What do you think?
Rate this book
Darius the Great #2
Darius the Great Deserves Better
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Young Adult Fiction (2020)In this companion to the award-winning Darius the Great Is Not Okay, Darius suddenly has it all: a boyfriend, an internship, a spot on the soccer team. It’s everything he’s ever wanted–but what if he deserves better?
Darius Kellner is having a bit of a year. Since his trip to Iran this past spring, a lot has changed. He’s getting along with his dad, and his best friend Sohrab is only a Skype call away. Between his first boyfriend, Landon, his varsity soccer practices, and his internship at his favorite tea shop, Darius is feeling pretty okay. Like he finally knows what it means to be Darius Kellner.
Then, of course, everything changes. Darius’s grandmothers are in town for a long visit while his dad is gone on business, and Darius isn’t sure whether they even like him. The internship isn’t what Darius thought it would be, and now he doesn’t know about turning tea into his career. He was sure he liked Landon, but when he starts hanging out with Chip–soccer teammate and best friend of Trent Bolger, epic bully–well, he’s just not so sure about Landon anymore, either.
Darius thought he knew exactly who he was and what he wanted, but maybe he was wrong. Maybe he deserves better.
Darius Kellner is having a bit of a year. Since his trip to Iran this past spring, a lot has changed. He’s getting along with his dad, and his best friend Sohrab is only a Skype call away. Between his first boyfriend, Landon, his varsity soccer practices, and his internship at his favorite tea shop, Darius is feeling pretty okay. Like he finally knows what it means to be Darius Kellner.
Then, of course, everything changes. Darius’s grandmothers are in town for a long visit while his dad is gone on business, and Darius isn’t sure whether they even like him. The internship isn’t what Darius thought it would be, and now he doesn’t know about turning tea into his career. He was sure he liked Landon, but when he starts hanging out with Chip–soccer teammate and best friend of Trent Bolger, epic bully–well, he’s just not so sure about Landon anymore, either.
Darius thought he knew exactly who he was and what he wanted, but maybe he was wrong. Maybe he deserves better.
342 pages, Hardcover
First published August 25, 2020
211 people are currently reading
17508 people want to read
About the author
Adib Khorram
12 books1,880 followersADIB KHORRAM is the author of DARIUS THE GREAT IS NOT OKAY, which earned the William C. Morris Debut Award, the Asian/Pacific American Award for Young Adult Literature, and a Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor, as well as a multitude of other honors and accolades. His followup, DARIUS THE GREAT DESERVES BETTER, received three starred reviews, was an Indie Bestseller, and received a Stonewall Honor. His debut picture book, SEVEN SPECIAL SOMETHINGS: A NOWRUZ STORY was released in 2021. When he isn’t writing, you can find him learning to do a Lutz jump, practicing his handstands, or steeping a cup of oolong. He lives in Kansas City, Missouri, where people don’t usually talk about themselves in the third person. You can find him on Twitter (@adibkhorram), Instagram (@adibkhorram), or on the web at adibkhorram.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,183 reviews
December 2, 2020
I’ve not cried this much since...well, since Darius the Great is not Okay
I just finished one of my most anticipated books of the year, the sequel to one of my all-time favourite books. And now I can breathe again. I was so scared. Writing a sequel to a beloved, special book is a frightening and difficult task but Adib pulled it off.
This book is set a few months after Darius' family's return from Iran, where they visited Darius' grandparents. Now that school has started again, Darius is part of the soccer team, grew several inches, got a haircut and a boyfriend. His name is Landon and they met at the tea shop that Darius is interning for. Things have changed but they're still the same. Darius has somehow become an ever bigger tea nerd, he's still the loving and protective older brother to Laleh, and he still struggles with depression and self-confidence.
This isn't a plot-driven book, so for the first few chapters I kept wondering what this was all about. And really, it's a coming of age novel. There are so many things on Darius' mind: his boyfriend wants to have sex but Darius isn't sure he's ready yet, his parents are overworked and struggling to keep the family afloat, his sister is having a hard time at school, his schoolmate Chip is really cute but Darius is in a relationship and anyway, Chip's best friend is a dick who keeps calling Darius homophobic slurs. Moreover, Darius grandpa in Iran is dying and Sohrab, Darius' best friend, keeps ignoring his Skype calls. And that's just the start of it.
There were a few things that I found middle irritating, like the constant mention of Darius' testicles. I mean, yeah, they were almost busted during soccer training but at one point I had simply heard enough about them. Then again, they're pubescent teenagers who spend a lot of time thinking about their genitals so I guess it's not entirely unrealistic. Also, Darius has his signature expressions like "Um" and "Yes. No. I don't know." I read this book in one sitting so I found them somewhat repetitive. And I wanted to see more of Sohrab. He's going through something major and I wanted to hear more about his circumstances (Yes, this is my way of saying I need a Sohrab spin-off novel). As you see, it's just minor stuff though - I'm nitpicking and don't have anything important to criticise.
Here is an (incomplete) list of things that I loved:
- Darius relationship with his father is very warm and loving which is balm for my heart after the hard time they had in the first book
- Darius' soccer teammates have his back and are super supportive when Darius introduces his boyfriend and shows up wearing nail polish. As someone who was bullied in school for being gay before I even knew I was gay, this broke my heart - in a good way. Men-only team sports are filled to the brim with toxic masculinity and thrive on homophobia, and to see Darius thrive in his circle of friends gave me hope.
- Sohrab!! While we don't get to see much of him, he's the most supportive best friend Darius could have.
- Darius' queer grandmas opening up to Darius about their past
- Darius using gender neutral pronouns for people whose gender identity he doesn't know
- Darius explaining that just because some has a queer best friend doesn't mean they can't be homophobic
- Laleh being Laleh
- the mental health representation
- the discussion of homophobia, racism, depression and body issues
I could go on. I also love how Adib Khorram manages to write novels that aren't super sad but still make me cry like a baby. I cannot explain what it is that makes me so emotional, it just does. I'm glad this book exists. And now that we've had a sequel, why not make it a trilogy? What will Darius decide on once he's finished high school? What happens with Chip? Will we see Sohrab? Are his grandmothers going to join him at the Pride parade? I need to know.
Thank you to PRH International for the eARC!
Find more of my books on Instagram
I just finished one of my most anticipated books of the year, the sequel to one of my all-time favourite books. And now I can breathe again. I was so scared. Writing a sequel to a beloved, special book is a frightening and difficult task but Adib pulled it off.
This book is set a few months after Darius' family's return from Iran, where they visited Darius' grandparents. Now that school has started again, Darius is part of the soccer team, grew several inches, got a haircut and a boyfriend. His name is Landon and they met at the tea shop that Darius is interning for. Things have changed but they're still the same. Darius has somehow become an ever bigger tea nerd, he's still the loving and protective older brother to Laleh, and he still struggles with depression and self-confidence.
This isn't a plot-driven book, so for the first few chapters I kept wondering what this was all about. And really, it's a coming of age novel. There are so many things on Darius' mind: his boyfriend wants to have sex but Darius isn't sure he's ready yet, his parents are overworked and struggling to keep the family afloat, his sister is having a hard time at school, his schoolmate Chip is really cute but Darius is in a relationship and anyway, Chip's best friend is a dick who keeps calling Darius homophobic slurs. Moreover, Darius grandpa in Iran is dying and Sohrab, Darius' best friend, keeps ignoring his Skype calls. And that's just the start of it.
There were a few things that I found middle irritating, like the constant mention of Darius' testicles. I mean, yeah, they were almost busted during soccer training but at one point I had simply heard enough about them. Then again, they're pubescent teenagers who spend a lot of time thinking about their genitals so I guess it's not entirely unrealistic. Also, Darius has his signature expressions like "Um" and "Yes. No. I don't know." I read this book in one sitting so I found them somewhat repetitive. And I wanted to see more of Sohrab. He's going through something major and I wanted to hear more about his circumstances (Yes, this is my way of saying I need a Sohrab spin-off novel). As you see, it's just minor stuff though - I'm nitpicking and don't have anything important to criticise.
Here is an (incomplete) list of things that I loved:
- Darius relationship with his father is very warm and loving which is balm for my heart after the hard time they had in the first book
- Darius' soccer teammates have his back and are super supportive when Darius introduces his boyfriend and shows up wearing nail polish. As someone who was bullied in school for being gay before I even knew I was gay, this broke my heart - in a good way. Men-only team sports are filled to the brim with toxic masculinity and thrive on homophobia, and to see Darius thrive in his circle of friends gave me hope.
- Sohrab!! While we don't get to see much of him, he's the most supportive best friend Darius could have.
