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evelynyle_88's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
Finally I take time to finish this beautiful book. It's such an experience and life-changing moments. I learned so much from all the characters in this book about how to live your life.
The theme Darius with his struggles with his own big family, himself and his mental health... sometimes relate to me. I love the way he wanted to change what he can; to be a positive minded one; and thinks... it's okay not to be okay sometimes.
This book also so informative about Iranian cultures. Thank you, Adib Khorram! I love books that so informative like this! I learned so many Iranian cultures too from this book. I also love Darius and his friendship (including the ups and downs) with Sohrab.
Can't wait to continue with Darius The Great Deserves Better. Solid 5⭐!
The theme Darius with his struggles with his own big family, himself and his mental health... sometimes relate to me. I love the way he wanted to change what he can; to be a positive minded one; and thinks... it's okay not to be okay sometimes.
This book also so informative about Iranian cultures. Thank you, Adib Khorram! I love books that so informative like this! I learned so many Iranian cultures too from this book. I also love Darius and his friendship (including the ups and downs) with Sohrab.
Can't wait to continue with Darius The Great Deserves Better. Solid 5⭐!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Mental illness, and Bullying
Moderate: Body shaming, Suicidal thoughts, and Fatphobia
Minor: Death of parent
te_ss_i's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Racism, Mental illness, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Death of parent, and Cancer
ecster's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I cried and laughed so much while listening to this book, the questions around identity, family, friendship and mental health all woven into a story of loveable characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, and Mental illness
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
mel_muses's review against another edition
2.5
I really wish I liked this more. I expected something that would feel personal and hit close to home, but I honestly think this book is forgettable. I didn't come out of it making much of an impression on me, which I was really disappointed by and still am doubting myself about because usually books with depression representation become all-time favorites.
Maybe part of it was the way it was marketed. First of all, this is not a queer book. From what I've heard, the sequel definitely is, but there is no mention of the main character being LGBTQ+ at any point throughout this novel. People need to stop talking about this book like it's a YA romance because it most certainly isn't, and that might actually be part of why it falls flat.
Not to say a romance is necessary for a YA book to be good. That is completely, certainly not true. However, there was such little self-discovery going on throughout this book that I simply spent most of my time listening to it bored and asking "so what?"
I really liked the inclusion of complex family relationships — especially between Darius and his dad, and Darius with each of his grandparents. I also enjoyed the depictions of culture, food, and tea that were explored. The parts that focused on culture were probably the best parts of this whole book.
However, Darius the Great Is Not Okay was also completely cringe-worthy. Maybe it's just not for me, but all the references to Star Trek and repetition of certain phrases irked me. Darius put so many people in boxes, including his own family, and I absolutely could not stand it. His repeated use of "Steven Kellner" to express his dad's thoughts was incredibly ineffective and just served to add humor to a situation that didn't need it. He also kept referring to people from his school as "soulless minions of orthodoxy" and while, yes, he was bullied and they were horrible people for doing that, this made Darius' conflicts seem inconsequential and hyperbolic.
And the depression rep... it honestly felt like it was just thrown in there to earn some representation points. Not to say the author doesn't have the right and voice to speak on it — of course, he does — but I just didn't connect with it and I felt it only had a minimal impact on the plot of the book. Besides maybe one scene at the end and a few interactions with particular people throughout.
Overall, while I'm glad this book has managed to make such a great impression on so many other reviewers and readers, I couldn't personally recommend this book for its story, writing, or depression representation.
Trigger Warnings: ableism, bullying, death of a parent (side character), depression, fatphobia (challenged), homophobia, family member with cancer, islamophobia, racism (challenged), suicidal ideation recounted
Maybe part of it was the way it was marketed. First of all, this is not a queer book. From what I've heard, the sequel definitely is, but there is no mention of the main character being LGBTQ+ at any point throughout this novel. People need to stop talking about this book like it's a YA romance because it most certainly isn't, and that might actually be part of why it falls flat.
Not to say a romance is necessary for a YA book to be good. That is completely, certainly not true. However, there was such little self-discovery going on throughout this book that I simply spent most of my time listening to it bored and asking "so what?"
I really liked the inclusion of complex family relationships — especially between Darius and his dad, and Darius with each of his grandparents. I also enjoyed the depictions of culture, food, and tea that were explored. The parts that focused on culture were probably the best parts of this whole book.
However, Darius the Great Is Not Okay was also completely cringe-worthy. Maybe it's just not for me, but all the references to Star Trek and repetition of certain phrases irked me. Darius put so many people in boxes, including his own family, and I absolutely could not stand it. His repeated use of "Steven Kellner" to express his dad's thoughts was incredibly ineffective and just served to add humor to a situation that didn't need it. He also kept referring to people from his school as "soulless minions of orthodoxy" and while, yes, he was bullied and they were horrible people for doing that, this made Darius' conflicts seem inconsequential and hyperbolic.
And the depression rep... it honestly felt like it was just thrown in there to earn some representation points. Not to say the author doesn't have the right and voice to speak on it — of course, he does — but I just didn't connect with it and I felt it only had a minimal impact on the plot of the book. Besides maybe one scene at the end and a few interactions with particular people throughout.
Overall, while I'm glad this book has managed to make such a great impression on so many other reviewers and readers, I couldn't personally recommend this book for its story, writing, or depression representation.
Trigger Warnings: ableism, bullying, death of a parent (side character), depression, fatphobia (challenged), homophobia, family member with cancer, islamophobia, racism (challenged), suicidal ideation recounted
Content Warnings
Graphic: Islamophobia, Bullying, Death of parent, Racism, Homophobia, Ableism, Mental illness, and Body shaming
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Cancer
agwood32's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Mental illness
Moderate: Bullying, Fatphobia, Islamophobia, and Homophobia
Minor: Murder and Death of parent
abigailhaagen's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
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? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Mental illness
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Self harm, Racism, and Death
koplomps's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
5.0
Absolutely loved this, loved Darius too. I have a distant relationship with my grandparents and had a little cry when it felt too relatable. None on the characters were perfect, and that was totally okay.
(Edit: My original rating was 4.75, but I've been thinking about this book for months now, and that doesn't happen often. So I'm raising my rating to 5 stars ✨)
(Edit: My original rating was 4.75, but I've been thinking about this book for months now, and that doesn't happen often. So I'm raising my rating to 5 stars ✨)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Racism, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Racial slurs
Minor: Emotional abuse
tesslaah's review against another edition
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? Yes
4.0
In the afterword, Khorram says that they “wanted to show how depression can affect a life without ruling it.” They convey this well! Depression was central to the story but it wasn’t the only part of Darius’ life that made him who he is. Darius was portrayed as a whole person who also develops in how he views friendship, his relationship with his dad, and even his multi-racial background.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Religious bigotry
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
rachelfayreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
slow-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Xenophobia
aexileigh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Bullying, Mental illness, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Fatphobia and Suicidal thoughts