A review by nickscoby
Darius the Great Deserves Better by Adib Khorram

4.0

Adib has done it again! This is one of those books where I wanted to stay up all night reading but then get mad at myself for reading it so fast, so I ended up frustrated and happy all at once. This book has so many relatable contemporary themes that manage to come across quite effectively. (Trust me: with less gifted writers, it would feel like box checking) But here: we get to see the complete world that Darius lives in and it is complex and nuanced, including a trans grandparent, adolescent and adult depression, financial strain, boyfriends who want more from you sexually than you are ready for. In other words, Darius lives in the 21st century. And I don't know how the author does it, but somehow I ended up rooting against the Perfect Boyfriend in favor of a flawed character. It is quite a love triangle that does not have a Hollywood ending.