- Darius' queer grandmas opening up to Darius about their past
- Darius using gender neutral pronouns for people whose gender identity he doesn't know
- Darius explaining that just because some has a queer best friend doesn't mean they can't be homophobic
- Laleh being Laleh
- the mental health representation
- the discussion of homophobia, racism, depression and body issues
I could go on. I also love how Adib Khorram manages to write novels that aren't super sad but still make me cry like a baby. I cannot explain what it is that makes me so emotional, it just does. I'm glad this book exists. And now that we've had a sequel, why not make it a trilogy? What will Darius decide on once he's finished high school? What happens with Chip? Will we see Sohrab? Are his grandmothers going to join him at the Pride parade? I need to know.
Thank you to PRH International for the eARC!
Find more of my books on Instagram
August 15, 2020
Wow I need a hug I loved this book SO MUCH. I have grown so attached to Darius and his entire family and I would love nothing more than to read book, after book, after book following them moving through life together. I wish I had something more profound to say other than just screaming "I REALLY, REALLY LOVE THIS BOOK AND YOU ALL NEED TO PRE-ORDER IT AND READ IT WHEN IT COMES OUT," but this book turned me into the best kind of happy/sad mush and that is all I can currently muster. I honestly think I loved this even more than the first book (
Darius the Great is Not Okay
), and I REALLY loved that book. This series is just great and if you haven't read it yet: YOU ABSOLUTELY NEED TO.
TW: death of a parent/loved one, depression, racism, homophobia, being pressured into sexual acts when you're not ready, coming out
TW: death of a parent/loved one, depression, racism, homophobia, being pressured into sexual acts when you're not ready, coming out
April 18, 2021
[pointing to Darius] that’s my emotional support soccer gay
—★—
Picking up a few months after the events of Darius the Great is Not Okay, this book follows Darius as he navigates relationships and friendships, with his boyfriend, old and new friends, and his grandmothers. The previous book, set in Iran, tackles Iranian identity, family, and depression, and while those themes are still present in Darius the Great Deserves Better, there are new challenges Darius has to face. Though I didn’t quite love this one as much as the first book, it was still such a solid sequel, written with the same heart that made me love Darius the Great is Not Okay.
I’ve loved these books because of Darius himself—I feel a sense of deep understanding with him and his experiences with sadness and depression. There are tiny things that he mentions doing or thinking throughout the book, and they aren’t given much attention to but I instantly recognized those things with myself too. There were some… weird moments Darius had that made me lose the connection sometimes, but overall, excluding those bits, I was able to relate to him and be comforted by him and his experiences like in the first book.
I enjoyed book one because of its focus on depression, family, friends, and personal growth, and I’m really happy that all of those didn’t take a backseat in this sequel. First of all, there was one scene with Darius’ grandmothers that really touched me and made me tear up. But in general, all the scenes of Darius and his family, especially with his sister, were my favorites. Seeing Darius want to take care of and protect Laleh from the racist microaggressions she faces at school hits so close to home for me as an older sibling to a younger sister as well. I also appreciated how we got to see his dad struggling with a depressive episode, because it was an excellent way to show that healing and recovery is never a linear journey and sometimes we get set back for some time before regaining our ground again.
Along with racism, the book also tackles homophobia and bullying. I thought Khorram made great commentary on the act of being a “bystander” in these situations—Darius is friends with someone who is also friends with Darius’ bully, and it’s clear that there is an issue with this person never calling the bully out and letting him continue to torment Darius.
My main problem was that I didn’t really care for the romance. I found Darius’ boyfriend to be bland and didn’t see much chemistry between them, especially since they had gotten together before the book started. I also couldn’t fully enjoy interactions with another person in the “love triangle” because I was scared it would veer into cheating and/or turn into something unhealthy based on power dynamics. I think I really would have loved this book a lot more without the inclusion of these romance elements.
I adored the ending of this book, though, especially with my fear of how the romance part would be resolved. It was handled artfully, and I loved Khorram’s emphasis on relationships sometimes failing because they simply don’t work, as well as the importance of holding people accountable for their lack of proactiveness. I thought it was a perfect way to wrap things up but still leave some part of Darius’ story open. Overall, Darius the Great Deserves Better was a sequel I felt satisfied with, though I wouldn’t say no to another installment, especially with Sohrab! I fully recommend these books for anyone looking for quiet, exploratory stories that offer comfort that slips in between your ribs without you even realizing.
—★—
:: representation :: biracial (Iranian, white) fat gay MC with depression, Iranian characters, mlm LI, bisexual character, character with depression
:: content warnings :: racism, homophobia, bullying, depression
—★—
Picking up a few months after the events of Darius the Great is Not Okay, this book follows Darius as he navigates relationships and friendships, with his boyfriend, old and new friends, and his grandmothers. The previous book, set in Iran, tackles Iranian identity, family, and depression, and while those themes are still present in Darius the Great Deserves Better, there are new challenges Darius has to face. Though I didn’t quite love this one as much as the first book, it was still such a solid sequel, written with the same heart that made me love Darius the Great is Not Okay.
I’ve loved these books because of Darius himself—I feel a sense of deep understanding with him and his experiences with sadness and depression. There are tiny things that he mentions doing or thinking throughout the book, and they aren’t given much attention to but I instantly recognized those things with myself too. There were some… weird moments Darius had that made me lose the connection sometimes, but overall, excluding those bits, I was able to relate to him and be comforted by him and his experiences like in the first book.
My depression was part of me. Just like being gay was. A part, but not the whole.
I enjoyed book one because of its focus on depression, family, friends, and personal growth, and I’m really happy that all of those didn’t take a backseat in this sequel. First of all, there was one scene with Darius’ grandmothers that really touched me and made me tear up. But in general, all the scenes of Darius and his family, especially with his sister, were my favorites. Seeing Darius want to take care of and protect Laleh from the racist microaggressions she faces at school hits so close to home for me as an older sibling to a younger sister as well. I also appreciated how we got to see his dad struggling with a depressive episode, because it was an excellent way to show that healing and recovery is never a linear journey and sometimes we get set back for some time before regaining our ground again.
Along with racism, the book also tackles homophobia and bullying. I thought Khorram made great commentary on the act of being a “bystander” in these situations—Darius is friends with someone who is also friends with Darius’ bully, and it’s clear that there is an issue with this person never calling the bully out and letting him continue to torment Darius.
My main problem was that I didn’t really care for the romance. I found Darius’ boyfriend to be bland and didn’t see much chemistry between them, especially since they had gotten together before the book started. I also couldn’t fully enjoy interactions with another person in the “love triangle” because I was scared it would veer into cheating and/or turn into something unhealthy based on power dynamics. I think I really would have loved this book a lot more without the inclusion of these romance elements.
“You deserve people in your life who make you happy, Darius. No matter what. Just remember that. Okay?”
I adored the ending of this book, though, especially with my fear of how the romance part would be resolved. It was handled artfully, and I loved Khorram’s emphasis on relationships sometimes failing because they simply don’t work, as well as the importance of holding people accountable for their lack of proactiveness. I thought it was a perfect way to wrap things up but still leave some part of Darius’ story open. Overall, Darius the Great Deserves Better was a sequel I felt satisfied with, though I wouldn’t say no to another installment, especially with Sohrab! I fully recommend these books for anyone looking for quiet, exploratory stories that offer comfort that slips in between your ribs without you even realizing.
—★—
:: representation :: biracial (Iranian, white) fat gay MC with depression, Iranian characters, mlm LI, bisexual character, character with depression
:: content warnings :: racism, homophobia, bullying, depression
Thank you to Penguin Teen for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! This did not affect my opinion in any way.
All quotes are taken from an advance copy and may differ in final publication.
Want to read
February 6, 2022My favorite contemporary of all time is getting a sequel and the announcement made me burst into spontaneous tears. HOW WILL I SURVIVE UNTIL I CAN READ THIS?????
September 26, 2020
4.5 stars, rounded up.
Adib Khorram's new novel, Darius the Great Deserves Better , is a beautiful, heartwarming, and emotional story about family, friends, love, identity, sexuality, mental health, self-esteem...and tea. Lots of tea.
Darius Kellner, the protagonist of Khorram's terrific Darius the Great is Not Okay , returns, and it is so good to have him back. When the novel opens, things are going well for Darius. He has a boyfriend, Landon, an internship at a fancy tea shop, he plays on his school's varsity soccer team, and he's even developing a strong friendship with Chip, one of his teammates, who used to bully him. He also has been keeping in touch with Sohrab, his best friend that he met when his family visited Iran.
