiety and stress and hope.
I truly loved the experience of reading this novel. Lauren Melissa Ellzey has made a wonderful story that I definitely recommend.
Also, it has left me with an extremely strong compulsion to find an RPG to play.
July 5, 2024
As someone who enjoys video games and previously used to stream, I thoroughly enjoyed the worldbuilding in StreamLine and wished I could explore the virtual world of Garlandía in real life. Lune's journey toward self acceptance and forging her own unique path in a society that keeps pushing her to conform drew a lot of empathy from me, and I couldn't help but root for her. Not only is StreamLine an engaging read, it's a book full of sincerity and nuance, clearly written from the heart.
August 22, 2024
StreamLine is such a fun adventure to read! Not all autistic experiences are the same and this novel shows just one of them. The one thing I wanted more of was the actual gaming aspect of this novel. I know it was not the central focus but it was what captured my attention the most right away! I was concerned for a few pages there that this would not be a true LGBTQIA+ novel but do not fret if you begin to worry like me, the results are very satisfying!
July 11, 2024
I LOVED this book. Where do I begin? first I absolutely loved the representation in this book. The main character felt very relatable. The pacing was perfect and I love how this book explored relationships in real life as well as online. This was a very heartwarming and enjoyable read. Anyone who is a gamer or who is simply in the mood for a nice heartfelt book would enjoy this novel.
August 19, 2024
Diana, an autistic online gamer, plays alongside Wally, a trans girl. Since Wally's avatar is female, Diana believes Wally is a girl. The story delves into Diana's relationship with her mother and her own sexuality. The book's extensive online interaction adds a layer of intrigue. It comes recommended for readers fascinated by online gaming.
August 2, 2024
This was an awesome immersion in gamer lore. Everything you would want in a story that pulls you in and makes you want more. It's high stakes, well built world that was amazing to read. A great first read for this author. Would live to read more in this world.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews