sapphicreaderlucy's review against another edition
Library hold expired at 88%ðŸ˜
crystal_reading's review against another edition
5.0
Review copy: Digital ARC via Netgalley
Full disclosure - I absolutely adored Darius the Great #1, so I was predisposed to love the sequel. This book did not disappoint. Darius is this wonderful mixed up and thoroughly lovable kid and even though I am very likely not who Khorram was writing this book for, I totally connect with Darius and just want the best for him. I think everyone has been there - it seems like things are improving and you may have figured a few things out and then bam! Everything hits the fan. Yeah. Been there.
Like with the first book, I will likely be shoving this one into many hands. I highly recommend this for anyone who enjoyed Darius the first time, but if people haven't read the first one, they should really get on that. It made my heart smile and feel all cozy. There were also a few tears, but in a good way.
Full disclosure - I absolutely adored Darius the Great #1, so I was predisposed to love the sequel. This book did not disappoint. Darius is this wonderful mixed up and thoroughly lovable kid and even though I am very likely not who Khorram was writing this book for, I totally connect with Darius and just want the best for him. I think everyone has been there - it seems like things are improving and you may have figured a few things out and then bam! Everything hits the fan. Yeah. Been there.
Like with the first book, I will likely be shoving this one into many hands. I highly recommend this for anyone who enjoyed Darius the first time, but if people haven't read the first one, they should really get on that. It made my heart smile and feel all cozy. There were also a few tears, but in a good way.
beesarenotflies's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
chandraleereads's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book in one sitting, which doesn’t surprise me. I loved the first book and this one is just as beautiful. I have very little in common with Darius on the surface, but yet he is a character I feel deeply connected to. Adib Khorram does a phenomenally attentive job of addressing topics such as depression, bullying, self-esteem, prejudice, queerness, and so much more (and all of this is done with charm, humor, and sensitivity). I could go on and on about my love of this book. I can’t wait for Darius the Great Deserves Better to come out on the 25th so that I can get a physical copy for my shelves.
just_a_city_gorl's review against another edition
5.0
- This Trent fucker can seriously fuck off.Â
- The hair!!! No!Â
- Oh my God. Jesus Christ. What to even say.Â
- Trent sucks. Hopefully he gets better (my expectations aren’t that high).Â
- Chip’s gonna be better. Thank god. My guy needed to get a grip.Â
- Landon seriously needs to fuck off and learn about godamm boundaries. Seriously dude. I’m happy they broke up (Darius is not selfish you fuck). Â
- I love his parents. And his Mamou. And his grandparents got better. I cried (fucking obviously).Â
- Laleh is so sweet. Honestly the best. And she read Dune which stood out to me (Zendaya).
- Sorahb!!! He’s finally leaving Iran!!! I fucking sobbed. They’ll get to visit each other and maybe even live near each other! Holy god that’s incredible.Â
- This book and series as a whole is honestly too much. And I read it one day. I’ve never done that before.Â
- It’s my new favourite. I love Darius and every other character (not Tr€nt).Â
- I also love how he always refers to someone as they unless someone states their gender. Every single time and he didn’t make a big deal out of it, he was just respectful. I really loved it.Â
- Just incredible.Â
arinreads's review against another edition
5.0
i don't know what is it about these two books that makes me this emotional, that makes me cry at certain points of the plot that aren't even that sad. i was afraid to be disappointed. i should've been scared of finding even more of myself than i did in the first one. i am so overwhelmed with feelings right now, these books just got to me.
anyway, i was really sceptical after reading the synopsis but i needn't have worried, because it's perfect. it's touching, and hits close to home, and i love love LOVE it. god. i am so happy this came out.
anyway, i was really sceptical after reading the synopsis but i needn't have worried, because it's perfect. it's touching, and hits close to home, and i love love LOVE it. god. i am so happy this came out.
arp363's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
4.0
kristenmtan's review against another edition
3.0
3/5 i think
is there a third book? i feel like there should be …
(just checked and there’s not)
it was fun to read but definitely was one of those sequels that was never part of the plan in the first place but was only written because the first book did so well
is there a third book? i feel like there should be …
(just checked and there’s not)
it was fun to read but definitely was one of those sequels that was never part of the plan in the first place but was only written because the first book did so well
astareads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
thereadingwren's review against another edition
5.0
Second Read 2022:
Upping this to 5 stars. I enjoyed this sequel so much more the second time around. The first time I kept comparing it to the first book and this time around I was able to just enjoy it for what it is and I loved every minute of it.
First Read 2021:
4/5
Adib Khorram can do no wrong. The way he writes is so captivating and has this almost haunting quality. The words are just whispering inside your mind and surrounding your soul.
There's a part of me that didn't enjoy this as much as the first book because one of the best things from the first book was the descriptions of depression. This book was still a book about a teen dealing with depression, while his father is also dealing with it, but that's the main difference. Darius is dealing and coping with his depression this time, he's worked out what works for him and how to keep himself level. It was really great to see that side of depression too, when things are slightly more in control but always on a knife edge. I also really loved seeing Darius' dad going through a bad depressive episode, it brought home the fact that depression is a lifelong mental illness and even if you're fine for years it can still pop up and consume you.
Darius' relationship with his dad was maybe my favourite thing of this book. It's such a stark difference from the first book when they barely had a relationship. In this book they are there for each other, they talk constantly, show affection, and genuinely want to be around each other. It's so wholesome and I honestly cannot get over how much they love each other.
I thought the focus being on the queer experience would make me love this book more but I almost didn't want it. Don't get me wrong I'm queer as hell and love reading about queer experiences but there was something missing here. I think it mainly had to do with the somewhat unhealthy relationship Darius gets into. It's important to show a relationship like that where one person wants things to progress quicker than the other and the struggle that causes. I'm glad things ended the way they did, but the other potential love interest wasn't super realistic. I mean I loved it (and he even identified as queer, super cool to see that being used a label!), but the whole "I've liked you for ages but only tell you when your in a relationship" is a little cliche. But I do appreciate that Darius didn't jump straight into another relationship.
I think it was really important to show that even though Darius had basically everything he wanted - a boyfriend, his dream job, friends, a relationship with his dad - he was still struggling. Sometimes what we think will make us happy actually don't and it's okay to let go of those dreams.
I really adore this duology and will probably re-read it for the rest of my life. If Adib Khorram ever returns to Darius I will 1000% read it. Also looking forward to reading more of his works.
Upping this to 5 stars. I enjoyed this sequel so much more the second time around. The first time I kept comparing it to the first book and this time around I was able to just enjoy it for what it is and I loved every minute of it.
First Read 2021:
4/5
Adib Khorram can do no wrong. The way he writes is so captivating and has this almost haunting quality. The words are just whispering inside your mind and surrounding your soul.
There's a part of me that didn't enjoy this as much as the first book because one of the best things from the first book was the descriptions of depression. This book was still a book about a teen dealing with depression, while his father is also dealing with it, but that's the main difference. Darius is dealing and coping with his depression this time, he's worked out what works for him and how to keep himself level. It was really great to see that side of depression too, when things are slightly more in control but always on a knife edge. I also really loved seeing Darius' dad going through a bad depressive episode, it brought home the fact that depression is a lifelong mental illness and even if you're fine for years it can still pop up and consume you.
Darius' relationship with his dad was maybe my favourite thing of this book. It's such a stark difference from the first book when they barely had a relationship. In this book they are there for each other, they talk constantly, show affection, and genuinely want to be around each other. It's so wholesome and I honestly cannot get over how much they love each other.
I thought the focus being on the queer experience would make me love this book more but I almost didn't want it. Don't get me wrong I'm queer as hell and love reading about queer experiences but there was something missing here. I think it mainly had to do with the somewhat unhealthy relationship Darius gets into. It's important to show a relationship like that where one person wants things to progress quicker than the other and the struggle that causes. I'm glad things ended the way they did, but the other potential love interest wasn't super realistic. I mean I loved it (and he even identified as queer, super cool to see that being used a label!), but the whole "I've liked you for ages but only tell you when your in a relationship" is a little cliche. But I do appreciate that Darius didn't jump straight into another relationship.
I think it was really important to show that even though Darius had basically everything he wanted - a boyfriend, his dream job, friends, a relationship with his dad - he was still struggling. Sometimes what we think will make us happy actually don't and it's okay to let go of those dreams.
I really adore this duology and will probably re-read it for the rest of my life. If Adib Khorram ever returns to Darius I will 1000% read it. Also looking forward to reading more of his works.