But even though he should be happy, things keep causing him to feel unsettled. His dad has to travel a lot for business and he seems to be struggling emotionally, his sister is having trouble at school, he's still getting bullied by his nemesis, Trent, and sometimes he just worries that everything is going to come crashing down.
While Darius likes Landon a lot, he isn't sure he's ready to take their relationship to the next step, so he's worried Landon may want to end things. And as much as he loves working at the tea shop, he just doesn't know if he'll ever get the hang of knowing the right things to look for when tasting teas. It's enough to keep his depression at the forefront of his mind.
Darius needs support and love, but his needs come at a time when his family is in the midst of stressful and sad situations, too. With his father out of town, his mother working long hours, and his grandmothers staying with the family (and he's not even sure if they like him), Darius keeps reaching out to Sohrab, but even Sohrab isn't available. Suddenly he starts relying a little more on Chip, but he can't quite figure Chip out all the time, which is unsettling, too. It's a lot for one teenager to deal with!
I love the vulnerability that Khorram gives Darius, and I definitely identified with many of the emotions he felt throughout the book. I've been in the place where you should be happy but your anxiety that things might suddenly change, or your worry that people really don't feel the way you think they do about you, overtakes you. When you couple that with familial discord and trying to become comfortable with your sexuality and your first relationship, it's enough to overwhelm anyone, and Khorram shows you both the good and troubled sides of Darius' personality.
I enjoyed Darius the Great Deserves Better so much. It's such a beautifully told, engaging, emotional story, but Darius is so likeable that you can't help but root for him and those around him. There's so much to think about in this book, and Khorram never gets too heavy-handed or creates too much unnecessary drama. While as in real life, so much angst could be avoided if people would just communicate with one another, I think Darius' occasional inertia was true to his character.
Khorram said he wrote a sequel because he felt as if Darius had more to say. I think he still does, and I hope that a third book is out there somewhere on the horizon. But regardless, I'd read whatever he writes.
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2019 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2019.html.
Check out my list of the best books of the decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
Adib Khorram's new novel, Darius the Great Deserves Better , is a beautiful, heartwarming, and emotional story about family, friends, love, identity, sexuality, mental health, self-esteem...and tea. Lots of tea.
Darius Kellner, the protagonist of Khorram's terrific Darius the Great is Not Okay , returns, and it is so good to have him back. When the novel opens, things are going well for Darius. He has a boyfriend, Landon, an internship at a fancy tea shop, he plays on his school's varsity soccer team, and he's even developing a strong friendship with Chip, one of his teammates, who used to bully him. He also has been keeping in touch with Sohrab, his best friend that he met when his family visited Iran.
But even though he should be happy, things keep causing him to feel unsettled. His dad has to travel a lot for business and he seems to be struggling emotionally, his sister is having trouble at school, he's still getting bullied by his nemesis, Trent, and sometimes he just worries that everything is going to come crashing down.
While Darius likes Landon a lot, he isn't sure he's ready to take their relationship to the next step, so he's worried Landon may want to end things. And as much as he loves working at the tea shop, he just doesn't know if he'll ever get the hang of knowing the right things to look for when tasting teas. It's enough to keep his depression at the forefront of his mind.
Darius needs support and love, but his needs come at a time when his family is in the midst of stressful and sad situations, too. With his father out of town, his mother working long hours, and his grandmothers staying with the family (and he's not even sure if they like him), Darius keeps reaching out to Sohrab, but even Sohrab isn't available. Suddenly he starts relying a little more on Chip, but he can't quite figure Chip out all the time, which is unsettling, too. It's a lot for one teenager to deal with!
I love the vulnerability that Khorram gives Darius, and I definitely identified with many of the emotions he felt throughout the book. I've been in the place where you should be happy but your anxiety that things might suddenly change, or your worry that people really don't feel the way you think they do about you, overtakes you. When you couple that with familial discord and trying to become comfortable with your sexuality and your first relationship, it's enough to overwhelm anyone, and Khorram shows you both the good and troubled sides of Darius' personality.
I enjoyed Darius the Great Deserves Better so much. It's such a beautifully told, engaging, emotional story, but Darius is so likeable that you can't help but root for him and those around him. There's so much to think about in this book, and Khorram never gets too heavy-handed or creates too much unnecessary drama. While as in real life, so much angst could be avoided if people would just communicate with one another, I think Darius' occasional inertia was true to his character.
Khorram said he wrote a sequel because he felt as if Darius had more to say. I think he still does, and I hope that a third book is out there somewhere on the horizon. But regardless, I'd read whatever he writes.
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2019 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2019.html.
Check out my list of the best books of the decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
August 18, 2022
Every character showed their vulnerable sides and I am just a single person with a single heart absorbing all their sadness, happiness and loneliness.
.
.
.
The book came out years ago (I feel). I was highly anticipating to read and love it. But then it came out and I grabbed it on its publication day. I realised I wasn't ready to read it. Yes, what the actual heck.
Then I tried reading it twice in between. Each time I realised I still wasn't ready for it.
But then today out of nowhere (after not 'feeling it right' going through more than 59 books for 'what to read next') I came to realise its time for this book.
And how perfect it is for it broke my heart the entire time I was reading it.
I just want to say this if you are planning to read this series. Be aware that this book is really heartbreaking at times and demands all your patience and attention.
It talks about terminal illness and grief; racial slurs, homophobia, mental health and gender identity. Yes, a lot of bullying as well.
I want to say there's a lot more but you actually have to feel them as you read the book.
It's so worth the wait. The book chose me and I sobbed the entire day reading it taking breaks in between to bawl my eyes out.
I cherish this book series so much. Author, you are so good at this. Keep it up. I want more of Darius and his family.
.
.
.
The book came out years ago (I feel). I was highly anticipating to read and love it. But then it came out and I grabbed it on its publication day. I realised I wasn't ready to read it. Yes, what the actual heck.
Then I tried reading it twice in between. Each time I realised I still wasn't ready for it.
But then today out of nowhere (after not 'feeling it right' going through more than 59 books for 'what to read next') I came to realise its time for this book.
And how perfect it is for it broke my heart the entire time I was reading it.
I just want to say this if you are planning to read this series. Be aware that this book is really heartbreaking at times and demands all your patience and attention.
It talks about terminal illness and grief; racial slurs, homophobia, mental health and gender identity. Yes, a lot of bullying as well.
I want to say there's a lot more but you actually have to feel them as you read the book.
It's so worth the wait. The book chose me and I sobbed the entire day reading it taking breaks in between to bawl my eyes out.
I cherish this book series so much. Author, you are so good at this. Keep it up. I want more of Darius and his family.
August 20, 2020
After learning tons about Perisan culture in Darius the Great is Not Okay, I was overjoyed to read a second novel following Darius and his family!
~★~ What is this book about? ~★~
Upon returning from their visit to Iran, Darius is forced to adjust back to life in America. He misses his best friend Sohrab, as well as his mother’s family that they had to leave behind.
Now Darius is a part of the Varsity soccer team at school, he’s getting along great with his dad, and he has a boyfriend. Just when things begin to seem normal again, Darius is put to the test. He’s not sure he enjoys his job, his grandmothers that don’t seem to like him are staying with Darius’ family, and he begins questioning everything when a teammate catches his eye despite him being in what he thought was a happy relationship.
~★~
Having loved book one immensely, I had high expectations and a good feeling I’d enjoy this one, too. Thankfully I was right; Adib Khorram delivered what was a powerful novel surrounding family, friendship and love along with the struggles of teenage life.
The family dynamic was one of my favourite things about this book. It made me so incredibly happy to see Darius and his father make an effort to bond after their tense relationship in the past. Darius doing everything to comfort his little sister was also really heartwarming.
The exploration of Darius’ romantic relationship was done especially well. His constant questioning and self exploration was very refreshing to read about, especially considering a lot of YA books don’t spend as much time on these things. The way Darius and his father's depression was handled was also really great!
I couldn’t have asked for more from this sequel! I’m so happy to have read it, and can’t wait for those who enjoyed the first book to get their hands on this one!
~★~ What is this book about? ~★~
Upon returning from their visit to Iran, Darius is forced to adjust back to life in America. He misses his best friend Sohrab, as well as his mother’s family that they had to leave behind.
Now Darius is a part of the Varsity soccer team at school, he’s getting along great with his dad, and he has a boyfriend. Just when things begin to seem normal again, Darius is put to the test. He’s not sure he enjoys his job, his grandmothers that don’t seem to like him are staying with Darius’ family, and he begins questioning everything when a teammate catches his eye despite him being in what he thought was a happy relationship.
~★~
Having loved book one immensely, I had high expectations and a good feeling I’d enjoy this one, too. Thankfully I was right; Adib Khorram delivered what was a powerful novel surrounding family, friendship and love along with the struggles of teenage life.
The family dynamic was one of my favourite things about this book. It made me so incredibly happy to see Darius and his father make an effort to bond after their tense relationship in the past. Darius doing everything to comfort his little sister was also really heartwarming.
The exploration of Darius’ romantic relationship was done especially well. His constant questioning and self exploration was very refreshing to read about, especially considering a lot of YA books don’t spend as much time on these things. The way Darius and his father's depression was handled was also really great!
I couldn’t have asked for more from this sequel! I’m so happy to have read it, and can’t wait for those who enjoyed the first book to get their hands on this one!
September 4, 2020
"Ghorbanat beram is one of those perfect Farsi phrases you can't quite translate into English.
The closest thing is: I would give my life for yours.
Sometimes it was just hyperbole.
But for Sohrab, it was literal."
"And it didn't feel like Sohrab either, who felt like the kind of person I could count on for anything. Who knew me inside and out. Who accepted all my flaws and still made me wish I could be better."
"How do you explain the fear that someone you love might stop loving you all of a sudden?"
“You deserve people in your life who make you happy, Darius. No matter what. Just remember that. Okay?”
5 stars. Darius the Great Deserves Better is the much-needed, absolutely almost-perfect finale to what is now one of my favorite YA duologies of all time. If you notice, the color palatte for this book's cover matches that of Darius the Great is Not Okay but inverted: I think that is incredibly indicative of the contents of this book. While the cover of the novel seems to suggest that the "love triangle" is the focus point of this novel, that is far from the case. Instead just like the previous book in this duology, this is a character study novel that feels far more slice-of-life than driven by any sort of external plot. But unlike the previous book, this novel is about Darius maturing and discovering new facets of himself in a space he knows well.
This novel's progression and general elements are ultimately tied to Darius' character arc. Whether it'd be prose, the pacing, and especially the themes, Darius' personality permeates each and every aspect of this novel. Khorram's prose remains reflective of Darius' character voice: lots of short, staccato phrases and sentences that are indicative of how Darius himself processes the world. It's interesting. The writing itself is very sparse, with lots of line breaks and empty space on the novel's pages; But it is in that emptiness (coupled with the metaphors used) that Darius' character voice becomes richer and more developed. Whether it'd be the way he views events occurring or his thoughts on certain people or subjects, the way the writing is formatted and done allows the reader to immerse themselves in Darius' head. This novel, and its predecessor, is one of the finest examples I can think of in regards to development of character voice.
This book also contains discussion of so many important topics deftly woven into Darius' everyday life. There are conversations ranging from homophobia, bullying, racism, to mental health and more. What I love about this book is that it shows how these various issues impact Darius, as well as his family's, everyday lives without it coming across as shoehorned. This book shows how seemingly vague, intangible concepts such as having a queer friend not being an excuse for blatant homophobia or the way young kids of color are forced to confront racism at such early ages can severely impact someone's everyday life. It is apparent that the discourse had in this book around these subjects come from a genuine place and it was amazing to see that, particularly for a story about a young gay man of color.
Here's the thing: Darius is one of the handful of protagonists that I truly see myself in. He's a gay, chubby boy trying to navigate first love and what he wants for himself in life with a best friend in an entirely different country. It's impossible for me to untangle my personal experience from him as character and thus, the book itself. Watching Darius go through his growing pains as well as voice so many of the thoughts that I have had at one point or another was incredibly comforting. So many of his thoughts about wishing his best friend was closer, about not liking the way his body looked, and especially about his fears about coming out felt like Adib Khorram had reached into my head and put my thoughts on page. It's a wonderful thing to find a character who you identify with so much; so thank you, Adib Khorram for writing Darius.
Some spoilery thoughts:
Conclusively, one of the best contemporary YA series I've ever had the joy of reading. Sometimes you read books that find their way into your heart without you even expecting them to; Darius the Great Deserves Better and the previous book are two of them. Thank you to Adib Khorram for writing two books that made me feel just a little bit more okay far after I turned the last page.
The closest thing is: I would give my life for yours.
Sometimes it was just hyperbole.
But for Sohrab, it was literal."
"And it didn't feel like Sohrab either, who felt like the kind of person I could count on for anything. Who knew me inside and out. Who accepted all my flaws and still made me wish I could be better."
"How do you explain the fear that someone you love might stop loving you all of a sudden?"
“You deserve people in your life who make you happy, Darius. No matter what. Just remember that. Okay?”
5 stars. Darius the Great Deserves Better is the much-needed, absolutely almost-perfect finale to what is now one of my favorite YA duologies of all time. If you notice, the color palatte for this book's cover matches that of Darius the Great is Not Okay but inverted: I think that is incredibly indicative of the contents of this book. While the cover of the novel seems to suggest that the "love triangle" is the focus point of this novel, that is far from the case. Instead just like the previous book in this duology, this is a character study novel that feels far more slice-of-life than driven by any sort of external plot. But unlike the previous book, this novel is about Darius maturing and discovering new facets of himself in a space he knows well.
This novel's progression and general elements are ultimately tied to Darius' character arc. Whether it'd be prose, the pacing, and especially the themes, Darius' personality permeates each and every aspect of this novel. Khorram's prose remains reflective of Darius' character voice: lots of short, staccato phrases and sentences that are indicative of how Darius himself processes the world. It's interesting. The writing itself is very sparse, with lots of line breaks and empty space on the novel's pages; But it is in that emptiness (coupled with the metaphors used) that Darius' character voice becomes richer and more developed. Whether it'd be the way he views events occurring or his thoughts on certain people or subjects, the way the writing is formatted and done allows the reader to immerse themselves in Darius' head. This novel, and its predecessor, is one of the finest examples I can think of in regards to development of character voice.
This book also contains discussion of so many important topics deftly woven into Darius' everyday life. There are conversations ranging from homophobia, bullying, racism, to mental health and more. What I love about this book is that it shows how these various issues impact Darius, as well as his family's, everyday lives without it coming across as shoehorned. This book shows how seemingly vague, intangible concepts such as having a queer friend not being an excuse for blatant homophobia or the way young kids of color are forced to confront racism at such early ages can severely impact someone's everyday life. It is apparent that the discourse had in this book around these subjects come from a genuine place and it was amazing to see that, particularly for a story about a young gay man of color.
Here's the thing: Darius is one of the handful of protagonists that I truly see myself in. He's a gay, chubby boy trying to navigate first love and what he wants for himself in life with a best friend in an entirely different country. It's impossible for me to untangle my personal experience from him as character and thus, the book itself. Watching Darius go through his growing pains as well as voice so many of the thoughts that I have had at one point or another was incredibly comforting. So many of his thoughts about wishing his best friend was closer, about not liking the way his body looked, and especially about his fears about coming out felt like Adib Khorram had reached into my head and put my thoughts on page. It's a wonderful thing to find a character who you identify with so much; so thank you, Adib Khorram for writing Darius.
Some spoilery thoughts:
Conclusively, one of the best contemporary YA series I've ever had the joy of reading. Sometimes you read books that find their way into your heart without you even expecting them to; Darius the Great Deserves Better and the previous book are two of them. Thank you to Adib Khorram for writing two books that made me feel just a little bit more okay far after I turned the last page.
September 30, 2024
4.5 Stars
Darius the Great Deserves Better continues the coming-of-age story of Darius Kellner, a gay Iranian-American high-schooler, who loves drinking tea, plays on his school’s soccer team, and works tirelessly to manage his anxiety and depression so he can live a happy and healthy life.
In this sequel, Darius, now out to his family and friends, experiences his first-ever relationship with a boy named Landon. Every kiss and touch are both exciting and terrifying for the always shy and body conscious Darius, but he likes Landon a lot, even though he doesn’t quite feel ready for all the physical steps in their relationship that Landon seems so keen to take.
New relationship aside, Darius spends a lot of his time helping out his financially struggling parents, who are working themselves to the bone after depleting a lot of their savings on their families recent—but worthwhile and vital—visit to Iran. Darius, being the ever sweet and helpful son, takes on an extracurricular job at his favourite tea shop (owned by Landon’s father) to help out, even stepping into a parental role to offer advice and support to his younger sister when she begins to experience bullying at school.
In his own school life, Darius is making new friends and thriving on the soccer team, thanks to the confidence boost given to him by his Iranian best-friend Sohrab, who he deeply bonded with on his trip to Iran last spring. Unfortunately, Darius still finds himself the target of Trent, his long-time bully, who throws verbal taunts and insults Darius’s way every time they cross paths, making school not quite the fun or comfortable place he wishes it was.
To make things more complicated, Darius finds himself developing some unexpected and confusing feelings for his teammate and closest new friend, Chip, who just happens to be Trent’s (the bully’s) best-friend. Chip is wonderful and kind, and he seemingly really likes Darius, making Darius always feel safe and cared for whenever they're together. But besides the whole 'already having a boyfriend' thing, Darius just can’t comprehend why Chip is friends with a bully like Trent and doesn't know what to make of their new connection because of it.
This is very much a coming-of-age story, with lots of emotional turmoil to work through and plenty of personal growth to experience. I absolutely adore Darius. He’s this teddy bear of a character who I wanted to fight for and protect. His every hurt made me ache and his every triumph and personal victory made me smile. He’s genuine and an ongoing work in progress, just wanting to fit in and be loved. Although half my age, I could relate to this kid on a deep level, and I think most people would.
As a sequel, I would not recommend this as a standalone—but I would urge fans of the LGBT YA genre to give both books a go, because Darius is a character whose (ongoing) story is well worth the read. When I read book one (Darius the Great Is Not Okay) I never really expected a sequel, to be honest, but now I have it I couldn’t be more pleased. For me, this second book surpassed it's predecessor in terms of emotional engagement and enjoyment. And this time around, I want nothing more than to hear there will be another book, hopefully making this a trilogy !
Darius the Great Deserves Better continues the coming-of-age story of Darius Kellner, a gay Iranian-American high-schooler, who loves drinking tea, plays on his school’s soccer team, and works tirelessly to manage his anxiety and depression so he can live a happy and healthy life.
In this sequel, Darius, now out to his family and friends, experiences his first-ever relationship with a boy named Landon. Every kiss and touch are both exciting and terrifying for the always shy and body conscious Darius, but he likes Landon a lot, even though he doesn’t quite feel ready for all the physical steps in their relationship that Landon seems so keen to take.
New relationship aside, Darius spends a lot of his time helping out his financially struggling parents, who are working themselves to the bone after depleting a lot of their savings on their families recent—but worthwhile and vital—visit to Iran. Darius, being the ever sweet and helpful son, takes on an extracurricular job at his favourite tea shop (owned by Landon’s father) to help out, even stepping into a parental role to offer advice and support to his younger sister when she begins to experience bullying at school.
In his own school life, Darius is making new friends and thriving on the soccer team, thanks to the confidence boost given to him by his Iranian best-friend Sohrab, who he deeply bonded with on his trip to Iran last spring. Unfortunately, Darius still finds himself the target of Trent, his long-time bully, who throws verbal taunts and insults Darius’s way every time they cross paths, making school not quite the fun or comfortable place he wishes it was.
To make things more complicated, Darius finds himself developing some unexpected and confusing feelings for his teammate and closest new friend, Chip, who just happens to be Trent’s (the bully’s) best-friend. Chip is wonderful and kind, and he seemingly really likes Darius, making Darius always feel safe and cared for whenever they're together. But besides the whole 'already having a boyfriend' thing, Darius just can’t comprehend why Chip is friends with a bully like Trent and doesn't know what to make of their new connection because of it.
This is very much a coming-of-age story, with lots of emotional turmoil to work through and plenty of personal growth to experience. I absolutely adore Darius. He’s this teddy bear of a character who I wanted to fight for and protect. His every hurt made me ache and his every triumph and personal victory made me smile. He’s genuine and an ongoing work in progress, just wanting to fit in and be loved. Although half my age, I could relate to this kid on a deep level, and I think most people would.
As a sequel, I would not recommend this as a standalone—but I would urge fans of the LGBT YA genre to give both books a go, because Darius is a character whose (ongoing) story is well worth the read. When I read book one (Darius the Great Is Not Okay) I never really expected a sequel, to be honest, but now I have it I couldn’t be more pleased. For me, this second book surpassed it's predecessor in terms of emotional engagement and enjoyment. And this time around, I want nothing more than to hear there will be another book, hopefully making this a trilogy !
Want to read
June 17, 2020DARIUS THE GREAT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST BOOKS I'VE GENUINELY SEEN MYSELF IN AND IT'S GETTING A SEQUEL I'M CRYING
To know that an Iranian writer can write a book about an Iranian kid and his experience living between two cultures, and that the book was popular enough to warrant a sequel? It means everything to me.
I'd been invisible prior to reading that book and I didn't even know it. I can't wait to see Darius again.
29/12/2019 Edit: We have a cover!! Thank you for all the likes <3 if you want to read my own voices review for book 1 you can find it here
To know that an Iranian writer can write a book about an Iranian kid and his experience living between two cultures, and that the book was popular enough to warrant a sequel? It means everything to me.
I'd been invisible prior to reading that book and I didn't even know it. I can't wait to see Darius again.
29/12/2019 Edit: We have a cover!! Thank you for all the likes <3 if you want to read my own voices review for book 1 you can find it here
April 25, 2021
Darius the Great Deserves Better is the sequel to Darius the Great is Not Okay and I thought it was really good. It is set sometime after the first novel, where there have been some significant developments off page. Despite this novel being a YA contemporary, they are a number of hard-hitting themes that are present in this book. It heavily deals with racism, internalised homophobia and internalised fatphobia, as well as accepting yourself and learning to do things that you actually enjoy. So, it made total sense to me that this novel was titled as it was, because Darius deserved a lot of better things than he had at the start of this novel, some of which he obtained by the end, he got out of some tricky no longer satisfying positions and found his way among new friends.
While a lot of this novel can feel and read in a manner that is quite sad, considering that both Darius and his father are going through depression, and financial issues as well as constant targeted bullying, it is also a story of self-growth and self-discovery. In that way, it was quite sweet and lovely to see the changes and development and to follow Darius towards a sense of self fulfilment and to a potentially better life. There are a lot of sad moments - I didn’t find them to be as hard hitting or striking as they were in book 1, but they were still really well constructed scenes, and I could see what those moments meant for the characters.
I did really like the characters in this novel, I thought they were well crafted and well realised individuals with tons of personality. Like I saw with Darius’ grandmas, they seemed cold and plain, but as we travel through the course of this book, the author did manage to show a different side to them, and that was great. Darius, the protagonist was well written, and I felt that we really got to know him as a person through his inner monologue and the way he interacted with others. I can’t help but support him as a character as he is dealing with so much in this book and as a reader, I wanted him to succeed. I feel somewhat mixed about Landon as a character, as he did seem like a decent person in most respects, but then there were just a couple things that made me didn’t like him as much.
I really love Laleh though. So full of energy and life, and just as a side note, how is a nine-year-old reading Dune and The Fifth Season, like wow that is some big brain energy. Anyhow, it was irritating reading about how as a half Iranian girl, she was reduced to nothing more than a ‘terrorist’ and being called similar slurs. The unfortunate thing is that these things do occur, naturally lots of white people are unaware of it, or even turn a blind eye, but I thought this book handled issues like racism quite well.
Now there were some things that didn’t work for me one hundred percent for me in this. There was the sort of almost there love triangle that, just from reading the blurb on my copy made it really obvious how it was going to go. It was almost a significant part of this novel so I don’t see what the author could have done otherwise. Like, I wasn’t the biggest fan of Landon, even though he was nice most of the time and I did think that Chip and Darius had greater chemistry, but anyway, that wasn’t really for me. On another note, I did find a fair bit of it to be predictable. There were some moments that I didn’t foresee for certain, especially with what happened with Sohrab, but I was roughly aware of how this was going to go.
In the end I enjoyed this a fair bit, and I was able to get through it really quickly so that was nice. It was a good easy read, I suppose I’ll put it like that. 7.5/10
While a lot of this novel can feel and read in a manner that is quite sad, considering that both Darius and his father are going through depression, and financial issues as well as constant targeted bullying, it is also a story of self-growth and self-discovery. In that way, it was quite sweet and lovely to see the changes and development and to follow Darius towards a sense of self fulfilment and to a potentially better life. There are a lot of sad moments - I didn’t find them to be as hard hitting or striking as they were in book 1, but they were still really well constructed scenes, and I could see what those moments meant for the characters.
I did really like the characters in this novel, I thought they were well crafted and well realised individuals with tons of personality. Like I saw with Darius’ grandmas, they seemed cold and plain, but as we travel through the course of this book, the author did manage to show a different side to them, and that was great. Darius, the protagonist was well written, and I felt that we really got to know him as a person through his inner monologue and the way he interacted with others. I can’t help but support him as a character as he is dealing with so much in this book and as a reader, I wanted him to succeed. I feel somewhat mixed about Landon as a character, as he did seem like a decent person in most respects, but then there were just a couple things that made me didn’t like him as much.
I really love Laleh though. So full of energy and life, and just as a side note, how is a nine-year-old reading Dune and The Fifth Season, like wow that is some big brain energy. Anyhow, it was irritating reading about how as a half Iranian girl, she was reduced to nothing more than a ‘terrorist’ and being called similar slurs. The unfortunate thing is that these things do occur, naturally lots of white people are unaware of it, or even turn a blind eye, but I thought this book handled issues like racism quite well.
Now there were some things that didn’t work for me one hundred percent for me in this. There was the sort of almost there love triangle that, just from reading the blurb on my copy made it really obvious how it was going to go. It was almost a significant part of this novel so I don’t see what the author could have done otherwise. Like, I wasn’t the biggest fan of Landon, even though he was nice most of the time and I did think that Chip and Darius had greater chemistry, but anyway, that wasn’t really for me. On another note, I did find a fair bit of it to be predictable. There were some moments that I didn’t foresee for certain, especially with what happened with Sohrab, but I was roughly aware of how this was going to go.
In the end I enjoyed this a fair bit, and I was able to get through it really quickly so that was nice. It was a good easy read, I suppose I’ll put it like that. 7.5/10
August 15, 2021
Darius deserves the world.
Adib Khorram I am begging you for another sequel
Adib Khorram I am begging you for another sequel
January 30, 2021
third book with darius and sohrab’s adventures plsssssss
March 3, 2021
Kann mir bitte einfach jemand sagen, dass es da einen dritten Band gibt?? 🥺👉🏻👈🏻
September 1, 2020
4.5
darius is MY crybaby gay rep
darius is MY crybaby gay rep
September 3, 2020
i can't believe his crotch was the central character in each chapter HELP
August 24, 2022
Como que pode esse livro ser ainda melhor que o primeiro que já é simplesmente perfeito? Juro.
August 25, 2020
Thank you PenguinTeen for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I love Darius. I didn’t think I could love him anymore than I already do, but I proved myself wrong. Heck, I love the whole family and I freaking loved this entire book. I loved seeing Darius’s growth from the first book and throughout this book. His love for teas is like no other and it was all those simple moments of him talking about or making tea, that I realized how much I cherished this book. I enjoyed seeing Darius make new friends, but also keeping in touch with Sohrab. His relationship with his little sister Laleh, and his relationship with his dad.
I know this is a contemporary book, but it was so much more than that. We start off with Darius getting his dream internship/job, he has a cute boyfriend, he is doing amazing at soccer, and he is making lots of friends. Soon his dad has to leave for work and his grandmother’s come to stay to help out around the house. He starts to doubt if he really wants to be in the tea business, he loves tea, but does he want that to be his job? He doesn’t know how he feels about Landon, his boyfriend, he always seems to want more than what Darius is willing to give. I really cherished how well this was written especially the moments between Landon and Darius. Not to mention the moments with his teammates from soccer and how they all have his back no matter what.
What I truly loved about this book was the discussion of SO many important topics like homophobia, mental health, racism, and body issues. They are woven so intricately throughout this entire book and were written so deeply and well. I had so much anger and sadness reading about the racism in this book and homophobia. My heart ached for Darius and Laleh and I wanted to flip out on all the bullies. I seriously need more books about Darius. I have questions that need answered, so of course this needs to be a trilogy. I want to know more about Sohrab and how he is doing, I NEED to know more about Chip and especially Chip and Darius’s friendship. I want to know how his father is doing and what Laleh is like as a young teenager. So, lets all hope that there is going to be another book. Darius is the greatest.
I love Darius. I didn’t think I could love him anymore than I already do, but I proved myself wrong. Heck, I love the whole family and I freaking loved this entire book. I loved seeing Darius’s growth from the first book and throughout this book. His love for teas is like no other and it was all those simple moments of him talking about or making tea, that I realized how much I cherished this book. I enjoyed seeing Darius make new friends, but also keeping in touch with Sohrab. His relationship with his little sister Laleh, and his relationship with his dad.
I know this is a contemporary book, but it was so much more than that. We start off with Darius getting his dream internship/job, he has a cute boyfriend, he is doing amazing at soccer, and he is making lots of friends. Soon his dad has to leave for work and his grandmother’s come to stay to help out around the house. He starts to doubt if he really wants to be in the tea business, he loves tea, but does he want that to be his job? He doesn’t know how he feels about Landon, his boyfriend, he always seems to want more than what Darius is willing to give. I really cherished how well this was written especially the moments between Landon and Darius. Not to mention the moments with his teammates from soccer and how they all have his back no matter what.
What I truly loved about this book was the discussion of SO many important topics like homophobia, mental health, racism, and body issues. They are woven so intricately throughout this entire book and were written so deeply and well. I had so much anger and sadness reading about the racism in this book and homophobia. My heart ached for Darius and Laleh and I wanted to flip out on all the bullies. I seriously need more books about Darius. I have questions that need answered, so of course this needs to be a trilogy. I want to know more about Sohrab and how he is doing, I NEED to know more about Chip and especially Chip and Darius’s friendship. I want to know how his father is doing and what Laleh is like as a young teenager. So, lets all hope that there is going to be another book. Darius is the greatest.
September 16, 2020
This novel was even better than the first one and I'm itching for a third installment in this series. After two books, I have deeply connected with Darius and all I want for him is happiness. My favorite part about these books is the depression representation. It is the most accurate portrayal of the mental illness that I have suffered that I have ever come across. It makes me feel for Darius and his father, who also suffers from depression, even more. I also had a lot of fun with the love triangle between three boys in this book. I really ship Darius with one of them and I'm hoping there's a third book so we can get all of the cute scenes between them. This book isn't plot heavy. It is very focused on Darius and his personal journey through depression, friendships, connecting to his culture, and his new found romantic relationships. Since I care so much for Darius, it didn't end up bothering me. This is a solid book although it isn't quite a five star read for me. I recommend it!
August 27, 2020
I wonder what my assigned FBI employee must think when they see me come on here every other day in the middle of the night, just crying my eyes out, to throw yet another 5 star rating at a book.
I love these books so much. I love each and every word within them. I love Darius. His story is the sort that just sucks you in so much that you will forget about your own life. I've said in my review for book 1 that my favourite aspect was Darius's voice, how well it fit his character, and how clear of a picture it painted of his mind, and the same thing can be said about this follow-up. I felt so close to him the entire time, kind of like he had put his head on my shoulder and told me all his thoughts and fears and hopes in person. And although this one feels distinctly different from its predecessor and tackled a plethora of different topics, namely the intersection of sexuality and ethnicity, and followed a more typical coming of age storyline as can be found in other YA contemporary novels, it felt fresh and engaging because it was Darius who was telling it.
Even though it had been just a little over a week, I was so anxious and excited to meet all these characters again and observe them in a more casual, everyday sort of setting. But because many trademark aspects from the first book could also be found here, the change happened seamlessly and without any problems. And I liked how although it dealt with Darius coming out to those close to him, it did so in such a gentle and very confident manner, it felt empowering and reassuring to see him receive so much love for who he is, and for how kindly he treats those around him. I especially loved the portrayal of his friends on the soccer team, an environment that is stereotypically toxic and homophobic, yet here almost became a safe haven and continuously depicted his teammates as protectors to verbal abuse. As a whole, the book had just as many tender moments as I was hoping for, and one or the other tear was constantly trickling down my cheek.
What I will say though, is that this book did not! Have! Enough! Sohrab! Hello!!! This was really weird both objectively because he was such a huge part in the other novel, and subjectively because I will die on the hill that him and Darius need to date. But this brings me to my next point, which is that I will literally go and buy 40 copies of this books if that means we get a third installment. Please. Please, I need it. I'm begging. It would be so perfect. And I feel like it would actually make sense, with how this book ends! I feel like there'd definitely be room for further exploration.
Overall, this was such a wonderful treat, and I positively devoured it. I'm beyond ecstatic to have discovered both Darius and Adib Khorram this year. I will sit on this for a moment now and contemplate my rating, but this is my truest initial reaction, and all I can say is that this was a great book.
* * *
I would like to extend a formal letter of appreciation to Myself for waiting this long to pick up Darius #1 because I would have literally thrown myself into the depths of Hell if I'd had to wait any longer for this than I now have to.
(But also... I am scared because I have high expectations and the synopsis doesn't exactly sound like what I wanted from this when reading the first book, which was mainly for Sohrab to come visit Darius in America but IT'S FINE.)
I love these books so much. I love each and every word within them. I love Darius. His story is the sort that just sucks you in so much that you will forget about your own life. I've said in my review for book 1 that my favourite aspect was Darius's voice, how well it fit his character, and how clear of a picture it painted of his mind, and the same thing can be said about this follow-up. I felt so close to him the entire time, kind of like he had put his head on my shoulder and told me all his thoughts and fears and hopes in person. And although this one feels distinctly different from its predecessor and tackled a plethora of different topics, namely the intersection of sexuality and ethnicity, and followed a more typical coming of age storyline as can be found in other YA contemporary novels, it felt fresh and engaging because it was Darius who was telling it.
Even though it had been just a little over a week, I was so anxious and excited to meet all these characters again and observe them in a more casual, everyday sort of setting. But because many trademark aspects from the first book could also be found here, the change happened seamlessly and without any problems. And I liked how although it dealt with Darius coming out to those close to him, it did so in such a gentle and very confident manner, it felt empowering and reassuring to see him receive so much love for who he is, and for how kindly he treats those around him. I especially loved the portrayal of his friends on the soccer team, an environment that is stereotypically toxic and homophobic, yet here almost became a safe haven and continuously depicted his teammates as protectors to verbal abuse. As a whole, the book had just as many tender moments as I was hoping for, and one or the other tear was constantly trickling down my cheek.
What I will say though, is that this book did not! Have! Enough! Sohrab! Hello!!! This was really weird both objectively because he was such a huge part in the other novel, and subjectively because I will die on the hill that him and Darius need to date. But this brings me to my next point, which is that I will literally go and buy 40 copies of this books if that means we get a third installment. Please. Please, I need it. I'm begging. It would be so perfect. And I feel like it would actually make sense, with how this book ends! I feel like there'd definitely be room for further exploration.
Overall, this was such a wonderful treat, and I positively devoured it. I'm beyond ecstatic to have discovered both Darius and Adib Khorram this year. I will sit on this for a moment now and contemplate my rating, but this is my truest initial reaction, and all I can say is that this was a great book.
* * *
I would like to extend a formal letter of appreciation to Myself for waiting this long to pick up Darius #1 because I would have literally thrown myself into the depths of Hell if I'd had to wait any longer for this than I now have to.
(But also... I am scared because I have high expectations and the synopsis doesn't exactly sound like what I wanted from this when reading the first book, which was mainly for Sohrab to come visit Darius in America but IT'S FINE.)
August 23, 2020
I just finished and this was truly such an amazing way to end my weekend.
I have so many feelings. Words are hard, but I can safely say that I love Darius as a character, and I loved this sequel. I want to take the whole series and start rereading immediately--that is how much I loved this.
It's definitely a different time of Darius' life than what we saw in Darius the Great Is Not Okay. You absolutely could pick this up without reading book 1--but why would you want to? Nonetheless, Darius is now at school, has a kind of boyfriend, is working at his favorite tea shop, is on the soccer team who supports him, has a good relationship with his dad, and is in a very different headspace and environment than in Darius the Great Is Not Okay.
I adored the things we did get to see from book 1--Darius' love of teas & Star Trek, his love for his sister Laleh, his friendship with Sohrab--and I loved seeing what changed. He forges a lot of new relationships, breaks off old ones, and manages to create/find a space more welcoming for himself.
It keeps that kind of slice-of-life approach to Darius as the first book, where the reader gets to see this time frame of Darius' life and what growth he went during this time. There is no concrete end goal, it just is. And this might be disconcerting, but it's wonderful and meaningful and real, and I'd highly recommend. It felt like it had a purpose and wasn't just fluff or unnecessary.
We got to explore romance and relationships for Darius overtly and not just in subtext like the first book. He's currently dating Landon, but they might not be a perfect fit for each other. Darius is good friends with Chip and isn't sure what he feels towards him. I know some people call this a love triangle, but I wouldn't personally use that term for this. It's so much more complicated than just trying to decide between two guys, and Darius himself isn't really trying to decide, but is more navigating his relationship with Landon and dealing with what isn't clicking, while Chip is in the background.
It's messy and real and it's Darius. I don't know what else I can say.
There is absolutely nothing that I disliked about this book. I loved every moment, and I wish it would never end. I cannot recommend this enough, and although I know Darius isn't for everyone, this series is so dear to me and I'll love it enough for all of us.
I have so many feelings. Words are hard, but I can safely say that I love Darius as a character, and I loved this sequel. I want to take the whole series and start rereading immediately--that is how much I loved this.
It's definitely a different time of Darius' life than what we saw in Darius the Great Is Not Okay. You absolutely could pick this up without reading book 1--but why would you want to? Nonetheless, Darius is now at school, has a kind of boyfriend, is working at his favorite tea shop, is on the soccer team who supports him, has a good relationship with his dad, and is in a very different headspace and environment than in Darius the Great Is Not Okay.
I adored the things we did get to see from book 1--Darius' love of teas & Star Trek, his love for his sister Laleh, his friendship with Sohrab--and I loved seeing what changed. He forges a lot of new relationships, breaks off old ones, and manages to create/find a space more welcoming for himself.
It keeps that kind of slice-of-life approach to Darius as the first book, where the reader gets to see this time frame of Darius' life and what growth he went during this time. There is no concrete end goal, it just is. And this might be disconcerting, but it's wonderful and meaningful and real, and I'd highly recommend. It felt like it had a purpose and wasn't just fluff or unnecessary.
We got to explore romance and relationships for Darius overtly and not just in subtext like the first book. He's currently dating Landon, but they might not be a perfect fit for each other. Darius is good friends with Chip and isn't sure what he feels towards him. I know some people call this a love triangle, but I wouldn't personally use that term for this. It's so much more complicated than just trying to decide between two guys, and Darius himself isn't really trying to decide, but is more navigating his relationship with Landon and dealing with what isn't clicking, while Chip is in the background.
It's messy and real and it's Darius. I don't know what else I can say.
There is absolutely nothing that I disliked about this book. I loved every moment, and I wish it would never end. I cannot recommend this enough, and although I know Darius isn't for everyone, this series is so dear to me and I'll love it enough for all of us.
September 28, 2021
it gives me no joy to give this book a 3 star rating but this just didn’t do what the first book did. the first one was near perfect and so well written and developed but i didn’t feel the same for this one. going in, i had high expectations bc of how much i liked the first book and all 4 and 5 star reviews for the new one.
this book had potential but i felt it didn’t really have a sense of what it wanted to talk about so it did all of it and there was so much unnecessary build up which you could predict from 1st page, how it’s going to end. (this doesn’t mean the book was bad, it’s still a good YA book but it’s tough to outdo the first book.)
idk if there’s a 3rd one but i hope we get it bc i don’t want to end Darius with a three star rating, it deserves so much better (did you see what i did here? ;)).
this book had potential but i felt it didn’t really have a sense of what it wanted to talk about so it did all of it and there was so much unnecessary build up which you could predict from 1st page, how it’s going to end. (this doesn’t mean the book was bad, it’s still a good YA book but it’s tough to outdo the first book.)
idk if there’s a 3rd one but i hope we get it bc i don’t want to end Darius with a three star rating, it deserves so much better (did you see what i did here? ;)).
October 11, 2020
darius really deserve the best! please read this duology, you won't regret!
September 13, 2020
4.5 Stars
CWs: Incurred bullying, racism, xenophobic comments, homophobic comments, descriptions of anxiety and depressive episodes, some toxic relationships, explores early signs of what could be emotional abuse
When I heard that this book was announced, I was so excited to have even more Darius content in my life, but I was also curious to see if a sequel to a contemporary YA story could hold up to the original. Now that I've read this book, let me just say: I am SO glad this story exists.
Right off the bat, Darius' life is so different from how it looked in Darius the Great is Not Okay. Now he's out to his family, he has a boyfriend, he has a loving best friend, he has a promising internship at a local tea shop, and he's playing for his school's varsity soccer team. To see all of those positive things happening in his life is so important, because it shows that the good can coexist with the bad. Having all of these great things in his life doesn't mean Darius' depression is magically cured or that he doesn't struggle with body image or self-doubt. The presence of those struggles does absolutely nothing to negate the happiness he experiences and vice versa. So it's refreshing to see mental health normalized and destigmatized in that way, which I think is going to resonate so strongly for many readers.
Darius' family life is also a key aspect in this story. The dynamic between him and his parents has definitely shifted for the better; their relationship is much stronger after their trip to Iran, and they are much more intentional in expressing their feelings and affection. It's almost cathartic to be able to see Darius' parents tell him that they love him and they appreciate him, and I am such a huge fan of that openness within their family. That said, it doesn't necessarily come naturally. It's hard-win, it's something they have to consciously practice, and being better communicators doesn't mean their family is now perfect. They all still have a tendency to keep the hard stuff to themselves and to doubt themselves, and I think it's so important to see them continuing to work through those issues as a family.
The story also makes a point to explore the importance of having safe spaces in your life—whether they be people, places, or activities. Again, it's just really nice to see Darius finding his place in the soccer team, having a space that challenges toxic masculinity and encourages affirmative friendship, and finding a sense of belonging there. Then he's able to pass those lessons onto his younger sister as well, which is so important.
That idea of safe spaces is also challenged, in a sense, when it comes to how Darius is navigating his budding friendship with Chip, who used to bully Darius by proxy before they became teammates. It raises the question of whether someone who's hurt you in the past can be absolved simply by being a friend in the present tense and how you go about gauging whether this person still has the capacity to cause you hurt. Being able to confront that trauma within a relationship is incredibly difficult but necessary work, so I appreciate the way that was handled.
I was a little wary about the "love triangle" aspect of the story, and while I won't spoil anything, I will say that I was proud of Darius for where he landed in the end. His relationship with his boyfriend, Landon, and his friendship with Chip were both extremely fraught, and I think Adib Khorram played it perfectly in the end.
All in all, I think both Darius books are revolutionary in their softness and their quiet affirmation. If you want to feel comforted, valued, and seen, then these are definitely the books for you. I absolutely love what this sequel accomplished and I'm so excited to see what Adib Khorram does next!
CWs: Incurred bullying, racism, xenophobic comments, homophobic comments, descriptions of anxiety and depressive episodes, some toxic relationships, explores early signs of what could be emotional abuse
When I heard that this book was announced, I was so excited to have even more Darius content in my life, but I was also curious to see if a sequel to a contemporary YA story could hold up to the original. Now that I've read this book, let me just say: I am SO glad this story exists.
Right off the bat, Darius' life is so different from how it looked in Darius the Great is Not Okay. Now he's out to his family, he has a boyfriend, he has a loving best friend, he has a promising internship at a local tea shop, and he's playing for his school's varsity soccer team. To see all of those positive things happening in his life is so important, because it shows that the good can coexist with the bad. Having all of these great things in his life doesn't mean Darius' depression is magically cured or that he doesn't struggle with body image or self-doubt. The presence of those struggles does absolutely nothing to negate the happiness he experiences and vice versa. So it's refreshing to see mental health normalized and destigmatized in that way, which I think is going to resonate so strongly for many readers.
Darius' family life is also a key aspect in this story. The dynamic between him and his parents has definitely shifted for the better; their relationship is much stronger after their trip to Iran, and they are much more intentional in expressing their feelings and affection. It's almost cathartic to be able to see Darius' parents tell him that they love him and they appreciate him, and I am such a huge fan of that openness within their family. That said, it doesn't necessarily come naturally. It's hard-win, it's something they have to consciously practice, and being better communicators doesn't mean their family is now perfect. They all still have a tendency to keep the hard stuff to themselves and to doubt themselves, and I think it's so important to see them continuing to work through those issues as a family.
The story also makes a point to explore the importance of having safe spaces in your life—whether they be people, places, or activities. Again, it's just really nice to see Darius finding his place in the soccer team, having a space that challenges toxic masculinity and encourages affirmative friendship, and finding a sense of belonging there. Then he's able to pass those lessons onto his younger sister as well, which is so important.
That idea of safe spaces is also challenged, in a sense, when it comes to how Darius is navigating his budding friendship with Chip, who used to bully Darius by proxy before they became teammates. It raises the question of whether someone who's hurt you in the past can be absolved simply by being a friend in the present tense and how you go about gauging whether this person still has the capacity to cause you hurt. Being able to confront that trauma within a relationship is incredibly difficult but necessary work, so I appreciate the way that was handled.
I was a little wary about the "love triangle" aspect of the story, and while I won't spoil anything, I will say that I was proud of Darius for where he landed in the end. His relationship with his boyfriend, Landon, and his friendship with Chip were both extremely fraught, and I think Adib Khorram played it perfectly in the end.
All in all, I think both Darius books are revolutionary in their softness and their quiet affirmation. If you want to feel comforted, valued, and seen, then these are definitely the books for you. I absolutely love what this sequel accomplished and I'm so excited to see what Adib Khorram does next!
December 14, 2020
It’s really rare a contemporary YA book to get sequel, I love “Darius The Great Is Not Okay’ – visit Iran became one on my wishlist just because of this book –I was super happy to know we get a sequel for that book cause I really want to see “something happen” between these 2 characters I love in “Darius The Great Is Not okay”
*spoiler alert* It didn’t happen here but somehow this book works for me
I love how Adib Khoram always knew how to write depression in his story, it felt so relateable and you can understand what these people going through even tho you never really experienced heavy depression, I also love I can get to know more of Darius’ soccer team (love them all, so supportive and kind to Darius) and more family story
It’s overall a lovely and sad but also eyeopening read, I will definetly read more Adib Khoram’s books in the future!!
3.5⭐️
*spoiler alert* It didn’t happen here but somehow this book works for me
I love how Adib Khoram always knew how to write depression in his story, it felt so relateable and you can understand what these people going through even tho you never really experienced heavy depression, I also love I can get to know more of Darius’ soccer team (love them all, so supportive and kind to Darius) and more family story
It’s overall a lovely and sad but also eyeopening read, I will definetly read more Adib Khoram’s books in the future!!
3.5⭐️
July 27, 2021
(free review copy) ALL MY LOVE ❤️ I loved the first Darius book but love love LOVE this one. It’s quirky and it’s queer and it’s so damn heartfelt and vulnerable and honest and everything I want teenage boys to be. It gives me hope that the Sportsball Industrial Complex (I’ll never forget that Darius coined my favorite phrase of all time) can be an inclusive and safe space for all athletes and that my children’s generation will fix everything that was and is wrong with mine. I adore Darius and his regular tears and gorgeous painted nails and his adorably normal awkwardness about his body. Love love love love.
May 26, 2020
I've been wanting a sequel ever since I first read Darius the Great Is Not Okay in 2018, and couldn't be happier that we were actually blessed with one. The first book was so special, and I can confirm this one is as well.
It actually took me a while to get into this book. I reread book 1 first and dove in right after finishing that, and because of that, I had some trouble adjusting to the tone of voice. Because this book is set a few months after the first book ends, and Darius goes through a lot of character development in between books that we never get to live through with him. For instance, he comes out to his family and gets his first boyfriend. I felt like Darius had gained a lot of confidence off page, and that altered his tone of voice a little.
However, I got into the book really quickly and then it was just a really great read again. And I can only agree with the title: Darius the Great really DOES deserve better. This is one of the purest characters I've ever read about and I would gladly give my life for him.
Actually, the ending left me craving another sequel. I want to know what happens with Sohrab! I want to know what happens with Darius and [redacted]!!
It actually took me a while to get into this book. I reread book 1 first and dove in right after finishing that, and because of that, I had some trouble adjusting to the tone of voice. Because this book is set a few months after the first book ends, and Darius goes through a lot of character development in between books that we never get to live through with him. For instance, he comes out to his family and gets his first boyfriend. I felt like Darius had gained a lot of confidence off page, and that altered his tone of voice a little.
However, I got into the book really quickly and then it was just a really great read again. And I can only agree with the title: Darius the Great really DOES deserve better. This is one of the purest characters I've ever read about and I would gladly give my life for him.
Actually, the ending left me craving another sequel. I want to know what happens with Sohrab! I want to know what happens with Darius and [redacted]!!
October 7, 2020
Weak sophomore effort, in my opinion. The first book in the series followed Darius Kellner on a trip to visit his dying grandfather in Iran, where we were introduced to a foreign land and culture. Darius worked through some major personal issues, including his sexuality and depression, and made a lifelong friend, Sohrab. This second book was a typical high school stuff in Portland, Oregon: boy-boy romances, who is a bully, who is a friend. I quickly tired of all the kissing and pining, and was happy when the book ended so I could read something better. Unless you are really into tea and/or the new Star Trek series, skip this.
April 16, 2023
Darius the Great still had more to say and I'm so glad I was able to read them. This sequel is even more wholesome than the first one. Darius's relationship with his family and friends is still the purest thing on Earth. I enjoy reading him grow accustomed to his Teen Television Drama of a life, deal with Level Nine Awkward Silences, and figure things regarding passion and love out on his own.
I honestly wish there were still more books to come instead of having only a duology because I'm sure as heck that I'm going to miss everyone in this book so so much. Not you, Trent.
I honestly wish there were still more books to come instead of having only a duology because I'm sure as heck that I'm going to miss everyone in this book so so much. Not you, Trent.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,183 reviews